Hardware is a general term that refers to the physical artifacts of a technology. It may also mean the physical components of a computer system, in the form of computer hardware. Hardware historically meant the metal parts and fittings that were used to make wooden products stronger, more functional, longer lasting and easier to fabricate or assemble. In modern usage it includes equipment such as keys, locks, hinges, latches, corners, handles, wire, chains, plumbing supplies, tools, utensils, cutlery and machine parts, especially when they are made of metal. In the United States, this type of hardware has been traditionally sold in hardware stores, a term also used to a lesser extent in the UK. In a more colloquial sense, hardware can refer to major items of military equipment, such as tanks, aircraft or ships. A typical personal computer consists of a case or chassis in a tower shape (desktop) and the following parts: motherboard, power supply, video display controller, removable media devices, internal storage, sound card, networking and other peripherals (Wikipedia).
Apple MacBook Pro MB470LL/A 15.4-Inch Laptop (2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Processor, 2 GB RAM, 250 GB Hard Drive, Slot Loading SuperDrive)
Product Description
Redesigned with a precision unibody enclosure crafted from a single block of aluminum, the MacBook Pro is thinner and lighter than its predecessor as well as stronger and more durable. But Apple didn’t stop innovating with the body’s design. The MacBook Pro also includes a new 15-inch, LED-backlit glass display (instead of an LCD panel) and a glass trackpad that doesn’t include a button (for larger tracking area) and features includes Apple’s Multi-Touch technology.
Under the hood, the MacBook Pro is powered by a powerful 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor (with 3 MB L2 cache and 1066 MHz front-side bus), which runs applications faster and more efficiently as well as helps to reduce power requirements and save on battery life. And the MacBook Pro includes two video processors for ultimate flexibility: NVIDIA GeForce 9400M integrated graphics for great everyday performance and NVIDIA 9600M GT discrete graphics for fast, smooth video–perfect for 3D gaming.
It’s pre-loaded with Apple’s Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard operating system, which enables easy backup of your most important data via Time Machine, a redesigned desktop that helps eliminate clutter. It also comes with the iLife ‘08 suite of applications–including iPhoto, iMovie, Garageband, and iTunes–and the newest version of the fast-loading Safari web browser. Other hardware features include a 250 GB hard drive, 2 GB of installed RAM (which can be upgraded to 4 GB), an 8x combo Superdrive (for burning dual-layer DVDs as well as CDs), built-in Gigabit Ethernet for high-speed networking, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR (Enhanced Data Rate), FireWire 800 port, Mini DisplayPort video output (for DVI and VGA connections), and an ExpressCard/34 expansion card slot for expansion solutions such as 3G wireless networking.
The New MacBook Pro Design
Traditionally notebooks are made from multiple parts. With the new MacBook all of those parts with just one part–the breakthrough unibody enclosure. Every MacBook Pro starts its life as a single block of aluminum, which is precisely machined into the basic unibody design. Another pass and the unibody takes shape. Another, and the integrated keyboard emerges. When you pick up a new MacBook Pro, you immediately notice the entire enclosure is thinner and lighter. And it feels strong and durable–perfect for life inside (and outside) your briefcase or backpack.
The standard aluminum electro-static trackpad has been replaced with a new glass Multi-Touch trackpad, which provides 40 percent more tracking area than before. Use two fingers to scroll up and down a page. Pinch to zoom in and out. Rotate an image with your fingertips. Swipe with three fingers to flip through your photo libraries. Swipe with four fingers to show your desktop, view all open windows, or switch applications. The entire trackpad surface is also a button, allowing you to both track and click virtually anywhere on the trackpad. And you can easily enable multiple virtual buttons in software, such as right-clicking.
The keyboard has also been improved, with the rigid aluminum keyboard webbing cut precisely to hold the keys, which are curved to perfectly fit fingers. And it’s illuminated, so when you’re in low-light settings, such as airplanes or conference rooms, you can always see what you’re typing.
