Apple MacBook Pro - 2.2GHz QC 4GB 750GB DVD±RW 15"

Packing a new quad-core Intel Sandy Bridge processor into a familiar looking shell is Apple's latest hardware refresh of the 15-inch MacBook Pro. Get your wallets ready - you'll want to pounce on this one.

Design: 85
Features: 85
Performance: 90
Value: 85
Mobility: 95

Good
Excellent battery life Good performance Thunderbolt interface

Bad
Screen resolution could have been higher for the intended user segment Premium price

Pros:
Fast CPUs; Good graphics performance; Thunderbolt; Beautiful chassis design

Cons:
Expensive; No Thunderbolt devices available at launch

Pros

• Strong CPU performance
• Good gaming capacity
• Shell nicely finished
• Good audio
• Good quality screen

Cons

• Only two USB ports
• Noisy fan when you push the processor
• Glossy panel

Stunning performance, amazing new technology and the same great design, but the astronomical price makes the new MacBook Pro for professionals only.

Build Quality: 10/10
Features: 9/10
Value for Money: 8/10
Overall: 9/10

Externally, this 2011 revision to the 2008-design Apple MacBook Pro isn’t even evolutionary, since there’s no visible change - save a lightning legend logo by the Mini DisplayPort connector. But since that port is actually a Thunderport link, this may just turn out to be a revolutionary development in the history of personal computing. Now, at last, we can shift data between devices at 21st, rather than 20th-century speeds. But the other upgrades to this season’s MBP should not be forgotten: a Sandy Bridge quad-core processor that makes this portable as fast as a race-tuned desktop from last year; and AMD graphics that outpace the nVidia kit by a serious margin too. If you need workstation power in an inch-thick slab, we can’t think of any reason to look elsewhere for the best notebook on the planet.

For: Great new Sandy Bridge processors

Powerful AMD discrete graphics

High-speed Thunderbolt port

Excellent battery life

Improved quality webcam
Against: Expensive

No Blu-ray drive



nor even a faster DVD drive

No standard-resolution matte option

Limited upgrade options

Thunderbolt devices currently scarce

Pros:

• Excellent performance
• Next-gen Thunderbolt technology
• Powerful, automatic switchable graphics
• High-quality FaceTime HD camera
• Great keyboard and touchpad

Cons:

• Bottom runs warm
• Pricey

Battery Life: 9/10
Design: 10/10
Features: 9/10
Performance: 10/10
Value: 8/10

plus
Strong CPU performance
Good gaming capacity
Shell nicely finished
Good audio
Good quality screen

minus
Only two USB ports
Noisy fan when you push the processor
Glossy panel

Workmanship
Keyboard
Mouse
Connectivity
Weight
Battery
Display
Games Performance
Application Performance
Temperature
Noise
Average

Excellent Design and Craftsmanship
Outstandingly Sturdy Case with Nice Feel
Decent Trackpad
Thunderbolt Port Ensures Future Compatibility
Good Weight for its Class
Office and Multimedia Performance
Battery Life and Power Consumption
High Starting Price
Reflective Screen Restricts On-The-Go Use
Short 12-Month Warranty
Few Accessories
Non-Removable Battery

Good
Extremely fast
Excellent build quality
Seven-hour battery life

Bad
Expensive
SSD not standard
No Blu-ray drive