Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch notebook review

A subtle refresh or something more?

Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch notebook. Hardware, Laptops, Apple 0
Reviewer
Chris Hall
Review Date
7 July 2009
Manufacturer
Apple
Price as reviewed
£1149
Latest price
£1021.30

Our score

9/10 9/10 See more with this score

Quick review

The good
Improved battery life, SD card slot, excellent display, excellent design and build quality
The bad
USB placement is still too close
Verdict
The 13-inch MacBook Pro takes an already excellent machine and moves it a step further along
Key specs
3.5mm jack, Bluetooth, Ethernet, FireWire, Li-ion battery, SD, SDHC, USB, Wi-Fi

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Comments

  • The one thing I found most annoying using this laptop in an Apple store is the way you scroll on the mouse pad. The two finger down motion feels very unnatural, especially when you know the perfectly good way it works on most other laptops. Posted by misund007, United Kingdom
  • misund007 - it does take a while to get used to the multitouch trackpad sure. I was a bit skeptical myself when I first started using it, but in reality, it gives you much more freedom in the long run. That two-finger scroll works both horizontally and vertically and you don't lose trackpad space through a "scrolling area" like you do in a PC.

    One of the great things is being able to scroll in different windows very quickly with just a movement of the pointer - it applies to scrolling lists as well as documents and pages.
    Posted by chrishall, United Kingdom
  • I'd second chrishall - after a few hours the two finger scrolling becomes second nature and much easier than the clumsy scroll area on my thinkpad Posted by C Allen, United Kingdom
  • I'm a Mac newbie. I'm not happy with the screen, so much so I'm reluctantly (I really like the multifunction trackpad and the overall look) taking it back within the 2 week grace period.

    I could live with other annoyances like having only 2 USBs and those being too close together and a bit of heat. However, the super reflective screen is very distracting.

    Also, the fact that the left speaker is in fact in the middle means that not only is there no stereo effect but the sound clearly emanates from the right hand side. This is very noticeable, irritating and unforgivable.

    With a matte screen and properly placed speakers I would have been VERY happy with this machine, even with the comparatively high price.
    Posted by James Oliver, England
  • We use the Macs for major video editing. We have two and they connect wonderfully. I disagree with Mr. Oliver, from England, I don't think that niether the screen is distracting nor the sound, for the fact that we, as a team, are constantly working with video, the Mac has good sound, with a clean image. Posted by Darby Gould, USA
  • Well my dad just got me a 13 inch Macbook Pro!! Which cant wait for!!! With the free ipod touch offer on its just amazing! I have an iphone and we are going to sell the ipod touch to bring the price down a little. We used the student discount which an apple retailer said I couldn't get because I wasn't 18 which was bullshit! got on the apple store selected school and wola discount added! I swear people at that store would rob you blind! Anyway I needed because I'm doing a lot of work for Media Studies and my Dad said I could get a Macbook if I really needed and I was like Hell YEAH! As soon as I get it I'm gonna test it and try it! Now its up to the crappy post service! (Fingers crossed) Posted by Timothy, United Kingdom
  • Regarding the trackpad, if you go into system preferences you can set it to respond to light taps on the pad rather than pushing the whole pad down. This is not only easier but saves wear on the trackpad button hinge. Posted by Biggles, England
  • The MacBook pro is absolutely fantastic. It has a great design, revolutionary with its trackpad, perfect in terms of usability and looks..what more can you say?!
    I bought my Apple Book Pro from wavee.com (bit.ly/2TaIuh) and i would like to suggest all of you who want one, to go to the adress mentioned: you'll find a website that features this product with a price cheaper than any price any retailers can offer!
    Posted by tiffanywestatl, United States

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Compare prices

Apple MacBook Pro 13.3 in. (MB991B/A) Notebook
(2.53 GHz, 13.3 in. Display, Apple MacOS X 10.5, 4 GB, Dual Layer DVD±RW, 250 GB hard drive, 4.5 lb.)

£1021.30 (inc. VAT)
£1149.00 (inc. VAT)
Compare prices for all 2 sellers (£1021.00 - £1149.00)

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