Laptop and Computer Reviews

Apple gave the MacBook Pro a newer, slimmer 4X SuperDrive, whereas the recent PowerBook line came with 8X SuperDrives.  Apple reported that the 4X SuperDrive was

necessary due to space limitations, however the newest 17″ MacBook Pro comes standard with an 8X SuperDrive.  Unless the 8X SuperDrive takes up significantly more horizontal space, it should be offered in the 15″ MacBook Pro.  That said, the use of the slower 4X SuperDrive has created no negative effect on my work flow or my overall satisfaction with the MacBook Pro.

Battery life was almost identical between the two MacBook models; we eked out an extra 6 minutes over the previous version, for an excellent 3 hours and 36 minutes. Our DVD battery drain test is especially grueling, so you can expect longer life from casual Web surfing and typical office use.

extra performance isn’t the only benefit of the new models: they also come with double the memory of their predecessors, larger hard drives, and—especially in the 15-inch models—several other welcome enhancements. It all adds up to a surprisingly substantial improvement in a family that was already superb.

Moreover, for the first time, an Intel-based Mac laptop outperformed the fastest PowerBook on apps running via Rosetta. In our suite of Photoshop tests, both Core 2 Duo MacBook Pros outpaced the 15-inch 1.67GHz PowerBook.

Cnet Reviews Apple gave the MacBook Pro a newer, slimmer 4X SuperDrive, whereas the recent PowerBook line came with 8X SuperDrives.  Apple reported that the 4X SuperDrive was necessary due to space limitations, however the newest 17″ MacBook Pro comes standard with an 8X SuperDrive.  Unless the 8X SuperDrive takes up significantly more horizontal space, it should be offered in the 15″ MacBook Pro.  That said, the use of the slower 4X SuperDrive has created no negative effect on my work flow or my overall satisfaction with the MacBook Pro

Amazon reviews The new MacBook is faster and more powerful than ever with a 2.16 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor and 1 GB memory and a large 120 GB hard drive. It’s a great notebook solution for home users, students, and mobile professionals with features including a 13.3-inch glossy widescreen display, built-in iSight camera, MagSafe Power Adapter, and a thin compact design..

Product summary 

The good: Upgraded CPU for the same price; same great design; built-in Webcam and remote control; adds 802.11n support.

The bad: Cutting-edge features are absent, including Intel’s new Santa Rosa platform and LED-backlit displays.

The bottom line: Apple’s rightfully popular 13-inch MacBook gets a decent incremental upgrade, but we’re still looking forward to the next version.

Specs: Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo (2.16 GHz); RAM installed: 1 GB DDR II SDRAM; Weight: 5.1 lbs

Cnet Rating                  8.2/10