Apple MacBook Pro MC374LL/A 13.3-Inch Laptop Reviews

Apple MacBook Pro MC374LL/A 13.3-Inch Laptop

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Apple MacBook Pro MC374LL/A 13.3-Inch Laptop Features and Technical Details

• 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
• 250 GB Hard Drive, 8x DVD/CD SuperDrive, 4GB DDR3 RAM
• 13.3 inch LED-backlit display, 1280-by-800 resolution
• NVIDIA GeForce 320M graphics processor with 256 MB of shared memory
• Mac OS X v10.6 Snow Leopard Operating System

Processor, Memory, and Motherboard

• Hardware Platform: Mac
• Processor: 2.4 hertz Intel Core 2 Duo
• Number of Processors: 1
• RAM: 4 GB
• RAM Type: DDR SDRAM
• Memory Slots: 2

Hard Drive

• Size: 250 GB
• Manufacturer: Serial ATA
• Type: Serial ATA-150
• Speed: 5400 rpm

Graphics and Display

• LCD Native Resolution: 1280 x 800

Cases and Expandability

• Weight: 8.9 pounds

Warranty and Support

• Amazon.com Returns Policies: You may return any new computer purchased from Amazon.com that is "dead on arrival," arrives in damaged condition, or is still in unopened boxes, for a full refund within 30 days of purchase. Amazon.com reserves the right to test "dead on arrival" returns and impose a customer fee equal to 15 percent of the product sales price if the customer misrepresents the condition of the product. Any returned computer that is damaged through customer misuse, is missing parts, or is in unsellable condition due to customer tampering will result in the customer being charged a higher restocking fee based on the condition of the product. Amazon.com will not accept returns of any desktop or notebook computer more than 30 days after you receive the shipment. New, used, and refurbished products purchased from Marketplace vendors are subject to the returns policy of the individual vendor.

Why Apple MacBook Pro MC374LL/A 13.3-Inch Laptop ???

The new MacBook Pro sets all-new benchmarks for Mac notebooks. This 13-inch MacBook Pro features an Intel Core 2 Duo processor and next-generation NVIDIA graphics that bring high performance to everything from 3D games to photos and videos. And the built-in battery lasts up to 10 hours.

The 13-inch unibody MacBook Pro.

As with previous models, the new MacBook Pro features a precision unibody enclosure crafted from a single block of aluminum, creating a thin and light mobile computing workhorse (less than 1 inch thin and just 4.5 pounds) that's also highly durable. And it includes a 13.3-inch, LED-backlit glass display as well as a glass trackpad that doesn't include a button (for larger tracking area) that features Apple's Multi-Touch technology.
This version of the 13.3-inch MacBook Pro (model MC374LL/A) features a 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 250 GB hard drive, and 4 GB of installed RAM. Other features include integrated Wireless-N Wi-Fi networking, Bluetooth connectivity, an SD card slot, and two USB 2.0 ports (see full specifications below). It also comes with the Mac OS X Snow Leopard operating system as well as the iLife software suite, which includes the latest versions of iPhoto, iMovie, and GarageBand.

Key Features

The backlit keyboard--great for typing in low-light settings
(see larger image).

Intel Core 2 Duo Processing

Combining fast processing speeds with power-saving features, the Intel Core 2 Duo processor provides greater multitasking performance by combining two independent processor cores while also reducing power requirements and saving on battery life. This Intel Core 2 Duo processor has a 2.4 GHz processor speed, speedy 1066 MHz front-side bus (FSB), and 3 MB L2 cache. (An L2, or secondary, cache temporarily stores data; and a larger L2 cache can help speed up your system's performance. The FSB carries data between the CPU and RAM, and a faster front-side bus will deliver better overall performance.)

High Performance Graphics

Powered by the NVIDIA GeForce 320M graphics card, the Mac mini allows you to view flawless video in full screen HD and play the latest games with fast frame rate. It's a great match to editing video masterpieces with iMovie and managing your photos in iPhoto, and it comes with 256 MB of DDR3 SDRAM that's shared with main memory.

Buttonless Multi-Touch Trackpad

With no button on the glass trackpad, there's more room to track and click--left, right, center, and everywhere in between. Without a separate button, the trackpad gives your hands plenty of room to move on the large, silky glass surface. It also incorporates Multi-Touch gestures--including swipe, pinch, rotate, and four-finger swipe. And it also now supports inertial scrolling, an intuitive way to scroll through large photo libraries, lengthy documents and long web sites.

Key Specifications

• 13.3-inch LED-backlit glossy widescreen display with edge-to-edge, uninterrupted glass (1280 x 800-pixel resolution).
• 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo dual-core processor with 3 MB shared L2 cache for excellent multitasking
• NVIDIA GeForce 320M graphics processor with 256 MB of DDR3 SDRAM shared with main memory.
• 250 GB Serial ATA hard drive (5400 RPM)
• 4 GB installed RAM (1066 MHz DDR3; supports up to 8 GB)
• 8x slot-loading SuperDrive with double-layer DVD support (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
  
  
  

  The left (above) and right (below) sides of the MacBook Pro (see larger image).

  
  
• Built-in iSight camera for video chatting
• Wi-Fi wireless networking (based on 802.11n specification; 802.11a/b/g compatible)
• Gigabit Ethernet wired networking (10/100/1000)
• Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR (Enhanced Data Rate) for connecting with peripherals such as keyboards, mice and cell phones
• Two USB 2.0 ports, one FireWire 800 port
• SD card slot
• Mini DisplayPort video output with optional adapters for DVI, VGA, dual-link DVI, and HDMI output
• Multi-Touch trackpad for precise cursor control with support for inertial scrolling, pinch, rotate, swipe, three-finger swipe, four-finger swipe, tap, double-tap, and drag capabilities
• Full-size backlit keyboard
• Stereo speakers with subwoofers
• Dimensions: 12.78 x 8.94 x 0.95 inches (WxDxH)
• Weight: 4.5 pounds
• Up to 10 hours of battery life
• Meets Energy Star 5.0 requirements

What's in the Box

MacBook Pro, display cleaning cloth, 60W MagSafe Power Adapter, AC wall plug, power cord, software DVDs, printed and electronic documentation

Limited Warranty And Service

The MacBook Pro comes with 90 days of free telephone support and a 1-year limited warranty, which can be extended to 3 years with the AppleCare Protection Plan.

Installed software

Mac OS X Snow Leopard is an even more powerful and refined version of the world's most advanced operating system. In ways big and small, it gets faster, more reliable, and easier to use. New core technologies unleash the power of today's advanced hardware technology and prepare Mac OS X for future innovation.

• Mac OS X v10.6 Snow Leopard (includes iTunes, Time Machine, Quick Look, Spaces, Spotlight, Dashboard, Mail, iChat, Safari, Address Book, QuickTime, iCal, DVD Player, Photo Booth, Front Row, Xcode Developer Tools, and more)

iLife helps you do more with photos, movies, and music than you ever thought possible. In iPhoto, you can browse, edit, and share your photos in stunning new full-screen views. Create epic Hollywood-style movie trailers from your home video in iMovie. And GarageBand gives you everything you need to make a great-sounding song--including tools for keeping your song in perfect rhythm and guitar and piano lessons.

• iLife (includes iPhoto, iMovie, GarageBand, iWeb, and iDVD)

AppleCare Protection Plan

Because Apple makes the hardware, the operating system, and many applications, the Mac is a truly integrated system. And only the AppleCare Protection Plan gives you one-stop service and support from Apple experts, so most issues can be resolved in a single call. Extend the complimentary service and support on your Mac to 3 years from the original Mac purchase date with the AppleCare Protection Plan. You get direct telephone access to Apple experts for technical questions, and you get global repair coverage--including both parts and labor--for your Mac and select Apple peripherals.

Optional Accessories and Related Products

	Apple Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter The Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter lets you connect an advanced digital monitor, such as the Apple Cinema Display, to your MacBook Air.
	Apple Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI Adapter Use the Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI Adapter to connect your MacBook Air to a 30-inch display that includes a DVI connector, such as the 30-inch Apple Cinema HD Display.
	Apple Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adapter The Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adapter lets you connect a standard analog monitor, projector, or LCD that uses a VGA connector or cable to your MacBook Air.
	60W MagSafe Power Adapter Need an extra adapter for home or work? The MagSafe Power Adapter is held in place magnetically, so if someone trips over it, the cord disconnects harmlessly while your MacBook Pro stays put on your desk.
	MagSafe Airline Adapter With the MagSafe Airline Adapter, your MacBook Pro can go the distance no matter how long your flight. Just plug it into your airline seat power port to watch movies and stay productive from takeoff to landing.
	Apple World Travel Adapter Kit Essential for any traveler, this World Travel Adapter Kit includes the Apple USB Power Adapter, USB Cable, and six interchangeable AC adapter plugs that let you plug your Apple MagSafe Power Adapter, Portable Power Adapters, and AirPort Express into most electrical outlets around the world.
	Time Capsule Back up a lifetime's worth of memories with Time Capsule, a wireless hard drive that works seamlessly with Time Machine in Mac OS X. It's also a full-featured 802.11n Wi-Fi base station with simultaneous dual-band support. Choose from 1 TB and 2 TB models.
	AirPort Extreme Base Station Speed, range, and easy setup make AirPort Extreme the perfect wireless solution for home, school, and small business. It offers simultaneous dual-band support and lets up to 50 people share Internet access, a wireless network, a hard drive, and a printer.
	27-inch Apple LED Cinema Display The stunning 2560-by-1440 resolution, built-in camera and speakers, and easy connectivity of the 27-inch Apple LED Cinema Display add up to a viewing experience unlike any other.
	Apple Magic Mouse Magic Mouse is unlike any other mouse you've ever used. The Multi-Touch surface lets you use gestures to swipe through photos and scroll down web pages. And the entire mouse is the button, so you can click anywhere.
	Apple Magic Trackpad Magic Trackpad is the first Multi-Touch trackpad designed to work with your Mac desktop computer, and it supports a full set of gestures. Click, scroll, swipe, and rotate to control what's onscreen. Use it along with your mouse or as an alternative to one.
	MobileMe MobileMe is the service from Apple that keeps your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac, and PC in perfect sync--no docking required. MobileMe stores your mail, contacts, and calendar information in the cloud and uses push technology to keep everything in sync across all your devices (annual subscription fee and Internet access required).

