At a Glance
Expert’s Rating
Pros
- Thin, rounded design
- Ecologically conscious
- Retains FireWire port
- Great new keyboard
- Easy to service and upgrade
- Large trackpad with numerous multi-touch gesture choices
- Faster top-of-the-line 15-inch model
- Gorgeous bright glossy screen
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
Our Verdict
Essentially a replacement for the 2.53GHz unibody 15-inch model released in the fall of 2008, this MacBook Pro features the same processor speed as the 17-inch laptop. Otherwise, this 15-inch model is no different than what came before, with two graphics chips-one integrated in the motherboard (GeForce 9400M) and the other discrete (GeForce 9600M GT)–and a glossy screen.
Except for a minor boost in processor speed, the new 15-inch 2.66GHz MacBook Pro is identical to the 15-inch 2.53GHz MacBook Pro it replaces. The minor speed boost, without a similar boost in price, can only be good news
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