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Apple MacBook Pro MC371LL/A 15.4-Inch Laptop

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Brand: Apple
Category: Personal Computer

List Price: ~~$1,799.00~~
Buy New: $1,699.00
You Save: $100.00 (6%)

New (11) Used (7) Refurbished (2) from $1,629.99

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

26 reviews
Sales Rank: 35

Media: Personal Computers
Number Of Items: 1
Operating System: Mac OS X v10.6 Snow Leopard Operating System
CPU Manufacturer: Intel
CPU Speed: 2.4
CPU Type: Intel Core i5
Processors: 1
System Memory: 4
Memory Type: DDR SDRAM
Hard Drive Size: 320
Graphics RAM: 256
Native Resolution: 1440 x 900
Free Memory Slots: 2
Display Size: 15.4
Shipping Weight (lbs): 10
Dimensions (in): 18.3 x 14.2 x 5.5

MPN: MC371LL/A
Model: MC371LL/A
UPC: 885909410262
EAN: 0885909410262
ASIN: B003G2ZJTG

Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days

Features:

•	2.4GHz Intel Core i5
•	320 GB Hard Drive, 8x DVD/CD SuperDrive, 4GB DDR3 RAM
•	15.4 inch LED-backlit display, 1440-by-900 resolution
•	Intel HD Graphics and NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M with automatic graphics switching and 256 MB dedicated graphics memory
•	Mac OS X v10.6 Snow Leopard Operating System

Accessories:

Norton 360 4.0 1 User (3 PC)

Kaspersky Internet Security 2010 3-User

Microsoft Windows 7 Anytime Upgrade [Home Premium to Professional]

Adobe Photoshop Elements 8 [Mac]

Specification Highlights

15.4-inch LED-backlit glossy widescreen display with edge-to-edge, uninterrupted glass (1440 x 900-pixel resolution).
2.4 GHz Intel Core i5 dual-core processor for smart performance with a Turbo Boost maximizing speed when you need it the most for demanding applications like Aperture 3 or Final Cut Pro (3 MB shared L3 cache).
Dual graphics processors with automatic switching between NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M (with 512 MB of GDDR3 video memory) for demanding applications and integrated Intel HD Graphics (with 256 MB of DDR3 SDRAM shared with main memory) for power savings.
320 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)
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: 14.35 x 9.82 x 0.95 inches (WxDxH)
Weight: 5.6 pounds
Up to 8-9 hours of battery life
Mac OS X v10.6 Snow Leopard
Meets Energy Star 5.0 requirements

What's in the Box
MacBook Pro, display cleaning cloth, 85W MagSafe Power Adapter, AC wall plug, power cord, software DVDs, printed and electronic documentation

The ports on the left side of the 15-inch MacBook Pro.

Key Features

Enjoy a processor Turbo Boost and automatic switching to the fast NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M graphics processor when using processor-intensive applications like Aperture 3 or Final Cut Pro.

New Intel Core i5 Processor

The new Intel Core i5 processor boosts performance up to 50 percent over the previous generation. Based on Intel's latest 32-nanometer process technology, the Core i5 also offers Intel's Turbo Boost feature. If you're using processor-intensive applications like Aperture 3 or Final Cut Pro that would benefit from an extra performance kick, Turbo Boost dynamically increases the speed of one or both cores.

Built-in Hyper-Threading allows two threads to run simultaneously on each core, so Mac OS X recognizes four virtual cores instead of just two. When you're running multiple applications at once, the Core i5 processor spreads tasks more evenly across a greater number of cores--so you can get more done, faster.

And unlike systems that connect memory to the processor through a separate controller, the new MacBook Pro uses an integrated memory controller to connect memory directly to the processor. With faster access to memory, each core gets right to work on your data, rather than waiting for it to arrive.

Next-Generation Graphics

The latest MacBook Pro features the new NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M discrete graphics processor--the fastest graphics ever in a Mac notebook. With 48 processing cores and 256 MB of dedicated video memory, this graphics processor delivers even more horsepower than the previous generation. And you don't have to sacrifice efficiency for speed: The NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M is up to 30 percent more energy efficient than its predecessor. For even greater power savings, the MacBook Pro also includes integrated Intel HD Graphics.

