Apple :: 2010 Macbook Pro 15" I5/2.4 First Impressions
Apr 15, 2010
I don't have time for a full review because one of the reasons I jumped so quickly into this new notebook is that I am on a deadline. However there are a few first observations I don't want to forget about, should anyone be interested in a more complete review.
A little history first. I have been a Mac user for the past 20 years. I grew up with them, have been responsible for them in an IT capacity and have made a living generating content from them. I know the platform well. I am however not the type of guy to put all his eggs in one basket and also routinely use Windows, mostly for gaming, and Linux, mostly for serving.
The point is, I make my living around the Mac.
Purchase and Arrival.
I made the decision to buy after 6 hours of spec shopping. I called around to the local Best Buy (you never know until checking) and the closest Apple store, which for me is 120 miles away. Neither had them in stock, but they both at least knew what I was talking about. The Apple store didn't have an ETA, but expected them within the week. That wasn't fast enough for me this time, so I ordered directly from Apple. This was Tuesday night at 5pm. Wednesday at 2:30PM, I took delivery. Nice. The outer packaging was a plain brown box. Inside, the standard Mac packaging with nothing but the notebook, a power adapter, and a simple folder with barebones manuals and the OS DVDs. Good presentation, but not a lot of goodies............
Coming from a PC I guess this is a review on Mac OS X and the new Pro.
I had on many occasions for the past 5 months been playing with Macs, at school in the comp lab, and in BB and the Apple Store. So I knew what I was getting into. This decision was hard for me being a PC user, and seeing laptops for 4-600 dollars cheaper with similar "specs" I had also not long ago built my Phenom II 955 BE Gaming rig, after OC it a bit I feel I am fairly well versed in the PC realm.
Anyways I decided to take the plunge into something new. I decided for the 13 b/c of battery life mostly, and b/c the 15 is too much money with the apple care. I am only using it for school, and any intensive photo editing goes to PS CS4 on the PC. The 15 MBP would likely not be as fast as the PC so I opted for battery life over speed. Although I would have liked the extra real estate.
I am Glad I made this decision. The 13 is very fast, I got the base model 2.4Ghz. I am actually surprised with how seamless I can move through all the windows, dashboards and spaces. I filled my dashboard up and it isnt slow at all, I have 4 spaces and when I am running apps (Safari, Chrome, QT, Pages, Keynote, iTunes, etc.) in all of them there isnt any lag. Obviously there is some getting used to, but overall its pretty easy and straight forward, and best of all it just works....
We have all been curious about exactly what is going on under the hood in the new Macbook Pros. It would appear that Apple is indeed underclocking the GPU a bit, at least as reported from GPUz:
I also fired up CPUz and was pleased to the see that the i5 turbo mode appears alive and well, at least in Windows 7:
This is all from the base model, off the shelf 15" Macbook Pro.
I would love to see this thread turn into results from other new machines so download CPUz and GPUz!
I just opened my first ever macbook pro from its box. I've noticed immediately that when the unit is tilted in any direction, sideways, back, any direction, an electrical "buzzing" sound will emit from the components under the keyboard.
It sounds very much like the "zzzzzzzzzzzz" sound one hears as they drive by power lines on the side of the road....only toned down quite a bit, obviously. But it's definetly an electrical noise. It's only emitted when I move the computer, but it's already annoying...I hear it every time. And I move/adjust/reposition this laptop around allot.
Just a quick question: has anyone seen what Office 2010 is going to look like? I know that it's suppose to have Outlook, but I haven't been able to find any legible screen shots or credible information on what the new program will contain or how it's different that 2008, etc. I don't know, maybe there's nothing out there except rumors, but I was just curious.
I just got a MacBook Pro 13 in and noticed that when I'm using it but then get up to move somewhere else, it makes a clicking sound as I lift up from my lap. Is this normal? Maybe the hard drive is preparing to move or something?
Can anyone tell me if this is a new model or old mid-2007. Cause some one I know thinks they have a newer computer that has this model number/ECM. Is that model # and ECM also for current systems or are they only for older ones?
I recently purchased a new base model 15" Macbook Pro with the firm intention of upgrading the main drive to a SSD. Historically, there has been some issues with a do-it-yourself upgrade to SSD using Mac hardware and I happy to report that I have had no issues, save those caused by myself in the doing the swap.
