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Apple 17" MacBook Pro Notebook (2.16GHz Intel Core Duo T2600, 1GB DDR2, 120GB, DVD±RW DL, Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger, 17" TFT - MPN: MA092LLA)
Description: You've seen improvements in notebook performance before - but never on this scale. The Intel Core Duo powering MacBook Pro is actually two processors built into a single chip. This, combined with myriad other engineering leaps, boosts perfo.... Read More Description: You've seen improvements in notebook performance before - but never on this scale. The Intel Core Duo powering MacBook Pro is actually two processors built into a single chip. This, combined with myriad other engineering leaps, boosts performance up to four times higher than the PowerBook G4. With this awesome power, it's a breeze to render complex 3D models, enjoy smooth playback of HD video, or host a four-way video conference. Intel Core Duo is built using Intel's 65-nanometer process - resulting in transistors so small, you could fit a hundred inside a single human cell. With smaller distances for electrons to travel, and two processors designed to share resources and conserve power, Intel Core Duo achieves higher levels of performance as it uses fewer watts. Which is what makes it possible to design a super-powerful MacBook Pro that's only one inch thin. When Mac technology makes something easy, it's hardly news. So here's more non-news for MacBook Pro owners: software just works. If you see the Universal logo on a application, that means it will run on Intel- and PowerPC-based Mac computers. For most existing applications, you simply do what you've always done: double-click them. Thanks to the Rosetta technology in Mac OS X, they look and feel just like they did before. Minimize |
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| Date Reviewed: 02/10/2007 |
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Strengths: Form factor, design, performance
Weaknesses: Screen (see below), a few other minor quibbles, battery life
Summary: This is probably the best Apple laptop I've used in some time. It's fast, and flies in Vista or OS X (though I believe certain aspects of OS X feel slower than Vista like Safari vs. IE). I upgraded to 2GB of RAM. The HD is probably the only thing that's 'slow' on this computer. I didn't get the chance to upgrade that when I bought it, and having owned a couple of 15" MB Pros with the 7200 RPM HD, I wish I could easily upgrade it now. It has an elegant, if dated by Apple standards, design. FW, FW800, USB and Ethernet ports all around with a DVI port and DVI-VGA adapter included. Out of the box, this has everything you would need. Sure there is Apple's stubborn 1 button trackpad, but an external mouse fixes that. It's pretty quiet and very fast, so what are my problems? It has a good screen resolution, but the lighting uniformity is the worst of any Apple laptop I've had in the past 2 years, and this seems common among all the 17" MB Pros. It's usable, but dim around all four sides. Second, battery life is pretty bad. In energy saver mode with the screen dimmed, I get around 3 hours with wireless on doing nothing more than typing and surfing. Watching a longer movie may in cases be pushing it and if you're cruching numbers with the battery, you are in for the short haul. I am happy with it and I think its the perfect size for me, but that will be upto you to decide.
 100% of People (7/7) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 10/28/2006 |
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Strengths: Slim design - Light and compact for its large screen size - My first experience with Mac OS is strongly positive - Keyboard responds very well - Magnetic power cord connecter is wonderful concept . .
Weaknesses: Runs very hot - light colored case holds onto a lot of marks from dirty hands or dust. I constantly have to wipe down the case (my hands gather a lot of dirt at work). Build quality a bit questionable
Summary: 2006-10-31 18:39:48 I bought this computer primarily for personal use. Have been a PC user all my life and have been drawn closer and closer to Apple. I think the final push came from Intel chips promising to be able to run Windows. With that last hangup overcome, I ventured into the world of Mac.
MAC OS X - Coming from Windows I appreciate many of the different quirks that the Mac OS has. It seems that many of the common functions and commands are more intuitive that what one would find in Windows. Simple things which I never thought about before, such as quitting programs, running multiple programs, and installing programs are simpler on the Mac. I think programs are integrated very well, especially with the iLife suite. I've gone much further in photo and video editing than I've ever gone before (which wasn't very far in the first place) but it's simply easier to stay interested using the iLife programs.
