Low End Mac Reader Specials

TypeStyler For Mac OS X is Now Shipping! Download The Free Fully Functional 60 Day Tryout at www.typestyler.com

OWC: Get the Right Memory for Your Mac Top Quality, Competitive Price, Lifetime Backed Free Expert Support + Installation Videos too! MacBook & mini 8GB, iMac 16GB, Mac Pro up to 32GB. Click here

Don't install Parallels to play poker online! Poker Mac will show you how to download and install a native Mac poker application such as Full Tilt Poker Mac.

Laptop Hardware Provided by TechRestore - Overnight Mac & iPod Repairs.

Compare products like desktop computers, apple laptops, apple macs, and LCD Monitors side by side! All the information and reviews to make the best purchasing decision for new mobile phones, sat nav systems, or MP3 players. The Ciao online shopping community makes searching products easy for you.

Low End Mac's Best Deals

Best 17" MacBook Pro Deals

2009.10.22

Tweet these deals. Short link: http://bit.ly/9FcRI

Got a MacBook Pro? Join the MacBook email list.
Follow Low End Mac on Twitter. Follow our blogs: LEMblog and Low End Mac Services.

Apple announced a the first 17" Unibody MacBook Pro at the Macworld Expo in January 2009. In June 2009, it updated that mode. The new model runs at 2.8 GHz, supports up to 8 GB of RAM, includes two graphics processors and a 1920 x 1200 pixel screen, and has an incredible 8-hour battery.

The Unibody models have GeForce 9400M graphics, which uses 256 MB of system memory and draws less energy than the GeForce 9600M GT, which is more powerful and has 512 MB of dedicated video memory. Using the 9600 GPU reduced battery life by about an hour.

Mac OS X 10.5 "Leopard" is supported on all Intel-based Macs with at least 512 MB of RAM (we recommend at least 1 GB) and the ability to run the DVD-based installer. Mac OS X 10.6 "Snow Leopard" is scheduled to ship in September 2009 and only runs on Intel-based Macs. Apple says 1 GB of RAM is a minimum, but we suggest at least doubling that.

The original Core Duo models ran hotter than the Core 2 models and support a maximum of 2 GB of RAM. Core Duo CPUs cannot support 64-bit operation, which will become a bigger factor once Snow Leopard ships. Pre-Santa Rosa Core 2 models can handle up to 3 GB of memory, and the Santa Rosa and later models (prior to Unibody) support up to 6 GB.

We try to factor in estimated shipping costs (based on ground shipping to Low End Mac headquarters in Michigan). The best deals are marked in bold type. Listings note RAM/hard drive size. Your best value depends on whether you need/want a color printer, extra RAM, etc. All models ship from the factory with SuperDrives, AirPort Extreme, and Bluetooth 2.0.

Best Used Prices

2.16 GHz Core Duo, $1,099 + shipping, Mac in the Box, Mac of All Trades
2.33 GHz Core 2, $1,199 + shipping, Mac in the Box
2.4 GHz Core 2, $1,489 shipped, Power Max
2.5 GHz Core 2, $1,559 shipped, Power Max
2.6 GHz Core 2, $1,699 shipped, Apple Palace

Best Refurbished Prices

2.66 GHz Unibody, $1,949, Apple
2.8 GHz Unibody, $2,099, Apple
2.93 GHz Unibody, $2,199, Apple
lots of other refurb configurations

Best New Prices, without rebate

2.66 GHz Unibody, $2,100 shipped, Amazon.com
2.8 GHz Unibody, $2,399 shipped, Mac Connection
2.93 GHz Unibody, $2,500 shipped, Small Dog
3.06 GHz Unibody, $2,749 shipped, Power Max

Best New Prices, after rebate

2.66 GHz Unibody, $2,100 shipped, no rebate, Amazon.com
2.8 GHz Unibody, $2,249 shipped, Mac Connection
2.93 GHz Unibody, $2,500 shipped, no rebate, Small Dog
3.06 GHz Unibody, $2,749 shipped, no rebate, Power Max

Recent Memory Prices (per module)

PC5300 (pre-Unibody): 512 MB, $5; 1 GB, $18.89; 2 GB (Core 2 only), $33.99
OWC sells a PC5300 3 GB kit (Core 2 only) for $65.99, a 4 GB kit for $84.99; a 4 GB module (Santa Rosa only) for $139.99, and a 6 GB kit for $179.97
1066 DDR3 (Unibody): 1 GB, $17.96; 2 GB, $38.99; 4 GB, $239
OWC sells a 1066 DDR3 2 GB module for $41, a 4 GB module for $259.99, a 6 GB kit for $292.99, and an 8 GB kit for $475.99

Mac OS X and OS X Server Prices

Unless otherwise noted, there is no surcharge for credit card purchases, and shipping is not included. Vendors are listed in alphabetical order. Be sure to visit their sites for full details.

