Apple Laptops and Desktops Reviews
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Updated February 2008
Best Apple Laptops and Desktops Reviews: (out of 27)
Arstechnica.com, PC Magazine, MacUser
Best Apple Laptops and Desktops: (out of 15)
15-inch 2.2 GHz MacBook Pro, 2.2 GHz 13-inch MacBook, 2.4 GHz 20-inch iMac
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Fast Answers - Best Apple Laptops and Desktops
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What the Research Says |
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15-inch 2.2 GHz MacBook Pro
(starting at *est. $2,000)
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Best Apple laptop. The MacBook Pro is functional and powerful enough to serve as your only computer, reviewers say. Display options for the MacBook Pro range from 15.4 to 17 inches, which distinguishes it from the smaller (and lighter) basic MacBooks. Prices for the higher-end MacBook Pro laptops start at $2,500 and $2,800. The middle 15-inch version offers little more than the base model, but the top model has the bigger display. The 15-inch MacBook weighs about 5.5 pounds.
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2.2 GHz 13-inch MacBook
(starting at *est. $1,300)
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Budget Apple laptop. The newly updated MacBook is the lowest-priced Apple laptop, and reviewers say it is one of the best you can buy in its price and size range -- even when compared to a similar PC. The MacBook has a 13.3-inch widescreen and weighs five pounds. Standard features include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, a remote control and an integrated iSight webcam. Reviews say the MacBook's design is functional, lightweight and beautiful, with an excellent keyboard and innovative touchpad. Reviews for the good looking MacBook are much better than those for the thinner MacBook Air.
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2.4 GHz 20-inch iMac
(starting at *est. $1,500)
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Best Apple computer for families. The best value among Apple computers is the iMac -- an all-in-one computer that includes the system's "guts" behind a 20-inch LCD flat-panel screen. The iMac excels in performance tests versus other Mac systems and some PCs, and its compact form factor makes it a good choice for those with limited desk space. You can spend more or less on an iMac, but reviewers identify this 20-inch model as the sweet spot in the line. It includes 1 GB of RAM, a 320 GB hard drive and a video card with 256 MB of RAM. However, because of the design, you can't perform future upgrades, so experts suggest optioning the iMac with 2 GB of RAM, which costs an extra $150.
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Mac mini
(starting at *est. $600)
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Budget Macintosh computer. The Mac mini doesn’t impress reviewers as either an exceptional computer or bargain, but it is the least expensive option among all Apple computers. Two base models of the Mac mini are available. An extra $200 buys a little more speed and storage capacity. The catch with the mini is that it doesn't include a monitor, keyboard or mouse, so unless you have those items, total cost rises considerably. Another consideration is that the mini is not user-upgradeable.
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Comparison Chart
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Full Story
What the experts say, our analysis, and more...
This report covers Apple laptops and desktops and the considerations for
choosing between PCs and Macs. ConsumerSearch has separate reports on other computers,
including desktop and laptop PCs.
Completely objective reviews of Macintosh computers are rare. Several reviewers
attempt to compare Macs and PCs, but they often miss the mark by picking inappropriate
models to compare. Apple’s desktop and laptop product lines are nicely stratified,
with significant...
... Continued
More in this report:
Consensus Report
The chart only includes Apple computers that are recommended by reviewers
that rate one or two Mac models higher than other models. Even so, the chart
can be somewhat misleading, as not all reviewers review all Macintosh computers.
Those who review both the MacBook Pro and the MacBook generally express a clear
preference for the Pro. The price jump is huge, as reviewers acknowledge, but
several reviewers argue that the Pro is a better value.
Price and performance aren’t the only distinctions between the MacBook
Pro and the MacBook. The Pro also has larger displays. Reviewers say the two
15-inch MacBook Pro laptops (actual 15.4-inch displays) are a better value
than the 17-inch version.
The brand new MacBook Air is already widely reviewed. Reviewers love the
idea, appearance and easy portability, but say it isn’t a very useful
computer, especially relative to its price (starting at *est. $1,800).
For desktop buyers, the Mac Pro is recommended in reviews, but it is considered
an expensive, high-end professional computer. At the opposite extreme in the
desktop line, the Mac mini receives lukewarm reviews. It’s generally
recommended because it is the only sub-$1,000 Macintosh, but considered a mediocre
value and too limited for many uses. The two iMac models fall between the extremes.
Several reviewers consider these all-in-one machines to be the perfect desktop
computers for many people. The two 20-inch models are reviewed more often than
the two 24-inch models. Those who review both usually prefer the 24-inch model
because the display has a wider viewing angle.
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Apple Laptops and Desktops Reviews
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