Apple Laptops and Desktops: Ratings of Sources
Total of 21 Sources
For an explanation of how we rank reviews, see our ratings criteria page.
Computer Systems
by Editors of PCMag.com
Our Assessment
PCMag.com reviews almost all of the new Apple laptops and desktops and is among the most complete information sources on the updated models. The 13-inch 2.26 GHz MacBook Pro is the only one of Apple's new… laptops to score an Editors' Choice award. Each review is detailed and based on extensive testing by the magazine. Among desktops, the 24-inch 2.66 GHz Apple iMac also scores an Editors' Choice award. If you are looking for Mac vs. PC comparisons, this is one of the best places to look -- within each review, the Apple computer is compared to other PCs in its category. PCMag.com is also one of the few reviewers to test the latest Quad-Core Mac Pro; it gets lower ratings than the Editors' Choice winners, but it's recommended over the 8-Core Mac Pro.
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Laptop Reviews
by Editors of Macworld
Our Assessment
The editors of Macworld test most of the new Apple laptops, including all six of the new MacBook Pros, the entry-level MacBook and the MacBook Air. Among all of these laptops, the 13-inch 2.12 GHz MacBook and the 13-inch 2.26 GHz and 2.53 GHz MacBook Pros receive the highest ratings -- 4.5 out of five. Macworld's reviews are very good, but -- as you might expect -- comparisons to PCs are not made.
Desktop Reviews
by Editors of Macworld
Our Assessment
MacWorld also tests the latest Apple desktops, including the Quad-Core and 8-Core Mac Pros, the 20- and 24-inch iMacs and the Mac Mini. Each of the new computers is tested against previous versions, and… their illustrated review clearly shows how the new models stack up. Each Mac desktop also receives a score -- the Quad-Core Mac Pro receives the highest rating of 4.5 out of five. Among the iMacs, Macworld prefers the 24-inch computers; each of the 24-inch iMacs is rated higher than the lone 20-inch version, and senior editor Roman Loyola recommends the 2.66 GHz overall. The 3.06 GHz version is recommended for graphics.
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Laptops
by Dan Ackerman
Our Assessment
CNET's reviews are thorough and backed by relevant testing data. In its latest series of reviews, CNET tests the 13- and 15-inch MacBook Pros and the 13-inch MacBook. A number of Apple laptops receive an Editors' Choice award, including the 15-inch 2.8 GHz, 2.66 GHz and 2.53 GHz MacBook Pros, and the 13-inch 2.53 GHz and 2.26 GHz MacBook Pros.
Laptop Reviews
by Jeffrey Wilson
Our Assessment
Among Apple's newly updated laptops, the 15-inch 2.66 GHz MacBook Pro and the 13-inch 2.26 GHz MacBook Pro win Editors' Choice awards here. Laptop Magazine's reviews are in-depth and comprehensive, and each laptop is given a rating. However, the magazine has not reviewed the new MacBook or 17-inch MacBook Pro.
6. ConsumerReports.org
As of July 2009
Computers
by Editors of ConsumerReports.org
Our Assessment
The latest update at ConsumerReports.org rates 48 laptops and 27 desktops, but the laptop reviews include the older versions of the MacBook and MacBook Pro. Each system is evaluated on performance, ergonomics, features and display. ConsumerReports.org also takes value and tech support into account when formulating their ratings.
Hardware
by Editors of PC Advisor
Our Assessment
Britain's PC Advisor tests a number of updated Apple computers. The magazine assigns each computer an overall rating, in addition to individual ratings on build quality, features and value. Among desktops,… PC Advisor bestows its highest rating (4.5 out of five stars) on the new Mac mini; it's also the only one of the new desktops to get a PC Advisor Gold award. Among laptops, both versions of the 13-inch MacBook Pro and the 13-inch 2.13 GHz MacBook receive the highest rating. PC Advisor also does a good job of comparing Apple laptops to each other in their reviews.
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PC & Mac
by Editors of TechRadar.com
Our Assessment
The U.K.'s TechRadar.com tests a few of the new Macs, including the 24-inch iMac and the Mac Mini. The Mac Mini gets only an average review, but the iMac scores a good rating of four out of five. The write-ups here are less detailed than at some other websites, but the reviewers do personally test the computers with various applications and software.
Best 5 Laptops
by Dan Ackerman
Our Assessment
CNET senior editor Dan Ackerman picks the 13-inch 2.26 GHz MacBook Pro as one of the best five laptops overall, and it is the only Apple model to make this list. The Mac he reviews has 2GB of RAM. The write-up here is short, but a link leads to an earlier full review. Ackerman likes the addition of a FireWire port and SD card slot, but he wishes for a removable battery and a matte screen option.
