My personal review of the 13 Macbook Pro

[Iphone3gs]

My personal review of the 13 Macbook Pro

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Well this morning my new 13" Macbook Pro was delivered and I thought some may be interested in my thoughts and initial impressions.

I opted for the base model MBP, tbh the extra ghz of the 2.53 over the 2.26 would not have made any impact on my computing. As any rendering or encoding or other processor intensive tasks will no doubt be done on my iMac. Of course a bigger hard drive and more RAM would have been handy, but to be fair with apple not offering 7200rpm drives I feel I would be better upgrading that a later date, or even waiting until SSD's become bigger/more affordable.

Usage: To be honest, my main usage for this MBP are going to be surfing via wi-fi on the sofa, the odd weekend away etc. Its hardly going to be stretched put it that way. I just wanted a quality small laptop to compliment my 24" iMac and I feel I have found the perfect partner in the 13" MBP.

Build: Seriously solid, first impressions are this is a classy computer, the fit and finish are top notch. Those of you with unibodies already will no doubt be used to this but for me it just oozes quality. 10/10

Keyboard/Mousepad: Again, its a real revelation for me. Every other laptop I have ever used (including macbook/ibook) have felt awkward to me without using a mouse, but this thing is fantastic. Massive trackpad area and so responsive, getting used to all the finger gestures etc will take time but already find 2 finger scrolling a godsend. The Keyboard again, superb tactile feel and for me just the right amount of key travel. The backlight for the keys is superb (always wanted this) its so bright and almost instant. 10/10

Display: I think this is possibly the most outstanding feature of the new 13". I pondered for ages about buying the 2.4 unibody macbook pro due to the poor screen quality on the unibody macbook. So glad I waited, this screen is simply the best I have seen on any laptop. Colours really pop out at you and the blacks are so inky and deep the movies etc looks superb. Lighting is totally even with no fading towards the edges, viewing angles brilliant and no colour shift when you move your head around. The only minor gripe I would have is the border/frame around the screen is a bit large, but to be honest thats nitpicking 9.5/10

Battery Life: Oh My God! I have been on the laptop all day today after an hours charge when I unpacked it the battery showed full. Since then I have been surfing via wi-fi and watching a few HD video trailers etc. 5.5 hours later it still shows 1hr 12mins remaining. Now like most I was a bit sceptical about the claimed 7hrs but its seems in the 13" this is achievable Pretty much amazed by this 10/10

So there we have it, I can't remember a purchase since my 24" iMac that I have been so happy with. I really can't think of anything bad to say which surely is quite rare with any electronic item.


PS: Nearly forgot to mention, using it all day not once has the fan come on, or if it has I have not heard it. Come to mention it I haven't even heard the hard drive either. The whole experience is whisper quiet

[AmpCoder]

Great review. I cannot wait for my 13" MacBook Pro to arrive!

[iSkier]

Hey, great review. I am a high school student and I'm going to either get a 15" or 13" MBP, mostly for web surfing, microsoft office, etc. I will be carrying this thing around a lot, so I'm really debating between the two. I really like the screen size of the 15" but I also like the portability of the 13". (I'm either going for the top of the line 13" or bottom of the line 15" so it's really only a matter of screen size, weight,etc.) How does the weight and size feel on the 13"? Would it kill you to add another pound? Thanks.

[HLdan]

What I like about the OP's review is that I don't have to read every single word of it for goodness sake, it's too long TBH. The first few lines of each one of paragraph explains exactly how he feels and that's all we need. :p

[MistaBungle]

This is the exact model I'm getting and I cannot wait. I'm picking it up later today and have been dreaming about it!

I've used a PB12 in the past so this slightly larger screen will be awesome. And when I'm at my desktop, I'll hook it up to my 21" display.

Nice and simple review.

[AreYouIn?]

Nice! I can't wait to get one in a month or so!

