Amazon.com Product Description
Featuring a precision unibody enclosure crafted from a single
block of aluminum, the MacBook Pro is thinner and lighter than its
predecessor as well as stronger and more durable. But Apple didn't stop
innovating with the body's design. The MacBook Pro also includes a new
15-inch, LED-backlit glass display (instead of an LCD panel) as well as
a glass trackpad that doesn't include a button (for larger tracking
area) that features Apple's Multi-Touch technology.
The 15-inch unibody MacBook Pro (see larger version). |
This 15-inch MacBook Pro (model MB986LL/A) also now includes Apple's
innovative built-in notebook battery for up to 7 hours of wireless
productivity on a single charge without adding thickness, weight or
cost. Using Adaptive Charging and advanced chemistry first introduced
with the 17-inch MacBook Pro the built-in battery delivers up to 1000
recharges before it reaches 80 percent of its original capacity--nearly
three times the lifespan of conventional batteries. Under the
hood, the MacBook Pro is powered by a powerful 2.80 GHz Intel Core 2
Duo processor (with 6 MB L2 cache and 1066 MHz front-side bus), which
runs applications faster and more efficiently as well as helps to
reduce power requirements and save on battery life. And this MacBook
Pro includes two video processors for ultimate flexibility: NVIDIA
GeForce 9400M integrated graphics for great everyday performance and
NVIDIA 9600M GT discrete graphics (512 MB of GDDR3 memory) for fast,
smooth video--perfect for 3D gaming.
Other hardware features
include a 500 GB hard drive, 4 GB of installed RAM (which can be
upgraded to 8 GB), an 8x combo Superdrive (for burning dual-layer DVDs
as well as CDs), built-in Gigabit Ethernet for high-speed networking,
Bluetooth 2.1+EDR (Enhanced Data Rate), FireWire 800 port, Mini
DisplayPort video output (for DVI and VGA connections), and a Secure
Digital card slot for easy access to digital photos and audio stored on
SD and MMC memory cards.
It comes pre-loaded with Apple's Mac
OS X 10.5 Leopard operating system, and is ready to run the Mac OS X
10.6 Snow Leopard operating system. It also comes with the iLife '09
suite of applications, including iPhoto, iMovie, Garageband, and
iTunes.
The Unibody MacBook Pro Design
Traditionally notebooks are made from multiple parts. With the MacBook
Pro all of those parts with just one part--the breakthrough unibody
enclosure. Every MacBook Pro starts its life as a single block of
aluminum, which is precisely machined into the basic unibody design.
Another pass and the unibody takes shape. Another, and the integrated
keyboard emerges. When you pick up a new MacBook Pro, you immediately
notice the entire enclosure is thinner and lighter. And it feels strong
and durable--perfect for life inside (and outside) your briefcase or
backpack.
 |
Off-the-shelf
lithium-ion cells come in fixed, cylindrical shapes. The 15-inch
MacBook Pro is powered by custom-made, ultrathin lithium-polymer
batteries. |
The standard
aluminum electro-static trackpad has been replaced with a new glass
Multi-Touch trackpad, which provides 40 percent more tracking area than
before. Use two fingers to scroll up and down a page. Pinch to zoom in
and out. Rotate an image with your fingertips. Swipe with three fingers
to flip through your photo libraries. Swipe with four fingers to show
your desktop, view all open windows, or switch applications. The entire
trackpad surface is also a button, allowing you to both track and click
virtually anywhere on the trackpad. And you can easily enable multiple
virtual buttons in software, such as right-clicking. The
keyboard has also been improved, with the rigid aluminum keyboard
webbing cut precisely to hold the keys, which are curved to perfectly
fit fingers. And it's illuminated, so when you're in low-light
settings, such as airplanes or conference rooms, you can always see
what you're typing.
