The latest version of the ever-popular MacBook Pro from Apple is recognisable by its unibody casing, machined from a single piece of aluminium. This styling closely follows that introduced by the iMac, Apple TV and MacBook Air products. The MacBook Pro is slightly slimmer than its plastic bodied predecessor and has a glass covered screen featuring an LED backlight to provide a brighter, clearer image with much improved contrast performance.
The keyboard is the standard Apple design with separated and backlit keys. The track pad has grown in size with the buttons being incorporated into the pad itself, giving the user more room for scrolling and multi-touch gestures which now imitate those found on the iPod Touch and iPhone touch screen based models.
Less noticeable updates to the range include the USB and FireWire ports being moved to the left side of the machine and an SD card slot being introduced for the first time on a Mac notebook. It is worth noting that the 17" model features an ExpressCard slot rather than an SD drive. The DVD drive has been moved to the right of the machine and a Mini DisplayPort connection replaces the DVI output. The FireWire 400 port is no longer present, although the FireWire 800 port is still there.
MacBook Pro Battery Life
All free MacBook Pro models use a non serviceable sealed in battery making use of the more up to date lithium-ion polymer technology. This innovation has allowed Apple to use batteries with non-rounded cells that take up all of the available space inside the casing, but because the battery is sealed inside the case the owner cannot remove or replace it. The laptop has to be sent to Apple for service in the event of battery problems. The upside is that the range is endowed with excellent battery life where the 13-inch and 15-inch models provide up to seven hours on one charge. The larger 17-inch mac allows a fantastic eight hours out of a single charge. The batteries themselves are claimed to last for 1000 charge cycles whist still retaining over 80 percent of their capacity. This would provide a lifespan of about five years for an average user.
MacBook models
The MacBook Pro model range is based on three screen diameters of 13", 15"and 17". Each model can be tailored with varying processor speeds, RAM size and hard drive capacity, including a high performance solid state hard drive (SSD) on some models. For those not suited to the glass screen, an anti-glare matte version can be specified, but only on the 15-inch and 17-inch sizes. Apple offer many other extras and additions when buying your Mac direct from them. Watch out though as some options can be very expensive. Don't get too carried away.
MacBook Air vs MacBook Pro
Whether a MacBook Pro or MacBook Air is the better notebook depends on a users individual requirements. Both are very stylish and the Pro isn't that large or heavy, especially if you opt for the 13" model. Note that the Air is only available with a 13" screen, so if you need any bigger then the Pro is the only model to choose. A business user requiring long battery life and a DVD drive, multiple USB ports and a FireWire port would be advise to go with a Pro model. A user requiring a stylish laptop for just occasional use may prefer a free MacBook Air. You sacrifice luxuries such as a DVD drive, FireWire port and card reader but get one of the slimmest, best looking notebooks currently available with which to impress your friends.
We hope this MacBook Pro review will serve to make your choice of Apple notebook a little easier. Make use of price comparison services before you buy, but you'll get good service from your local Apple store, and as prices don't seem to vary that much this is where we would go to make our purchase.
Author:
Tim Cook is an Apple fanatic and deals with most of their product range but primarily concentrates on the Macintosh computer range of products.
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