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Apple MacBook Pro 15.4in Notebook
| Author | Hugo Jobling |
| Published | 1st Dec 2008 |
| Manufacturer | Apple |
| Price | £1,450.37 (Exc VAT) |
| as reviewed | £1,667.92 (Inc VAT) |
| Latest Price |
| Design |  |
| Features |  |
| Performance | |
| Value |  |
| Overall |  |
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TrustedReviews NewslettersApple's new Unibody, aluminium manufacturing process was extremely welcome on the 13.3in line of MacBooks, but this October's product range refresh was of far less significance to the MacBook Pro line-up. Those 15.4in and 17in had already had an aluminium chassis for donkey's years. In fact, were I feeling cynical, I might accuse Apple of resting on its laurels.
Not, I hasten to add, that sticking closely to a tried and tested formula is necessarily a bad thing. As we said in our review, the last generation MacBook Pro was damn-near flawless, falling down only on price. Arguably, then, aside from a little spit and polish there was little that Apple needed to do with this renewed MacBook Pro range.
Fundamentally, the last-2008 MacBook Pro can now be looked at simply as a 13.3in MacBook with a slightly larger chassis, some faster CPU options (rumour has it an Intel quad-core mobile CPU will be offered next year) and an additional, dedicated GPU. Apple boasts that this makes it perfect for professionals, especially those using software tailored to be GP-accelerated by the nVidia chips the MacBook Pro uses - Adobe's CS4 line of products, for example.
I actually think Apple has made a bit of a blunder with the latest MacBook Pro, though. You see, I think most of the professionals that Apple is targeting with this product range would go for the 17in model, not the 15.4in machine. Were I buying for myself, I'd definitely want the 1,920 x 1,200 resolution panel in a 17in chassis - whether that be for editing images, word documents or HD video files.
Apple, though, in its infinite wisdom, hasn't updated the 17in Pro to the new chassis and internals yet, for some bizarre reason. Thankfully Apple isn't killing off that system, it's just coming a bit later, but I can't help but think this review would have been far more positive if a 17in MacBook Pro were sitting in front of me now.
However, I'm getting slightly ahead of myself. The MacBook Pro does have some redeeming features and it would be extremely negligent of me not to give them due discussion. Without further ado, then, let's dive in.
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Gnormie said on 3rd December 2008
Keith said on 3rd December 2008
@purephase, I maybe use my PC a different way to you, install different software etc, because you don't suffer slowdowns etc, doesn't mean plenty more don't. To be ... more
ravmania said on 4th December 2008
Did my reinstall last night and what d'ya know! It does feel like a new PC. Boots up way faster and apps load without any delay. Maybe I'm doing something wrong (like Kei... more
Keith said on 4th December 2008
@ravmania.. Now to reinstall all the crap that slowed it down in the first place!!
LOL, Well I think I'm going to do the same soon. But this time I will NOT fo... more
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@ Keith - So we should never service our cars, because they should be good enough to take care of themselves? Anything mechanical will rack up problems over time, and it is as easy... more