Apple MacBook Pro (with Penryn and multi-touch) unboxing

We just got our 2.5GHz Penryn / 4GB fourth-gen MacBook Pro. Plenty of power under that hood, but the outward differences are few: it's got the new, reorganized F-key layout (which we're not all that fond of), and the trackpad physically the same (with the addition of multi-touch, which works just as well as it did on the MacBook Air). It's definitely an anticipated upgrade to the flagship, but whether you think the form factor's still got the longevity necessary to keep you coming back after, what, more than two years on the market with no major changes -- well, we'll leave that to you. We'll have some updated benchmarks shortly.

P.S. -It includes the same model 60Wh battery they've been selling on these for a while, for those puzzled about the battery life changes made to the Apple's MBP spec page.

Gallery: Apple MacBook Pro (with Penryn and multi-touch) unboxing

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[hotdogson @ Feb 28th 2008 12:54PM]

question Ryan, do you guys ship all of these gadget goodies back after the review?

[Homeboy @ Feb 28th 2008 1:02PM]

Yes they do. They are all samples. The same goes for Fashion magazines who get sent clothes and accessories for editorials. It all get sent back.

[MC @ Feb 28th 2008 1:05PM]

Apple doesn't give/receive/send units unless you are one of the Fantastic4 (MOSSBERG, POGUE, BAIG and LEVY).

Engadget is 'Air' to them.

[Ryan Block @ Feb 28th 2008 1:06PM]

Depends on the gadget. This, for example, will be heading back to Apple. The rest we just give away on the site though (see: 100 gadget giveaways from last year).

http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/03/the-hundred-gadget-giveaway-starts-midnight-tonight/

[Ryan Block @ Feb 28th 2008 1:09PM]

Actually, no, we get review units from Apple. Just not in advance.

My Air review was done on an Apple review unit -- no idea why people thought otherwise, or felt compelled to imply we wouldn't say anything critical just because we're on the review unit seed list.

[MC @ Feb 28th 2008 1:11PM]

Trolls love delicious, nutritious spam: [e-mail]

[NorthernMonkee @ Feb 28th 2008 6:56PM]

What makes you so grumpy MC? ;)

[IndiaTech @ Feb 28th 2008 1:51PM]

Na. They have giveaways.

[phanbouy @ Feb 28th 2008 5:14PM]

"Trolls love delicious, nutritious spam: [e-mail]"

That just made my day.

[James @ Feb 28th 2008 5:37PM]

@rob

You say "i can use windows, that i'm perfectly fine with using, runs all my professional audio apps perfectly, is compatible with 99% of software and hardware, have hundreds and thousands of choices in hardware designs, OR i can switch to a mac and basically have the same hardware as every other Mac OS user?"

You're stating the advantages of your software yet the software has nothing to do with it.

It should be "I can go enjoy my 9 colors from Dell and enjoy my Windows XP or I can switch to a mac and enjoy Windows XP AND Mac OSX natively" and yes I know you can run leopard on an intel pc.

Also you didn't mention that you can choose what hardware goes into your mac, not a lot of choices mind you but a choice none the less - We talk about hardware yet hardware isn't part of what you're trying to argue, It's the look. Argue correctly, don't just regurgitate random bullshit that has nothing to do with the argument.

I really can't believe how ignorant people can be.
I'll probably be flamed either way because people can't handle any contradictory evidence that will state his opinion to be false.

[phanbouy @ Feb 28th 2008 6:38PM]

Maybe I'm in the minority, and/or maybe I don't need the latest and greatest in general, but I'm still using 1st gen MBP and even if I could justify the purchase I see little reason to migrate. I will, however, be taking it into my outpatient clinic (read: basement) to swap out the HDD.

File rev 4 under Meh.

[gandiwashere @ Feb 28th 2008 10:59PM]

Why is ryan block always replying to comments, now, have you performed a hostile takeover of engadget and killed every other editor.

[Don @ Feb 28th 2008 12:55PM]

I'm sorry, but it's still ugly. That gray is so dull. It's really surprising that Apple doesn't offer these in a bunch of colors like their iPods or like every other manufacturer of laptops.

[Senor_Tom @ Feb 28th 2008 12:57PM]

if the keyboard didnt look so small with the speakers next to it then thing would be so much sexier. a bit like the normal macbook, but if THAT was aluminium then i would but one now.

[LegendZ28 @ Feb 28th 2008 1:17PM]

Gray? Dull? It's a freaking laptop, not a fashion accessory.

There's nothing more classic, in gadgets, than aluminum.

The only colors laptops should come in is black and aluminium, I don't even like the white macbooks.

[Don @ Feb 28th 2008 1:18PM]

Still, it's such a drab color. Apple used to be about being an individual, now there are enough people out there with them that you just like like a drone with this sitting on your lap in the coffee shop. They are all the same color. Can't they take an idea from Dell and offer colors, and even the ability to change the color of the glowing apple? (not to say Dell was the first to do this, because I'm sure they weren't, they are just the most successful to do it)

[Michael LaFramboise @ Feb 28th 2008 1:21PM]

...and I take it you think Dell XPS laptops with bright green LEDs in the fans are "elegant", or how about them Alienwares with the 1337 light-up eyes...

