Apple Macbook Pro Review
Apple's Macbook Pro debuted in 2006 and replaced its flagship Powerbook range as apart of Apple's switch to Intel hardware. Whilst cosmetically the Macbook Pro looked very similar to its predecessor, underneath the hood the new Macbook Pro was dramatically faster and included several new features including an integrated web camera, remote control and the MagSafe power connector.
The current Macbook Pro is Apple's top of the line laptop and improves upon the previous Macbook Pro with double the amount of graphical memory, a faster processor, LED screens across the range and also includes the new Multi-Touch trackpad, first introduced in the Macbook Air.
Key Features:
- 15.4-inch matte/glossy widescreen LED baclkit TFT display
- 2GB SDRAM (supports up to 4GB)
- 250GB hard drive
- 8x optical drive (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW) (SuperDrive)
- NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT graphics with 512MB of GDDR3 memory and dual-link DVI
- Built-in web camera (iSight)
- WiFi 802.11b/g/n (Airport Extreme)
- Bluetooth 2.0+EDR
- Magsafe power connector
Specification
Compared to previous model:
| Name | Apple Macbook Pro 2.5GHz 15-inch |
Apple Macbook Pro 2.4GHz 15-inch (2007) |
| Thumbnail |  |
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| Form Factor | Normal | Normal |
| Operating System | Apple Mac OS X Leopard | Apple Mac OS X Leopard |
| Display | 15.4-inch Glossy/Matte TFT display, 1440 by 900 resolution | 15.4-inch Glossy/Matte TFT display, 1440 by 900 resolution |
| Processor | Intel Core 2 Duo 2.5GHz (6MB L2 cache shared, 800MHz bus) |
Intel Core 2 Duo 2.4GHz (4MB L2 cache shared, 800MHz bus) |
| Memory | 2GB (2x 1GB) DDR2 | 2GB (2x 1GB) DDR2 |
| Hard drive | 250GB 5400-rpm SATA | 160GB 5400-rpm SATA |
| Graphics | Nvidia Geforce 8600M (512MB dedicated memory) |
Nvidia Geforce 8600M (256MB dedicated memory) |
| USB | 2x USB2 | 2x USB2 |
| Firewire | 1x FW400, 1x FW800 | 1x FW400, 1x FW800 |
| VGA | Yes (using included VGA adapter) | Yes (using included VGA adapter) |
| DVI | Yes | Yes |
| HDMI | ||
| Video | Yes (using optional DVI to video adapter) | Yes (using optional DVI to video adapter) |
| Other Input | ||
| Audio | Yes (audio line out)/Yes (audio digital out),Yes (audio line in)/Yes (audio digital in),Built-in microphone,Built-in stereo speakers | Yes (audio line out)/Yes (audio digital out),Yes (audio line in)/Yes (audio digital in),Built-in microphone,Built-in stereo speakers |
| Expansion | ||
| Keyboard | Full Size (backlit) | Full Size (backlit) |
| Pointer | Trackpad (supports two finger scroll) | Trackpad (supports two finger scroll) |
| Memory card reader | ||
| Modem | Available separately | Available separately |
| Network | 10/100/1000 | 10/100/1000 |
| Wireless | 802.11a/b/g/n | 802.11a/b/g/n |
| Bluetooth | 2.0+EDR | 2.0+EDR |
| Other wireless | ||
| Webcam | Built-in webcam | Built-in webcam |
| Remote Controller | Available separately | Included |
| Power Supply/Charger | Yes | Yes |
| Dimensions | 25.9mm (H) x 357mm (W) x 243mm (D) | 25.9mm (H) x 357mm (W) x 243mm (D) |
| Weight | 2.45kg | 2.45kg |
| Warranty | 1 Year, International | 1 Year, International |
Compared to Macbook:
| Name | Apple Macbook Pro 2.5GHz 15-inch |
Apple Macbook 2.4GHz |
| Thumbnail | |
 |
| Form Factor | Normal | Normal |
| Operating System | Apple Mac OS X Leopard | Apple Mac OS X Leopard |
| Display | 15.4-inch Glossy/Matte TFT display, 1440 by 900 resolution | 13.3-inch Glossy TFT display, 1280 by 800 resolution |
| Processor | Intel Core 2 Duo 2.5GHz (6MB L2 cache shared, 800MHz bus) |
Intel Core 2 Duo 2.4GHz (3MB L2 cache shared, 800MHz bus) |
| Memory | 2GB (2x 1GB) DDR2 | 2GB (2x 1GB) DDR2 |
| Hard drive | 250GB 5400-rpm SATA | 160GB 5400-rpm SATA |
| Graphics | Nvidia Geforce 8600M (512MB dedicated memory) |
Intel GMA X3100 (144MB shared memory) |