Product Description

Carved from a single block of aluminum, the MacBook Pro is a true engineering achievement. Its patented unibody enclosure is the product of precise machining. The new energy-efficient architecture in the MacBook Pro, gives you dramatically longer battery life. On a single charge, the battery in the new 13-inch MacBook Pro lasts up to 10 hours, and you’ll get up to 1000 full charge and discharge cycles — that’s nearly three times the lifespan of typical notebook batteries. MacBook Pro gives you more options for high-performance graphics, starting with the new NVIDIA GeForce 320M integrated graphics processor in the 13-inch model. It’s up to 80 percent faster than the previous generation and is even more energy-efficient for everyday tasks like writing email and surfing the web. Every MacBook Pro has a pristine LED-backlit display with wide-angle viewing and a color gamut usually seen only on a desktop display. So whether you’re watching a movie or making one, you’ve got the perfect canvas. The ultrathin, seamless glass enclosure makes the display strong and durable. And because it’s power efficient and free of mercury and arsenic, this display is greener than ever. The 13-Inch MacBook Pro has advanced Intel Core 2 Duo processors. It also comes standard with a large hard drive offering up to 250 or 320GB of storage capacity, so there’s plenty of room for your photo libraries, video projects, and files. And of course all MacBook Pros come standard with Mac OS X v10.6 Snow Leopard Operating System and iLife.

Apple MacBook Pro MC374LL/A 13.3-Inch Laptop Reviews

Review 1 :


I am extremely satisfied with my new MacBook - glad I waited for the 2010 model. For those concerned about processor speed, the Core 2 Duo processor works very well - no need for the i5/i7. Battery life is great and the bottom of the computer stays cool to the touch - much cooler than my old HP laptop. Display looks great as well. The touchpad works very well - very similar to the iPhone touchscreen. Wish I would not have waited so long to switch to a Mac.

Edit: Just thought I'd share that full startup, not just wake from sleep, takes less than fifteen seconds and full shutdown takes less than five - much faster than any Windows PC I've had.

On the subject of shipping, I originally placed my order on Tuesday (4/13/2010) and received an email on 4/16 with a projected delivery date of 4/20. Being curious, I decided to check the delivery date for a new order placed on 4/16. The projected delivery date for an order placed on 4/16 was 4/17, so I canceled my original order and placed a new one at about 3:30 pm. UPS delivered the computer at 9 this morning - great turnaround time. Overall, I am very pleased with my MacBook and with Amazon.

Review 2 :

After replacing many failed parts in my $2,500 Thinkpad T61 machine, I decided to try out a Mac for my notebook computing needs. As a former Windows user and P/C tech, I am very impressed! Everything about the machine is phenomenal, with the exception of the Seagate Momentus hard disk which I will be replacing (they are known for their reliability issues. This thing boots up in about 10 seconds, runs fast and cool (fan usually stays off), no bloatware installed like most Windows laptops and just feels like a solid piece of equipment.

Well done Apple!


Review 3 :

===My Objectives===
My main objective for my new laptop is for it to be mobile, but also powerful and long lasting. Finding a balance in these features was key for me, so my opinions may not match yours if these are not your priorities in a laptop.

_Portability_
This was top of my list for a new laptop. I have been using a 17 inch Dell Inspiron (1720) for the past three years, and have learned that I will not take it places because of its size. Using a 17 inch laptop is great, lugging it around is not. So when I started shopping for replacement laptops, I listed portability as my number one priority.

_Powerful_
My #2 priority for a new laptop was that it was capable enough to multi-task effortlessly with the applications that I normally run on a laptop. This isn't really asking much, since the apps I normally run are not cpu heavy. I am normally running at least one web browser (Chrome) with ~10 tabs open, along with other apps like messenger/rss/mail. This is fairly lightweight for normal use. But I do want it to be capable enough to run image software, or video games occasionaly. So while power was on my list of priorities, it was simply there so I didn't forget about it!

_Battery Life_
Battery life is something that my old monster laptop had a good amount of, but that's because the monster laptop had a monster 9 cell battery. This increased the weight significantly, and made fitting it into bags even tougher (17 inch w/ 9cell battery growth on the back = snug). I needed my new laptop to have good battery life without needing the extra weight/size of a bigger battery. So the stock battery needed to be good. I set my minimum expected battery life at 6 hours, knowing that in real world use it would generally not be that long.

_Less important, but still considered_
Some things that were less important, but that I still kept in mind while shopping laptops. Because I was shopping Apple & Windows laptops, I needed to make sure that the apps that I used most often were available in my final choice. I also needed the laptop to boot quickly from sleep, since I was planning on having it with me for most of the day. The keyboard needed to be comfortable to type on, or it would go the way of my netbook (doesn't get much use since it's keyboard is so compact. And lastly, I wanted to get the most capable GPU that I could while maintaining the first three priorities (portability/power/battery)

==Assembling the tripod==
After getting my priorities nailed down, I started shopping around for laptops that fit my needs. There were several units that I was considering.
-HP Envy 13
-Asus UL30
-Asus U30
-Lenovo U & Z series'
All of these options fell short in at least one area that I valued. The HP met the most of my needs, but it was too expensive and the extra battery options to give it super long battery life made it too heavy. The Asus laptops were easily the biggest contenders, since they had great expected battery life, along with meeting most of my other requirements. The Asus U30 was easily the option that met most of my needs, and when deciding between the MBP13 and the U30, it was almost a toss up. I decided that the UL30 didn't really meet the GPU catagory with it's Geforce 210M chip. The Lenovo books were also a good option, but I found myself wanting to wait for models that were announced but not released yet. And I had also found people with Lenovo's had complained about their batteries not being up to par.

_Enter the Macbook Pro 13_
Being a windows user for many years, I wasn't yet considering an Apple when I first started shopping notebooks. Having experience on Mac computers through my work though, I did not discount them like many people do. I have always considered Mac's to be overpriced, but very capable hardware. The operating systems have only become competitive in the past few years with the introduction of 10.5.x. My biggest gripe with past Mac OS offerings is that they assume too many of your decisions. Options were often burried too deep in the OS, and you basically were funnelled into using the OS like Apple intended you to. This obviously isn't always true, since there are Mac users that have a much deeper understanding of the OS capabilities than I do.
The Macbook pro 13 met all of my criteria... but I only really started considering it when I found a deal that made it competitive with the other notebooks I was looking at. Looking back now, I think I would still be happy with my decision even if I had paid the non-sale price.
-Size/weight: I had the compact size that I wanted, and it was under 5 lbs so it was very portable.
-Power: The 2.4ghz C2D is PLENTY powerful for every day usage. I had no reason to upgrade to anything higher.
-Battery Life: The battery on this thing is a champion. How Apple gets this much battery life out of the same exact hardware that other manufacturers use is beyond me. There is really no reason that I can find that gives this notebook such better battery life. Now, I'm never getting the predicted 10 hours of battery life, but that's because I'm running several apps + wifi at all times. I could easily get two full days of light usage out of the battery though, without a doubt.
-Freeware options: I normally gravitate to freeware apps whenever I can to save some $$, and I haven't found any yet that I use normally on Windows machines that isn't available in some form on Mac. This usually means learning a new app, since some apps aren't ported to either platform, but there are similar apps for both platforms still.
-Fast boot from sleep: From sleep, the MBP13 wakes up nearly instantly. Having used sleep on Windows boxes in the past (even Win7), I feel like this wouldn't be the case if I was using a Windows only laptop. I had toyed with maybe trading the stock 5400rpm drive out for an SSD OS drive, but after my first week of use... I have no need for this.
-Comfortable keyboard: The spacing on the chiclet keys is very good. I can type comfortably for several hours, with very few mistakes due to misplaced keystrokes. I wouldn't go as far as saying that it's a perfect keyboard, but its very good.
-Capable GPU: I can't say I've done much to push the GPU to it's limits. I have installed my go-to laptop game, World of Warcraft, and it's capable of running perfectly with the graphics set to Ultra. Obviously this isn't the most graphic intensive game, but it's really all I'll play on a laptop anyway. Most other games that I'll install on a laptop will be popcap games :).

===Favorite Features so far===
Having only had my 2010 Macbook Pro 13 for about a week, these are some of my favorite features so far.
_Touchpad Gestures_
Honestly... how have I been using a laptop without these features for so long? The gestures are my single favorite feature of the Macbook Pro. After about an hour of getting used to using the gestures... I'm not a gesture pro! They are very simple to learn, and easier to use. Navagating on my laptop without a hardware mouse used to mean using the back and forward buttons on the browser, or sometimes using the backspace key if I was flipping through sites. Using the back and forward gestures for web browsing is awesome. Even after buying a Magic mouse to use with this MBP, I went back to just using the trackpad because its so much easier. I'm returning the Magic mouse because it's less comfortable to use than just using the trackpad.
Right-click is something else I was worried about when switching to a Mac laptop. I knew you could enable the secondary click for the bottom right of the trackpad, but now that I've gotten used to the two finger tap on the trackpad, I never actually click the trackpad for right click.
Expose via trackpad gesture another thing that I think is easier on the trackpad than the magic mouse. With the mouse I had to set a hot corner to use expose to see all the windows I had open, but with the trackpad it's a simple gesture.
_Unibody Design_
I'm listing this as one of my favorite things with the laptop simply because of how awesome it looks. I'm usually not one for picking form over function, but I consider this to be equal on both of those fronts. The unibody constructions gives a solid feel, without sacraficing weight, and remaining sturdy. The fact that it looks awesome is merely a cool bonus.

===Conclusion===
So after spending several weeks coming up with my priorities, and shopping around at different options, I'm very happy with my choice at this point. I'm only a week into my new 2010 Macbook Pro 13, but I have no regrets yet. I haven't gone the bootcamp route yet, because I am forcing myself to fully learn and become comfortable with Mac OS X. I will be putting bootcamp w/ a copy of Win7 pro on the MBP before too long though so that I can have the option of Windows available. This was one of the reasons I ended up going with a Mac, so that I could run OS X along with Windows 7 on a single machine. In my field, it pays to be familiar with both operating systems.
So in the end, I'd say if your priorities align with mine, I would highly suggest considering a Macbook Pro 13. It's not the choice for everyone, but it was the right choice for me.

