macbookreview - Gizmodo

posts about #macbookreview more →
Unibody Apple MacBook Review
The 17-Inch MacBook Pro Review

Your version of Internet Explorer is not supported. Please upgrade to the most recent version in order to view comments.

Dsmvwl Admin Promote to frontpage Approve user Ban user ×

Kaiser-Machead
10/21/09

In reply to Unibody Apple MacBook Review
The absence of a battery indicator is baffling. If my laptop is off, I prefer to check the battery indicator to see if I have enough juice to do anything worth turning it on for when I'm out and about. Granted, with this new battery, if you left the house on a full charge and didn't do much with it throughout the day, chances are pretty good that you'll still have well over 50%, provided you didn't do anything proc intensive.

The absence of the IR port is just wrong. Why do something like that? It's weird....and stupid.

Overall, I'd say that this thing would easily cater to a huge group of people. I doubt many people even use the IR port on their MBA's, but still.....it's nice to HAVE the ability to use it.

As for the user replaceable battery being switched for the big integrated, I pretty much saw that coming. Considering how well my MBP's battery holds up, I don't mind. As for user replaceable RAM and HDD's, anyone who's actually taken apart an MB to swap the drives would know that there is a negligible difference in ease between this and and the older one. If you can unscrew the L frame from the battery bay, you can unscrew a plate from the bottom to do the same operation. #macbookreview
Reply

Kaiser-Machead was starred Kaiser-Machead was unstarred

Identity (Metric)
10/21/09

In reply to Unibody Apple MacBook Review
That back hinge looks 100 times better than the old one. This seems like a pretty good buy for a college student. #macbookreview
Reply

Identity (Metric) was starred

ian.nai
10/21/09

In reply to Unibody Apple MacBook Review
I can't wrap my mind around not being able to swap out the battery in a computer. If it was a relatively inconsequential motherboard battery that'd be one thing. But, as it is, not being able to swap out a part that has such an obvious lifespan is a HUGE turn off. #macbookreview
Reply

Kaiser-Machead promoted this comment ian.nai was starred ian.nai was unstarred

Kaiser-Machead
10/22/09

@ian.nai: The only real difference is a number of screws. For anyone who is at all familiar with swapping an HDD, taking the battery out will not be hard. The issue is that you have to bring it to Apple to get it swapped. If I was able to actually buy a replacement cell for my MBP in the future, I'd be pleased enough since it's easy to remove. #macbookreview
Reply

Kaiser-Machead was starred Kaiser-Machead was unstarred

ian.nai
10/22/09

@Kaiser-Machead: I am familiar. That's why I want a nice, easy-swap out battery. Because I DON'T want swapping out a battery to be like swapping out a hard drive. I've done both (in laptops even), and I know which I prefer. #macbookreview
Reply

ian.nai was starred ian.nai was unstarred

green or blue
10/21/09

In reply to Unibody Apple MacBook Review
Don't forget, they also removed the firewire port. HUGE turnoff.

Edit: I missed it. Even still, I would have upgraded from my old macbook to this one if it had a firewire. I don't understand why apple insists on removing it. I wouldn't be able to use my Apogee Duet.
Reply

Edited by green or blue at 10/21/09 2:31 PM green or blue was starred green or blue was unstarred

Nitesh Singh
10/21/09

In reply to Unibody Apple MacBook Review
As the author empathized in his review, the best time to buy an Apple product is right after launch. They offer good value at launch, but Apple insists on their release cycles while PC makers trickle down new hardware to their lineups when it becomes available, so within months of launch they are overtaken. #macbookreview
Reply

Jason Chen promoted this comment Nitesh Singh was starred Nitesh Singh was unstarred

Dr. H. F. Danger
10/21/09

In reply to Unibody Apple MacBook Review
Will the case still absorb every bit of dirt/grime it comes in contact with?

