History
This page covers the early (2006-2008) models of the 17" MacBook Pro,
which was released in April 2006, three months after the debut
of the 15" MacBook
Pro. Models covered on this page are the "pre-unibody" models.
All of these have a silver keyboard. The later Unibody models (October
2008 onwards) have a black keyboard and are dealt with on their own page: MacBook Pro 17" Unibody. We also have pages on the MacBook
Pro 13", MacBook Pro 15" 2006-08 and MacBook Pro 15" Unibody.
These 17" models are very similar machine to the 15" machines,
they uses the same Intel Core Duo (later Core 2 Duo) CPU, have
a 2.5" SATA
hard drive and has an ExpressCard expansion socket.
The major differences apart from screen size are that this 17" model
has FireWire 800, while the early 15.4" does not (it was added to
the Core 2 Duo 15.4" model).
This 17" also has 3 USB 2.0 ports as opposed to 2 on the smaller
model.
Apple specs for the original 17" MacBook Pro can be found here.
In October 2006 the line was updated to use the Intel Core 2 Duo CPU and take up to 3GB of RAM (as opposed to 2GB on the original model). Apple specs here.
In June 2007, a further revision bumped the speed up to 2.4GHz, updated
the Airport card to use the 802.11n draft specification, and
allowed up to 6GB of RAM to be installed. Apple specs here.
There was a minor refresh in November 2007, Apple specs here.
In February 2008 the MacBook Pro moved to the Penryn processor running at 2.5 or 2.6GHz and introduced a multi-touch track pad. Compatibility for upgrades was unchanged. Apple specs here.
In January 2009 the MacBook Pro 17" was replaced with the new MacBook Pro 17" Unibody.
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How to Identify these Machines
The MacBook Pro looks similar to the 17" PowerBook G4 Aluminium - it is the same colour, although slightly thinner and with a slightly larger screen.
The best way to distinguish this machine from the earlier PowerBook G4
is to check System Profiler for the CPU type (Intel Core Duo or Core 2
Duo), although it can also be easily identified by Apple's new MagSafe
power connector - the power cable is held on magnetically when attached,
eliminating the possibility of damaging the machine by tripping on the
power lead.
This machine can be distinguished from the later MacBook Pro 17" Unibody by the keyboard colour. Machines dealt with
on this page have a silver keyboard. Later Unibody models have a black
keyboard.
There is also 15" versions of the MacBook Pro, which have their own
pages. Compatibility between the two ranges of machines is very similar,
although not identical, and dates of revisions vary. See the pages for
the MacBook
Pro 15" 2006-08 and MacBook
Pro 15" Unibody.
There are 4 revisions of the pre-Unibody MacBook Pro 17", and while
compatibility is similar there is a difference in the amount of
RAM they can use.
To tell the difference between revisions, check the CPU type and speed in System Profile, and compare to the below.
1st Revision: Released Jan 2006 with a 2.16GHz Intel Core Duo CPU. Maximum RAM 2GB (either 2 x 1GB modules or 1 x 2GB). Apple specs here.
2nd Revision: Released Oct 2006 with a 2.33GHz Intel Core 2 Duo CPU. Maximum RAM 3GB (1x 1GB + 1 x 2GB modules). Apple specs here.
3rd Revision: Released June 2007 with a 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo CPU.
Maximum RAM 6GB (1 x 2GB + 1 x 4GB modules). Apple specs here.
And for the November 2007 refresh, here.
4th Revision: Released February 2008 with a 2.5GHz or 2.6GHz Intel Core
2 Duo (Penryn) CPU. Maximum RAM 6GB (1 x 2GB + 1 x 4GB modules). Apple
specs here.
If you are still unsure you can contact us on 01223 833 412, or by email for confirmation. If you want to upgrade but aren't happy to install your upgrades then we can help. Simply ask our engineers for further details.
Memory Upgrades
Memory listed here is for the MacBook Pro 17" 2006-2008. Follow the
relevant link for memory for the: MacBook
Pro 13", MacBook Pro 15" 2006-08, MacBook
Pro 15" Unibody or MacBook
Pro 17" Unibody.
The MacBook Pro 17" has two memory sockets. The original Core Duo
machines can accept up to 2GB in RAM in two 1GB chips.
The first Core 2 Duo machines introduced in October 2006 can support up to 3GB of RAM by using 1 x 2GB module and 1 x 1GB module.
The later Core 2 Duo MacBook Pros (June 2007 and Feb 2008) can use 6GB
of RAM using 1 x 4GB and 1 x 2GB modules.
All machines use PC2-5300
SODIMMs.
See the How To Identify this Mac section above for details on how to tell the difference between these revisions.
There is no need to install RAM in pairs in this machine.
| 1 | Not suitable for first revision MacBook Pros, so only for models with a Core 2 Duo processor, not the original Core Duo models. Second revision models can not use 2 of these chips together. |
| 2 | Only suitable for models from June 07 onwards - models with a system bus speed of 800MHz. |
Any fitting information below is intended as a guide before purchase ONLY, when fitting these products you should refer to the original manual for your computer, and any instructions that come with the item. Please see this page for more information, or here for information on our fitting service.
Difficulty 3 / 5 - Reasonably easy.
Turn off the machine and remove the power cable and battery.
