Apple's Highly Portable Desktop Replacement
Monday July 14, 2008
Image Courtesy Apple Inc.
Apple's Leopard OS X release brought a lot of updates to the Mac product lineup including the ability to officially run Windows on the hardware. Since Leopard's release, Apple updated the hardware specs in their MacBook Pro lineup of systems. While the exterior remains the same with its aluminum clad chassis, the internals have been tweaked some. Find out if their hardware changes have improved this very portable but expensive desktop replacement laptop in my updated review.
Comments
In our experience of repairing laptops since the earliest days of the laptop, “Thin” means trouble. We have not seen the inside of this particular model, but we have not seen any manufacturer build a very thin laptop with adequate cooling. This results, most often, in early failure and expensive repairs. Get the longest warranty Apple offers.
I’ve been using a 17″ MacBook Pro for about 18 months now. This is hands down the best laptop I’ve ever owned. I think this is the first computer I’ve owned that runs everything I’ve asked it to. Recently I’ve upgraded it with the Hitachi 200GB 7200RPM hard drive. Very nice. I had some small problems with the display shortly after I received it which Apple quickly fixed. About a year into having it there was a problem with the battery. It was promptly replaced at an Apple store for no charge. I am very happy with this machine. I carry it all over the country and it just works and works and works.
Two questions for someone before I take the Mac plunge for a 17″ MacBook Pro—-
1. glossy or matte screen ? I have tons of photos, dvds, vhs tapes and 8mm tapes to work with.
2. How important is it to have that backlight like the 15″ Mac has ? Will Apple add the backlight to the 17″ anytime soon ?
Thanks !
Apple’s current retail version of the 17-inch MacBook still uses the CCFL backlight. Models ordered via Apple can get an upgraded screen that uses the LED backligthing.
Matte or glossy is a personal choice. Glossy tends to have a brighter picture but does not do as well in sunlight or bright light conditions. Glossy is great for video work though.
HI THERE YOU ARE RIGHT 2.93 GHZ 8 GB OF RAM AND A 256 GB SSD SOLID STATE FLASH DRIVE FOR $5,200 WHAT A POWER HOUSE PROBALY FASTER THEN A ALEIN WARE.