17″ MacBook Pro (Unibody, Early 2009) – MB604LL/A-BTO: Power Meets Performance in a Larger Form Factor

Released on January 6th, 2009, the 17″ MacBook Pro (Unibody, Early 2009) – MB604LL/A-BTO was one of the most powerful and visually stunning laptops in Apple’s lineup at the time. Featuring a 2.93 GHz Core 2 Duo processor and dual graphics cards, this model was built for users who demanded the best performance and a massive screen for their work or media consumption. While it was priced at $3099, the MB604LL/A-BTO packed impressive features, including a 17-inch display, making it the perfect choice for professionals in creative fields, such as design, video production, and photography, or for anyone who simply wanted the best experience in terms of screen size and performance.

Let’s dive deeper into the features that made this particular MacBook Pro special.

Processor: A Speed Boost with the 2.93 GHz Core 2 Duo

The 2.93 GHz Core 2 Duo processor in the MB604LL/A-BTO was the standout feature of this high-end MacBook Pro. At the time, it was one of the fastest chips available, allowing users to run complex applications with ease, whether it was for video editing, 3D rendering, or running multiple software programs at once. The 2 cores provided smooth multitasking, and it was an ideal choice for creative professionals who needed high-performance power in a portable package.

Compared to its predecessor, the 2.66 GHz Core 2 Duo, this upgrade delivered better overall processing speed, ensuring that the MB604LL/A-BTO could handle more intensive tasks like high-definition video editing or running heavy graphics applications without slowing down.

Dual Graphics: Optimized Performance for Every Task

Like the standard 17″ MacBook Pro (MB604LL/A), this model also included a dual-graphics card setup, with the GeForce 9600M GT and the GeForce 9400M. However, the MB604LL/A-BTO offered a more powerful 512MB VRAM for the 9600M GT, giving it an edge in performance-heavy applications like gaming, 3D modeling, and video editing. This dual-GPU system allowed the MacBook Pro to switch between the GeForce 9600M GT for more demanding tasks and the 9400M for lighter, power-efficient tasks.

With this setup, users could experience smooth visuals, even when working on high-resolution graphics, large files, or video content. The dedicated VRAM of 512MB on the 9600M GT ensured that graphical tasks were handled with more ease and fluidity.

Display: A 17-Inch Canvas for Creative Professionals

The 17-inch display of the MB604LL/A-BTO was the highlight of this model. Creative professionals and those in need of a large workspace were the target audience for this machine. Whether you were working on large-scale designs, editing high-resolution photos, or simply running multiple applications at once, the 17-inch display gave you the room to do so comfortably.

The screen had a high-gloss finish, which helped produce vibrant and deep colors, perfect for users who valued color accuracy in their projects. The 17-inch size was the largest MacBook display offered at the time, providing plenty of room for multitasking without feeling cramped.

However, like other glossy displays, it did have its drawbacks in terms of glare, especially under bright lighting conditions. While some users loved the sharp visuals and vibrant colors, others preferred the matte finish for more comfortable viewing in different environments.

Storage and RAM: Plenty of Space to Work and Store

The MB604LL/A-BTO shipped with a 320GB 5400 RPM hard drive, providing enough storage for most users to store their documents, photos, videos, and other media files. While this hard drive was standard at the time, it was on the slower side compared to today’s solid-state drives (SSDs). However, it was sufficient for users working with files that were not extremely large or demanding.

In addition, the 4GB of RAM (expandable up to 8GB) provided enough memory for multitasking, ensuring that users could switch between applications without experiencing lag or slowdowns. For those who needed more memory for large video files or memory-intensive applications, the expandable RAM was an attractive feature that allowed users to upgrade as needed.

Design: A Sleek, Premium Build

The unibody aluminum design of the 17″ MacBook Pro gave it a sturdy, yet sleek and premium feel. The build quality was exceptional, making it durable enough to withstand the rigors of professional life while maintaining its elegant aesthetics.

Weighing in at 6.6 lbs, the 17″ MacBook Pro was not as lightweight as its smaller counterparts, but it was still portable enough to be carried around for work or travel. The dimensions of 0.98 x 15.47 x 10.51 inches were a good balance between screen real estate and form factor, providing a comfortable and efficient workspace without compromising on portability.

The Multi-Touch Trackpad provided easy navigation, while the 8x DL SuperDrive optical drive allowed users to burn DVDs and CDs, a feature that was starting to disappear in newer models but still essential for those who needed physical media.

Battery Life and Connectivity: Stay Productive On the Go

With the 85W MagSafe 1 power adapter, the 17″ MacBook Pro could provide up to 7 hours of wireless web usage on a single charge. While this was decent considering the large screen and dual graphics, the battery life was not groundbreaking by today’s standards. However, it offered sufficient usage for professionals who worked on the go or needed a laptop that could last through a full workday.

The laptop also featured robust connectivity options, including 802.11a/b/g Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR, and USB 2.0 ports. For those needing faster data transfer speeds, the FireWire 800 port was available, and the Mini DisplayPort allowed users to connect external monitors or projectors with ease.

Final Thoughts: A Professional’s Powerhouse in a Larger Package

The 17″ MacBook Pro (Unibody, Early 2009) – MB604LL/A-BTO was designed for professionals who needed maximum performance, storage, and a large display for their work. With the 2.93 GHz Core 2 Duo processor, dual graphics cards, and 17-inch screen, it was the perfect tool for anyone in creative fields or those who simply needed the largest MacBook display Apple offered at the time.

While the $3099 MSRP was on the higher end, it was a worthwhile investment for users who needed a combination of performance and screen real estate that could handle demanding applications and multitasking. Though today’s MacBook models offer newer processors and SSDs, the MB604LL/A-BTO remains a standout for those who appreciate its large display, premium build, and solid performance from an earlier era.