The Apple MacBook Pro 15in (Early 2011) makes many breakthroughs, none visible from the outside - yet one of those revisions alone may transform personal computing thanks to a welcome boost in connectivity speeds. We take a closer look at the quad-core 15in MacBook Pro with Thunderbolt connector
It’s been heralded for years now, but Apple is the first to market with the fastest computing technology we’ve ever seen.
And we’re not talking about the Intel Sandy Bridge processor inside, even if this is also the first notebook with a second-gen Intel Core Series processor to pass through the PC Advisor Test Centre.
No, what makes this laptop a true pathfinder is its connectivity.
Joining the ubiquitous USB 2.0 and the faster FireWire ports is a new connector, now dubbed Thunderbolt.
This is the electrical incarnation of Intel’s Light Peak technology, conceived as a hyper-fast optical connection standard for uniting computers and their peripherals. It may not be ready in its optical form just yet, but we’re already promised technology here to deliver 10 gigabit per second (Gbps) transfers.
Rock that Unibody
Externally to the casual eye, there’s nothing that will differentiate this new MacBook Pro from the last. It uses exactly the same industrial design, based on a monocoque chassis milled from solid aluminium.
There’s the same backlit keyboard assembled from Scrabble pieces, large multi-touch trackpad, and edge-to-edge glass-fronted display. Those holding out for a redesign of the casework may have to wait for the succeeding series.
But why count down those days anyway? Well, aside from the ill-conceived reflective glass screen, this Unibody generation of Mac portable bucks a common trend almost set in stone by modern computing.
That is, the current Apple MacBook Pro design is bigger and heavier than its predecessor.
Before Apple launched this shape of MacBook Pro in late 2008, the 15in model measured 357 x 242mm, was 25mm thick and weighed 2.45kg.
With the Unibody revision of autumn 2008, the 15in Apple portable gained weight and girth, now up at 2.54kg and 364 x 249 mm.
It’s no heavier than much of the Windows competition though; and importantly, stronger. Considerably stronger, not to say more elegant.
Two versions of MacBook Pro are offered prêt á porter - both taking quad-core Intel Core i7 chips, running at either 2.0GHz or 2.2GHz. This is the controversial 32nm Sandy Bridge series, which early tests have already established is a marked step-up in performance from the previous processor generation.
Out goes nVidia graphics processors, replaced with AMD cards in the 15in model, while falling back to a revised integrated Intel HD 3000 graphics solution when high-calibre horsepower is not required.
As with the last generation, this MacBook Pro will switch between GPUs without user intervention. But this system is not without its issues.
NEXT PAGE: Graphics switching issues and performance benchmarks >>
See also:
More Apple Mac notebook reviews
Last year's Apple MacBook Pro 15in review
Comments
Andrew Harrison said: Hello Revolutionay United FrontNo intention to be disingenuous about Thunderbolt here - the facts stated and my personal commentary on the new interface are all sincereSo Im sorry if you thought I gave the impression that Apple invented the technology In previous stories I linked to its perhaps more obvious that Thunderbolt is a new connection standard from Intel eghttpwwwpcadvisorcouknewEven if it was a purely Intel technology - such as a new processor architecture - does that mean it shouldnt get discussed in a review of a product sporting that techMind you its not all Intels work anyway as the chip company will itself admitDeveloped by Intel under the code name Light Peak and brought to market with technical collaboration from AppleFromhttpwwwintelcomtechnologI stand by my conviction that Thunderbolt will prove to be a very important interface in the near future which is why I devoted a few paragraphsBut its still a real shame that we cant test it out yet
Revolutionary United Front said: Disingenuous to focus so heavily on a 3rd party technology Intels Thunderbolt in your review of this Mac this is a non-Apple-specific interconnect that you plainly state you havent tested and which will be available in cheaper machinery over the coming months anyway At the moment the port is pretty much irrelevant to most users because pretty much nothing else supports it No question its a fantastic OS X laptop but OS X really doesnt do it for me - or most buyers
hello said: stick to vaio f series unless you want to customise an alineware laptop which will be a beast
Sleepless Steven said: Is it worth looking at the Macbook Pro 15 or shall I stick with a Vaio S or F series laptop