Also new is the MacBook Pro's breakthrough automatic graphics switching technology, enabling you to switch graphics processors on the fly to give you performance when you need it (when you're playing the latest 3D game, for example) and better battery efficiency when you don't (such as when you're reading email). Whether you're using applications like Aperture, Motion, or Final Cut Pro or just surfing the web, your MacBook Pro always knows which processor to use. You don't have to log out, shut down, or change your preferences.

The beginning of every MacBook Pro--a precisely machined, single block of aluminum.

Unibody Design

Traditionally, notebooks are made from multiple parts. With the MacBook Pro all of those parts with just one part--the breakthrough unibody enclosure. Every MacBook Pro starts its life as a single block of aluminum, which is precisely machined into the basic unibody design. Another pass and the unibody takes shape. Another, and the integrated keyboard emerges. When you pick up a new MacBook Pro, you immediately notice the entire enclosure is thinner and lighter. And it feels strong and durable--perfect for life inside (and outside) your briefcase or backpack.

LED-Backlit Display

LCD displays typically use cold cathode fluorescent lamps, or CCFLs, to create light and project a picture onto a screen, and this creates two problems--the lamps require more space and they take more time to warm up to full brightness. The MacBook Pro uses LED backlight technology to create the same amount of brightness in less space. And unlike fluorescent lamps, an LED backlight reaches maximum brightness instantly. Finally, a new, smaller iSight camera is concealed behind the display for quick access to video chats and snapping pics for uploading to social networks.

The entire trackpad is the button, so you can click anywhere.

Additionally, conventional CCFL displays use mercury to create a backlight and arsenic to prevent irregularities in the glass. The LED-backlit display on the MacBook Pro, on the other hand, is both mercury- and arsenic-free. LED backlight technology also conserves energy: This display requires up to 30 percent less power than a CCFL display.

Buttonless Multi-Touch Trackpad

With no button on the durable glass trackpad, there's more room to track and click--left, right, center, and everywhere in between. Without a separate button, the spacious 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 even more natural inertial scrolling--an intuitive way to scroll through large photo libraries, lengthy documents and long web sites. If you're coming from a right-click world, you can right-click with two fingers or configure a right-click area on the trackpad.

Long-Lasting Battery

The new energy-efficient architecture in every MacBook Pro, along with automatic graphics switching, gives you dramatically longer battery life. On a single charge, the battery in the new 15-inch MacBook Pro lasts up to 8 to 9 hours. And you'll get up to 1000 full charge and discharge cycles--that's nearly three times the lifespan of typical notebook batteries. Advanced chemistry and Adaptive Charging allow the battery to maintain charging capabilities longer and determine the optimal way to charge the battery's cells. Because the battery lasts up to five years, MacBook Pro uses just one battery in the same time a typical notebook uses three. That makes for less waste. And that, in turn, makes for one environmentally friendly battery.

Environmental Considerations

Apple has worked hard to eliminate many of the toxins that are a common part of computer manufacturing. Apple engineers removed the majority of brominated flame retardants (BFRs) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) from circuit boards, internal cables, connectors, insulators, adhesives, and more in the MacBook Pro.

Because Apple makes both the hardware and the software for the MacBook, they're designed to work together to produce a smarter product that uses less electricity. For instance, to reduce energy consumption, the hard drive spins down automatically when inactive. MacBook Air also decides which processor--CPU or GPU--is best suited to efficiently perform a task. The LED-backlit display in the MacBook Pro is another feature that plays an important part in conserving energy, consuming 30 percent less power than conventional LCD displays. And the display is designed to dim when you enter a darkened room.

The MacBook Pro meets the stringent low power requirements set by the EPA, giving it ENERGY STAR qualification. ENERGY STAR 5.0 sets significantly higher efficiency limits for power supplies and aggressive limits for the computer's typical annual power consumption.

Also, every MacBook Pro model has earned the highest rating of EPEAT Gold. The Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool, or EPEAT, evaluates the environmental impact of a product based on how recyclable it is, how much energy it uses, and how it's designed and manufactured.

Pre-Loaded with Mac OS X Snow Leopard and iLife '09

Every Mac comes with Mac OS X Snow Leopard, the world's most advanced operating system, and iLife, Apple's innovative suite of applications for managing photos, making movies and creating and learning to play music. Snow Leopard builds on a decade of OS X innovation and success with hundreds of refinements, new core technologies and out of the box support for Microsoft Exchange. iLife features iPhoto, to easily organize and manage photos; iMovie with powerful easy-to-use new features such as Precision Editor, video stabilization and advanced drag and drop; and GarageBand which introduces a whole new way to help you learn to play piano and guitar.

