MacBook Pro a solid upgrade from the PowerBook

Posted by Dennis Sellers Mar 14, 2006 at 1:21am

I’ve finally replaced my stolen PowerBook with a new MacBook Pro. Since it’s my “backup/traveling” computer rather than my main system, I went for the dual core 1.83GHz model rather than the high-end 2.0GHz laptop (or the build-to-order 2.16GHz version) and added an extra 512MB of RAM. It’s a fine replacement for the PowerBook: fast (though not as fast as Apple claims) with decent, though far from outstanding, battery life.

If you aren’t a heavy duty user of high-end and pro software (the components of Adobe’s Creative Suite, DreamWeaver, Final Cut Pro, Motion, etc.), you’ll probably find the MacBook Pro plenty zippy—though two of my favorite system utilities, MaxMenus and Default Folder X—aren’t yet available in a Universal Binary version (which would run natively on both PowerPC and Intel Macs). In fact, they won’t run on Mactels at all in their current incarnation. But in most aspects, the MacBook Pro takes the best features of the PowerBook and goes them one better (with a few exceptions).

Stylish, svelte aluminum body? Check? Built-in AirPort and Bluetooth? Check. Scrolling TrackPad and illuminated keyboard? Check. Bright screen? Check. In fact, the pro laptop screen is brighter than ever—up to 67 percent brighter, according to Apple, though that’s a probably a bit of marketing hype. Regardless, the screen is crisp and vibrant—and DVDs playing on the laptop look gorgeous.

Apple claims that that the MacBook Pro is “up to four times” faster than the PowerBook it replaces. Maybe in a perfect world, but not in reality. My “gut feeling” estimates it’s about twice as fast for Universal Binary software, which includes the iLife ‘06 and iWork ‘06 suites. The new laptop also launches faster; it boots up in about 20 seconds. For non-Universal Binary software, such as Photoshop and Word, the results vary. Word is a bit slower launching, though once it’s up and going, I notice no appreciable difference in usage.

Photoshop is also slower to launch and is a bit more sluggish in operation (about 25 percent). I find its speed acceptable, but admittedly I’m not a heavy duty Photoshop user. If I were I’d probably feel differently.

Part of the overall speed boost is due to Intel’s Core Duo processor, which packs two separate computing cores. However, the laptop also boasts a 667MHz system bus and PCI Express, which turbocharge RAM/storage performance and graphics, respectively.

One very nice new feature is the new MagSafe, a magnetically coupled power cord connection that connects and disconnects magnetically to the appropriate port on the MacBook Pro. When it’s tugged or yanked (accidentally or on purpose) it comes loose from the laptop and leaves the portable sitting where it is. In other words: no MacBook Pros taking a spill when someone trips on the power cord. It’s a very nice, and potentially money saving, feature.

So what about battery life? Sorry, folks, but there are no big advances here. Starting with the MacBook Pro fully charged, I surfed the Web, listened to some iTunes and updated the Macsimum News for just over three hours before the juice was exhausted. After recharging I watched DVDs for about two hours and 15 minutes before I had to plug ‘er in. That’s pretty much on a par with the PowerBook I previoiusly had. Of course, on the bright side, you are getting a faster dual-core system here rather than a single-core laptop, so it’s probably unrealistic to expect major battery improvements. But we always hope, don’t we?

The new MacBook also comes with a remote control and the Front Row software introduced with the iMac G5 and so popular on the Intel iMac, as well. Those are nice additions since the notebook also can be connected to an external monitor or TV, using a built-in DVI port (for up to a 30-inch Apple Cinema Display) or other optional cables. Optional is a key word; you’ll have to spring extra for some of them. For example, a TV adapter with S-Video and composite costs US$19.

However, there are some downsides to the MacBook. The 4x SuperDrive is slower than the PowerBook’s 8x for reading and burning CDs and DVDs. Apple says this is necessary to maintain the small form factor as well as accommodate a dual core processor. Still, it’s a bummer for anyone who burns lots of CDs or DVDs. Apple has also dumped the modem (you can get an external one for $49). It was bad enough that Apple made this move with the latest Power Macs and iMacs, but it’s inexcusable in a laptop. Note to Jobs & Company: the entire U.S., much less the entire world, has not gone broadband just yet. Also, high end users probably won’t be happy that there’s no FireWire 800 ports such as the PB sported. There’s no PC Card slot; instead, there’s a ExpressCard/34 slot, which seems like a fair trade-off to me, but others differ.

Still, while some goodies are AWOL or have been whittled back, others have sprung up. The MacBook Pro boasts a built-in iSight camera (640 by 480 pixels) and an optical digital audio (Toslink) input and output.

Overall, the MacBook Pro is a solid replacement for the much-loved PowerBook. And it bodes well for the Mactel laptops to come.

The 1.83GHz, 15-inch MacBook Pro, for a suggested retail price of US$1,999 , includes:
•15.4-inch widescreen 1440×900 LCD display with 300 cd/m2 brightness;
•1.67 GHz Intel Core Duo processor;
•512MB of 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM, expandable to 2GB;
•80GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 5400 rpm, with Sudden Motion Sensor;
•a slot-load SuperDrive (DVD±RW/CD-RW) optical drive;
•PCI Express-based ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 with 128MB GDDR3 memory;
•DVI-out port for external display (VGA-out adapter included, Composite/S-Video out adapter sold separately);
•built-in Dual Link support for driving Apple 30-inch Cinema HD Display;
•built-in iSight video camera;
•Gigabit Ethernet port;
•built-in AirPort Extreme wireless networking and Bluetooth 2.0+EDR;
•ExpressCard/34 expansion card slot;
•two USB 2.0 ports and one FireWire® 400 port;
•one audio line in and one audio line out port, each supporting both optical digital and analog;
•scrolling TrackPad and illuminated keyboard;
•the infrared Apple Remote;
•60 Watt hour lithium polymer battery; and
•85W AC power adapter with MagSafe magnetic power connector.

The 2.0 GHz, 15-inch MacBook Pro, for a suggested retail price of $2,499, includes:
•15.4-inch widescreen 1440×900 LCD display with 300 cd/m2 brightness;
•1.83 GHz Intel Core Duo processor;
•1GB of 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM, expandable to 2GB;
•100GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 5400 rpm, with Sudden Motion Sensor;
•a slot-load SuperDrive (DVD±RW/CD-RW) optical drive;
•PCI Express-based ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 with 256MB GDDR3 memory;
•DVI-out port for external display (VGA-out adapter included, Composite/S-Video out adapter sold separately);
•built-in Dual Link support for driving Apple 30-inch Cinema HD Display;
•built-in iSight video camera;
•Gigabit Ethernet port;
•built-in Airport Extreme wireless networking and Bluetooth 2.0+EDR;
•ExpressCard/34 expansion card slot;
•two USB 2.0 ports and one FireWire 400 port;
•one audio line in and one audio line out port, each supporting both optical digital and analog;
•scrolling TrackPad and illuminated keyboard;
•the infrared Apple Remote;
•60 Watt hour lithium polymer battery; and
•85W AC power adapter with MagSafe magnetic power connector.

Additional build-to-order options include the ability to upgrade to 120GB (5400 rpm) or 100GB (7200 rpm) hard drive, up to a 2.16GHz dual core processor, up to 2GB DDR2 SDRAM, Apple USB Modem, and the AppleCare Protection Plan.

Macsimum rating: 8 out of 10

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