MacBook is great, but not quite a Pulitzer
Written: Feb 28 '06 (Updated Feb 28 '06)
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Pros: The fastest, smoothest Mac laptop ever
Cons: Some i/o ports missing; lack of Universal Binary software; pricey
The Bottom Line: If you are new to Mac or need a new Mac you'll love the responsiveness and speed the Core Duo brings to the MacBook Pro.
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| green-z's Full Review: Apple MacBook Pro 15.4 in. (MA090LL/A) Notebook |
Note: I have an upgraded 7200RPM drive. The stock drive is 5400RPM
As profit laden laptops have risen with the “need computer access 24/7” business world Apple Computer has been hitting itself against the wall…literally. Back in 2003 Apple introduced the next generation of it’s PowerPC (PPC) equipped computers, the G5. The G5 is a blazing fast chip with one big problem: it runs too hot for laptop use. This left Apple in the hot seat, so to speak, because it’s popular pro laptop line, the PowerBook, was languishing with the older, less powerful G4 processor. In fact, there isn’t a whole lot of speed difference between the 12” PowerBook and the less expensive, consumer oriented, iBook. And because of this microscopic leap new PowerBook models gave little incentive to upgrade. Apple had indeed hit a wall with the PPC chip and needed real improvement in the PowerBook line.
So last year Apple CEO Steve Jobs had enough of the empty promises from the PPC’s makers. In June 2005 he announced that Apple was dumping the PPC in favor of Intel chips (yes, the very same ones that power Windows PCs). Mac fans were not quite sure what to make of the switch since Intel was though to be part of the mortal enemy duo along with Microsoft. Flash forward six months and now it seems Intel is regarded a bit more kindly as Apple’s first new machines are introduced with the Intel Core Duo.
But, the MacBook Pro Doesn’t Look Like a New Model!
While Apple’s new pro laptop case looks like the old PowerBook, it represents a radical change for Apple as the first Pro Mac to use the Intel chip. There are a few minor differences in the new case. It’s 1/10” slimmer (and yes, you do notice the difference… it’s nice), and 1/4“ wider. And while it’s the exact same weight of the PowerBook it replaces the new dimensions help to disperse the weight more evenly, thus it feels lighter.
A few ports have also been removed, namely FireWire 800, S-Video out, and the PCMCIA slot. However the functionality still remains. The more modern ExpressCard/32 slot replaces the PCMCIA slot. In fact it’s so modern that ExpressCards are just now coming to market. There will be ExpressCards supporting FireWire 800, EV-DO wireless service, eSATA, TV tuners, and host of other input/output options.
The TV-out (S-Video) port is also out, but not forgotten. Apple sells an optional TV-out adapter that plugs into the MacBook's DVI port. The TV-out adapter supports both S-video and composite (RCA) connectors. It sells for $19. Given the premium price of the MBP I think Apple should have included a TV-Out adapter. $19 isn’t much, but it’s annoying to be nickel and dimed after buying such an expensive computer. You just know these adapters cost Apple next to nothing. Then again, this is hardly a deal breaker.
One last relic of the past has also been laid to rest…the modem. With Wi-Fi being ubiquitous these days Apple decided to remove this standard of yesterday. As with TV out, you can still buy a tiny USB modem if you really need one. There was a loud hue and outcry from some about removing the modem. This same noise was present when Apple removed the floppy drive from its machines too. The reality is the MacBook is a tiny package and if we want new features then older, less used ones have to take a back seat. Personally I will not miss the modem. Apple’s marketing research much have told them that most consumers will not miss it either because there is currently a 3-4 week backlog of MacBook Pro orders.
The other ports you’ve come to rely on are included in the MacBook Pro:
•DVI out (DVI to VGA adapter included for use with an analog monitor
•FireWire 400 x 1
•USB 2.0 x 2 (One on each side)
•Audio out and in (It’s auto-sensing for analog and digital connections)
•Ethernet x 1
Opening up the MBP the first thing you notice is the miniscule video camera at the top of the screen. The camera works perfectly with the included iChat software, but also works with other video chat programs as well. Apple has also included a nifty application called Photo Booth that adds special effects to your iChat video. You can even record a funny message and email it to friend as a joke. The picture quality is excellent for a web cam and it works well in average room light. And don’t worry about being recorded accidentally, A little green light comes on when the camera is active. Some professionals have complained that they work in a security conscience facility where the inclusion of an integrated video camera poses a problem. If this is the case where you work you might want to clear this with security before buying.
