Why I buy this one ?
- Redesigned MacBook with thin, strong aluminum unibody frame and 15-inch LED-backlit glass display
- New glass trackpad with 40 percent more tracking area and supports more Multi-Touch gestures
- 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 250 GB hard drive, 2 GB DDR3 RAM (4 GB max), DVD/CD SuperDrive
- Dual NVIDIA graphics (integrated and discrete); Draft-N Wi-Fi; Bluetooth 2.1; Gigabit Ethernet; Mini DisplayPort video output
- Preloaded with Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard operating system and iLife '08 suite of applications

J&R Music and Computer World offers this stuff with condition New, new for:

Price : $1,849.00 Usually ships in 1-2 business days

Amazon.com offers this stuff with condition New, new for:

Price : $1,868.98 Usually ships in 24 hours

DataVision Computer Video offers this stuff with condition New, new for:

Price : $1,944.99 Usually ships in 1-2 business days

PowerMax offers this stuff with condition New, new for:

Price : $2,109.88 Usually ships in 1-2 business days

Techno Intelligence offers this stuff with condition New, new for:

Price : $2,249.89 Usually ships in 3-4 business days

What our customer's say!

"Beautiful computer, some mixed feelings", This is my first Apple computer ever. I am a software developer who mostly used Unix (Solaris) and Linux, rarely venturing into Windows land mostly for Nikon Scan and Photoshop. For a long time I believed Macs were for graphics/video designers, rather than hard core developers. The fact that I've seen lots of MacBooks at conferences such as Web 2.0 in SF, did not convince me enough: I attributed the widespread use of them to a fad, a certain "style" as in clothing. For me a computer is a "knowledge worker's tool" not a fashion statement. Another reason to stay away from Apple products has been high margin pricing. CPUs, GPUs, memory, disks, are quickly getting cheaper, and yet Apple sells these commodities like luxury goods. One can configure a beautiful Lenovo laptop with more horsepower for much cheaper (I've done it recently for a friend).
So why do it?
Here are MY reasons. 1) I needed MAC OS X to port some of my applications to the Mac, maybe go into iPhone development too. 2) I needed *some* laptop (for mobility) to replace my historic trusty Dell Inspiron 8000. Most of my work happens on a custom built desktop. 3) I am not much of a Windows fan and I am a bit tired of Linuxes; I wanted inspiration from something I haven't used before: to learn and expand knowledge/experience horizons.
So that's where I am coming from...
After 3 weeks of usage I can say the following (you will notice the mixed feelings from the title of this review)
This is a computer of *stunning* beauty! It is a work of art: the screen, the keyboard, the body; it belongs on a permanent exibition at the MoMA. As such it is a joy to use and have around, it brightens my daily experience. And yet... why such a small screen resolution (1440x900) for a 15 inch screen?! Even my historic Dell from 2001 sported 1600x1200, great for working with text and hi-res photos. For this kind of money we should be getting higher resolution. I am not talking about numbers for numbers' sake: the font characters (even as I write this) are far from print quality, issues with anti-aliasing software may have something to do with this. Within the first couple of hours I practically decided to return the laptop because of how text looks 70% of the time. It is difficult to understand why Apple is saving on pixels here and impairs an otherwise great product. Is it because higher resolutions are reserved for even pricier models? Apart from the not-so-great-a-resolution (you may google around for other people's opinions on that), pricing is somewhat annoying too (and also discussed in many places on the Web). To connect an external monitor you need a $30 or $100 additional cable. To upgrade to a much more reasonable 4GB of RAM you'll need $100+ (or $300 if you want this commodity to have Apple sign on it :-) )
But... I decided to keep the laptop. It is too beautiful, and I find MAC OS "Leopard" intriguing and a good experience. Then there are other pluses: the keyboard (back-lit w/ smooth key action), great network connectivity, convenient weight and dimensions, glossy screen (I don't have issues with reflections other reviewers mention). From the developer's perspective, I learn some good things and some not so good: apparently I can't just download my Java from Sun (say 32-bit Java 6); I have to live with what Apple endorses :-(
Amazon/UPS delivery was fantastic, packaging is beautiful too: they both made for a very pleasant and exciting experience.
Summary: I am not returning the laptop, I enjoy its beauty and functionality, but if I didn't need MAC OS for my planned work, I would have stayed in the higher value priced PC-land (eg. Lenovo + Ubuntu) where you can customize parameters better and avoid hefty margins.

