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Apple MacBook Pro MA896LL/A Notebook (2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Mobile, 2GB DDR2, 160GB, DVD±RW DL, Mac OS X v10.5 Leopard, 15.4" LCD)
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$1,294.42 From 1 Vendor Get Best Prices »
- Spec Navigator
- Processor
- Memory
- Display
- Storage
- Battery
- Dimensions
- Other Features
- Networking
- Multimedia
- Software
- Interface Connections
- Included Devices
- Warranty
Processor
| Processor class | Intel Core 2 Duo Mobile |
| Processor speed | 2400 MHz |
| Cache size | 4096 KB |
| Bus speed | 800 MHz |
Display
| Display size | 15.4 inches |
| Maximum resolution | 1440 x 900 |
| Aspect ratio | 16:10 |
| Display type | Active Matrix LCD (TFT) |
Storage
| Total HD Size | 160 GB |
| Number of hard drives included | 1 |
| Included drives | DVD+-RW DL |
| Slots | Express Card 34 |
| Drive controllers | Serial ATA |
Networking
| Included network card |
|
Multimedia
| Video chipset | NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT |
| Installed video memory | 256 MB |
| Video bus | PCI Express x16 |
| Video integration | Discrete |
Interface Connections
| Interface connection |
|
Multitask and Not Bog Down
The more memory a PC has, the faster your programs run and the more windows you can work in simultaneously. Equipped with memory between 1GB and 3GB, this laptop should be able to handle just about any task you can throw at it without bogging down too much. For instance, if you're a multitasker and you'd like to burn a music CD in one window while watching your favorite DVD movie (for the umpteenth time) in another--while flipping between your inbox and your browser to work on your blog during the movie's boring parts--this laptop can manage it all without a hiccup.
Suited for Commuting and Other Short Trips
Because of its midsize screen and other middle-of-the-road characteristics, this notebook qualifies as an all-purpose portable. Though it might not have the biggest hard drive or all the latest card slots, its features--and accordingly, its price--are a good fit for most people who need to get work done in mainstream applications. On this laptop, you'll be able to compute comfortably in word processing, spreadsheet, e-mail, and browser applications, and enjoy music or a DVD movie with headphones. This laptop, lighter and easier to carry than a desktop replacement, is also a better choice for commuting and other short trips.
Supports DVD Burning
This laptop is equipped with a DVD burner, a slightly older type of optical drive. If you don't need the ultrahigh recording capacity of a new Blu-ray optical drive, and you don't care about watching high-definition movies on your laptop, a DVD burner should suit you fine. It can read and burn data, music, or video discs up to 8.5GB in capacity. A DVD burner is, of course, backward-compatible with CDs, but it cannot play the newer Blu-ray media because the two types of optical-disc technology use different lasers. In a couple of years, Blu-ray will completely replace the DVD disc format.
Expand Memory and Multimedia Through the ExpressCard Slot
The built-in ExpressCard slot on this laptop lets you easily expand the memory, wireless communications, multimedia, or security of the system. There are two types of ExpressCards: the ExpressCard/34, which measures 34mm by 75mm and is shaped like a stick of chewing gum, and the wider ExpressCard/54, which is 54mm by 75mm. The ExpressCard/54 slot, which accepts either type of card, opens up a wider world of expandability, including SmartCard readers, CompactFlash readers, and 1.8-inch disk drives. Few new laptops come equipped with the old PC Card slot that preceded ExpressCard, but if yours does, you can buy an adapter that lets you use ExpressCards in the PC Card slot.
Handle Heavy Loads of Streaming Data With Firewire
Many laptops have one built-in FireWire port, also known as an IEEE 1394 (the name of the official standard) or i.Link (Sony’s name for it) port. This connection comes in handy if you download massive video files. Even though USB ports have caught up to FireWire in speed--attaining 480 megabits per second to the latter's 400 mbps--FireWire is still better at handling heavy loads of streaming data. Unlike USB, FireWire can even quickly transfer data between devices (such as printers and scanners) without a PC. The new FireWire 800 standard, IEEE 1394b, is twice as fast as standard FireWire 400 or 1394a, but it hasn't caught on with mainstream users; it's available mainly as an add-in card for power users.