The 15-inch display is made of
edge-to-edge, uninterrupted glass for a smooth, seamless surface and
features LED backlighting for brilliant instant-on performance that
uses up to 30 percent less energy than its predecessor. The ultra-thin
displays provide crisp images and vivid colors which are ideal for
viewing photos and movies
Long-Lasting Battery
The
15-inch MacBook Pro now includes a newly engineered lithium-polymer
battery that that lasts up to 7 hours on a single charge thanks to
advanced chemistry, intelligent monitoring of the system and battery,
and Adaptive Charging technology. The battery is built right into the
computer, eliminating the space-consuming mechanisms and housings that
standard removable batteries require. This non-removable battery also
provides a longer battery lifespan of up to 1000 recharges--meaning
fewer depleted batteries and less waste, which is better for the
environment.
Giving it a lifespan of up to 1000 recharges
required breakthroughs in battery technology. Apple electro-chemists
developed advanced chemistry that maintains the battery's charging
capabilities longer than ever. And while most notebooks wear down their
batteries by charging them at a constant rate, the 15-inch MacBook Pro
takes a different approach. Using an Apple-developed technology called
Adaptive Charging, a microchip on the battery constantly communicates
with the computer to determine the optimal way to charge its cells,
adjusting the current up and down depending on a variety of conditions.
Combined, these advancements offer a dramatic improvement in battery
lifespan: more than three times the lifespan of typical notebook
batteries--up to five years.
Intel Core 2 Duo Processor
Experience improved energy efficiency, expanded wireless connectivity,
and amazing battery life with the 2.80 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor,
which has a super-fast 1066 MHz front-side bus (FSB), and an large 6 MB
L2 cache. (An L2, or secondary, cache temporarily stores data; and a
larger L2 cache can help speed up your system's performance. The FSB
carries data between the CPU and RAM, and a faster front-side bus will
deliver better overall performance.)
The hafnium-infused
circuitry--which reduces electrical current leakage in
transistors--conserves even more energy, giving you more time away from
the wall outlet. With 6 MB of shared L2 cache, data and instructions
can be kept close to the two processor cores, greatly increasing
performance and allowing the entire system to work more efficiently.
And, because the processor cores share the L2 cache, either can use the
entire amount if the other happens to be idle.
Video Processing & Output
This 15-inch MacBook Pro combines the efficiency of an integrated
graphics processor with the desktop-class performance of a discrete
graphics processor thanks to the inclusion of both. Out of the box, it
runs the integrated NVIDIA GeForce 9400M processor, which provides
plenty of performance for everyday use with up to 5 hours of battery
life. But when you need turbocharged performance for the most
graphically intensive tasks, the discrete NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT
processor delivers--such as for demanding 3D games like Quake, Call of
Duty, and Spore. And thanks to a new graphics architecture, it's easy
to switch between these two processors. The 9400M graphics processor
shares 256 MB of DDR3 SDRAM with main memory, while the 9600M provides
512 MB of dedicated GDDR3 video memory.
 |
The MacBook Pro includes a next generation Mini DisplayPort, which
delivers a pure digital signal that can drive up to a 30-inch
widescreen display. The Mini DisplayPort is ultra-compact at just 10
percent the size of a full DVI connector, and is compatible with
Apple's 24-inch Cinema Display. Adapters are also available for using
VGA, DVI/HDMI and Dual-Link DVI displays
Hard Drive and Memory
The 500 GB Serial-ATA (SATA) hard drive (5400 RPM) quickens the pace
with a higher speed transfer of data--akin to USB 2.0. The 4 GB of
PC3-8500 DDR2 RAM (two SO-DIMMs of 1024 MB) has an industry-leading
1066 MHz speed, and the RAM capacity can be increased to 8 GB.
Wireless Connectivity
The built-in 802.11n wireless networking provides up to five times the
performance and twice the range of 802.11g, but it's also
backward-compatible with 802.11a/b/g routers, enabling you to
communicate with the a wide variety of Wi-Fi resources. It works
seamlessly with the new AirPort Extreme with 802.11n. Use the built-in
Bluetooth wireless technology to connect to your PDA or cell phone,
synchronize addresses, or download pictures from your cell phone. You
can also use a wireless headset for iChat audio chats and VoIP calls as
well as quickly share files with a colleague.
