One of the latest products launched by Apple is the new version of its 15 inch notebook. This version is pleasant and extremely fast. It’s the first time when Apple choose a quad core processor for a notebook. The expectations before test
Another time, Apple continues to follow the latest updates of Intel processors. This time this giant producer offer us a powerful version of its notebooks – the 15 inch version. In this time, Cupertino platform has even evolve more than that. The processors are more powerful (quad cores) and the new graphics cards was involved. In the same time, two new features are introduced: the interface input / output called Thunderbolt Intel, with promising potential, but it is impossible to judge in this moment because we still not have the peripherals. Apple is ahead of multipliers attractive performance in power, graphics rendering and speed. But how it’s in test ? Let’s see the review !
The reality
The latest MacBook Pro 15-inch (15.4 inch in fact), with just 2.54 kg, its resolution of 1440 x 900 pixels, with Unibody design and aluminum finish seems to be the perfect compromise between a netbook and a 17 inch notebook. If you want to see how is in reality, you must read our review.
Good ergonomics, as usual
At the first view we are interested in the ergonomics of the new MacBook Pro 15 inch version. The glossy aspect of the series is the only weak point we could find him. However, it’s enough to change a little bit the brightness panel backlit by LEDs to suffer no more disturbing light reflections in the eyes.
A very good point is the backlit keyboard. Is a real pleasure to use it, both in terms of the comfortable typing than readability if you have very low light. We are nothing to say about that. The touchpad of the notebook is very broad and is particularly useful when you want to take the fold, using the system of windows in Mac OS X or one wishes, the ability to scroll or to make zoom in the images or other similar things.
If you look at the connectivity, you must know that the notebook it has two USB 2.0 ports, only… We are a little bit disappointed because here are only two and only USB 2.0. However, instead of another USB port we found the Thunderbolt Part connector. This new standard will serve mainly for the moment to connect displays with a Mini DisplayPort to DVI or HDMI… This feature seems to be a little bit frustrating to have because is just revolutionary in theory, because in this moment cannot be used, because of the lack of devices.
A very good point is the backlit keyboard. Is a real pleasure to use it, both in terms of the comfortable typing than readability if you have very low light. We are nothing to say about that. The touchpad of the notebook is very broad and is particularly useful when you want to take the fold, using the system of windows in Mac OS X or one wishes, the ability to scroll or to make zoom in the images or other similar things.
If you look at the connectivity, you must know that the notebook it has two USB 2.0 ports, only… We are a little bit disappointed because here are only two and only USB 2.0. However, instead of another USB port we found the Thunderbolt Part connector. This new standard will serve mainly for the moment to connect displays with a Mini DisplayPort to DVI or HDMI… This feature seems to be a little bit frustrating to have because is just revolutionary in theory, because in this moment cannot be used, because of the lack of devices.
Quad Core i7 processor from Intel
It’s the first time in the history of Apple notebooks when the processor selected (a Core i7 with Sandy Bridge architecture running at 2 GHz) has 4 cores (quad core). Anyway the Cupertino company has already announced a doubling of performance. In fact, we tested and compared this version with the previous 15-inch (Dual Core i7 processor at 2.6 GHz) and different applications for testing, and the result is a multiplier with 1.5, not with 2, but with some peaks at 2. Anyway, this doubling of performance registers both at the level of some built-in operating system (compressed archives) with few applications (like PhotoShop CS5) seems to have heavy positive effects. It’s the same result for the calculations for 2D and 3D renderings with 3D StudioMax, for example.
After that we want to know more about the hard drive and the transfer rates allowed by the disk. The disk used by default, was 500 GB capacity at 5400 rpm, and is quite honest, but you can choose a more fast hard drive with 7200 rpm or a SSD disk if you have enough money to buy one.
After that we want to know more about the hard drive and the transfer rates allowed by the disk. The disk used by default, was 500 GB capacity at 5400 rpm, and is quite honest, but you can choose a more fast hard drive with 7200 rpm or a SSD disk if you have enough money to buy one.
