Apple MacBook Pro MC024LL/A 17-Inch Laptop (OLD VERSION)

by Apple

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 14.4 x 1 x 9.8 inches ; 11 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 11.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B003G2ZKMC
• Item model number: MC024LL/A
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,304 in Computers & Accessories (See Top 100 in Computers & Accessories)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: April 13, 2010

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

The new MacBook Pro sets all-new benchmarks for Mac notebooks. This 17-inch MacBook Pro features an Intel Core i5 processor and next-generation NVIDIA graphics that bring high performance to everything from 3D games to photos and videos. Additionally, the MacBook Pro comes standard with automatic graphics switching that provides performance when you need it and energy efficiency when you don't--helping the built-in battery last up to 8-9 hours.

The 17-inch unibody MacBook Pro (see larger image).

As with previous models, the new MacBook Pro features a precision unibody enclosure crafted from a single block of aluminum, creating a thin and light mobile computing workhorse (less than 1 inch thin and just 6.6 pounds) that's also highly durable. And it includes a 17-inch, LED-backlit glass display as well as a glass trackpad that doesn't include a button (for larger tracking area) that features Apple's Multi-Touch technology.

This version of the 17-inch MacBook Pro (model MC024LL/A) features a 2.53 GHz Intel Core i5 processor, 500 GB hard drive, and 4 GB of installed RAM. Other features include integrated Wireless-N Wi-Fi networking, Bluetooth connectivity, an SD card slot, and two USB 2.0 ports (see full specifications below). It also comes with the Mac OS X Snow Leopard operating system as well as the iLife software suite, which includes the latest versions of iPhoto, iMovie, and GarageBand.

Key Features

Automatic Graphics Switching

The MacBook Pro offers excellent graphics flexibility with two video processors--the discrete NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M processor (with 256 MB of GDDR3 video memory) for heavier workloads and an integrated Intel HD Graphics processor for better battery life on the go. When gaming or using processor-intensive applications like Aperture or Final Cut Pro, you'll appreciate the power of the NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M, which brings more realistic game environments and virtual worlds playing at high resolutions and fluid frame rates. And the automatic graphics switching feature determines which graphics processor an application needs and switches instantly between the processors.

The backlit keyboard--great for typing in low-light settings
(see larger image).

Intel Core i5 Processing Power

The first level in Intel's latest processor family, the dual-core Core i5 provides a fast, responsive computing experience for your everyday tasks as well as image management in iPhoto, video editing in iMovie, and enjoying your entire music and HD video collection in iTunes.

With Intel's Turbo Boost technology, the Core i5 automatically speeds up your processor when it needs extra performance--making it a great match to processor-intensive applications like Aperture 3 or Final Cut Pro. And Intel's Hyper-Threading Technology enables each core of your processor to work on two tasks at the same time, delivering the performance you need for smart multitasking.

Buttonless Multi-Touch Trackpad

With no button on the glass trackpad, there's more room to track and click--left, right, center, and everywhere in between. Without a separate button, the trackpad gives your hands plenty of room to move on the large, silky glass surface. It also incorporates Multi-Touch gestures--including swipe, pinch, rotate, and four-finger swipe. And it also now supports inertial scrolling, an intuitive way to scroll through large photo libraries, lengthy documents and long web sites.

Key Specifications

• 17-inch LED-backlit glossy widescreen display with edge-to-edge, uninterrupted glass (1920 x 1200-pixel resolution).
• 2.53 GHz Intel Core i5 dual-core processor (3 MB shared L3 cache).
• Dual graphics processors with automatic switching between NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M (with 512 MB of GDDR3 video memory) for demanding applications and integrated Intel HD Graphics (with 256 MB of DDR3 SDRAM shared with main memory) for power savings.
• 500 GB Serial ATA hard drive (5400 RPM)
• 4 GB installed RAM (1066 MHz DDR3; supports up to 8 GB)
• 8x slot-loading SuperDrive with double-layer DVD support (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)

   

  

  The left (above) and right (below) sides of the MacBook Pro (see larger image).

   

  
• Built-in iSight camera for video chatting
• Wi-Fi wireless networking (based on 802.11n specification; 802.11a/b/g compatible)
• Gigabit Ethernet wired networking (10/100/1000)
• Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR (Enhanced Data Rate) for connecting with peripherals such as keyboards, mice and cell phones
• Two USB 2.0 ports, one FireWire 800 port
• SD card slot
• Mini DisplayPort video output with optional adapters for DVI, VGA, dual-link DVI, and HDMI output
• Multi-Touch trackpad for precise cursor control with support for inertial scrolling, pinch, rotate, swipe, three-finger swipe, four-finger swipe, tap, double-tap, and drag capabilities
• Full-size backlit keyboard
• Stereo speakers with subwoofers
• Dimensions: 14.35 x 9.82 x 0.95 inches (WxDxH)
• Weight: 5.6 pounds
• Up to 8-9 hours of battery life
• Meets Energy Star 5.0 requirements

What's in the Box

MacBook Pro, display cleaning cloth, 85W MagSafe Power Adapter, AC wall plug, power cord, software DVDs, printed and electronic documentation

Limited Warranty And Service

The MacBook Pro comes with 90 days of free telephone support and a 1-year limited warranty, which can be extended to 3 years with the AppleCare Protection Plan.

