 | Apple MacBook Pro MC371LL/A 15.4-Inch Laptop |
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Product Description
The new MacBook Pro 15-inch models set all-new benchmarks for Mac notebooks. The 15-inch MacBook Pro feature Intel Core i5 processors, which boost performance up to 50 percent(1) and reach Turbo Boost speeds up to 3.33GHz. Next-generation NVIDIA graphics bring high performance to everything from 3D games to photos and videos. And the built-in battery lasts up to 10 hours (8 to 9 hours on the 15-inch models).(2) (1) Up to 50 percent faster compared with previous-generation MacBook Pro. (2) Testing conducted by Apple in March 2010 using preproduction 2.66GHz Intel Core 2 Duo–based 13-inch MacBook Pro, 2.66GHz Intel Core i7–based 15-inch MacBook Pro, and 2.53GHz Intel Core i5–based 17-inch MacBook Pro. Battery life depends on configuration and use. See www.apple.com/batteries for more information. The wireless productivity test measures battery life by wirelessly browsing various websites and editing text in a word processing document with display brightness set to 50%.
Product Details
- Amazon Sales Rank: #20 in Personal Computers
- Brand: Apple
- Model: MC371LL/A
- Dimensions: 10.00 pounds
- CPU: Intel Core i5 2.4 GHz
- Memory: 4GB SODIMM
- Hard Disk: 320GB
- Processors: 2
- Display size: 15.4
Features
- 2.4GHz Intel Core i5
- 320 GB Hard Drive, 8x DVD/CD SuperDrive, 4GB DDR3 RAM
- 15.4 inch LED-backlit display, 1440-by-900 resolution
- Intel HD Graphics and NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M with automatic graphics switching and 256 MB dedicated graphics memory
- Mac OS X v10.6 Snow Leopard Operating System
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com Product Description
Updated with Intel's Core i5 processor and next-generation NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M graphics, the 15-inch Apple MacBook Pro is faster than ever and will keep you working longer away from power cords with an enhanced battery life of up to 9 hours of battery life. As with previous models, the new MacBook Pro features a precision unibody enclosure crafted from a single block of aluminum, creating a thin and light mobile computing workhorse (less than 1 inch thin and just 5.6 pounds) that's also highly durable. And it includes a 15.4-inch, LED-backlit glass display (instead of an LCD panel) as well as a glass trackpad that doesn't include a button (for larger tracking area) that features Apple's Multi-Touch technology.
It comes pre-loaded with Apple's Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard operating system--an operating system custom-designed for the advanced technology inside--and it also comes with the iLife '09 suite of applications, including iPhoto, iMovie, GarageBand, and iTunes. Specification Highlights
MacBook Pro, display cleaning cloth, 85W MagSafe Power Adapter, AC wall plug, power cord, software DVDs, printed and electronic documentation |
 The ports on the left side of the 15-inch MacBook Pro. |
Key Features
 Enjoy a processor Turbo Boost and automatic switching to the fast NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M graphics processor when using processor-intensive applications like Aperture 3 or Final Cut Pro. |
New Intel Core i5 Processor
The new Intel Core i5 processor boosts performance up to 50 percent over the previous generation. Based on Intel's latest 32-nanometer process technology, the Core i5 also offers Intel's Turbo Boost feature. If you're using processor-intensive applications like Aperture 3 or Final Cut Pro that would benefit from an extra performance kick, Turbo Boost dynamically increases the speed of one or both cores.Built-in Hyper-Threading allows two threads to run simultaneously on each core, so Mac OS X recognizes four virtual cores instead of just two. When you're running multiple applications at once, the Core i5 processor spreads tasks more evenly across a greater number of cores--so you can get more done, faster.
And unlike systems that connect memory to the processor through a separate controller, the new MacBook Pro uses an integrated memory controller to connect memory directly to the processor. With faster access to memory, each core gets right to work on your data, rather than waiting for it to arrive.
Next-Generation Graphics
The latest MacBook Pro features the new NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M discrete graphics processor--the fastest graphics ever in a Mac notebook. With 48 processing cores and 256 MB of dedicated video memory, this graphics processor delivers even more horsepower than the previous generation. And you don't have to sacrifice efficiency for speed: The NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M is up to 30 percent more energy efficient than its predecessor. For even greater power savings, the MacBook Pro also includes integrated Intel HD Graphics.Also new is the MacBook Pro's breakthrough automatic graphics switching technology, enabling you to switch graphics processors on the fly to give you performance when you need it (when you're playing the latest 3D game, for example) and better battery efficiency when you don't (such as when you're reading email). Whether you're using applications like Aperture, Motion, or Final Cut Pro or just surfing the web, your MacBook Pro always knows which processor to use. You don't have to log out, shut down, or change your preferences.
