Arriving just in time for Steam’s debut on the Mac, the Core i5 MacBook Pro is the best gaming laptop Apple’s ever built. And thanks to the new processor’s Hyper-Threading technology and Turbo Boost speeds, this MacBook Pro is also a workhorse that delivers both impressive speeds in all the most processor-intensive applications and a built-in battery that lasts an entire day.
The 2.4GHz Core i5 model we tested is a speed demon. It starts up fast, it launches applications quickly, and the huge Multi Touch trackpad does a new scrolling trick where you can flick two fingers to scroll with momentum, as on an iPhone or iPod touch--so even reading documents and web pages just feels fast. Compared to the mid-2009 15-inch MacBook Pro (2.8GHz Core 2 Duo, 4GB of RAM), the Core i5 model was 41 percent faster when converting tracks in iTunes, 75 percent faster when importing JPEGs into iPhoto, and 24 percent faster when exporting a PDF from Adobe InDesign. The mobile Core i5 chip has two cores, but it uses Hyper-Threading technology to “split” those into four virtual cores for Mac OS X to use for processor-heavy tasks. And Turbo Boost lets the processor kick up the speed temporarily or direct resources from one core to the other as needed.
This new MacBook Pro also switches automatically between a discrete Nvidia GeForce GT 330M graphics card with 256MB of GDDR3 memory and the integrated Intel HD graphics with 256MB of memory shared with the main memory. Unlike the last generation of Pros, where you had to manually switch between the higher-performance discrete graphics and the battery-saving integrated graphics, the new Pros do this for you when you’re using graphics-heavy applications. We saw incredible gains in our Call of Duty 4 tests: the Core i5 MacBook Pro hit 61.1 frames per second, 48 percent better than its predecessor.
The MacBook Pro’s resource-management capabilities help it achieve outstanding battery life too. Our most punishing battery test is the DVD rundown, where this machine lasted a jaw-dropping 6 hours, 44 minutes. Apple claims 8–9 hours of wireless productivity, and we got 8.5 hours of normal use in mostly graphics-light tasks like email, web apps, word processing, and entertainment--that’s enough for a whole workday. Results will vary based on what apps you use because the discrete graphics chip needs more power. The battery is not removable, but you can upgrade your own RAM (stock is 4GB, max is 8GB) and hard drive without breaking the warranty.
The Pro’s design hasn’t changed from the last generation--a sleek unibody aluminum enclosure, 5.6 pounds, and a glossy, 15.4-inch LED-backlit display with native 1440x900 resolution. You can also opt for a 1680x1050 upgrade in glossy for $100 or antiglare for $150. We wish Apple would add an extra USB 2.0 port, but it’s stuck with two, plus FireWire 800, an SD card slot, and the other usual suspects. For the first time, the Mini DisplayPort can output multichannel audio along with video, so a compatible Mini DisplayPort–to–HDMI adapter is all you need to send sound and video to your HDTV.
With the power of the Core i5 and the style of a MacBook Pro, this machine is a sleek aluminum hunk of evidence why Apple owns the high-end notebook market.
15-inch 2.4GHz Core i5 MacBook Pro
COMPANY: Apple
CONTACT: www.apple.com
PRICE: $1,799
SPECS: 2.4GHz Intel Core i5, 4GB DDR3 SDRAM, 3MB shared L3 cache, 320GB 5,400-rpm SATA hard drive, Nvidia GeForce GT 330M graphics processor with 256MB GDDR3 memory, Intel HD graphics with 256MB of DDR3 memory shared with main memory, 1440x900 glossy 15-inch LED-backlit display, backlit keyboard, Multi Touch trackpad, 2 USB 2.0 ports, FireWire 800 port, Mini DisplayPort, iSight, 802.11n AirPort Extreme, Gigabit Ethernet, SD card slot, audio in/out, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR
Amazing battery life. Automatic graphics switching for best performance. Mini DisplayPort provides digital video and audio output. Option for higher-resolution glossy or antiglare screen.
Only two USB ports.
kylerwalker
June 07, 2010 at 9:27am
when you see somthing good don't be dis ing on the USB ports and the core i5 prosseser it just gets better and BETTER but people would probably like a core i7 but over all it's excellenta
Mr. Reeee
May 16, 2010 at 7:50pm
I just ordered one. BUT, I opted for the 2.66ghz i7 with 512 MB VRAM, 8GB RAM and a 7200 rpm hard drive. They say that the i7 ONLY gives you a 5% to 7% speed boost. But for only $200, it seems like a deal, PLUS the extra VRAM will make a difference.
I do CAD and 3D work, so I need as much kick as I can get, BUT if we're talking gaming, more VRAM and the faster hard drive make a big difference speed wise. The $50 premium for a 7200 rpm drive is the cheapest and most comprehensive speed boost you can get (aside from maxing out the RAM) for EVERYTHING you do; from booting up, to Opening and Saving files, to Time Machine backups, to literally everything you do that's disk relate.. It's an absolute no-brainer!
Can't wait to get it!!!