BUILD QUALITY - Let me reveal my one gripe early. The release button on my display broke just last week, so the display wouldn't stay shut. That button is also unnecessarily small. Within the same time period, a bug crawled into my display. As I wiped at it in disbelief I ended up killing it but it remained lodged there, right in the middle of the 17-inch screen of my $2900 computer. It was stuck between the LCD and the backlight. I could not figure out how a foreign object that large could have made its way into that area. I've had good experiences with Apple's customer service when it came to my iPod and I've just dropped off this computer at the Apple Retail store for the screen to be replaced and the casing containing the release button to be replaced. Seemingly minor problems (not the display) but I've only had it for 2 MONTHS!!! I've now been without my computer for over a week and nothing urgent has come up so far but I never experienced either of these type of problems with my $500 Compaqs at work, which get banged around and left outside for days at a time. So what's going on there?
PERFORMANCE - I haven't used it for any high quality qraphics rendering or high level programming so I can't attest to performance in those areas. I've mainly been learning the Mac OS and doing some minor things with iPhoto. For my normal applications (email, internet, music) I don't really notice much of a difference between this system and a much less expensive PC. Programs may load up a tad quicker, but not enough for me to take notice. Burning DVD's on the Superdrive take me anwywhere from 30 minutes to 60 minutes. No advantage there. And if I start running too many programs, something WILL freeze, just like a PC, even with the 1 GB memory included.
POSITIVES - One big reason for getting this particular model was for the 17-inch screen on which I like to watch movies. It's supposedly brighter than the previous model but I wish it were a little brighter. I was tempted to get the glossy screen because watching video images on that screen are so much cleaner. However, my last laptop (Sony) had a glossy screen which looked amazing in the dark and indoors but when I tried to take outside, or even to Starbucks indoors, the glare from the sunlight and even through windows is just too much to overcome. I am very happy with the resolution of this screen. It took a little getting used to. At first things seemed rounded and small but I now have trouble using lower quality screens and my eyes fatique more quickly, something that I noticed now doesn't happen quickly at all with my MBP. Resolution awesome, could be brighter - Also, magnetic power plug has already saved me a couple of times. Awesome invention. -Bluetooth built in is neat.
NEGATIVES - I still wish that with a $2900 computer (incl. tax) would have some built in slots for multi-media cards. I just wish Apple's features on their high end computer could at least match features found on a $2900 PC. MPB cannot play dvd's without system being turned on, has no dedicated numeric keyboard, and is skimpy on the connection ports (only 3 USB's and 2 Firewire). Built-in speakers are decent but I've heard better.
OVERALL ASSESSMENT - I like the MPB and am glad I bought it. I plan on using it for more things like video editing and more complex photo editing. Experiencing the Mac OS feels like exploring the computer for the first time again, in a good way. I've been a big fan since the iPod ( I gues I'm one the 50% of the first time Mac buyers this year), but why the arrogance from Apple to never adopting conventions that other companies and users have found CONVENIENT?!! And what's up with my display?
97% of People (31/32) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 10/06/2006 |
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Strengths: Graphics, Power.... Ingenious
Weaknesses: Uhh.... Sometimes will do unexpected things but nothing as bad as Windows....
Summary: I have never owned a Mac before but a friend of mine suggested that I get the MacBook Pro 15.4. I was kinda scared to spend so much money on a computer that I have never seen before, but I had just graduated from High School and my dad wanted me to get a fast reliable computer and I wanted to be able to do my music with it. So I ordered my MacBook Pro 15.4 but I decided that I wanted more speed and with my education discounts the 17-inch was just as much as the 15.4-inch so I got the 17-inch instead. I love this computer so much. It looks amazing and runs beautifully. I wouldn't trade this computer for any other computer in the world. I am still learning all the sweet stuff that the Mac OS has to offer. Its like finding a present everyday when I get on this great machine. I can record my music so easily as well that it more than pays for it self. I was going to put windows on it but after using my Mac for a week I am disgusted at Windows. I would suggest this computer to everyone, it is awesome.
94% of People (34/36) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 07/05/2006 |
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Strengths: Fast ....with a wonderful selection of built-in applications...garageband, IMovie, IDVD etc.