Review 4 :

A list of the things that Apple has done to reward MacBook Pro customers:
1. Visually crisp and brilliant screen.
2. A clever large touchpad that negates the need for an external mouse. Gestures actually work.
3. Solidly built frame that wont flex and still only 5.6lbs
4. Backlit keyboard that is activated only in low light conditions.
5. Longest Battery life of a performance laptop.
6. Ingenious magnetic power cable attachment with a mini LED that notifies you when charging is complete.
7. Firewire 800 9-pin
8. Windows running via BootCamp is smooth and fast and all my peripherals work.

I'm thoroughly pleased with my Mac. Yes it costs about $300-400 more than a comparably equipped WinPC, but you've got both environments in a well engineered system. You won't regret it... treat yourself! Get a MacBook Pro!
Review 5 :


I've been a very active PC/Laptop user from the days of DOS and have never owned an Apple machine. About four months ago my company gave me a 13" MacBookPro to replace a one year old Dell Latitude.
I always thought the Mac fanatics were just that, fanatics that oversold the merits of the Apple units and I'm here to say how wrong I was. It only took a single day of multitasking, using Office Word, Excel, surfing on Firefox while ripping CD's into iTunes - all unplugged and I suddenly realized that I'd been working for over 5 hours without having to plug in to recharge. That in itself is amazing.

The housing is a durable single piece of aluminum and it's so thin and light and this is important - it runs so cool that you can actually just sit it on your lap and work for long periods without any discomfort.

The keyboard is another stellar piece of design. My sons always said their Macs had superior keyboards but until I used this one for an extended period of time I didn't believe them - I do now. The one major difference in the keyboard design is that most other laptops have a large single pad underneath the keys you see and so the key itself is depressing into a large single piece. The Mac has individual pads under each key. Why does that make a difference? I can't explain the technical reasons but I can attest to the fact that it makes the keyboard extremely responsive, quite and comfortable.

Additionally, the back-lighting of the keyboard makes working in low light a breeze.

But the touch pad is one of the biggest pluses IMHO. Trust me - if you use one of these for about three to four days and then use a Windows based unit, you'll find yourself trying to maneuver the screen using gestures that do nothing. N=By that I mean the fact that on the Mac you can scroll pages with inertia using a two finger swipe is amazing. It's one of those things - like a Springsteen concert - that has to be seen in person to truly see the advantages of this.

Once you've used that feature, you'll find it nearly impossible to go back to the standard, grab the little scroll arrow with the cursor and advance method. The inertia feature is almost like flipping the pages of a book - like you want to skim quickly and the Mac senses how much force you've slid those two fingers and factors that into how far the page scrolls.

Additionally, if you use three fingers and slide them left, you perform the same function as hitting the back page arrow. If you place two fingers on the pad and simply spread them - the screen zooms - do the opposite and it shrinks. And you can program the four corners of the screen to whatever display option you desire.

For instance, if I move my cursor to the lower right corner, all currently open windows are displayed so you can effortlessly switch between them or if you move the cursor to the bottom left, the desktop is displayed.

The bottom line is that this laptop is by far the most elegantly designed, flawlessly manufactured and reliable machine I've ever used.

Review 6 :


This is my fourth Mac and they keep getting better.I had some reservations about the glossy screen and even though it does reflect it works and works very well.I loved the matte screen but this has taken little time to accept and get used to.

Now,the track pad and this is impressive in that it is not a gimmick and eliminates so much clicking and dragging and fishing around for back buttons and the like.And all done with subtle gestures on the good sized trackpad.Be sure to activate the tap to click function so you can use this subtle method to click or secondary click or drag with one finger.No need to go up for a back button to go back page-just swipe three fingers.Desktop and expose can be activated by vertical swipes,etc.It even has a lighted keyboard for a poor typer like myself.

The case is of course milled from a solid piece of aluminum and along with the Mac OS this is a thing of beauty.Apple is to computers what Leica is to cameras so even though I never got that Leica I do have this Macbook Pro in my hand right now.Treat yourself if you can.


Review 7 :



Like most great apple products, there's already hundreds of well written reviews covering everything from it's wonderful backlit keyboard, to the beautiful aluminum unibody. There's really nothing else I can add, besides the fact that I AM LOVING IT! This Macbook Pro 13 is simply sublime. I recommend it to anyone who's in the market for a new laptop.

Pros: Everything
Cons: No matte screen option from apple, but there are 3rd party solutions.moshi iVisor AG 13, Anti-Glare Screen Protector for Macbook 13" Unibody
Other: The battery will last 10 hours if you don't use it, but average usage will still give you a very generous 6-8 hours, depending on what you're doing.

Try it out in person at bestbuy if you have any doubts, but I can promise you won't regret buying this wonderful piece of engineering.

One last thought

Installing windows 7 with boot camp is as simple as you could make it. Having the ability to run windows 7 along with OSX makes this computer extremely useful. I have my hard drive split 50/50 one partition for OSX and one for windows 7. While I love using OSX, there a many games that require windows to play. I have a few games installed on windows 7 to test out the NVIDIA 320m and was very surprised at how well it performed. I play Left 4 Dead 2 at the native resolution with medium to high settings and still get 40-60 frames per second. Needless to say, i'm impressed.

This Macbook Pro is the first Apple product I've bought. Never owned an ipod or anything else made by Apple. In fact, for awhile I was what some would call an 'Apple hater,' but this computer has completely changed my perspective. And if this is the first Apple purchase for you, I'm convinced you'll feel the same way.

-Jeff


Review 8 :

for awhile i was kind of against macbooks because to me they had just been over priced hunks of metal. i went in the store a couple times and tried previous models out and was not impressed at all. but when i came in and tried the most recent models out i started looking into them a bit more and was surprised at how it was such a powerful computer. its AMAZING! when i was on skype with my boyfriend on my hp dv4 i could only run one app at a time or it would start acting crazy. when we got on skype on the macbook i was able to do EVERYTHING with out so much as a hiccup. everything is so FAST and from a PC to mac i had no time adjusting.i am just dazzled by its efficiency. and on top of that i got a student discount on my whole purchase :) one thing to beware of...the battery says 10hrs...so far with settings on average im getting only 6 hours or so,i guess to get the 10 hours u need to have eerything on low.still better than any high performance PC i know of.kudos to apple.


Review 9 :


This is the best computer I have ever owned in my life!!!!! I purchased it from Best Buy because of their 18month no interest promotion. I would have purchased from the Apple store but they only had 12 months no interest, (lost out on 100dls and the free ipod touch for students but meh, figured i would pay more in financing). I have had windows based computers since the first computer I owned. My last was an el cheapo Gateway Vista computer. Computer would lock up regularly, freeze, battery life sucked. I could get about two hours out of it and that was it. This MacBook Pro lasts the whole day without a charge!!!!! Usually with wi-fi use and screen brightness turned down to the lowest, and the keyboard backlight off since im in a lighted environment.
The "Pro" is extremely user oriented, from the sensors, to the long battery life, to the multi-gesture that im just getting used to. Usually when plugged in i have it on the medium to lower setting. The screen and trackpad are made of glass, they scream high quality. The aluminum uni-body casing is impecable!! Speaking of the screen, the brightest setting i never really have to use because it is so bright! Everything on screen looks crisp and clear and the colors this screen gives are wonderful. It feels so solid and there aren't any noticeable tolerances. It feels extremely solid. With the awesome aluminum body, no fingerprints and if you get a smudge you just wipe it off.
The software it comes with is pretty basic but running a web browser like Chrome or Firefox feels just awesome! No hang ups or slowdowns. I have opened every program and used the browsers and there hasn't been any slow down or lag!!!
This computer was well above my price range and if i hadn't been approved for Best Buy credit probably would not have purchased it. As a matter of fact i purchased an Acer laptop next door at OfficeMax with a Core i3-330m processor, 4 gigs of ram, 15.6 inch screen, and all the other usually standard stuff for only 479 on a labor day special so I didn't know which one to keep. Went on recommendations and chose the Pro, and returned the Acer. I am glad I did. Its like comparing a Kia to a Mercedes or Lexus. This laptop is that good.
If you are in the market for a new laptop and want something that is great with battery life, has wonderful aesthetics (aesthetics aside this is a great computer) and that actually just works like it is supposed to; BUY THIS COMPUTER YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT!




Review 10 :


When you're out shopping for a new computer, one of the most important things you look for is price. As consumers, we always want the best deals possible on every item we spend our hard earned money towards. Apple MacBooks and all Apple computers in general always tend to be priced significantly higher than their Windows counterparts. Some may argue there is just cause, others may argue there is no reason why a similar computer should be priced much higher. The 13.3 MacBook Pro was my first foray in the Mac world. After having it for a few days now, I can say without a shadow of a doubt that it's been worth every penny. I've been using PCs for 20 years now, and even have a degree in computer engineering. So it was very hard for me to make the switch, and it does take time. The first thing I will tell every potential buyer is that you have to give it some time to get used to using a Mac. If you buy a Mac and think you will be an expert at it in one day, you will be in for a rude awakening. Obviously, I am still new to this and am learning new things every day about the Mac Operating System.

The biggest reason why I am now telling people to buy a Mac is simply the ease of use. As a society, we always tend to pay more for something that's easier to use or run. With a Mac, that's definitely the case. The second thing that we tend to pay more for is quality and craftsmanship. That's another thing you will find with Apple computers. Obviously with that said, any electronic item can have defects from a factory, that's to be expected, but I'd say that with a Mac, you'll be less likely to have issues out of box.

Now going back to the main reason why I recommend a MacBook Pro, is again the ease of use. Even though I am new to Macs, it's been a delight to see how easy things are to accomplish. If you want to install in new software, it's as easy as double-clicking an icon, then when the program opens, you drag the new icon to the application folder. Voila, you're done! There are a few pieces of software that take more effort, but in general, most programs I installed, took a matter of seconds. To uninstall a program, you just drag the icon from the application folder to trash. Then you empty the trash, and the program is uninstalled. How easy is that? Thats of course just one example, but again, in the case of a Mac, everything just seems easier to work with than a Windows Machine.