Installed software

Mac OS X Snow Leopard is an even more powerful and refined version of the world's most advanced operating system. In ways big and small, it gets faster, more reliable, and easier to use. New core technologies unleash the power of today's advanced hardware technology and prepare Mac OS X for future innovation.

• Mac OS X v10.6 Snow Leopard (includes iTunes, Time Machine, Quick Look, Spaces, Spotlight, Dashboard, Mail, iChat, Safari, Address Book, QuickTime, iCal, DVD Player, Photo Booth, Front Row, Xcode Developer Tools, and more)

iLife helps you do more with photos, movies, and music than you ever thought possible. In iPhoto, you can browse, edit, and share your photos in stunning new full-screen views. Create epic Hollywood-style movie trailers from your home video in iMovie. And GarageBand gives you everything you need to make a great-sounding song--including tools for keeping your song in perfect rhythm and guitar and piano lessons.

• iLife (includes iPhoto, iMovie, GarageBand, iWeb, and iDVD)

AppleCare Protection Plan

Because Apple makes the hardware, the operating system, and many applications, the Mac is a truly integrated system. And only the AppleCare Protection Plan gives you one-stop service and support from Apple experts, so most issues can be resolved in a single call. Extend the complimentary service and support on your Mac to 3 years from the original Mac purchase date with the AppleCare Protection Plan. You get direct telephone access to Apple experts for technical questions, and you get global repair coverage--including both parts and labor--for your Mac and select Apple peripherals.

Optional Accessories and Related Products

	Apple Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter The Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter lets you connect an advanced digital monitor, such as the Apple Cinema Display, to your MacBook Air.
	Apple Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI Adapter Use the Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI Adapter to connect your MacBook Air to a 30-inch display that includes a DVI connector, such as the 30-inch Apple Cinema HD Display.
	Apple Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adapter The Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adapter lets you connect a standard analog monitor, projector, or LCD that uses a VGA connector or cable to your MacBook Air.
	85W MagSafe Power Adapter Need an extra adapter for home or work? The MagSafe Power Adapter is held in place magnetically, so if someone trips over it, the cord disconnects harmlessly while your MacBook Pro stays put on your desk.
	MagSafe Airline Adapter With the MagSafe Airline Adapter, your MacBook Pro can go the distance no matter how long your flight. Just plug it into your airline seat power port to watch movies and stay productive from takeoff to landing.
	Apple World Travel Adapter Kit Essential for any traveler, this World Travel Adapter Kit includes the Apple USB Power Adapter, USB Cable, and six interchangeable AC adapter plugs that let you plug your Apple MagSafe Power Adapter, Portable Power Adapters, and AirPort Express into most electrical outlets around the world.
	Time Capsule Back up a lifetime's worth of memories with Time Capsule, a wireless hard drive that works seamlessly with Time Machine in Mac OS X. It's also a full-featured 802.11n Wi-Fi base station with simultaneous dual-band support. Choose from 1 TB and 2 TB models.
	AirPort Extreme Base Station Speed, range, and easy setup make AirPort Extreme the perfect wireless solution for home, school, and small business. It offers simultaneous dual-band support and lets up to 50 people share Internet access, a wireless network, a hard drive, and a printer.
	27-inch Apple LED Cinema Display The stunning 2560-by-1440 resolution, built-in camera and speakers, and easy connectivity of the 27-inch Apple LED Cinema Display add up to a viewing experience unlike any other.
	Apple Magic Mouse Magic Mouse is unlike any other mouse you've ever used. The Multi-Touch surface lets you use gestures to swipe through photos and scroll down web pages. And the entire mouse is the button, so you can click anywhere.
	Apple Magic Trackpad Magic Trackpad is the first Multi-Touch trackpad designed to work with your Mac desktop computer, and it supports a full set of gestures. Click, scroll, swipe, and rotate to control what's onscreen. Use it along with your mouse or as an alternative to one.
	MobileMe MobileMe is the service from Apple that keeps your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac, and PC in perfect sync--no docking required. MobileMe stores your mail, contacts, and calendar information in the cloud and uses push technology to keep everything in sync across all your devices (annual subscription fee and Internet access required).