Weaknesses: It doesn't come with a built in modem which I find is necessary for connecting overseas. Apple sells them for $49.00..
Summary:
I have only bought Mac's in the past and this one is a definite winner! At first I thought I didn't need the larger screen BUT it has very easily changeable type sizes and I find it is much easier on my eyes.
iMovie is easier and more involved in this version. There are more variations in the editing...more title type and transitions and the very best part is that garageband is incorporated into the movie so that one can compose music for the opening and closing of home movies with ease.
Rather than using a typing program ( which their sales personnel at the Apple store suggested) I have been typing letters in the TextEdit application which comes with the program. I was delighted to see that it spell checks also
I bought Pogue's "Missing Manual" both for Garageband and System 10.4 as I found that IMovie 2's manual for my last notebook extremely necessary. I also buy extended warranties for my computers and found them well worth it.
Enjoy!...have fun....it's the best!
93% of People (51/55) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 07/03/2006 |
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Strengths: Power, beauty, wonderful display
Weaknesses: Cost?
Summary: Yes it is expensive, but so is ANY (including Windows laptops) machine of this power, screen size and capability. In fact, a similarly equipped Dell costs a little more and is SOOOOO much less.... The MacBook Pro benchmarks slightly better than the comparable CoreDuo Dell when running Windows, and the Dell is a lot clunkier, heavier and doesn't run OS X. I LOVE MINE!
89% of People (51/57) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 09/10/2006 |
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Strengths: Screen, OS X, easy connectivity, great fit and finish, worked right out of the box
Weaknesses: This is a big notebook with a big footprint - you need a sizeable desk to work on, and a pretty big case or backpack to carry it.
Summary: This is the best notebook I've ever owned. It's my first Mac - I've owned mostly Dells and Compaq's in the past. The Mac started up as soon as I plugged it in, and it was ready to run in no time. I had a little difficulty connecting to my Linksys wireless access point, but a couple of passes through the user preferences took care of that. The download process worked flawlessly, and the security seems pretty strong without being intrusive. The hard drive just gobbled up Photoshop CS along with Dreamweaver and GoLive. All I need now is Office for the Mac (next purchase) and I'll have it all!
89% of People (17/19) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 05/28/2006 |
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Strengths: Great screen, and performance.
Weaknesses: Expensive
Summary: This is my first apple and I find it very easy to use and it comes with all sorts of cool software tools along with it. Plus this doesn't crash on me like a PC would. If you have the money then this is the perfect mobile workstation.
85% of People (56/66) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 10/12/2006 |
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Strengths: Processor
Graphics
Security
Weaknesses: Software
Support
Summary: I have only bought Mac's in the past and this one is a definite winner!
iMovie is easier and more involved in this version. There are more variations in the editing...more title type and transitions
80% of People (20/25) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 02/12/2007 |
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Strengths: All metal construction, back-lit keyboard, 1" when closed, decent screen, 2.5-3 hour battery time, can run windows and mac OSuX.
Weaknesses: Keyboard isn't all that great, drivers are flakey in boot camp, system is more flakey in windows than any other PC since windows 95.
Summary: I like the build and feel of this notebook. It isn't cheap and plastic like most other notebooks out there. Plus I can run OSuX and WinXP, the only problem is that bootcamp is still in beta and it is pretty glitchy. It crashes windows often and the mouse (via touchpad) goes in and out of working when ever it feels like it. Other than that it is a pretty good product and I purchased it new for $1580. I would not say it is worth $2600 though, but $1580, sure.
71% of People (5/7) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 09/13/2006 |
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 Don't get an Apple Computer! Strengths: N/A
Weaknesses: Runs HOT, Bad customer service, and it did not work right out of the box!!!!
Summary: The MacBook PRO is NOT worth the money! Apple support is no good! If you have a problem expect to pay for it. I sent my MacBook PRO back to Apple after weeks of talking to them on the phone, re-installing the OS system, and software several times. I sent my Mac back to Apple and they have had my computer for 3 weeks. Don't buy an Apple - get a Dell.
65% of People (26/40) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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