Santa Rosa-based MacBook Pro review roundup

While we're sure plenty of you have already made up your minds about the new Santa Rosa-based MacBook Pros, those still on the fence now have plenty of reviews to aid in their decision-making, a few of which we've rounded up for ya. On the whole, most everyone so far seems to have been mightily impressed with the unit -- its screen, in particular, which ComputerWorld describes as "best-looking LCD screen Apple has produced" (referring to the 17-inch model) and NoteBookReview hails as the the reviewer has "ever seen on a laptop" (the 15-inch one, in this case). Not surprisingly, they also found much to like about the laptop's new Santa Rosa platform, which Ars Technica found to outperform the previous model in all but one benchmark test (unzipping a 254.6MB archive), while also giving it a boost in battery life (even if it doesn't quite live up to Apple's claims). Those looking for yet more benchmarks can check out the Touchy Fire-Fly blog, which also put the MacBook through a range of tests. Among the downsides noted by Ars were the lack of LED-backlighting on the 17-inch model, comparatively poor OpenGL performance, and that ever-present heat issue. NoteBook Review would have also liked to see a built-in memory card reader and more than two USB ports. That said, none of them have much trouble recommending the laptop, with ComputerWorld even going so far as to call it the "best laptop Apple has ever made."

Read - Ars Technica
Read - ComputerWorld
Read - NotebookReview
Read - Touchy Fire-Fly

[Travis @ Jun 22nd 2007 5:33PM]

I purchased the 17" Santa Rosa Mac Book Pro....my first Mac and I love it!!!

[brendan Sheehan jnr @ Jun 22nd 2007 5:43PM]

Cool, personally I think 15 inches is the sweet spot.

[Eric Pell @ Jun 22nd 2007 8:07PM]

"and NoteBookReview hails as the the reviewer has 'ever seen on a laptop' "

Umm.... Can someone fix the grammar a bit here? The meaning is slightly lost in translation....

[The Grand Master @ Jun 22nd 2007 5:52PM]

I can't wait until I get mine, but I really hope they update/fix/improve the graphics drivers on it, to truly unlock the 8600M GT's power.

[ethana2 @ Jun 22nd 2007 6:08PM]

That opengl performance could be more important than you'd think... They don't have their own wierd proprietary graphics api, do they?

[paloooz @ Jun 22nd 2007 6:45PM]

There's Core Graphics, or whatever. I don't really know anything about it other than it sounds like it might be some GLX API.

[ethana2 @ Jun 22nd 2007 6:52PM]

Hmm... The last thing we need is another closed standard. I wouldn't consider buying their overpriced hardware either. It'll be Frankenstein machines for me... And it's time laptops got to the point where we geeks could build our own entirely from parts, too.

[bondsbw @ Jun 22nd 2007 6:10PM]

"ComputerWorld even going so far as to call it the 'best laptop Apple has ever made.'"

Don't get me wrong... I like Apple (even own a MB)... but wouldn't this term be applied to every new generation of Pro notebooks? Has there ever been a time that Apple has produced a Pro line that was worse than previous offerings?

[CharlieX @ Jun 22nd 2007 6:27PM]

Great - mine just shipped from Shanghai. But forget that overprice Apple RAM, go crucial and save a couple hunny

[paloooz @ Jun 22nd 2007 6:48PM]

Or go to Newegg.com and save even more...

Any DDR2-667 SO-DIMMs will work.

[Rafael Laguna @ Jun 23rd 2007 5:03AM]

I replaced my G2 15" MBP with the G3 model and I am happy over all. I did some surgery to pimp it to 250GB HD (not available from Apple) and 4GB RAM (700 bucks from Apple, c'mon). Experience Report and some on migration from G2 to G3 can be found at my blog http://www.synapps.de/cheap-upgrading-santa-rosa-macbook-pro-15

[RyanTV @ Jun 22nd 2007 8:40PM]

I'm in line to buy a new MacBook when Leopard comes out - but what I really want to know is why Apple cant seem to put a 1680x1050 display in the 15" model as well. Dell (and every other manufacturer) has been using WSXGA+ displays in 15" notebooks for years now.

