Apple’s MacBook Pro line of notebooks is available in 13-inch, 15-inch, and 17-inch models. Designed for the professional who needs power and portability, the MacBook Pro also appeals to a wide range of users beyond its target market.
Aluminum Unibody Construction
The MacBook Pro is both strong and lightweight, a contradiction Apple was able to circumvent by creating a new manufacturing process for its notebook line of Macs.
Instead of building the case out of a bucketful of individual pieces (case bottoms, tops, interior frames, sub-assemblies, support structures, etc.), Apple used a single billet of aluminum, which is then machined to produce a one-piece case. That’s the simple secret: The MacBook Pro’s case is a single piece of aluminum. The result is a very strong, very lightweight notebook.
Intel Core i5 and i7 Processors
The 15- and 17-inch MacBook Pros use the Intel Core i5 and i7 processors. These new dual-core processors offer features that produce exceptional performance while using less energy than earlier processors.
Both processors offer Turbo Boost, which kicks the processor speed up a notch when needed, and Hyper-Threading, which allows two threads to run per core, essentially turning a 15- or 17-inch MacBook Pro into the equivalent of a quad-core monster.
The i7 configurations provide the highest performance in the MacBook Pro, but the i5 configurations are very close, and can easily meet the needs of most users.
LED-backlit LCD Displays
The MacBook Pro is available in three display sizes: 13.3-inch, 15.4-inch, and 17-inch. All three displays use the same LED-backlit widescreen display technology to produce maximum brightness levels the moment you turn the MacBook Pro on.
The 13-inch MacBook Pro is only offered with a glossy display. While this helps produce vibrant colors and deep blacks, it can also cause some reflection issues in bright light situations. The 15-inch and 17-inch MacBook Pros can be configured with a glossy or anti-glare finish display at 1440x900 or 1680x1050 resolution.
Graphics Performance
The 13-inch MacBook Pro uses the NVIDIA GeForce 320M graphics processor, while the 15- and 17-inch models get dual graphics processors: the GeForce GT 330M and the built-in Intel HD Graphics processor.
The 15- and 17-inch MacBook Pros use the Intel HD Graphics processor for routine day-to-day tasks, and automatically switch over to the much faster NVIDIA 330M when applications demand more graphics performance. This automatic graphics processor switching is one of the main reasons the MacBook Pros have such long battery life.
Up to 10 Hours of Battery Life
MacBook Pros come with Lithium-Polymer battery technology that, combined with efficient processors and graphics systems, can provide up to 10 hours of runtime in the 13-inch MacBook Pro, and 8 to 9 hours in the 15- and 17-inch models.
The battery can be recharged up to 1000 times, which is roughly three times the life cycle of most notebook batteries. In fact, the battery could have a longer life than the MacBook Pro. With a normal usage pattern, you can expect the battery to last 5+ years. It’s a good thing, too, since Apple says the battery isn't user-replaceable, although it can be replaced at Apple stores.
Is the MacBook Pro Right for You?
Long battery life, in both run-time and lifetime, along with dual graphics processors and an LED-backlit display make the MacBook Pro a natural choice for graphics professionals.
Its lightweight, extremely sturdy case design also makes the MacBook Pro a proven performer for individuals who need or want a Mac with them all the time.
The only real question is: Which size is right for you?
