Apple Macbook Pro 15-inch, 2.66 GHz (2010) in the test
Timeless elegance characterizes the Macbook Pro line from Apple. Besides the outer appearance can also convince the intrinsic values of the currently updated model range. forgo UMTS and Blu-ray is necessary to continue.
Recently, Apple updated its MacBook Pro notebooks. The 15 - and 17-inch units are now finally available with Intel's latest mobile processors, Core i5 and i7, and Nvidia graphics chips. In addition, Apple offers for the 15-inch versions in a display with higher resolution: 1440 by 900 pixels instead of an optional variant with 1650 times 1050 pixels is available, representing an increase of the available desktop area of 36 percent. Who's with the standard highly reflective screens is not clear, can optionally order the unit with a matte display. However, hp pavilion dv6 battery this option is only available as an option with the higher resolution available. Compared to the standard mirror display with 1440 by 900 pixels, the higher-resolution version will cost with a matt finish an extra charge of € 135.01.
On unibody enclosure, Apple has not made any changes. The now familiar, but timeless elegant look to remain so. Neither changed the Apple multi-touch touchpad made of glass and the frameless display design with flush mounted above the display window.
Processors and graphics
Unlike the 15 - and 17-inch versions have to get the smaller 13-inch models and the cheaper MacBook in plastic until further with the Core 2 Duo technology. Besides the CPU will also change the graphics technology. Instead of the integrated Geforce 9400 used in the Apple 13-inch models, an Nvidia Geforce GT 320M. The larger variants, the manufacturer has equipped with two graphics chips.
Design
Optical has compared to its predecessor as good as anything done. The unibody chassis is milled from a solid aluminum block - the timeless elegance is preserved even with the new devices. There are no rough edges, no fans or vents drangepampte jacks. The device acts as a unified whole. And not only does the look. Weight, material appearance and stability even the highest desires. There is hardly a notebook on the market that can compete in terms of elegance and luxury with the Apple devices.
The keyboard is well known from previous models and provides an excellent pressure point. The buttons are good size, and spacing between the buttons, thanks also to grope blindly excellent. Below the keypad sits the touch pad that recognizes gestures with up to four fingers. He who controls all the gestures, works vgp-bps2 extremely fast and reap erfuhrchtige views of 'non-insiders' who have to think while watching the fluid motion immediately to the iPhone. Zooming with two fingers? No problem. Scroll by placing two fingers up, down or sideways either. All applications disappear when one moves up four fingers and dip as you drag to shrink down. Three fingers to the left, and the browser goes back one page - and so on. Similar functions have been even notebooks with multi-touch trackpad and Windows, but as fluid, fast and perfect as when Apple does the gesture control so far anywhere.
Equipment Equipment: Macbook Pro 15-inch, 2.66 GHz Core i7
The ZDNet tester corresponds to the most expensive 15-inch version for € 2149. On board a Core i7 with 2.66 GHz, 4 GB RAM, 500 GB hard drive space and an extra Nvidia graphics card (Geforce GT 330M) are. The cheapest version is 2.4 GHz Core i5 it fast for 1749 €.
Some of the extras that other high-end notebooks have long been on board, one must dispense with the Apple devices, however. So there is still no HDMI port and no Blu-ray drive. And an integrated UMTS modem is missing - and is not eligible for one additional charge. After all, the integrated mini-display port forward in the new models even more audio signals, so you can manage things in HDMI with an approximately 25 expensive lenovo thinkpad sl300 battery adapter.
Additional cost, there are more memory (8 min instead of 4 GB for 360 €), a faster hard drive (500 GB with 7200 instead of 5400 rpm for 45 €), SSD instead of conventional memory (180 to almost 1200 € extra charge) and adapter remote control, software and so on.
Automatic use of integrated graphics solutions
While in the standard operation of the integrated in the CPU Intel HD graphics processor is available, the MacBook Pro turns in graphically demanding tasks automatically to the more powerful GeForce 330M GT. A Logging in and out as before, is for the change is no longer so necessary. Users who want to know what graphics solution is currently being used in the MacBook Pro, can install the tool gfxCardStatus. It provides information on the menu bar on the current status: 'n' stands for Nvidia Geforce, 'i' for Intel. The program also supports Growl information tool.
In the test, the switch worked smoothly. With the current beta version of Chrome 5.0 reveals, however, for improvement: While switches with Safari only in exceptional cases, such as when watching Youtube videos in full screen mode, the powerful Geforce chip, this is done using the Google browser after a short Surfing on conventional sites with Flash animations - and permanently. In mobile applications, therefore, take care as the Geforce chip charge the battery more. The decrease from the Batterienzeige at a particular time specified term of three hours and 17 minutes with Intel graphics with the Nvidia GPU to 1 hour and 32 minutes.
Battery warranty
A frequently voiced criticism of the permanently installed battery, turns out on closer inspection as a little serious. The replacement of a battery is priced at € 139 Apple. With other manufacturers you get it only need to replace the apple a1036 adapter battery and the case itself. If you do not live near an App Store, the exchange is problematic.
As usual, there is a one year warranty. Whoever also want to have a hedge in case the case must be the Apple Care package purchase within the current warranty period. It's free for the MacBook Pro with a hefty 15-inch display 349 € and is valid for three years.
Performance and Conclusion
The GeForce 330M GT (available with 256 and 512 MB of memory) is not just a dream for hardcore gamers, but enough to run can be as good as all the latest games - though possibly with reduced detail.
In the test with Call of Duty 4 fps Geforce achieved with sophisticated graphics settings and native display resolution of 1440 x 900 pixels 34.5. As soon as one is Grafiktoptionen on means the test set achieved 59 fps.
The processors are a good bit faster and more energy efficient than their predecessors. This is particularly valid for the i7 at 2.66 GHz, but is 2.4 GHz i5 faster than the dual-core variant. The advantage of playing the new technology mainly for multitasking - running more applications at once, the higher is vgp-bpl8 battery the speed increase. In a direct comparison of the operating speeds of individual applications, such as Photoshop or iTunes, for the same programs on an Alienware laptop with Core i7, there is a draw. But even with software that overloaded only one core, the Core i7 convinced, as he then switches to the turbo mode and increase the clock speed of 2.66 to 3.33 GHz.
In practice, the system feels fast and responsive. But this is already known from previous Macs. So you notice a real difference, the devices need to be extremely busy already.
With one charge, the new model runs when playing a video just under 6 hours (5:56). This is a slight increase compared with the previous Core 2 Duo: The 15-inch MacBook Pro last year reached a good 5 hours (5:05). For one cruncher with this performance, the value may well be proud. Anyone who goes with Prime 95 on the search for prime numbers, however, should expect that this is over after 1 hour and 36 minutes. With full CPU load and the resultant high chip temperature, the fans produce up to 6000 revolutions ordinary noise. Under normal conditions, you can hear the device were little. pass for the full charge the battery with the 85-watt power supply 2 hours and 36 minutes.
Conclusion
The MacBook Pro is one of the best notebooks out there. Design and manufacturing are of the highest quality, service, thanks to the modern operating system and various refinements such as an extremely liquid multi-touch operation first class. Also features performance and vote.
Unfortunately, this can require the manufacturer to pay great piece also expensive. Especially with warranty package that it is free from other manufacturers, and a few additional features such as the higher-resolution display or additional memory, the price breaks many a budget. In addition, keep the familiar criticisms: Some technologies such as Blu-ray or UMTS is not even a surcharge
Via: Apple Macbook Pro 15-inch, 2.66 GHz (2010) in the test
