A subjective review of the new MacBook Pro 15″ – part 1
Posted on August 21, 2009 by admin
Two months ago, on my blog I published in parts review of new MacBook Pro 13″ – the lower in the line of MacBooks presented on WWDC 09 in June. Since that time my MBP 13″ is my primary mobile computer, used not only in travel but also when I sit comfortably in a seat in my living room or in the garden. So far I hadn’t imagined work on laptops with a screen bigger than 13″, it’s been suited me fine. However, thanks to Apple Poland, I have just discovered pros and cons of working on new, 15 inches MacBook Pro. The top model in the line up of MacBook Pros introduced during the WWDC 09 (17 inches MacBook Pros were introduced almost 6 months earlier, and of course they are the real top of all MacBook Pros Unibody).
In a review of MBP13″ I compared it with his old ancestor – MacBook White (C2D late 2007). This time I am going to compare two MacBook Pros the low end and high end models of the same line of products.
The reference point is not only MacBook Pro 13″ but also the reviews. I am going to review everything in the same order as I did before.
Let’s start from the beginning – the cardboard box. It is of course white and apart of size it is completely the same as the one 13 inches model.
It is not only the same form the outside but also from the inside. There is a small box for power cable and plug, and a black envelope with installation discs and manuals, hidden under the laptop.
The most visible and perceptible difference between those two laptops is their size and weight. MacBook Pro 15″ is much heavier and less handy if you have to carry it with your hands. It is about 0,5 kg heavier than 13 inches model. To be honest MacBook Pro 15″ is still handy comparing to the majority of PC 15 inches laptops.
Closer look shows also a differnce in the available ports. MacBook Pro 15″ has more ports than its 13 inches brother. MBP 15″ has headphones nest and line in/mic instead of one headphones/mic in MBP 13″. Other ports are the same, and are: magsafe nest, lan, Display Port, FireWire 800, two USB ports and SD card slot, and batter charge indicator. Both machines are the same thick, I mean slim.
Although, Apple have just introduced 15 inches MacBook Pros with anti-glare screen, I got the glossy one. As in the 13 inches model, so in 15 inches model the mirror effect is mostly visible when screen or laptop is switched off. During the work only the black frame reflects things, but after a few hours or days it is easy to get used to it.
As in the smaller model, the screen is beautiful. There is no big reflects, colors are nice and they are pretty the same under different angle.
The new MacBook Pro 15″ I got for testing, has been my primary laptop for next 7 days. I am of the opinion that the best way to test it is to work on it every day. I have installed all applications I use on my other Macs. Also I install applications I test on daily basis. Apart of its weight, 15 inch model is more comfortable than the smaller one. It is much nicer to keep big hands on the bigger aluminum body. New MacBook Pro 15″ seems to be created especially for big hands. The bigger screen resolution (1440 x 900 pixels) alows to display more things. Those advantages costs some mobility, but not much. MacBook Pro 15″ is bigger and heavier but it is very easy to carry in a bag (like Crumpler Bag for laptops). My arm is fine with it.
In the next parts I will deal with more technical details and performance, especially battery and two graphic cards onboard (GeForce 9400M with 256 MB RAM and GeForce 9600 GT with 520 MB RAM).
P.S. Desktop wallpaper is by user Stocks Photography and is uploaded by DeskLickr App straight from my favorites on Flickr.