 The beginning of every MacBook Pro--a precisely machined, single block of aluminum. |
Unibody Design
Traditionally, notebooks are made from multiple parts. With the MacBook Pro all of those parts with just one part--the breakthrough unibody enclosure. Every MacBook Pro starts its life as a single block of aluminum, which is precisely machined into the basic unibody design. Another pass and the unibody takes shape. Another, and the integrated keyboard emerges. When you pick up a new MacBook Pro, you immediately notice the entire enclosure is thinner and lighter. And it feels strong and durable--perfect for life inside (and outside) your briefcase or backpack.LED-Backlit Display
LCD displays typically use cold cathode fluorescent lamps, or CCFLs, to create light and project a picture onto a screen, and this creates two problems--the lamps require more space and they take more time to warm up to full brightness. The MacBook Pro uses LED backlight technology to create the same amount of brightness in less space. And unlike fluorescent lamps, an LED backlight reaches maximum brightness instantly. Finally, a new, smaller iSight camera is concealed behind the display for quick access to video chats and snapping pics for uploading to social networks. The entire trackpad is the button, so you can click anywhere. |
Buttonless Multi-Touch Trackpad
With no button on the durable glass trackpad, there's more room to track and click--left, right, center, and everywhere in between. Without a separate button, the spacious trackpad gives your hands plenty of room to move on the large, silky glass surface. It also incorporates Multi-Touch gestures--including swipe, pinch, rotate, and four-finger swipe--and even more natural inertial scrolling--an intuitive way to scroll through large photo libraries, lengthy documents and long web sites. If you're coming from a right-click world, you can right-click with two fingers or configure a right-click area on the trackpad. |
Long-Lasting Battery
The new energy-efficient architecture in every MacBook Pro, along with automatic graphics switching, gives you dramatically longer battery life. On a single charge, the battery in the new 15-inch MacBook Pro lasts up to 8 to 9 hours. And you'll get up to 1000 full charge and discharge cycles--that's nearly three times the lifespan of typical notebook batteries. Advanced chemistry and Adaptive Charging allow the battery to maintain charging capabilities longer and determine the optimal way to charge the battery's cells. Because the battery lasts up to five years, MacBook Pro uses just one battery in the same time a typical notebook uses three. That makes for less waste. And that, in turn, makes for one environmentally friendly battery.Environmental Considerations
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Because Apple makes both the hardware and the software for the MacBook, they're designed to work together to produce a smarter product that uses less electricity. For instance, to reduce energy consumption, the hard drive spins down automatically when inactive. MacBook Air also decides which processor--CPU or GPU--is best suited to efficiently perform a task. The LED-backlit display in the MacBook Pro is another feature that plays an important part in conserving energy, consuming 30 percent less power than conventional LCD displays. And the display is designed to dim when you enter a darkened room.
The MacBook Pro meets the stringent low power requirements set by the EPA, giving it ENERGY STAR qualification. ENERGY STAR 5.0 sets significantly higher efficiency limits for power supplies and aggressive limits for the computer's typical annual power consumption.
Also, every MacBook Pro model has earned the highest rating of EPEAT Gold. The Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool, or EPEAT, evaluates the environmental impact of a product based on how recyclable it is, how much energy it uses, and how it's designed and manufactured.
Pre-Loaded with Mac OS X Snow Leopard and iLife '09
 | Every Mac comes with Mac OS X Snow Leopard, the world's most advanced operating system, and iLife, Apple's innovative suite of applications for managing photos, making movies and creating and learning to play music. Snow Leopard builds on a decade of OS X innovation and success with hundreds of refinements, new core technologies and out of the box support for Microsoft Exchange. iLife features iPhoto, to easily organize and manage photos; iMovie with powerful easy-to-use new features such as Precision Editor, video stabilization and advanced drag and drop; and GarageBand which introduces a whole new way to help you learn to play piano and guitar. Installed software
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Customer Reviews
Love the matte screen option. Great computer. Time will tell if its worth the $$
After having a 3 year-old Dell die on me (to be fair it was put through multiple trips to and from school in my bag, sometimes while it was still on) and a Toshiba Satellite fail after a year, I was tired of paying bargain prices and receiving a frustrating experience to go with it.
My girlfriend had talked about buying a Mac and I always balked at them as being too expensive. Well, most of the main problems with my old laptops were hardware/compatability/driver issues. Knowing that Apple makes the hardware and develops the software for their computers made me think they would be able to integrate the two aspect better PC's I have used. I still have nightmarew about all the drivers I had to hunt down when I downgraded my Toshiba from Windows Vista to XP.
I had actually purchased a 13" Macbook Pro with a glossy screen from Amazon a few days before Apple did their big upgrade in April 2010. It was a beautiful looking machine and was easy to use after I became accustomed to the differences from a PC, ie; What is the "Finder"? However, the 13" screen was a little small for me. I do some photography work, and I watch movies on it as well so I decided the 15" Macbook Pro would be the way to go. Once they did their upgrade for all their machines I decided to buy directly from Apple.