Connect Peripherals With Bluetooth Technology
This short-range wireless technology is everywhere. Whether you activate it on a laptop by way of an external on/off switch or through software, the small internal Bluetooth card automatically detects other Bluetooth-equipped devices within 30 feet and sends and receives radio signals over an ad-hoc "piconet," or personal wireless network. Bluetooth is an especially convenient way to add external peripherals or partner the laptop with other devices, such as a cell phone, printer, or digital camera. Bluetooth works only over short distances to connect devices around your home or office, sending small chunks of data at a leisurely 1 megabit per second.
Be Wary of Battery Life Specs
Take the battery life you see advertised for any laptop with a grain of salt. Why? A few vendors still use unrealistic testing parameters in order to report the longest battery life possible. For example, a "tested" laptop simply might be turned on, with the screen brightness lowered to the darkest level, and allowed to run down without anyone touching it. When the laptop undergoes typical, everyday use--say, with the screen brightness turned up to a readable level and with the user working in several applications or playing a CD or DVD movie--its battery life could be much shorter than a vendor's claims.
Review Now! Already own it? Tell us What You Think
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Reviewed by: skvaish
Strengths: everything! doesnt crash, fast, easy to handel, comes preloaded with amazing and usful productivity software that i actually use!
Weaknesses: not much, just gets a little overheated at times. parent controls is too good.
Overall: The macbook is simple the best. Its an easy to use operating system on a very sleek macbook. It comes preloaded with Safari, iTunes, iPhoto, Mail, iChat, and Photobooth. Safari is a very fast web broswer that is very easy to adapt to, and had a beatuiful interface. iTunes is what i use for all my music managing, and use it for my ipods. It is also a very easy to use music store to buy songs, music videos and movies very quickly. iPhoto is an amazing photo manager that lets you create many albums with a touch of a button. Mail is a very easy shortcut to check your email right away. Mail works with all accounts except Hotmail. iChat is a nice chatting client i use in cooperation with gmail chat. Photobooth is the best, because it lets me easily take pictures of anything using the built in web camera. it also comes with the ability to add backgrounds, record videos, and create animations.The mac comes with many other applications, and its very easy to install more apps. It also comes with a very extensive parent control feature that is unbeatable.All in all, the macbook pro is a must have for everyone.
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Reviewed by: bean5
Strengths: Power of desktop in notebook (not a laptop for certain reasons). Screen is beautiful, design is awesome. Keyboard is great with the exception of the caplock - a bit too close to the 'a' key.
Weaknesses: Can run hot. Has some external display issues due to 10.5.2, and from time to time will not wake up from sleep. HDD is slow, but can hardly tell. Only 2 usb ports, would be nice to have esata ports
Overall: I upgraded from a mac mini monster (lets just say it had some scars and bolts) and this computer is a night and day difference. Runs everything smoothly. I upgraded to 4gb ram and never have to fuss with programs slowing down. I use it mostly as a desktop, so the two usb ports aren't a problem with a hub, and use the expresscard port with an esata card to connect my external drives, one that runs time machine. Does run hot, which could be a problem if I had it on my lap. I installed Vista onto it, and that definitely runs way hot, but runs smoothly...almost like vista was made for it... There's so many things right about this computer that it's definetly worth the premium price...Only beef I have with it is that it's hard to upgrade the HDD...I would definitely do it if I could, or better put, would do it if it was easier to do (7200rpm hdd would help out alot).