I'll talk again about quality of craftsmanship. When you take the MacBook Pro out of the box, you know immediately just how wonderful the build really is. When you buy a computer in this day and age, you just don't expect it to be so nice out of the box. You of course wish it was nice, but it usually isn't. When you take the MacBook Pro out of the box, you know you're holding something special. The quality of the unibody construction is second to none. I don't think I can find another manufacturer that has notebooks as high quality as Apple does.

Finally, there are still certain other features such as the glass touchpad that I haven't even talked about. It's one of those features that you don't realize you need until you've tried it out. Multitouch hand gestures is truly the wave of the future in touchpads on notebooks. The ability to have two, three, and even four finger gestures is amazing. The ability to scroll up and down a document or website, or the ability to go back and forth between pages, and finally, the ability to display all the programs and documents you have open at once. These are all little touches that Apple has added to their line of notebooks that make the MacBooks truly special and unique.

Review 11 :


Since your looking at this, can I assume that you have already decided that greater portability is more important to you then performance? Good so I don't have to get into that, so lets start by comparing the different 13" Macs available.

Lets start by comparing it to its slightly better equipped sibling, the other 13" option. Packing a better CPU and added hard drive space are the only thing that separates the two models. Now does the 2.66GHZ and 70GB justify the $300 price increase. A 500GB laptop hard drive can be purchased for around $60 Seagate Momentus 5400 500GB 5400RPM SATA 3Gb/s 8MB Cache 2.5 Inch Internal NB Hard Drive ST9500325AS-Bare Drive (that hard drive has been reported to outperform similar size 7200RPM models). An extra 266MHZ for $300....no thanks.

Now its albino step brother, the MacBook. Lacking 2GB of RAM, Firewire port and SD card slot. Dressed in a polycarbonate unibody opposed to aluminum, the MacBook is ever so slightly bigger. Weighing in at 0.2LBS more and 0.13" thicker then the Pro but weighing $200 less on the wallet, the MacBook is a contender. Now considering the extra 2GB for the MacBook can be added by apple for around $100 at time of purchase and the 4GB can also be bought for $200 after purchasing (cheaper alternatives do exist but those are the apple recommended RAM). I personally think the added RAM, ports, and aluminum case are a great package deal at $200.

Last of the 13" is its anorexic cousin, the MacBook Air. Now the Pro is not MacBook Air light (1.5 pounds difference) or thin (0.19" thicker), but its still not heavy enough to be even a slight burden when lugging it around. Factor in the significant performance you gain (1.86GHZ vs 2.4GHZ, 2GB more ram, 130GB more space and better video card) along with the $350 less then the air the pro is easily the winner. Not to mention the 5 hour increase in battery life and DVD drive. Do keep in mind that the Air is due for an upgrade soon.

I'm not going to talk about how it runs because after all it is a Mac. Saying that its runs fast goes without saying. My biggest concern for laptops has always been heat. Heat and electronics get along like Apple and Adobe...not good and with reports that bigger I-7 models can get hot enough to boil water, the 13" runs surprisingly and refreshingly cool. Even comparing it to my 3 year old 15" MacBook Pro their is a massive difference in temperature. I can leave it on my lap or bed and I can not believe that its not hot. The Battery is also amazing, its seems to last forever. This is a great example of what a laptop should be.


Review 12 :

First let me say that I have spent the vast majority of my professional life working on PCs, mostly Dells. I also bought Dell PCs for my home and have been through 3 or 4 at this point. I've had Windows 95, Windows Millenium, and Windows XP. Last year, when my last Dell appeared to outlive its usefulness at about 4 1/2 years, having slowed down to a crawl and almost coming to a stop thanks to McAfee antivirus protection, I decided it was time for my next computer. So I started doing my typical exhaustive research. At that time, Windows Vista had the market and I heard nothing but negative things about it. At the same time, I'd noticed that one by one, most of my friends had switched to Mac. So I finally decided to do that, too. Bought an iMac 24" and have never been a happier camper on the computer. Love, love, love it.

This spring, anticipating some work travel coming up and also foot surgery in the summer that will keep me at home, mostly on the couch, for a good 12 weeks, I decided it was time for a portable something. Friends showed me their Asus Netbooks, and I was intrigued. Checked it out and thought I'd get one. Even though they were Windows-based. But I liked the long battery life. Then I got enticed by the MacBook Air, but decided that as sexy and light at it is, it was too expensive for what you got and the battery life was awful. Next I was looking at the Asus "Thin and Light" models, which looked like a good compromise. Long battery life, lightweight, and several hundred dollars cheaper than the MacBook Pro 13" which I also looked at. What to do, what to do. Well, after reading what seemed like hundreds of customer reviews not only for the computers but for Windows 7, I finally realized that I really and truly wanted the Mac. The Windows users were grousing a lot. The Mac users just loved their computers. Getting my tax refund check in the mail the morning I was going to make a purchase clinched the deal. I bought the 13" MacBook Pro.

I received it this weekend, along with an Airport Express router, set it all up with little difficulty, and was happily -- very happily -- playing with my new MBP yesterday. I couldn't be happier. The computer is a joy to look at and work on. The display is clear, sharp, and beautiful. The keyboard is very comfortable, even typing on my lap. I just adore the trackpad, even though I'm still getting used to all the finger movements. It found the internet and my network printer in a snap.

The only thing that didn't work well with copying files from my iMac with Migration Assistant. I probably did something wrong and will have to call Apple Support to figure it out, but all my files got dumped into one directory that I have trouble finding. I assumed the photos would go to iPhoto, the music to iTunes, and the Word docs to Word. But noooooooo! Hopefully, my friends at Apple Care will help me out -- they were wonderful when I was trying to set up my network printer.

So I'm happy. Very happy. My husband's happy, too, since I won't be kicking him off the iMac that much anymore, and we can both play on the web at the same time. There's nothing much to watch on TV anyway!

Edit: I noticed that the MacBook Pro is no longer available directly from Amazon and delivered free by Prime. What happened? This is just a scant week after I bought it. Also, the printer I bought, the Canon PIXMA 560 is also no longer available through Prime, even though that's how I bought it less than a week ago. What gives?

Edit 2: So, I see this is back to being available directly from Amazon and shipped free with Prime. How weird!

Review 13 :


i just picked one of these up and I love it. I have read reviews complaining that Apple did not try to cram an i5 or larger CPU into this 13 inch machine. True, the chose to use the Core 2 Duo but that's not all bad. This is a stable, cool running, capable processor. The machine now includes 4 G of ram and a much improved video card from the previous version. I use this mostly for work where stability, battery life, portability, and longevity are the most important things to me. I rarely play games. I wouldn't use a portable for video work when I have a desktop available. I run office applications, safari, email, ever note, and skype. It all works great. The machine feels substantial in my hands. Pick it up and try to twist it. It is perfectly rigid. My Toshiba feels like the battery would fall out if I twisted a bit more. This one feels well built. I especially like the backlit keyboard.
Review 14 :


I had initially purchased one of these a month ago for my cousin and she has loved it. I ended up needing a laptop for myself for a summer job assignment. I initially wanted a MacBook Air but the 2GB RAM and measly 5 hour battery life turned me off. I think the Air is still at least two iterations away from being something i'd consider.

I then looked at the 15" and nearly purchased one before I decided to go back to my dorm and sleep on it. Fortunately, my roommate had a 15" MBP and let me try to fit it in my computer bag as well as walking it around. One, the 15" didn't fit in my bag lengthwise and two, it was simply too heavy. Since I'd be walking a lot with my MBP each day, I wanted something as light as possible. Then, I came back to this 13" model and bought it for 1099 and couldn't be happier. The $600 I saved can go towards buying the 24" LED Cinema Display, which can satisfy my big screen needs, yet still retaining the portability I need.

I also briefly considered the MacBook at 949 but figured for the $150 difference, I'd get twice as much RAM, firewire 800 (of which I do have a HDD with FW and USB, so essentially giving me an extra usb port to work with), aluminum unibody, 2 fewer ounces, backlit keyboard, sd card reader, and getting a "classier" computer, it was a no brainer to go with the 13" MBP.


Review 15 :

I never write reviews. NEVER. But this is something that just has to be reviewed because everyone should have one of these. It's a little long but I feel that this has to be said. If I can't convince you, go to the store and mess around with one if you'd like. Better yet, read all the reviews. They all can't be wrong.

I've been a windows user for all my life. The experience has been great all the way through XP. With all the negativity surrounding Vista, I decided not to persue it. I've had relatively little problems with windows honestly except dealing with all the problems I deal with on a daily basis (Help Desk Tech). If there's anything that I feel like touching least when I come home, it was my XP machine.

Why did I go Mac? I've seen the hundreds of things that can go wrong with Windows. I've heard all the complaints about Vista. Haven't played much with 7 but just messing around with it @ Best Buy I thought, "Yea maybe it's better than Vista but it's pretty much the SAME OLD WINDOWS when it comes down to it." I'm deploying soon and I had a 17" Dell Inspirion 1705 Windows XP machine (See how long that is? I am happy to say that when someone asks me what I'm rollin with, I reply, "13-inch MacBook Pro" A lot shorter but that's besides the point). Anyways, the screen is HUGE and there was no way I'm taking that tank with me over there. WAY to heavy and WAY to bulky! So I was in the market for a Laptop that was at most 14". When it comes to electronics, I research a ton.

What was the first thing I typed up when I was looking for a new PC?

"What is the best brand of laptops (Windows)?"

Yea that didn't help any. I got "HP is the best!" Then I got "HP is the worse!" So it was a lot of mixed reviews for mostly all of them. So I thought that I'd venture into Mac since I've never owned one. Went to the site and it gave me 2 options: Macbook and Macbook Pro. I opted for the Macbook Pro because 1) I wanted 4GB of RAM (I read it just works better all around) and 2) I wanted an SD slot. There are other reasons why Macbook Pro is nicer but I'll get into that later.

What was my only doubt before buying Mac? What if I need Office? Well there's bootcamp. I'll tell you what, so far I've had no use for Windows yet (waiting to see how Office for Mac 2011 is before I decide). So I did it and let me tell you, I've never had more fun messing with a computer than I've had with my Mac. Ok enough ranting, what do I like? What don't I like?

