Released on April 13th, 2010, the 17″ MacBook Pro (Unibody, Mid 2010), model MC024LL/A-BTO, was a significant release in Apple’s lineup of laptops, offering power, portability, and cutting-edge technology in a sleek, professional package. While the 17-inch MacBook Pro was part of Apple’s Pro series designed for creative professionals and power users, it was notable for its impressive hardware specifications, which offered both power and versatility.
Performance: Power Under the Hood
The 2.66 GHz Intel Core i7 processor was one of the standout features, providing the performance needed to handle intense tasks like video editing, 3D rendering, and multitasking. With 2 cores and 4 threads, this chip was a major leap over its predecessors, making it an excellent option for professionals who demanded power for their applications.
The device was equipped with 4GB of RAM (PC3-8500-1066MHZ-DDR3-SO-DIMM), which was expandable up to 8GB, allowing for smooth multitasking even when running memory-hungry software. While 4GB was enough for most users at the time, those working with large files or demanding workflows could easily upgrade.
Graphics: Dual Graphics Cards for Enhanced Performance
The 17″ MacBook Pro comes with dual graphics cards: the Intel HD Graphics integrated chipset, as well as the dedicated GeForce GT 330M with 512MB of VRAM. The GeForce card was particularly helpful for those working with graphics-intensive tasks like gaming or 3D rendering, providing a significant boost in performance compared to the integrated GPU. The dual graphics setup allowed the laptop to switch between the more power-efficient integrated GPU and the more powerful discrete GPU, depending on the user’s needs.
Storage and Display: Size and Clarity
The 500GB 5400 RPM hard drive offered ample storage, but it did have slower read/write speeds compared to modern SSDs. This may have resulted in slightly slower boot times and file transfers, but the large storage capacity made it a great option for storing multimedia projects, large files, and documents.
At the heart of this MacBook Pro was its stunning 17-inch display, known for its sharp, vibrant colors, and ample screen real estate. This was particularly appreciated by creative professionals who needed a large, high-quality display for photo editing, video production, and design work.
Build Quality and Design: Robust and Professional
Apple’s signature unibody design was evident in the 17″ MacBook Pro. The aluminum chassis not only contributed to a sleek, premium feel but also ensured durability. The device measured 0.98 x 15.47 x 10.51 inches and weighed 6.6 lbs, making it slightly bulkier than its smaller counterparts, but the size was justified by the display’s real estate and the powerful hardware it housed.
One of the standout features of the MacBook Pro was its multi-touch trackpad, which offered precise, responsive control for gestures, scrolling, and zooming. The 8x DL SuperDrive was also a welcome inclusion for those who still needed optical media for their work or entertainment needs, even as digital downloads began to dominate.
Connectivity and Battery Life
The 17″ MacBook Pro featured an array of connectivity options, including 802.11a/b/g Airport Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR, and multiple USB 2.0 ports, along with a Thunderbolt port for faster data transfer speeds (though Thunderbolt would become more widely used in later models). The 85W MagSafe 1 power adapter provided enough juice to run the device, though its large battery size would offer up to 8 hours of use under normal conditions.
Conclusion: The Legacy of the 17″ MacBook Pro
The MC024LL/A-BTO was released at an MSRP of $2499, which was a premium price at the time, but offered top-tier specifications and a superb display. For users in 2010, this MacBook Pro was the perfect blend of portability and power, ideal for creative professionals, business users, and anyone who needed a powerful laptop with a large screen.
While the 17-inch MacBook Pro (Unibody, Mid 2010) is now considered obsolete compared to today’s MacBook Pro models, it remains a beloved part of Apple’s legacy, remembered for its powerful hardware and standout features that set the standard for laptops at the time.
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MacBook Pro MC024LL/A-BTO Specs
- Order Number
- MC024LL/A-BTO
- Identifier
- MacBookPro6,1
- Model Number
- A1297
- EMC
- 2352
- Processor Speed
- 2.66GHz
- Processors (Cores)
- 1 (2 Cores)
- Processor Type
- Core i7
- Hard Drive
- 500GB 5400 RPM
- Hard Drive Type
- 2.5″
- RAM
- 4GB
- RAM Type
- PC3-8500-1066MHZ-DDR3-SO-DIMM
- Video Card 1
- HD Graphics
- Video Card 2
- GeForce GT 330M
- VRAM
- 512MB
- 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
- April 13th 2010
- MSRP
- 2499