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Apple MacBook Pro 2.0GHz Intel Core Duo Notebook (2.0GHz Intel Core Duo, 512MB DDR2, 80GB, DVD±RW/CD-RW, Mac OS X 10.4.4 Tiger, 15.4" TFT - MPN: MA091LLA)
Description: You?ve dreamed about it long enough. Now it has a name: MacBook Pro. Powered by a dual-core Intel engine. Up to four times the speed of the PowerBook G4. Eight times the graphics bandwidth. With built-in iSight for instant video conferencin.... Read More Description: You?ve dreamed about it long enough. Now it has a name: MacBook Pro. Powered by a dual-core Intel engine. Up to four times the speed of the PowerBook G4. Eight times the graphics bandwidth. With built-in iSight for instant video conferencing on the move. And Front Row with Apple Remote to dazzle everyone in the room. Minimize |
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| Date Reviewed: 04/27/2006 |
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Strengths: Fast, great form factor
Weaknesses: Ports, bugs, running Windows
Summary: This laptop is an excellent entry in the 15 inch category with a few catchs. Price/performance wise, its about as good as an Apple laptop has gotten (though the latest 17" MacBook trumps it). The video card is adequete for medium gaming (mostly in Windows) and the processor flies. I have the 7200 RPM HD, which is fast enough, though I have little experience with 5400 RPM HD MacBooks. The new screen is gorgeous, but they all seem to suffer from less even backlighting than previous Powerbooks.
Thats the good. The bad is the widespread reports of noise, screen flickering, Airport connectivity issues etc. You can chalk it up to first gen issues, but a $2500 laptop shouldn't have first gen issues this prevalent period. Also, its lacking in maybe 1 more USB port (an external mouse and thumb drive take up the 2 available ports) and for some, the FW 800 port will be missed. Battery life is good, comprable to that of the previous Powerbook, but not outstanding.
For the first time, with Apple's official Boot Camp support, Windows runs on a Mac. It runs well, and Apple has supported most hardware with Boot Camp. I realize its a beta, but there are some quirks that are anonying. One is the lack of a true delete key, so you have to remap the keyboard to get delete functionality (something more important in Windows than in OS X). The other is the lack of a second mouse button. For some reason Apple remains defiant in this department - even the Mighty Mouse was half baked. This is a problem in both OS X and Windows, but more so in Windows.
In the end, am I happy with it? Yes. Is it perfect? No. In other words, it embodies the Apple users have come to love and hate over the past five years. A good but certainly not flawless product.
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| Date Reviewed: 10/16/2006 |
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Strengths: screen brightness, keyboard, speed of computer, ease of use with programs, photo and video editing, mag safe power cord
Weaknesses: buzzing noises sometimes, cd/dvd drive can be noisy
Summary: overall we are very happy with this computer. we were going to get the powerbook but after comparing the specs we knew we had to go with this one. having the isight in the computer is a nice feature too. we also think the mag safe power adapter is great and will hopefully become used more widely in the future. this computer can be used easily with microsoft products as well which is nice since a lot of our family members use their software. This has been a great computer so far and now that we own a Mac we would buy another one in the future based on how this computer compares to others on the market today.
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| Date Reviewed: 03/14/2006 |
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Strengths: Clear, bright screen; near silent running; supremely easy to get up and started.
Weaknesses: Seems to run a bit hot--too much so for my lap--but then I've heard that these faster laptops tend to run hot. (My previous was an ibook, which could get hot as well, but generally sayed at warm.
Summary: I've waited patiently for this this latest super personal computer from Apple, and so far it has not disappointed me in the least. It's slimmer than my previous (ibook), the screen is brighter and color richer, both of which, I believe, will help my eyesight over the long run, especially since my work demands many hours in front of the screen. Everything transferred over from my ibook with ease (about 45 minutes and all all the files, applications, etc), and I was back in business. The speed is awesome, for most all the tasks I've set it to so far. Even the internet work seems chippier, although the limitations of the connection (in my case satellite broadband) speed are still evident. This computer is not inexpensive (although when I think back to what just a fraction of the power and storage cost about twenty years back, this is on the order of downright cheap), so I plan on using this for some years to come, no matter what new bells and whistles might be just around the corner. I'm pleased with this.
