Released on January 6th, 2009, the 17″ MacBook Pro (Unibody, Early 2009) – MB604LL/A was a flagship model designed for professionals and creatives who needed the perfect combination of performance, portability, and a large display. This laptop was ideal for graphic designers, photographers, and anyone requiring a large canvas for their work, while still demanding the power to handle heavy-duty tasks. With its 2.66 GHz Core 2 Duo processor, GeForce 9600M GT graphics, and 320GB hard drive, it offered the performance that users needed for demanding workflows, all packed into the sleek unibody aluminum design Apple was known for.
Released with a $2799 MSRP, the MB604LL/A was at the high end of the MacBook Pro lineup, and it was one of the few Apple laptops that came with a 17-inch display—a rare offering at the time. Here’s a closer look at what made this model a standout in its era.
Processing Power: Core 2 Duo Performance for Pros
The 17″ MacBook Pro (MB604LL/A) featured the 2.66 GHz Core 2 Duo processor, which at the time was one of the fastest chips available. With its 2 cores and Hyper-Threading technology, it was designed to handle multiple tasks at once, making it ideal for multitasking and demanding applications. Whether you were running photo editing software, video rendering tools, or music production programs, the Core 2 Duo processor had the power to keep things running smoothly.
While by today’s standards it’s considered an older chip, back in 2009, the Core 2 Duo was a solid choice for professionals needing strong, reliable performance in a portable package.
Dual-Graphics Setup: A Balance of Power and Battery Life
The MB604LL/A was equipped with dual graphics cards: the GeForce 9600M GT and the GeForce 9400M, providing users with the best of both worlds.
- GeForce 9600M GT: This dedicated GPU, with 256MB of VRAM, was ideal for graphics-intensive tasks, such as 3D rendering, video editing, and gaming. It was capable of delivering smooth visuals and high frame rates, making it perfect for creative professionals and users working with demanding visual content.
- GeForce 9400M: The integrated GPU helped to conserve power during lighter tasks like word processing and web browsing. By switching to the 9400M for these less demanding tasks, the MacBook Pro could provide longer battery life without sacrificing performance when it was needed most.
This dual-GPU system made the 17″ MacBook Pro a versatile machine for a variety of professional environments.
Display: A Huge 17″ Canvas for Work and Play
The standout feature of the 17″ MacBook Pro (MB604LL/A) was its 17-inch high-resolution display. For professionals who worked with large documents, images, or video, this was a game changer. With a 1440×900 resolution, the screen offered ample space for multitasking and viewing complex projects in their entirety.
The glossy display was a love-it-or-hate-it feature, with some users appreciating the vibrant, high-contrast colors, while others preferred a matte finish for reduced glare. Regardless, the 17″ screen was perfect for graphic design, video editing, or simply working on multiple apps at once without feeling cramped.
Storage and RAM: Ample Space for Your Files
Shipped with a 320GB 5400 RPM hard drive, the MB604LL/A provided a good amount of space for documents, photos, videos, and music files. Although solid-state drives (SSDs) were becoming more popular, the 5400 RPM hard drive still provided a decent balance between storage space and performance for users who did not require lightning-fast access to large files.
Additionally, the 4GB of RAM (upgradeable to 8GB) offered sufficient memory to keep multiple applications running smoothly. Multitaskers who frequently worked with large datasets, HD video files, or needed to run multiple programs simultaneously could rely on the MB604LL/A for a steady experience.
Design: Sturdy, Sleek, and Portable
Weighing in at 6.6 lbs and measuring 0.98 x 15.47 x 10.51 inches, the 17″ MacBook Pro (MB604LL/A) was larger and heavier than its 13″ and 15″ counterparts, but the unibody aluminum design made it remarkably sturdy while still maintaining a sleek, professional appearance. While it was certainly not the most portable laptop available, its combination of a large display and premium build quality made it the perfect tool for those who prioritized screen real estate over portability.
The unibody construction also added durability, ensuring that the MB604LL/A could withstand the bumps and scrapes of daily use without compromising the aesthetics or performance.
Battery Life and Connectivity: Stay Connected and Powered Up
Thanks to the 85W MagSafe 1 power adapter, the 17″ MacBook Pro could provide up to 7 hours of wireless web usage. This offered a decent amount of battery life, especially considering the large screen and the presence of dual GPUs. Whether you were working on the go, in a coffee shop, or on a long flight, the MB604LL/A provided the power needed to get work done without constantly worrying about finding an outlet.
As for connectivity, the MB604LL/A offered a range of options, including 802.11a/b/g Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR, USB 2.0 ports, a FireWire 800 port for faster data transfer, and a Mini DisplayPort for connecting external displays. The integrated optical drive allowed for reading and burning DVDs and CDs, which was becoming less common in laptops of this era but still an essential feature for many users at the time.
Final Thoughts: A Professional’s Choice for Power and Display
The 17″ MacBook Pro (Unibody, Early 2009) – MB604LL/A was a powerhouse designed for professionals who needed a large screen, reliable performance, and the ability to tackle demanding tasks. With its 2.66 GHz Core 2 Duo processor, dual graphics cards, and 17-inch high-resolution display, it delivered excellent visuals and processing power for users who valued performance over portability.
Though its $2799 MSRP was on the higher end, it was worth the investment for those who required a large, high-quality display for their work. Whether it was for graphic design, video production, or simply enjoying media on a bigger screen, the MB604LL/A provided the perfect balance of size, power, and premium build quality.
Though Apple has since moved on to newer technologies, the 17″ MacBook Pro (Early 2009) still remains a beloved classic for those who remember the days when Apple’s top-tier laptops came with large screens, strong performance, and a design that stood the test of time.
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MacBook Pro MB604LL/A Specs
- Order Number
- MB604LL/A
- Identifier
- MacBookPro5,2
- Model Number
- A1297
- EMC
- 2272
- Processor Speed
- 2.66GHz
- Processors (Cores)
- 1 (2 Cores)
- Processor Type
- Core 2 Duo
- Hard Drive
- 320GB 5400 RPM
- Hard Drive Type
- 2.5″
- RAM
- 4GB
- RAM Type
- PC3-8500-1066MHZ-DDR3-SO-DIMM
- Video Card 1
- GeForce 9600M GT
- Video Card 2
- GeForce 9400M
- VRAM
- 256MB
- Built-in Display
- 17″
- Color
- Silver
- Input
- Multi-Touch Trackpad
- Optical Drive
- 8x DL SuperDrive
- AirPort
- 802.11a/b/g
- Bluetooth
- 2.1+EDR
- Power Brick
- 85w MagSafe 1
- Dimensions
- 0.98 x 15.47 x 10.51 inches
- Avg. Weight
- 6.6 lbs
- Release Date
- January 6th 2009
- MSRP
- 2799