MacBook Pro - A solid investment (Apple MacBook Pro MB470B/A)

Member Name: TheRedTower

Product:	Apple MacBook Pro MB470B/A
Date:	04/07/09 (62 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: build quality, operating system, out of the box usability

Disadvantages: battery life could be better

Apple has a problem with popular opinion considering their products as mostly 'style over substance' or 'overpriced'. This is an outdated, tired opinion that has little merit. The cost of ownership of any Apple computer is far cheaper in the long run, due to the features and what you get pre-installed.

The new-shape 'unibody' MacBook Pro has the best build quality of any laptop I've encountered. It's shape, style and quality is second to none. When you take this machine out of it's bag you definitely get a reaction from those around you.

It has two graphics cards, one standard one and a more powerful one suitable for gaming and more graphics intensive applications. The battery and hard drive are easily accessible with the option of going to a solid state drive, the MacBook Pro is easily upgraded by the user if required.

I originally bought this as a secondary computer to compliment my iMac. Their roles have reversed. The power and convenience of having a portable computer that would put a lot of desktop PCs to shame is very useful.

Mac OS X Leopard (10.5) is a pleasure to use, making tasks that were frustrating on Windows easy. Out of the box you'll have an excellent set of Applications to use including the latest edition of iLife (iPhoto, iWeb and iMovie.) You also get one of the best web browsers out there Safari, one of the easiest to use email clients Mail and a whole range of other useful Apps you wouldn't even find on a Windows based laptop full of trial software and a nannying operating system (you could put Windows on it if you wanted to, using the Bootcamp facility.)

The only downside (if you consider it to be one) to the MacBook Pro is the battery life. On a full charge you should get around five hours of normal use (word processing, web browsing, email, etc...) a properly calibrated battery may increase this a little. Not bad, but not amazing either. As with many things, your milage may vary.

If you want a computer that'll last you longer than anything with a Windows sticker on it and portability is a must, get a MacBook Pro. You will not regret it.

Note: I would also recommend getting the AppleCare Protection Plan for any Mac, unlike other extended warranties, it is actually worth having.

Summary: An excellent computer that'll last.

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