Apple MacBook Pro MC374LL/A 13.3-Inch Laptop

MacBook Pro has just been updated on 13 April 2010. There are no upgrades and no changes between this year and last year's model, described below.

UPGRADE

1) The MBP 13 now, has 4 GB of RAM standard (2 x 2GB sticks). This allows you to multi-task easily with no problems (last year's model had only 2 GB of RAM, which was insufficient) Now there's no need to spend more money to upgrade the RAM, unless you are really heavy multimedia work

2) It is also equipped with Nvidia GeForce 320M integrated graphics processor with 48 cores. This is an improvement over the GeForce 9400M chip in last year's model and will contribute to the graphics and content.

3) The supplied hard disk is 250 GB (160 GB in last year's model).

4) Mini Display Port now support video and audio with a compatible mini-DP to HDMI adapter (last year's model is only supported video)


STANDARD EQUIPMENT - from last year's 13-inch model (minor changes noted in parentheses)

An aluminum unibody;
Core 2 Duo processor (2.4 GHz - up from 2.26 GHz),
1280 x 800 resolution glossy LED-backlit screen;
iSight camera

8x SuperDrive DVD Burner
Large glass Multi-Touch trackpad (Intertial scrolling is now activated)
Backlit keyboard with comfortable chiclet keys
MagSafe Power Adapter (with redesigned the tip to reduce the load on the cable)

One FireWire 800 port
2 USB 2.0 ports
SD card slot
Wi-Fi - 802.11n, 802.11a/b/g, Bluetooth 2.1 and Gigabit Ethernet -10/100/1000.

Included software is OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard and iLife 09 suite of tools to create content. A 1-year warranty on parts and 90 days of telephone technical support is standard.

The lack of the latest Intel Core i5 and processors i3 processors in this machine is a disappointment (Anyone paying $ 1200 for a laptop positioned as a PRO expect new instead of 'old' processors to be part of the configuration), but I would still recommend MBP 13 for people who want to buy the lightest and most portable MacBook Pro and an accomplished machine in its own right. Demanding applications such as Skype, Photoshop, Lightroom, iMovie are smooth.

I would also consider purchasing AppleCare - AppleCare Protection Plan MC258LL / A - For Apple notebooks 13.3 inches and below, along with the laptop.

The truth is that Apple uses most of the same parts (hard drives, processors, DVD drives, wireless cards) to other laptop manufacturers use so their reliability is no worse or better than other laptop manufacturers. Unfortunately, what most customers do not know is that if a product / part failure occurs after the first year warranty is over Apple charging extremely high fees for repairing and replacing parts (as compared to other laptop manufacturers) If you do not have AppleCare.

Remember, it A.P.P. only covers hardware failure - no damage, so it's still expensive for what you get, but it's better than paying Apple's prices for repair / replacement of parts.

Another warranty extension options to consider are SquareTrade (which also covers damage protection). It is better to pay once for AppleCare or SquareTrade (your preference) and be covered for another two years after the first year is over, but to pay exorbitant repair / replacement of sanctions on some errors.

If the battery Apple advertises it as lasting for 9 to 10 hours of use. In fact, it allows you to be mobile in 3 to 6 hours - depending on the task using the computer. It is also an internal battery, so when it is finished, you have to take your machine to an Apple Store or an Apple Authorized Service Provider for replacement. However, Apple, the battery will hold 80% of the fee for up to 1000 charges, which means that about 3 to 4 years of daily use. So it will be a while before you have to go in favor of changing the battery.

