Computerworld: 17-in MacBook Pro Worth Every Penny

by , 3:50 PM EDT, June 20th, 2007

The list of superlatives for the new 17-inch Mac Book Pro with the hi-rez screen went on and on. The reviewer was awed with the 1,920 x 1200 glossy screen, 7,200 rpm hard 160 GB hard disk and the 2.4 GHz Core 2 Duo with the Santa Rosa chip set, all described in a Computerworld review on Wednesday.

After adding the hi-rez screen ($US100) and the 7,200 RMP Seagate 160 GB drive ($US150), the total came to US$3049, "and worth every penny," Ken Mingis wrote.

Regarding the screen, the author caught his breath and waxed poetic, "Oh, and did I mention that screen? You know the difference between regular TV and high-def TV? That's what it feels like using this model. Not that the standard screen offered by Apple is a slouch; 1,680-by-1,050 pixels is plenty fine for most users. But for those of us who always want faster, bigger, more, Apple has created what I'd call the MBP Ultimate."

The MBP has a screen resolution of 133 pixels/inch compared to the normal 110 pixels/inch in the standard model.

Todd Benjamin, Apple's Director of Portables Product Marketing explained why the higher resolution was offered. "There's a number of specific reasons here. With image editors, photography people -- they have been looking for higher-resolution screens for a long time. It's also great for video. It will allow you to look at 1080p video in its native resolution. And in terms of the 3-D space, there are many scientists using higher-resolutions things for a long time. We really did this with a nod to people who are looking for high-resolution, high-quality content."

This screen still uses the Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamps (CCFL), but Mr. Benjamin added that, "We're going to transition our entire line [to LED back lighting] when it's economically and technically feasible." Customers have been raving online about the 15-inch model with the LED back lighting. That feature is expected to add a extra hour of battery life.

The verdict was that this computer, unlike other previously reviewed, was essentially perfect. "Indeed. Usually when reviewing a product, I come across a design flaw or issue that gives me pause. Not so this time, at least not yet." What could be better? Perhaps the addition of Blu-ray. Until then, the author raved, "I'll just have to make do with what, in my opinion, is the best laptop Apple has ever made."