Best Reviewed
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- Best laptop for business HP EliteBook 2560p *Est. $1100
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- Good battery life
- Bright, color-rich display
- Good reliability
- Can run under Windows
- Hard drive is relatively small
- Less memory than similarly priced Windows laptops
- Mediocre gaming performance
- Screen is prone to showing reflections
The 13-inch 2.26 GHz MacBook Pro is a good choice, experts say, for those who want a solid computer for everyday use. Styling is attractive and features an aluminum unibody chassis. Though the laptop ships with the Mac Snow Leopard operating system, it uses an Intel Core 2 Duo processor and can run the Windows 7 operating system. The full-size backlit keyboard is easy to use, and the display has terrific color performance. While this MacBook Pro features Nvidia graphics, it's really only suitable for casual gaming. The 160 GB hard drive is a bit smaller than some Windows-based laptops that sell for roughly the same price, such as the Dell Studio XPS 16 (Discontinued). The 2 GB of memory that comes standard is also less than in similarly priced Windows laptops -- and even many budget ones -- though it can be upgraded as an option. One major plus is that Apple laptops, including the 13-inch 2.26 GHz MacBook Pro, have a well-deserved reputation for reliability.
Several reviewers have weighed in on the 13-inch 2.26 GHz MacBook Pro and most have come away impressed. Its trophy shelf is full of Editors' Choice awards from the likes of PCMag.com, Laptop Magazine, CNET and ComputerShopper.com. All provide richly detailed reviews outlining pluses and minuses. Macworld and Britain's PC Advisor also have worthwhile reports. Amazon.com hosts a good assortment of user reviews.
Dell Studio XPS 16 (1640) Business and Gaming Laptop
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Our Sources
1. Laptop MagazineDetails/Subscribe
The 13-inch MacBook Pro is honored here with an Editors' Choice selection. Pluses include the "stunning display" and the improved graphics ability over its predecessor. A small hard drive draws some disappointment.
Review: Apple MacBook Pro (13-Inch), Dana Wollman, June 11, 2009
PCMag.com also gives the 13-inch 2.26 GHz MacBook Pro an Editors' Choice award. Reviewer Cisco Cheng doesn't like the relatively skimpy 2 GB of memory that comes standard -- though it can be upgraded (to 4 GB for $100). Long battery life is a plus.
Review: Apple MacBook Pro 13-Inch, Cisco Cheng, June 10, 2009
3. CNET
Dan Ackerman finds lots to like in the 13-inch 2.26 GHz Apple MacBook Pro, calling it "one of the most universally useful laptops available." It's no surprise, then, that CNET awards the laptop with one of its Editors' Choice awards.
Review: Apple MacBook Pro Summer 2009, Dan Ackerman, June 10, 2009 (Updated April 13, 2010)
In winning yet another Editors' Choice award, the 13-inch 2.26 GHz MacBook Pro is praised here for its "excellent" battery life and a crisp and vibrant display. The one complaint is that the screen might be a bit glossy and that no matte option is offered.
Review: Apple MacBook Pro (13-Inch), Denny Atkin, June 2009
The 13-inch 2.26 GHz MacBook Pro is reviewed here alongside a more expensive version with a faster processor. Both laptops score well. Test results and comparisons to other laptops are provided.
Review: MacBook Pros (13-Inch, Mid 2009), James Galbraith, June 23, 2009
6. PC Advisor
Britain's PC Advisor also reviews both the 2.26 GHz and 2.53 GHz 13-inch MacBook Pros, and both score well. The screen is well-liked, and colors are called richer than on their predecessor. Again, however, a matte screen option would have been appreciated.
Review: Apple MacBook Pro 13-Inch (Mid-2009) Review, James Galbraith, June 26, 2009
7. Amazon.com
The 13-inch MacBook Pro is well-liked by most of the roughly 90 users who post reviews at Amazon.com. At last look, less than 10 give it less than 4 out of 5 stars, and about two-thirds give it the top 5-star rating.
Review: Apple MacBook Pro MB990LL/A 13.3-Inch Laptop, Contributors to Amazon.com
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