Laptops : Apple MacBook Pro

Dell needs to be very afraid. This machine can blow any laptop I have tried out of the water with no problem. I cannot believe how fast it is. The thing can boot from either Mac OS X or Windows XP (and soon various UNIX). Of course, Mac OS X is far superior to any Microsoft OS, but if you need it you can still boot from it. Also, using cheap third party software, you can now run Windows applications concurrently while in Mac OS X, and very soon will be able to run UNIX the same way. Remember, there are tens of thousands of virus and spyware problems for Microsoft systems and NONE for Mac machines. Even if a few show up in the future, it is not even comparable to any Microsoft system.



The wireless Airport Extreme is tremendously fast and always very solid. In fact, as usual Apple has all the "extras" already built in compared to the normal PC laptop. In the end, the total cost of ownership is much lower than with other laptops. Also, the quality is far above what you may be used to finding with Dell, etc. Further, if you do need service, Apple is the world leader.



This machine is so far advanced compared to standard PC laptops that it shouldn't even be in the same category.



The only drawback I can see is that Apple and the software developers are moving so fast that you can hardly keep up with them. Microsoft is completely stuck in the mire of "Vista," also known as XP Service Pack 3. Of course, there are lots of IT people who are now scared to death of loosing their jobs because if you are using Apple computers, you don't need their "services." Hide Full Review

I bought a Macbook Pro for my daughter to take to college. She wanted a Windows machine but I could not get the battle I had with some viruses out of my head and imagined her grades suffering because she lost files due to a virus at an expensive university!

I went with the Macbook Pro partly because of the back-lit keyboard. She can work in a dark dorm room and still see her keys.

At school I set up an airport express to ensure her printing and internet remained wireless, while I was at it I hooked up the express to her stereo so she can play her itunes to her receiver. It's very cool.

Last night we had a breif video conference on I-chat and she was able to say good night to her 3 year old brother.

It's expensive, but considering what a huge part of her education this will be over the next 4 years it's seems small. Spend the extra money and get the extended warranty, and don't be a stupid computer user-BUY AN EXTERNAL HARD DRIVE TO BACK UP YOUR FILES! It's the best $130 bucks you will ever spend! Hide Full Review

What sets the MacBook Pro from other notebooks is its software. The stability of OS X and the lovely iLife. Most software you need is already provided and are nearly perfect themselves. Oh yeah, if you need to, this thing runs Windows also.

But lets talk about the hardware. This machine has a smart design. All the ports are located all on one side, so you don't have to search all over for ports. This also keeps from having multiple things plugged in at all sides. There are smooth rounded corners with no latches for anything to catch on.
The integrated iSight has a better picture quality than all other integrated cameras. The keyboard is firm and has a quick response. The screen is brilliant and is perfect for working on videos or photos, which color definition is key.
Then there is the fact that it is made out of aluminum, not cheap plastic. Plastic can look nice, but wouldn't have something made out of a more studier material? Even as it is made out of aluminum, this notebook is relatively thin. Other notebooks of the same features are almost twice as thick. This just gives the MacBook Pro more versatility in mobility.

Of course the only downfall is Apple's support of only one year. With many other vendors, of lesser computers, having much longer support of three years.

But then again... If you can get a Hyundai with a long warranty, or a Toyota for just a little more with a lesser warranty, which would you get?

Still, if they just increased the support, it would make this machine even more near perfect. Hide Full Review

I am very satified with my pro book, but it will not run certain programs I have such as Avid Express Pro, Adobe After Effects 7.0 until someone puts out fixes for these 2 very important programs it doesnt do me very much good Hide Full Review

Very nice laptop. Pretty darn speedy compared to what else is out there. Can run Macintosh OS X, which is a very stable, virus-free OS. Also can run Windows if necessary.



Check it out! Hide Full Review