Installed software

Mac OS X v10.6 Snow Leopard (includes Time Machine, Quick Look, Spaces, Spotlight, Dashboard, Mail, iChat, Safari, Address Book, QuickTime, iCal, DVD Player, Photo Booth, Front Row, Xcode Developer Tools)
iLife '09 (includes iPhoto, iMovie, GarageBand, iWeb, iDVD)

Customer Reviews:

Showing reviews 1-5 of 26

1 2 3 4 5 6 Next »

Love the matte screen option. Great computer. Time will tell if its worth the $$ May 11, 2010
BBbeans (Missoula, MT)
49 out of 53 found this review helpful

After having a 3 year-old Dell die on me (to be fair it was put through multiple trips to and from school in my bag, sometimes while it was still on) and a Toshiba Satellite fail after a year, I was tired of paying bargain prices and receiving a frustrating experience to go with it.

My girlfriend had talked about buying a Mac and I always balked at them as being too expensive. Well, most of the main problems with my old laptops were compatibility issues between hardware and software, often involving frustrating searches for new drivers. Knowing that Apple makes the hardware and develops the software for their computers made me think they would be able to integrate the two aspect better than PC's I have used. I still have nightmares about all the drivers I had to hunt down when I downgraded my Toshiba from Windows Vista to XP.

I had actually purchased a 13" Macbook Pro with a glossy screen from Amazon a few days before Apple did their big upgrade in April 2010. It was a beautiful looking machine and was easy to use after I became accustomed to the differences from a PC, ie; What is the "Finder"? However, the 13" screen was a little small for me. I do some photography work, and I watch movies on it as well so I decided the 15" Macbook Pro would be the way to go. Once they did their upgrade for all their machines I decided to buy directly from Apple.

I debated long and hard on the glossy vs. matte option. Going with the high-res screen (1680 X 1050 as opposed to standard 1440 X 900) was a no-brainer. After doing some online research I also chose the matte option (as opposed to the default glossy screen). I had never actually seen a matte screen as the local Best-Buy didn't have one in stock. I was a little nervous on my decision, but I called Apple tech support and easily arranged for a return on my not-yet-arrived 15" Macbook Pro should I want one with a glossy screen instead. The person I spoke with even arranged for return shipping labels paid for by Apple! I didn't upgrade the harddrive or RAM because I can do those myself, or have them done later, for a lot cheaper than Apple's pricing.

The new 15" w/ the matte screen came and I opened up some high-res You-tube videos and compared it side-by-side to the glossy. This was the middle of the day and the lone window in our living room was creating all sorts of reflections on the glossy screen while the matte was unphased. Sure the blacks on the glossy were a deeper and the colors might have "popped" a little more, but knowing I would be using my laptop in a room lit by daylight or with a bright light, the henious reflections on the glossy screen definitely made it a no-go for me. This was a window that was in front of the computer and wasn't even directly shining on the screen. I was really happy I decided to go matte.

That being said, I have loaded up Photoshop CS5 and it runs great. Way faster than my old laptop. I appreciate a lot of the little touches that Apple puts into their products that are becoming more and more noticable every day I use it. (Such as their search feature is always available with 1 click from the desktop) I plan to buy an Applecare plan towards the end of my one-year warranty period to make sure this lasts me at least 3 years. Hopefully I might be able to keep this for 4 or 5 years.

Overall, if you have the $$ I highly recommend this product.

Pros-
- Unibody design is super-sturdy and slim.
- Love the matte screen
- The high resolution upgrade helps with multi-tasking, programming, photo-editing, web-browing, ect..
- Super-fast w/Photoshop
- Good side-to-side viewing angle, (better than the screen on the Windows-based laptops I have used)
- Keyboard is very pleasant to use
- Speakers are adequate
- Touchpad is awesome! Large and easy to use with 2, 3, and 4 finger controls not found anywhere else
but on a Mac. I rarely use a mouse anymore, which works well for using it on my lap.
- Quick boot up time. Opening and closing the lid for "sleep mode" waiting time is basically zero.
- Good battery life