Video Conferencing with Built-in iSight
Artfully placed in the glass display is an iSight camera, which enables
easy video conferencing as well as allows you to snap pictures of
yourself and create video podcasts. Using the iChat AV application,
video conferencing is integrated into your iChat buddy list, so
initiating a video conference is a breeze. iChat also lets you hold
audio chats with up to 10 people and provides high-quality audio
compression and full-duplex sound so conversation can flow naturally.
For video podcasting, you can record a short clip using the iSight
camera, then use iWeb to create a video blog entry or post your
GarageBand-recorded podcast.
Other Features
- Two USB 2.0 ports (up to 480 Mbps), one FireWire 800 (up to 800 Mbps), SD card slot
- Mini DisplayPort compatible with DVI, VGA, and dual-link DVI connectors (all optional)
- Dual
display and video mirroring: Simultaneously supports full native
resolution on the built-in display and up to 2560 by 1600 pixels on an
external display, both at millions of colors
- 8x slot-loading
SuperDrive with the following write speeds: 8x DVD±R; 4x DVD±R DL
(double layer); 4x DVD±RW; 24x CD-R; 10x CD-RW
- Built-in
full-size backlit keyboard with 78 (U.S.) or 79 (ISO) keys, including
12 function keys and 4 arrow keys (inverted "T" arrangement)
- Internal omnidirectional microphone and built-in speakers
- Combined optical digital output/headphone out (minijack)
- Combined optical digital input/audio line in (minijack)
- Kensington lock slot
- Measures 14.35 x 9.82 x 0.95 inches (WxDxH) and weighs 5.5 pounds (including battery)
Environmental Considerations
Apple has worked hard to eliminate many of the toxins that are a common
part of computer manufacturing. Apple engineers removed the majority of
brominated flame retardants (BFRs) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) from
circuit boards, internal cables, connectors, insulators, adhesives, and
more in the MacBook Pro. Because Apple makes both the hardware
and the software for the MacBook, they're designed to work together to
produce a smarter product that uses less electricity. For instance, to
reduce energy consumption, the hard drive spins down automatically when
inactive. MacBook Air also decides which processor--CPU or GPU--is best
suited to efficiently perform a task. The LED-backlit display in the
MacBook Pro is another feature that plays an important part in
conserving energy, consuming 30 percent less power than conventional
LCD displays. And the display is designed to dim when you enter a
darkened room.
The MacBook Pro meets the stringent low power
requirements set by the EPA, giving it ENERGY STAR certification.
MacBook also meets the latest efficiency requirements of ENERGY STAR
Version 5.0 Specification for Computers before its July 2009 effective
date.
The MacBook Pro has also earned the highest rating of
EPEAT Gold. The Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool, or
EPEAT, evaluates the environmental impact of a product based on how
recyclable it is, how much energy it uses, and how it's designed and
manufactured.
Preloaded
with Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard, you'll enjoy enhanced productivity and a
clutter-free desktop (thanks to the the redesigned 3D Dock with Stacks). |
Preloaded with Leopard and iLife '09
This MacBook Air is pre-loaded with the Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard operating
system--and it's ready to run the Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard operating
system, which is scheduled to be released in September, 2009. Mac OS X
10.5 Leopard introduced a bevy of innovations--over 300 new
features--including:
- Time Machine, an effortless way to automatically back up everything on a Mac
- A redesigned Finder that lets users quickly browse and share files between multiple Macs
- Quick Look, a new way to instantly see files without opening an application
- Spaces, an intuitive new feature used to create groups of applications and instantly switch between them
- A brand new desktop with Stacks, a new way to easily access files from the Dock
- Major enhancements to Mail and iChat
Leopard's desktop includes the redesigned 3D Dock with Stacks, a new
way to organize files for quick and easy access with just one click.
Leopard automatically places web, email and other downloads in a
Downloads stack to maintain a clutter-free desktop, and you can
instantly fan the contents of this and other Stacks into an elegant arc
right from the Dock. The updated Finder includes Cover Flow and a new
sidebar with a dramatically simplified way to search for, browse and
copy content from any PC or Mac on a local network. Time Machine
lets you easily back up all of the data on your Mac, find lost files
and even restore all of the software on their Mac. With just a
one-click setup, Time Machine automatically keeps an up-to-date copy of
everything on the Mac. In the event a file is lost, you can search back
through time to find deleted files, applications, photos and other
digital media and then instantly restore the file.
