News Analysis: Apple has a new line of MacBook Pros, and with their top-of-the-line components, a superior operating system and strong security they are worthwhile buys for anyone, even at prices that are higher than comparable Windows PCs.
Apple
has updated its MacBook Pro line with new processors, storage and graphical
capabilities as the company prepares for the holiday shopping season. Although
the improvements weren't major and the design of this computer line is
basically the same, it's enough to make both consumers and enterprise users at
least take pause and consider whether or not it's time to buy one of Apple's
notebooks or upgrade to the latest model.
Admittedly,
making that decision nowadays is harder than ever. No matter where you
turn, you'll find something worthwhile from PC vendors, and in some cases those
devices are much cheaper than Apple's MacBook Pro line. But when you consider
the value Apple notebooks offer and that they are more affordable than you may
realize, you might decide that the latest MacBook Pros are must-buys.
Apple's
MacBook Pros were always appealing. But this latest update brings them into a
state where competing products just don't present compelling alternatives.
Here's why.
1. Quad-core processors
There
was a time when dual-core processors were all the rage in the notebook market.
And although those chips still find their way into the 13-inch MacBook Pro,
Apple's 2.2GHz to 2.4GHz quad-core processors in the 15- and 17-inch models of
the notebook are a welcome addition. With the help of those Intel Core i7
processors, customers will get a level of power that trumps most other
notebooks and even some desktops. Granted, Apple offered quad-core options
before, but now, the MacBook Pro line delivers speeds that are up to twice as
fast as the previous version of those computers. Not bad.
2. Choose a display size, any size
One
of the nicest things about the MacBook Pro line is that customers of all types
can find one that appeals to them. Those who want to be more mobile might
choose the 13-inch MacBook Pro, while the folks who tend to sit in one spot all
day and need some power will go with the 17-inch option to maximize their
screen real estate. The 15-inch option is the best solution for those who want
the best bang for their buck. Simply put, there's something for everyone in
Apple's MacBook Pro line.
3. Thunderbolt is the future
Apple
has officially bet its future on Thunderbolt, an input/output technology
that allows users to connect everything from peripherals to displays. It's a
smart move. Thunderbolt is simply better than USB and FireWire, and as long as
the rest of the market adopts it, the technology could very well replace its
predecessors. Thunderbolt has quickly become a key selling point for Apple's
entire line of computers, including the MacBook Pro.
4. The battery life is stellar
As
with any notebook, the battery life of the MacBook Pro line is vastly important
to the devices' consumer appeal. And on that front, the MacBook Pros perform
exceedingly well. In fact, Apple's newly updated MacBook Pros deliver up to 7
hours on a single charge and allow for up to 1,000 "full charge and discharge
cycles," which Apple claims is three times greater than the average lifespan of
a standard notebook battery. The company says that based on that, the MacBook
Pro's battery should last five years without any trouble.
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