13-inch MacBook Pro, 2.26 GHz

The 13-inch 2.26 GHz MacBook Pro receives rave reviews from experts, including Editors' Choice awards from CNET, PCMag.com, Laptop Magazine and ComputerShopper.com. Apple makes quite a few changes to the entry-level Pro, and reviewers say these changes make the 13-inch 2.26 GHz MacBook Pro an excellent value. The least expensive MacBook Pro maintains the streamlined aluminum unibody design and multi-touch trackpad of the MacBook it replaced. The most notable changes include the addition of SD memory card reader and a FireWire 800 port, a full-size backlit keyboard, a more color-rich display and a nonremovable battery that provides longer life between charges. Tests show that the 13-inch MacBook Pro offers better performance than the 13-inch aluminum MacBook it replaced, and the longer battery life also gets high marks. On the down side, the 13-inch MacBook Pro has a relatively small hard drive -- 160 GB -- and it doesn't have the capacity to accommodate intensive games. Still, reviewers say this computer is a great value and the best choice for most users. If you plan on gaming or doing graphics-intensive work, reviews indicate the top-of-the-line 17-inch MacBook Pro (*Est. $2,500 and up) is a better bet. For those on a budget, the new 13-inch 2.26 GHz MacBook (*Est. $1,000) is considered a good value.

A number of reviewers conduct excellent tests of the 13-inch MacBook Pro, including CNET, PCMag.com, Macworld and Laptop Magazine. Each of these reviews provide detailed analysis and benchmark performance scores for previous MacBooks or other updated MacBook Pros. PC Advisor writes a very helpful review that compares the 13-inch MacBook to the 15-inch Pro. ComputerShopper.com also provides a rated review, although it has fewer details and less benchmark testing.