Apple MacBook Pro-Core 2 Duo (Core 2 Duo T7600 processor 2.4GHz, 1GB, 15.4-inch TFT) 
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S$4267
Product Summary
8.2
out of 10View score
The bad: Minimal configuration options; only 90 days of toll-free technical support; still no media card reader.
The bottom line: Apple's 15-inch MacBook Pro gets a solid under-the-hood upgrade for better performance and longer battery life, allowing the MacBook Pro to put enough distance between itself and the lower-end MacBook to justify its higher price.
Read full review of the Apple MacBook Pro »
Average User Rating
from 3 users
CNET Asia Review
Apple's recent update of its 13-inch MacBook line was a modest one, with an incremental processor upgrade and updated default components, but the 15- and 17-inch MacBook Pro laptops have gotten a much more radical overhauling, even if they, like the MacBooks, look the same on the outside as previous-generation models. Moving to Intel's latest 2.4GHz mobile Core 2 Duo CPU (part of the new Centrino Duo platform) means the MacBook Pro's performance can stand up to that of the latest Windows Vista laptops, and the new LED-backlit display on the 15-inch model is more power-efficient than traditional LCD displays, resulting in better battery life. While S$4,267 (US$3,073.10) is still a lot to spend on a laptop (the entry-level model starts at S$3,452 (US$2,486.14); we reviewed the middle child in the MacBook Pro family), the MacBook Pro makes a strong case by keeping its components on the cutting edge, especially because Apple has bumped up the specs without raising the price.
| Editors' note : This review is based on tests done by our sister site CNET.com. As such, please note that there may be slight differences in the testing procedure and ratings system. For more information on the actual tests conducted on the product, please inquire directly at the site where the article was originally published. References made to some of other products in this review may not be available or applicable in Asia. Please check directly with your local distributor for details.
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Design
Physically, the refreshed MacBook Pro is essentially identical to the version we looked at late last year. We refer you to our review of the Apple MacBook Pro (15.4-inch 2.33GHz Intel Core 2 Duo) for a detailed take on Apple's excellent industrial design and attention to detail. The minimalist layout--you'll find only a power button, a full-size keyboard, stereo speakers, a sizable touch pad with a single mouse button, and a built-in iSight camera--remains a standard other laptop designers should emulate, and the thin chassis makes it easy to stow the system in even smaller laptop bags. On the other hand, despite our love for a clean look, we've become used to having at least a few media control shortcut keys--and adding a media card reader wouldn't deface the otherwise clean look.Aside from faster processors and new chipset, more memory and larger hard drives, the big change to the 15-inch MacBook Pro is its LED-backlit display, similar to those making their way into new Sony and Toshiba laptops. Apple doesn't claim any difference in image quality or screen brightness (the new screens feature the same 1,440 x 900 native resolution as that of the previous 15-inch models), and based on anecdotal observation, we'd agree. Instead, Apple touts the new display's energy efficiency (and being mercury-free), and our battery drain tests show a marked improvement to battery life.
Features
By upgrading to the latest Intel platform and Nvidia graphics for better performance, adding a new screen tech for better battery life, and keeping the same great design and same starting prices, the MacBook Pro puts enough distance between itself and the lower-end, Editors' Choice-winning MacBook.Apple hasn't added any ports or connections with this new model, but the laptop's 802.11n Wi-Fi capabilities are now turned on by default, rather than requiring a downloaded patch to unlock. It's also the only laptop we can think of with a FireWire 800 jack (along with the more common FireWire 400), useful for digital video fans.
Rate It Now
User Reviews
Superb Design and Quality
May 14, 2008Rating: 9 out of 10 (Spectacular)
Pros: Styling, Build-quality, Multi-touch touchpad, LED display
Cons: Heat, Price
Opinion:
The beauty of Mac Pro is it's simplicity of design and the impeccable aluminium-clad body exudes class and quality beyond anything on the market today. Coupled with a fast CPU and a dedicated GPU, this notebook burns a trail as it breezes through graphical and gaming applications with ease. OSX is like Vista on steriods and takes just a few days to feel right at home. Mac Pros are also able to run Vista, XP, and even Linux for maximum compatibility.
Mac Pros do run rather warm due to it's aluminium construction but fan-noise is virtually non-existent. Battery life is around 4 hours with moderate use like websurfing.
Price is on the high side but what you pay is what you get.
Fantastic looks, it's great due to it's wonderful OS X.
Dec 4, 2007Rating: 9 out of 10 (Spectacular)
Pros: Backlit keyboard, Led-backlit screen, fast processors, GREAT GREAT SOFTWARE. Good bye to virus, malware, hangups, freezes, microsoft.
Cons: Screen is over-rated; it flickers and dithers. Keyboard is not as responsive. Really heats up during use. Not enough usb port connections, no media card readers, screen is unable to pivot all the way back.
Opinion:
Looks great, works great, a bit pricey.
Screen is suspiciously poor; flickers and dithers. This boy really heats up during operation and the lack of connection ports and no docking station make this machine heavily reliant on wireless connectivity.
Supplied MAC OSX software is excellent. It is the software that makes this such an excellent machine, otherwise, i'll give it a pass. My rating is more due to the software.
Built-in speakers are wonderful, clear basses, crisp trebles; video conferencing is wonderful.
However, still not my working business laptop of choice.
As always, a super product from Apple
Jun 14, 2007Rating: 9 out of 10 (Spectacular)
Pros: Full featured, simple selection of options, made to work with everything
Cons: Expensive, software not as available as MS Windows
Opinion:
Apple really makes a slick item of computer kit. Nice, simple finish, loaded with every conceivable piece of software. And everything you want to do, just works. Very stable platform.
However, for all this you pay a premium price. Life of ownership costs though, should equate to a similar Windows driven machine, because there should be no futher software to buy. With Windows, you have to buy practically all extra software apart from the OS.
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