| USB | 2x USB2 | 2x USB2 |
| Firewire | 1x FW400, 1x FW800 | 1x FW400 |
| VGA | Yes (using included VGA adapter) | Yes (using optional mini-DVI to VGA adapter) |
| DVI | Yes | Yes (using optional mini-DVI to DVI adapter) |
| HDMI | ||
| Video | Yes (using optional DVI to video adapter) | Yes (using optional mini-DVI to video adapter) |
| Other Input | ||
| Audio | Yes (audio line out)/Yes (audio digital out),Yes (audio line in)/Yes (audio digital in),Built-in microphone,Built-in stereo speakers | Yes (audio line out)/Yes (audio digital out),Yes (audio line in)/Yes (audio digital in),Built-in microphone,Built-in stereo speakers |
| Expansion | ||
| Keyboard | Full Size (backlit) | Full Size |
| Pointer | Trackpad (supports two finger scroll) | Trackpad (supports two finger scroll) |
| Memory card reader | ||
| Modem | Available separately | Available separately |
| Network | 10/100/1000 | 10/100/1000 |
| Wireless | 802.11a/b/g/n | 802.11a/b/g/n |
| Bluetooth | 2.0+EDR | 2.0+EDR |
| Other wireless | ||
| Webcam | Built-in webcam | Built-in webcam |
| Remote Controller | Available separately | Available separately |
| Power Supply/Charger | Yes | Yes |
| Dimensions | 25.9mm (H) x 357mm (W) x 243mm (D) | 27.5mm (H) x 325mm (W) x 227mm (D) |
| Weight | 2.45kg | 2.27kg |
| Warranty | 1 Year, International | 1 Year, International |
Design
Visually identical to the previous model the Macbook Pro's body is metal throughout and exudes a high level of quality. A definite head turner, its appearance certainly put in the running for best looking notebook. The input ports are found on either side of the laptop and the optical drive on the front, with the air vents discreetly concealed between the body and the screen hinge. The lid opens smoothly with the push of a button and the two latches holding the lid closed retract up out of the way when opened. The notebook screen is very slim and beautifully made, however being so thin it is prone to warping. This is unnoticeable when the notebook is open however it is noticeable when it is closed. Although this is only a cosmetic issue it is disappointing to find in a notebook in this price range. The integrated web camera and web camera status light are just above the screen and an ExpressCard/34 slot can be found on the left side of the notebook.
Design - Details
Screen
Each model of the Macbook Pro comes with a choice of screen finish, either matte or glossy. Both are bright and clear with good viewing angles. The screen has a native resolution of 1440x900 and has good colour rendition. The matte screen copes well with reflections and glare and is readable in bright sunlight thanks to its bright LED backlighting. The glossy screen has richer colours and deeper blacks but copes less well with reflections and glare. Whichever one prefers is down to personal preference; matte screens are more colour accurate and show less glare whilst glossy screens have richer colours and more glare.
Ports
The Macbook Pro's ports are found along both sides of the machine, with none to be found on the rear. This is a god-send for those used to picking their notebook up from the front and finding that they've bent a connected USB stick or plug connected in the back. On the left side there's a Magsafe power connector and a USB port as well as an ExpressCard/34 slot. Audio outputs and inputs are well catered for, with optical digital in/out being offered by the same ports as well as analogue. Hats off to Apple for including this. On the right side of the notebook is a DVI port supporting dual-link (allowing it to drive high resolution displays like Apple's 30" LCD display) as well as VGA monitors using the included adapter. The Ethernet port provides gigabit speeds and there is a Firewire 800 and Firewire 400 port as well as an additional USB port. Finally there's a Kensington cable lock slot.
