If you're put-off by the battery in the new 17" inch MBP being "non-user replaceable", that's not exactly true.

IF you have the requisite skills/knowledge/bravery to tear apart your own machine here's the method for getting into and replacing your 17" incher battery:

MacBook Pro 17" Unibody Teardown - iFixit (http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/MacBook-Pro-17-Inch-Unibody/618/1)

The iFixit site has been making DIY tear-down/repair guides for years now. If you've ever opened up any Mac laptop since the G4 series you'll find the Unibody MBP's to be almost magically well put together inside. I've NEVER seen any laptop by any manufacturer be this easy to get into or seen the sub-components so logically placed and easily removed without great fuss.

Apple didn't just make the externals pretty they also went to great lengths to make the internals a dream for any technician or DIY repair-person to work on it.

I have a 17" Unibody and took out the dvd drive and replaced it with a 2nd hard drive using one of the various kits available.

It wasn't that hard and sites like ifixit offer step by step guides which make it much less stressful.

Replacing the battery look very easy to me in comparison ;-)

^^^^^^(very jealous of your setup John)^^^^^^^

Are you using a SSD as your main drive? If so I bet that thing is a rocket ship. :)

I just upgraded to an SSD in my MBP and it is like it's an entirely new machine. I decided to do that instead of an upgrade to 8G. Much bigger impact on the system. I've been thinking about pitting a second hdd in my machine to make up for lack of space on the SSD. John, what components did you use and any regrets?