2.3GHz Intel Core i5
4GB RAM
320GB hard drive
DVD±RW
13.3 inches (1,280x800 native resolution)
Integrated Intel HD 3000 (382MB shared)
4.5 pounds
1x12.8x8.9 inches
Mac OS X 10.6 (Snow Leopard)
4GB RAM
320GB hard drive
DVD±RW
13.3 inches (1,280x800 native resolution)
Integrated Intel HD 3000 (382MB shared)
4.5 pounds
1x12.8x8.9 inches
Mac OS X 10.6 (Snow Leopard)
With Apple having an ever-increasing presence in the the homes of everyday users, the company has recently been making aggressive moves in terms of affordability versus performance in its desktops and laptops. Apple continues that trend with its latest line of MacBook Pros. Unlike the last makeover of this line, the 13.3-inch MacBook Pro, which is the entry-level version, gets a huge internal overhaul this time, receiving boosted processor power, as well as a larger hard drive, without raising the price tag. Some of the standout features from previous generations are here as well: The battery life is still unbeatable, and the design remains stark and gorgeous. In fact, aesthetically, it didn't change at all. The MacBook Pro line was already well ahead of its competition in terms of performance and style, and it takes another step ahead with this next generation.
The entry-level $1,199 13-inch MacBook Pro that we reviewed was built around a Second-Generation 2.3GHz Intel Core i5 processor (also known as Sandy Bridge), a 320GB hard drive, and a 13.3-inch screen. This is the base model of the group. For $300 more, you can bump up your processor to a 2.7GHz Core i7 and your hard drive to 500GB. The 15-inch models start at $1,799, and the 17-inchers at $2,499. The 15-inch and 17-inch models now come standard with Core i7 processors and advanced switchable graphics technology. The 13-inch offers only integrated Intel HD Graphics 3000 in both its models. All of the new MacBook Pros use Second-Generation Intel Core i5 or Core i7 processors.
Design
On the outside, the 13-inch MacBook Pro is almost exactly the same as the previous version. Design-wise, we think Apple was smart to approach the new line with the attitude that if it’s not broken, don’t fix it. The previous line of MacBook Pros was as stunning as it was stark, and the new line carries that torch onward. The silver case, dominated by an aluminum shell with just one seam around the underside, feels plenty solid. Nothing much mars the design of the MacBook’s body: On the top of the lid is a simple white Apple logo that lights up when the laptop is in use. And, well, that’s about it. The case snaps shut with a magnetic latch, making opening the lid easy without compromising the durability of the body.
As with the previous version, all the ports are located on the left side of the chassis and include an Ethernet jack, a FireWire 800 port (backward-compatible with FireWire 400, 200, and 100), the new Thunderbolt connector (more on that in a moment), two USB 2.0 ports, an SDXC-card slot, and a headphone jack. Toward the front left of the chassis are indicator lights that allow for a quick look at remaining battery power. On the right side of the body are a security-lock slot and the opening for the slot-loading optical drive, which is a dual-layer DVD burner. As with previous MacBook lines, it doesn’t support Blu-ray discs, a feature we keep hoping will come with every new iteration of MacBook Pros.
These MacBook Pros are the first laptops to feature the Thunderbolt port (which replaces the mini-DisplayPort connector from previous MacBook Pros), based on Intel's Light Peak technology, which supports both high-performance peripherals and high-resolution displays. Apple claims the technology can provide data transfer at 20 times the speed of a USB 2.0 port. And, from what we saw during our demonstration, we believe it. (We'd test it ourselves, but no cable is currently available.) It's compatible with USB 2.0 and 3.0, FireWire, Gigabit Ethernet, Fibre Channel, VGA, DVI, and HDMI. It also allows you to daisy-chain up to six devices.
We have to wag our finger at Apple a bit for not including a Thunderbolt cord in the box, though. Also, Apple won't even have Thunderbolt cables until this summer, so if you buy this system for this reason now, you'll have to buy an off-brand or wait until then. We haven't seen any pricing on these cables yet. Then again, there aren't many peripherals for it just yet, either.
Once you open the lid, you’ll notice that little has changed in the design of the keyboard and touch pad (which Apple terms its "Trackpad"). The full-size keyboard comes with backlit keys, and it remains perfectly spaced and nicely responsive to the touch. An ambient-light sensor adjusts the key backlighting according to the brightness of the area where you’re working. The speaker is above the keyboard, and although it's adequate for personal use while using the MacBook Pro, you won't want to try and fill a room with it.