It also
comes with the iLife '09 suite of applications that make it easy to
live the digital life. Use iPhoto to share entire high-res photo albums
with anyone who's got an email address. Record your own songs and
podcasts with GarageBand. Break into indie filmmaking with iMovie and
iDVD. Then take all the stuff you made on your MacBook and share it on
the web in one click with iWeb.
Included Software
Mac OS X v10.5 Leopard (includes iTunes, Time Machine, Quick Look,
Spaces, Spotlight, Dashboard, Mail, iChat, Safari, Address Book,
QuickTime, iCal, DVD Player, Photo Booth, Front Row, Xcode Developer
Tools)
iLife '09 (includes iPhoto, iMovie, iDVD, iWeb, GarageBand)
What's in the Box
MacBook Pro, display cleaning cloth, 85W MagSafe Power Adapter, AC wall
plug, power cord, install/restore DVDs, printed and electronic
documentation
Customer Reviews
Wow. Better in most ways than previous models
Apple's latest version of the MacBook Pro combines a sleeker case,
more GB of RAM, an SD slot, and longer battery life, all with a lowered
price. The LED backlit display (available on the previous models as
well) is simply gorgeous, with crisp graphics and easy-on-the-eyes
clarity.
Unlike older models of the MacBook and MacBook Pro, this laptop
runs fairly cool, even after hours of using a lot of processor power.
The case, though not as thin as the Air, is slimmer than most
(non-Apple) laptops I've seen, with an aluminum case that resists
fingerprints better than the old MacBooks. The keyboard is comfortable,
with responsive keys, and is lit from behind with blue light. The touch
pad is a single square, without a visibly separate clicker, although
it's there, at the bottom, under the pad, with right and left click
functions; navigation using the touch pad and clicker is extremely
easy, but most heavy users will want to purchase a separate mouse, as
they would with any laptop.
The 4 GM RAM is twice what the lower end of the Pros offered
previously. The battery life is now at seven hours. Naturally, the
actual time depends on what you are doing, but the estimate comes
pretty close. The SD slot is a nice touch. The GEForce NVIDIA
integrated graphics has been in the Pros for at least a generation,
with generally good reviews, although this newer entry-level Pro no
longer has the dedicated graphics chip. If you want the best Mac
graphics, you'll have to purchase one of the more expensive Pros that
include the integrated graphics and the NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT chip.
For most people, however, this version is enough.
The MacBook Pro comes bundled with the newest iLife Suite, a
fantastic set of programs that keep getting better: iPhoto, iMovie,
Garage Band, PhotoBooth, iDVD, etc. Users of older versions of these
programs will be blown away. As of this writing, the OS is Leopard,
although an upgraded version of the OS, Snow Leopard, will be released
in September. For a nominal fee (ten dollars), purchasers of the newer
Macs will be able to upgrade; those who have Leopard already (but an
older machine than this) will be able to upgrade for just a little more
-- both great bargains. If you are reading this review after September
2009, then your machine will come installed with Snow Leopard.
If you want to occasionally run Windows on this, you'll need to buy
a copy of Windows, such as Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition FULL
VERSION with SP2 or other version, and a program such as Parallels
Desktop 4.0 for Mac or VMware Fusion 2. Keep in mind that if you plan
to run most programs on a Windows platform, you should probably not get
a Mac. Most programs these days will have versions for each platform,
but there are exceptions.
Students and heavy word-processing/presentation users should
consider purchasing Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac Home & Student
Edition.
The MacBook Pro is a fantastic machine. The debate between PCs and
Macs will continue to rage, even as computers like this Pro win
converts. Consumers who wish a small, budget desktop Mac instead of a
laptop should look at the Apple Mac mini MB463LL/A Desktop.
-- Debbie Lee Wesselmann
Quite powerful, beautifully executed
My wife bought this a week back, and I am considering replacing my
T61p with this as well. With an Apple, you buy a premium quality
product, and pay a little extra for it. But you get what you pay for.