Moreover, because MBP has a Mini DisplayPort, you must purchase a MiniDP to VGA converter or MiniDP to DVI converter if you ever want to connect the MB Pro to a larger screen - because Apple does not include it with the machine it will cost you $ 30 more if you buy it from Apple. Here is a cheaper solution - Mini DisplayPort to DVI female adapter cable for Apple MacBook, MacBook Pro, iMac, MacBook Air, Mac Mini Laptop

For those who are confused about whether they should buy $ 1199 MBP 13 or $ 1499 MBP 13 - the only difference between this model and the more expensive model's processor speed and disk space - the $ 1199 MBP 13 has a 2, 4 GHz processor and 250 GB hard drive and $ 1499 MBP 13 has a 2.66 GHz processor and 320 GB hard drive. If a 266 MHz (10% difference) and 70 GB more hard drive space is worth $ 300 more is your call. (Although you can buy a 500 GB portable hard drive for about $ 80 and install it yourself. Instructions on MBP 13 manual and you need a Phillips # 00 screwdriver. Installation videos are also available online)

Hope this helps!

UPDATE - The MBP has a good quality screen, but I must add that it might not be for everyone. Online reports on Apple's MB Pro support forums and personal experience suggest that the bright LED screen will cause tremendous eye strain and headaches for some people. Some users have said they can not use the computer for more than an hour at a time because of eye strain and headaches.

My and others' problems with the screen is an individual case, but there is a possibility that the monitor can not fit you and eyestrain and other health problems. While you can meet any of these questions. My advice would be to use the MB Pro has an extensive notebook within fourteen days return window, and if you are facing some of these questions do not hesitate to return it. If you are not facing any of these questions, then you might want to use your MB Pro.

Apple MacBook Pro MC725LL/A 17-Inch Laptop

I have upgraded to this model (early 2011 Quad Core i7 17 "MacBook Pro) from the first of Apple's series of" unibody "laptops (the end of 2008, Core 2 Duo 15" MacBook Pro). Both have been good, laptops, and has striking similarities given year between them. But what makes the difference here is pure raw speed.

The i7 processor has four cores each running at 2.2 GHz and the ability to "hyperthread" to work in a virtual eight key fashion. Applications should be written in a certain way to take full advantage of the many-core processor, but has another trick up its sleeve in such cases. If some of the kernels are used as processing speed of them is in use, bumped up. This leads to the breakneck speed across the board.

Other enhancements include automatic switching between the two included (and upgraded) video processors, a high performance and the other for economic power. A new "Thunderbolt" port is available, allowing for extremely high speed data transmission to and from external devices (as soon as they become available with this new standard!). This is in addition to the more familiar set of ports, including Gigabit Ethernet, FireWire 800, USB 2.0, digital audio in / out, analog audio in / out, MagSafe, etc.

Although this laptop can not physically appear to be a new model, I think it is an advantage in itself. This is my second unibody Macs, I can confirm that Apple has a brilliant case design that needs no modification. One need only pick it up immediately feel solid build quality and robustness, despite its thin and relatively light specifications. The body is carved from a solid block of aluminum, and save to the back, there are no visible seams or screws. There is a world of difference between this and most other laptops plastic.

Unfortunately, Apple has decided to saddle bag this evil-FAST tank with a relatively full house 5400rpm hard drive that ends up as a major bottleneck in performance at startup and other disk-intensive times. I appreciate the capacity is 750 GB drive, but replacing it with my current 500 GB solid state hybrid drive gave an extra performance worth the reduction in storage space. In addition, nearly all changes of the internal components seem relatively simple, since the back plate removed to show everyone.

Finally, this is a fast machine that is only visible defects are covered large, but not impressive hard drive. Replace it for a faster drive (especially a SSD) and this is a laptop that can not be filled.

Apple MacBook Pro MC723LL/A 15.4-Inch Laptop

First some background. Apart from a TI-99, we had when I was little, and Apple IIc computers in my high school, I've always been a Windows guy. I feel very comfortable in a Windows environment and have built my own computers for about 15 years. I do not hate Microsoft. But when there is a need for a second laptop was ready, I decided to focus my search on the higher end machines. I wanted good horsepower, but I particularly wanted a nicer format than the creaking Dell I had become accustomed. When I fell in love with the interface on my iPhone, I decided it was time to give the MacBook a try. I kept my Windows desktop, if I ran into compatibility issues.