The 15-inch display is made of edge-to-edge, uninterrupted glass for a smooth, seamless surface and features LED backlighting for brilliant instant-on performance that uses up to 30 percent less energy than its predecessor. The ultra-thin displays provide crisp images and vivid colors which are ideal for viewing photos and movies
Intel Core 2 Duo Processor
Experience improved energy efficiency, expanded wireless connectivity, and amazing battery life with the 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, which has a super-fast 1066 MHz front-side bus (FSB), and a large 3 MB L2 cache. (An L2, or secondary, cache temporarily stores data; and a larger L2 cache can help speed up your system’s performance. The FSB carries data between the CPU and RAM, and a faster front-side bus will deliver better overall performance.)
The new hafnium-infused circuitry–which reduces electrical current leakage in transistors–conserves even more energy, giving you more time away from the wall outlet. With 3 MB of shared L2 cache, data and instructions can be kept close to the two processor cores, greatly increasing performance and allowing the entire system to work more efficiently. And, because the processor cores share the L2 cache, either can use the entire amount if the other happens to be idle.
Video Processing & Output
The new MacBook Pro combines the efficiency of an integrated graphics processor with the desktop-class performance of a discrete graphics processor thanks to the inclusion of both. Out of the box, it runs the integrated NVIDIA GeForce 9400M processor, which provides plenty of performance for everyday use with up to 5 hours of battery life. But when you need turbocharged performance for the most graphically intensive tasks, the discrete NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT processor delivers–such as for demanding 3D games like Quake, Call of Duty, and Spore. And thanks to a new graphics architecture, it’s easy to switch between these two processors. The 9400M graphics processor shares 256 MB of DDR3 SDRAM with main memory, while the 9600M provides 256 MB of dedicated GDDR3 video memory.
The MacBook Pro includes a next generation Mini DisplayPort, which delivers a pure digital signal that can drive up to a 30-inch widescreen display. The Mini DisplayPort is ultra-compact at just 10 percent the size of a full DVI connector, and is compatible with Apple’s 24-inch Cinema Display. Adapters are also available for using VGA, DVI/HDMI and Dual-Link DVI displays
Hard Drive and Memory
The 250 GB Serial-ATA (SATA) hard drive (5400 RPM) quickens the pace with a higher speed transfer of data–akin to FireWire and USB 2.0. The 2 GB of PC3-8500 DDR2 RAM (two SO-DIMMs of 1024 MB) has an industry-leading 1066 MHz speed, and the RAM capacity can be increased to 4 GB.
Wireless Connectivity
The built-in 802.11n wireless networking provides up to five times the performance and twice the range of 802.11g, but it’s also backward-compatible with 802.11a/b/g routers, enabling you to communicate with the a wide variety of Wi-Fi resources. It works seamlessly with the new AirPort Extreme with 802.11n. Use the built-in Bluetooth wireless technology to connect to your PDA or cell phone, synchronize addresses, or download pictures from your cell phone. You can also use a wireless headset for iChat audio chats and VoIP calls as well as quickly share files with a colleague.
Video Conferencing with Built-in iSight
Artfully placed in the glass display is an iSight camera, which enables easy video conferencing as well as allows you to snap pictures of yourself and create video podcasts. Using the iChat AV application, video conferencing is integrated into your iChat buddy list, so initiating a video conference is a breeze. iChat also lets you hold audio chats with up to 10 people and provides high-quality audio compression and full-duplex sound so conversation can flow naturally. For video podcasting, you can record a short clip using the iSight camera, then use iWeb to create a video blog entry or post your GarageBand-recorded podcast.