Cons
- Expensive (duh)
- Can get hot on the underneath towards the back where the processor is located.
- Up and down viewing angle not so good (this is common w/laptops though)
- Some software not available for Mac
- USB 2.0 (instead of newer 3.0)
- Glowing Apple logo on the back of the screen is a bit of advertising I could do without.
- Sharp Edges on front (can apparently be filed down but I am wary about doing this)
- No Blu-Ray drive

Update:

Maybe it is just me, but my Apple seems to have more issues with Flash and streaming internet content than I have ever had with a PC. I know Apple is at war with Adobe and has gone to great lengths to disparage the Flash format. They do not seem to have worked too hard to ensure that Flash content works flawlessly with their machines. Streaming videos will stop or fail to load alltogether. This doesn't happen often, but with a PC I never had any issues like this at all.

Update x2 (8/30/10)

So my power supply had been giving me intermittent issues (every couple of days the power would come on and go off every couple of seconds for no reason). I called Apple support and they recommended just using the shortened version (the power supply is customizable to be either longer with an additional cord, or not), and then to call them back if the problem continued. The guy I talked to thought the cord that lengthens the setup might be the issue. Well I wasn't have any more problems for a while....

Then yesterday (the day before I started a new job teaching at a university) the power supply quits working completely. I call Apple and they say contact the authorized Apple service providers in my area (neither of which were open that day since it was Sunday). The next day, Monday, I called the 2 authorized service providers in my area, one of which says I need to leave my computer there overnight for testing to determine if I am eligible for a new power supply, and the other which couldn't handle my problem when I was available to come.

Now I try to contact Apple support and all day I have been getting the most ridiculous message that says

"At this moment, the customer support team is not available for your support due to unavoidable reasons.. Sorry for the inconvenience caused.."

I suppose it is impossible for Apple to properly staff their service center, so not being available was of course, unavoidable. So I am stuck with a bogus power cord for now.

Update x3 (9/2/10)

I decided to choose the option where I call Apple about my problem, instead of them calling me. That worked much better. I received my replacement power cord in the mail today, a Thursday, after my power supply originally quit working altogether on Sunday. I have to send back the old one, which has actually started to work intermittently now. If Apple deems that I replaced a non-broken power supply they are going to charge me $80. We'll see...

5 out of 5 stars

Expensive, but worth it. April 26, 2010
Skogkatt (San Francisco, Ca USA)
20 out of 22 found this review helpful

The macbook worked right out of the box,set-up was easy.I had a pc laptop (whose company name I won't say) and had all sorts of problems (slow boot-up, and screen and registry problems) I got so fed up, I decided to get rid of it.
While looking at laptops at Best Buy store, I looked at the macbook pro "15.4" which just happened to have the new Core i5 processor. At first, I balked at the price, the more I "played" with it, the more I liked it (And this is from someone who has NEVER owned a mac of any kind) And while I plan to keep my pc desktop, the macbook has become a welcome addtion to my household.

5 out of 5 stars

Coming from a Windows user, Macbook Pro is fantastic June 9, 2010
W. Farmer (Los Angeles, CA)
15 out of 16 found this review helpful

I recently purchased the Macbook Pro 15" 2.4GHz i5 2010 edition to replace an aged 2006 Sony VAIO. I had previously owned a Macintosh around 15 years ago, so I had a working knowledge of what I was getting into. Above all, the Macbook Pro sold me on its unibody aluminum design, long-lasting battery life and a change from the Windows operating system. I have owned the Macbook Pro for about a month and it is truly one of the most fantastic computers I have owned (and I've owned many in past years, all Windows). I've broken down some aspects of the computer below:

Construction & Design:
The Macbook Pro is a unibody design that is cut from a solid piece of aluminum. This means there are not any battery compartments, memory compartments or openings as you find on most laptops. While this means you cannot change the battery on the fly, the computer is solid and doesn't buckle (or feel like it may buckle). The aluminum also helps to keep the computer cool by rapidly dissipating heat across the entire body; in fact, the metal exterior can be cool to the touch despite running for hours.

Display & Graphics:
There seems to be some debate over the glossy blacklight LED display of the Macbook Pro line, especially in terms of glare. There is a distinct reflection from the monitor if viewing something dark. Under normal conditions I did not find this to be an issue whatsoever, especially if you turn up the monitor brightness. The display does look fantastic and images have an extra "pop" as Apple spokespeople claim. Take a look at one in an Apple Store or Best Buy if you want to see it in person. As far as the high-resolution and matte upgrades, the average consumer won't gain much benefit versus a professional photographer, graphic designer or film editor.