TRUST ME APPLE - BOTH MUSIC GRAPHICS PROFESSIONALS WILL THANK YOU FOR THE ADDED SCREEN REAL ESTATE!

[DagMX @ Jun 23rd 2007 1:15AM]

Mm...graphic artists and music producers would likely go for the 17" model because of the added screen size. Putting that high a resolution in a 15" is not good for the eyes if your into that kind of work...I don't want to squint to see the vertices in my models or the specks in my picture.

[RyanTV @ Jun 23rd 2007 11:41AM]

then you need to get some glasses - most of us can see 1680x1050 on a 15" screen with no problems. a 17" note book is just too big for any of us who actually take our machines out into the wild.

[ssag @ Jun 23rd 2007 1:23AM]

(insert whateverthefuck Apple product) is the greatest thing ever. Its so much better than (previous whateverthefuck Apple product). You just have to have it, the (whateverthefuck feature) is AWESOME OMG!!

[addabox @ Jun 23rd 2007 3:38PM]

What article says: "Solid upgrade, good looking screen, best performing laptop Apple has made to date, still gets hot, open GL performance could be better, wish it had more USB ports and a card reader, wish the 17" had LED backlight"

What sufferer of Apple Derangement Syndrome sees: (insert whateverthefuck Apple product) is the greatest thing ever. Its so much better than (previous whateverthefuck Apple product). You just have to have it, the (whateverthefuck feature) is AWESOME OMG!!

It's a terrible affliction, wherein any kind of positive review is regarded as fan boy raving. In fact, anything short of "Apple teh suxxor" is regarded as fan boy raving.

Sad, really.

[wingman @ Jun 23rd 2007 3:33AM]

I heard bad performance out of this laptop. WOW performance sucks and running 3D Maya performance also sucks.

[Simon @ Jun 23rd 2007 9:03AM]

Yeah, it really pisses me off when review of mac products say (best---- ever) here I am refering to the screen of the 17".

Wow, it has 1920x1200. My 2004 model sony A197XP has that, it is an awesome screen! When I saw the 17" pro at the Apple shop it looked ok, but nothing spectacular! I personally am looking at the low end model, I just wish they could be more configurable (256MB & 512MB GPU) and more realistic with the prices for adding upgrades (~$200 to upgrade to a 7200rpm 160GB hdd!! come on!)

TBH, the only reason I am switching to Mac is because of the flexibility. I want to use OSX, but othertimes I want to use windows, and other times I want to use Linux. A normal PC setup means no OSX (OSX86, i know but drivers are an issue). Damn you Steve Jobs, I hate you, I hate your stupid tied in, closed systems, I don't understand why people hate MS as they are more open than Apple and they work damn hard at ensuring older hardware remains compatible and still work hard at putting out new tech. Peeps seems to accuse MS of copying apple, but I think MS is much more innovative. Just that Apple focuses on ease of use for the Interface, Vista BTW is very nice.

Sorry for the rambling, if u disagree, please tell me!

[Graham Ellison @ Sep 1st 2007 12:30AM]

MS innovative? On what level and on what planet? MS has never done anything original ever since it stole the GUI from Apple. And this applies to the present day.

Here we have the richest company in the world, with no previous experience of selling boxes, goes into games machines to compete with Sony and Nintendo etc. and mp3 players to compete with Apple! And lost money in the process.

The smart thing to do is not to compete for today's market and be constantly playing catch-up. Innovators invest in new markets, the
next group of people who will be buying something, and not only
knowing what that something is, but knowing why. Apple's genius has been in recognising this fact, designing products and marketing to it.

There will always be sheep in the world, and for them there will always be average, also ran products like Windows and the very poor OS X copy that is Vista. But the days are numbered for MS and good riddance.