Other Features
* Two USB 2.0 ports, one FireWire 800, ExpressCard/34 slot
* Mini DisplayPort compatible with DVI, VGA, and dual-link DVI connectors (all optional)
* 8x slot-loading SuperDrive with the following write speeds: 8x DVD±R; 4x DVD±R DL (double layer); 4x DVD±RW; 24x CD-R; 10x CD-RW
* Built-in full-size backlit keyboard with 78 (U.S.) or 79 (ISO) keys, including 12 function keys and 4 arrow keys (inverted “T” arrangement)
* Internal omnidirectional microphone and built-in speakers
* Combined optical digital output/headphone out (minijack)
* Combined optical digital input/audio line in (minijack)
* 50-watt-hour lithium-polymer battery providing up to 5 hours of battery life using 9400M graphics (up to 4 hours using 9600M graphics)
* Kensington lock slot
* Measures 14.35 x 9.82 x 0.95 inches (WxDxH) and weighs 5.5 pounds (including battery)
Environtmental Considerations
The entire new MacBook family meets stringent Energy Star 4.0, EPEAT Gold and RoHS environmental standards, and leads the industry in the elimination of toxic chemicals by containing no brominated flame retardants, using only PVC-free internal cables and components, and using energy efficient LED-backlit displays that are mercury-free and made with arsenic-free glass.
Preloaded with Leopard and iLife ‘08
The biggest Mac OS X upgrade ever, the Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard operating system features over 300 new features, including:
* Time Machine, an effortless way to automatically back up everything on a Mac
* A redesigned Finder that lets users quickly browse and share files between multiple Macs
* Quick Look, a new way to instantly see files without opening an application
* Spaces, an intuitive new feature used to create groups of applications and instantly switch between them
* A brand new desktop with Stacks, a new way to easily access files from the Dock
* Major enhancements to Mail and iChat
Leopard’s new desktop includes the redesigned 3D Dock with Stacks, a new way to organize files for quick and easy access with just one click. Leopard automatically places web, email and other downloads in a Downloads stack to maintain a clutter-free desktop, and you can instantly fan the contents of this and other Stacks into an elegant arc right from the Dock. The updated Finder includes Cover Flow and a new sidebar with a dramatically simplified way to search for, browse and copy content from any PC or Mac on a local network.
Time Machine lets you easily back up all of the data on your Mac, find lost files and even restore all of the software on their Mac. With just a one-click setup, Time Machine automatically keeps an up-to-date copy of everything on the Mac. In the event a file is lost, you can search back through time to find deleted files, applications, photos and other digital media and then instantly restore the file.
The MacBook also comes with the iLife ‘08 suite of applications that make it easy to live the digital life. Use iPhoto to share entire high-res photo albums with anyone who’s got an email address. Record your own songs and podcasts with GarageBand. Break into indie filmmaking with iMovie and iDVD. Then take all the stuff you made on your MacBook and share it on the web in one click with iWeb.
Included Software
Mac OS X v10.5 Leopard (includes Time Machine, Quick Look, Spaces, Spotlight, Dashboard, Mail, iChat, Safari, Address Book, QuickTime, iCal, DVD Player, Photo Booth, Front Row, Xcode Developer Tools)
iLife ‘08 (includes iTunes, iPhoto, iMovie, iDVD, iWeb, GarageBand)
What’s in the Box
MacBook Pro, display cleaning cloth, lithium-polymer battery, 85W MagSafe Power Adapter, AC wall plug, power cord, install/restore DVDs, printed and electronic documentation
By D. Perkins (Chicago, IL)
Overall this laptop is at the top of it’s class and you might be wondering why i gave it 4 stars and not 5…..first and foremost, money. I have to say that this is still overpriced. You are paying for a collection of things like the operating system, graphics card, high end components and things like that, but come on apple, 2000 dollars is a lot to drop on any laptop, no matter what it is. Is it worth it? without a doubt yes, and that is why apple can jack up their prices, but at the same time, it seems like they are kind of taking advantage of us, especially in the economic slum we’re in right now. Maybe i am just cheap (which i don’t think most people would classify me as that) but that seems a little high to me. And another thing. what is up with the new display port? i have a 46 inch samsung tv and i will be hooking it up to my MBP but the cable is 100 dollars!!!! and that is just to dual link dvi—-i still have to buy a dual link dvi to HDMI adapter after that. Ugh. apple (along with other company’s…cough cough monster cables) is completely ripping us off on their cables and that makes a difference in my outlook on the big picture.
