New MBP - First impressions.

I'm not going to go through a detail review of my new MBP, I just want to hit a few of the more notable observations that I made.

Size comparison:
While it does seem a little larger than my Santa Rosa MBP, the thing I notice most is the solid feel compared to my previous one. One of the reasons that I opted to buy a MBP, even though I program in Windows, is because of the lightweight and size. Both of those have increased over my previous MBP, but not significantly; however, the black around the LCD really makes the screen seem much larger. The one piece construction now adds a level of rigidity that makes it feel like a real business notebook. Apple, you did good!

Chicklet keyboard:
I first experienced the chicklet keyboard on my MBA, and I feel in love with it. Even though I really enjoyed the previous keyboard, this one provides for a more enjoyable experience with better tactile feedback and more accurate typing. It was already good, now it's right up there with a Thinkpad... perhaps even a cut above.

Hingeless LCD:
I hated the hinged access on my previous MBP. When I started using the MBA, I wondered why all MB's and MBP's didn't open work this way. Now they do and it's a great improvement.

Glass trackpad:
I've read some reviews that say they can't tell the difference between the old trackpad and the new one. They must be on crack! The new one is much slipperier than the previous one. I can (and could) tell the difference almost immediately.

No trackpad button:
What's really cool about this is that it just works. You don't have to think about it or even read how it works (I didn't), you just have to start using it to appreciate the thought behind this innovation.

Cooler Running:
I can't believe no one has mentioned that the new MBP runs absolutely cooler than the previous model - in fact, it's cooler than any previous MBP that I've had. I'm running the 2.53 mhz with the 320 gig 7200 rpm hard drive and there is virtually no heat coming off the top, bottom, sides, or anywhere else after using it all day long. The thermal changes are nothing short of remarkable.

Complaints:
It can't be all good...

I wish they would have made the backslash key bigger... maybe the tab key should have been a little smaller and increased the size of the backslash key. I'll get used to it, but some people will be dismayed.

The new "brick" fabrication process is evolutionary, but they should have machined the edges around the top of the base (where the keyboard and speakers reside) to make them a little less sharp. Seriously, they are almost sharp enough to draw blood. The edge actually feels like a dull knife... I noticed this most when I'm using the laptop on a table that was a little high - it forced my arms to rub on the top front edge of the laptop and it gets a little painful.

I've still got lots to investigate, but I am really enjoying the new MBP and honestly couldn't go back to my prior MBP without feeling withdrawal symptoms. If you can afford one, go out and get it as fast as you can!

BTW, I ordered mine directly from Apple on a Tuesday and it was delivered the following Tuesday at my office. Not bad for build to order!

 

Nice first thoughts!

You noted the trackpad is more slippery, is it better, worse or doesn't make much of a difference?

 

Nice remarks, +1!

 

In fact, many have mentioned it. However, internally this MBP gets as hot as before (CPU, etc). It's just that the heat is not dissipating out into the aluminum case the way it did before. From a user point of view, it is an improvement. But personally I still feel Apple build their notebooks like ovens (no extra ventilation holes), and that the lifespan of its components will shorten.

 

I love the feel of the new trackpad vs the old. I finally feel comfortable using the pad, because yes, it's more slippery, and also because I never find myself running out of trackpad space. It really is great.

 

yea i have to agree with william the track pad is definatly one of the best things about the new MB and MBP as its soo big and personally i have using trackpads as do most people but when playing with the MB in the apple store at no point was i thinking that i would also need to carry a mouse as with the gestures and the size of the pad i doubt i will need a mouse other then for gaming.

 

Since you say it gets as hot as before, can you post some actual readings of the CPU, GPU, HDD under load? I'd like to compare them to what I register on my PC laptops...and also see if they are high enough to support the theory of shortened component lifespans...thanks...bill

 

Definitely much better. The old one would drag just a little when the laptop was on for a while, but the new one not only stays nice and slippery but the laptop never heats up.

 

I haven't had a chance to compare the temps using istatpro, but I'll put them side-by-side tonight and see how the new one stacks up.

All I know is that I've been running mine for 9 hours straight right now and you'd be hard pressed to find a warm spot anywhere. I'm not sure you can say that the heat is not being dissipated somewhere, because if that was the case, then the internal temps would be higher... not sure if that's true yet. I do think that putting the battery and hard drive in the back made sense and definitely contributes to better thermal properties.

 

why do people say that the new mbp is larger than the old one? is it really that noticeable? its only tenths of an inch longer/wider, is no doubt thinner, and i hardly think anyone can tell the difference in weight... hm.

 

Well I'm sure people play it up. The thing doesn't LOOK bigger unless you directly have one on top of the other.

 

Ah, good to hear its a good thing!

For me, my MacBook trackpad used to have a bit of traction, but it faded away as time went by, and now its awkwardly slippery . I haven't had a chance to try out the glass one yet!

 

Yeah - basic physics dictates that you can't "lock" heat inside. It follows that if the MBP is cooler on the outside, it's better. Period.
I imagine the components just generate less heat esp. compared to a Santa Rosa MBP - the system uses less power. Power ~= heat.

This is another thing that would really make a difference for me. My MBP Santa Rosa is usually HOT which is not nice on my hands or on the internal components. I have already had a HD failure and several near-failures because it just gets too hot.

 

The new model occupies less volume than the old one, so the correct thing to say is it's wider, longer, thinner, and overall smaller than the old one. The differences are tiny in all dimensions though. So you could also say it's more or less the same size as before.

The glass screen and build quality are both hugely important for me though. I always squeeze my MBP into my backpack, and it doesn't like it very much. The new one looks like it would be perfectly fine with that. Even if the keys end up touching the screen it would be no problem as a glass screen can be properly scrubbed and cleaned.

PS: As you can probably tell, the "reasoning" process as to why exactly I need a new MacBook Pro is already in full swing. Right brain made the decision to buy long ago, left brain is trying to come up with reasons.