*** October 2009 Update ***
If you are looking to make the transition from Windows to Mac or simply want a top of the line notebook, read on. This computer was the bridge for us out of the Windows world and into the Mac realm, and is the best computer I've had. In the 2 years since we bought this notebook, we've obtained a second MacBook Pro Notebook, a Mac Pro Desktop, 2 Apple Cinema Displays, a Time Capsule, as well as Mac mouse and keyboards. For more details see my epinion reviews for each of these, particularly my epinions review of the Parallels software if you are switching from Windows.
Both of our MacBook Pro's continue to perform like champs (even after dropping one, while on, from a height of over 7 feet (!) several months ago without signs of problems). Each of these notebooks have Windows partitions: one has Windows XP while the other has Vista Home Premium. But as time has gone on we use the Windows sides less and less, mostly when we have to for highly specialized software made for Windows. The other highly used Windows program is Excel (an exception to the rule since the Mac version is inferior).
Making the transition from Windows to Mac takes time and effort, but it is worth it. This is a great computer to do it with since it runs both systems so well. Many of the problems with Bootcamp (the free method Apple supplies to run Windows) that I mentioned in the original review below have been worked out, and I now find that Windows seems to run smoother on both computers. On the other hand, over the years I use Windows less and less, so perhaps I'm missing the problems.
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Original Review:
This review will focus on what I consider to be the main advantage of buying a MacBook Pro: the ability to dual boot to Windows and run XP programs at native speed. This is the reason I purchased it. After this, I will also share my experience with the Mac side.
I've had 3 Macs and 4 pc's of my own, and have heavily used 2 Macs and 3 pc's at work. I make the computers I use work hard, and I'm the sort of person everyone seems to ask for computer help. Because of this, I feel that I have a grasp of what a lot of people want in their computer. This MacBook Pro is a machine for high-end users -- or users who want a high end experience.
I purchased this MacBook Pro directly from Apple in February 2008, as a refurbished model for $2300. I have found no problems related to it being refurbished -- it seemed new to me. The hundreds saved in this way were instead spent on the Apple warranty. My experience has shown that a 3 year warranty is worth it for me.
In order to run Windows on Mac OSX, you must make a separate purchase of the Windows operating system. I did this by using an OEM version of Windows XP (SP2) without problems (see Note 1 below for more comments on this). This divides disk space between the 2 operating systems, meaning that the choice of hard disk size becomes very important in the purchase. I allowed 60GB for Windows and 100GB for the Mac side -- but this can be changed at a later date (see Note 2 below).
Some ask why you would want to run Windows on a Mac. The answer is simple: so that you can have all the advantages of a Mac and still be able to run those Windows programs that are either unavailable or less capable on the Mac side (See Note 3 below). The great thing about these new intel-based Macs is that they can run Windows just as fast as a pc can.
If you have made a significant investment in Windows software then this is a major consideration, since otherwise you need to budget for all sorts of software as you look at getting a Mac. However, be aware that getting this Mac will not solve all of those problems because there are some cases where programs that will run on a pc running XP will not run on this Mac, or run with problems. Examples include True Image 7, Disk Director 10, Total Recorder 5.3, and I'm sure many others. On the other hand, you run into this same problem if you upgrade to Vista, which, by the way, will also not run 2 of the above programs (See Note 4, below).
In over 3 months of heavy use with this computer, I have found Windows XP to run almost, but not quite as smoothly as on my previous Sony Vaio GRT100P notebook. For that computer, see the review here
http://www.epinions.com/content_115795136132 In my experience, XP tends to encounter problems that require the computer to be restarted every 3-10 days on a desktop, and perhaps every 2-4 days on a laptop. By comparison, I would say that on this Mac, I need to restart windows every 1-2 days. This is not a serious problem to me because I find that this Mac boots faster than other laptops, both on the Mac and Windows sides.
The kinds of problems I'm speaking of are when programs lock up, the mouse begins not to work, the audio or video stops responding to the controls, or the system gradually slows down. One common problem I've found while running XP is that small black boxes,dots, or streaks appear on the screen at times, or that it stalls for about 30 seconds for no apparent reason--usually when closing Internet Explorer or another program. Another is that .AVI videos taken with our camera will suddenly play as static/snow. When problems like these will not go away, a reboot usually fixes the problem, but sometimes there's the need to place in the Mac OSX installation disk and use the "Repair" option. The problems seem to occur more often after awaking from hibernation.
Because of these problems, an important consideration is how to regularly backup the Windows side of this Mac. The solution I've come up with is to use WinClone, which is a free Mac program which makes images of the windows partition. I've used this to restore partitions successfully, and make regular backup images. Having this backup is all the more important since, unfortunately, I have not had success using the Windows Restore feature to deal with Windows system-related problems.
How well does attached hardware work with this notebook? Surprisingly well -- but there are some exceptions. For example, our camera (reviewed here
http://www.epinions.com/content_257076465284 a powershot S3 IS) connects seamlessly with both the Mac and Windows sides, but I had a lot of trouble getting my Logitech MX610 Laser Cordless Mouse to work properly on both sides at first. After downloading updates on each side, I eventually got it to work even though Logitech does not say it is Mac compatible. I still find times, however, when the mouse stops working.