[monon @ Jun 23rd 2007 9:44AM]

" in particular, which ComputerWorld describes as "best-looking LCD screen Apple has produced"
guess why? colorblindmac dot com

[POWERSHAKER @ Jul 23rd 2007 5:07AM]

I've heard the professionals hail the Macbook Pro 2.4GHZ 17" Santa Rosa as the best laptop Apple has ever made, but why not listen to a user of this machine who is typing this message I am typing now on the very machine that is being pondered. I hear about the heat issues and I hear about the graphics OPENGL performance being wanting. Why is it that I run OS X applications, run Parallels 3.0 with Windows XP pumping, and a 3d OPEN GL game (Assault Cube) inside XP at native speed with no glitches what so ever, and stay logged into four other applications like messenger, etc... and this thing only reaches 66 Celsius, and doesn't break a sweat. It's an empire achievement by Apple, and I am proud to have bought this fine example of human genius. I will say this as a user, and then you can decide if you have not bought one yet: YOU CANNOT GO WRONG on ANY level purchasing the Macbook Pro 2.4GHZ Santa Rosa machine with 2 gigs or better. In fact, I am running all I have said previously right now, and I still have 85 megabytes free and clear. Here are the applications I am running right now as I type this:

Adium Messenger Mail, Firefox in OS X, Internet Explorer in Windows XP, Livve Video Voice Chat with streaming music from other user, I-tunes (getting ready to play my song next), CamFrog Voice Video Chat in OS X (never know if someone will log on whom I know) and was running Assault Cube (openGL) in XP at native spead while voice chatting and hearing the voices online talking still... I don't know about what other tastes, or what they want in a machine, but why buy a huge gawdy tower if you don't want the hassle (if you do want a tower get a Mac Pro 3.0GHZ with Radeons in crossfire) and Lord forbid give into the Windows IBM clone department. Why should I own a Windows machine when i can run Windows, OS X and Linux simultaneously? I just don't understand the concept of Windows users and their brain washed attitudes. I-tunes looks better and OS X looks better, runs better too, than any other operating system on the planet. I would hope people would be more intelligent about their purchases and save a little money along the way also. After all, you're not going to get a built in webcam, surge protector, security, virus immunity and all from a Windows machine purchase... You'll have to pay an arm and a leg for what you get extra in a normal purchase of an Apple Macintosh. Just some thoughts. I love my Apple! :) Ordered Neverwinter Nights today off e-bay for Macintosh. Could have ran it in XP, but why? OS X software runs so much better in a native environment.

[Joe @ Jul 25th 2007 12:25PM]

Let me know how Neverwinter Nights runs on your machine after you get it set up. It's not Universal Binary yet, and I'm wondering how it runs under Rosetta. Thanks.

[powershak3r @ Jul 25th 2007 4:15PM]

Yeah, I will - definitely. It's coming in the mail. Got a good deal. 50% off the purchase from a computer store who ran it for a test, and just put it back in the box. Nice save, I think. I am sure with the Geforce 8800M in the Macbook Pro, that it will run nicely. After all, it's not nearly as graphics intensive as some of the newest games like Crysis and other Direct X 9 & 10 games. you know?

[powershak3r @ Aug 10th 2007 6:16AM]

Joe, I finally installed Neverwinter Nights. I am into the 8th level of a Sorcerer named Norik. Cool name I came up with huh? Well, it runs perfect. I mean, I have all the graphics maxed out. Although I did turn anti-aliasing off, because it really doesn't look all that much better. I mean, unless someone is an obsessive compulsive disorder and has to have every door edge looking like reality... I don't see the reason in having it on. You can't really tell the difference until you squint and look a little bit. But, the grass was swaying around my feet in the cemetary... Zombies chasing me... My little pixie Eowen flying around beating up Zombies for me. Yeah, I'd say it rocks. Only rarely... very rarely... I get a solid freeze... I thought at first it was the graphics, but it's not. It's the load process. Then, I soon discovered what it was. It's because I never updated to 1.68 it seems... So, now I'm stuck playing it in 1.67 version, but it rarely if ever happens. The game runs aweseome! I run through the streets fighting... the 3D graphics beat anything I've ever seen on a desktop PC and this is the Macbook pro 2.4GHZ now. It really runs good. The minor glitches are only due to versions and program bugs... but they are extremely rare... and 99% of the time I'm running through dungeons fluidly... seeing all the coolest graphics... blowing evil things up! It rocks. :) Macbook Pro 17" Rosetta rocks! :) I don't see why someone would even buy a Windows laptop. I'm in love! :)

