Review: Apple MacBook Pro MB471LL/A
If you are in the market for a new laptop, and have grown tired of the sea of Windows machines that all look the same, then you may want to check out the Apple MacBook Pro MB471LL/A. This powerful notebook offers users the performance and ease of use that many have come to expect from Apple. Whether you are looking for a machine to handle high end graphics editing, or you just want a solid, go anywhere laptop that will consistently perform at its best, then the MacBook Pro MB471LL/A may be the one for you.
Weighing in at 5.5lbs and measuring 14.4 in x 9.8 in x 0.95 in, the MacBook Pro MB471LL/A provides a lot of performance in its slender package. It comes equipped with a 2.5 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor and can support up to 4GB of DDR3 SDRAM. Graphics can either be handled by the integrated graphics card or the included Nvidia GeForce 9600M GT graphics card. When coupled with the Mac OS x 10.5 Leopard operating system, the MacBook Pro's performance is what we have come to expect from Apple.
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3.8 out of 5 |
Features
The MacBook Pro MB471LL/A utilizes a unibody construction that is made from a solid block of aluminum that has been carved down to the right size which makes it thinner and stronger than its predecessors.
Along with a sturdy build, the MacBook Pro MB471LL/A offers users a giant, buttonless trackpad that is clickable. While this may take some getting used to, it offers users some unique shortcut features without having to utilize fancy keyboard combinations. Hiding all open applications are a cinch with the MacBook Pro. All you need to do is slide 4 fingers up the trackpad, and all your applications "magically" disappear. Right clicking is easy to do once you program a corner of the trackpad to do it for you and the application switcher is easily accessible just by swiping 4 fingers, left or right. While these maneuvers may seem unusual at first, once you get used to them, you may wonder how you ever lived without them.
One of the most unique features of the MacBook Pro MB471LL/A is its dual graphics option. Since the MacBook Pro MB471LL/A comes equipped with both an integrated graphics card and the Nvidia GeForce 9600M GT card, the user has the option to either turn the Nvidia card off or on if they so choose. With the card off, the MacBook Pro MB471LL/A will provide improved battery performance, while running off only the integrated graphics card. Turn it on and you will experience the quality graphics performance that you would come to expect from an Nvidia card.
Performance
The MacBook Pro MB471LL/A comes complete with a 15.4-inch screen that has a native resolution of 1440 x 900 and battery life will last about 5 hours. These performance levels may vary depending on your level of usage. Programs launch faster than on comparable machines, and that may have to do with many programs on the MacBook Pro being more compatible with the Leopard OS that its Windows competitor.
Color performance does not disappoint. Colors are rich and deep, but the glossy LED backlit screen can sometimes fall victim to absorbing rays of light that can make the screen appear glossier than it is. While this is not a major performance defect, it can be a cause for frustration with users who prefer a matte screen finish.
Performance is one of the MacBook Pro's best features but is not without its own issues. Switching between graphics processors is very easy for the user to accomplish, but the process itself is not transparent to the user. In order implement the change, you will need to save all your work, close all applications and log out and back in for the change to take effect.
Summary
In conclusion, the MacBook Pro MB471LL/A provides the quality performance that you would expect from Apple. With great performance and the ability to modify your graphics performance based on your needs, the MacBook Pro MB471LL/A is a sturdy machine that will not disappoint.
Pros
- Aluminum unibody construction
- Only 0.95 inches thick
- 1440 x 900 resolution
- Dual graphics option
- Buttonless trackpad
Cons
- There are no cons for this product
Related Links
Apple MacBook Pro MB470LL/A:
Intel Core 2 Duo processor 2.4GHz/ 2GB/ 250GB HDD
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