Pros:
+Great design- A reason to get Macbook Pro over Macbook: the construction. All PCs=Plastic

+OS is so easy- Navigating through my files couldn't be easier. No more "Well that file is in c:\windows\localprofile\temp\settings\...ETC" It's all simple to find (It also helps using Spotlight)

+Dashboard and Expose- Widgets + Easy way to find what you have open = FUN

+iLife- Bottom like, iPhoto and iMovie BLOW AWAY windows standard photoviewer and windows movie maker (garbage, cheap)

+ The touchpad- It's more than just being big, it's amazing. The gestures make the experience so much easier and fun. Want to scroll down? Place to fingers on the pad and swipe down. There are others but hard to explain ;)

+ It's just flat out fun to use- Windows just started getting dull for me. Mac is fresh and exciting. When you buy a car do you want to get a transportation (PC) or do you want to get something that you enjoy driving (MAC)? I enjoy driving Mac everyday.

Cons:
- Adjusting: It's difficult adjusting using windows all my life. But apple has set up many videos online to help you along. Thanks!

- The little things I was used to: again goes back to adjusting to a new OS. Alt+F4 is now Command+W. Gotta get used to it. No biggie.

Honestly, maybe I'm being biased (sue me) but I can't find a lot of cons yet as I'm still very new to this.

Bottom Line: You want a mac. Start a new adventure in your life. It's not too late. Mac will make your life easier in ways you couldn't imagine.

And hey, you might just have a little fun while you're at it ;)


Review 16 :

I have owned and used several PCs (both desktop and laptop) over the years. For my personal computers, I always went with Dell. After a horrible customer service experience with them after my last purchase about a year ago (too lengthy to get into here), I vowed I would never buy another Dell again. So, I thought, why not bite the bullet and try a Mac? It was the smartest move I ever made.

For years I shied away from a Mac because I have so much Windows software that I did not think it would run. I didn't realize until recently that a Mac can run Windows software (more on that later). Overall, the price difference was well worth it, but I guess your purchase ultimately depends on what your computer needs are. Here is a brief synopsis of the pros:

1) Design. It's ultra-portable, very light weight, has a beautiful look and feel, screen and keyboard are amazing. Whenever I have to "transfer" to my work laptop (a PC), I feel like I'm going from a new Mercedes to a 1976 Chevy Nova.

2) Ease of actual use. Let's face it, most of us our computer illiterate. A Mac is very easy to set up, and get running. The software included is called ILife and it allows you the ability to do many of the "basic" things you would want when you buy a computer (e-mail, store and sort photos, run I tunes, surf the web). The learning curve, I think, is very minimal. It's a bit different doing some of the basic things that you're so used to when you've used a PC every day for umpteen years, but you get the hang of it after a while. The Apple web site has tons of very user friendly video tutorials that will guide you through all of the basic functions and programs.

3) Teacher/Student Discount (if you buy from Apple). Although this doesn't apply to everyone, make sure that you inquire about this if it pertains to you. You may not even have to be a teacher, but only work at an educational institution. A lot of companies give discounts to their employees with several retailers as perks, so it's worth doing your homework. Since my wife is a teacher, we received a $100 discount of the retail price of the computer as well as a free printer and a free 8 gb Ipod Touch. (to be technical, they weren't free, but they give you a rebate for the entire price. They even did the paperwork for me in the store before we left)

4) Customer Service. Now, to be honest, I didn't buy the "Apple Care" extended warranty, but I know several people that have, and they swear buy it. Again, when things go wrong with your computer, it's incredibly frustrating to find someone to diagnose and fix it.

5) Boot up and Shut down time. I never realized how much I would enjoy this function. It takes the computer about 30 seconds to power on, and about 10 seconds to shut down. Some PCs that I've owned (after more and more software is installed) take about 15 minutes to completely start up and be ready to go.

6) It will run Windows. There are several ways to do this. You can buy additional software so that you can run Windows and Leopard (the Mac OS) at the same time. Because of the minimal boot up and shut down time, however, I decided it would be no problem to just reboot and use Windows separately when needed. For this, you don't need to purchase additional software to achieve. A Mac comes with a utility called "Boot Camp" that allows you to partition a portion of your hard drive (you pick the size) and it will install Widows and allow you to run all your Windows software on that portion of your hard drive. You will need to buy a retail copy of Windows (that's another $200), but I think it's well worth it. To be honest, setting this up was a bit of a timely pain with a lot of minor issues, but the Apple site, again, has plenty of tutorials and support sites to walk you through the process.

The main reason I decided to go with Windows was that I have a lot of old software (mainly a lot of games) that I wanted to use. I'm also a big user of MS Office. Now, to be fair, Apple sells a version of MS Office that is compatible with Mac, but I've heard too many negative things about it. Through my company, I was able to get a retail version of Office 2010 for free, basically, so I chose to go this route.
This leads me to my minor gripes about the machine:

1) It does not come with a pre installed office program. They sell a piece of software called "IWork" that functions as a basic word processor, spreadsheet, and presentation application. It only costs $40-$50 when you buy it with a new Mac. I decided to buy it, and now I regret it. IWork will do the basic things that MS Office does (and it is supposedly compatible with your MS Office documents) which is probably good for most people. If you use MS Office for anything slightly advanced, such as macros or pivot tables, you can forget it - IWork is worthless at that point.

2) The only other gripe I have is the "trackpad" that is on the machine. This, in many ways is superior to using a mouse, but I still haven't gotten used to it. I miss my old point and click button. Any program where you have to "click and drag" becomes a bit of an adventure.
Kudos to Apple. Give them a try. You'll be pleasantly surprised, and as long as you can afford the extra $, you'll find it's well worth your investment.


Review 17 :

I wouldnt give Mac a chance. I thought it was all overpriced cult like to own one of these and never saw myself as a mac person. I never used their machines in the past so cant comment on those but in todays world im shocked Apple hasn't dominated the market. My brother bought a macbook pro to develop apps and so i played with it for a week. I fell love and had to break down and buy one. My 2 plastic, overheating PC laptops are off to be sold on craigslist because I now own a macbook pro and I love it. I dont think any salesman can convince me to try or even look at another PC laptop.

My macboo pro never even gets warm while I browse the web or write. And its dead silent. My plastic pc laptops were able to fry eggs 5 minutes after startup and the fans were always audible.

The mousepad on the macbook pro is amazing, big and makes multitasking an amazing experience. Why hasnt PC developed multi touch trackpads yet?

It shuts down and wakes up instantly. Cant say that about windows. In fact PCs tend to not want to wake sometimes.Those lazy muppets.

If your mac gives you issues, just go to an apple store and they will fix it for free while on warranty. the hip geeks there will make sure you go home happy.
HP or Acer wont even pick up the phone if their laptop decided to throw a tantrum.

So all I have to say is if my macbook fell into the pool I would work extra hours to go buy another because this is real quality here.

I hear people bashing macs, saying that you pay for the Brand. What?! NO! go play with one for a week. you pay for an experience. Who needs the fastest processors on a laptop? No one unless you edit PRO HD video but no pro edits on a laptop because the components are too close together and would overhear causing a drastic performance hit.

Also go look at craigslist. people are selling older macs for top dollar because these things hold their value.

Everyone loves their macs and ipads. how many people can say this every day about their overheating, plastic, loud, nonlit keyboard, incorrect colored screen pcs?



My Hard drive was giving me Errors. I took the MBP to the apple store and told the girl all i tried to do to get it to work. She fiddled with it for 5 minutes and then went in the back. 5 min later she comes back with a brand new MBP. She kept the box but gave me everything else so now I have a new MBP, extra power cables, ilife '11. SCORE! If I had bought a $1200 HP or ACER, I would have to call India and sit on the phone for 2 days before mailing it out. I'll stick with Apple for a Laptop

Review 18 :


I have run most OS. Solaris, Linux, OS/2, and various flavor of Windows. I recently got a MacBook Pro 13" and not only is the hardware great but the OS is very easy to work with and use. I got the base system with no upgrades.

Pros
- Size and form factor
- Keyboard - Smooth and fast
- Trackpad - gestures work great.
- OSX Snow Leopard.
- Battery life - 10 hours is real.
- Screen - stunning.
- Boot-up/Shutdown - very fast
- Wake-up - very fast
- 4 Gig Memory
- iLife '09
- Initial setup is a breeze.

Cons
- Should include the adapter for connecting to an external video device.
- Apple has to replace the battery. But the battery (calibrated now and then) should last 5 years.
- I am afraid to scratch it. :-) The thinkpad this replaced hid them better.

By far, this is the nicest system I have worked on. Even at 13.3" the screen is very clear and easy to work on.

I can recommend this system for anyone who wants to just get work done. The OS is clean and the platform is fast and stable. If you do get it, I suggested getting iWorks '09 as well for productivity. That is < $100 for the family pack version.

Apple continues to raise the bar. If you compare this system with any system of the same size and features, you will be surprised how much more expensive the Windows based competitors are.

For me, it would be an easy purchase if I had to make the choice again.

Review 19 :

I use a laptop for email, internet, movies, backing up iPhone and I need MS Office. I was tired of constant updates and the threat of viruses from my PC. I'm glad I went with the Pro version. The metal case feels solid. The backlit keys are handy when watching TV and browsing online. The screen and backlit keys are light sensitive. The screen dims in dark and the keys light up. It taking some getting used to using the HUGE thumb pad.

PROS: I love the long battery life. Close the case and the Mac goes into hibernation mode. I tested it yesterday, it had no negative effect on the battery after a couple hours. that means you can close the lid and walk away. Come back later and open it and touch the pad and you are back up immediately!! Sweet! I'm delightfully surprised how cool this thing stays. My old HP would get HOT and the fan never seemed to cool enough or shut off. This thing never gets hot. Heck it never seems to even warm up. The DVD/CD slot is just that, a slot. No drawer to slide out. Pretty slick. I was pretty nervous the first time I used it. The disc has to be all but 1/2" in for it to grab it. I love the lightness of this thing. Easy to grab and go. I love the brightness of the screen. I went from a 15.4" so I was concerned about this being too small. but it is the perfect size. I'm a happy consumer!! I haven't had a chance to try all the Mac programs. The wife had me print some pictures for her last night. I was really impressed how easy iPhoto was to edit. It really did a nice job with it's "enhance" button that adjust the colors. I am happy to finally have a SD slot. I love the fact that I can send Excel and Word documents to my PC. Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac Home & Student Edition

CONS: When installing the MS Office the DVD player seemed really loud. When copying CD's this noise didn't happen. CD read rate is slow. When ripping a CD to iTunes the player only got up to 7-8x. I'm not real excited about the power jack. It is held in magnetically. So it easily falls out when the Mac is in my lap. But with the long battery life I realized the I don't need to constantly charge it like the old PC. So kinda a mute point.

