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Apple 15.4" MacBook Pro Notebook

15.4

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Most recent User Reviews for

Apple 15.4" MacBook Pro Notebook

  • Reviewed by: HDK

    03-15-08

    Duration of ownership: 4 Months

    Strengths: Small package, big-time production; super fast application performance; noiseless operation; high-quality iSight cam; solid Airport range; decent battery life; and a stunning widescreen display.

    Weaknesses:Runs a bit hot above the speakers when plugged in; no built-in S-Video outlet; and another USB port would be ideal.

    Overall Evaluation: The MacBook Pro combines convenient mobility with uncompromising power and cinema-quality graphics on a classy widescreen display; equipped with all the easy-to-use Apple software from its predecessors, but only now it runs off a notebook-friendly processor. --- INTEL CORE DUO - One word: fast. Packed with a dual-core, this design provides you with the functioning capability of two Intel-based processors. From Web browsing to running multiple applications, the effects of this dynamic processor can be felt through its speed. And, as such, the Core Duo goes a long way in rendering performance inconsistencies mute, leaving my frustrations with past Mac laptops in the dust. --- DISPLAY - Using a widescreen aspect (as well as integrating an iSight cam), the bright display struts its stuff with vibrant colors that pop right off the high-resolution screen. Unfortunately, the glossy display isn?t resistant to the occasional yet annoying smudge, and, oddly, a reusable screen wipe wasn't provided. --- KEYBOARD/TOUCHPAD - With its backlit keyboard, the notebook offers the typical Apple touchpad, but now with a bit more real estate. By using two fingers on the touchpad at the same time, any movement up, down, or sideways automatically causes the slider to roll in the desired direction ? a neat and far more natural alternative. --- WIRELESS - An embedded AirPort interface allows wireless networking with solid range, although, different ISP routers have yielded varying results. --- BATTERY LIFE - Much improved but not exactly the Energizer Bunny. With half brightness (and backlit keys off), battery power lasts anywhere from three to five hours, depending on the amount and type of applications in use. It?s adequate juice for such a slim model, and greatly appreciated when I forget to bring along the power adapter. --- MAGSAFE POWER ADAPTER - Held in place magnetically, the MagSafe connector supplies the panacea to every laptop owner?s nightmare: an airborne machine after a stumble over the power cord. In such cases, the magnetic mechanism causes the connector to release safely from the socket. Phew! --- APPLICATIONS - The pre-installed applications include the iLife collection, which consists of iPhoto, iMovie, iDVD, iWeb, and the loads-of-fun GarageBand for my music-related needs. With great fluidity, Apple continues to make the process of creating and managing multimedia projects as easy as possible. --- FRONT ROW - Also included is Front Row software, which functions with the use of a pocket-sized remote. With a click of a button, Front Row offers quick access to all the media held on your computer. While innovative, it does fall a bit under the unnecessary category given the nature of a laptop; however, the quality of Front Row does deliver when used. --- HEAT - Running off the battery, the MacBook Pro eases up on the throttle in order to extend life and, as a result, stays on the relative cool side. But when plugged in, the notebook tends to heat up; in particular, the strip along the top of the keyboard, just above the speakers, becomes warmer as application activity increases. --- NOISE - What noise? ---CONCLUSION - Perhaps the MacBook Pro is more pricy than some of the other options available, but no notebook happens to be quite this small, quite this slick, yet still carry quite this much weight in terms of peak laptop performance.

  • Reviewed by: SDAccord01

    03-05-08

    Duration of ownership:

    Strengths: Fast, easy to upgrade RAM, can run Windows

    Weaknesses:None

    Overall Evaluation: I used to have a Powerbook G4 12" but I was forced to sell it because Virtual PC didn't do a good job in running my Windows applications. Now, 3-4 years later, I've switched back to Macs and I'm happy with the flexibility. I just got the laptop, but I'm planning on getting VMWare Fusion to run whatever Windows applications I need to run. I'm planning to avoid running Windows apps as much as possible (tired of how inefficient Windows is as an OS), but out of all the types of laptops that I have purchased (Thinkpads, Compaqs, Dells, HPs), Apples seem to make the most solidly built laptops out there. The build quality is amazing and the display is fantastic!

  • Reviewed by: tb1971

    03-02-08

    Duration of ownership:

    Strengths: Stylish, thin, fast, well-built and well-engineered

    Weaknesses:Airport wireless signal drops often

    Overall Evaluation: Well, I bought Macbook Pro as a replacement for my old G4 desktop Mac. What do I think about my decision? Now I think I no longer have a need for a desktop computer! One of the first things that impresses is how thin it is. Then there is its screen - it has a beautiful matte finish, with very bright, nice colors and quite large view angle. It is bright enough to use outdoors on almost any occasion. The screen's resolution (1440x900) is great looking and it's 16:9 aspect ratio gives lots of space for various palettes. This Macbook Pro runs very fast, that any AfterEffects and Photoshop user will appreciate a lot. If you run WindowXP and OS X at the same time it is still very smooth. On average, my battery lasts for about 3 1/2 hours with display at about max, airport turned on, and running word, ichat, mail, and surfing internet with Firefox. So far I only have one complaint about this machine - my airport wireless signal drops every so often. To get it back I have to disable the airport card and then enable it a few seconds later. According to Apple, they are working on a fix for this issue. Macbook Pro's smooth edges and silver look and minimalist approach clearly indicate completely thought out design. All seems well-built and well-engineered - but it's all relative and it's not hard to be a better, more integrated product than any windows-based PC. After MY PC friends saw it they were blown away by its design and ease of use. Not to mention complete lack of the application crash as that on windows PC computers. The best of all Leopard is smooth and stable OS! It is a nice upgrade from previous OS, with many small treats, with Spaces being my favourite. Software such as iLife, iPhoto, iMovie and iWeb are easy to use for new users and feels like home for old Mac users. As one could expect from Apple, it delivers stylish and reliable product that tops the market of portable computers. The screen size and brightness, the connectivity, and the incredible stylishness make this a great laptop for any professional use. If you're in a budget don't hesitate to buy this base model, you won't regret it. The $150 rebate is a great bonus too!

  • Reviewed by: IBelDudeIBx07

    02-22-08

    Duration of ownership:

    Strengths: The laptop is very thin. Has great, sexy looking metallic color. Soft, comfortable keyboard.

    Weaknesses:My first Mac was defective. Right fan was making weird buzzing sound. When watching videos or during installations, it becomes very hot.

    Overall Evaluation: Overall, Its a very stylish, light laptop that you can take anywhere. I have noticed that during installations, it gets super super hot but once high activity is done, laptops cools down very quickly. I love the magnetic power cord attachment and wont have to worry about accidentally tripping over it.

  • Reviewed by: ramubay

    12-25-07

    Duration of ownership:

    Strengths: Performance, elegant, has most needed features built-in

    Weaknesses:2 USB ports, no user swappable HD

    Overall Evaluation: This is a good computer, and it should be for $2,000. It does however have its flaws. First, as a reviewer below noted, it only has 2 USB ports. When I have this sitting on my desk at home, I used three very common things - an external mouse, printer, and thumb drive. I cannot use all three at once. Usually the printer and the thumb drive trade places. One more port is all I ask. Second, I would like to swap the HD. Just as the pro desktop Macs have a user swappable HD, so too should the pro laptops - especially when the MacBook does. Also, the thing runs a bit hot. Other then that, I have no major issues with it.

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