Maybe you'd also like to see spinners on a Ferarri?

[Don @ Feb 28th 2008 1:29PM]

@Michael LaFanboi

For one, I was mentioning the Dell back lighting as an example where the colors can be changed. They allow you to change the colors or even cycle through them.

[Don @ Feb 28th 2008 1:32PM]

Oh, and a mac book is hardly a Ferrari. Ferrari's are known for being sharp and flashy, neither of which this is. This thing is ugly. "It fell out of the ugly tree and hit every branch on the way down" if you get the idea.

[Don @ Feb 28th 2008 1:36PM]

Wow... gotta love triple posts. Sorry about that guys.

[Zak @ Feb 28th 2008 1:47PM]

Don, I'm not sure you know what "ugly" means. Sure, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. But if you look at a Macbook Pro with its clean lines and think "ugly", there's something wrong with you. I'm not saying it's beautiful either - I'm saying it's a classic, functional design. It's designed *well*. That's not something you can say about a lot of laptops, because a lot of laptops are designed to be as cheap as humanly possible.

And it's not "gray", it's ALUMINUM. As in, that's the material it's made out of. It's not gray plastic. Furthermore if the color of aluminum really bothers you (despite the fact that Apple did not invent aluminum nor did they decide what color it should be) then go to http://www.colorware.com, pick a new color and have them change it for you.

[Zak @ Feb 28th 2008 1:55PM]

I posted the wrong URL, it's http://www.colorwarepc.com/

[Reid @ Feb 28th 2008 2:07PM]

Don,

It doesn't matter if it's a triple post or a single post. You're still just trolling.

Or maybe you really do want a bright orange laptop for some reason.

[rob @ Feb 28th 2008 2:09PM]

i wouldn't call it ugly. i think the more appropriate description would be "dated"... it really is starting to look a little old. i think that's one of the rarely mentioned weak points of the Mac OS. the fact that you basically have a choice of several designs for the hardware. that's it. if you want to use the OS you are extremely limited to a very small set of hardware designs, and they all look the same.

i mean come on, apple designs are "clean" looking. i'll give it that. but seriously, let's see. i can use windows, that i'm perfectly fine with using, runs all my professional audio apps perfectly, is compatible with 99% of software and hardware, have hundreds and thousands of choices in hardware designs, OR i can switch to a mac and basically have the same hardware as every other Mac OS user?

ha ha. great choice.

and for those that are going to start bashing me about using windows and security and all that. come on, anyone with half a brain can figure out how to run antivirus and antispyware. last time i had a virus or anything destructive on my computer was around 1998. i learned long ago, just don't install crapware on your computer and it's fine.

Good day all.

[rob @ Feb 28th 2008 2:10PM]

i wouldn't call it ugly. i think the more appropriate description would be "dated"... it really is starting to look a little old. i think that's one of the rarely mentioned weak points of the Mac OS. the fact that you basically have a choice of several designs for the hardware. that's it. if you want to use the OS you are extremely limited to a very small set of hardware designs, and they all look the same.

i mean come on, apple designs are "clean" looking. i'll give it that. but seriously, let's see. i can use windows, that i'm perfectly fine with using, runs all my professional audio apps perfectly, is compatible with 99% of software and hardware, have hundreds and thousands of choices in hardware designs, OR i can switch to a mac and basically have the same hardware as every other Mac OS user?

ha ha. great choice.

and for those that are going to start bashing me about using windows and security and all that. come on, anyone with half a brain can figure out how to run antivirus and antispyware. last time i had a virus or anything destructive on my computer was around 1998. i learned long ago, just don't install crapware on your computer and it's fine.

Good day all.

[Don @ Feb 28th 2008 2:51PM]

@Reid

Trolling... whatever

Where did I mention "bright orange?" My observation is that it's drab. It doesn't stand out to me as a creative design. Maybe 8 years ago it did...

And in case you are wondering what I'm sporting, it's a Dell XPS M1210 (http://www.notebookreview.com/assets/12579.jpg) It came in one color too, but it's a new design that's different than everything else they offered and it looks sharp and professional. I have the right to my opinion, and my opinion is that it's ugly. The Apple OS is beautiful, it's a shame that the hardware looks this way. It's like putting nice rims on your 1983 Chevette (Are half of you even old enough to remember these?)

[AlphaTeam @ Feb 28th 2008 4:23PM]

Would you reall want to anondize the aluminium with different colors making these machines even more expensive?

You are also comparing apples to oranges and plus if anything you have a crappy attitude.

[Jeff @ Feb 28th 2008 4:58PM]

Don - industrial design is about more than "creativity." It's about usability, form meeting function. The aluminum is ideal for professional designers and video editors – this laptop's primary demographic - because it doesn't interfere with on-screen color. It's also very classy, elegant, and durable. Furthermore, I have the impression that you have a rather narrow view of what is creative and what isn't. Creativity doesn't have to scream out at you with a bright color or squiggly lines all over something. That aesthetic suits some people, and it's fine. There are dozens of places you can go to add designs to your MacBooks if that's your taste. I, on the other hand, truly appreciate the simplicity of this form.

