capsule review

15-inch MacBook Pro/2.4GHz

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At a Glance

  • Generic Company Place Holder Apple MacBook Pro Notebook

The MacBook Pro's new design and its features definitely come out on the plus side of the ledger, with some outstanding aesthetic and engineering improvements to recommend it--not the least of which is the significant attention paid to environmental issues--at exactly the same price as the previous model. However the mandatory glossy screen may be a deal killer for some people, and the reduced battery life from the previous model (according to our testing) is a discouraging development.

At a Glance

  • While it appears to be identical to its predecessor at first glance, this MacBook Pro has been remodeled both inside and out. It sports a new unibody architecture similar to the MacBook and MacBook Air enclosures. The matte screen option is gone, replaced by a glossy 15-inch screen. The latest MacBook Pro also employs Nvidia's Hybrid SLI technology, a pairing of two graphics chips-one integrated in the motherboard (GeForce 9400M) and the other discrete (GeForce 9600M GT). The processor speed remains unchanged, as does the price for the 2.4GHz model.

    Pros

    • Thin, rounded design
    • Ecologically conscious
    • Retains FireWire port
    • Great new keyboard
    • Easier to service and upgrade
    • Gorgeous, bright, glossy screen
    • Large trackpad with numerous multi-touch gesture choices

    Cons

    • Disappointing battery life compared to the last model
    • No choice of screen finishes
    • Trackpad button can be hard to press
    • Some multi-touch gestures more difficult to maneuver than others
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