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Video review
It's terribly easy for your eye to stray from this 13in MacBook Pro to the others on Apple’s webstore. The 15in and 17in versions flaunt their quad-core processors and AMD graphics switching in such a captivating way. But, hold fast. This is all the MacBook Pro anyone needs. It’s the 13in screen version: a perfectly usable 1280x800 pixel display, with a choice of two of Intel’s fastest dual core processors, 2.3GHz Core i5 or 2.7GHz Core i7.
Its size and 2kg weight make it a laptop that you can just about carry around all day, and yet it will dual-boot into either Windows or Mac OS, there to easily handle all your daily computing needs. Edit HD movies, create wunder-pop in GarageBand, batch process your 1000-photo holiday album – you name it. It’s just that the 15in and 17in will do it quicker, and you’ll feel smugger. But you don’t need them. Or, you may not be able to afford them at least.
So what’s new in 13in for 2011? The only external change is the little Thunderbolt logo printed next to the DisplayPort connector, because it’s a Thunderbolt connector, not simply a DisplayPort connector. But, given that there are currently no peripherals available that make use of Intel’s new 10Gbps Thunderbolt connector, you’ll be pleased to know that the Thunderbolt connector still works with DisplayPort connections.
Plus, it still has a Firewire 800, and two USB 2.0 ports, and the SD card slot has been upgraded to work with SDXC cards, up to 64GB. Although we’d still like an additional USB port on the other side, next to the Superdrive DVD-R slot-loader. Just to even things up a bit. It gets crowded on the port side. And yes, HD format fans, Apple still hasn’t included a Blu-ray drive option.
Review continues after the break...
But, these minor niggles aside, the MacBook Pro remains a beautiful thing to behold. And use. It takes some time to learn all that the multi-touch, click-where-you-like trackpad is capable of, but it’s worth learning. As are the various keyboard shortcuts for things like window switching and, er, the absent delete key (fn-backspace).
And it fairly trucks along. Its integrated graphics chipset can handle hardcore games, albeit at a lower resolution and frame rate than its bigger brethren, but more everyday tasks are executed with free-flowing enthusiasm.
It’s a tough ask to find something this desirable and flexible this side of £1500 – a Sony Z-series is half a kilogram lighter, but half-a-grand pricier in its most basic spec. Which makes this 13in Macbook Pro all the laptop you’ll ever need (unless you give in to your desires and buy the 15in).
The First Hour
-
1
Did I just spend five minutes stroking it? Better plug it in.
-
8
Spoilt by tablets. 2kg feels heavy. Not as heavy as the 15in, though.
-
15
Boing! Turns on and wakes up with furious energy. Like.
-
21
Call of Duty installed. The old one from 2007. It runs OK, but not like it does on my desktop. Obviously.
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45
Oops. Just imported all my Picasa photos at once. It slowed, but didn’t crash.
-
60
Time to hit the road, and it fits straight in my bag. Neat.
Tech Specs
- Battery life
- up to 7hrs
- Bluetooth
- Yes
- Dimensions
- 325x227x24.1mm
- DVI
- Yes (with Thunderbolt)
- Ethernet
- Yes
- Graphics card
- Intel HD Graphics 3000 384MB (shared)
- Hard drive storage
- 320GB/500GB
- HDMI
- via Thunderbolt
- Operating system
- Mac OS X
- Optical drive
- Superdrive DVD
- Processor
- Intel dual-core Core i5 (2.3GHz) or Core i7 (2.7GHz)
- RAM
- 4GB DDR3
- Screen resolution
- 1280x800
- Screen size
- 13.3in
- USB 2.0
- 2
- Weight
- 2.04kg
- Wi-Fi
- b/g/n
Comments
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19 weeks ago
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22 weeks ago
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Thomas13
1 year ago
This is very easy to understand. This review gives me a lot information about this device. Lawyer Burnaby
ginagina1818
1 year ago
Easy read, thanks for sharing. This is very clear and straight forward. Window Replacement Cost
Thomas13
1 year ago
I will buy a MacBook for sure. But it is quite impossible for me now. San Diego painters
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1 year ago
This is pretty amazing.
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inter4522
1 year ago
The macbook is so amazing to use. The technology behind this is so good. You will love it when you first use it. There is nothing better. orlando pool enclosures
marvin the mangler
1 year ago
time to get a better-paying job!
rookeydooks
2 years ago
Got to get myself one of these bad boys ! Need to get cracking on that ultimate App.
pembers357
2 years ago
Available for around £800 from Electronic King via eBay. Just got mine (delivered in a few days from UK warehouse, so no import duty). Comes with US keyboard layout and you'll need to buy a (£10) UK extension lead for the Magsafe Connector. But great value at £800.
Tryphon
2 years ago
Have to get this!
Hugh Jarse
2 years ago
beautiful machine :)
Sibon
2 years ago
I bought this a couple of days after it came out, after agonising for about 3 months as to whether I should buy a Mac or not, being a PC user all my life.
Thank heavens I did!
This machine is just stunning to look at and extremelly simple to use. It's unbelievably quick compared to my last laptop (a packard bell) and all of the included software is an absolute joy to use.