I decided the best course of action was to use a SSD for my main application and OS drive, and use a standard 2.5" mechanical HD for my files. The downside is, of course, you lose your internal Superdrive. However, as I was contemplating this, I realized that I rarely use my optical drive outside of software installs. It then became an easy choice. Of course, you can always just swap the standard internal drive for a SSD, but space and cost quickly become deciding factors. Keep in mind that if you plan to install Windows 7, you need at least 20GB of space just for it, before any other Windows software. Snow Leopard takes around 8GB and some of the higher end software can take gigabytes on their own (The Final Cut Studio suite alone takes around 50GB).
After a ton of research with some conflicting information I decided on the Crucial M225 128GB SSD. It uses the Indilinx Barefoot controller with 64MB of cache and is price competitive at around $325. The Kingston V-series is cheaper, but uses a modified J-micron controller (meh - sorry J-micron, too much history there). Another choice, and one I nearly made, is a Corsair series drive. Note that apparently the Nova series has some issues with the Macintosh notebook line, so the P series will be your best bet there. Of course, you could go for the gold and choose an Intel based SSD. Most Mac guys seem to have the best luck with these drives, but I decided I like the price/performance of the Crucial better..............
I just got my new MacBook Pro 15" (with auto graphics switching) and was a bit surprised that the discrete graphics card was always on... so I started investigating what apps might be triggering that! As far as I could tell, I wasn't running anything graphics intensive... so it was a surprise to me what I found out
There are a lot more apps causing this than the ones I listed initially... a more complete and up-to-date list can be found at this thread on MacRumors forums.
It's possible to know what graphics card you're currently using by installing GPUInfoMenu or gfxCardStatus, the latter also allows to force switching from discrete to integrated, or vice-versa.
Performance wise, I havent been disappointed with the laptop, but one of the main drawbacks I see in the machine is its battery life - Apple has taken strides in improving battery life over 2009-2010, and its kinda annoys me that I'm stuck with the battery I have now.
I commute a lot to/from school, work on the bus/train, and have to use my laptop in places where power outlets are not readily available (some lecture rooms). Realistically, I get about 3-3.5 Hours with screen brightness on minimum, wifi and bluetooth turned of, and doing some basic word processing, as well as reading pdf's.......
All those who have a 2010 MBP and a 3rd party SSD, please try setting up bootcamp and let us know if it works.
Has anyone successfully setup bootcamp on any of the new macbook pros? When I use boot camp assistant, I am able to set up the partitions. However, once I enter the windows 7 install, it doesn't detect any partitions at all (not even my mac partition).
I've tried both 32 and 64 bit versions of Windows 7 (home, prof, and ultimate). The SSD is an Intel X25-V 40GB
UPDATE 1: Swapped the stock HDD back in and bootcamp install seems to work fine. Partitions were immediately recognized by my windows 7 ultimate 64-bit. Could Apple have blocked support for 3rd party SSDs somehow with these 2010 MBPs?
To start I should remind everyone that i'm not a mac user. I have never owned a mac or used OSX properly before today. As such, my opinions should be taken as coming from someone who has much knowledge and experience as far as PC's are concerned, but who is a total mac n00b.
First Impressions
When I first walked over to the Macbooks I was quite taken aback. The build quality is out of this world. In fact, I immediately walked over to the latest PC laptops to compare and immediately thought "manufacturing FAIL". Really, the Macbooks are italian sports cars, and PC's are 30 year old farm tractors to use the typical "car analogy".
The Macbook
I really only had any interest in the Macbook when I first went to the Apple stand, but came away with the intention of buying a MacBook Pro. Let me explain:
The MacBook's build quality is awesome. It's solid, no creaking plastic or flexable build, completely and utterly solid. Awesome.............
I currently use a 15" MBP that I bought in late 2006. I only use it for surfing the web and word processing. maybe watching a couple of videos here and there but no where near any graphics related tasks. I do not play any games on it (as I got a PS3 for that).
I am thinking of getting a new laptop with the highest possible battery life. it seems that the new 15" MBP does not "really" last for 8-9 hours even on light work, but the 13" does reach the 10 hours target. that is mainly why I have chosen to go with the 13" version. now I'm down to two options, the white MB and the MBP. technically, they both got the same price (if you compare both with 4gb ram). the main questions that I need people around here to answer are the following:
1. First, can the 15" MBP really reach the 8-9 target?
2. is there a difference between 13" MB and 13" MBP other than the material which they are built from? (polycarbonate vs aluminum).
3. is there a difference between them in wifi reception?
4. is it possible to increase the MB's ram memory to more than 4gb?
I have been speculating over this prospect giving the direction that Apple took with the starting price of the 24" iMac (upgrade everything else and downgrade the VRAM).
I mean, this is something I would like to see, but I wonder if it is a smart move on Apple's part given how much they make off the current MBP's with the so called Apple Tax.
