Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch Review

The MacBook Pro 13” is a more powerful MacBook than the basic entry level 13inch MacBook but yet it is more portable than the 15 and 17-inch MacBooks. Even though the 13-inch MacBook hasn’t undergone as radical a change as the 15 and 17-inch editions the faster processor and updated graphics are certainly welcomed.

The two new 13” inch MacBook Pros feature 2.4GHz and 2.66GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processors, up from 2.26 and 2.54 GHz respectively, and both come with 4GB RAM. Even though the speed increase is a good thing it is certainly not a great thing. It does make us wonder why Apple has not updated to the newer, faster and better i3 processor. Nonetheless, we think we might have the answer. Just like with the iPhone 3G Apple did not include a Video Camera in order to release the iPhone 3GS with such capabilities and as a result create more profit. It seems they are doing the same with the MacBook Pro. Yet still, Apple not keeping up to date with latest technologies is unheard of. With the 13” MacBook Pro using a Core 2 Duo whilst the rest of the MacBook Pro range moves to the Core-i chip range makes the 13-inch model look a little out-dated.

MacBook Pro: The Perfect Compromise

Just with the MacBook the MacBook pro features the same graphics chipset. The Nvidia GeForce 320M is an integrated chipset graphics card for Core 2 Duo based laptops, or in this case MacBooks, and is the successor of the GeForce 9400M. It does not feature dedicated graphics memory but uses the systems main memory instead and as a result you may, particularly if you’re a gamer or graphic designer, wish to upgrade to the extra RAM even if it costs you the extra buck. As a result the performance is not as good as similar cards with dedicated graphics RAM. The similarly named GeForce GT 320M is a dedicated graphics card but only performers slightly faster than the GeForce 320M. The gaming performance of the GeForce 320M is comparable to the GeForce 310M and even better. Therefore, the older and less demanding games should run perfectly in high details. However, modern and demanding games like Crysis should run adequately in medium to low detail settings. The 320M also supports PureVideo HD for high definition decoding within the GPU. The processor can also be used to encode videos. As a result the 2.66GHz model can encode a movie more than twice as fast as last year’s release.

Similar to the MacBook the equivalent 13-inch MacBook Pro has a battery life of 10 hours. As with all MacBook Pro the new 13-inch model uses an internal battery. Furthermore, by making the battery non-removable Apple frees up space that was previously taken up by connectors and hatches and uses this extra room to fit a bigger, stronger battery without adding to the size or weight of the laptop. However, even though it won’t be much of a problem, you’ll have to get the battery professional replaced, which may cost you. However, the battery lasts up to about 1,000 charges or around five years.

The 13-inch display has a pristine LED-back lit display with wide-angle viewing and a colour gamut usually seen only on a desktop display. The ultrathin, seamless glass enclosure makes the display strong and durable. However, the 13-inch display has a native resolution of 1,280x800 yet unlike the other, larger, MacBook Pros, there is no way of customising it with a higher-resolution yet it still features those things we’ve come to associate with Apple’s MacBook range, such as a glass touchpad, gestures, a keyboard that illuminates in poor light and the excellent iLife suite are retained. Even the most basic 13-inch MacBook Pro comes with an adequate 250GB HD and the 2.66GHz edition comes with a bigger 320GB HD as standard. However, for £40 you can upgrade the hard disk in the most basic MacBook Pro to include a 320GB hard disk rather than the standard 250GB hard disk.

MacBook Pro: Spacious enough?

Nonetheless, both 13-inch MacBook Pro’s can be edited and modified to meet the users needs. The 13-inch MacBook Pro is a fantastic MacBook with better graphics performance than ever and is a great upgrade. However, using the Intel Core 2 Duo the 13-inch version is not he significant upgrade that some may have been expected. At a basic £999, it’s hard to recommend the MacBook Pro when you can get the regular MacBook for £849. In actual fact you can get the 13-inch MacBook with an extra 2GB RAM and 70GB hard disk space giving you a total 4GB RAM and 320GB hard disk for a total £971. If you are bent upon buying a MacBook Pro then you may need to stretch your budget to £1500 so you can get the excellent 15-inch version instead.

MacBook Pro: Not enough ports, again!