"Macbook Pro - Totally awesome", I got the laptop about a month ago to replace my old Windows notebook and have been amazingly surprised with how little (nothing) I miss about the Windows environment. I use it at Client sites on Windows networks and have no issues. I bought VMware Fusion and it is flawless. I haven't used all the software yet but I love the integrated camera and speakers are surprisingly solid. The screen is great for movies on the plane. I also have used the Airline adapter each week for 6 hour plane ride (on American Airlines) and it allows me to work/watch movies as much as I want to. Has made my Ipod touch pretty useless on the plane since I have unlimited battery. The airline adapter does NOT charge the battery but does run the laptop and allows it to charge my Itouch without any problem.

"Great computer", This is a powerful, elegant computer that can do pretty much anything I want it to do.

"Mac Is The BOMB!!!!", This particular item was a absolute deal, with $400.00 down and the remaining $1500.00 was put on my amazon store card with NO INTEREST for 24 months. The computer is FAST AS HELL, it arrived a week AHEAD OF SCHEDULE, and was completely set up in 3 minutes. Fast, intuitive, and beautiful I recommend this computer to all technology lovers. ***And to anyone worried about switching to Mac, don't worry about it almost every program works with Mac, and all those little annoying things that you thought were normal on all computers, they are all gone on a mac, stream-line and fast as lightening. Death to PC, Long Live the MAC!!!***

"Made me into an Apple Convert from Windows ", I purchased this notebook to replace my pre-existing Windows XP based laptop. Whenever I watched a movie and saw a celebrity working on a computer, it was always on a Mac. When you buy a notebook like this, you are buying a Hollywood Superstar.

WHAT IS IN THE BOX

Notebook
Instructions
AC Adapter

SETUP

When you turn on the notebook, there is an initialization process to register your notebook and allow you to password protect the computer. Right out of the box, the Macbook Pro works well. It is accompanied by iLife and iTunes. I initially updated iTunes and updated the operating system after placing my information to work wirelessly.

Operation

The notebook is so easy to operate. As a Windows operator since the Windows 1.0 inception, it was not a steep learning curve. In lieu of the Control button, you push the Command button.

The touchpad is generous and the various mouse gestures are a welcome addition. The keyboard is full-sized and buttons are extremely comfortable.

The hard drive is quiet. There is no screen flex or wrist pad flex, either. The function keys control contrast, volume and screen brightness. Being used to a Dell Latitude D620, I am used to about a 50% brightness. Configured with a 320 GB hard drive that is a lot of space to store my 120 GB of music and over 100 GB of photos/videos. The hard drive appears to run fast at 5400 RPM (for what I do a 7200 RPM HD was not worth it).

I do not game but I wanted the option given the video capabilities. However, to conserve energy I use the integrated memmory card. If I decide one day to play video games, this notebook will afford me that ability.

Installation of programs have never been easier for me on a Mac than my previous 5 generations of Windows based notebooks (ranging from Dell, Gateway, HP, Compaq). I was able to install my printer software and drivers in 1/3 of the time of XP and 1/5 of the time from Vista. Password protecting the notebook, ensured that only I would be able to install ANYTHING onto my notebook. It is so frustrating when someone uses your computer only to find junky software installed into your notebook which add spyware and run your computer less efficiently.

Construction

The solid construction by the aluminum body is elegant and durable. The glass screen is highly reflective but at the angle by which I operate the notebook, I find no problems. It is so easy to wipe off. I have read that viewing angles were limited but I don't find that to be the case for me (with regular positioning and use).

For the size of a widescreen 15.4" notebook, this design is thin and lightweight (5.5 lbs) which matches the weight of many notebooks at the 14.1" size of Windows based notebooks.

I use this notebook on a table or my lap. It does not get hot like prior generations of Macbook Pros which got very uncomfortably hot.

The plug attaches by a magnetic type interface which is easy to use and more durable than other notebook interfaces that tend to dislodge from regular use (My old Gateway and an older model Compaq).

There are 2 USB ports, a Firewire 800 port, earphone and microphone jacks, and a monitor port. A slot for the optical drive is convenient and is software/hardware driven. It is relatively quiet for its operation. I do not even hear the cooling fan when it runs.