The other thing you notice (especially if you are a 15” PowerBook G4 user) is the new extra large scroll pad. It’s now the same size as the one on the 17” PowerBook and it’s fantastic. I never knew how a larger scroll pad could change my computing life so much. But it’s true. More scroll real estate equals higher productivity. If you are like me, coming from an older PowerBook G4 without the two finger scroll capability, you are in for a treat. This function allows you to scroll pages, Web, Excel, Word, Quark, whatever, with just the flick of two fingers. Navigation is so much more pleasant without having to take the cursor to the scroll bar.
So now its time to push the power button. “Bonnnnngggggg..” That ever-familiar Mac starts up chime just warms your heart. One thing that has changed for the better is startup times. Where it used to take a minute or more to start up an optimized Mac, the MBP boots in an impressive 30 seconds. Of course if you have any programs set to launch at startup, like my favorite desktop weather app, WeatherPop, then boot times will be longer.
As the desktop appears the new brighter screen makes itself known. Wow! Side-by-side, it makes my PowerBook 1.25Ghz G4’s screen look like it’s failing. A few complained that the MBP lost 60 pixels the last PowerBook had. Honestly, this isn’t anything I can complain about. The screen is brighter than any other Mac laptop, text is crisp, and graphics just pop out at you. The screen is also wider, though with the loss in pixels this does not translate into more usable screen space.
OK, but does it run better than the PowerBook?
The niceties the MBP adds – iSight, bigger brighter screen, the larger scroll pad—are just that. But what makes the MBP so impressive is the way it works. Mac OS X is a terrific OS but I’ve always felt it was more than the PowerPC processors could handle. Up until now, one thing all OS X users have in common is the dreaded spinning beach ball that comes onscreen when the computer is “thinking.”
Well, the Intel Core Duo chips aren’t taking a day off at the beach. The MBP is responsive like you want a computer to be. Most applications launch almost instantly. The days of icon launch bounce counting are gone. And applications programmed in Universal Binary – geek speak for “Intel aware” – have a nearly instant response time. No more lag between clicking on a command and having the program do the command. Safari, Apple’s Internet browser loads up pages as if they were cached in the machine. Web pages for most sites come up immediately with no load time at all. Ironically, the greatest load times were at Apple’s own tech support discussion forum.
As terrific as the MBP is, it’s not exactly computer Nirvana just yet. That is because many major programs like Microsoft Office and Adobe titles have not yet been released as a Universal Binary. These PowerPC programs still work on the MBP via a transparent emulator called Rosetta. However, since Rosetta has to, in effect, convert PowerPC code to Universal Binary you can expect anywhere from a short to long delay effect depending on how processor intensive the launched application is. Rosetta works with nearly all PowerPC software (sorry OS 9/Classic programs and programs that require a G5 processor do not work on the Intel Macs).
I found that Office v. X had almost no lag time. It just worked like it always has. On the other hand Photoshop CS, which is more processor intensive felt like I was using an older Mac G4. It was OK for me as a casual Photoshop user. I imagine a professional who can move much faster than I would be frustrated though.
The Macintouch web site has a list of programs that it’s readers have found either work or don’t work in Rosetta. http://www.macintouch.com/imacintel/rosettacompat.html
The availability of Universal Binary software gets better every day though. Most major software vendors should have their major titles available in Universal Binary by the end of 2006, or early 2007 at the latest. Meanwhile there is a ton of great universal freeware and shareware apps coming online everyday. And Apple’s own software, such as iLife 06 suite, which is included on the MBP is Universal Binary.
The Version Tracker software site lists programs that are now Universal Binary. This list is updated regularly.
The MacBook Pro is the first pro Intel Mac, but it’s not something only “early adopters” can enjoy. Yet, it’s not a product I’d trade a recent PowerBook in for either. The market for the MacBook Pro is clearly for someone who is coming to Mac for the first time or someone who has an older PowerBook and is in need of an upgrade. The former has no investment in older PowerPC software, and it would be silly to buy a PowerBooks at this point. (The 15” PowerBook has already been discontinued). The latter will be able to appreciate speed boosts even while running software in Rosetta, which an owner of a newer PowerBook with a 1.5Ghz processor or higher would not.