Trackpad & Keyboard:
The Macbook trackpad is phenomenal and is truly sets apart the Macbook line from PCs. The trackpad utilizes multi-touch allowing the user to scroll through pages using only two fingers. Swipe back and forth to quickly navigate webpages or pinch and pull to adjust text size or zoom functions. The trackpad itself is massive allowing for a great deal of hand movement compared to most laptops. Still, you'll probably want to invest in a regular mouse, especially if you are Windows inclined for right click features. The keyboard has backlighting which means the keys light up in dark conditions, but I find this to be more of a novelty feature that I never use. The keys have a soft plastic feel and they are easy to type on even for hours at a time.

Power & Performance:
The battery life of the Macbook is unbelievable. Then again, I came from a laptop that could only hold two hours of battery life, this Macbook averages 8 to 9. Not quite the levels advertised, but far beyond what I need for a typical day. With the i5 chip, I find that everything is snappy and responsive. Startup takes less than 30 seconds. The only downside is the default hard drive installed, it runs at only 5400 RPM. This is noticeable to the point that the processor easily outperforms the hard drive to the point of creating a bottleneck. But there's always the option to upgrade the hard drive to 7200 RPM or an SSD.

Cons:
Relatively slow hard drive compared to processor speed & price of the machine
Two USB ports placed very close to one another, one can be easily blocked and inaccessible

Overall:
The Macbook Pro 2010 is a five star product. As a dominant Windows user, I found the OS to be highly intuitive and easy to use from the beginning. Even activating the Apple one year limited warranty was a breeze given most PC manufacturers. The only downside I see with the machine is the hard drive as I touched on above; it is a shame that such an expensive and well-built machine is limited by the speed of the HDD to the point that the user can notice the problem. Aside from this and the minor USB issue, the computer is a fantastic purchase that is well worth the extra dollars. If you're concerned about buying from Amazon or Apple directly, Amazon sells only the base units and only Apple can officially customize the machine. That said, the base unit is more than enough for most users and only a few will seek 8GB of RAM, high-resolution matte display or iWork pre-installed. If you're in search of a laptop, the Macbook Pro is a great option.

5 out of 5 stars

Even better than I'd hoped May 16, 2010
B. Whitsett (Houston, TX United States)
13 out of 14 found this review helpful

As a long time PC user, I'd been wanting a Mac for a good while. The last time I bought a lap-top I came very close, but went with HP in a last minute burst of frugality. That frugality was short lived, the HP didn't make to its third birthday, and once again I was lusting for a Macbook. This time I went for it. I've only had the computer for a few days, so probably no genius insights and a lot of my initial observations have been said before, but I'll proceed anyway. First, and most obvious, straight out of the box it's...pretty. I mean seriously this is one darned nice looking piece of technology--nothing clunky here. Okay, like others have said, straight out of the box, it was easy to set up and worked like a charm. Because I have no Mac experience I figured I'd be on the phone with Applecare pretty quick, but the only assistance I needed was from my Internet service provider, to remind me what my wireless password is. After that I was good to go. Shocking! Not a single other glitch. As far as learning curve from Windows to Mac, it's going fairly well. Key board shortcuts are fairly intuitive--command instead of control, Finder instead of "My Computer" (I think that's right). The screen and back lighting are amazing. BTW: I have had to call Apple support and they've been very helpful, and reasonably pleasant. Also, so far, I haven't spoken to anyone in Asia.

The only negatives I've noticed, is that there's an awful lot of real estate between the edge of the computer and the key board. I'm sure there's some ergonomic plus to this; but, for me, it's just annoying. Course, I may just need a lower typing surface (dining room table is supposedly for eating? Who knew?) Also, for the cost of the computer I wish a mouse had been included, even an inexpensive usb connected one. Still, Best Buy opened at nine, and the magic mouse was on sale, so not so bad.

5 out of 5 stars

MacBook Pro 15 - Comprehensive Review July 21, 2010
Artemaria (New York City)
7 out of 7 found this review helpful

Have been using computers for nearly two decades and have owned both PCs and Macs. Use a PC laptop for work, which is great for that. But this is my first Mac laptop and I have to say, while I was grumbling at the price, you get what you pay for. Here are my thoughts.