[AmpCoder]

Hey, great review. I am a high school student and I'm going to either get a 15" or 13" MBP, mostly for web surfing, microsoft office, etc. I will be carrying this thing around a lot, so I'm really debating between the two. I really like the screen size of the 15" but I also like the portability of the 13". (I'm either going for the top of the line 13" or bottom of the line 15" so it's really only a matter of screen size, weight,etc.) How does the weight and size feel on the 13"? Would it kill you to add another pound? Thanks.
After being in college for 3 years with a 15" MacBook Pro, I can say that the weight is not really an issue at all. The extra pound or so hasn't really affected the portability of the machine.

[mrj205]

Great review. I cannot wait for my 13" MacBook Pro to arrive!

I agree. OP, have you utilized the SD reader yet? If so, how is the transfer speed? My poor MBP is stuck in customs in China...:(

[jboyzh]

I agree. OP, have you utilized the SD reader yet? If so, how is the transfer speed? My poor MBP is stuck in customs in China...:(

The internal SD reader is on the USB bus (Info from about this Mac), is fast here with a SanDisk UltraII card.

[stylinexpat]

My personal review of the 13 Macbook Pro

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Well this morning my new 13" Macbook Pro was delivered and I thought some may be interested in my thoughts and initial impressions.

I opted for the base model MBP, tbh the extra ghz of the 2.53 over the 2.26 would not have made any impact on my computing. As any rendering or encoding or other processor intensive tasks will no doubt be done on my iMac. Of course a bigger hard drive and more RAM would have been handy, but to be fair with apple not offering 7200rpm drives I feel I would be better upgrading that a later date, or even waiting until SSD's become bigger/more affordable.

Usage: To be honest, my main usage for this MBP are going to be surfing via wi-fi on the sofa, the odd weekend away etc. Its hardly going to be stretched put it that way. I just wanted a quality small laptop to compliment my 24" iMac and I feel I have found the perfect partner in the 13" MBP.

Build: Seriously solid, first impressions are this is a classy computer, the fit and finish are top notch. Those of you with unibodies already will no doubt be used to this but for me it just oozes quality. 10/10

Keyboard/Mousepad: Again, its a real revelation for me. Every other laptop I have ever used (including macbook/ibook) have felt awkward to me without using a mouse, but this thing is fantastic. Massive trackpad area and so responsive, getting used to all the finger gestures etc will take time but already find 2 finger scrolling a godsend. The Keyboard again, superb tactile feel and for me just the right amount of key travel. The backlight for the keys is superb (always wanted this) its so bright and almost instant. 10/10

Display: I think this is possibly the most outstanding feature of the new 13". I pondered for ages about buying the 2.4 unibody macbook pro due to the poor screen quality on the unibody macbook. So glad I waited, this screen is simply the best I have seen on any laptop. Colours really pop out at you and the blacks are so inky and deep the movies etc looks superb. Lighting is totally even with no fading towards the edges, viewing angles brilliant and no colour shift when you move your head around. The only minor gripe I would have is the border/frame around the screen is a bit large, but to be honest thats nitpicking 9.5/10

Battery Life: Oh My God! I have been on the laptop all day today after an hours charge when I unpacked it the battery showed full. Since then I have been surfing via wi-fi and watching a few HD video trailers etc. 5.5 hours later it still shows 1hr 12mins remaining. Now like most I was a bit sceptical about the claimed 7hrs but its seems in the 13" this is achievable Pretty much amazed by this 10/10

So there we have it, I can't remember a purchase since my 24" iMac that I have been so happy with. I really can't think of anything bad to say which surely is quite rare with any electronic item.


PS: Nearly forgot to mention, using it all day not once has the fan come on, or if it has I have not heard it. Come to mention it I haven't even heard the hard drive either. The whole experience is whisper quiet


I wish I could say this about my 15" Macbook Pro I recently purchased :( It goes through battery life like 911 Turbo :eek:

[Jiten]

Thanks for the quick review! Temperature wise how is it? Does it get hot under normal load?

[Jigsawjammer]

I agree the screen is great. I took mine to work yesterday to show people interested in converting to mac and the first comment from them was that the screen looks amazing. I couldn't be happier about this computer but I am scared that it will be easily scratched- but I guess that will give it some character later.