OK, but it’s a portable. How is the Battery Life
One of the questions one everyone’s mind since the MBP was introduced has been battery life. For the first time since I can remember Apple does not advertise battery life. This caused a lot of people to wonder if maybe this was a signal that battery life was poor. We’ll I’m please to say it’s not poor. None-the-less, it’s not nearly as impressive as the computer overall. Under very heavy disc use, normal processor speed and moderate backlighting I got the battery to live for a tad under 3 hours. Keep in mind this is with a 7200RPM drive. The stock drive would probably yield slightly better results. I suspect under normal conditions where I was not transferring files I could get 3:30 to 4 hours of battery life. Not poor, but not anything to jump for joy either.
MacBook Bashing
If you read the Mac forums you’ll find a small, but loud, minority bashing the MacBook. These are mostly people who have a hard time coping with swift change, which the Intel in Macs are. I’ve already mentioned the missing ports, which is part of their argument against the MacBook. Personally, I don’t find the fact these ports have been omitted a big deal. The functionality of these ports still exists, albeit though messy adapters. The other part relies on the theory that the first revision of a product is defacto problematic.
The reality is there is no proof to support this theory as it relates to Macs. Indeed, the last 15” PowerBook model made (Rev D or something like that) today has RAM socket and video issues. Moreover, a Rev B MacBook is not going to be a bug fix for Rev A. Rev B will introduce new features and have different components than Rev A. And with those changes will bring new problems (not that the MBP has problems…at least none I’ve come across in my unit). That is just the nature of technology…fix an issue, create another one. If you are looking for a 100% perfect laptop you’ll never buy one. But if you can accept 98% then the MacBook Pro is calling you.
The MacBook Pro Flavors
There are two stock configurations of MacBook Pros that you can buy at any authorized Apple reseller:
1) A 1.83 Core Duo Processor with 512GB RAM, 80GB Hard Drive and 128MB VRAM which retails for $1999
2) A 2.0 Core Duo Processor with 1GB RAM, 100GB Hard Drive and 256 VRAM which retails for $2499
If you buy direct from Apple at it’s online store you can also buy specially configured models with a larger or faster hard drive. A 2.16 Core Duo processor is also available as a $300 upgrade option over the 2.0 model’s price.
For most users the stock 1.83 version is going to be plenty fast. I upgraded to a faster 7200RPM hard drive, which is the same spin speed as desktop drives. For $200 it will offer much more “bang for the buck” in terms of usability than a processor upgrade will.
The standard 512MB of RAM is also a little on the light side, especially with Rosetta. 1GB seems to be the recommended minimum amount. So if you buy the 1.83 model you’ll want to upgrade your RAM. The MBP takes DDR2-667 (PC5300) SO-DIMMS. There are several places on the Web that sell this RAM that meets Apple specifications. These include, but are not limited to, Ramjet, Crucial, and Other World Computer (OWC). Buying online will save you a lot of money compared to buying from Apple. Installing RAM is fairly easy and the instructions are included in the MBP’s manual.
What’s In The Box
I’ve bought my fair share of Apple laptops in the past 15 years. Boxes do not usually excite me—it’s what’s inside that I care about. But I must say the MBP box is really cool and Apple deserves a ton of praise for it. It’s maybe twice the size of a pizza box…that compact. This design, while very effective, marketing-wise, allows Apple to save money on packaging and shipping and also prevents wasteful packaging. I hope other companies follow, but given how they’ve tried to unsuccessfully copy the iPod, that is probably in vain.
Inside the box you’ll find:
• Your MBP wrapped in a static-free cloth and Styrofoam
• A remote control for Front Row
• Software DVD with OS X 10.4.5 (Tiger) and iLife 㤎
• Manual, Apple stickers, and yes, worthless software coupons
• Power Brick with extension cable
• DVI to VGA adapter
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 1999
Operating System: Macintosh
Processor: Other
Processor speed: Under 200
Screen Size: 15 inches
RAM: More than 256
Internal Storage: CD-RW and DVD
Hard Drive (GB): Over 50
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