The new MBP is absolutely stunning in every aspect of its design. Apple continues to wow us, and they will also continue to prosper and grow. I will be enjoying my new Macbook pro and i hope this review helped you in any questions you might have had. It is an investment that will live for a long time and will be greatly enjoyed every day. good job apple.
By Robert M. Brown (Lane Closed Ahead, TX)
The new MacBook Pro has some significant advantages over the old one. The new case design is attractive and solid. The keyboard is crisp and responsive. The hard drive is as easy to access as on every other notebook on the market (as opposed to requiring complete disassembly of the machine with the old model). The new NVIDIA 9600 graphics adds a lot of 3D horsepower.
There are some significant drawbacks as well. The video output for connecting an external monitor is only compatible with one monitor at the moment. Connecting to the kinds of monitor that people actually own will require the purchase (and carrying) of an additional $30 adapter. Or two, if you need to connect to both VGA and DVI monitors.
The new MacBook Pro actually has two video adapters; the NVIDIA 9400 and 9600. The system uses the 9400 by default, which is less powerful than the 9600 but uses less power. The 9400 is an integrated adapter without its own memory; it uses 256MB of the system RAM. The problem is that it uses that 256MB RAM even when the system is using the 9600 adapter. In other words, these laptops effectively have 256MB less RAM than the previous generation.
The new display is very clear and sharp, at least as good as the previous generation’s screen. It is also covered with a pane of glass and is very, very shiny; much shinier and more reflective even than the previous generation’s ‘glossy’ screen. If the lighting conditions in your work environment are exactly right, the screen looks wonderful. If there is any light behind or above you, the screen acts as a mirror and the glare and reflections can be very annoying.
The new MacBook Pro is a wonderful computer, but it is not a clear upgrade from the previous version and the mirror finish of the new screen means that no one should buy this computer without actually trying it first.
By Charles (Santa Cruz, CA USA)
Apple’s site and other reviews provide the essential information on what was upgraded in this new MacBook Pro (two graphics systems; machined from solid aluminum; new industry-standard DisplayPort video out; new trackpad; other minor changes/upgrades).
But why get this computer rather than the much less expensive MacBook that appears almost identical?
1. The MacBook LCD display is poor. It is not just a smaller version of the MacBook Pro LCD display. It has washed-out blacks, poor contrast, limited viewing angles, and less vibrant colors. This is a huge difference. I confirmed this with a side by side comparison in the Apple Store (and the store staff member agreed), and you can find further discussion at gizmodo dot com (gizmodo.com/5063492/macbook-and-macbook-pro-dual-review).
2. The MacBook Pro’s excellent new graphics chip (NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT) can be used to speed up all operations (not just graphics) when the new Apple operating system (Snow Leopard) is released in January. This is not confirmed, but there is substantial discussion online suggesting this is the case. The 9600M is essentially a 32 processor computer (running at 120 gigaflops). So, a MacBook Pro will actually gain in speed over time. The MacBook does not have a separate graphics card that can work this way.
3. MacBook Pro graphics are twice as fast as MacBook graphics, so if you do anything visual with your computer (digital photography, video, games, etc.) then everything will run much more quickly and smoothly. Some games that are just barely playable on the MacBook become fun and seemless on the MacBook Pro.
4. The MacBook Pro has a firewire port (omitted from the new MacBook).
5. The MacBook Pro has an expansion card slot (really handy for adding a memory card reader or 3G roaming internet).
So, for the extra $400 (MacBook 2.4 GHz vs. MacBook Pro 2.4 GHz) you get a lot of extras that you will notice and use. And you will avoid the poor LCD on the MacBook. You are still stuck with the highly-reflective glass screen (if my eyeglasses can get anti-reflective coating, then why not this computer screen?), however, so it’s only four stars until they solve that problem.