And, if they made this move, one has to wonder if it still would be considered a Pro.
This is going to be my very first Mac. I'm really excited about it, but I don't know which one I should go for... I narrowed it down to these two models. Which one should I go for and why?
I bought a black macbook this summer and every night when I'm in bed trying to do work I can barely see which keys is which. Obviously this wouldn't be a cheap fix but is there a way or is it possible to install the new light up keys of the new macbooks onto a pre-remodel macbook?
I downloaded this updated for my unibody Macbook Pro, and I think it's pretty vital. However, it gave me this error when I tried to install it: "You cannot install Macbook, Macbook Pro software update on this volume. This update requires Mac OS X 10.5.5 or newer." Now don't tell me that I have selected the wrong partition to install the update, or that I need to update my OS to 10.5.5 because I already have 10.5.6 and I chose the Macintosh HD partition to install the update.
So I'm definitely getting a 13" Macbook or Macbook Pro. Apple has some great prices on refurbs so that's probably the route I'll be going however I'm having trouble discerning the difference between the 13" Aluminum Unibody standard macbook and the 13" Unibody Macbook Pro. From what I've read they both have the upgraded screen, they're obviously both unibody, both have the large button-less trackpad, and both have the 9400m. They even have the same dimensions and the only difference I can see between the images is a slightly different case bevel (also the firewire and sd card ports, both are useless to me).
Unfortunately, none of the Apple stores or BestBuys in the area have a non-pro unibody 13" Macbook for me to actually handle and compare. So, basically, what makes the pro version with the slower cpu and smaller hard drive at the same price point worth it?
If I make an image of my hdd from my white macbook with disk utility onto a hard drive I take out of a unibody macbook pro will it work and boot properly?
I will do this by taking the 250gb hdd out of the unibody macbook pro and putting it into a sata external usb hdd enclosure, then making an image of my current 120gb white macbook and writing the image onto the 250gb. After, I plan to put the 250gb hdd back into the macbook pro and boot it up normally as if everything from my white macbook was just copied onto the macbook pro.
She has a white macbook with leopard I think, and has a separate partition in which she has boot camp, she uses specialized software that can only run in windows (doesnt run in vm). She got a new macbook air but wants to keep everything intact.
Do programs like duper clone drives with all files intact, including partitions? Keep in mind that the windows side is more important, installation of this software can only be done remotely from Russia, so it's a bit of a hassle if we screw up, we have to contact IT at a specific time and get them to do it.
Would I have to take the drive of the macbook air out? Or can i just clone to an external hard drive and then move that to the mba hard drive, in target disc mode or something.
I really love the black color of MB404, but is it good? does it crack easily?(is it plastic?)
Hows screen quality?
What do you think? which one should i buy?
I really wanted to buy Alu one before i hear about slanted keys and loose battery covers(i know %99 of them don't have that, but it's hard to risk when there's no way to fix it in here), because there's no Mac center in my country and i'm SO picky.
For a while now, I have only considered using Thinkpads. Primarily because of the great keyboard, but also because of the business aethetics.....solid pure black design and great materials. Often I would rant about how somebody else had to adopt these two features and add some competition.
I have to say Dell did an outstanding job with the E6400. The keyboard is actually nicer than the Thinkpad keyboard due to a shorter slope on the edges which give them more surface area on the top. Otherwise, the feel is very very similar. Excellent job.
The design is serious and sophisticated with a lower maintenance lid. The Thinkpad, however, still has more polish in the build construction. Specifically, the amount of overall flex and how well they had their seems disguised.
The LED WXGA+ screen has ruined me. My desktop LCD now looks dim. It's the most beautiful matte display I've ever seen on any monitor or notebook. I'm not sure I've ever seen an LCD television as nice. It's just spectacular.
I'm very happy to see Dell finally taking the business notebook market seriously. From what I've seen, I believe they've succeeded in broaching the hallowed arena held for so long exclusively by the Thinkpad. While not quite there in terms of build quality, they have more than matched Lenovo in at least a few areas and hopefully this is a sign of things to come.
i'm shopping around for a laptop at the moment and have spied the Sony VGN-NW26M: IntelŪ PentiumŪ Processor T4300, 4GB RAM, 320GB HD, Intel Graphics 4500MHD
I've heard that Sony laptops have good build quality but how about the heat and sound they produce? Is there anything specific i should know about this series? Any problems etc?
Has anyone purchased or seen this notebook? It's fairly new, so no reviews have been made of it yet, but from the specs and overall looks of it, it seems to be a pretty amazing notebook for it's price range (not to mention the 30% off coupon floating around).