Packaging: Amazon has got it figured out. The box was well packaged and arrived in perfect shape. I went to UPS a day early and had them hold it so I could pick it up first thing in the morning instead of waiting impatiently for the truck.

Review 20 :


Pros (compared to Windows machines):
+ Hands down, best battery life in the industry, when compared to similarly spec'd machines. Sure, there are netbooks that can hold their own in a battery war against a MacBook, but I'd like to see a netbook run Dragon Age: Origins.

+ Backlit keyboard is the best looking keyboard style I've seen. The Windows laptops with backlit keyboards just lack the finesse of a MacBook

+ Unless you do major video editing (and a LOT of it), you won't miss the lack of Intel's new line of processors that the 15" and 17" versions (along with pretty much every Windows competitor) have. The 2.4ghz base processor is perfectly fine for handling basic to medium level gaming, any document editing, movie watching, web surfing, or consuming any type of media. Even if you do a lot of major video editing, you'll just have to deal with slightly longer processing times, this computer will still be able to handle the task, just not quite as fast.

+ Probably the best integrated graphics chip on the market. The pros and cons of having an integrated graphics chip instead of a discrete graphics chip are the same as those detailed about the processors in the above bullet point.

+ Webcam is high quality compared to even dedicated webcams that you can purchase separately

+ The most useable touchpad out of any laptop. I came from a Windows machine where I avoided the touchpad at all costs, using a mouse 99% of the time. However, upon switching to this laptop, I have decided that the trade for slower pointing speeds is worth it to be able to access the multitouch gestures available on this trackpad. Now I only use a mouse when gaming.

+ The MacBook is thinner and lighter than similarly sized Windows laptops. It also has a uniformly flat design, which makes it much easier to carry around in a backpack without worrying about breaking the hinge attaching the screen to the body.

Cons (when compared to Windows machines)
- The cost of MacBooks compared to similarly spec'd Windows machine is much higher. Apple also tends to be slower on the upgrade cycle than Windows machines, so the price gap is most apparent right before a new update is issued for MacBooks.

- No new high end processors or discrete graphics chips. The reason Apple didn't add the new series of processors is because with the new Core i series processors, Intel does not allow for any integrated graphics chips except for Intel integrated graphics (which can't even compare to nVidia integrated graphics). So if they upgraded the processor, they would also have to add the discrete graphics chip, which would push the price too high.

Bottom Line:
Although the Pros seem to outnumber the Cons, you cannot discount the cost issue. If you can't afford it, then you can't afford it and it's not worth breaking the bank for a laptop. But if the MacBook is within your price range and don't require the laptop to do highly CPU/graphics intensive tasks (such as video editing) 24/7, then the overall package of the MacBook is much better than its Windows competitors. In terms of cars, the MacBook is like an Audi A4 whereas its Windows competitors can be compared to a Chevy Camaro. At a lower price, the Camaro can outrun an Audi pretty easily in a straight line race. But the A4 completely outclasses the Camaro in terms of ride quality, handling, cabin tech, etc. If you can afford the Audi and don't plan on exclusively using your car for drag strips, then go for the Audi.

Review 21 :



Apple has the best machines ever in computing. This has been my first apple, and it has been greater than any pc desktop and laptop I have ever owned before. Not to mention the beautiful MAC OS X. I have used several operating systems many from Microsoft, several Linux distributions and Solaris. MAC OS X has been the best experience I have had so far. In addition if you are used to the UNIX terminal, it's the same in MAC OS X. MAC OS X is so much nicer, easier to configure than any other, GUI is very friendly and accessible far more than Windows. This machine is the cheapest 2010 Macbook Pro, yet it is packed with power that I will never use even though I am a hardcore power user. The machine is so fast and the software is very responsive and quick.

I find that older PC laptops from 2004 and under are still living to date. More modern machines from 2006 and up are dying within 6 months to a year or they become faulty within the same time. Machines especially that came with Windows Vista had this characteristic. You would have to buy a machine almost every year to year and a half.

I recommend Apple. I have known people who have had a MAC for years. No issues, doesn't become slow, fast and powerful, friendly and they just work. Apple's worldwide support and apple care coverage is also a winner. Buy your machine and if it goes bad, anywhere in the world you are, and there is an Apple store and you are under warranty, you can get it fixed, no questions asked.

MAC OS X itself comes with powerful software already installed. IPhoto, Garage Band, IMOVIE, ITUNES you can do so much with. It syncs my windows mobile phone better than windows 7 did!! Syncing my contacts and all in my address book. People who worry about their windows software not working, Parallels desktop Virtual Machine is available, Virtual Box whichever, you can run your windows software in there or install windows on your MAC legally by bootcamp assistant which MAC OS X provides for you free and installed already. By the way most windows software, there is a high possibility there exists a MAC version so don't worry.

You may find apple a bit expensive but it's worth it for the product you get, the software, the power in the machine and the international support. Not to mention you don't need to buy a computer ever again once you by an apple. You will be running through PC laptops at least 3 in 6 years.

I get 5-8 hours of battery from my MAC depending on what I am doing. IT charges from empty to full in 45 mins.

I think I have said enough, get an Apple and enjoy MAC OS X.


Review 22 :


This is my first mac notebook. I bought a mac mini last year and just love it. I ended up hooking it to the television as a home theater PC and found myself in need of a computer at times when the mac mini was acting as TV. I was upgrading from a 2004 dell laptop to this and I'm just noticing some things that I'd like to point out if you have never had a mac laptop.
Built in webcam that acts as an ambient light sensor when it gets brighter/darker in the room.
Backlit keys.
Touchpad/trackpad gestures that can be real time savers compared to a full keyboard (& i am a keyboard fanatic)
I have not messed with it yet, but I think you can talk to a macbook too and it will launch applications or do things (my friends do that)
The magsafe power adapter is like a magnet connection so if you kick the cord you won't break anything, it will just pop out.

Overall, I like it. It's fairly light. I wanted something light with good battery life. I knew I was happy with the graphics card on the mini so I shouldn't be let down here either since this is an improvement on that. I have to question whether I will use the cd drive very much, but I guess it's cool if I need to rip a cd to iTunes. When I had this on today at work next to my dell and external monitor I could only notice how dingy/brown their screens look in comparison. The colors on this screen are really great. The keyboard has a nice tactile feel to it as well, I really never miss a beat with this thing. The firewire connection was useful to transfer my settings from the mac mini as well.


Review 23 :


I just wanted to start out by saying this is my first written review, but I feel that I have to comment on what a great machine this Macbook Pro is. As my title says this is the first Mac I have ever owned. I have used PCs my entire life and I can't believe how much better a Mac is. My last laptop I had was an HP and when I first used this new Macbook I couldn't believe what a difference there was just from doing the simplest of tasks. I can't believe how fast this Macbook starts up and shuts down. My HP laptop would take forever to start up and shut down which got pretty annoying at times. Even trying to do simple tasks the HP laptop would constantly freeze or lock up quite often.

Another really annoying thing with my HP laptop was that it would always heat up pretty bad where my palm would rest below the keyboard after using it for a little while. I would then have to put it to sleep and wait for the laptop to cool down before using it again. I haven't had any heat issues with the Macbook and it's so nice not having to put it to sleep and wait for it to cool down. I've had this Macbook for about 2 weeks now and have had zero problems with it. I can't believe how smoothly it runs and how fast it is at doing everything. Since I have always used Windows switching from that interface to the Mac interface has been very different for me. However I'm getting the hang of it now and it's amazing how simple everything on the Mac interface is to use.

I also wanted to comment on just what a great looking machine it is. I love the aluminum finish to it and I would definitely recommend paying a little more for the Macbook Pro over the white Macbook. The aluminum finish alone is worth the extra money. I also wanted to throw in for those who might be interested in doing a little gaming on the Macbook that it runs games pretty well. I recently downloaded the Starcraft II beta and I was able to run the game very good on medium settings without any slowdown. Overall I would highly recommend this Macbook Pro to anyone interested in getting a new Macbook or switching from a PC to Mac for the first time as I have. Now that I know how great Macs are I will never buy another PC again.


Review 24 :


I'm generally only moved to write reviews when a product is either terrible or wonderful, and this is no exception. The new Macbook Pro 13" is one beautiful piece of machinery, and just what I needed after years of struggling with a Dell laptop. I'm a freelance writer with tough deadlines and have lost many a draft and even finished articles due to random shutdowns, freeze-ups, data loss and other problems with the PC. I've only had my new Macbook for a few days, but it has already blown my old computer out of the water.

That's not to say that my experience with this Macbook will always be problem-free, but it operates so smoothly and intuitively that I'm already saving lots of time that was previously spent twiddling my thumbs while the clunky, slow PC tried to perform the simplest of tasks. The transition from PC to Macbook has been extremely smooth - it only took me a day of tinkering to get the hang of it - everything just *makes sense*.

My only gripe is the extreme reflectivity of the glass screen (ordering from Amazon, I didn't even realize a non-reflective screen was an option). But that's really no biggie considering the abundance of pros.