Infinite Loop: Ars Covers the World of Apple
by Editors of ArsTechnica.com
Our Assessment
ArsTechnica.com has excellent reviews of Apple laptops and desktops, but has, to date, only reported on the 8-Core Mac Pro among the most recently updated models. That's unfortunate, because the reviews… here are comprehensive, balanced and backed by thorough testing. One additional disappointment is that Ars Technica is also not the easiest site to navigate; to find reviews, you have to sift through days of "daily archives" or pages of search results.
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Review: MacBook Pro Family 2009 (13-inch, 15-inch and 17-inch)
by Editors of Digital Arts
Our Assessment
Digital Arts, a British publication geared towards creative types, reviews all three of the updated laptops in the MacBook Pro family. Overall, the 17-inch MacBook Pro gets the best rating and a Digital Arts Best Buy award. Digital Arts focuses on the design metrics that will appeal most to their readers.
Latest Reviews
by Editors of MacUser
Our Assessment
In the past, England's MacUser has reviewed the entire line of Apple laptops and desktops, but its coverage of the newest models is hit or miss. Of the new laptops, MacUser does review the entry-level MacBook (giving it the highest rating) and the 15-inch 2.8 GHz MacBook Pro. However, the other updated laptops in the Apple lineup aren't tested.
Hardware
by Editors of Mac|Life
Our Assessment
Mac|Life's reviews are short but succinct, and they are relatively irreverent for a Mac enthusiast magazine. Reviews are balanced with mostly substantive pros and cons, although the reviews are less detailed than other sources mentioned in this report. Mac|Life has only reviewed the 24-inch iMac among the updated Apple computers.
Notebook Reviews: Apple
by Kevin O'Brien
Our Assessment
This enthusiast website features its own reviews, as well as links to reviews at other sites around the Internet. NotebookReview.com's own reviews are more comprehensive than many other reviews we've seen. The limitation here is the small number of recent Macintosh reviews -- only the current 13-inch MacBook Pro is reviewed, and old reviews are still posted.
Computerworld Reviews
by Editors of Computerworld
Our Assessment
Computerworld reviews the new MacBook Pro line, the MacBook Air and the new Mac Pro, but they don't rate or compare the computers. The reviews are fairly detailed, but there's no easy way to find them other than browsing through Computerworld's review database.
Laptop Reviews
by Jonathan Rougeout and Denny Atkin
Our Assessment
ComputerShopper.com's reviews focus mainly on features and specs, although they do a small amount of benchmark testing. Unlike other reviewers, test results are not graphically illustrated. Of the new Apple laptops, the 17-inch MacBook Pro and the 13-inch 2.26 GHz MacBook Pro score Editors' Choice awards.
iMac 2009 Review
by Wilson Rothman
Our Assessment
Gizmodo.com reviews the new iMac lineup, although Wilson Rothman offers fewer details than other reviewers. He tests the new iMac on Xbench and Geekbench, and he lists the pros and cons for the all-in-one desktop. Gizmodo also reviews the updated Mac mini.
The Best (and Worst) Tech Support in America
by Sascha Segan and Eric Griffith
Our Assessment
PCMag.com conducts yearly service and support surveys. Readers report instances of repair (both quantity and quality), experiences with tech support (quantity of instances, quality of problem-solving) and other information about contact with manufacturers. Apple scores clear Readers' Choice awards for both laptops and desktops.
19. ConsumerReports.org
June 2009
How Brands Compare on Tech Support
by Editors of ConsumerReports.org
Our Assessment
ConsumerReports.org also conducts customer satisfaction surveys, though far fewer users are polled. In its latest sampling, more than 4,500 laptop owners and nearly 4,000 desktop owners reported on their tech support experiences. One maker emerges as providing better support.
MacBook Pros (13-inch and 15-inch, Mid 2009) Review
by Vincent Nguyen
Our Assessment
SlashGear.com reviews the 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Pros, but its coverage is less detailed than others evaluated in this report. The site tests each laptop and compares it to previous generations, but specific recommendations are not made.
Apple Mac
by Contributors to Amazon.com
Our Assessment
Amazon.com is a good spot for Macintosh user reviews. Amazon.com sells a good assortment, and all models have significant numbers of reviews. Most Apple laptops have very high average ratings (from four to… five stars), and it's difficult to rely solely on Amazon.com for a buying decision. That said, reading through the many first-hand reports is a good way to see where an Apple laptop or Apple desktop computer you are considering meets or exceeds expectations, and where it might disappoint.
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