I'm happy I waited the two months for this...and I really have to thank MR users for guidance.

[Jigsawjammer]

Thanks for the quick review! Temperature wise how is it? Does it get hot under normal load?

Mine is so cool that I can use it on my bare legs without any discomfort (thats when I'm just on the internet/ word processing). I was using my old Powerbook the same usage and it would be so hot I had to put it on a pillow.

[unagimiyagi]

I call baloney on the battery life in the sense that the brightness must be very very low to get that type of battery life. I have been putting my 15" through its tests and there is just no way that I can get 5-6 hours like you are claiming. I hope that you are right, but I just don't see how this is possible. If the screen is so dim, it turns into a mirror.

[jboyzh]

Thanks for the quick review! Temperature wise how is it? Does it get hot under normal load?

Agree temperature is low and agreable, fan speed low as well for basic usage.

Agree also on battery time which is amazing.

[Adidas Addict]

My personal review of the 13 Macbook Pro

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Well this morning my new 13" Macbook Pro was delivered and I thought some may be interested in my thoughts and initial impressions.

I opted for the base model MBP, tbh the extra ghz of the 2.53 over the 2.26 would not have made any impact on my computing. As any rendering or encoding or other processor intensive tasks will no doubt be done on my iMac. Of course a bigger hard drive and more RAM would have been handy, but to be fair with apple not offering 7200rpm drives I feel I would be better upgrading that a later date, or even waiting until SSD's become bigger/more affordable.

Usage: To be honest, my main usage for this MBP are going to be surfing via wi-fi on the sofa, the odd weekend away etc. Its hardly going to be stretched put it that way. I just wanted a quality small laptop to compliment my 24" iMac and I feel I have found the perfect partner in the 13" MBP.

Build: Seriously solid, first impressions are this is a classy computer, the fit and finish are top notch. Those of you with unibodies already will no doubt be used to this but for me it just oozes quality. 10/10

Keyboard/Mousepad: Again, its a real revelation for me. Every other laptop I have ever used (including macbook/ibook) have felt awkward to me without using a mouse, but this thing is fantastic. Massive trackpad area and so responsive, getting used to all the finger gestures etc will take time but already find 2 finger scrolling a godsend. The Keyboard again, superb tactile feel and for me just the right amount of key travel. The backlight for the keys is superb (always wanted this) its so bright and almost instant. 10/10

Display: I think this is possibly the most outstanding feature of the new 13". I pondered for ages about buying the 2.4 unibody macbook pro due to the poor screen quality on the unibody macbook. So glad I waited, this screen is simply the best I have seen on any laptop. Colours really pop out at you and the blacks are so inky and deep the movies etc looks superb. Lighting is totally even with no fading towards the edges, viewing angles brilliant and no colour shift when you move your head around. The only minor gripe I would have is the border/frame around the screen is a bit large, but to be honest thats nitpicking 9.5/10

Battery Life: Oh My God! I have been on the laptop all day today after an hours charge when I unpacked it the battery showed full. Since then I have been surfing via wi-fi and watching a few HD video trailers etc. 5.5 hours later it still shows 1hr 12mins remaining. Now like most I was a bit sceptical about the claimed 7hrs but its seems in the 13" this is achievable Pretty much amazed by this 10/10

So there we have it, I can't remember a purchase since my 24" iMac that I have been so happy with. I really can't think of anything bad to say which surely is quite rare with any electronic item.


PS: Nearly forgot to mention, using it all day not once has the fan come on, or if it has I have not heard it. Come to mention it I haven't even heard the hard drive either. The whole experience is whisper quiet

Cheeky Bar-Steward, thats my review from AVforums:eek:

http://www.avforums.com/forums/mac-hardware-os-software/1015189-my-personal-review-13-macbook-pro.html

[Adidas Addict]

I call baloney on the battery life in the sense that the brightness must be very very low to get that type of battery life. I have been putting my 15" through its tests and there is just no way that I can get 5-6 hours like you are claiming. I hope that you are right, but I just don't see how this is possible. If the screen is so dim, it turns into a mirror.