The short version of the story is that I quickly removed my computer and now use this laptop as my only machine. I am fortunate to be able to do it because my work as a lawyer requires only Word, Excel and a browser. As a bonus, although my copy of Lightroom 3 installed on the MacBook. I'm not trying to sound like a Mac fanatic, so let's get a list:


Aluminum unibody is no marketing gimmick. It is sturdy and feels good without flex, no creaking. Looks good too.

Keyboards are well developed. The key travel and spacing between the keys feel just right for my taste. There is no flex here either, as I often find annoying in other laptops.

-The touchpad is a miracle. It really is. It is very big, but I have yet to feel like it's in your way. And finger movements are intuitive and works very well.

-The screen is bright, clear and good color. The reflexivity is sometimes a problem in bright, but I seem to lean it easily solves most problems. Otherwise, you can custom order the anti-glare screen protectors direct from Apple.

-The lid closes with a magnet, so there's nothing to break.

It's very fast. In my experience, Mac OS X starts up and shuts down much faster than a comparably spec'ed Windows computer. I have yet to feel the need to 8GB of RAM, but an upgrade would only cost $ 90 If you know how to do it yourself. Otherwise I have no problem to run lots of popular applications simultaneously.

-Comes with Time Machine. As a lawyer and amateur photographer, I have lots of things to be backed up regularly and reliably. Time Machine works so well and so smoothly that I can not imagine how I survived before.

-Spotlight is shining. Type a word and Spotlight almost instantly give you results from your entire hard drive, including inside your searchable documents, preferences, performance web, and even definitions of words.

Seven hours of battery life is very possible and even wireless. I can sit in Starbucks for hours unplugged and still have plenty of life left. The proviso is that you really just can surf and use programs such as Word. I also have installed Flash, which is a major battery drainer, so I took a flash blocking program that lets me choose which flash files to activate. Nice solution.

HD webcam. Good quality, although I have not really done more than mess around with it.

-The magnetic power cord is smooth.

-As a former Windows user, I think Mac OS X interface to be really nice and intuitive. There is clearly a learning curve, but I found it to be surprisingly short. Lions expected to be a nice upgrade as well.

-PRICE! Well, a lot of people complain about Apple Premium, and it actually exists. I found this laptop to be a couple hundred dollars higher than it really nice Windows laptop with mostly the same specs, but I do not compare the raw horsepower of two different operating systems is always an accurate benchmark. I live on my computer so I'm willing to pay a little more to get what I want. It's like buying a BMW because you have to spend three or four hours a day in the car. Whether that value equation work for you or not is up to you and your finances.

-Something I do not like? Not really. I might want one more USB port and a CF card reader. I would love to start seeing cheaper SSD in these things, but it's certainly not Apple's fault. Decent SSDs with any size is still expensive for everyone. I was a little nervous to have a 5400 RPM hard drive. I think the transfer of large NEF files from the card reader may be somewhat slower. The downside of battery life is probably worth it. Thunderbolt will be worth it? Who knows? I do not care yet, but ask me next year.

I know there is more to say but I'm running out of steam. I am happy to discuss any of the comments.

Apple MacBook Pro MC721LL/A 15.4-Inch Laptop

NOTE: This review is from someone who knows very little about computers.

Although I really enjoy computers and will still continue to hold and use my laptop, I felt it was time for a change. It took several minutes to upload videos and photos and I was getting very frustrated with the whole process. I had not thought about buying a MacBook Pro before, because I felt that the costs would not be worth it. I have spent over a month researching and reading and watching reviews. I took the last step. The following describes the features of the MacBook Pro, which I think are important for an everyday user.