[powershak3r @ Aug 10th 2007 6:16AM]

Hey, Joe? What did you mean by "not yet Universal Binary?" I am very curious. I have saw that phrase somewhere. I am extremely interested in this comment. :) [e-mail]

[powershak3r @ Aug 10th 2007 6:16AM]

Hey, check out my new webpage I made with the i-sight camera. It's really my picture on the homepage: powershaker.ifastnet.com. :) I just cut and pasted some stuff with my Mac and started creating... It works. I even made the banner myself. :) Tell me what you think.

[POWERSHAKER @ Jul 23rd 2007 6:09AM]

Well, I'll even go farther than the reviewer: best laptop ever! MACBOOK PRO 2.4" CORE 2 DUO with Santa Rosa technology. Best laptop ever! I have one and it is the BEST machine I've ever ordered in the 27 years I have been in computers since my Atari days. Apple, good job!

[powershak3r @ Aug 10th 2007 7:44AM]

Why you want to advertise, Bryan? Dang man! We get enough of those referrals off e-bay. Nothing is free, my friend. They still make money. Trust me!

[powershak3r @ Aug 10th 2007 7:45AM]

No Direct X upgrade-downgrade... DLL files... Nope, I'm with the good side of the force - Macbook Pro 17".

[powershak3r @ Oct 4th 2007 3:42AM]

10 WAYS TO DO YOUR PART AS AN APPLE DISCIPLE by POWERSHAKER

1. Those three Apple stickers Apple sent you with your Mac?
Go put them on three Microsoft victim boxes.
Windows users are like the Muslim hoard! Be careful!

2. Write a letter to Bill Gates, sharing your love for Apple. Use Comic to make the letter.

3. Convert three Microsoft kids to Apple addiction by showing them Warcraft, Neverwinter Nights
and Pac the Man X on your Mac. Got to get them while they're young!

4. Write a song about how much you love your Mac and show us on YouTube.
The family needs encouragement always, and this would be a clear sign you're for us - not against us!

5. Show your friend a picture of Shannon Elizabeth in green Apple tights.
If he likes porn, tell him Mac can wade through all the viruses to get to the best tail.

6. Let your PC friend in on the fact that Gene Simmons and his sexy kids own Macbooks.
Better yet, watch "Gene Simmons Family Jewels" with your Mac on your lap, and
then say, "Wow, there's my computer in Gene Simmon's house! Apple's for cool people."
Honestly, it's true. We're cool.

7. Record Drew Barrymore using her Mac in Fever Pitch
and give it to a Sox fan who uses Microsoft Windows natively.

8. Tell your girlfriend she is the apple of your eye, and you need to always keep in touch.
So, give her a present: a new Macbook. Talk about long, sultry nights in iChat?

9. Christmas tree? Load it up with Apple ornaments. Tell the family it's all about Eve eating the Apple.
After all, that's what happened when Microsoft joined the computer industry. The fall! The fall!
Lord help us!

10. Make an apple cobbler, and eat it while you're trying to persuade a Microsoft user to see the light.
How sweet it is!

[Pezza @ Apr 17th 2008 6:29AM]

Wow.
I was considering buying a Mac, as I need a new laptop and I don't want anything to do with Vista. However, your sickening, moonie style post has had the effect of a hard slap across the face. Thankyou!
I'll buy a Sony, and stick Ubuntu on it, you utter freak.

[Ramon @ Oct 25th 2007 12:14PM]

"ComputerWorld even going so far as to call it the 'best laptop Apple has ever made.'"

I don't know whether everyone believes in this or not, but claiming MacBook Pro as "Apple's greastest laptop" must be based on appeal, style, and popularity. The MacBook Pro certainly has that appeal. I find myself desiring it even though I already have a notebook running on Vista. I don't when I'll convert to Mac, but it'll probably be when I'll buy my second laptop years from now.