The intermediate model of the range of Apple MacBook Pro 15 inch with 17-inch big brother, the only one to offer, in addition to the integrated graphics, a dedicated graphics card. Of both 15-inch models available, we tested the most powerful, with a 2.2 GHz Core i7 found also on the 17-inch model.

Design

The MacBook Pro does not evolve from a design point of view, which extended so the aluminum chassis of the previous models. In many ways, this is not bad: The Apple MacBook Pro are undoubtedly part of what is best in finishing laptop. The chassis ‘unibody’, carved from a single block of aluminum, is a robust, accurate shape, can be almost too much at the edges of the palm rest. In contrast, the hinge of this Macbook Pro 15-inch model, though relatively strong. The closure is always magnetic, and the screen always enhanced by a glass panel. With a weight of 2.5 kg, the 15-inch MacBook Pro is about the best option that starts leering to the “desktop replacement”.

Macbook Pro 15 What’s inside?

The MacBook Pro 15 inches 2011 is available in two configurations, adopting in all cases the new Sandy Bridge processors from Intel. The first configuration features a Core i7 2630QM clocked at 2.0 GHz and the second a Core i7 2720QM at 2.2 GHz. Both processors support hyperthreading to deliver natural 8 logical cores, and up to 3.4 GHz TurboBoost.

The core of the new generation of Intel graphics processors is used here, as in the previous generation of 15 and 17 inches, in addition to a dedicated graphics card, with automatic failover between the two processors depending on the intensity of the task. Core i7 requires, this is the HD3000, which shares 384 MB of memory with main memory.

What precisely dedicated graphics card? Again, the answer varies depending on configuration. The 2.0 GHz model is equipped with an AMD Mobility Radeon HD 6490 and 2.2 GHz model with a Mobility Radeon HD 6750. The most demanding gamers will perhaps be choosy, but the 6750 our test model is doing quite well with Far Cry 2 on Windows in HD and native resolution of 1440×900. We note however that as the 13-inch model, the big loser of this update is NVIDIA, ousted from the new range.

No surprise for the memory: it is DDR3 1333 MHz, and 4 GB are standard on both configurations with the ability to move to 8 GB, however, the storage, the disappointment is in order: Apple continues to provide its machines as standard with disc 5 400 revs / minute, respectively 500 and 750 GB. To receive a 7200 rpm drive “out of the box”, it will either proceed to checkout for the model 2.0 GHz, or sacrificing the ability, the option is free on 2.2 GHz model … but then revert the hard drive to 500 GB!

SSDs are also offered by Apple, in capacities of 128, 256 or 512 GB for the latter. No surprise, either with respect to the optical drive, always present and always stuck to the DVD. It must be a reason Apple will never go to Blu-ray, and the time where we can officially replace optical drive with a second hard drive is not yet valid.

Be specified, however it is always possible to remove the cover, playing the screwdriver (10 screws in all!) To change yourself the hard drive and RAM. A look under the hood can also admire the interior finish, just as impressive as the exterior: the components are perfectly arranged, and no cable no more!

Watch the recommended video, in this video an Anti-glare screen of Macbook Pro 15 is reviewed!