I continue my series of reviews on Apple's mobile computers the “MacBook” with this entry which covers their professional series 15.4″ MB133LL/A. I discuss what it has to offer, what it may be missing, as well as who will get the most out of using one of these high powered notebooks. First I'm going to start with the basics.
Hardware:
Processor: 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
RAM: 2GB (DDR2 SDRAM
Storage: 200GB Hard Drive (Serial ATA)
Optical Drive: Apple's “superdrive” CD R/RW with integrated DVD +/- R RW
Dimensions: 14.1″ x 9.6″ x 1″
Weight: 5.4 lbs
The screen on this MacBook is excellent as you can always expect from the Pro series. It runs at a native resolution of 1440×900 which is better than your average laptop display. It is a resolution slightly better than you can expect from a 720p television. This particular notebook has its display backlit by LED's which is a nice power saver.
This MacBook Pro is also made of a nice aluminum shell which gives the impression of more durability as well as additional cooling, as the case is heat resistant. The keyboard is also backlit which is nice if you're outside at night or otherwise in a dim area. It took a while for me to get used to the keyboard, but it is alright, not a great typing board in my opinion.
This notebook is relatively strong for a notebook, it has no problems running Photoshop CS3 while multitasking with other imaging programs. This can be attributed to the adequate RAM as well as the stand alone graphics accelerator which has its own memory and doesn't drain shared system resources. It plays games like a beauty. Don't expect to crank everything to maximum but most games will be fine.
Connectivity:
2 2.0 USB (use these to connect your notebook to things like printers, iPods, digital cameras, or whatever else you might have lying around)
2 Firewire (400, and 800, you can use these to transfer video from your digital camcorder or to transfer data between two computers)
ExpressCard (use this to add periphrials to your laptop)
1 DVI port
1 VGA (using DVI to VGA adapter, this is so you can connect your MacBook to a standard monitor)
1 audio out / mic in (optical)
WiFi
1 Ethernet jack
The connectivity is great, although I would like to see a standard card reader as well as a standard VGA slot. I'm not a fan of how Apple uses their DVI to VGA adapters. That is just a matter of personal preference. Ultimately just as the name implies I would recommend this MacBook to the more professional oriented user. I believe they will be able to get the most out of this notebook. While it will be fine for everyone, unless you're a gamer or graphics editor of some sort you could probably get away with a cheaper model. At $1800 you're paying a premium and you want to make sure that you're using your whole investment.
from: Jarions Weblog
The Panasonic Toughbook F9 has claming the world’s lightest laptop because it’ has measures at only 9.9-inch x 12.8-inch x 1.0-inch/1.9-inch(LWH) front/rear. The company has announce the released date of the Toughbook F9 that its will be available in the U.S.A market in July 1, 2010 with price for about $2,899.
The Panasonic Toughbook Rugged Notebook boast a 14.1-inch WXGA Widescreen LCD display with LED backlighting, which helps you be green while saving on your electric bill, the 14.1-inch provides 1440 x 900 pixels resolution, powered by an Intel Core i5-520M vPro CPU (2.4 GHz), up to 2GB installed DDR3 RAM and allow users to expandable it to 6GB MAX, and 320GB of hard drive. While graphics are taken care of by
The Toughbook F9 also offers up to 7 hour of battery life, WiFi support, built-in Bluetooth, and also comes with a choice of WiMax or 3G. This 14.1-inch Rugged Notebook come pre-loaded with Genuine Windows 7 OS.
If your work involves working in not-so-friendly conditions then ask your boss to get you a Toughbook F9 business-rugged laptop. Interesting thing about this rugged notebook is that it provides nice features while still maintaining tag of a thin-and-light laptop. The Toughbook F9 boasts an Intel Core i5 processor, an integrated handle, Gobi mobile broadband, up to seven hours of battery life, a high resolution widescreen display with LED backlighting and a DVD multi-drive. All this and more in a 3.6 pounds, 14″ machine. What more can you ask for?
Specification:
- Genuine Windows 7
- Intel Core i5-520M vPro Processor (2.4 GHz with Turbo Boost up to 2.93 GHz)
- 320GB shock-mounted, flex-connect, removable HDD
- 2GB RAM (DDR3-1066MHz), expandable to 6GB
- 14.1” widescreen (1440 x 900) WXGA+ LCD with LED backlighting
- DVD Super MULTI Drive with Dual Layer Support
- Up to 7 hour battery life
- Spill-resistant keyboard (protects against 7 ounces spills)
- Optional integrated WWAN / Gobi2000 mobile broadband
- Optional WiMAX
- Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6200 802.11a/b/g/n
- Bluetooth v2.1 + EDR (class 1)
- Fingerprint reader
- SmartCard reader
The Panasonic Toughbook F9 will be available in the United States beginning July 1, 2010 starting at $2,899.
Other Specifications include a 320GB hard drive, DVD Super Multi Driben, terintegrasi 802.11 a.b.g.n WiFi, Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR and optional WiMax and optional integrated WWANB.
Panasonic Toughbook F9 will be released in the United States July 1, 2010 for $ 2.899 you can see all details and specifications contained in the press release below.
Panasonic Toughbook F9: Select Features and Specifications
* Genuine Windows 7® (with XP downgrade option)
* Intel® Core™ i5-520M vPro™ Processor (2.4 GHz with Turbo Boost up to 2.93 GHz)
* 320GB shock-mounted, flex-connect, removable HDD
* 2GB RAM (DDR3-1066MHz), expandable to 6GB
* 14.1” widescreen (1440 x 900) WXGA+ LCD with LED backlighting
* Anti-glare screen treatment
* DVD Super MULTI Drive with Dual Layer Support
* Up to 7 hour battery life
* 3.6lbs
* Business-rugged
o 30” operating drop (to base only)
o 26 sides 12” drop (non-operating)
o 220 lb pressurized vibration
o Magnesium alloy case
o Spill-resistant keyboard (protects against 7 ounces spills)
* Embedded Connectivity
o Optional integrated WWAN / Gobi2000™ mobile broadband
o Optional WiMAX
o Intel® Centrino® Advanced-N 6200 802.11a/b/g/n
o Bluetooth® v2.1 + EDR (class 1)
* Optional Integrated Security Features:
o Fingerprint reader
o SmartCard reader
* 9.9″(L) x 12.8″(W) x 1.0″/1.9″(H) front/rear
Panasonic has introduced a slimmest and lightest Business rugged laptop called Toughbook F9 to its product line at Secaucus today. The overall weight of this rugged laptop is only 3.6 pounds or about 1.63kg.
The Toughbook F9 feature a 14.1-inch(?) 1440 x 900 WXGA+ widescreen display with LED backlighting, 2.40GHz Intel Core i5-520 vPro processor with Turbo Boost Technology, 320GB Hard Disk Drive, an optional Qualcomm Gobi2000 mobile broadband and a DVD Super multi-drive with Dual Layer support.
The F9 Rugged laptop also features 2GB of RAM and can be expandable to 6 GB, anti-glare screen treatment, up to 7 hours battery life, this rugged laptop can survived from up to 30-inch drop and 220lb pressurized vibration. This rugged laptop also has a spill resistant keyboard, a Bluetooth v2.1 +EDR(class 1), fingerprint reader and smartCard reader.
The Toughbook F9 Rugged Laptop will be available in the US starting July 01st, 2010 with estimate street price at $2,899.
[ Via gadgetreview ]