Also, to take most advantage of certain Mac software (Time Machine, iPhoto, and iMovie), I formatted one of my external hard drives HFS. This means, unfortunately, that that the Windows side cannot see that disk. The Mac side, on the other hand, cannot see NTFS formated drives.
When running Windows you are completely blind to the Mac side of the computer, however this is not true when running from the Mac side. On the Mac side you can open folders to see all the files on the windows side -- and even copy or open them. However, you cannot do anything to change Windows files while on the Mac side (without purchasing additional software).
In summary, while running XP on this Mac has not been without its problems, for the most part it's the same as running XP on a similarly powered pc. Furthermore, the superior audio and video hardware, and the overall design make it a pleasure to use.
The additional big advantage, of course, is that this laptop has another side, and the Mac side is even more enjoyable to use. Though it too is not without problems, for the most part it is an impressive system that works wonderfully together with almost no tinkering necessary. The photo/video/sound software is particularly impressive taking full advantage of the hardware. You know you've had a "Mac" experience when you wonder, "Why was that so easy?" If only all the Windows software were available, as inexpensive, and worked just as well in Mac versions! Until then, this dual boot system is the next best thing.
While the Mac side does not need to be rebooted as often as the Windows side, I still find it necessary due to lock ups, etc... perhaps every 3-7 days.
The physical aspects of this notebook are consistent with quality design. The glossy screen is beautiful & huge, taking advantage of almost every available inch of space, the connection ports are well-placed and provide most of what you need (notably absent is a PCMCIA slot), the power plug is incredibly well-designed (it disconnects readily when accidentally yanked), the CD/DVD slot is conveniently toaster-like, the speakers are the loudest I've had in a laptop, providing a true-3D effect at times, and the keyboard is the best I've used. Despite being so large, it's still very thin and easy to transport, although heavier than I'd like. The battery lasts impressively long considering how powerful this laptop is -- I've gotten nearly 3 hours, about twice as long as my previous, similarly powerful laptop.
It does, however, get too hot at times for a comfortable lap with a fan that takes off in a vain attempt to remedy the problem. When this happens, I sometimes use a blue gel icepack to get it back to normal -- and if necessary, reboot.
To back up the Mac side there is another free mac program (Carbon Copy Cloner) I use to make images. I have not, however, had to restore such an image yet. The file backup program that comes with OSX (Time Machine) is very slick, although I haven't found much need to restore with it either. The mac side just seems inherently more stable.
Finally, having both Windows & Mac on the same hardware allows you to become familiar with which tasks are easier in each system. For example, networking is much more intuitive on the Mac side, while navigating the file structure is more obvious on the Windows side.
Despite all the problems I've mentioned, I still feel this is the best computer I've had, and I really enjoy the ability to boot up in two different ways. In my view Apple has worked out 90% of the bugs, but still needs to do a little more to make this a seamlessly dual booting system.
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Note 1:
Some on the web claim that OEM versions of XP (which are as much as $200 cheaper than non-OEM) will not install on these intel-based Macs. They are perhaps confusing full OEM XP installation disks with the bundled XP installation "Recovery Disks" which come with some computers (such as some SONY models).
Note 2:
To resize my windows/Mac partition scheme, I used WinClone (a free download). The process for doing this is described here:
www.tuaw.com/2007/12/22/winclone-backup-your-boot-camp-partition
Note 3:
There are so many software considerations between Mac & Windows that it's hard to know where to start. Here are just a few that I've encountered:
Microsoft Office: While there is a Mac version, it is much less capable Since the world seems to run on Word, Excel, and PowerPoint this is a major consideration. If you use Word & Excel extensively, you'll find the Mac Version lacking (for example, the VBA programming interface in Excel/Word has far fewer features).
Windows Media Player: As far as I know, there is no way to use DRM protected content with a similar free player on a Mac. On the other hand, I've found WMP to be troublesome when playing certain video and burning audio CDs.
Windows Movie Maker: Although this is a great free Windows program, it cannot hold a candle to the features in Macs iMovie
NetFlix: As of 4/08 you cannot use NetFlix on a Mac.
Note 4:
Here's how I've solved some of the Mac/Windows compatibility problems I've run into without spending extra money on upgrades.
Windows Media Player: When it gives me trouble, I either use iTunes on the mac side, or run the free VLC media player on the Windows side.
Total Recorder 5.3: I downloaded the free Audacity audio editor (which has both Mac & Windows versions -- as usual, the Windows version does more).
True Image 7: I've switched to free Mac programs WinClone and Carbon Copy Cloner.
Norton Internet Security: I use this on the Windows side. So far, internet security software is not as important on the Mac side, but things could change as Macs break into the market.
*** Update: Dec 27, 2008 ****
If anything I feel more positive about this laptop than when I wrote this review. It works as well today as it did the day I bought it. Since the time of this review, I have upgraded the PC side to Vista Home Premium and it works great. I also now have both the Vista and Mac sides of this computer connected via a Time Capsule wireless router which I'm very pleased with.
See my review on the Apple Time Capsule
MB276LL_A_802_11n_500GB
I now also have a 15" version of this same laptop. The quality of the MacBook Pro and the easy networking is converting us from PC to Mac users, although we still have some PC hardware working fine.
GainSaver
