New MacBook Pro: In Depth Analysis

Hereafter are details and information we noticed after having tested the MacBook Pro for several days
- Heat release and fans
In standard usage, meaning no 3D request or tasks requiring CPU/GPU to be fully loaded for a long period, the MacBook Pro enclosure remains "cold", even if you are charging your battery. The bottom part of the new enclosure does not have the tendency to heat up as with the previous model, this is linked to the new design.
When launching CPU-demanding application (PowerFractal for 10 minutes), the temperature of the CPU quickly increases (test performed with the 2.8 GHZ Core 2 Duo model) and Hardware monitor indicates something interesting regarding the CPU cooling procedure: Fans keep spinning at 2000 rpm, till the CPU temperature reaches 105°C, then their speed increases gradually till 3600 rpm, one can hardly hear them. Then the speed is adjusted in order to maintain the CPU temperature just below 100°C. In such conditions, do not think of having your notebook on your knees, the enclosure is really hot.
Despite this high CPU temperature, we have used the notebook for more than 1 hour without any problem.
In summary, in normal usage, the new MacBook Pro is quieter and colder than the previous models.
- Trackpad
Its usage is just dead-easy and should not disturb you at all. In addition, if you were used to let one of you finger on the click button, with the new trackpad, the managing system takes it into account and does not react, except you press the glass pad for a real click.
The multi finger gesture is quickly acquired and you become addicted to this new function. When clicking, you will hear a sound much louder than with the previous model.
However, the thin space below the trackpad has rather sharp edges and one can scratch (without any damage) its palm or hands.
- Keyboard
We find it more comfortable than the one from the previous MBP model, even though many users liked the all-Alu feeling brought by the previous keyboard.
Concerning the keyboard backlighting, its management is not very precise, and it is turned on in lighting conditions which will not required it. It might be due to the sensor not properly calibrated or to its location (near the iSight) which decrease its sensitivity.
- GPU
In standard usage, the GeForce 9400M is more than enough power, and there is no noticeable slow down when using iApps. Except if you want to play recent or Open GL-demanding games, you will not really need to switch to the GeForce 9600M GT.
-Sound
It is overall much better than in the previous MacBook Pro, more powerful and with improved bass-rendering with its new sub-woofer. However, despite its higher quality, it comes from a notebook, so it can not be compared to any dedicated sound system.
- display
We will not discuss further the mirror-effect and its brightness as we already did it. But the image provided by this display is simply gorgeous, and makes color jumping out of the screen. The visible angle is also excellent and colors remain identical depending on your location when looking at the screen.
- Manufacturing The new MacBook Pro simply looks gorgeous, on all sides, the “finish” of the notebook is simply beautiful, perfectly well designed and executed. As we already mentioned it before, the only negative point is this thin space below the trackpad with rather sharp edge. Beside this point, the overall notebook looks solid, rigid, built to last. The display part is more rigid than in the past.
-Battery lifetime
The battery is now a 4600 mAh unit instead of a 5500 mAh with the previous MBP model. When using the new MBP for a standard usage on the GF 9400M, the battery will last more than 4 hours, especially if you slightly decrease the brightness of the display 3-4 levels below the max. It will add 20 minutes battery lifetime without altering the quality of the display rendering.
We will keep you posted with our comments in the coming days to better share with you our feelings about this new MacBook Pro.