Pros:
1. Great performance, dual graphics cards should perhaps help. DDR3 RAM rounds off a nice story
2. Glossy display is great. We've used it indoors and in front of a window. LOVE the bright colors and contrast
3. LED backlight helps reduce the thickness and power consumption. You gotta see to believe how thin this laptop is.
4. Sound is nice too. Much deeper than my and her thinkpad. Audio out is also optical digital out. Nice.
5. Weight is great. 5.5 lbs. Wife's old 14" Thinkpad was 5.5
pounds. My 15" Thinkpad T61p is a whopping 6.75lb. This Macbook Pro is
5.5lb at 15.4". Thanks Aluminium unibody, great design.
6. Need I say its BEAUTIFUL. Thanks Apple Design.
7. With Parallels Coherence, Windows and Mac applications nicely
integrated. Very useful, because for all general OS X apps, since
they're generally vetted by Apple, it all works together nicely.
8. Camera is very good quality.
I am sure I can think of more pros.
Cons:
1. Need adapters for VGA/Digital, Firewire :(. $30 each. Ripoff.
2. Hard disk upgrade may be difficult down the line (need Apple help). Really?
I am sure I'll think of more cons as well as time goes along. But
will any sour me from this laptop? Not so sure. Its a pleasure
everytime we open the smooth lid and the brilliant screen turns on.
Oh I just remembered - I have an Apple laptop lying around from
1999 (Wallstreet) and the display is still brilliant. I've had Dells,
Thinkpads, since then, and in 2 years the display yellows...
Real improvement
Coming from a troubled Nvidia 8600M GT MacBook Pro - let me say
that I was very skeptical buying another Apple Laptop with nVidia chip
in it.
However, one weekend I decided to visit the nearest Apple Retail
Store and check out the newly released models. My decision was mostly
influenced by the reduced prices and increased battery life.
After some debating over buying the older model for same price or
getting the latest one we settled on the newest mid end $1999 model
with 2 GPUs. As is common I got a very nice resale price for my older
MacBook Pro as it had AppleCare.
This generation is an all around improvement over the past
generation unless you happen to be using ExpressCard on 15" model that
is. In our case we never used the ExpressCard after attempting to use a
eSATA card that did not work really well. And we have a few SD Cards
that we figure we can easily use.
So on to the specific improvements over its predecessor -
1) Battery Life - I was very doubtful that the battery would last
any longer than 4 hours at the maximum but was pleasantly surprised to
find that for surfing/email type and the occasional CNN/Youtube flash
videos getting 6+ hours was quite easy.
2) Prices - No doubt prices are the most reasonable Apple laptops
have ever had. If you have no need for the dual GPU you can get the
$1699 model which comes with a respectable 2.53Ghz Processor, 4GB RAM
and a very capable 9400M GPU.
3) Operating Temperature - I have owned my share of laptops (Apple
and non-Apple) and I have to say this one is the coolest - it never
gets too warm and I can use it on my lap all the times - even encoding
videos using the HandBrake application did not make it uncomfortably
hot. However if I switch it to use the 9600M GPU it gets warmer even on
regular use. It also runs very quiet - the fans may be coming on but I
never notice.
Initially there was a lot of furor over Apple's downgrade of the
Serial-ATA interface speed (used to transfer data to and from the hard
disk) to 1.5Gbps but Apple quickly restored the speeds to 3Gbps - I do
not however notice any difference with the 5400RPM hard disk.
About the display - it is gorgeous and colors are vibrant. I had
the opportunity to use a calibrated color profile to make it look even
better. However I find the display to be a little too much reflective
but I am coming from almost always using matte display so I figure it's
a matter of getting used to it.
Apple's use of Mini DisplayPort is ahead of its time - not many
displays support it and so I had to buy a $30 DVI adapter - not a big
problem but Apple should at the very least re-start bundling the
adapter with the Pro machines. Also, another USB port in lieu of the SD
Card Reader would be quite welcome - people can use the SD Card Reader
for only SD Cards, but a USB port can be used for SD Cards as well as
other peripherals.
That said, this generation is overall a very nice improvement - the
great battery life itself is enough to convince one to upgrade.
