Apple MacBook Pro (15-inch)

You can't tell by looking at the sexy, familiar aluminum design that the MacBook Pro has undergone several significant improvements that elevate it from a very good machine to one that's arguably the best in its class. Aimed at mobile professionals who want power and performance in an easy-to-carry design, the MacBook Pro features a blazing-fast Intel Core 2 Duo processor, powerful Nvidia graphics, outstanding battery life, and one of the best software suites around. Starting at a reasonable $1,999, the MacBook Pro is definitely a dream machine for creative types seeking a notebook for work and play.

At just 5.4 pounds and an inch thick, the MacBook Pro has a bright and colorful 15.4-inch display, making it the thinnest and lightest mainstream notebook on the market--again. Everyday productivity and video watching is a joy. The 1440 x 900-pixel screen isn't just eye candy, however; it represents Apple's dedication to going green, as the MacBook Pro is the first 15.4-inch machine to house a mercury-free backlit LED.

The new display didn't harm the visuals, as we experienced vibrant, robust images that looked great from all but the most extreme angles while watching Black Snake Moan on DVD. The widely spaced speakers on the left and right sides of the system are loud enough to fill a workspace. Situated between the speakers is a comfortable and quiet full-sized keyboard, which has a handy backlight for typing in low-light conditions. Although the keyboard flexed a bit under rigorous typing, it wasn't enough to dampen the overall experience. A large trackpad grants users smooth navigation.

The updated MacBook Pro comes in three versions, all of which are powered by OS X Tiger, have 2GB of RAM, 8X double-layer SuperDrives, ExpressCard/34 slots, two FireWire ports, and built-in 802.11n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR. The only differences are that the entry-level model ($1,999) has a 2.2-GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, a 120GB hard drive, two USB 2.0 ports, and discrete Nvidia GeForce 8600M GT graphics with 128MB of video memory; the mid-tier option ($2,499) has a 2.4-GHz processor, 160GB of storage, two USB 2.0 ports, and Nvidia GeForce 8600M GT graphics with 256MB of memory; and the high-end model ($2,799) adds an extra USB port and a 17-inch display.

New to the MacBook Pro line are Intel's Next Generation Centrino processors, which delivered impressive performance on our tests. The 2.2-GHz Core 2 Duo processor and 2GB of RAM produced an excellent PCMark05 score of 4,667, which edges out the Sony VAIO FZ. This power was borne out in our day-to-day use; the system handled multiple applications running simultaneously without a hitch. The MacBook Pro also demonstrated top-notch wireless throughput courtesy of the 802.11n radio: 19.6 Mbps at 15 feet from our access point and 18.5 Mbps at 50 feet. This obliterates the 12.6 and 9.6 Mbps scores from the previous version of the MacBook Pro.

Graphic artists and gamers will be pleased to learn that Nvidia's GeForce 8600M GT graphics card powered the system to an excellent score of 11,223 on our 3DMark03 tests--the only mainstream notebook besides the Lenovo ThinkPad T61p to surpass 10,000. The MacBook Pro churned out a good 45 frames per second when playing F.E.A.R. in autodetect mode and dropped to a still-playable 32 fps with the settings maxed out.

Despite the discrete graphics, the MacBook Pro managed 3 hours and 39 minutes of battery life on our DVD rundown test, which is just four minutes less than the MacBook, which sports battery-friendly integrated graphics. This model also lasted a full 46 minutes longer than last year's 15-inch MacBook Pro. Apple attributes this lengthy battery life to the new power-efficient LED display coupled with Intel's Santa Rosa platform.

As with all Apple notebooks, the MacBook Pro is powered by the incredibly stable and secure OS X Tiger and comes preloaded with the excellent iLife '06 suite. The entertaining software package includes iPhoto, iMovie HD, iDVD, iWeb, iTunes, and GarageBand. Also included is Photo Booth, which uses the integrated 1.3-megapixel iSight camera to snap fun pictures, and Front Row (OS X' counterpart to Windows Media Center), which uses the bundled Apple Remote to access music, photos, and video quickly. The MacBook Pro comes with 90 days of phone support and a one-year warranty, both of which can be expanded to three years with the optional AppleCare Protection Plan ($349).

Overall, the MacBook Pro leverages the power of the Centrino platform superbly. Some may prefer the Vista-powered Sony VAIO FZ because of its built-in multimedia controls and Blu-ray drive. However, if you're even thinking about switching to a Mac, this all-purpose machine that delivers desktop-replacement power in a highly portable body is good enough reason to take the plunge.

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QUICK SPECS
Apple MacBook Pro (15-inch) www.apple.com
CPU	2.2-GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
Operating System	Mac OS X Tiger
RAM/Expandable to	2GB/4GB
Hard Drive/Speed	120GB/5,400 rpm
Optical Drive	8X DVD+/-R DL
Display/Resolution	15.4 inches/1440 x 900
Graphics/Video Memory	Nvidia GeForce 8600M GT/128MB
Wireless Networking	802.11a/b/g/n
Ports	Two USB 2.0, Two FireWire, DVI, headphone, mic
Card Slots	ExpressCard/34
Size	14.1 x 9.6 x 1.0 inches
Weight	5.4 pounds
Warranty/Support	One-year parts and labor/90 days toll-free
PCMark05	4,667
MobileMark 2005	N/A
3DMark03	11,223
Battery Life (Wi-Fi Off)	3:39
Wireless Performance (15/50 feet)	19.6 Mbps / 18.5 Mbps

Source: Laptopmag.com