Original URL: http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/02/20/apple_17in_macbookpro_debut/
Apple will launch a 2.16GHz 17in MacBook Pro in June - exactly one year after it formally announced the move to Intel processors. However, there's still no sign that the company will similarly create a MacBook Pro version of its 12in PowerBook G4.
So claim "reliable" sources cited (http://www.appleinsider.com/article.php?id=1543) by AppleInsider. According to the website, the 17in notebook's development work has matched that of the Intel-based iBook line-up, but while the consumer laptops are expected to debut in April, the availability of suitably slimline 8x DVD±RW drives for the 17in model - Apple's flagship notebook, after all - may well be holding up the product's introduction.
That's surprising. The 17in MacBook Pro is said to be as thick as the 15in model - 2.5cm (1in). Now, while the 15in Intel-based model is thinner than the 15in PowerBook G4 - the older machine is 2.8cm (1.1in), 3mm thicker - the 17in PowerBook G4 is already 2.5cm thick and already incorporates an 8x SuperDrive.
Of course, the 2.16GHz Core Duo CPU's cooling requirements may necessitate a very different internal layout than that needed by the 1.67MHz G4, so we can't confirm at this stage that the Intel-based model is able to use the same drive as the PowerPC machine. Certainly, the 15in MacBook Pro uses a slower, 4x SuperDrive, possibly because it's slimmer, but we can't also rule out cost factors - or because past 8x drives have been claimed not to operate consistently at 8x (http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/10/24/apple_superdrive_glitch/) - as the reason for including a 4x unit. ®
17in MacBook Pro to launch next week? (20 April 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/04/20/17in_macbook_nab_debut/
MacBook Pro GPU underclocked, report claims (19 April 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/04/19/apple_macbook_pro_gpu_speed/
Asus to make MacBook with AU Optronics LCDs - report (12 April 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/04/12/macbook_lcd_source/
Asus to make 13.3in widescreen MacBook - report (4 April 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/04/04/asus_macbook_contract/
Acer 'readying' HD DVD notebook (20 March 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/03/20/acer_hd-dvd_notebook/
PCs not dull, admits Apple UK (3 March 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/03/03/apple_pc_not_dull_claim/
LG ships multimedia sub-notebook (2 March 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/03/02/lg_xnote_tx/
Apple end-of-lifes G4 Mac Mini (1 March 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/03/01/apple_cans_g4_mac_mini/
'Fun' is a warm piece of hardware for Apple (28 February 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/02/28/apple_hifi_mac-mini/
Apple to 'launch full movie downloads' next week (23 February 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/02/23/apple_itunes_movies/
Apple drops 15in PowerBook (23 February 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/02/23/apple_drops_15in_powerbook/
Apple to unveil 'fun products' next week (22 February 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/02/22/apple_product_launch/
Apple pushes MacBook Pro ship dates back to March (15 February 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/02/15/apple_macbook_pro_ship_dates/
Patch posted to run Mac OS X 10.4.4 on 'generic PC' (15 February 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/02/15/macosx_intel_generic_pc_patch/
Apple gears up to ship MacBook Pro with CPU speed boost (14 February 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/02/14/apple_macbook_pro_processor_boost/
iMac G5 17in R.I.P. (3 February 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/02/03/apple_drops_17in_imac_g5/
Après le keynote, le gulp (12 January 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/01/12/apple_macbook_analysis/
Intel Macs stay at non-Intel prices (10 January 2006)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/01/10/apple_macs_intel_price/