MacBook Pro 17" Models A1151 A1212 A1229 and A1261

Featured Guides

MacBook Pro 17" Models A1151 A1212 A1229 and A1261 Hard Drive Replacement

You can install hard drives up to 9.5mm thick.

MacBook Pro 17" Models A1151 A1212 A1229 and A1261 RAM Replacement

Two RAM slots allow up to 2 GB of PC2-5300 RAM.

Replacement Guides

AirPort Extreme

Antenna Cables

Antenna Cover

Battery

Battery Connector

Clutch Assembly

Clutch Cover

Display

Display Data Cable

Display Inverter

ExpressCard Cage

Front Display Bezel

Hard Drive

Heat Sink

Inverter/Antenna Cables

Keyboard

LCD

Left Clutch Hinge

Left Fan

Left I/O Board

Left I/O Board Cable

Left Speaker

Left Thermal Sensor

Left Thermal Sensor (Model A1229)

Logic Board

Lower Case

Optical Drive

PRAM Battery

RAM

RAM Shield

Rear Display Bezel

Right Clutch Hinge

Right Fan

Right Speaker

Right Thermal Sensor

Upper Case

Tools

These are some common tools used to work on this device. You might not need every tool for every procedure.

Track down a number of hardware problems using the MacBook Pro 17" Troubleshooting Guide.

There are a number of components in MacBook Pro 17" models that can be cost effectively upgraded.

Memory: MacBook Pro 17" models can be equipped with varying amounts of RAM. The A1151 can be very easily upgraded to the maximum of 2 GB. The A1212 can accept 3 GB of RAM by using one 2 GB stick and one 1 GB stick. The A1229 can accept 6 GB of RAM by using a 4 GB stick and a 2 GB stick.
Hard Drive: 100 to 250 GB hard drives came standard with MacBook Pro 17" models. You can easily upgrade the drive to 750 GB.
Battery: Replacing the battery requires no special tools to release the battery latch. The battery can be replaced in less than 30 seconds.
AirPort: The MacBook Pro 17" Core Duo shipped with an 802.11g AirPort card, but the stock card can be replaced with a different card, giving you 802.11n capability.

The MacBook Pro 17" featured Intel processors and large widescreen displays. The A1151 is the only MacBook Pro 17" with a Core Duo processor (later MacBook Pros use Core 2 Duo processors). If your MacBook Pro turns on, you can check your version by checking the processor information through "About This Mac" button in the Apple menu.

Use the laptop identification system to help you identify your machine. MacBook Pros tend to look very similar, and it's important to know which machine you have before ordering any replacement parts.

The cases of the MacBook Pro 17" Models A1151, A1212, and A1229 are composed of aluminum, just like the PowerBook G4 before it. However, some precedents were set by the MacBook Pro 17". Apple included a built-in web camera called iSight, and the laptops included MagSafe power connectors.

The MacBook Pro 17" Model A1151 was replaced six months later by the MacBook Pro 17" Model A1212, which offered a better processor, an improved AirPort card, and a larger RAM maximum capacity.

Factory specs for each model are available at the following links: