The MacBook Pro on a Griffin Elevator.
On Wednesday, I received my new Apple MacBook Pro 15″. I upgraded from a 2006 Black MacBook – a huge step up. If you did not already know, my MacBook had lots of problems – first, during the summer of 2006, I had to send my laptop into Apple for the Random Shutdown problem, then, only weeks after my one-year warranty ran out, two chips came off of the computer. I now have a brand new Apple MacBook Pro 15″ laptop computer in my hands. I’ve posted a lot of photos on Flickr, so please check them out! Here are the specs:
- 2.5 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
- 4 GB RAM
- 250 GB 7200 RPM Hard Drive
- NVIDIA GeForce 9400M and 9600M GT
Apple Welcome screen on the MacBook Pro.
The Good
Once again, the design and construction of this machine is unbelievable. On taking the laptop out of the box, it felt much sturdier than my rather-flimsy MacBook, and it even felt sturdier than previous MacBook Pro’s. It is engineered out of a solid-brick of aluminum – it is laser-cut with uttermost precision. The computer feels good to use, it is comfortable, it works. The edges are rounded more, to give the machine a more “unified” look. All the ports are on one side, including the new Display Port. Though I was initially skeptical about the no-button trackpad, after a little getting used to, it is amazing, though it is a bit loud. All multi-touch actions work, even when one’s thumb is placed on the trackpad. Now, you do not have to worry about where your thumb is located, all you need to do is click. I like the black keyboard – when lit up in dark conditions, it is more dazzling, and, after using a MacBook for two years, I’m used to the Chicklet-style keys – though I can understand how some people will not enjoy it. The screen is bright and the colors are more than impressive. It is fast – I can now bearable edit photos in Aperture, all the while browsing the web and listening to music. Sound quality has also been greatly improved.
Ports on the left side of the MacBook Pro.
The Bad
No Firewire 400. While this is certainly not a deal breaker for me, I can understand how serious video and audio editors might be upset. You can buy adapters, but that becomes cumbersome. I understand that Apple is pushing the envelope – someone has to, and who better than Apple to change the standards of computing. The mouse button is noisy, though I suspect it will quiet down after extensive use. It only felt “loud” while in the library, again, not a deal breaker. The glossy screen attracts finger prints, almost like a magnet. You can clean it, but it is a pain.
Chicklet-style keyboard of the MacBook Pro.
Overall
I highly recommend the new MacBook Pro. It is a huge upgrade from my previous machine, so I am speaking with some, if not great, bias. There are a few minor issues, but nothing to make me want to return the computer or not want it at all. Apple wowed me again with their seamless, aesthetic, and attractive design – it is not just about looks, this computer actually feels sturdy, too. I will keep you posted. What do you think of the new MacBook’s and MacBook Pro’s? What else would you like to know. I will be posting an unboxing video at some point in the near future.
The MacBook Pro keyboard lit up.
Kabren Levinson is fist-year student at Bard College. Throughout high school, Kabren has worked in various technological, political, and artistic positions. He has worked as an intern at the MIT Media Lab Computing Culture Group and during his senior year of high school, he developed an Academic Technology program at the Cambridge School of Weston. He has been podcasting for over three years and has been blogging for two. Kabren is a philosopher, technologist, and artist.
{ 17 comments… read them below or add one }
the last image with the backlit keyboard looks very cool.
congrats to the new macbook pro, as a plastic white macbook user i know how good the aluminum must be without even touching it.
Thanks Jan!
Yeah, it’s such a huge step up – it feels so much sturdier than my MacBook. I couldn’t really believe it when I took it out of the box.
Thanks for reading!
Kabrenlevinson.com things i never thought i’d see, but should have seen coming. As awesome as i have heard this is, I’m stickin to my PC for raw gaming power. Because when you can see the individual droplets of blood while a dismembered space engie floats around in space, you know life is good!
Hey kabren, thanks for the great insight into this amazing machine, your ustream demonstration was very revealing even if it had a few hickups!
A quick question how heavy is this beast?
Tim
Zak, yeah, that’s understandable – mac’s certainly are not gaming machines.
Tim, thanks! It was fun, still have to upload the video. It’s 5.5 pounds, a bit heavy, but it feels solid – not going to fall/break apart.
Hey Kabren, thanks for your first look! I am keeping an eye out on these sexy beasts as a possible investment as I transition into graduate study over the semester. I’m going to wait until the 17″ are out so I have a few more options to choose from. The fact that you like this one, though, is a big plus!
Hey Andy,
No problem! I love the machine, so far so good. I’ll keep you posted.
Nice! Well done, love the pics. Hey, we should do a show together sometime!
Thanks Phillip! Yeah, that’d be awesome – I gotta start podcasting again, gotta figure it out in college…somehow.
Hi Kabren!
I’m Stefano, from Italy. I reached your blog through Paul Stamatiou’s blog.
Good review, I want to ask you: “How much” glossy is the screen? Is it such that you can use the Mac in outdoor environment or is it “too glossy”? I’ve always loved mat screen, and I am a little bit disappointed for Apple’s choice to exclude this kind of screen.
Thanks
S
Hey Stefano,
It’s glossy, very glossy. I haven’t tried it yet outside, but my guess is that it will be a little hard to see. It is something you can get used to, I’ve had the glossy screen on the MacBook, and really grew to like it. It is a little more maintenance, but the colors are really superb, and it is very bright.
Hope this helps,
Kabren
Thanks, very helpful
Kabren, welcome to the dark side (referring to the keyboard.) I am glad you are liking the new Macbook Pro. I have had mine for over a week and the machine is great. No problems on my end!
For those that don’t order it with 4GB of RAM, I have a step by step tutorial on how to do a RAM upgrade on the new Apple Laptops on my blog.
-Chris
Chris, Haha! It’s been a great machine so far, absolutely love it.
I saw your tutorial, good work!
-Kabren
Hey, Kabren! Glad to see you’ve stepped up to a MBP.
I bought a MBP in May, so I won’t be changing computers for awhile, likely when I graduate and move away to uni. I went down to a nearby Apple store this week to see them in person, though, and I can’t say that I’m a fan of their aesthetics; my friend has an HP laptop that’s strikingly similar in appearance. Although it’s certainly a matter of taste, I’m not fond of the cookie-cutter keyboard, either. The trackpad was rather loud, but I use the one-finger tap to click, anyway. The glossy screen attracts dust like it’s nobody’s business, just like on my computer. That being said, it does feel sturdier than the previous model!
Again, it’s a matter of taste, but I loathe the black border and keyboard. It’s too HP-looking, I think.
Hey Katherine,
Design is all about taste – I think it happens to work, though I can see how some won’t like it. And with the new trackpad, I find myself using the one-finger tap click more often, I like buttonless, not having to worry about where my thumb is. And the screen is VERY attracted to dust and, well, anything and everything! It does feel very sturdy.
The black border does look a little too HP, but I love the look of the black keyboard.
Thanks for reading!
X7XJD4 Excellent article, I will take note. Many thanks for the story!