Apple's new MacBook Pro family unboxing and hands-on!
By Nilay Patel 
posted Jun 10th 2009 11:43AM
posted Jun 10th 2009 11:43AM
Update: We just noticed that the 13-inch has lost its dedicated audio input jack, we're guessing because of space constraints with the addition of SD and FireWire 800 -- but we're told the new single jack supports both input and output. We're testing it out, we'll let you know.
Costs too much, not worth it.
just over a grand, not bad for all the hardware, mac os, ilife
http://www.clubmac.com/clubmac/shop/detail.asp?Redir=1&description=Apple%2D13%2E3%22+MacBook+Pro+Intel+Core+2+Duo+2%2E26GHz%2C+2GB+RAM%2C+160GB+Hard+Drive%2C+NVIDIA+GeForce+9400M%2C+SuperDrive+%2D+Aluminum+unibody%2DMacBook+Pro&store=clubmac&source=APPINSDRCWB03251&dpno=7836991&adcampaign=email,APPINSDRCWB03251&wt.mc_id=APPINSDRCWB03251
Not everybody is poor..
For a grand I could have four laptops with double the spec and more or less indentical software.
It's a 'screw' of macbooks.
Please show your work when claiming you could find laptops double the spec with matching software for $1000. I expect quad core CPUs or dual core clocked at 4.52, 4GB ram, 320mb storage twice the power of the 9400m, 14 hour battery life, 2 802.11n adaptors that can be bonded for twice the speed, and blu-ray. Oh, and build quality would be nice to include as well.
Yeah, I know a 4.52ghz dual core laptop chip doesn't exist. Nor does your mythical "double the spec for a grand" machine.
@fanman wtf are you talking about.
That's a tired argument. When I compare the MacBook 13" 2.53GHz against a Dell Vostro 1320, the apple comes out $151 more. And if I compare it against a Sony SR, the Sony is $80.99 more! So I guess that means the MacBook is just an average priced computer. I personally own a Sony Z which is way more than an average price, but I paid for small and powerful.
(One caveat: For the PCs prices, I chose Vista Ultimate option. Now let the arguments begin as to whether or OSX compares to Vista Ultimate.)
Not really. Using the manufacturers' websites I configured a Dell XPS Studio 13 to the same specs as a 13 inch Macbook Pro and the macbook came out to be less expensive.
fanman. Please show me these $250 laptops with core 2 processors... ah fuck it. You're just another anti-apple douche bag troll with his head up his Steve Balmers's ass.
potatoeMAN:
You seem to be forgetting that no 13" apple laptop has a discrete video card, and that's a big deal. I want 13" for portability.
You're also forgetting about coupon codes and sales, and if you wait for long enough, something heavenly will fall into your lap.
Here's the laptop that I bought last week:
Dell Studio XPS 13
2.66 GHz C2D proc (double cache as the 2.53 that apple is using)
4GB DDR3 1066 MHz RAM (push)
256 GB SSD (Samsung, too, high quality, $350 upgrade)
Swappable 9 cell battery (what a concept)
All for... $1600. Find me an Apple laptop that comes remotely close to that price range and those specs. I dare you.
Seems like Apple's hardware is always cost competitive (on cpu, memory, hdd, etc.) when they first get refreshed, but then they often stay stagnant, while other manufacturers continue to cut prices, have sales, or offer better specs as time goes on. So right now, you can find comparable windows comptuers for more or less the same price as the macbook, but in 6 months, the macbook will not have improved its specs or price, while most of its competitors have.
Carl you hit the nail squarely on the head with that comment.
Don't get me wrong. I'd love a 17" MBP, problem is when they "refresh" them, 2 weeks later the hardware is outdated. All other MFG's have new hardware constantly rotating in on their laptop configurations. Why is it that Apple can not do the same? I could easily find half a dozen other 17" laptops with better specs for $800-$1000 less. The cost difference becomes less as you get to the smaller 15" and even more so when you hit the 13", but i want a 17". I guess I'm just not wiling to pay $800-$1000 more for a name and outdated hardware.
So...what's new to unbox here?
It now (for some reason) says "Pro" on the little one.
Threesome? eh?