The RAM is accessed via a cover on the bottom of the machine secured by three screws. Remove the holding screws and install the new RAM.
Apple's memory installation guides can be found here.
CD & DVD Drive Upgrades
All MacBook Pros come with a SuperDrive at as standard. It is also possible
to use an external device via FireWire or USB 2.0.
| INSTALL SERVICE - Internal CD/DVD Drive in a PowerBook, MacBook, MacBook Pro or Cube | Stock:  | £29.00 + vat (£34.80) | |  |
| Internal DVDRW for Al PowerBook, iBook G4, G4 Cube, iMac G5 or Intel, Mac Mini and MacBook Pro | Stock: | £119.00 + vat (£142.80) | | |
| REFURB 8x Internal DVDRW for Al PowerBook, iBook G4, G4 Cube, iMac G5 or Intel, Mac Mini and MacBook Pro | Stock: | £49.00 + vat (£58.80) | | |
Any fitting information below is intended as a guide before purchase ONLY, when fitting these products you should refer to the original manual for your computer, and any instructions that come with the item. Please see this page for more information, or here for information on our fitting service.
Internal Hard Drive Upgrades
Hard drives listed here are for the MacBook Pro 17" 2006-2008.
Follow the relevant link for hard drives for the: MacBook
Pro 13", MacBook
Pro 15" 2006-08, MacBook
Pro 15" Unibody or MacBook
Pro 17" Unibody.
The MacBook Pro 17" uses a 2.5" SATA hard drive. All of the
following drives are compatible with the MacBook Pro.
If you don't want to fit a new hard drive yourself, you can take advantage of the MacUpgrades Installation Service. Add the installation service from the list below to your cart along with your chosen hard drive. We can also clone your existing hard drive onto the new one, simply add the Clone Original Hard Drive service below to your cart.
Once you have booked the service, send your machine to us, we will carry out the work and return it to you. Alternatively, we do offer a Collection Service with our courier, please see here for details.
Any fitting information below is intended as a guide before purchase ONLY, when fitting these products you should refer to the original manual for your computer, and any instructions that come with the item. Please see this page for more information, or here for information on our fitting service.
Difficulty 4 / 5 Difficult
For the pre-Unibody (prior to Jan 2009) MacBook Pros, the internal hard
drive is difficult to get to, and is not classified by Apple
as a user installable part. Installing a replacement drive
during warranty will void any remaining warranty. Mac Upgrades
does sell drives for user installation, but we cannot offer
instructions or support for the install.
Graphics Card Upgrades
The graphics card in the MacBook Pro is part of the main logic board, and is therefore not replaceable.
| 1 | For models listed in, and suffering the fault mentioned in this Apple advisory. |
Any fitting information below is intended as a guide before purchase ONLY, when fitting these products you should refer to the original manual for your computer, and any instructions that come with the item. Please see this page for more information, or here for information on our fitting service.
Expansion Card Upgrades
Your MacBook Pro has an ExpressCard/34 slot for expansion. This is a modern, high bandwidth slot, considerably superior to the old PCMCIA found on the PowerBook range.
There is also an internal slot for the Airport Extreme card, which can be replaced or upgraded.
| 1 | Requires Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard) or later. |
Any fitting information below is intended as a guide before purchase ONLY, when fitting these products you should refer to the original manual for your computer, and any instructions that come with the item. Please see this page for more information, or here for information on our fitting service.
Difficulty 1 / 5 - Very Easy (Express34 slot only).
Install any supplied software, turn off the machine and insert the ExpressCard into the socket on the machine.
Restart machine and away you go.
Keyboards & Mice
The following keyboards and mice are compatible with this Mac.
Any fitting information below is intended as a guide before purchase ONLY, when fitting these products you should refer to the original manual for your computer, and any instructions that come with the item. Please see this page for more information, or here for information on our fitting service.
Difficulty 1 / 5 - Very Easy
Keyboards plug into the relevant port on your Mac. Mice can either be plugged into your keyboard, or they can be plugged directly into your Mac.
Power Supplies & Batteries
Listed below are power supplies, batteries and related products
we supply for this Mac.
Any fitting information below is intended as a guide before purchase ONLY, when fitting these products you should refer to the original manual for your computer, and any instructions that come with the item. Please see this page for more information, or here for information on our fitting service.
Cables & Tools
Listed below are power cables, tools and related products
we supply for this Mac.
Any fitting information below is intended as a guide before purchase ONLY, when fitting these products you should refer to the original manual for your computer, and any instructions that come with the item. Please see this page for more information, or here for information on our fitting service.
External Hard Drive Upgrades
The 17" version of the Macbook Pro has FireWire 800, FireWire 400
and USB 2.0 connectivity. The laptop also has an ExpressCard slot which
is a high bandwidth expansion port, suitable for adding connectivity suitable
for fast external storage.
| 1 | Requires Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard) or later. |
| 2 | Requires an eSATA connection to be added to this Mac (eg Tempo Express/34). |
Any fitting information below is intended as a guide before purchase ONLY, when fitting these products you should refer to the original manual for your computer, and any instructions that come with the item. Please see this page for more information, or here for information on our fitting service.
Difficulty 1 / 5 - Very Easy
Install any supplied software and connect the new device.
You will need to format the drive before use. This is done with the "Drive Setup" utility, which can be found in Applications > Utilities.