Seriously, magic erasers cant clean these super dirtmagnets. #macbookreview
Reply

Dr. H. F. Danger was starred Dr. H. F. Danger was unstarred

Ben Longo
10/21/09

@Dr. H. F. Danger: Yeah I was wondering the same thing as well. Although increased desktop stability and thermal protection are two things that I'd consider trading a clean white laptop for. #macbookreview
Reply

Dr. H. F. Danger promoted this comment Ben Longo was starred Ben Longo was unstarred

fastm3driver
10/21/09

In reply to Unibody Apple MacBook Review
Also, where do you plug your SD card into? #macbookreview
Reply

tande04 promoted this comment fastm3driver was starred fastm3driver was unstarred

tande04
10/21/09

@fastm3driver: In the USB adapter that you buy. #macbookreview
Reply

tande04 was starred tande04 was unstarred

92BuickLeSabre
10/21/09

In reply to Unibody Apple MacBook Review
That is a gorgeous frickin' laptop. Saarinen-esque. If I didn't feel the need to have at least one PC around, I'd trade out my old laptop for it in a New York minute. #macbookreview
Reply

92BuickLeSabre was starred 92BuickLeSabre was unstarred

johnmc
10/21/09

@92BuickLeSabre: You could always install Windows on this if you absolutely need to keep a Windows box around. #macbookreview
Reply

92BuickLeSabre promoted this comment johnmc was starred johnmc was unstarred

92BuickLeSabre
10/21/09

@johnmc: I always forget about that. Thank you. #macbookreview
Reply

92BuickLeSabre was starred 92BuickLeSabre was unstarred

OGHowie
10/21/09

In reply to Unibody Apple MacBook Review
I guess you better not wear a watch while using this laptop. #macbookreview
Reply

Jason Chen promoted this comment OGHowie was starred OGHowie was unstarred

phunnyballs
10/21/09

In reply to Unibody Apple MacBook Review
Did you notice how much dirt the rubber bottom picked up? #macbookreview
Reply

phunnyballs was starred phunnyballs was unstarred

Mike Shea
10/21/09

In reply to Unibody Apple MacBook Review
I wish they would start making this in black again #macbookreview
Reply

tande04 promoted this comment Mike Shea was starred Mike Shea was unstarred

tande04
10/21/09

@Mike Shea: Seconded. #macbookreview
Reply

tande04 was starred tande04 was unstarred

greimel
10/21/09

In reply to Unibody Apple MacBook Review
Does the new macbook omit the ir sensor? The second photo looks like its missing, or well hidden. #macbookreview
Reply

greimel was starred greimel was unstarred

Bioengineered Smoothie
10/21/09

@greimel: It does - he says so in his post. #macbookreview
Reply

Jason Chen promoted this comment

greimel
10/21/09

@Bioengineered Smoothie: thanks, reading - coffee = poor information absorbing. A 15" MBP is looking nicer and nicer as a replacement for my 2GHz macbook. #macbookreview
Reply

greimel was starred greimel was unstarred

spcomputing
10/21/09

In reply to Unibody Apple MacBook Review

Wow, now it looks like the MSI Wind. #macbookreview
Reply

spcomputing was starred spcomputing was unstarred

Clancycoop
10/21/09

Yeah I remember when they copied the MSI wind in 2006 with this one too. #macbookreview
Reply

Jason Chen promoted this comment Clancycoop was starred Clancycoop was unstarred

Brau
02/27/09

In reply to The 17-Inch MacBook Pro Review
Gizmodo said "• Glossy and matte screen options are now available"

WRONG!

It's not matte, it's anti-glare, and a site like this should know the difference.

Due to their cheap-ass screens, the new 17" MBP is no longer suitable for professional graphics work. It's a nice consumer level toy.
Reply

Brau was starred Brau was unstarred

mind in rewind
03/03/09

@Brau: It's matte. It's the same screen as the previous generation matte MacBook Pros, but with the wider color gamut.

It's excellent for professional graphics work.
Reply

mind in rewind was starred mind in rewind was unstarred

frigg
02/26/09

In reply to The 17-Inch MacBook Pro Review
yeah, that first pic is awesome.
Reply

frigg was starred frigg was unstarred

Earlier discussions Other discussions Show all discussions Show featured discussions only Start a new discussion

#macbookreview

Gizmodo

Gizmodo Team

SUBSCRIBE TO Gizmodo

Unibody Apple MacBook Review

The 17-Inch MacBook Pro Review

Login

Reset Password

Register

Submit Your Comment