PROS -

Trackpad --- this may be the best thing about this computer. While I read the review on CNET and they said the trackpad is great, you really have to experience it to understand. It is a transformational way of communicating with the computer. After having the computer for about a week, I am already much faster on this trackpad than I ever was on a mouse. You have to experience this to understand. The size and the functionality built into the trackpad are nothing short of astonishing.

Included software --- the included software on iLife is really useful. It has a rather full featured movie editing software for free, as well as iPhoto, iTunes, etc.

Not included bloatware --- it is nice not to have to delete all that crap from the desktop and windows system.

Fast --- very fast, especially in OSX. We got this with zero options, just the base 15" model. It is very quick with anything you throw at it.

Build quality --- you can grab this laptop from any corner and carry it. There is no flex in the casing. You can really feel the difference that building these things out of a solid block of aluminum makes.

Looks --- this is really a beautiful machine. You'll be as happy looking at is when it is off as when it is on.

Lighted keyboard --- bright enough to see, but not too bright to be distracting. Excellent view of all the keys in any lighting.

Display --- we have the base display and it is crystal clear. My brother-in-law got the resolution upgrade, and while you can tell a difference, if you don't have both the computers next to each other, you won't know what you are missing. If you do intensive graphics work, I would recommend the display resolution upgrade, otherwise, it is just bragging rights, for which I don't need to pay extra.

Battery life --- basically it goes all day with light use on one charge. There are not too many 15" laptops, if any, that can do this.

Spyware and Viruses --- yes there are none now, and that is good. Hopeuflly, there will be none for a long time.

Discounts and Rebates --- while most people would not associate discounts and rebates with Apple, this is a pretty good time to buy a new Mac. We got $200 towards an iPod Touch (making it free) and $100 towards a wireless printer (making it free). Thus, in the end, we got a wireless printer and an iPod Touch for the cost of the tax on these products alone. Also, if you are a teacher or work for the government, Apple will knock another $100 off the price. These are some nice discounts when you buy this laptop.

NEUTRAL -

OSX --- about two years ago, this would have been a tremendous positive as Vista was an unmitigated disaster. However, with Windows 7 being pretty good (and shamelessly ripping off many of OSX's features), this is less of an advantage than it sued to be. It is really a matter of taste. We happen to like OSX, especially Snow Leopard, but others may like Windows. This computer can run both.

Only two USB ports --- this is at least USB port less than the competition in this price range. However, because the track pad is so good, I don't need to fill up a USB port with a mouse like all my friends do. Also, since a wireless printer is about $100 (which Apple gives you towards the price of a new printer), that frees up another USB port. Thus, I only need a USB port for the iPod or the camera. Neither of which is connected to the laptop at all times,

Only 4GB RAM --- while it is plenty for now, I can see this not being enough in a few years.

No user replaceable RAM --- RAM is the cheapest way to make your computer go faster. Hopefully the computer will still go fast after the warranty expires so that I can take this apart and add more RAM. But it is annoying that there is no easy way to replace the RAM.

No user replaceable battery --- I don't know how long the battery will last, but if a problem develops, it would be nice to be able to change the battery.

CONS -

No Blu-Ray --- this was the biggest drawback for me, as I would have liked to have a Blu-Ray player in the house. However, since I don't own any Blu-Rays, it is not that big of a drawback. Also, since you can download most movies these days, this missing player is not a deal breaker.

No HDMI output --- this is another potential problem. I don't have an HDTV, so this is not a big deal, but if I get one, it is annoying to have to buy a special adapter PLUS an HDMI cable to play video from my laptop's mini-display port on my TV.

CONCLUSION -

All in all, I've liked this machine alot more than I thought I would. It feels good in the hand and great when using. The display is terrific and the machine is quite responsive. While it is tempting to look at a computer based exclusively on specifications, if you only do that, you may lose sight of what you need in a computer and how you use it. All the specifications in thw world achieve nothing if they are for features that you don't use. This computer hits a nice combination of features that people will actually use without including features and complications that they won't. For what we need, it just works.

While we looked at many laptops, we are happy we ended up with this one.

Hopefully this review helped you in your computer shopping. Best of luck.

Showing reviews 1-5 of 26

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