Panasonic Toughbook CF-52
Ruggedized laptops have a lot in common with the Hummer business model. They started out as strictly utilitarian machines built for heavy industrial use, but over time, the general public became enamored with the tough-as-nails design, and more consumer-friendly versions of these products made their way into the marketplace. Panasonic’s CF-52 is a prime example of that crossover. While it has the bulky militarized look of a truly rugged laptop, it is, in fact, what one would call a semirugged system–offering somewhat increased protection at a more reasonable price and weight.
But don’t take that as a knock against the CF-52. Truly rugged systems are incredibly heavy and expensive, and suitable only for the most extreme situations. Most users who want extra protection for outdoor or light industrial use need a semirugged system such as this one, which offers the latest Intel Santa Rosa chipset, plus a spill-resistant keyboard and a heavily shielded body. You’ll always pay a premium for the extra engineering that goes into a semirugged laptop, but this system feels like it would stop a bullet (a test we have yet to add to our benchmarks).
Thanks to its squared-off silver-and-black design and built-in carrying handle, the Toughbook CF-52 looks more like an aluminum attaché case than a laptop. Instead of holding nuclear launch codes or stacks of $100 bills, inside you’ll find a fairly standard 15-inch Core 2 Duo laptop buffered by plenty of metal and plastic.
Parts of the Toughbook CF-52 adhere to the MIL-STD-810F standard (or “mil spec”), thanks to a rugged magnesium alloy chassis, a shock-mounted hard drive and screen, and a spill-proof keyboard tray (rated for a 4-ounce spill). The system is designed to withstand drops of up to 2.5 feet on all six sides–which may not sound like much, but try dropping your regular laptop even 12 inches and you’ll appreciate the extra protection. Truly rugged laptops that meet the full mil spec are also tested for heat, altitude, dust, and vibration.
The keyboard is somewhat cramped for a 15-inch laptop, with an especially small space bar. However, this leaves plenty of room from the edge of the chassis on all sides, keeping the keyboard well-protected. Aside from a fingerprint reader and basic touch pad, the only other thing on the keyboard tray is a rubberized power button. A large handle protrudes from the front edge, which may get in the way while typing, but also makes it much easier to carry this heavy, unwieldy system from room to room–and it adds a certain industrial design flair.
You’re not going to miss out on much in the way of ports and connections on the Toughbook CF-52. It skips the usually ubiquitous S-Video port, but has both a PC Card and Express Card slot. We were pleased to see the inclusion of 802.11n Wi-Fi technology and wireless broadband (from Verizon)–which would likely be very important for the kinds of places one would expect to use a semirugged laptop (which probably isn’t a local Wi-Fi friendly coffee shop).
Almost all the ports and connections are protected behind snap-on covers, except for the audio jacks and the power connection. The optical drive is also exposed and looks like one good smack could knock it out of commission, but the same would be true of any nonrugged laptop.
Under its hardened exterior, the Toughbook CF-52 is actually a fairly conventional laptop, and not surprisingly, its performance is on a par with other recent systems with similar components. Another semirugged laptop, the Durabook D13RY, has a slightly slower T7200 CPU, but adds a second GB of RAM, for performance that was slightly faster in Photoshop CS2 but slightly slower at iTunes encoding. As we’re fond of pointing out, with rare exceptions, laptops with similar components perform similarly, and you should have no trouble with basic multitasking–Web surfing, using office documents, and multimedia playback–from the Toughbook.
The CF-52 ran for 3 hours and 30 minutes on our DVD battery drain test, using the included battery. That’s impressive for a mainstream system, even more so for one that has to drive such a high-resolution screen. Our DVD battery drain test is especially grueling, so you can expect longer life from casual Web surfing and office use.
Panasonic includes a three-year parts-and-labor warranty with the system. Support is accessible through a 24-7, toll-free phone line, also available internationally. The company maintains a support Web site that has basic drivers and FAQs but could hardly be called user-friendly, with drivers presented in a generic context-free list and FAQ documents presented as Word documents, instead of being displayed inline.