06-20-2007, 01:55 PM

I stopped by the Apple store today and got to play with the new MacBook Pros. They had one side-by-side with a new high-def 17" model. The colors definitely popped out more on the 15", but that's always been the case when compared to the 17" model (the 17" always looks darker). My first two positive impressions were:

1) The black levels are amazing. Best I've ever seen on any LCD screen anywhere, period. The 15" I was playing with had an iPhone ad window on the screen...the background was a lighter shade of black while the graphics on the iPhone were pitch black, the difference was astounding! Very impressive, wish they sold TVs with that kind of contrast!

2) It was much cooler than previous MacBook Pros. I played with a 2.4ghz model with 2gb ram. The only place I felt heat on the top was on the left speaker next to the keyboard. Underneath it was much hotter, but more than bearable. Before I couldn't even keep my hand underneath one for more than a few seconds; I didn't have any issues holding this one. It was even cooler than my old 13" MacBook!


The first two negative impressions I had were:

1) The screen still won't fold back all the way. This is my biggest complaint. The display tables at the Apple Store only came up to about my hip; I couldn't see the screen very well because it wasn't facing me directly. I'm about 6' 1" and I had to tilt the entire laptop back or else squat down to look directly at the screen. I find that super-annoying. This video pretty much sums it up:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pQQWB3uZIs

2) The lack of USB ports. 2 USB ports on a $2500 laptop is borderline criminal. Even my budget Gateway laptop has 4 USB ports. However, this issue is easier to overcome than the screen hinge problem; a $20 USB hub can solve the problem in a non-elegant way.

So there you have it. My first impressions on the new LED MacBook Pro. Given the new, cooler Santa Rosa processors and the 4gb ram cap - and despite the downsides - I am planning on getting one this summer. Bye bye PCs

06-20-2007, 02:20 PM

Thanks for that!

06-20-2007, 03:33 PM

i dont agree with either of your #2's

my C2D mbp is fine on heat, something im sure that the new ones follow.
as for the usb thing. i dont want 1-2more ports on the pro, it would look to crowded. i b ought a 15$ hub a while back, and havent needed much since.

06-20-2007, 05:55 PM

I'm waiting for my MBP to ship, and I have heard of the hinge complaint in the past. What percent of the time does a normal person use the laptop in a weird way like the guy in the video? It looks like his tip toes are on the floor, and his sofa is very low profile.

Do MBP have hinge breakage issues? Maybe this design prevents common hinge issues that other laptops have?

06-20-2007, 06:31 PM

Originally Posted by techmonkey

I'm waiting for my MBP to ship, and I have heard of the hinge complaint in the past. What percent of the time does a normal person use the laptop in a weird way like the guy in the video? It looks like his tip toes are on the floor, and his sofa is very low profile.

Do MBP have hinge breakage issues? Maybe this design prevents common hinge issues that other laptops have?

I use it that way all the time. Half the reason for getting a laptop is so I can veg on my couch, chill in a big chair at the library, or hang out at a friend's place instead of being tied to my desktop at home.

06-20-2007, 06:38 PM

I personally don't find the USB's an issue, just get a cheap hub and it's sorted. And the fact that they have a firewire 800 and 400 port makes them future proof as them ports are becoming alot more popular than they used too.

06-20-2007, 06:41 PM

Originally Posted by kgeier82

i dont agree with either of your #2's

my C2D mbp is fine on heat, something im sure that the new ones follow.
as for the usb thing. i dont want 1-2more ports on the pro, it would look to crowded. i b ought a 15$ hub a while back, and havent needed much since.

The C2D models do seem somewhat cooler than the CD models, but the new SR models are way way cooler than either one. I have extensive experience with both the CD and C2D models as well as the 13" models. The new ones are by far the coolest I've ever used. The first time I played with the CD 15" models, every one on the showroom floor could have had an egg cooked on it.

I guess extra USB ports is a personal thing. I prefer to use an external mouse rather than the trackpad on laptops and I typically have an assortment of USB devices in my bag (tablet, memory stick, external hard drive, iPod, etc.). It kind of feels like I'm getting short-changed for the price I'm paying for a MBP.

