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"REVIEW FROM A LONG TIME PC USER! READ IF YOU'RE UNUSURE"
on by tintukPros Lightweight, Fast, Visually appealing, Illuminated keyboard, magnetic power input, led screen, isight camera, apple bundled software, battery life, 64-bit, ABILITY TO EASILY RUN OTHER OPERATING SYSTEMS WITHIN APPLE 0S= I.E., WINDOWS, LINUX, ETC.
Cons they didn't convince me to buy an apple earlier in life. :)
Summary I been 'anti-apple' since I was a child. It all started with Commodore PET computers and pretty much grew from there. I have owned very many computers, both desktops and notebooks. Over the past few years, I have all but done away with desktop's and rely now solely on notebooks. By the way, I use computers to their fullest. From sound editing, music editing,photo editing, movie editing to business applications- database building, spreadsheets, etc. I am one of those computer addicts that has to find out what every obscure feature on the operating system does and how to make it work. I am also an avid gamer.
I have had ever operating system Microsoft has ever offered. Windows for workgroups, 95, 98, 98SE, XP, Vista and most recently Windows 7 ultimate beta.
Over the years I have read review after review of Apple computers and their OS. All the reviews I had read about Apple were always so 'perfect' people acting like if they had the ability to actually marry their mac's, they would. But, I just figured it was 'fan boy' talk. People just rooting for the underdog. So, I had no desire to even give Apple a second look.
I always liked Windows. Possibly because that is all I was ever familiar with. I didn't experience all of the driver conflicts and software conflicts with Vista that I read about others having. At the same time, I have experienced countless crashes, the B.S.O.D., the slowdowns and all the other 'inconveniences' Window's O.S.'s came with.
A few months ago when I accepted that I probably wouldn't buy another desktop again, I decided to find a notebook 'powerhouse'. After reading many reviews and checking the specs out thoroughly, I went with a new Toshiba Qosimo 64-bit Vista notebook. It is definitely a speed demon. Has one of the best g.p.u.'s available for a notebook, great processing speed, etc. Although, it also feels like you are carrying around an ACTUAL desktop computer with you when you are on the move. The thing is probably the heaviest notebook I have ever owned.
So, what brings me to this point? Why am I writing a review on an Apple Macbook Pro 17"?
Frustration.
After about two months owning the Toshiba Qosimo, the honeymoon between it and myself had ended.
I started experiencing the same kind of crashes, B.S.O.D's, slowdowns, unexpected restarts, overheating problems, etc. that I had experienced with lower end Windows machines. I was very upset that even in a higher end notebook, one chock full of the best hardware you could get, I was experiencing the same problems as I had with lower end machines.
So, then, I found myself in an Apple Store. It was very awkward. Here I was at the retail store for a product that I had denounced over the years,. I should probably add that in December of 2008, I bit the bullet and purchased a 3g iphone, doing away with my blackberry. The 3g iphone is the best phone I have ever owned. With that being said, I was still 'anti-apple' when it came to their computers.
I left the Apple Store with a new Macbook Pro 17" in hand. Many thoughts were going through my head on the ride home. Had I made a mistake? Would I be able to find ANY programs (or applications as Apple calls them) that I would like? Would the photos, music and movies transfer to my new Apple?
When I got home, the first thing I noticed was that Apple takes time in the packaging of their products. How many times have you opened the box to a new Window's based desktop or notebook and found print materials that looked like the Sunday newspaper ad's?
On powering up the Apple, the first thing I noticed was startup time. Apple's Mac OS X starts up faster than any other system I have ever used. Once the initial first time setup is done, you are greeted with a very clean desktop. No clutter anywhere thanks to Mac OS X's 'dock' at the bottom of the screen which keeps your most used programs readily available.
All of my photos, music, movies and music tranferred with no problems whatsoever. While at the Apple Store, I had purchased a $29.00 connector cord that links your Windows pc to you new Apple. It was seamless.
I have been using this Apple almonst non-stop since purchase. I can honestly tell you that I have not ONCE had any crashes or other mishaps. It is amazing to me how quickly the operating system performs. No overheating, no slowdown, nothing.
One of the coolest features I had found- I bought VMWARE's Fusion. This allows you to run other operating systems within the Apple OS X. While I am typing this review, I have a window that is running LINUX. Linux is a operating system I have always wanted to try but knowing the instability of Windows, I never did, Same can be said for Vista, XP, etc- you can also run those operating systems on your Apple as well.
