Best Reviewed
Apple Laptops and Desktops
- Best Apple laptop 15-inch 2.4 GHz MacBook Pro *Est. $2200
- Best ultraportable Apple laptop 13-inch 128 GB MacBook Air *Est. $1300
- Best-value Apple laptop 13-inch 2.4 GHz MacBook Pro *Est. $1200
- Budget Apple laptop 11-inch 64 GB MacBook Air *Est. $1000
- Best Apple desktop 21.5-inch 2.5 GHz iMac *Est. $1200
- Best tablet computer Apple iPad *Est. $500
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Best-value Apple laptop
- Latest processor technology
- Excellent battery life
- Good value
- Intel graphics are a step down from prior models
- No Blu-ray drive
- No high-resolution display option
- New versions likely on the way
The 13-inch MacBook Pro is an impressive performer thanks to the use of second-generation Intel Sandy Bridge Core processors. One caveat is that third-generation Intel Core processors, called Ivy Bridge, are due out in the spring or summer of 2012. Following that, it is widely expected that the MacBook Pro line will be updated yet again.
For now, however, the 13-inch Pro laptops come in two models, differentiated by their CPU and hard drives, but reviewers say performance is similar, so the cheaper 13-inch 2.4 GHz MacBook Pro is a better buy. That value became even better after a late-October 2011 upgrade that increased processor speed modestly (from 2.3 GHz to 2.4 GHz), but upped the hard drive more notably, from 320 GB to 500 GB. Though many will appreciate the larger hard drive (at no extra cost), any real-world performance boost from the faster processor will be tough to spot.
The late 2011 edition of the laptop continues to come with 4 GB of RAM and integrated Intel HD graphics. The MacBook Pro still sports its popular aluminum unibody construction, edge-to-edge glass display and multitouch trackpad. Other features include a FaceTime-compatible webcam and a high-speed Thunderbolt port (although accessories for that are still hard to come by).
Reviewers say the 13-inch MacBook Pro is speedy, especially when it comes to mainstream computing tasks and multitasking. Experts also praise the battery life, which lasts close to nine hours in most web-surfing tests -- nearly an hour longer than pre-2011 versions. More intensive tasks like streaming video consume battery power in closer to seven hours. One change that reviewers aren't happy about is the switch from Nvidia to Intel graphics. In fact, some say the 2011 13-inch MacBook Pro has taken a step backward when it comes to graphics performance, especially 3D frame rates. Improved graphics performance is expected to be one of the key benefits of the Ivy Bridge processors once they are released. Reviewers would like to see an option for a high-resolution display (available on the 15- and 17-inch MacBook Pros). A Blu-ray drive and HDMI port are also notably absent. If you can afford to spend more, the 15-inch 2.4 GHz MacBook Pro (*Est. $2,200 and up) is deemed the best choice among the Pro laptops; it, too, received a modest specification update in October 2011.
There are several excellent reviews of the 13-inch MacBook Pro, most notably from sources like Laptop Magazine, CNET and ComputerShopper.com. Each of these publications thoroughly tests the laptop and gives it an overall rating, which is useful for comparing the MacBook Pro to other laptops. Macworld, MacLife, About.com, TechRadar.com and Expert Reviews have shorter reviews. All of these reviews look at the early 2011 version of the MacBook Pro, when it was previously upgraded. However, since the October update was minor, they all remain largely valid. For those looking for some feedback on the October 2011 edition, Amazon.com provides an owners' perspective from more than 230 users.
| Apple MacBook Pro MC374LL/A 13.3-Inch Laptop (OLD VERSION) | |
(280 reviews) |
|
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Our Sources
1. Laptop MagazineDetails/Subscribe
Laptop Magazine gives an Editors' Choice award to the early 2011 version of the 13-inch MacBook Pro. Performance and battery life are both excellent, Brian Oliver Bennett says, although the 13-inch laptop is not as capable as its predecessor when it comes to 3D graphics performance.