Integrated webcam with very good field of view and resolution for its size. Using the camera it is easy to do videoconferencing or video chatting (iChat). The video chat also works with Google's Chat interface.

Batteries

The battery is unlike the batteries of its predecessors. I ordered the older battery and obviously, it would not fit.

Battery life is decent with WIFI and Bluetooth inactivated and brightness set to lower levels, allowing me about 3 hours and 45 minutes. I love how you can display batter life as a percentage or absolute time.

Wifi and Bluetooth activation are easy to operate (at the upper right hand corner of the screen).

Programs

Armed with the Mac OS X v10.5 Leopard (includes Time Machine, Quick Look, Spaces, Spotlight, Dashboard, Mail, iChat, Safari, Address Book, QuickTime, iCal, DVD Player, Photo Booth, Front Row, Xcode Developer Tools) and iLife '08 (includes iTunes, iPhoto, iMovie, iDVD, iWeb, GarageBand), you can do a lot with the notebook right out of the box. I did purchase extra software for more versatility:

Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac Special Media Edition
Final Cut Express 4
Adobe Photoshop Elements 6 (Mac)

I had Windows XP before and syncing the IPOD with that system was well, buggy. With the Macbook Pro, as soon as I turned on the notebook, the updates ran seamlessly and did not affect the performance of the machine. I also decided to sync my notebook with the Macbook Pro which was very easy and I had not one error. I also found it faster to sync with my IPOD when compared to my Windows based predecessor. Overall, it was a more positive experience for me.

PROS
Lightweight for the size of the screen
Thin profile
Next generation trackpad (works similar to an iPhone/IPOD Touch
Ease of operation and installation of programs
Good base of programs installed
Virtually no BLOATWARE
Simplicity of design
Can run windows
Dual video card configuration

CONS
Cost
Average battery life
No matte screen option

I also added the Applecare Protection Plan (3 year duration) which I was advised will be worth the price for technical support and repairs (if necessary). I highly recommend getting the Protection Plan:

AppleCare Protection Plan MA515LL/A for MacBook Pro (w/ or w/o display)

One peripheral that I thought was very useful was the Apple Remote which I found new on the Amazon Marketplace for $5:

Apple Remote Control for iPod (White)

Conclusion

Overall, this is a solid notebook with the capabilities to run Windows (but why?). The design is simple and easy to use.

It has made an Apple convert out of me, out of all of these years (23 years - am I that old?) of PC computing from the IBM AT/XT days (monochrome screens, 5 inch floppy drives, 2400 baud modems, noisy dot matrix printers and clicky keyboards).

I highly recommend this product. It made an Apple Mac OS X convert out of me!

Read this reviews before You buy...

"Simultaneously gorgeous and utilitarian", Apple's update to their laptop case design is really magnificent. The new machines have a much more rigid, substantial feel, and appear to be much less susceptible to the torquing and bending that could afflict the older ones. And it's exactly as beautiful as the photos make it look.

The performance is excellent, and jaw-dropping for somebody who came from a nearly 4-year-old Powerbook. I got this souped up 2.53 GHz configuration because of some of the work I do on the machine: developing very RAM-intensive imagery software, and audio recording and editing. If you're not doing something like that, and if you're not a hard-core gamer -- if you're using the machine for word processing and email and maybe iPhoto -- just get the 2.4 GHz. You won't notice the difference. Even if you do need the RAM or the hard drive, but you're not a gamer, you may not care about the improved graphics card. Consider ordering the 2.4 from Apple and upgrading the RAM and HD on that configuration. It will come out about $250 cheaper. I was going to do that, and bought the 2.53 instead only because it was on sale! (Still haven't received my rebate, although it hasn't quite been long enough that I'm concerned. But I have my eye on you, Amazon.)

I was worried about the glossy screen, but find that I love it. Yes, it is *very* glossy -- but it's also vivid, extremely sharp, quite amazingly bright, and takes no time to reach its full brightness. The brightness easily overwhelms any more moderate reflections. I find that reflections rarely bother me. Surprisingly, it's usable in direct sunlight -- more so than previous Apple notebooks, in fact. The one situation where it's real trouble is when the sun is directly behind me or shining on me: then the reflection is bothersome. If your work setup is like that, be warned!

