MacBook Pro
In terms of processing power, the MacBook Pro line of computers is equal to most desktop computers. With the available 13″. 15″, and 17″ screens, there’s a MacBook Pro that delivers the right combination of portability and capability for virtually everyone.
The 13″ models use dual-core Intel i5 and i7 processors. The 15″ and 17″ models use quad-core Intel i7 processors. (Consider that only two years ago, the only Mac with quad-core processors was the Mac Pro tower!)
All MacBook Pros come with:
- MagSafe power port
- 10/100/1000BASE-T Gigabit Ethernet (RJ-45 connector)
- FireWire 800 (800Mbps)
- Two USB 2.0 ports (up to 480 Mbps)
- Thunderboth port (up to 10Gbps) for connecting compatible monitors, drives, and peripherals (Dual display and video mirroring: Simultaneously supports full native resolution on the built-in display and up to 2560 by 1600 pixels on an external display, both at millions of colors)
- FaceTime HD camera
- Audio in/out
- SDXC card slot
- Kensington lock slot
- Wi-Fi wireless networking4 (based on IEEE 802.11n specification); IEEE 802.11a/b/g compatibleBlueTooth 2.1 + EDR (Enhanced Data Rate)
- 8x double-layer SuperDrive, which reads and writes CDs and DVDs, including double-layer DVDs
- Stereo speakers with subwoofer
- Omnidirectional microphone
- Combined headphone/line in (supports digital output)
- Support for Apple iPhone headset with microphoneFull-size backlit keyboard with 78 (U.S.) or 79 (ISO) keys, including 12 function keys and 4 arrow keys (inverted “T” arrangement)
- Multi-Touch trackpad for precise cursor control; supports inertial scrolling, pinch, rotate, swipe, three-finger swipe, four-finger swipe, tap, double-tap, and drag capabilities
- 4GB (two 2GB SO-DIMMs) of 1333MHz DDR3 memory; two SO-DIMM slots support up to 8GB
All Macs use Intel multi-core processors, which means that each chip contains more than one actual processor on board. We refer to each processor on a multi-processor chip as a core, so the Intel i5 dual-core contains two actual processor cores on a single chip. The Intel i7 quad-core contains four processor cores on a single chip.
The speeds quoted in Mac model names are the speed of each core. By using multiple cores together, Mac OS X and all current programs achieve up to double (for dual-core Macs) or quadruple (for quad-core Macs) the speed of a single core.
For example, among these MacBook Pros, the 13″ 2.4GHz model, which has a dual-core Intel i5 processor has an actual speed up to 4.8GHz. (2.4GHz per core times two cores equals 4.8GHz.) The 17″ 2.4GHz model, which has a quad-core Intel i7 processor, has an actual speed up to 9.6GHz. (2.4GHz per core times four cores equals 9.6GHz.)
Laptop purchase considerations
Choosing a laptop is an exercise in compromises. The smaller the screen, the smaller, lighter, more portable, and more energy efficient the laptop is. The tradeoff for the increased portability is that you’ll do more scrolling and stacking of windows than on a larger screen. Bigger screens decrease the need to scroll and stack windows and are more comfortable to work with, but they make the laptop physically larger and heavier to transport. Of course the bigger the screen, the more battery power it consumes.
We think 15″ laptops offers the best overall compromise of screen size, computing power, portability, and battery life for most users. Frequent travelers may accept some extra window scrolling and stacking, and dual processors instead of quad processors, in exchange for the portability of a 13″ model. Art and video production professionals will be more than willing to deal with a larger, heavier laptop to get a more expansive 17″ screen.
Another important consideration in the purchase of any computer is speed. The primary reason people replace computers is that they seem to run slower and slower over time, and eventually get too slow to tolerate. In reality, the computer isn’t slowing down. As you install later, more feature-packed versions of operating system and software updates, they increasingly bog down older processors. Eventually you just can’t stand it anymore, so you replace the computer.
For that reason, it pays to purchase the fastest computer you can afford. The fast a computer is when you buy it, the longer it will continue running fast enough to avoid replacement. (So single core computers will have to be replaced sooner than dual-core computers, and dual-core computers will have to be replaced sooner than quad-core computers.)
Our observations
13″
The 13″ 2.4GHz model comes with a dual-core Intel i5 processor, and a 500GB drive for $1,199.00. Its actual speed is 4.8GHz.
Spend $300 ($1,499.00) more and you get a significantly faster 2.8GHz dual-core Intel i7 processor and 250GB (750GB instead of 500GB) of additional disk space. It’s actual speed is 5.6GHz.
Either of these models is a terrific home, school, and business traveler’s computer. We think the 2.8GHz model offers the best bang for the buck. It’s faster for two reasons: first, because its processors run at 2.8GHz each rather than 2.4GHz, and second because the i7 processors are more efficient, which also contributes to additional speed. So the additional $300 expense buys a computer likely to last longer, and you get an additional 250GB of disk space for music, pictures, and movies.
15″
The 15″ 2.2GHz model comes with a quad-core Intel i7 processor, a 500GB drive, AMD Radeon HD 6750M video with 512MB of video RAM for $1,799.00. Its actual speed is 8.8GHz! Compare that to the 13″ models! This model delivers the best bang for the buck among the 15″ MacBook Pros.
An extra $400 ($2,199.00) buys a slightly faster 2.2GHz processor, 250GB (750GB vs. 500GB) additional disk space, and the faster AMD Radeon HD 6770M graphics with 1GB of video RAM.
The best reason for spending the additional $400 would be that you plan to use a 30″ or larger external monitor, or if you’re a video gamer, which requires fast video performance. Otherwise we recommend the 2.2GHz quad-core Intel i7 model.
17″
OK, we admit it. The 17″ 2.4GHz model is drool-worthy (particularly around our office). It comes with a 2.4GHz quad-core Intel i7 processor, a 750GB drive, and the AMD Radeon HD 6750M graphics with 1GB of video RAM for $2,499.00.
The processor, drive, and video are identical to the 15″ 2.4GHz model. The additional $300 specifically buys you the larger 17″ screen. This model is a must-have for graphics and video professionals who need as much screen space as possible when out of the office…or for anyone who values the envious looks of the Everything Macintosh staff.
Darryl Lewis