I could go on and on here. The point I am trying to make is simply, DO IT. It is well worth the money. You will not be let down. It is an amazing step up from Windows. -
"Finally made the switch to Mac, and am truly impressed."
on by dhwoofterPros Battery life, ease of use, and easy learning curve for former PC users. EXTREMELY quiet, and does not get really hot. Even when there is a disc in the drive, it is not loud. I've never used such a quiet, fast and simple computer that kicked butt!
Cons None to speak of yet. If I find some, I'll edit this review.
Summary Totally worth the switch. After preliminary exploration of the Final Cut software, I think animating and editing for film on this computer is going to truly be a joy, I recommend the switch to Mac to anyone who has yet to do so... I've been so disappointed with my Alienware and the new Microsoft operating systems, it was time to make the switch.
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"Expensive, but top of the line always is expensive"
on by lawsonmusicmediaPros Weight, speed, two video cards, long battery life, beautiful screen, thin, fast, elegant, stable, cool temperature, no loud fan noise, supports 8GB of RAM
Cons Hard to get used to new track pad, not easy to swap drive, etc Apple does not include a free adapter for video, and they don't even throw in a free remote control. For $2799, you think they could include the frickin' remote.
Summary For audio/video and 3D production work, this is an amazing machine. It was wonderful to travel with due to its weight and battery life on the airplane, its super fast, has amazing video capability, and the screen is wonderful. For only $200 or so more than the 15" model, it was worth it to jump up to the bigger screen, video card features, etc. This is not a cheap machine, and its not a machine that feels cheap or handled like a cheap machine. When I see other HP and Dell 17" models for $600, its kind of a laugh at the tricks they play with you to get you to accept their chrome-polished-poo like "Blue Ray drives" etc, which they weigh in at 10lbs, use three-year old tech under the hood, and are flimsily put together, not to mention the number of fans you can see them running if you pick one up and look under the computer. That bunch of fans is there for a reason, and believe me, they will be put to use. Running graphic-intensive three-D rendering in real time apps is a snap for this new MacBook Pro, it doesn't get really hot, there are no sound of jets taking off from fans needed to cool it, it works wonderfully. I wish it costs less, but it is what it is, and I tend to get several years of solid work out of one of these things so amortized, its not that bad, which you average out the real life expectancy of one of these. I think this machine will easily be in service for five or more years. What's more, the resale value on a MacBook Pro is extraordinarily higher than any other computer from any other maker in the business. Show me any Dell retaining even 15% of its value two years after its released, and I'll show you Macs from four years ago still fetching 30-40% of their original price. There is a reason for that.
Back to this machine, I've had it two weeks now, and other than getting used to the new track pad, its been a pure joy to work with, travel with, etc. If I were at Apple, I'd be the guy telling them to lower prices across the board a little bit, and not to skimp of things like remotes on the highest-end products. Other than that, its an awesome and expensive machine. -
"Work SMARTER (Mac)... not HARDER (PC)!"
on by bwellman24Pros Flawless large Multi-Touch trackpad (no mouse needed!), 4 finger gestures for Expose & task switcher, BRILLIANT 1920x1200 Hi-Res Display, Lightning fast 2.66 GHz processor standard, thin, light, Leopard OS X, Revolutionary battery life... EVERYTHING!
Cons (struggling to name them...) Hmmm... No available 500 GB, 7200 RPM HD upgrade, have to log out (although it only takes 1 min.) to switch graphics chips, MobileMe syncing still buggy, sealed battery... that's really about it!?!
Summary I have always been naturally, technology savvy although I'm no programmer or code-cracker. I've used Gateways, Dells, HP's as well as many a brand in the office space. I am proficient in and usually actively use/run CS4, Photoshop, Aperture 2, Excel, Word, Pages, Numbers, iLife apps... I upload (rip... errr... encode) DVD's to store in iTunes using HandBrake and I also do the torrent file thing with Transmission, etc. I bought a 120 GB white 13" MacBook a year ago and have been chasing the dream ever since... AND THIS MBP IS IT! I went from the 120 GB HD, 2 GB RAM white 13" MB to the 250 GB HD, 4 GB RAM black 13" MB to a New 320 GB (7200 RPM), 4 GB RAM aluminum 13" MB... THEN I finally traded in AGAIN for the New 320 GB (7200 RPM), 4 GB RAM aluminum 15" MB Pro... which brings me to my FINAL DESTINATION (...for a long time I have a feeling)... I've reached my Zenith! ;)
I just can't believe I've owned ALL THREE of the new Unibody MacBooks?! WOW, that just dawned on me... Anyways...
