Apple MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2.4GHz) review

Apple MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2.4GHz) Review

Reviewed by: Dan Ackerman

Reviewed on: 17 October 2007

Apple's recent update of its 13-inch MacBook line was a modest one, with an incremental processor upgrade and updated default components. However, the 15 and 17-inch MacBook Pro laptops have gotten a much more radical overhauling, even if they -- like the MacBooks -- look the same on the outside as previous-generation models.

We have reviewed the 15-inch, 2.4GHz middle child in the MacBook family, which costs £1,599. The entry-level 15-inch, 2.2GHz model starts at £1,299 and the 17-inch, 2.4GHz model sells for £1,799.

Design
Physically, the refreshed MacBook Pro is essentially identical to the version we looked at late last year. We refer you to our review of the Apple MacBook Pro (17-inch, 2.33GHz) for a detailed take on Apple's excellent industrial design and attention to detail. 

 
The minimalist layout -- you'll find only a power button, a full-size keyboard, stereo speakers, a sizable touch pad with a single mouse button and a built-in iSight camera -- remains a standard other laptop designers should emulate, and the thin chassis makes it easy to stow the system in even smaller laptop bags.

On the other hand, despite our love for a clean look, we've become used to having at least a few media control shortcut keys -- and adding a media card reader wouldn't deface the otherwise clean look.