Yep, there is once again a small "Pro" laptop. Just like the old Powerbook G4 12 inch.
In the end, it's just a name. Buy the system that meets your needs.
I WANNA KNOW WHICH ONE HAS THE BEST SCREEN?
not really just a name, it has 2 hours more battery, thats a lot, firewire 800, a far better display panel, a speed boost, a bigger hard drive (and an sd slot if you care lol) and a better price, id say thats a pretty good upgrade
I WANNA KNOW WHICH ONE HAS THE CAPS LOCK KEY?
i couldnt agree more!
for an "innovative" company, apple is churning out the same old look within the past 5 years.
when is it going to really redesign the laptop? and when is it going to use other exotic materials like carbon fibers that sony experimented 10 years ago?
All I need is the current everything, with the 3qi screen and Win7 as dual boot. That would be awesome.
As always, the real issue I see isn't what is new, it's why didn't Apple offer it before? The new additions are nice to finally have, but only highlight how incredibly stupid it was that Apple never included an SD slot before. It's like the "Mighty Mouse" all over again.
@darkstar - so I guess the unibody design doesn't count as an innovation. It may not look that different but compared with conventional laptop designs, the single piece design is significantly more rigid and provides an integrated assembly with no gaps, wiggle or squeeks. This is where form and function work together. I don't particularly like the black screen border but otherwise these designs make most other laptops look cheesy (IMHO).
Finally, after years and years of complaining about by non-unibody laptops Apple answers the call.
Thanks for solving a problem that very people even knew existed.
actually, many people with the old 'multi' body powerbooks ive seen (including myself) have had problems with the palmrest separating from the lower casing of the laptop, so the unibody design is a HUGE improvement over the old version
ps, mine is currently held together with scotch tape..glad to see apple fixed the problem
" (and an sd slot if you care lol)"
Only reason I bought the 15" about 3 months ago, and stuck an SD express card in there. Too bad I fell in love with this too much to trade it for a 13" again :/
im referring to the design from the facade. sitting from across the table, all macbook pros look identical as they were years ago.
yes, the unibody is innovative. but normal people dont know what that is nor care.
I agree, why does this need a new unboxing?
it would have been useful to show what the underside looks like. i.e. is there an expansion bay for the HD and ram. of course, since this is engadget, we just get these stupid j.o. pictures for the fanboys. way to go!
I WANNA KNOW WHY I SHOULD CARE??!!!1111oneeleven
Just one question here: can I have one of them when you're done benchmarking/testing them?
I'll take the little guy, give him one of the bigger ones.
well, i guess that i will just take the leftovers
Honestly, a 13 inch screen is big enough for a laptop. I just need something with wifi and MS Word for Governor's School at VCU this summer.
Wouldn't that be nice? I need a new 15" pretty bad lol.
My poor PB G4 is still plugging along from April 2005.
Sachin @ Jun 10th 2009 11:57AM
Honestly, a 13 inch screen is big enough for a laptop. I just need something with wifi and MS Word for Governor's School at VCU this summer.
This sounds like an excellent movie scenario.
agree. Next Engadget recession giveaway?
Sachin, you totally just plugged that your going to VCU.
me want....
me don't...
Do you get these things for free?
Yes, they do. They didn't even have to ask. Apple just dropped them off with a cherry red ferrari for FREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE. First stop on the delivery route. The only catch was that they had to say that they could all run Crysis, Photoshop, iTunes, quicktime, and a hundred browser windows simultaneously and flawlessly.
i believe that reviewer units have to be returned
you see. thats what you get for being an apple fanboy blog. free apple products!
Really? I'll then start my own apple fanboy blog. Can't wait to put apple products on eBay!!1! They will also be about $150 cheaper than you find them in Apple Store. If you check out my blog very many times, I'll also let you buy those products before eBay has a chance at them.
Yes, it's like bribe money.
awww, the 13in doesn't have audio input anymore?
I guess it's a fair tradeoff for firewire, but that's still sad.
takes me back to my ibook days.
Apparently the one audio port down both in line in and headphone out. Pretty cool actually.
It does. The jack is like the ones in the iPhone. It support both in and out. Just not at the same time (obviously). Most people use USB mikes anyway, so it's all good!