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.

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.

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.

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.

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.