Apple MacBook Pro 17" - Expert Reviews

Review summary: Apple's new 15in. MacBook Pro has a redesigned aluminium body, a new touchpad with expanded functionality and a dual graphics setup for either longer battery life or better performance. However, there's now less incentive to spend extra on a Pro ...

Pros: New aluminum unibody construction looks good, feels solid, Giant multi-touch touchpad, Attractive edge-to-edge glass on display, New dual-mode graphics provide more power or more battery life

Cons: All-clicking touchpad is a bit awkward, at least initially, The extra-glossy screen won't appeal to everyone, Switching GPUs not as seamless as it should be, Similar performance to the cheaper 13in. MacBook, Still no media card slot

Review summary: Apple's greenest notebook ever is also one of its best. The MacBook Pro is overpriced, but you certainly get a powerful and exquisitely designed machine for your hard-earned cash. It's not perfect, but using it is a largely positive experience on the ...

Pros: Slim and sexy, Magnetic Power connector, iSight Webcam, Faster than previous models

Cons: Expensive, Poor Screen Resolution, Graphics need work

Verdict: It's expensive, but the MacBook Pro offers better performance and speed than its predecessors and ships standard with a whole range of intuitive features

Review summary: With a new aluminum body and jaw-dropping integrated graphics, the latest MacBook scores in looks as well as performance.

Pros: New aluminum construction looks good, feels solid ; giant touchpad ; attractive edge-to-edge glass on display ; improved integrated graphics ; backlit keyboard on some models ; thinner than previous version

Cons: Still no ExpressCard or SD card slot ; loses FireWire port ; all-clicking touchpad is a bit awkward, at least initially ; S$2,088 now gets you a slower CPU than it did before ; no matte screen option

Verdict:  Apple's redesigned 13-inch MacBook is essentially a shrunken version of the more expensive 15-inch Pro line. With its new aluminum body, new trackpad, and Nvidia graphics, it's an even more attractive choice for mainstream laptop buyers than was the ...

Review summary: Rarely does Apple update an entire line of laptops in one fell swoop. While the new aluminum MacBooks didn't come as a surprise, a new MacBook Pro seemed like a long shot. This latest crop of MacBook Pros benefit from a new manufacturing process and ...

Pros: Now less than one inch thick. Design has no equal. Switchable graphics. Gesture and clickable touchpad. Still the lightest 15-inch laptop. Gorgeous glass screen. Illuminated keyboard. Excellent typing experience

Cons: Lacks a built-in media card reader. Features aren't the strongest. Pricey

Verdict: The MacBook Pro is a design marvel like no other, but you can find better features elsewhere.

Award: Editor's Choice!

Review summary: Apple's new MacBook Pro range is slightly faster than before; but due to its new graphic chipset the laptop provides a considerable improvement in speed. Discover what we think of Apple professional laptop.

Pros: Light, slim, stylish ; built-in wireless and Bluetooth ; fast Core 2 Duo processor, new NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT graphics card, choice of glossy or matte screen

Cons: Still no replacement for smaller 12-inch model, 17-inch model is weighty

Verdict: If you have a recent MacBook Pro Core 2 Duo, there's no compelling reason to trade up (unless you can't live without the higher frame rates, the optional extra resolution, or a fourth GB of RAM). But if you're still using a PowerBook or a Core Duo ...