06-20-2007, 06:45 PM

Originally Posted by Justin_P

I personally don't find the USB's an issue, just get a cheap hub and it's sorted. And the fact that they have a firewire 800 and 400 port makes them future proof as them ports are becoming alot more popular than they used too.

Yeah it really depends on what you do with your machine. The Firewire 800 feature is nice, as is the ExpressCard. The ExpressCard is another minor quibble of mine - they use the 34 cardslot isntead of the 54 cardslot...I haven't been able to find a dual SD/CF reader for the 34 size yet. So I have to carry around a USB memory card reader, yet another USB port taken. Then if I want to plug in more stuff, I have to take out a USB hub. It ends up looking like a mess! It's not anything that's not overcomeable, but it is an annoyance and kind of defeats the Mac "simplicity" idea, you know?

06-20-2007, 07:39 PM

Originally Posted by kaidomac

The C2D models do seem somewhat cooler than the CD models, but the new SR models are way way cooler than either one. I have extensive experience with both the CD and C2D models as well as the 13" models. The new ones are by far the coolest I've ever used. The first time I played with the CD 15" models, every one on the showroom floor could have had an egg cooked on it.

I guess extra USB ports is a personal thing. I prefer to use an external mouse rather than the trackpad on laptops and I typically have an assortment of USB devices in my bag (tablet, memory stick, external hard drive, iPod, etc.). It kind of feels like I'm getting short-changed for the price I'm paying for a MBP.

SR way way cooler? maybe slightly, no way "way way cooler"

my mbp has always been cooler than my MB, so i dont consider it hot in the first place.

06-20-2007, 08:58 PM

Originally Posted by kgeier82

SR way way cooler? maybe slightly, no way "way way cooler"

my mbp has always been cooler than my MB, so i dont consider it hot in the first place.

Like I said, it was only a first impression. I'll have to wait until I get my hands on one to do further investigation. But yes, "way way" cooler. I was amazed, actually. Can't wait to get some extensive hands-on testing done Also aren't the Santa Rosa chips 45nm now?

06-21-2007, 12:15 AM

That reminds me, I need to pick up a USB hub, I have a printer and a mouse that take up both ports right now, and when I need to plug in my flashdrive, I always need to unplug the printer.

06-21-2007, 12:55 AM

If you only need an additional USB port, you can get one of these.

http://www.tracyandmatt.co.uk/blogs/...i_usb_splitter

Personally, I hardly ever have anything plugged into my USB ports. Most of the time I only use them for my flash drive or mouse. Printer is setup wireless.

06-21-2007, 10:23 AM

Originally Posted by kaidomac

Like I said, it was only a first impression. I'll have to wait until I get my hands on one to do further investigation. But yes, "way way" cooler. I was amazed, actually. Can't wait to get some extensive hands-on testing done Also aren't the Santa Rosa chips 45nm now?

it might be my mistake, but isnt SantaRosa JUST a chipset?

i dont think they are 45nm yet, look for that early JAN i think

just what i thought....
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centrin...orm_.282007.29
last line of the Satna Section says late 07 for 45nm

the macs cant be "Santa Rosa" because they dont carry the intel Wifi correct? they do however have the cpu implementation, chipset, and memory speeds

06-21-2007, 11:02 AM

Originally Posted by kgeier82

it might be my mistake, but isnt SantaRosa JUST a chipset?

i dont think they are 45nm yet, look for that early JAN i think

just what i thought....
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centrin...orm_.282007.29
last line of the Satna Section says late 07 for 45nm

the macs cant be "Santa Rosa" because they dont carry the intel Wifi correct? they do however have the cpu implementation, chipset, and memory speeds

Santa Rosa is also a processor. Yonah, Merom, Santa Rosa. I'm not sure if they are 45nm or not. I know the next model, the Penryn, is definitely going to be 45nm. Can you imagine Quad Core laptop processors?

06-21-2007, 11:24 AM

thanks for the review, ill have get along and have a loom at the new ones. im considering an upgrade from my CD MBP

the range of angle on the hinge has never been a problem for me and i spend quite a bit of time on the couch with my MBP.

same goes for the USB ports, if im using anything with USB im at my desk in which case using a hub isnt an issue.