This thing is AMAZING and blows any PC that I've ever used WAAAAY away (old or current, desktop or laptop!) After a bunch of eBaying, I'm finally using the brand new 17" (glossy display) aluminum Apple MacBook Pro with the 2.66 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, the 320 GB, 5400 RPM HD with 4 GB of RAM although I have ordered and will be installing the new 500 GB Seagate 7200.4 HD (largest, fastest MBP HD available). I am in absolute heaven using this thing and don't have any problems with it AT ALL. If you would've told me (even a year ago) that someday there would be a laptop with a 17" high-def 1920x1200 LCD screen, a 320 GB HD, 4 GB RAM, that would have a battery that could last 7-8 hours on a full charge for up to 1000 charges and it would be the greenest, most energy efficient laptop available... AND... it could run 10 large programs fast and flawlessly and you could switch between them (in an amazingly neat fashion) instantly by a multi-touch, no button trackpad... I would've thought you were smokin' somethin'! But it is here and untill it dies, ill guarantee my $3,000 will be less than what an average PC user will spend to even stay in the vicinity of the non-obsolete!
It is simply THE BEST LAPTOP available and I sincerely suggest PC user's get out now, while you still have time! I know you're scared and you don't want to re-train yourself ALL over again... and I understand... but it is WELL worth it!
Inexplainable... JUST GET ONE!!! -
"MAC, they just work"
on by CyberFogPros Ease of Use, amazingly fast performance, Viruses...what viruses, these things never crash like my Windows based Machines always did.
Cons Makes you addicted to Macs, is kinda big to lug around all over the word, but still alot more portable than a comparably configured PC.
Summary This is the second Mac I have ever used. I'm in Iraq and brought my 15' MacBook Pro with me. A friend just ordered the 17' and I can say that I am definatly getting one when I get back to the states. This Computer is alot faster than my 2007 15' and runs alot cooler. Like some of the other reviewers I have always used PCs and hated Mac's but I ended up getting one a few years ago and can say that I will never go back to a windows comp again. Mac's commercials aren't misleading. "Apple, it just works". I actually bought an Ipod after i got a Mac and then later an Iphone. Mac really puts alot of quality work into their products. My 15' MB Pro was sadly dropped in a parking lot in the states once and wasn't in a case, even though the aluminum casing was badly damaged the thing still worked seamlessly, I couldnt believe it. The MacBook Pros really are bullet-proof. I think that the greatest thing about Macs in general is there is so much hep out there of Mac users willing to help new Mac converts. You can do so much with them and there is always someone willing to help. yes I'll admit that there arent alot of games for MACsbut if you are a hardcore gamer you can always install windows and run it natively on your MAC (I did but I was always alot happier with OSX tiger and now Leopard), it is quite a capable machine. For those who are skeptical I have never had a virus or a crash since I have had a MAC, and I keep learning cool things about it as I use it, additionally I can't believe that apple keeps putting out new Apps in their website that are free and greatly increase my own productivity. Yeah I'll admit that a lot of the things in Ilife (which is free on new MACs) arent really that useful for me personally and I have installed and continually use MS Office (I'm in the Army so I can't get away from Word and Excel). But the MAC stil out-performs any and all PCs I have ever owned by far.
Apple MacBook Pro 2009 user reviews (2.66GHz, 17-inch)
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Results 1-5 of 40
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Quick Specifications
- Release date02/15/09
- Processor Intel Core 2 Duo 2.66 GHz ( Dual-Core )
- Memory 4.0 GB / 8.0 GB (max)
- Hard Drive 320.0 GB - Serial ATA-150 - 5400.0 rpm
- Operating System Apple MacOS X 10.5
- Display Type 17.0 in TFT active matrix
- Max Resolution 1920 x 1200 ( WUXGA )
- Graphics Processor NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT / GeForce 9400M
- Optical Drive DVD±RW (±R DL) - Integrated
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