I debated long and hard on the glossy vs. matte option. Going with the high-res screen (1680 X 1050 as opposed to standard 1440 X 900) was a no-brainer. After doing some online research I also chose the matte option (as opposed to the default glossy screen). I had never actually seen a matte screen as the local Best-Buy didn't have one in stock. I was a little nervous on my decision, but I called Apple tech support and easily arranged for a return on my not-yet-arrived 15" Macbook Pro should I want one with a glossy screen instead. The person I spoke with even arranged for return shipping labels paid for by Apple! I didn't upgrade the harddrive or RAM because I can do those myself, or have them done later, for a lot cheaper than Apple's pricing.
The new 15" w/ the matte screen came and I opened up some high-res You-tube videos and compared it side-by-side to the glossy. This was the middle of the day and the lone window in our living room was creating all sorts of reflections on the glossy screen while the matte was unphased. Sure the blacks on the glossy were a deeper and the colors might have "popped" a little more, but knowing I would be using my laptop in a room lit by daylight or with a bright light, the henious reflections on the glossy screen definitely made it a no-go for me. This was a window that was in front of the computer and wasn't even directly shining on the screen. I was really happy I decided to go matte.
That being said, I have loaded up Photoshop CS5 and it runs great. Way faster than my old laptop. I appreciate a lot of the little touches that Apple puts into their products that are becoming more and more noticable every day I use it. (Such as their search feature is always available with 1 click from the desktop) I plan to buy an Applecare plan towards the end of my one-year warranty period to make sure this lasts me at least 3 years. Hopefully I might be able to keep this for 4 or 5 years.
Overall, if you have the $$ I highly recommend this product.
Pros-
- Unibody design is super-sturdy and slim.
- Love the matte screen
- The high resolution upgrade helps with multi-tasking, programming, photo-editing, web-browing, ect..
- Super-fast w/Photoshop
- Good side-to-side viewing angle, (better than the screen on the Windows-based laptops I have used)
- Keyboard is very pleasant to use
- Speakers are adequate
- Touchpad is awesome! Large and easy to use with 2, 3, and 4 finger controls not found anywhere else
but on a Mac. I rarely use a mouse anymore, which works well for using it on my lap.
- Quick boot up time. Opening and closing the lid for "sleep mode" waiting time is basically zero.
- Good battery life
Cons
- Expensive (duh)
- Can get hot on the underneath towards the back where the processor is located.
- Up and down viewing angle not so good (this is common w/laptops though)
- Some software not available for Mac
- USB 2.0 (instead of newer 3.0)
- Glowing Apple logo on the back of the screen is a bit of advertising I could do without.
- Sharp Edges on front (can apparently be filed down but I am wary about doing this)
- No Blu-Ray drive
Update:
Maybe it is just me, but my Apple seems to have more issues with Flash and streaming internet content than I have ever had with a PC. I know Apple is at war with Adobe and has gone to great lengths to disparage the Flash format. They do not seem to have worked too hard to ensure that Flash content works flawlessly with their machines. Streaming videos will stop or fail to load alltogether. This doesn't happen often, but with a PC I never had any issues like this at all.
Expensive, but worth it.
The macbook worked right out of the box,set-up was easy.I had a pc laptop (whose company name I won't say) and had all sorts of problems (slow boot-up, and screen and registry problems) I got so fed up, I decided to get rid of it.
While looking at laptops at Best Buy store, I looked at the macbook pro "15.4" which just happened to have the new Core i5 processor. At first, I balked at the price, the more I "played" with it, the more I liked it (And this is from someone who has NEVER owned a mac of any kind) And while I plan to keep my pc desktop, the macbook has become a welcome addtion to my household.
Even better than I'd hoped
As a long time PC user, I'd been wanting a Mac for a good while. The last time I bought a lap-top I came very close, but went with HP in a last minute burst of frugality. That frugality was short lived, the HP didn't make to its third birthday, and once again I was lusting for a Macbook. This time I went for it. I've only had the computer for a few days, so probably no genius insights and a lot of my initial observations have been said before, but I'll proceed anyway. First, and most obvious, straight out of the box it's...pretty. I mean seriously this is one darned nice looking piece of technology--nothing clunky here. Okay, like others have said, straight out of the box, it was easy to set up and worked like a charm. Because I have no Mac experience I figured I'd be on the phone with Applecare pretty quick, but the only assistance I needed was from my Internet service provider, to remind me what my wireless password is. After that I was good to go. Shocking! Not a single other glitch. As far as learning curve from Windows to Mac, it's going fairly well. Key board shortcuts are fairly intuitive--command instead of control, Finder instead of "My Computer" (I think that's right). The screen and back lighting are amazing. BTW: I have had to call Apple support and they've been very helpful, and reasonably pleasant. Also, so far, I haven't spoken to anyone in Asia.
The only negatives I've noticed, is that there's an awful lot of real estate between the edge of the computer and the key board. I'm sure there's some ergonomic plus to this; but, for me, it's just annoying. Course, I may just need a lower typing surface (dining room table is supposedly for eating? Who knew?) Also, for the cost of the computer I wish a mouse had been included, even an inexpensive usb connected one. Still, Best Buy opened at nine, and the magic mouse was on sale, so not so bad
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