Apple ships world’s most expensive RAM
If you think the price tag on the new 17in MacBook Pro is a touch on the steep side in the credit-crunched netbook era, take a look at how much it costs to upgrade the laptop’s RAM.According to the Apple website, an upgrade from 4GB to 8GB of RAM.
Given that more and more people are using a laptop as their primary computer on the road and at home, laptop stands have become popular accessories. These products let you work more ergonomically at a desk by elevating your laptop screen to a proper height while you use an external keyboard and mouse. By keeping your laptop raised off your desk, they also help the computer stay cooler by increasing airflow underneath.
We’ve covered a number of laptop stands from Griffin Technology, APC, Rain Design, Ergotron, Kangaroom, and Matias. Today’s model, Just Mobile’s $90 Xtand Pro, takes the crown of Most Expensive Desk Stand So Far, but it bests the field in other areas, as well.
The Xstand Pro is a stylish stand made of real aluminum that closely matches the finish of Apple’s latest MacBook models. The oval base is wide (11.8 by 6.7 inches) and sturdy, with rubber feet to protect your desk and to keep the stand from moving.
The X-shaped top platform is tilted approximately 30 degrees and has two metal lips, one on each of the front arms, to keep your notebook from sliding off the stand. Six rubber pads, one near the end of each arm and one on each lip, keep the stand’s solid-metal pieces from scratching your laptop and also help keep the laptop in place
Apple instituted a radical redesign to its laptop range last year by bringing out two new MacBook Pros, each cast from a single block of aluminium. The latest overhaul sees a compact 13-inch model promoted to the Pro line-up with a tempting lower price tag.
Features
The baby in the Pro family is not unlike its bigger siblings, the 15- and the 17-inch models. Mac acolytes familiar with the Pro line-up will recognise its features, such as the robust aluminium unibody chassis, the back-lit keyboard, edge-to-edge glass over the LED screen and the multi-touch trackpad. Happily, Apple noted complaints about the absence of an SD card slot and has righted this grievance, and has also returned the FireWire port.
The baby in the Pro family is not unlike its bigger siblings, the 15- and the 17-inch models. Mac acolytes familiar with the Pro line-up will recognise its features, such as the robust aluminium unibody chassis, the back-lit keyboard, edge-to-edge glass over the LED screen and the multi-touch trackpad. Happily, Apple noted complaints about the absence of an SD card slot and has righted this grievance, and has also returned the FireWire port.
Performance
The battery in the 13-inch MacBook Pro is non-removable but Apple claims it can manage up to seven hours of web surfing on one charge. During our test, it passed this benchmark and even kept going a little longer while on a wireless network – a definite improvement on older 13-inch MacBooks. The machine is powered by an Intel Core 2 Duo processor that is cooled by a fan that is considerably quieter than the ones used in previous models. One area we found a little disappointing was the speakers, which are middling at best. Movies, however, look great on the LED screen.
The battery in the 13-inch MacBook Pro is non-removable but Apple claims it can manage up to seven hours of web surfing on one charge. During our test, it passed this benchmark and even kept going a little longer while on a wireless network – a definite improvement on older 13-inch MacBooks. The machine is powered by an Intel Core 2 Duo processor that is cooled by a fan that is considerably quieter than the ones used in previous models. One area we found a little disappointing was the speakers, which are middling at best. Movies, however, look great on the LED screen.
Ease of use
If you use Apple gadgets such as the iPhone and the ubiquitous iPod, then you’ll have become familiar with Apple software. While Apple does things a little differently, it has always emphasised simplicity and user-friendliness. For people who make the switch from PC to Mac, there are rewards – the backlit and spacious keyboard is a joy to use and, while the oversized trackpad might take a little getting used to, it is an excellent Apple innovation. Overall, getting to grips with the ProBook is an easy and enjoyable experience and PC advocates needn’t fret about the transition.
If you use Apple gadgets such as the iPhone and the ubiquitous iPod, then you’ll have become familiar with Apple software. While Apple does things a little differently, it has always emphasised simplicity and user-friendliness. For people who make the switch from PC to Mac, there are rewards – the backlit and spacious keyboard is a joy to use and, while the oversized trackpad might take a little getting used to, it is an excellent Apple innovation. Overall, getting to grips with the ProBook is an easy and enjoyable experience and PC advocates needn’t fret about the transition.