Prices may be limited to quantity on hand. Not responsible for typos. Please email any corrections or additional sources with competitive prices toDan Knight .

Buying through some of these links benefits Low End Mac. Buying at these prices benefits you.

17" MacBook Pro Profiles: Core Duo (2006) • Core 2 (2006) • Santa Rosa (2007) • Penryn (2008) • Unibody (Feb. 2009) • Unibody (June 2009)

New, Demo, and Open Box

Amazon.com

Free ground shipping. Amazon.com collects sales tax on orders shipped to KS, KY, ND, and WA.

2.66 GHz Unibody, 4 GB/320, $2,199.88 shipped

Apple Store US

Free ground shipping. Apple collects sales tax on orders shipped to almost all states.

2.8 GHz Unibody, 4 GB/500, $2,499 shipped
2.8 GHz Unibody, antiglare, 4 GB/500, $2,549 shipped
add $300 for 3.06 GHz upgrade

Apple Store Canada

Apple offers free ground shipping.

2.8 GHz Unibody, 4 GB/500, C$2,599 shipped
2.8 GHz Unibody, antiglare, 4 GB/500, C$2,659 shipped
add C$330 for 3.06 GHz upgrade

B&H

B&H offers free ground shipping.

2.8 GHz Unibody, 4 GB/500, $2,312 shipped
3.06 GHz Unibody, 4 GB/500-7200 rpm, $2,799.95 shipped
other configurations listed

Club Mac

Ground shipping may add $15 or more. Club Mac collects sales tax on orders shipped within California. Free Parallels Desktop and Epson printer (after mail-in rebates).

2.8 GHz Unibody, 4 GB/500, $2,398.99 less $150 mail-in rebate = $2,248.99

J&R Computer/Music World

Free ground shipping.

2.66 GHz Unibody, 4 GB/320, $2,199.88 shipped
2.8 GHz Unibody, 4 GB/500, $2,375 shipped

LA Computer Company

Shipping may add $36 or more. LA Computer collects sales tax on orders shipped within California.

2.8 GHz Unibody, 4 GB/500, $2,499

MacConnection

Free ground shipping. Mac Connection collects sales tax on orders shipped to AL, CT, IL, MA, NC, NJ, NY, OH, TN, and TX.

2.8 GHz Unibody, 4 GB/500, $2,399 less $150 mail-in rebate = $2,249 (or $2,349 without rebate)
2.93 GHz Unibody, antiglare, 4 GB/320, $2,799 shipped
3.06 GHz Unibody, 4 GB/500, $2,849 shipped
3.06 GHz Unibody, antiglare, 4 GB/500, $2,899 shipped
other configurations listed

MacMall

Ground shipping may add $10 or more. MacMall collects sales tax on orders shipped to CA, IL, MN, TN, and WI. Free Parallels Desktop and Epson printer (after mail-in rebates).

2.8 GHz Unibody, 4 GB/500, $2,494 less $200 mail-in rebate = $2,294

Power Max

Free ground shipping.

2.66 GHz Unibody, 4 GB/320, $2,299 shipped
2.66 GHz Unibody, antiglare, 4 GB/320, $2,349 shipped
2.8 GHz Unibody, 4 GB/500, $2,449 shipped
2.8 GHz Unibody, antiglare, 4 GB/500-7200 rpm, $2,549 shipped
3.06 GHz Unibody, 4 GB/500, $2,749 shipped
3.06 GHz Unibody, antiglare, 4 GB/500-7200 rpm, $2,849 shipped

Small Dog Electronics

Shipping may add $27 or more.

2.8 GHz Unibody, 4 GB/500, $2,499.99
many custom configurations also available

Apple Refurbished

Apple refurbs include Apple's normal one-year warranty and are eligible for AppleCare.