Appearance: I sometimes look at the laptop and get amazed at how thin it is. But when I lift it up, I am surprised again at how heavy it is. Apple has done a fantastic job of creating a laptop that thrives on external simplicity. The cold aluminum feels strong and almost indestructible. MagSafe adapter is a great feature to have, especially if you need to connect your laptop and sit further away. A trip over a cord slightly different adapter from the laptop, and nothing is damaged. At first I was surprised that there were only two USB ports, but I can not imagine a time when I will need more than two. The difference I noticed from my other laptop is that there is a shortage of ports that can add that it has a very simple design and that it only uses what it needs. What it thrives on is what is inside.

Screen: I was originally thinking of getting a big screen to the MacBook Pro, so I could easily edit documents and photos. It's not worth it. Also see Youtube video looks good. I looked at the pictures taken at a single point and shoot camera, and they looked phenomenal on-screen as well. But the glossy screen seem like a mirror sometimes and can get incredibly annoying. 15.4 inches is ideal for anyone considering making the MacBook their primary computer at home.

iLife and other applications: I have not been using iLife as much as I would like, but I could look at the Mac App Store, and I am pleasantly surprised by the quality of these programs. If you love writing, Scrivener is a good idea to prepare stories, novels, screenplays and poetry. iWork is also available in the App Store. Each sold separately for $ 20.00 each, which is cheaper than buying iWork hero! Pages and Numbers is incredibly intuitive, and they really compete with Microsoft Word and Excel. As the App Store for iPod Touch, iPhone, iPhone, there's something for everyone. There are programs for work, play, and everything in between.

Speed: From the opening Safari to open applications, there is a bug in speed. When I start editing the film, I will update if it changes, but if not, means that it still works amazingly. I've played a few games and not just the graphics are amazing, but there is no stop or start.

Finder: I did not think it would be very well until I downloaded a program and had no idea where it went. Finder (obviously) not every single thing on the MacBook Pro, but it does it with speed.

Trackpad: I was not sure if I want a touchpad. I did not like the default settings, but when I changed it, I do not even consider getting a mouse. It's fun to experiment with it at the beginning and learn the various proposals on their own. The touchpad has made surfing the web easier than before.

Keyboard: I was hesitant for a backlit keyboard. I love that I can write at night, but I'm used keys closer together. It took a couple hours getting used to, but when I did it significantly improved my writing speed. Spaces between the letters helped, and the fact that the keys are not raised high definitely helps. Even better? The keys are almost silent.

Heat: I had read reviews about how hot the MacBook Pro, but after a week, I have not noticed any extreme heat. Again, I have not done anything extreme, so I will update if it changes.

Transfer: If you choose to take the laptop around, I would recommend getting a case for it. It is prone to scratches and dents, so any protection helps. I carry the laptop in my backpack and the weight is quite noticeable. I think it's something I will get used to, but I am still amazed at its weight. However, it is a great device to carry around, but if I wanted it for true portability, I could have gone 13.3 inches, or possibly a MacBook Air. Since this is my primary device used at home, I prefer to keep it there if I know I will definitely need it.

The hard drive and RAM are completely replaced. People were disappointed at the slow performing 5400 RPM drives, but I honestly do not see a difference in speed. If there is a big problem, again, it can easily be upgraded. I have plans to upgrade the RAM to 8GB cards. My first benchmark test showed a score of 8843, so I am glad to learn what the score is after the upgrade.

If there are any major changes with the laptop, should I update.

UPDATE:

The first thing I want to update it, the battery life. Battery life of Macbook Pro is really good. I no longer have to worry about during lectures or take it to work. I average about six hours to go on the internet, watch some movies and writing.

For the second game on this machine is fantastic. I'm Left 4 Dead 2 in a couple of hours with a friend. There were maybe one or two times where the game was slipping, but it would be for a split second. Other than that it looks incredibly clear. Upload the game is fast. As soon as my game started, I would ask my friend where he was and he was still only halfway loaded. Playing with the touchpad is very responsive and quite fun. When the game is the fan loud and the laptop gets very hot. But it's not as hot as my 2009 Toshiba laptop.