Charged fully again, and retested got 6hrs52 mins before low battery warning. Screen is on 2 notches down from full brightness and keyboard backlight on. Just browsing via wi-fi the whole time.

[Adidas Addict]

Agree temperature is low and agreable, fan speed low as well for basic usage.

Its quite amazing how cool this thing is even after prolonged use. Still yet to hear the fan.

[Higgs1]

Cheeky Bar-Steward, thats my review from AVforums:eek:

http://www.avforums.com/forums/mac-hardware-os-software/1015189-my-personal-review-13-macbook-pro.html

LMAO OWNED

[Adidas Addict]

LMAO OWNED

I know, I clicked to read what another new owner thought of his 13" MBP only to find it was my own review:eek:

Pretty surreal :D

[picklesmand]

hahahahahah wow. plagiarizing message board posts. that's a new one.

[messedkid]

I will order mine mid-july. Don't want to order it now and get a german power plug. Canadian FTW!

Great review (although it is copy pasta ;)).

[unagimiyagi]

Charged fully again, and retested got 6hrs52 mins before low battery warning. Screen is on 2 notches down from full brightness and keyboard backlight on. Just browsing via wi-fi the whole time.

I believe you! That is absolutely amazing. Are these batteries different or something (in the sense of quality control--lots of lemons?), b/c I have the 15" new uMBP and I was chatting on skype in a little window for 1.5 hours and now I am just surfing and I only have 1:20 on my battery. The last few times I have used this, I have only been getting about 3:30. And I have a 73 wH battery.

There's a notebookreview.com preliminary review and they said that the screen is average. I lost respect for that review b/c they are way too strict or don't know what they're talking about. If you're comparing the 13" mbp jr. to a desktop monitor ips screen, maybe it's average, but I can't really name another 13" laptop that has a better screen. So seriously, how misleading is this? How anyone could say that the screen is average is beyond me. There's nothing better. If it's average, don't bother shopping for a 13" laptop, then.

[MistaBungle]

What video card are you using?

[mak24]

Good review. Glowing! But can iPhone3Gs tell me if there is any distortion when scrolling through Safari using the side bar? The distortion looks like a ripple going through the text and images.

Looking forward to your reply.


mak24

[Iphone3gs]

Sorry addidas addict.

Your review was soo good i just wanted to see what mac fans had to say abou your review so pasted in this forum.

Thanks everyone for their replies.

[spaceboots06]

Thanks for the quick review! Temperature wise how is it? Does it get hot under normal load?

I have the same set up as the OP. Heat is fine except when I'm charging it; I'll find myself getting uncomfortable when it is on my lap.

[zap2]

Sorry addidas addict.

Your review was soo good i just wanted to see what mac fans had to say abou your review so pasted in this forum.

Thanks everyone for their replies.

Why not source it? Plagiarism is nothing something we should take lightly

[spaceboots06]

Sorry addidas addict.

Your review was soo good i just wanted to see what mac fans had to say abou your review so pasted in this forum.

Thanks everyone for their replies.

You. are. a. loser. "My personal review" my ass.

[Capt Crunch]

Sorry addidas addict.

Your review was soo good i just wanted to see what mac fans had to say abou your review so pasted in this forum.

Thanks everyone for their replies.

I know what you mean. I loved Newton's Principa Mathematica so much I submitted it as my dissertation! You wouldn't believe how anal my advisor is...

[spaceboots06]

I know what you mean. I loved Newton's Principa Mathematica so much I submitted it as my dissertation! You wouldn't believe how anal my advisor is...

Wow, your professor was not OK with that? He needs to get his head checked out!

[PolySciSurfer]

Wow, your professor was not OK with that? He needs to get his head checked out!

FACE PALM. :D

[mkrishnan]

The actual progenitor of the review may feel free to post it in their own stead, if they so desire, or the OP may feel free to post it with a clear attribution and inside quote blocks. Otherwise, the facepalming is over for now.