Keyboard
Without question one of the most important parts of any computer is the keyboard. Whether tapping away on your latest blog entry, writing that novel, or entering numbers into a spreadsheet, a poor keyboard can bring down a notebook which is good in every other way. The Macbook Pro's keyboard, unlike Apple's other notebooks, eschews the new style of keyboard for one that's tried and tested. It is comfortable to use and touch typing is a breeze, although the keys are so smooth they're almost slippery. The most striking thing about the Macbook Pro's keyboard only reveals itself when the lights go out - the keyboard backlight automatically comes on. It has to be seen to be appreciated but the effect is not only impressive, it is incredibly useful. The keys are easily recognizable when typing in gloomy lighting and after using the backlit keyboard on the Macbook Pro it's hard not to wish every keyboard came with this feature.
Trackpad
The Macbook Pro includes Apple's new Multi-Touch trackpad first introduced in their Macbook Air. Sitting almost flush with the surface of the laptop, the trackpad on the Macbook Pro is large, accurate and easy to use. In addition to two finger scrolling of web pages and documents it has swiping, allowing the user to scroll back and forth in a web browser simply by swiping three fingers across it. It also allows zooming in and out of images by sliding two fingers towards or away from one another in a pinch action, as well rotating images by placing two fingers and turning your hand in the desired direction.
The merit of some of these functions is debatable with only a few applications using them, however it is good to see new ways being attempted to allow us to better interface with our computers.
Unfortunately there is still no second mouse button, which seems an odd omission considering the fact that Apple's operating system and nearly all Mac software utilize right-click activated contextual menus. Instead Apple offers an alternative; press Ctrl and click, or place two fingers on the trackpad and click (or tap it with two fingers instead). Surprisingly this works quite well, and is a huge welcome for those used to the hassle of Ctrl+Click.
Battery & power
The Apple MagSafe port is an innovative solution to the common problem of yanked notebook power cords. With the typical pin-type power connector most notebooks would be sent clattering to the floor, the MagSafe however uses magnets to hold the power connector in place, and releases instantly if the cord is yanked suddenly. In practice it worked very well, the MagSafe detaching anytime the power cord was yanked, with the notebook hardly budging at all. Whilst the power connector would get disconnected accidentally in day to day use, this was rare enough that it was hardly a problem. Apple have been shipping the MagSafe on all their notebooks since 2006, it would be good to see something similar on their competitors' notebooks.
The Macbook Pro battery sits flush in the base of the laptop and has five indicator lights which show the amount of charge left. They light up when a small button is pressed, and are useful for checking the amount of charge left when the Macbook Pro is off. Removing the battery is straightforward requiring two latches to be slid down on either side of the battery whereupon it springs out for removal.
The Macbook Pro's battery life is good lasting 2hrs 7mins in our battery stress test.
Expansion
The Macbook Pro comes with two 1GB memory modules. These are user serviceable and can be upgraded to a capacious 4GB. Upgrading the memory is not as simple here as with the Macbook but it is well documented in the included manual. Taking the battery out exposes a handy diagram detailing removal and insertion of the memory modules which are each held in place by two small catches and spring out for replacement.
Noise & Heat
With light to moderate usage the Macbook Pro is very quiet, when worked hard however the fans do become noisy. This is normal for a notebook of this size. What is of concern is how hot the Macbook Pro becomes when doing slightly intensive work. This is definitely not a notebook to keep on your lap for any length of time.
Features
Integrated Web Camera (iSight)
Apple's Macbook Pro comes with an integrated webcam and microphone built into the top of the screen bezel. With a 1280x800 resolution it offers a a very crisp picture in good light. In gloomier lighting image quality suffers somewhat, but it remains very good for a webcam. On one side of the iSight is a light to let you know when it's on. Like the iSight, the built-in microphone is also of decent quality, picking up very little ambient noise.
Remote Control
Apple's compact remote used to be a standard inclusion with its notebooks but as of 2008 it is no longer included with the Macbook Pro although it can be bought separately. This is a pity since many user's might never know that Apple even makes a remote, especially one as intuitive as this. The six buttons on the remote offer Menu, Play/Pause, Volume Up, Volume Down and Back and Forward. That's as complex as it gets, and in use it works very well with applications such as Front Row (Apple's media centre type application), iTunes, Quicktime, DVD Player and Keynote (Apple's presentation software). The remote can put the machine into standby and turn it on again, as well as pair itself to a particular Mac if you have more than one.
Contents of the box
- 85W MagSafe Power adapter, AC wall plug and power cord
- Display cleaning cloth
- Install/restore DVDs
- Manuals