Released in October 2011, the 17″ MacBook Pro (Unibody, Late 2011) BTO (Build to Order) model (MD311LL/A-BTO) brought a premium experience that was built for professionals requiring high performance in a large, portable package. The BTO variant offered higher customization options, including a faster 2.5 GHz Core i7 processor, making it even more attractive for power users who demanded speed, efficiency, and a large screen for their creative and technical work.
This model, which came at a higher price point of $2,749, remained one of the most capable laptops Apple ever produced in its era. It was designed to cater to users who worked with graphic-intensive applications, multimedia, and large data sets while still maintaining the stylish, durable design that Apple was known for. Here’s a closer look at the features that set the MD311LL/A-BTO apart.
Design and Build Quality
The 17″ MacBook Pro BTO continued Apple’s tradition of the Unibody aluminum design, which gave it a sleek and minimalist look. The solid aluminum construction not only provided durability but also helped manage heat more effectively, a key benefit for a high-performance laptop.
With a size of 0.98 x 15.47 x 10.51 inches and a weight of 6.6 lbs, this model was on the heavier side of MacBooks but offered a huge 17-inch display that made it an ideal workstation for professionals who needed large screen real estate. Whether you were editing photos, working with video footage, or running multiple applications simultaneously, the large display provided ample room for multitasking.
Display and Graphics: A Perfect Canvas
The 17” LED-backlit display on this MacBook Pro offered a resolution of 1920 x 1200 pixels, giving users a wide, crisp workspace with great color accuracy. While it lacked the Retina display that would appear on later models, it still provided excellent contrast, vibrant colors, and wide viewing angles that made it ideal for design work, video editing, and watching high-definition content.
In terms of graphics performance, the MacBook Pro MD311LL/A-BTO featured a dual-graphics system. The integrated Intel HD Graphics 3000 was good for everyday tasks, including web browsing and document editing, while the dedicated AMD Radeon HD 6770M with 1GB of VRAM handled more demanding tasks like gaming, video editing, and 3D rendering. This setup allowed for a smooth balance between battery life and power, ensuring that users had the right graphics resources for whatever their tasks demanded.
Performance: 2.5 GHz Core i7 for Power Users
One of the standout features of the MD311LL/A-BTO was its 2.5 GHz Core i7 processor. With four cores and eight threads, this CPU offered exceptional performance for multitasking and running resource-intensive applications. Whether you were working with large multimedia files, running virtual machines, or compiling code, the Core i7 processor handled it all with ease. The 2.5 GHz speed made it a significant step up from previous models, providing more power for tasks that required fast processing.
The system came with 4GB of RAM, but given the performance capabilities of the Core i7 processor, many users opted for RAM upgrades, particularly for professional-grade software that could benefit from 8GB or 16GB. This was an especially useful upgrade for video editors, graphic designers, and developers who needed smooth multitasking and fast rendering.
Storage and Upgrades: Flexibility for Power Users
The MacBook Pro MD311LL/A-BTO shipped with a 750GB 5400 RPM hard drive. While this offered a decent amount of storage, it was a traditional hard drive, which was slower than modern solid-state drives (SSDs). Many users quickly upgraded the internal storage by swapping out the hard drive for a faster SSD, which made a significant difference in boot times, file transfer speeds, and overall system responsiveness.
Additionally, the machine supported easy RAM upgrades, and with the BTO option, users could customize the RAM during purchase or upgrade it later, allowing the MacBook Pro to grow alongside users’ needs.
Connectivity and Ports: Comprehensive I/O for Professionals
As with other MacBook Pros from this generation, the MD311LL/A-BTO featured a robust selection of ports, ensuring that users had everything they needed for peripheral connectivity. This model included USB 2.0 ports, FireWire 800 for legacy devices, an SD card slot, and an HDMI port for connecting external displays or televisions.
A standout feature of the Late 2011 MacBook Pro was the inclusion of the Thunderbolt port, which provided lightning-fast data transfer speeds and enabled the connection of high-speed external drives, displays, and other peripherals. Thunderbolt was a game-changer for professional users working with large video files or needing to access high-bandwidth storage solutions.
The device also featured 802.11a/b/g Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 2.1+EDR for seamless wireless connectivity, whether you were working in an office or on the go.
Battery Life: Work All Day, Even on a Big Screen
Despite its large 17-inch display and powerful hardware, the MacBook Pro MD311LL/A-BTO maintained decent battery life. Users could expect about 6-8 hours of usage under normal conditions, which made it well-suited for long days at work or while traveling. With the power demands of the Core i7 processor and dual-graphics system, the laptop provided a solid balance of power and efficiency, though users could always plug in when working on particularly demanding tasks.
Legacy and Impact: A Workstation on the Go
The 17″ MacBook Pro (MD311LL/A-BTO) was the pinnacle of the 17-inch MacBook Pro series and catered to professionals who needed both portability and power. With a customizable Core i7 processor, large screen, and dual-graphics setup, it became a go-to option for creatives and professionals who demanded top-tier performance.
Even though Apple eventually discontinued the 17-inch MacBook Pro line in favor of the thinner, lighter Retina models, the MD311LL/A-BTO still holds a special place in the hearts of many professionals. Its large screen and powerful hardware made it an ideal mobile workstation that could handle nearly anything thrown at it.
Final Thoughts: Still a Powerful Choice Today
The 17″ MacBook Pro (MD311LL/A-BTO) is a standout model from Apple’s 2011 lineup. With a 2.5 GHz Core i7 processor, dual-graphics system, and a stunning 17-inch display, it was built to perform in a professional environment. While newer MacBooks have since surpassed this model in terms of performance and design, the MD311LL/A-BTO remains a solid choice for those who need a large, powerful machine at a relatively affordable price compared to modern equivalents.
Upgrades like SSDs and increased RAM make it possible to breathe new life into this vintage machine, giving it the ability to handle modern workloads. If you’re in the market for a large-screen MacBook with a robust performance profile, the 17″ MacBook Pro BTO is still a compelling option to consider, even years after its release.
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MacBook Pro MD311LL/A-BTO Specs
- Order Number
- MD311LL/A-BTO
- Identifier
- MacBookPro8,3
- Model Number
- A1297
- EMC
- 2564
- Processor Speed
- 2.5GHz
- Processors (Cores)
- 1 (4 Cores)
- Processor Type
- Core i7
- Hard Drive
- 750GB 5400 RPM
- Hard Drive Type
- 2.5″
- RAM
- 4GB
- RAM Type
- PC3-10600-1333MHZ-DDR3-SO-DIMM
- Video Card 1
- HD Graphics 3000
- Video Card 2
- Radeon HD 6770M
- VRAM
- 1GB
- 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
- October 24th 2011
- MSRP
- 2749