My 17" MacBook Pro has arrived.

nomore · 12 May 2006 at 21:31

It is awesome!

I've had it since about 11am today. First impressions are that it runs very quietly. It's also runs cool. The only hot part is the metal bar above the function keys. This is where the heat pipe and airvets are.

The build quality is amazing. Every tiny thing on it is engineered with amazing precision and attention to detail.

After a full charge, the battery life was reported as 5 hours and 27 minutes.

The screen is amazing. It's just as bright as my 20" Cinema Display, and just a good quality.

Frontrow is very cool.

I installed IAlertU. We had a good laugh in the office at work by arming the laptop and then getting people to move/use it to set the alarm off.

The built-in camera is very good quality. We had a lot of fun with Photo Booth.

I'm currently installing Bootcamp and Windows XP on to a 20GB partition. I've already upgraded the RAM to 2GB.

I'd give it 10 out of 10.

BeatMaster · 12 May 2006 at 21:53

Now where's the picture's

Sounds very flash though, I'd prefer first hand experience though so if you send it to......

BeatMaster

Spyhop · 12 May 2006 at 23:32

Congrats

Did you do a fresh install of OS X? I've read that you can save several GBs by leaving out additional languages, the huge package of printer drivers and any iLife apps you don't need. I imagine it's especially important when Bootcamping.

I'd be interested to know if there are patches of un-even backlighting on the screen when viewing a solid colour or even during standard usage. How's the viewing angle? I'd love to see photos of the screen in action.

nomore · 12 May 2006 at 23:37

wush said:
Congrats

Did you do a fresh install of OS X? I've read that you can save several GBs by leaving out additional languages, the huge package of printer drivers and any iLife apps you don't need. I imagine it's especially important when Bootcamping.

I'd be interested to know if there are patches of un-even backlighting on the screen when viewing a solid colour or even during standard usage. How's the viewing angle? I'd love to see photos of the screen in action.

I'll post a more in-depth review tomorrow along with some photos.

earlyflash · 13 May 2006 at 08:35

Excellent, sounds like a pukka machine.

spirit · 13 May 2006 at 09:19

he may convince me that this is way to go

If possible could you comment on boot camp?

leezer3 · 13 May 2006 at 11:24

The one thing I have to say about BootCamp is that its a real pain, in that there is no option to have it show by default- You have to hold down a key to get it. (Not at the Mac atm, but its one of the non-standard ones IIRC)
Give me Grub any day

-Leezer-

nomore · 13 May 2006 at 13:52

Bootcamp installed effortlessly... Windows XP then installs exactly the same way as a standard PC.

I downloaded a demo of Doom 3. With the resolution cranked up and all the effects on as high as they will go, it ran silky smooth. So very good 3D performance from the X1600.

nomore · 13 May 2006 at 15:24

I will takes photos later, but here's one from last night when I installed Windows XP.

It's just wrong.

punky_munky · 13 May 2006 at 18:18

nomore said:
Bootcamp installed effortlessly... Windows XP then installs exactly the same way as a standard PC.

I downloaded a demo of Doom 3. With the resolution cranked up and all the effects on as high as they will go, it ran silky smooth. So very good 3D performance from the X1600.

On OS X or XP?

I'm thinking about getting a Mac Book Pro rather than an iBook for some portable PES sessions :cool:

spirit · 13 May 2006 at 18:45

prolly XP, i think d3 was optimised for xp.

nomore · 13 May 2006 at 21:14

punky_munky said:
On OS X or XP?

I'm thinking about getting a Mac Book Pro rather than an iBook for some portable PES sessions

XP. From what I've heard, the DirectX version has better optimisation than the OpenGL version.

spirit · 14 May 2006 at 11:13

aren't the macbook gfx underclocked??
Do you like it?
How are apples drivers for windows?

Cheers

Mark JB · 14 May 2006 at 12:19

More Pictures Please

Dr House · 14 May 2006 at 13:42

A few pictures of my 15” mab book pro.

http://img161.imageshack.us/my.php?image=pict01055vp.jpg

http://img506.imageshack.us/my.php?image=pict01044eb.jpg

I have to say that I am very very impressed. The build quality is just fantastic and the screen is soooo sweet. I have been using it for the plast 6 weeks or so.

Unfortunately it runs very hot and its not that stable under windows. I could not get to grips with OSX so I find my self using windows all the time the lack of the second button on the mouse and poor power management under windows as pushed me into buying a new windows based laptop again.

Probably a IBM T60/Z60t or something like that.

When they bring out another macbook optimised to run on windows I will get my credit card out again

Enjoy

spirit · 14 May 2006 at 13:46

Paras said:
A few pictures of my 15” mab book pro.

http://img161.imageshack.us/my.php?image=pict01055vp.jpg

http://img506.imageshack.us/my.php?image=pict01044eb.jpg

I have to say that I am very very impressed. The build quality is just fantastic and the screen is soooo sweet. I have been using it for the plast 6 weeks or so.

Unfortunately it runs very hot and its not that stable under windows. I could not get to grips with OSX so I find my self using windows all the time the lack of the second button on the mouse and poor power management under windows as pushed me into buying a new windows based laptop again.

Probably a IBM T60/Z60t or something like that.

When they bring out another macbook optimised to run on windows I will get my credit card out again

Enjoy

nice pics, what a shame, looks like i wont be getting a macbook then, i need to be able to run doze

tom_e · 14 May 2006 at 13:50

you have to remeber bootcamp is still BETA software so apple will be making improvements all the time

nomore · 14 May 2006 at 14:18

Windows runs very well on mine. No BSODs yet. I've been playing Doom 3 and RollerCoaster Tycoon 3... both run flawlessly.

I tried a slipstreamed Windows XP first (included other themes etc.) and that BSODed... but the proper SP2 verion runs without a glitch so far.

Dr House · 14 May 2006 at 15:43

spirit said:
nice pics, what a shame, looks like i wont be getting a macbook then, i need to be able to run doze

as someone said its still beta testing so it will get better given time.

I do get a BSOD form time to time.

spirit · 14 May 2006 at 19:01

aye well im buyin in sept so theres new intel cores too or something

so hopefully whne i get mine itll be much bettter