MacBook Pro (17-inch, Late 2008) and earlier: External ports and connectors
The external ports and connectors of a MacBook Pro (17-inch, Late 2008) and earlier can be found on both sides of the computer.
I/O Ports
The ports (left side then right, back to front) and what they do | |
|---|---|
Power adapter port | Plug in your 85W MagSafe Power Adapter to recharge your MacBook Pro (17-inch) battery. |
USB 2.0 port  | Hi-Speed USB 2.0 (Universal Serial Bus) ports (two on left, one on right). Connect equipment to your MacBook Pro (17-inch) or MacBook Pro (17-inch Core 2 Duo), such as iPods, printers, digital cameras, modems, and more. (Compatible with standard USB devices.) You can connect both USB 2.0 and USB 1.1 devices to these ports. All of the USB ports use USB Type A connectors, which have four pins each. The USB 2.0 ports support low-speed, full-speed, and high-speed data transfers at up to 1.5 megabits per second (Mbit/s), 12 Mbit/s, and 480 Mbit/s, respectively. |
Audio line in/optical digital audio in port  | Connect your MacBook Pro (17-inch) or MacBook Pro (17-inch Core 2 Duo) to a line-level microphone or optical digital audio equipment. The Audio In port accommodates both optical digital audio input and analog audio input. Analog line and optical digital audio input is accepted through a 3.5mm mini phone jack which does not provide power to a connected device, so you must use self-powered peripherals. The sound input jack accepts line-level stereo signals up to 24-bit stereo 44.1-192kHz sampling rate. It also accepts a stereo miniplug-to-RCA cable adapter for connecting stereo equipment to the computer. Optical digital audio input is S/PDIF format and uses a standard Toslink cable with a Toslink mini-plug adapter, accepting up to 24-bit stereo and 44.1-96kHz sampling rate. |
Headphone/optical digital audio out port  | Connect external speakers, headphones, or optical digital audio equipment. The headphone / line output jack accommodates optical digital audio output, analog audio output with a 24-bit, 44.1-192 kHz D/A converter, digital audio output up to 24-bit stereo and 44.1-192 kHz sampling rate and supporting encoded digital audio output (AC3 and DTS). For analog headphone / line output a standard audio cable with 3.5mm metal plug should be used. For digital audio, a standard toslink cable with a toslink mini-plug adapter can be used. |
ExpressCard/34 slot | Expand the capabilities of your MacBook Pro (17-inch). The slot accepts 34mm ExpressCards. |
DVI (external display) port  | Connect to an external display or projection device that uses a DVI connector, or use the included DVI to VGA adapter to connect a VGA monitor. The video output port allows video mirroring, which allows you to see the same image on your MacBook Pro (17-inch) display and on an external monitor or projector. It also allows extended desktop, in which the second display gives you additional desktop real estate. You can use your MacBook Pro in lid closed mode if the computer is connected to an external display, keyboard, and mouse. You can attach televisions and video monitors using the optional DVI to Video Adapter, which provides s-video and composite video connections. |
Gigabit Ethernet port (10/100/1000Base-T)  | The MacBook Pro (17-inch) or MacBook Pro (17-inch Core 2 Duo) has a built-in 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet port, which allows the computer to be connected to an Ethernet cable from a cable or DSL modem, hub, switch, or router, or to another Macintosh computer. The connected device can be either a 10Base-T, 100Base-TX or a 1000Base-T device; the port automatically detects which type of device is connected. You don't have to use an Ethernet crossover cable to connect to other Ethernet devices. |
FireWire 800 port  | The MacBook Pro (17-inch) or MacBook Pro (17-inch Core 2 Duo) features one 800 Mbit/s FireWire (IEEE 1394b) port which can provide up to 7 watts of power to a connected peripheral. 800 Mbit/s is a theoretical maximum load, and actual rates will vary. This port is used by devices such as video cameras or external hard drives or optical drives. You can also use a 9-to-6-pin Firewire cable to connect Firewire 400 devices to the Firewire 800 port, if you need a second FireWire 400 por. |
FireWire 400 port | The MacBook Pro (17-inch) or MacBook Pro (17-inch Core 2 Duo) features one 400 Mbit/s FireWire (IEEE 1394a) port which can provide up to 7 watts of power to a connected peripheral. 400 Mbit/s is a theoretical maximum load, and actual rates will vary. This port is used by older iPods as well as third-party devices such as video cameras or external hard drives or optical drives. |
Security slot  | This slot is designed to fit a lock and cable to prevent theft. Such locks are available through the Apple Store. |