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| Date Reviewed: 03/02/2006 |
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Strengths: Smaller lighter, brighter screen, higher resolution, somewhat faster
Weaknesses: Speaker quality is poor, noisy dvd when spinning, Can't run some porgrams like Virtual PC
Summary: It's tough when you are addicted to life on the bleeding edge. You make yourself buy things before they come out and you know that they will get better but you have to be the bug finder.
I am switching from a 1.5 GHz Powerbook with 2GB of Ram 100GB 5400 drive.
The Macbook is a little thinner and lighter screen resultion is crisper and brigter. Fit and finish are excellent as always. Two finger scrolling on the larger touchpad is nice.
The speakers have a cheap buzzzing quality making you need to hook up your external speakers ASAP. Of course it's too early for a docking station so I will miss my Bookendz dock.
ILife group seems solid but I don't notice huge differences in performance. I compiled and burned a big dvd project on both the powerbook and macbook pro. The PB took about 20 minutes and the MB took about 18.5.
Can't use DVD Studio or Final Cut or Virtual PC. Other programs seem to run fine. Not 4 times faster.
Apple has already put out updates for teh OS and most ilife porgrams.
If you like having the latest place your order. If you have a fairly new Powerbook you aren't missing a lot.
92% of People (12/13) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 04/08/2006 |
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Strengths: Sleek design, smooth feel, convenient built-in camera, beautiful bright screen, and practical magnetic power connection.
Weaknesses: Runs hot, poor sound quality, and somewhat noisy when running CD-ROM/DVD.
Summary: After almost a year of looking at the PowerBooks at the local Apple store, I finally decided to make the switch from PC to Mac when the MacBook Pro made its appearance. I was reluctant to be one of the first on board with a purchase as I thought there might be some bugs to be worked out with new Intel chip inside. Fortunately, my fears were unfounded. Except for the few weaknesses listed above, I love everything about this computer. Specifically, the screen display is brilliantly bright, and the sleek design is impressive to say the least. Moreover, everything from the built-in camera to the new magnetic power connection is convenient and practical. Yes, it is expensive, and there are a myriad economical choices on the market, but I believe the MacBook Pro is definitely worth the price. No regrets; I love using the MacBook Pro, and I have certainly become the envy of many, if not most, of my friends still using PC laptops and PowerBooks.
67% of People (4/6) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 03/26/2006 |
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Strengths: Speed, cutting edge technology, built in iSite camera, backlit keyboard, 15.4" screen, cool remote control (but useless), and the overall cool factor.
Weaknesses: Intel chip not backwards compatible, price, and too easy to scratch the case.
Summary: Overall, I am very happy with the design, form factor, and built in features that this computer has to offer.
However, I am quite bummed that it does not work with all of my favorite applications (ie Photoshop plus other adobe apps). In addition, I cannot seem to find third party accessory software. For example, I cannot use kensingtons mouseworks, and my cool wireless laser mouse. This is the case for almost every small third party app out there. Software has to be re-written in Universal binary for it to work on this machine. I feel like I did back when I went from my apple 68k processor to the powerPC. I am all for progress, but - apple seems to do this too often and quickly. I don't think that the rest of the world has even caught up to the PowerPC world - and apple has done it again. Back in the day, Berkley Systems (After Dark screen savers) dropped the Mac OS completely secondary to the "change" - lets hope we don't have the same problems this time around with software designers.
50% of People (1/2) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 03/18/2006 |
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Strengths: Magnetic power adaptors, CD drive like the car.
Weaknesses: Poor quality sound
Summary: I Was very angry about this laptop when came, because came some defectives, the sound, keyboard fellow the shift key, and I was need to return for pc connection, its very thin. Wherever if you are a Mac lover you don’t have any option to buy another laptop, but this laptop I loved. You can buy it.
14% of People (1/7) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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