2Look, Ma, No Battery Slot
3Bright Display
4Connections and Indicators
5Slot-Loading Optical Drive
6Lots of Space for More Keys
The “whitespace” on the 17-inch MacBook Pro system tends to favor form over function. The downside is a lack of common navigation keys on the otherwise full-sized keyboard. The upside is plenty of separation between the palm and wrist rest area and the trackpad, keeping errant gestures to a minimum.
7The View from Above
The solid aluminum case has one cutout for the Apple logo. In the very short time that I had the system, I didn’t see too many scuffs, but early reports from the field suggest visible dings are easy to pick up. But a well-used notebook will retain its inner beauty as long as the delicate insides are well-protected. My review unit gave every appearance of being well-constructed. Labs was required by Apple to return the unit without intentional damage, so durability tests will have to come from the field.
8Three-Finger Navigation
9Trackpad
10Energy Saver
11Graphics
Here you see the 17-inch MacBook Pro using Nvidia GeForce 9400M graphics to conserve power.