And while some may think this design is stale and in need of a refresh, I tend to say that if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Could they shave off a fraction of an inch? Probably. A bigger trackpad? Definitely, at least on the 17". But if there is no compelling usability reason to change the form, then it's just change for the sake of change, which makes no sense whatsoever.

[sdh @ Feb 28th 2008 4:57PM]

Don sure has plenty of love to go around.

[UK @ Feb 28th 2008 7:46PM]

Is that dell xps, made out of plastic? Have you ever seen macbook pro in real life? They look far more elegant than that xps

[Don @ Feb 28th 2008 8:29PM]

@UK

"cheap plastic" or not, it's tough and packs a lot of power for being a 12" laptop. I have to be honest, I looked at the Mac books when I bought this, and they just didn't have the same specs. I have stepped on my laptop while it was sitting on the floor closed. I weigh 200lbs. This thing took my full weight without any effects. I have a 4 year warranty and accidental insurance on my laptop. I have knocked it off the arm of the couch a number of times. I have 4 daughters who have all tossed it or stepped on it at one time or another. Think your Mac Book could take all that? This model is what Dell calls "Road Tested." So, "cheap plastic" or not, it more than fits my needs.

[Kailie Quinn @ Feb 29th 2008 1:23PM]

@reid

OMG, is that a bmw logo on top of an outdated apple logo?

My word sir, you have reached critical yuppie mass! Someone get this man some fondue and a renewed lease, stat! Relax, breath slow, how many fingers am I holding up? Is that a BMW motorcycle with a cow paintjob and cowhide seats? Yes, yes it is. Oh god we're losing him!

[Satish @ Feb 28th 2008 12:56PM]

tired....of apple macbook/air... yawn...

[Big John @ Feb 28th 2008 12:59PM]

Except that this article doesn't concern the Air. It concerns a new product from Apple, the newly-updated MacBook and MacBook Pro lines.

You're about a week early for the "man, SO MANY APPLE POSTS" rhetoric.

[Dax @ Feb 28th 2008 1:00PM]

Wow....a seven year old design! Go APPLE!!!!

[Big John @ Feb 28th 2008 12:58PM]

Am I totally mis-reading this article from Ars' Infinite Loop, or what?

"We spoke with Anuj Nayar from Apple PR on the issue, and he told us that the battery life on the new MacBooks and MacBook Pros has not decreased. "Battery life has actually improved across the board," he said—it's just the way the company represents its battery life that is different."

http://arstechnica.com/journals/apple.ars/2008/02/26/the-new-macbooks-battery-life-and-power-adapter

[Oliver @ Feb 28th 2008 1:07PM]

it's because now apple tests its notebooks' battery life differently. Rather than leaving the computer on and doing pretty much nothing on it and writing down the highest possible battery life, now they're doing a 'wireless productivity' battery test, in which they create documents and use the web at the same time and write down the battery life for that. It's much more realistic battery life claims than before.

[Big John @ Feb 28th 2008 1:15PM]

Oliver: I know, I'm trying to point it out for people that (for some reason) still are complaining about battery life.

@Jeff Lewis: Wrong thread, buddy.

[Reid @ Feb 28th 2008 2:13PM]

Ah yes, just like the EPA revised their mileage estimates for 2008 so suddenly it looks like every car gets worse mileage...

[Jeff Lewis @ Feb 28th 2008 1:02PM]

"macbook/air"

The use of a slash in this way is a common convention for 'and/or'. And no, it's not too early. It's wayyyy too late.

[ryan @ Feb 28th 2008 1:00PM]

60 Watt battery? Watt-hour?

[Big John @ Feb 28th 2008 1:23PM]

"It includes the same model 60Wh battery..."

Looks like he denoted it right to me.

[ryan @ Feb 28th 2008 2:03PM]

Looks like he changed it, actually.

[Ryan Block @ Feb 28th 2008 7:01PM]

Yep, thanks, forgot to add the "hour" in there.

[Jeff Lewis @ Feb 28th 2008 1:00PM]

So... if it's essentially the exact same design as the previous one... exactly WHY did anyone think it needed an unboxing post?

I mean, usually that's reserved for new devices we're unlikely to have seen yet. That's what makes it interesting. I can see unboxing one of the new iMacs or the MacBook Air - those are at least distinctively different - but unboxing yet another nearly identical MacBook Pro?

Lame.

Lame AND obsessive...

[mrhammerstein @ Feb 28th 2008 1:05PM]

THANK YOU. it looks exactly the same. why is this a post?

[Antimatter @ Feb 28th 2008 1:14PM]

Yeah, I was thinking the same thing.

"so... this is exactly the same unboxing we've seen since 2003. Yawn"

[J'Ad @ Feb 29th 2008 8:52AM]

So don't read it then...

[V3LOCIP3D3 @ Feb 28th 2008 1:01PM]

What's up with all the close-ups of the keyboard? do fanboys get off on that?

[Big John @ Feb 28th 2008 1:22PM]

New keyboard layout warrants pictures of the keyboard.