Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
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Great desktop replacement!!
I love this computer! It has a huge screen for a laptop, looks great & is super fast. I've never used a Mac before but I had it up & running in less than an hour! So much easier to use than a PC. Anyone who is afraid to try a Mac--don't worry. The transition is seamless.
Highly recommend!
Rating: -
Superb laptop, great price!
When Apple upgraded this 2.16GHz powerhouse laptop to 2.33GHz it dropped the price a thousand dollars. Suddenly what one reviewer here discribed as the "Cadillac of laptops" could be had for the price of a Chevy.
The great thing is-this is still a Cadillac! It roars! My experience with the iMac 24 convinced me to dump my nearly new Toshiba Satellite M65-S821 for a MacBook Pro. Being used to 17-in widescreens made this Mac the obvious solution.
I waited three weeks before submitting this review just to see if it had any annoying habits. My biggest complaint is that other lawyers and court reporters seem to be suffering from Mac-envy everytime I haul it out in a deposition. In addition to being fast and bright and ergonomically correct, the brushed aluminum case is drop-dead gorgeous with thin crisp lines that look like a supermodel at a photo-shoot.
As to software, I loaded it with Office 2004 for Mac and haven't found any Windows-only application I can't live without. Now something like OneNote, a greatly under-rated program Microsoft offers to PC laptop users, would be nice. But I have found Word templates that have the same look and feel in Office 2004 for Mac.
Now all I need to make me completely happy is a MacBook Pro tablet! Are you listening in Cupertino?
Rating: -
Great Machine But Beware...
I bought this new and have had a tough time with it largely in part because I uploaded a back up software called "Bounceback Express" for my portable external storage hard drive. It is software that comes with most external hard drives made bu SEAGATE and SMARTDISK. DO NOT put this software into your mac it is like a virus and can scramble the keyboard and slow down the machine immensely.
I sent my MacBook Pro back to apple twice and they gutted, but could not figure out the problem until recently. Great customer service through Apple and it is in no way their fault.
Also, it is very important you make sure you get the new battery after the 2006 Sony recall. The warranty is great though for a year so they will replace it free if it is faulty.
I would definately get the memory upgrade. All in all I would buy it again and I am happy to be done with that evil Bounceback express software.
Rating: -
Great laptop with a couple of caveats
I've used both the black 13" MacBook and now have the 17" MacBook Pro. I'll list the pros and cons of the 17" Pro.
Pros
1. ENORMOUS SCREEN - I literally have two desktop computers at home that have smaller screens!
2. Built in iSight - Convenient
3. MagSafe Connector - innovative, especially around clumsy people and children
4. Duo core processor - The power doesn't show up unless you're doing intensive graphics work or programming
5. Keys that light up in the dark - Even though I can type without looking at the keys, it's great when you're on the train and can find the function key
6. Bluetooth - for obvious reasons
7. Firewire 800 - for obvious reasons
Cons
1. Probably the biggest is the surprising amount of defects and poor customer support for their products. I get my computers from my job and we got them as soon as they were available. That might have been a mistake, as we ran into a number of defects, including the infamous mac shutdown problem. Just do a search for "random mac shutdown" on google to see he horror. Someone even filmed their problem and showed it on youtube. I won't go through the other defects other than to say I wouldn't DREAM of getting a MacBook/Pro without getting an extended warranty. As others have also mentioned, the turn around time for them to fix your product is VERY slow, and we should have preferntial treatment with them, considering we do work for them (won't go into further details on that). Ultimately, if Apple realizes they've put out a defective product, the solution (especially on a $3000 laptop) would be to send out the white macbook as a loaner while they waited for parts to arrive.
2. Probably not the most conducive for the train. I got this laptop simply because I had the option to. If you travel a lot, you'd probably be better off with a 13" MacBook as opposed to this. If you're on a plane or train, you'll quickly realize just how big this laptop is. However, since there's no way to make a 17" also small at the same time, just note what I'm saying. Sometimes it's great that the screen is so huge. Sometimes it's slightly inconvenient.
4. The placement of the keys. This might also be due to the large size, but there is a lot of space between the keyboard and the mouse area. I initally found my wrists resting on this area and it was starting to cause me pain. I therefore now have to type with my wrists slightly elevated to avoid resting my hands on an area that simply would not be there on a smaller laptop. The only solution to this problem would be to move the keyboard forward.
As a final note, unless you're doing extensive graphics work, my opinion is that you'll get more bang for the buck by getting the black 13" MacBook. The speed difference between the Pro and the MacBook is 0.16 MHz, basically negligible. In my case, I hook up the laptop to a 23" screen at work, so only when I'm on the road is the size of the screen even an issue anyway. And again, if you're not doing extensive graphics work, I'd say it's not worth it. For half the price, you can get more bang for the buck.
Rating: -
Grade B+
Overall I am happy with the MacBookPro. Lots of positives. Problems include 1)too hot to handle, uncomfortably hot when used as a laptop.
2)Kept shutting down after a few minutes of battery use. I took it to the Apple store and a new battery seem to have solve the problem. 3)The lid/screen is slightly warped, this is more cosmetic.
I bought this notebook in March 2006. I believe that I bought too early.
I have an Imac which is awesome, and receives an A+.