Review: Apple MacBook Pro 13-Inch (2011) Review, Brian Oliver Bennett, Feb. 28, 2011
2. CNET
The 13-inch GHz MacBook Pro earns an excellent rating from CNET. Scott Stein is impressed with the performance improvements and lengthy battery life. Graphics performance is not as good as last year's model, and Stein would like a higher-resolution display. Again, the early 2011 version is tested, but performance of the late 2011 configuration, with its slightly faster processor, should be similar.
Review: Apple MacBook Pro Winter 2011 (2.3GHz Core i5, 13-Inch), Scott Stein, March 3, 2011
ComputerShopper.com gives its Editors' Choice award to the early-2011 13-inch MacBook Pro. Touting what he calls "phenomenal" battery life, Jonathan Rougeot says the MacBook Pro has made serious improvements, although the usual complaints remain (no Blu-ray drive, etc.). Improvements introduced by the October update are not addressed.
Review: Apple MacBook Pro (13-Inch, 2011 Version), Jonathan Rougeot, Feb. 2011
AnandTech.com says the 13-inch MacBook Pro is an excellent laptop. "There simply aren't any downsides," the editors write. However, they would like to see a higher-resolution display.
Review: The MacBook Pro Review (13 & 15-Inch): 2011 Brings Sandy Bridge, Anand Lal Shimpi, Brian Klug and Vivek Gowri, March 10, 2011
The 13-inch 2.3 GHz MacBook Pro (since upgraded with a 2.4 GHz processor) earns a 4-star rating (out of 5) from Macworld. Connectivity and speed increases are well praised.
Review: MacBook Pros (Early 2011), James Galbraith, March 3, 2011
6. MacLife.com
MacLife gives the 13-inch MacBook Pro an excellent rating. Susie Ochs calls it a "dream laptop, delivering more power than the Air and more bells and whistles too." Like many reviewers, she would like to see an option for a higher-resolution display, Also, like many reviewers, she evaluates the very similar early-2011 edition.
Review: 13-Inch 2.3GHz Core i5 MacBook Pro Review, Susie Ochs, March 25, 2011
NotebookCheck.net has a detailed review of the early-2011 13-inch MacBook Pro, and it culminates in a very good rating. Editors praise the design and performance, but they caution that the laptop performs much better in OS X than it does running Windows 7 with Bootcamp.
Review: Review Apple MacBook Pro 13 Early 2011 (2.3 GHz Dual-Core, Glare-type Screen), Tobias Winkler, April 17, 2011
8. About.com
Tom Nelson, the Macintosh guide at About.com, gives the early-2011 MacBook Pro an average rating because it is not well suited to graphics-intensive applications. However, for those who don't need a lot of graphics muscle, Neslon says the 13-inch MacBook Pro "may be one of the best values ever." (Note: ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com, but the two don't share an editorial affiliation.)
Review: 2011 MacBook Pro Review - Review of the 13-Inch MacBook Pro 2011, Tom Nelson, Not Dated
Matthew Bolton at TechRadar.com says the 13-inch MacBook Pro has "desktop-class CPU power," and he's glad Apple made no changes to the excellent design. However, he would like to see a high-resolution screen option. (Bolton tests the more expensive 2.7 GHz version, which has since been upgraded with a 2.8 GHz processor and a hard drive bump up to 750 GB.)
Review: Apple MacBook Pro 2011 (13-Inch) Review, Matthew Bolton, March 3, 2011
10. Expert Reviews
Britain's Expert Reviews gives the 13-inch MacBook Pro a 4-star rating (out of 5), although Seth Barton tests the 2.7 GHz (now 2.8 GHz) model. While he notes speedy performance, Barton says the laptop is too expensive and lacks the graphics muscle of the 15- and 17-inch MacBook Pros.
Review: Apple MacBook Pro 13in (2011) Review, Seth Barton, March 1, 2011
11. Amazon.com
The 13-inch October 2011 MacBook Pro earns high overall ratings -- from more than 200 owners at Amazon.com. Most users say they are very impressed with the laptop's performance. Some quality control issues are noted, but many of the relatively few complaints seem to be directed at Apple or the selling vendor rather than at this laptop computer itself.
Review: Apple MacBook Pro MD313LL/A 13.3-Inch Laptop (NEWEST VERSION), Contributors to Amazon.com
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