 Review 25 :


That's the best way to describe how it feels to use this laptop. Everything about this little computer feels so solid and well built. This is my first Apple computer. I've always used PC's for everything. I originally bought an Asus UL series but was unimpressed by its build quality and the trackpad was horrible. Now that I have some money to afford nice things I don't mind paying for them so I decided to check this out at an Apple store and was blown away. The trackpad really won me over. What I was really looking for in a laptop was a pleasant internet surfing/email/Hulu user experience while on the couch or away from home. Did not want to carry a mouse around. The hand gestures are simply incredible and work so well (although the 3 finger swipe tends to be a little flakey, sometimes I have to do it more than once for it to work). The OS is a pleasure to use. Yes I'm still tinkering with it but its so much fun and refreshing trying something new. I was just so bored of Windows and after using the macbook for a few days I try to avoid my PC desktop whenever possible..lol Anyway for anyone who wants a high end portable computer and appreciates well built, quality items do not pass this up. You will not find another laptop out there that comes close to the user experience this thing provides. Very well done Apple!
 Review 26 :


I have always been impressed with the battery life of Apple notebooks (and all of their portables). From the first iBooks I get about 5 hours under normal use and 2 hours under heavy use (full out CPU plus spinning optical drive). That blows away the PC competition where I'm lucky to get 2 hours under the best of conditions. As I use my laptop on train commutes and flights this battery time is important to me.

Since 2003 they have delivered on their near 6 hour promise as I usually get around 5. That's well adequate for a train commute (unless you are really unlucky) or a flight across the US. But now with this enhancement, dropping the CPU to 2.4 GHz and improving the battery I couldn't resist trying the latest model with the 10 hour claim. And Apple did it. When I untether I get about a 9 1/2 to 10 1/2 hour life with normal use or 3-4 hours under heavy use. That's outstanding. I can use my Pro for about as long as an iPad.

Another thing that impresses me about the latest Pro 13 inch models is they dissipate heat well. They do get hot, being smallish laptops, but feel less hot than my polycarb 13. I am guessing that is because the aluminum unibody conducts heat better than plastic. I find the polycarb actually uncomfortable after a few minutes (and buffer the heat with a pillow) but can use the Pro on my lap for hours.

The computer is a joy to use. It continues to have all the plusses of OS X and Apple's fine aesthetics. As the product has been reviewed so well for all around use I just wanted to give it 5 stars for my positive experience of no complaints. I use these laptops for my livelihood and they are running for ten to sixteen hours every day with no glitches. Plus Apple's agenda to give an outstanding battery life to the latest generation is a total success in my opinion.

NOTE: As a followup I have bought three of these computers this year and returned one because of quality issues. From my (and others') experience with Apple I think my problem was just bad luck, but worth mentioning. So this year I bought two flawless MacBook Pro 13's and one that had the following issues. First I noticed excessive "head parking". I know the Pro's have an aggressive head parking algorithm and you often hear the loud click. But one day I had mine totally stationary on my desk in clamshell mode (mounted in an arc) and it just kept clicking away. The OS seemed fine otherwise and it just happened one day. After that I noticed an odd click now and then in clamshell mode. Second, and what got me to return this machine, is that within two weeks the "K"-key got stuck. It still worked, but was tweaked enough that my moderately good typing was no longer possible. So, as I was still within Amazon's return period, I returned the machine. That said I have two other MacBook Pro 13's this year and I have been totally satisfied with them. No other quality issues.


 Review 27 :


Anyone who claims a Windows PC is better than a Mac is sniffing glue! I have been using Windows forever, but this is my first Macbook Pro, and it is true... Once you go Mac, you never go back! This Macbook Pro is a dream machine! Even with 4GBs of memory and a dual processor, it still blows my Windows 7 laptop out of the water! Not only is it beautifully constructed, it is a joy to use! I really thought moving to a Mac would be a learning curve.... Well, it really wasn't, and I picked it up immediately! And let me not forget the software that comes with it... iPhoto is a jewel, it's face recognitioning software is a photographers dream! Not only does it work incredibly well, but it learns pretty quick, and sorts your photos beautifully, in stacks... Oh.... I could just go on for hours praising this machine and the iPad, but all I will say is if you have the money, and are tired of Microsoft's tired promises of next time it will be better... GO MAC! And you will truly never go back! Now I understand why people are so fanatic about their Macs! They truly are quality machines!

Review 28 :


Why drop a grand and then some on a 13-inch notebook computer when you can have one for a nickel or less? You get what you pay for. Add in everything you really, really want and you're within a few bucks of the price of this MacBook Pro.

Now consider the not so obvious, like the ability to run Windows XP, Vista or Windows 7 at native speed with Boot Camp and your own copy of Windows or as a virtual PC within Mac OS X using free software like Oracle VM VirtualBox or commercial products like Parallels and VMWare. The same machine that lets you and the family surf the web in maximum safety thanks to Mac OS X can be the same one that hooks up to the office over VPN with Windows, and neither interferes with the other.

Gigabytes of commentary have been written about the engineering of this latest edition, particularly using a faster Intel Core 2 Duo chip instead of the new Core i3 or i5, but the performance says it best. At church, I run Microsoft PowerPoint to project hymn lyrics on our twin LCD projectors while using Audacity to record the choir through a USB interface from our Behringer mixer. First-person programs like NoLimits Roller Coaster Simulation run with a smoothness and fluidity that nearly mimics a real-life video shot from the front seat. The Mac build of GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) screams through complex special effects filters like a banshee. Bing Maps powered by Microsoft Silverlight caused the fan on my previous MacBook to whine like an Airbus A340 taxiing. The MacBook Pro handles it without breaking a sweat. Remember, when you watch prime-time TV or go to the movies, you're seeing some special effects created with software running on this very same technology. Now it's yours as well.

The backlit keyboard has a satisfying feel that'll have touch typists up to speed in no time. Apple uses the nearly extinct inlaid injection process to produce the keys. The markings are molded all the way through, not silkscreened or stuck on like decals. They will never, ever rub off. You haven't seen keys made this way since the glory days of IBM and Olivetti typewriters.

Although I still use a Logitech Marble Mouse trackball (now relabeled as the Trackman Marble), the big trackpad is the best I've come across (compared to my company-issued Lenovo T400).

And, of course, there's that aluminum case and Museum of Modern Art-worthy design. It's a touch of style that makes work and play more enjoyable.


 Review 29 :

I just have a few things to add.

One thing that i don't like about this new 13' macbook pro is the displayport.
Yes this model's displayport now can support audio with proper adapter to HDMI(that is actually one of the reason i decided the time has arrived to buy this mbp). The left side of the macbookpro is already crowded, with this additional adapter and if you have few USB devices attached, the left side looks very messy. Kind of defeat the purpose of the clean design of the notebook.
Not a biggie, just one thing i can pick on this otherwise perfect machine. :)


I use the laptop to do light reading and web browsing around the house and backyard, and when i want to do some real work, i hook it up back to lcd monitor and it feels i am working on a desktop pc. I really like the fact that 4G Ram come standard now with better integrated video card. C2D CPU is not bad, i don't think it will make any big difference compare to i3 if they offer this.

The weakest link of this laptop i think is the harddrive. 5400rpm is okay but not great, SSD is still too expensive even for just 128G size(even after market). I hope apple soon can offer some hybrid solution.

Review 30

I had ordered this product on the day of its release i.e. 4/13, initially there was no delivery date, but on Monday I got a mail that it was shipped and received it very next day. I love amazon order fulfillment system. This is my first macbook, initially had Dell and Hp. But cant really compare to these brands...especially HP..its crap.
Now back to macbook, I am impressed from packaging itself..just what is needed. Out of the box and its up and running in no time. I initially though that being a windows user will take me a longer time to adjust. But Macbook pro proved me wrong, in a day's time I picked the macbook's world. Now it seems, i am owning macbook since ages.
Its fast, smooth and not much or not too less. Very quiet and responsive. I was waiting for this upgrade for a long time, always felt the pinch of buying 13.3 with less hardware, but now it is just perfect for browsing, gaming and more. I don't need to look for a laptop for next 5 yrs at least.
Moral of the story, best buy for the price...guys reading this review...don't think too much. Just go for it.

Acer AS5742Z-4685 15.6-Inch Laptop (Mesh Black) Review

Buy Acer AS5742Z-4685 15.6-Inch Laptop (Mesh Black)

Acer AS5742Z-4685 15.6-Inch Laptop (Mesh Black) Review

List Price:	$549.99
Price:	$489.95
You Save:	$60.04 (11%)
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Acer AS5742Z-4685 15.6-Inch Laptop Details

• The Acer Aspire AS5742Z Notebook offers powerful performance, the latest connectivity technology and rich media features for a fast, responsive PC experience.
• Enjoy cinematic brilliance on the 15.6" HD CineCrystal widescreen LCD Display
• With the power of an Intel Pentium Dual-Core processor you can keep pace with daily tasks such as email, Internet, homework, and managing household budgets.
• Windows 7 Home Premium makes the things you do every day easier and with Office Starter 2010, experience new ways to deliver your best work!
• Always be connected to your friends, email and favorite websites with 802.11b/g/n WiFi CERTIFIED wireless connectivity and Gigabit Ethernet LAN.

Acer AS5742Z-4685 15.6-Inch Laptop Description

The Acer Aspire AS5742Z notebook PC (model AS5742Z-4685) offers powerful performance, the latest connectivity technology, and rich media features for a fast, responsive PC experience. Start with a gorgeous 15.6-inch widescreen LCD display with built-in HD webcam and the power of an Intel Pentium processor, then throw in cool convenience features and the new Microsoft Office Starter 2010 and you have everything you need within reach to power through daily tasks and enjoy your media wherever you are.

Enjoy smart performance and a seamless visual experience with the Acer Aspire AS5742.

The notebook's rounded edges and smooth lines bring a slenderized look while the textured mesh black cover brings a rich appearance and prevents fingerprints and scratches. The full size keyboard extends to a dedicated numeric keypad making number key in's quick.
Pinch, flick and swirl your fingers on the Multi-Gesture Touchpad for an intuitive navigation of web pages, photos, and more. A Touchpad Lock Function Key prevents accidental cursor movement from your wrists and fingers while typing.
The 1.3-megapixel HD webcam lets you go face to face in online chats and VOIPs with a 1280 x 1024 resolution, and you can go even bigger by easily connecting to your HDTV via the HDMI port--delivering crisp high-quality visuals and high-fidelity audio through a single cable.

The textured black mesh cover brings a rich appearance while also preventing fingerprints and scratches.

Pre-installed with the Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium operating system (64-bit version), you'll be able to easily create a home network and share all of your favorite photos, videos, and music. Windows 7 is the easiest, fastest, and most engaging version of Windows yet. Better ways to find and manage files, like Jump Lists and improved taskbar previews, help you speed through everyday tasks. Windows 7 is designed for faster and more reliable performance, so your PC just works the way you want it to.