Dedicated Radeon for video graphics
Comparing with the two 13-inch models that only offer the Intel Graphics HD 3000, the 15 inch model has a dedicated Radeon video card. For this model Apple has developed a proprietary technology, already present in previous models equipped with an Nvidia card, able to perform switches from one chip to another depending on the needs of applications used.In this way you can saves the battery life when you have are in a office task and you don’t need a lot of resources. In this way you will have power just when you need. The power of the video card is entrusted to a Radeon HD 6490 with 256 MB of video memory. In the test, its performance is not weak, but nothing impressive. This model of video card is far superior to all the previous models but far away from multiplying by nine announced by Apple in its press releases.
Another thing, you can use a multiplier, which achieve though more regularly with the graphics card (AMD Radeon HD 6750 with 1GB of dedicated memory) of 15-inch model. This version is more expensive with 400 euros, comparing with the original one.
Anyway, this model costs 1749 Euros, so do not count push down the video settings strips games and 3D applications or video. However, if you don’t use very often the HD editior or you are not addicted for games which needs a lot of resources, this entry level 15 inch version will not fail to satisfy you.
The autonomy is relatively good, with about 4 h and 40 minutes in our tests. We said that because in this time we seen that the video card was used at medium level, without empty the battery very fast. Anyway, this model should be on the top of the most correct 15 inch laptops.
Another thing, you can use a multiplier, which achieve though more regularly with the graphics card (AMD Radeon HD 6750 with 1GB of dedicated memory) of 15-inch model. This version is more expensive with 400 euros, comparing with the original one.
Anyway, this model costs 1749 Euros, so do not count push down the video settings strips games and 3D applications or video. However, if you don’t use very often the HD editior or you are not addicted for games which needs a lot of resources, this entry level 15 inch version will not fail to satisfy you.
The autonomy is relatively good, with about 4 h and 40 minutes in our tests. We said that because in this time we seen that the video card was used at medium level, without empty the battery very fast. Anyway, this model should be on the top of the most correct 15 inch laptops.
The test and review conclusions
You must know that the first MacBook Pro 15-inch price is about 1749 euros is telling less than its big brother (2149 euros) in terms of configuration. Anyway, this is the only difference between these two configurations and we believe that will not make the difference of prices of about 400 euros. Our conclusion is the MacBook Pro 15″ 2 GHz Core i7
made by Apple it’s a perfect choice for those who want to have a correct choice between portability of 13 inches notebooks and the high cost and weight of 17 inches models.
made by Apple it’s a perfect choice for those who want to have a correct choice between portability of 13 inches notebooks and the high cost and weight of 17 inches models.
Technical specifications and features
| Width | 36.4 |
| Remote Control | No |
| Screen Size | 15.4 |
| Video Capture | No |
| Number of Heart (s) | 2 |
| Clock Speed in MHz | 2660 |
| Memory | 8192 |
| Hard Drive Size | 256 |
| TV output | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Firewire | Yes |
| Model Graphics Processor | GeForce GT330M |
| Brand of Graphic Chip | nVidia |
| Fingerprint reader | No |
| Type | Mobile |
| TV Tuner Card | No |
| Resolution | WXGA + |
| Processor Brand | Intel |
| Number of USB Ports | 0 |
| UMTS | No |
| DVD-ROM | Yes |
| Intel Centrino | No |
| Fi | Yes |
| Format | 4:10 p.m. |
| Storage Medium | Hard Disk Flash Memory |
| Chipset Brand | N / C |
| Windows Media Center Edition | No |
| Chipset Type | N / C |
| Processor Number | 620M |
| Weight in kg | 0 |
| Depth in cm | 24.9 |
| Height in cm | 0 |
| Memory Type | DDR3 SDRAM |
| Integrated webcam | Yes |
| Video memory in MB | 512 |
| Card Reader | Mono Format Card Reader |
| Battery Life in Hours | 9 |
| Processor Model | Core i7 |
| Netbook | No |
| LED technology | Edge LED |
| Operating System | 0 |
| Form Factor | 0 |