The new keyboard feels great. It has a more solid, less squishy feel than the previous MacBook Pro. I find the touch pleasantly reminiscent of the original Titanium Powerbook, which always felt great to my fingers. My only complaint is that I can no longer press cmd and option simultaneously with one thumb; I am having to get used to new fingerings.

The trackpad's increased area is fabulous, and the feel is great. The click, however, is distractingly loud. At first, having the whole thing be the button was a bit disconcerting, but I quickly got used to it and now like it better than the original. The two-finger right click is genius. Note that you can touch the trackpad with two fingers and then click with your thumb to get a right click! Much easier than their demo. The three-finger gestures are more or less useless; the four-finger expose gestures are more practical.

The laptop is very slightly wider than the older model, which meant that I had to get a new case. I recommend Tom Bihn's "Brain Cell," which protects against both dropping and bending, and fits inside your backpack (the vertical version) or briefcase (the horizontal).

If you have any Firewire 400 devices, note that you do NOT need to buy an adapter! There are cables that go directly from FW 400 at one end to FW 800 at the other, and they eat up a lot less space.

My only major complaint is really about the price of cables. The Mini DisplayPort is wonderfully small, and I see why they ditched DVI for it. The adapter cables, however, are ridiculously expensive! Furthermore, you can't just get a Displayport-to-DVI adapter and then plug your existing DVI-to-VGA into it. Doesn't work. Instead, you have to get a separate Displayport-to-VGA cable. Blah. Somebody needs to start making some generic adapter cables so that Apple can't get away with charging $30 for them!

Despite my minor complaints, this is a magnificent machine -- and miles ahead of any other laptop in terms of both beauty and functional design.

"Nearly flawless!", This laptop is a thing of beauty. You have to hold it to understand how well it is built and how smoothly it runs. I have seen no performance lag. The price to upgrade from the base model to the 2.53GHz model is worth it for the extra components. Definitely a better LED screen than the new Macbook. Suprisingly light for its size and feels just as expensive as it is. The only complaint I have is the battery life seems to be less than the 5 hours advertised. I turned bluetooth off and set the brightness at a minimum and barely get over 4 hours using the lower end graphics setting. Still, a quality computer from a quality company.

"Excellent update to a great product", I am glad that I waited for Apple to update the Macbook Pro models. The new case is stiffer and stronger. The fit and finish is excellent. The flush power button feels solid.

The new trackpad was very easy to get used to. The lack of separate buttons is not an issue. You can even define the bottom left and right areas to be buttons if that is how you like it to be.

The glass cover of the LED backlit LCD screen does give it a glossy look. There are some reflections. In my use, I have no problems with the glass covered screen. I like that it is protected by glass. The display is very bright. The addition of an on-board video chip as well as a separate video card makes for great graphics options.

The ability to easily swap out the hard drive is a welcome change on the Macbook Pro line.

I have had no problems with it. I installed Windows Vista Ultimate via Bootcamp and it runs very well.

The battery life is acceptable. If you turn down the backlighting and use the on-board video chip, you can get over 5 hrs use.

"To heck with the skeptics, this new Pro is wonderful!", I read all of Amazon and CNet's reviews before buying, both the positive and the negative. This new Macbook Pro is absolutely wonderful, incorporating many advantages over my first generation Macbook Pro, with no disadvantages that I have been able to find.

The new glossy LED backlit screen is excellent, clear and much brighter than it's CCF predecessor. It also uses less power, which accounts for the Macbook Pro's noticeably longer battery life, in spite of the fact that the Pro's new battery has been slightly downsized. Great new keyboard, and EXCELLENT trackpad. Performance is also faster. Easily accessible HDD. And, the most obvious benefit is its beautiful new design, which incorporates all of the excellent features of the first generation Macbook Pro, and then improves upon it. Great job Apple!

Perhaps some of the negative comments regarding the new glossy screen and trackpad were made before their new owners had a chance to fully appreciate these new features?

Very happy that I took the plunge to a new Macbook Pro, and I highly recommend it to others!

"Love it to pieces!", I've had an iMac at home for almost 2 years, and finally decided to get a laptop for when I needed the computer to be portable. First, I got a MacBook thinking it would have everything I need, but after a few days of playing around with it, I realized it's really the MacBook Pro that I wanted. So I returned the MacBook, bought the MacBook Pro and haven't regretted the trade one bit ever since. So totally in love with my new laptop, I am. I've hardly touched the iMac since the MBP came home. :)