Key Features

• 15.6-inch HD widescreen CineCrystal LED-backlit display with native 720p HD resolution (1366 x 768), high-brightness (200-nit), and 16:9 aspect ratio.
• 2.0 GHz Intel Pentium P6100 dual-core processor (3 MB L3 cache)
• 320 GB SATA hard drive (5400 RPM)
• 4 GB of installed DDR3 RAM (1066 MHz)
• Intel HD Graphics (with 128 MB of dedicated system memory) provides an advanced video engine that delivers smooth, high-quality HD video playback, and excellent 3D capabilities with support for Microsoft DirectX 10 games--an ideal graphics solution for everyday computing.
• 8x SuperMulti DVD±R/RW drive can also write to CD, DVD-RAM, and dual-layer (DL) DVD±R discs--which can hold up to 8.5 GB of data.
• 1.3-megapixel HD webcam lets you go face to face in online chats and VOIPs with 1280 x 1024 resolution, and easily take still pictures and videos that you can share with friends.
• Built-in speaker
• Wireless-N Wi-Fi (802.11b/g/n) for ultra-fast connectivity to home and business networks.
• Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000)
• Multi-Gesture Touchpad allows you to pinch, flick and swirl your fingers across the touchpad for more natural photo and video viewing as well as intuitive navigation of websites such as Google Earth. It also enables you to scroll, zoom in and out and flip through Web pages, photos, spreadsheets and more.
• 2-in-1 Digital Media Card Reader compatible with Secure Digital (SD) & MultiMediaCard (MMC)
• 3 USB ports
• HDMI high-definition audio/video output allows a single cable to transmit uncompressed high-definition video to your digital TV or LCD
• Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit) makes it easy to create a home network and share all of your favorite photos, videos, and music. And you can watch shows for free when and where you want with Internet TV on Windows Media Center. Get the best entertainment experience with Windows 7 Home Premium.
• Get more features with Windows Anytime Upgrade. It's the best way to add features to Windows 7, takes as few as ten minutes, requires no software or downloads, and you'll keep your existing programs, files, and settings. Windows will walk you through the simple upgrade process.
• Acer Backup Manager Software enables you to set up backup your valuable data or media portfolio with ease, and protect your assets intelligently and quickly.
• 6-cell battery (4400 mAh)
• Weight: 5.74 pounds
• Warranty: One-year parts and labor limited warranty with concurrent International Traveler's Warranty

What's in the Box

This package contains the Acer Aspire AS5742Z-4685 notebook PC, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, and operating instructions
It also comes with the following software:

McAfee Internet Security Suite (trial version); Norton Online Backup; NTI Media Maker; Windows Live Essentials; Microsoft Office Starter 2010 (reduced-functionality and advertising; Office 2010 product key can be purchased to activate preloaded suite)

Learn More

The Acer Multi-Gesture Touchpad

A Multi-Gesture Touchpad allows you to pinch, flick and swirl your fingers across the touchpad for more natural photo and video viewing as well as intuitive navigation of websites. The Multi-Gesture Touchpad enables you to scroll, zoom in and out and flip through Web pages, photos, spreadsheets and more.
The TouchPad can also be disabled with a one-touch button, eliminating accidental cursor movement with palms and wrists when using an external mouse.

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium

Pre-installed with the Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium operating system (64-bit version), you'll be able to easily create a home network and share all of your favorite photos, videos, and music. Windows 7 is the easiest, fastest, and most engaging version of Windows yet. Better ways to find and manage files, like Jump Lists and improved taskbar previews, help you speed through everyday tasks. Windows 7 is designed for faster and more reliable performance, so your PC just works the way you want it to.
And with Windows Anytime Upgrade, you'll be able to add new features to your PC in as little as 10 minutes. Windows will walk you through the simple upgrade process, it requires no software or downloads, and you'll keep your existing programs, files, and settings

Product Description

Acer AS5742Z-4685 Notebook comes with these specs: Intel Pentium Dual-Core Processor P6100, Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit), 15.6" HD Widescreen CineCrystal LCD Display, Mobile Intel HM55 Express Chipset, 4096MB DDR3 1066MHz Memory, Intel HD Graphics, 320GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive, 8X DVD-SuperMulti Double-Layer Drive, Built-in 1.3MP HD Webcam (1280 x 1024), 2-in-1 Digital Media Card Reader, High-Definition Audio Support, 802.11b/g/n WiFi CERTIFIED, 3 - USB 2.0 Ports, HDMI Port, Multi-gesture Touchpad, 6-cell Li-ion Battery (4400 mAh), up to 3.5-hours of battery life, 5.74 lbs. | 2.6 kg (system unit only), AC Power Adapter, AC Power Cord, Wireless Setup Card, Registration/ Limited Warranty Card, Microsoft Office Starter 2010, McAfee Internet Security Suite Trial (60-day trial) 

Acer AS5742Z-4685 15.6-Inch Laptop Reviews:

Review 1 - Very impressive laptop for the price

I'm a somewhat advanced computer user and had been looking at laptops for a while before buying the Acer AS5742Z-4685. I dug into all of the specs of about 6 different models and zeroed in on this one as the best value. The price point was above the $300 I spent on our 'family' laptop a year ago, but I'm glad I spent the extra $100 (check out some of the private sellers' prices).

Pros: Crystal-clear LED screen, fast computing, great multi-tasking, not too much crap-ware pre-installed, lightweight, and easy-to-use keyboard

Cons: Battery life is good, but not great; price point is a bit high if you're willing to wait for Black Friday or Gold Box deals... which I obviously wasn't)

Overall, this laptop is a good buy in the $500 range, a great value at the $400 level, and--if it ever goes on sale in the $300 to 350 range--don't miss your chance to buy it!

Review 2 -  Fast CPU + Beautiful Display + Low Price
This is an amazing laptop. Screen is crystal clear and very bright. The top cover and spots where your wrist sit have a nice texture to them making fingerprints and smudges hard to see. The p6100 is a great budget processor. This beats down the similar price athlon II mobile processors and seems to be ahead of the old core 2's in benchmarks. The Battery life seems to be about 3.2hours while browsing the net and working with outlook and word. Keys have a great feel and the way it is designed, you really cant get food or other small objects caught under them. This laptop does have 3 usb, 1 on the left and 2 on the right.

Highly recommended!
Review 3 - Excellent Laptop, great price
Bought this laptop for about $450, free expedited shipping from Warehouse Sur+ (Amazon seller). Arrived late due to FedEx, not the fault of Amazon, Warehouse Sur+ or Acer, of course. It was double boxed for shipping, arrived in excellent condition.

Excellent finish which makes smudges hard to see. Screen is nice and big, crystal clear. We have 4 Acer monitors and all work very well. Not a single issue with them and two are several years old, so we were pretty sure Acer would make a good laptop as well.

The laptop comes with Windows 7 Home Premium but no DVD for it so you can't reinstall easily. The key code for it is on a sticker on the bottom of the laptop, so if you get an OEM Windows 7 DVD that key should work to reinstall Windows 7. It also comes with some craplets, but you might be interested in McAfee's antivirus (we weren't, we use Microsofts Security Essentials, free download from MS with an authenticated Windows system).

We reformatted the hard drive into multiple partitions and installed Windows 7 64bit Ultimate (we use BitLocker drive data encryption for data on the laptop and on the USB drives). The reformat and reinstall worked just fine (and no craplets!). Since there is no disk with the system, there were a lot of missing drivers (for the network card, wireless device, several Intel drivers, the camera, etc). All were easy to find at the Acer web site (get them beforehand, unless you have another computer to download with).

Once we added the network driver, we could instantly see the local network computers and printers, and internet. Once that was found, we went to Microsoft Updates and that seemed to find most the other drivers for updating, including the video card drivers. The Acer website for the AS5742Z lists drivers for both AMD video cards and nVidia, although you probably don't want or need both, and they are large files. The Microsoft Update website detected and installed the appropriate video driver, which makes life a lot easier.

If you decide you want to install Windows XP (we tried just to check if it works) it does run fine, although we did have to go into the BIOS at boot up and change the SATA setting to IDE. The default value crashes XP during installation. That's a minor issue, since Windows 7 is so much better anyway. If you use the normal 32 bit XP, you won't use all of the 4GB of ram; you need the 64 bit operating systems to do that, which is why Acer provides the Windows 7 64 bit version.

The laptop has 3 USB ports, two on the right side, one on the left. We put USB thumbnail drives into them all to test them and had no issues. We tried the wireless network, it was fine. We also connected to our 10/100/1000 wired network, and the laptop transferred a large file at the full 1Gbps speed. We then tried a wireless modem from Verizon, and it also worked as expected.

The keyboard is very nice for a laptop. The mouse pad on the laptop is ok, but we prefer a normal mouse. We put in a USB mouse made by Roswell (a cheapo one for $4) and it worked right away. The 4GB of RAM were fully accessible, thanks to the 64 bit operating system (both on the OEM version it came with and our own Win7 64 Ultimate).

The only thing we will get for it is a car charger. We have a standard laptop briefcase, it fits into that fine.

Overall, we are delighted with this laptop and expect to buy another one in a few months.

Review 4 - I Love Acer AS5742Z-4685 15.6-Inch Laptop!
I bought the HP G62-340US last week but returned it when I saw this Acer Aspire with 1 more GB of RAM for only $20 more at an office superstore. I am a typical home user who uses the laptop primarily for photos, web browsing, some word processing and filing taxes. Wow, I am impressed by this laptop. I especially love the number key pad on the right hand side. That's a luxury that I never had with any of my previous laptops. The keyboard is also very nice with full-size keys that did not require too much force to register. Unlike other reviewers, I did not have any ergonomic issues with the off-center touch pad. Installed Internet Explorer worked seamlessly. I was also able to download Google Chrome as an alternative web browser. So far, no complaints with this value-priced Acer Aspire.

Review 5 - Good Cheap laptop, Loved it so much
I am satisfied with the price. All features are good enough to me. Crystal clear screen, fast computation, HD built-in camera, light weight, thin size and multi-input touch-pad. I am not so sure its durability. I hope it lasts for long time.

Buy Acer AS5742Z-4685 15.6-Inch Laptop (Mesh Black)