Roundup: 8 Laptops : Apple MacBook Pro 15''
2. Apple MacBook Pro 15''
The Screen
We've already taken a very detailed look at the most controversial aspect of the new MacBook Pro: its glossy display. Here's what we looked at:
Glossy or Matte
Brightness and Contrast Measured
Colors
LED Performance
In reality, the screen is very glossy, and has the exactly the kind of sleek, attractive look that Apple wanted to give it.
Its brightness gets as high as 323 cd/m² for whites and falls to 0.37cd/m² for blacks using the default settings. In more concrete terms, this gives a very attractive, bright picture, with plenty of contrast for photos and films.
When we first got our hands on the MacBook Pro back in October, we brought you some of the details straight away, but now it's time for the full test.
Handling
We can start this test on the outside of the MacBook Pro without spending too much time on how it looks. Once again, Apple's engineers have produced an incredibly good-looking computer. It really is an attractive object, but let's look at how it performs.
The keyboard is nice and spacious, and very comfortable to use, with large, quiet buttons.
In front of the keyboard is a touchpad that's remarkable for two reasons. For starters, it's very big and takes up almost all of the space available. The second interesting change is that it's a single flat panel that you can click in, as if it were a giant mouse button, rather than tapping if with a finger. If you're used to traditional trackpads, you might find it a little disconcerting a first, but you soon get used to it.
Unfortunately, Apple has taken the minimalist look of the case and applied the same philosophy to the outputs and inputs it offers: there are just two USB ports, one FireWire 800 a mini DisplayPort for graphics and pair of mini-jacks.
If you're not lucky enough to have a DisplayPort screen, then don't worry--Apple will be happy to sell you adapters for either VGA or DVI. You won't have to throw your 'old' 24'' DVI-based Cinema Display that you paid a fortune for at the Apple Store just last year.
In addition, there's also an Express Card port, allowing you to add your choice of accessory, but HDMI, e-SATA and a memory card reader are all notably absent.
The power cable connects magnetically, meaning that you don't run the risk of dragging the MacBook Pro on to the floor if you accidentally step on its cable--it just pops loose and your computer remains intact.
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| All of the ports are on one side ... | ... while the DVD drive is on the other |
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| LEDs indicate battery level | Very large trackpad |
The built-in speakers are high-quality, and do a decent job with bass even at high volumes. The maximum volume is loud enough for several people to watch a film, but be careful, because the glossy screen is susceptible to catching reflections when you look at it from the side.
Processor Power
When we test Windows-based computers, we use the FutureMark suite, whose equivalent for Macs is XBench. We used it to compare the results of the new MacBook Pro to other recent Apple models.
Compared to the 13'' white MacBook, the 15'' MacBook Pro only really distinguishes itself when it comes to handling 3D graphics. It finished just ahead of the smaller model on every other test but not by any great margin.
Games
The chipset and graphics card built in to this laptop are too very good signs that gaming performance will be high. As we've discussed previously, the Nvidia chipset brings a real performance boost that promises to bring 3D gaming to computers without separate graphics cards.
We didn't get a chance to test that claim out here, though, as an Nvidia 9600 M GT is altso included, and it has enough oomph to allow you to enjoy the latest 3D games in their native resolution, although you won't be able to turn all of the graphics options up to their most demanding settings.
If you'd like to know which games are available for Mac, you can consult a list at the Apple Store.
Portability & Battery Life
We've already praised the MacBook Pro's good battery life, especially under Mac OS X, where it lasted for 3 hours 19 minutes, an excellent time for a notebook.
Nevertheless, it's difficult not to look over at the achievements of netbooks in this regard.
The Samsung NC10, for instance, has a battery life of 4 hours 49 minutes and is 1.2 kg lighter, too. Granted, the keyboard and screen are both smaller, but, it's still worth thinking about.
| Apple MacBook Pro 15'' | |
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| Pros | Cons |
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It's hard not to be seduced by the new MacBook Pro's stylish good looks, excellent battery life and very large touchpad. There are several downsides, though, including its price, glossy screen and lack of any other video outputs than the mini DisplayPort.
Could put up a list of hardware for comparison, for ease of user to compare those product not by points but by hardware parts.
High points does not mean high expectation in other user eyes.
Otherwise would like to see more laptops comparison next time (HP, Acer, etc.)
I read in a local magazine that the Dell XPS 13 would run very hot during normal usage, especially on the "leather" part.
Is that something you noticed?
I'm allergic to fan noise. That it is quiet is for me by far the most important parameter, but it's rarely discussed. Does anyone know if the Dell Studio 17 is completely quiet under normal usage, such as word processing, surfing the internet or watching mp4 movies.
I don't really dig the 5 star system. It always seems like not all the hardware is compared equally as there never seems to be any direct comparison between one model to the other. I think all models should be weighed by features, performance and price point.
I don't really dig the 5 star system. It always seems like not all the hardware is compared equally as there never seems to be any direct comparison between one model to the other. I think all models should be weighed by features, performance and price point.
Hi Warezme--
These products aren't "directly" compared to each other. That's because each one hit the market at a different time. We couldn't compare the performance of a laptop that came out in May to one that came out in July. Each product's review was written at the time that laptop was received by us.
Thanks,
Rachel Rosmarin
Editor, Tom's Guide
That's an old Macbook Pro, what about the new one with the SD card & without the expresscard slot.
-ND
I would never buy those piece of garbage lenovo's
Worst ever laptop review, each page didn't even clearly describe spec such as cpu, chipset, HD, battery size... only subjective rating. Pathetic!
Yeah full specs should always be listed, especially when the laptops weren’t even compared head to head.
Take a look at the Dell 17 inch Studio, it seems one of the major critiques is the battery life. But when ordering that laptop you have several different CPU’s to choose from (CPU’s that differ not only in speed but also in power consumption) so depending on what the review sample was equipped with it could either spell doom for certain configurations or be less of an issue with others.
WTF no alienware!!!!!!!!
I can't believe you didn't list battery life and heat output.
I can't believe you didn't list battery life and heat output.
I need edit button.
The big Acer Aspire 18.4" would of been a good review to add.
I also would of liked a hardware comparison table with screen size, options, and comparative price.
I've got one of those MBPs. I used it today at a conference and my battery lasted for a good 5 hours. Of course, the newer MBP with SD slot is meant to be even better. As for the glossy screen, seriously, I don't see a problem with it. People complain about glare in glossy screens but, in my experience, the glare from a light source behind you is far easier to deal with than the washed out effect that a matte display has. The colours are also truly superb.
Strange there aren't any HP laptops. Or, for that matter, any Gateway, Acer or Sony laptops, considering these companies put together make up around 40% percent of the market.
I also find it strange that more advanced benchmarks were not used, considering the suite other parts go through here.
1) No specs, wtf?
2) No pricing, ehhh... (i.e. that 15" macbook costs $2000... definitely would raise a red flag for most people)
3) Some laptops are in completely different categories (gaming, portability etc.)