Apple MacBook Pro 2.66GHz 4GB 500GB > Reviews (1)

Welcome to my review of the Macbook Pro.
Firstly, as with any laptop/pc, purchasing is dependent on exactly what your wishes and uses for the product may be. If your after it for business or personal use, the Macbook Pro can grant all your wishes to whatever extent you see fit for a laptop.
For the absolute technology wizz kids out there I am sure that you already know the Macbook Pro's Advantages and disadvantages. This review is based upon a (slightly!) above average computer user's thoughts.

I use my Macbook Pro for everyday internet use including social networking and purchasing online goodies etc. Its also used for finances, plans and projects, music production, general word processing, music and photographic storage and all other everyday uses to keep my life tidy and organised.

For business use the Macbook Pro can excel in all areas and in my opinion is particular good at the artistic uses including music, design and photography. This is based upon its speed and power and also the the wide range of excellent programmes out there.

To get this review underway lets start with the basics. The unibody design means its a great looking piece of kit! It may be slightly heavier (2.54KG) than most laptops but this does give it a more robust and serious feel. The overall design is good, the keyboard (which lights up) is a pleasure to use and the mouse pad is a truly wonderful thing. Its called a track pad which works in a number of ways to make general use easier. From flicking through pages to zooming in and out the track pad makes you wonder why all mice are not like this. Try it, with in an hour you'll understand...

I chose the option of having the high resolution display which gives you 36% more pixels. I think i'm greedy but i do believe, despite this greed, its worth having. The picture is fantastically sharp with colours and definition all at a very high standard. Films look great and photo's can make even your first girlfriend look attractive. Well maybe not.

My Macbook Pro comes with a headphones output plus a separate audio in/out which is very handy especially for my musical creativeness. It has 2 USB sockets which some say is not enough but for my use it's just fine. The power input has a nice touch of being magnetic too (MagSafe power port). There is also a Gigabit Ethernet Port, Mini Display Port and an SD card slot. For me this works out perfect but research into what you want out of a computer (or rather plugged into it!) to make sure these tech specs are adequate for your usage.

The battery charge time is relatively quick and the battery usage time is superb compared to other laptops.

As mentioned in the review title, the spec I chose is as follows-
Processor - 2.66GHZ Intel Core i7
Memory - 4GB
Storage - 500 GB (which i chose the optional speed of 7200rpm up from the standard 5400rpm)
To summarise, this is a quick machine. It takes running multi programmes in its stride and with the large storage space my 8000 songs and many films have plenty of room to be tucked away into.

If thats not enough then extra storage space can be purchased and in my opinion, an external hard drive is the way to go primarily because of its vital, no excuse accepted ability to have all your files backed up. Please do this, not for me but for your own sake!

The bog standard programme package you get is adequate for everyday use. Apples own range of user friendly programmes are a joy to use for even of the most scared technophobes. Add on software is priced accordingly to its professional level and many different ones are available. For my musical creations Logic Pro is superb. My friends a graphic designer and the programmes he uses fulfil all his needs. Again research is needed into what you require out of the machine.
General use is the Macbook's trump card. Not only does it perform all the more complicated procedures brilliantly but for the non wizz kids out there every thing is made simple. Not once have i had an error message come up. Never has it crashed and made me wonder if i've unintentionally wiped out the internet, all things computer powered and brought on the end of the world. And vitally all instructions are made in plain English (actually American english!). This puts the users mind at ease and is why I recommend Apples over PC's to everyone I meet. Yes it may throw you if your use to Windows based machines but given a smaller amount of time than you previously thought, soon you'll be second nature with the set up and cursing why you didn't get one sooner.
A huge bonus is if you are scared of leaving the 'land of windows' the Mac is now able to run it too. I have no use for this as it does all I need anyway. I do have Microsoft word, excel and powerpoint installed but I run this off Snow Leopard which is the Apples very own desktop software.

Other things worth mentioning too are the Wifi connection. Its as strong as any day modern day laptop, if not better.
The inbuilt web cam is of a good standard.
For environmentally friendly folk out there you'll be pleased to hear its more energy efficient, highly recyclable and has many harmful toxins eliminated.
The support you get is pretty good. Included is 90 days of free support with various add on's for those who require extra security.
If your an iPhone owner then the two technologies go hand in hand. I am and I sync them together daily so all contacts, calendar entries, songs and photos etc are constantly in line and up to date.
Also, and this is a very big point, the Macbook Pro spec is completely customised and tailored for you. Buy online and everything from the memory to the display to the programmes included can be added, removed or upgraded. This does tend to whack the price up a bit but having a customised Mac tailored for all your needs and sent straight to your door is exceptional.

This brings about the possibly only negative point. The price. Mac's are expensive. Compared to other laptops expect to pay double if not triple. A superior product? Yes, but please remember, if all you require is something to obsess over Facebook with then you don't need to spend the money.

A regular laptop is the better bet or maybe even go for an iPad. I know what I'd do in this situation and all bets are off on what this is when you take into account my high regards for this company called Apple.

To sum up, this Macbook Pro is superb. It does not complete my life but it does make it less stressful and more easily organised. It completes any challenge given and its use is of such ease computing is now done with a smile. Just ask yourself this - do you need one? The price is high but in my opinion worth it since the question of whether you want one or not is already answered. Yes you do.

I hope you've enjoyed this review and found it useful, factual and entertaining.
davidwhatthen