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Reviewed by: mike105
Strengths: Very well built, Great battery life, Quiet, Super fast, Can run OSX and Windows using bootcamp, Very bright LED display, Big touchpad
Weaknesses: Gets really hot!, only 2 USB ports
Overall: This laptop runs super fast and is very quite. New LED display is extra bright and it uses less battery than a regular LCD display. New Intel chip allows you to run both, OS X and Windows (XP or Vista) which is great considering that some programs run only on Windows. Now you can enjoy having a Mac and still be able to run Windows based software if needed. Graphic card is fast and games run smoothly. Battery life is pretty good. I get about 3 hours 35 min with 1/3 brightness while doing regular stuff like typing or browsing the Internet. The only problem that I have is that laptop gets really hot when plugged in. It is uncomfortable to keep it on your lap. Fortunately, you can get 3rd party software to adjust the fans speed and better cool your laptop.
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Reviewed by: chudmaster89
Strengths: Awesome looking, fast, very bright screen, best track pad I've ever used, back lit keyboard, isight built in, plays games on highest quality fast.
Weaknesses: Hot, viewing angle.
Overall: I have been using this laptop for the past few weeks. I have mostly been playing Doom 3 and Unreal Tournament 2004, and all of the graphics settings have been all the way maxed. They both run very smoothly. The macbook pro also does more than play games, it can do many other things very well. The new led back lit screen is very bright, but if you angle the screen left or right, it turns yellow. This is not a problem when looking at the screen straight on like normal viewing. It also runs very hot and i have to be wearing long shorts or pants to keep from getting uncomfortable. Overall, i am very happy with my purchase and the viewing angle and heat don't even touch my happiness with this product.
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Reviewed by: dmjseller
Strengths: Slick design, backlit keyboard, only 1" thick, light weight, but yet has more power than most desktops out there, with a gorgeous LED screen
Weaknesses: None so far. Would have liked for the newer 200 gig 7200 rpm drives as an option
Overall: All I can say is WOW! This is one amazing machine. Just max it out with 4 gigs of memory and this machine will simply fly under OS X. I use VMWare's excellent Fusion app for my Windows needs (for Office actually), but everything else is under Mac. The software bundle the the Macbook Pro comes with is simply the best in the business for consumer use. Making movies, DVDs, music, listening and watching that content you just made - all is handled beautifully with the iLife suite of apps. Unlike many PC makers out there, the OS is not weighed down with crapware and adware that constantly nags you to sign up and slows down performance. Only ad one sees is a free 60-day trial of Dot-Mac, which one has the option of skipping during initial set up, and trial versions of Office for Mac, Aperture, and iWorks suite. The latter I would recommend that everyone give at least one try before deleting - especially Keynote - since it is so good. Speaking of deleting, un-installing apps has got to be the easiest thing to do under OS X - just move it to the trash and you are done! No registry headaches, no forced restarts, no system instability due to lots of program installs and uninstalls. And this is an indication of just how good everything under Mac OS X really is. Despite what many Apple-haters may claim, OS X is not a kiddie OS, but a full-fledged Unix platform - that same Unix base that is used in heavy duty servers by banks and big corporations to run their system smoothly. OS X can be as simple or as technical as you want it to be. Now with the Intel switch and Fusion/Parallels software, one can run Unix, Linux and Windows all in one box - and the Macbook Pro is a beautiful box to work with. All this, and the beautiful LED screen (so bright that I turn it down three notches for everyday use) and powerful Nvidia 8-series graphics. Despite all this power and speed, I still get a solid 4 hours of battery life in casual user - web surfing, email, IMing, and Windows running under Fusion, and the wireless BT Mighty Mouse. Bottom line - this is simply the best laptop you can buy right now. There will be faster processors and graphics cards down the road, but nothing beats the features that a Macbook Pro offers to the user. Oh yeah, the backlit keyboard is extremely slick in implementation and use.
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We recommend these Laptops for their similarities to the Apple MacBook Pro MA896LL/A Notebook (2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Mobile, 2GB DDR2, 160GB, DVD±RW DL, Mac OS X v10.5 Leopard, 15.4" LCD) in features, specs, ratings, and user interest.
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