I was very worried about how hot the unit gets after some time. After reading many reviews, I noticed that one of the biggest problems was the laptops become so hot it will burn someone's lap. But I noticed that it was more a problem with the previous-generation MacBook Pro and I have yet to find a real problem with it.

The speaker quality is amazing. I originally would have separate speakers and a mouse for the laptop, but it's not really worth it.

The good thing about this laptop is that it is small enough to take anywhere you need it, but it is powerful enough to use as a regular desktop.

Update # 2 - 1 month later:

I thought I would give a final update. Since people generally give ratings shortly after they receive a product that I think it would be good to give people an idea of ​​how a product is running a month and a half of ownership

The first thing I would mention, is the layers of time. A few times I have experienced significant delays while attempting to perform certain tasks. Once or twice it would happen while I tried to play a game. Or I'll try to replace the windows and the infamous beach ball appears. What I want to mention, is not about to fall, but the results after it happens. Every time I experience it, I was tempted to press CTRL + ALT + DELETE (in typical Windows fashion), but after waiting a few seconds, my program would run as usual. I do not need to restart or worry about my files are corrupted. No computer is free from hiccups, but I would like to mention that this laptop is good to handle them. I no longer have to cross your fingers and close your eyes for five minutes while it restarts. It just works.

If you like to create short movies or YouTube videos, the speed of creating and uploading movies are incredibly quick and easy. After playing with iMovie and iPhoto, I'm glad they are in addition to the preinstalled software. Although not exactly a review of the laptop itself, I like the built-in programs and how they integrate easily with the MacBook Pro. The lack of bloatware is also very refreshing. When I first buy a laptop, I spend the first hour or two attempts to erase the free samples.

As someone who has used both PCs and Macs over the past decade, the choice is really up to the consumer. Honestly, I feel that both are very simple user interface and both are good for all projects that may come up. Why I chose a Mac over the purchase of another computer? I think I was ready for anything, I was not accustomed to in my own home. I have two laptops that failed less than two years of my persistent aggression. I also wanted to impeccable design quality. I would not have anything as good. I wanted it to be both functional and durable. The only way that the design of the MacBook Pro fits everything perfectly.

I hope this helps.

Apple MacBook Pro MC724LL/A 13.3-Inch Laptop

I have been on a MacBook C2D 2.4 GHz (with 6 GB of RAM) for the past three years and wanted to upgrade and MB Air seemed to be the way to go. Selling iPhone and MacBook Air and get 13 "w / 4GB RAM and 256GB SSD, to be exact. Apple Store, I realized that the MacBook Air (at this point) is really old technology in a stunning form factor, but I did not feel forced to spend $ 1,800 on the same processor, which I had for three years already. then the new MB Pro showed up and after 72H with it, I'm super happy.

This MBPro with the new i7 2.7 GHz CPU is about twice as fast as the 2008 MacBook I had. It got 6800 points on Geekbench. Installation of Mac Office 2011 and Adobe CS3 was super fast and I look forward to have VMware Fusion running much better than the older MacBook. I saw all iPad2 Keynote (1h) through wireless on the battery, plus an hour's surfing, said battery 4h still, awesome! I have already changed the hard drive of a 320GB/7200 and after 6-12 months, I could go SSD, but now I will stay with regular disks. There are some big 750GB / 7200rpm drives now for around $ 100.

It's easy. I love the illuminated keyboard, finally, smaller pro machine. The touch pad is awesome. The new LED screen is super sharp and clear. The new HD 3000 graphics chip is really good, and enough light Photoshop work. I can only recommend it. If you think that the MBP 13 ", go for the fastest processor that this (2.7 i7) and get all the other upgrades later. Extra RAM is cheap these days and better hard drive and soon the prices of SSDs will come down as well. Replace the hard drive is easy and just like all Pro models of the past two years or so. I can not wait to put the 500GB SSD in this for 1-2 years and have it fly ... love this machine, the best Mac ever (for PowerBook and MacBook 2).