Apple Store US

Free ground shipping. Apple collects sales tax on orders shipped to almost all states.

refurb 2.66 GHz Unibody, 4 GB/320, $1,949
refurb 2.66 GHz Unibody, antiglare, 4 GB/320, $1,999
refurb 2.8 GHz Unibody, 4 GB/500, $2,099
refurb 2.8 GHz Unibody, antiglare, 4 GB/500, $2,149
refurb 2.93 GHz Unibody, 4 GB/320, $2,199
refurb 2.93 GHz Unibody, antiglare, 4 GB/320, $2,249
refurb 2.93 GHz Unibody, 4 GB/256 SSD, $2,849

Apple Store Canada

refurb 2.66 GHz Unibody, 4 GB/320, C$2,199
refurb 2.66 GHz Unibody, antiglare, 4 GB/320, C$2,249
refurb 2.8 GHz Unibody, 4 GB/500, C$2,499
refurb 2.8 GHz Unibody, antiglare, 4 GB/500, C$2,549
refurb 2.93 GHz Unibody, 4 GB/320, C$2,499
refurb 2.93 GHz Unibody, antiglare, 4 GB/320, C$2,599
refurb 2.93 GHz Unibody, 4 GB/256 SSD, C$3,299

Used and Store Refurbished

Used and store refurbished equipment is covered by a store warranty and is not eligible for AppleCare.

Apple Palace

used 2.16 GHz Core Duo, 1 GB/100, $1,199 shipped
used 2.33 GHz Core 2, 2 GB/160, $1,399 shipped
used 2.4 GHz Core 2, 2 GB/160, $1,499 shipped
used 2.5 GHz Core 2, 2 GB/250, $1,599 shipped
used 2.6 GHz Core 2, 2 GB/250, $1,699 shipped

Gainsaver

Ground shipping may add $31 or more. Prices reflect a 10% off sale which appears to end at 10:00 p.m. daily. Gainsaver replaces the stock SuperDrive with a Combo drive, removes AirPort Extreme, and often includes less RAM and a smaller hard drive than originally shipped with the computer. Units are untested unless you pay $25 for diagnostics. 30 day warranty. Gainsaver is located in Long Beach, California. There is a 20% restocking fee for returns, and Gainsaver is unlikely to refund your credit card - instead, the company prefers to issue a store credit, according to customers. Gainsaver has also been accused of bait-and-switch tactics by several customers. We list these because of their excellent prices for those who might not need a SuperDrive, are willing to upgrade RAM and hard drives themselves, and are willing to deal with Gainsaver when they know the company's policies in advance. Because these Macs have been downgraded, we do not include Gainsaver's prices when listing "Best Deals". Caveat emptor.

used 2.16 GHz Core Duo, 512/80/Combo, $822.10 after $50 mail-in rebate
used 2.33 GHz Core 2, 512/80/Combo, $944.10
used 2.4 GHz Core 2, 512/80/Combo, $989.10
used 2.5 GHz Core 2, 512/80/Combo, $1,052.10
used 2.66 GHz Core 2, 512/80/Combo, $1,124.10

Mac in the Box

used 2.16 GHz Core Duo, 2 GB/200, $1,099
used 2.33 GHz Core 2, 2 GB/160, $1,199

Mac of All Trades

Shipping may add $36 or more. Mac of All Trades has the highest product turnover of any used Mac dealer we track.

used 2.16 GHz Core Duo, 2 GB/100, $1,099.99

Power Max

Free ground shipping on orders over $100.

used 2.16 GHz Core Duo, 2 GB/100, $1,329 shipped
used 2.4 GHz Core 2, 2 GB/160, $1,489 shipped
used 2.5 GHz Core 2, 2 GB/250, $1,559 shipped

Small Dog Electronics

Shipping may add $27 or more.

used 2.4 GHz hi-res, 2 GB/160-7200 rpm, $1,499.99

Wegener Media

Ground shipping may add $26 or more.

used 2.16 GHz Core Duo, 1 GB/120, $1,329.99
other configurations listed
add $9.99 for Apple Remote
add $19.99 for software restore discs

Want Intel Core power in a portable for less? Check out our Best 15" MacBook Pro Deals for pricing on the 15" MacBook Pro.

About LEM | Support | Usage | Privacy | Contacts

Entire Low End Mac website copyright ©1997-2009 by Cobweb Publishing, Inc., unless otherwise noted. All rights reserved. Advice presented in good faith, but what works for one may not work for all. Please report errors to .
LINKS: We allow and encourage links to any public page as long as the linked page does not appear within a frame that prevents bookmarking it.
Access our RSS news feed at http://lowendmac.com/feed.xml.
Email may be published at our discretion; email addresses will not be published without permission, and we will encrypt them in hopes of avoiding spammers. If you prefer your message not be published, mark it "not for publication." Letters may be edited for length, context, and to match house style.
PRIVACY: We don't collect personal information unless you explicitly provide it. For more details, see our Terms of Use.
Low End Mac is an independent publication and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Apple Inc. Apple, the Apple logo, Macintosh, iBook, iMac, eMac, iPod, iPhone, PowerBook, MacBook, MagSafe, Mac Pro, Apple TV, and AirPort are registered trademarks of Apple Inc. Additional company and product names may be trademarks or registered trademarks and are hereby acknowledged.