Product Description

The new MacBook Pro 17-inch model sets all-new benchmarks for Mac notebooks. The 17-inch MacBook Pro feature Intel Core i5 processors, which boost performance up to 50 percent(1) and reach Turbo Boost speeds up to 3.33GHz. Next-generation NVIDIA graphics bring high performance to everything from 3D games to photos and videos. And the built-in battery lasts up to 10 hours (8 to 9 hours on the 17-inch model).(2) (1) Up to 50 percent faster compared with previous-generation MacBook Pro. (2) Testing conducted by Apple in March 2010 using preproduction 2.66GHz Intel Core 2 Duo–based 13-inch MacBook Pro, 2.66GHz Intel Core i7–based 15-inch MacBook Pro, and 2.53GHz Intel Core i5–based 17-inch MacBook Pro. Battery life depends on configuration and use. See www.apple.com/batteries for more information. The wireless productivity test measures battery life by wirelessly browsing various websites and editing text in a word processing document with display brightness set to 50%

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

141 of 142 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Solid laptop, incredible performance, worth the cost, April 24, 2010

By 

Samer A "Samer" (Texas,USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Apple MacBook Pro MC024LL/A 17-Inch Laptop (OLD VERSION) (Personal Computers)

I finally made the decision to get rid of my two laptops (an HP envy, and a 13" macbook pro) in favor of this 17" macbook pro with a dual boot setup using Boot Camp. Initial impressions: The best choice I've ever made. Here's the whole thing broken down:

THE SIZE

This thing is pretty beastly, but it's not unwieldy. You definitely feel its size the second you pick one up, or move it around, but you'll quickly get over that once you open it up and turn it on. The keyboard is super expansive, the screen is unbelievable (more on that later) and you can still stay mobile with this thing if you really need to. It's not something you can easily move around with 1 hand from room to room, but if you're like me, and do most of your work at a desk, then this is a great choice to make. (Note: I also own an iPad, which is a fantastic pair with this thing, since it does about 90% of what I do on-the-go as far as mobile computing goes.)

THE SCREEN

So I mentioned already that you'll most likely fall in love with this thing like I did when you open it up and turn it on. It has the highest PPI (pixels per inch) of all the apple laptops they sell and it shows. I actually am considering not even hooking this up to my external monitor anymore, because of how brilliantly sharp it is. Colors really pop and text is easy to read. Also, since it's 17", you get a better-than-HD 1920x1200 resolution. My work is in development, so this is really a major selling point for me. I need to be able to manage all my windows in Xcode and Interface builder without tons of overlap and clicking between browsers, my chat windows and my code.

THE KEYBOARD

If you've used a macbook pro keyboard in the past year or so, you'll feel right at home with this thing. I will say this as a negative, however: It's not super comfortable on your arms right past your wrist, because the sharp edges of the laptop dig into your skin after a while.

THE PERFORMANCE

I copied over my entire OS/settings to this new macbook pro and ran some field tests to see how fast this thing is in comparison to my old macbook pro--and it screams. An iPhone/iPad project that takes 5-10 seconds to build on my old machine (core 2 duo) takes a fraction of that time here. The i5 is most definitely a step up from previous core 2 duos. I finally have a laptop I can stick Windows 7 on that is as good as a dedicated Windows machine can do. (Being able to have this 1 comp to run both environments is great!)

BATTERY LIFE

I will have to come back and update on battery life, but I can tell you that it's worlds better than my HP. That was similarly spec'ed and barely worked 2 hours on the go. This one so far is looking like 6 hours with wifi and full brightness. They have it rated at 8-9 hours, but I'm sure that's with brightness turned down and not full use the whole time. Truthfully, anything better than 2 hours with this kind of power is great for me.

TOUCHPAD

Again, if you've used a recent MacBook Pro, this is essentially identical. The biggest change here is that you can now use "inertial" scrolling, so that you can just flick your fingers to scroll long pages, and it will keep scrolling until it slows to a stop. This is very similar to the iPhone scrolling of long pages, or if you've used a Magic Mouse, it does the same thing.

Also, of note, is that of all the new copy cat glass track pads, I haven't used one that works as well as these. Even inside Windows, it performs real well and you feel productive with it. I've used other PC's with the no-button glass touchpad, and it makes me want to throw them across the room after a few minutes..

OTHER THOUGHTS/CONCERNS

While I'll keep this at 5 stars, this isn't necessarily a perfect computer. I have a few gripes with it, but they aren't really deal breakers and all the other pros make up for them so well that I'm okay with it. For starters, this has three USB ports (the 15 and 13 model only have 2) but unfortunately they are literally all lined up next to each other. If you have any kind of a fat usb device, you're out of luck for placing anything next to it.

Also, you'll most likely need to buy the mini-display port to HDMI converter because while Apple loves mini-display port, the rest of the world is just now using HDMI as its standard. You can find one here on amazon for real cheap (<$10). I take this as a con simply because you'll need to (most likely) always carry around an adapter or two to hook up to most projects or tv's or monitors.

VIDEO PERFORMANCE

I haven't yet tested any games or anything but it'll run HD videos so smoothly and they look *fantastic* on this screen. Seriously--I thought my old macbook pro 13 looked good running HD, but this computer puts it to shame. I can't wait to try out some games on here. (Valve is coming to the mac soon! And of course Blizzard makes all their games for mac os as well, so what more do you really need? :) )

FINAL THOUGHTS

If you're looking to spend this amount of money on an apple, and don't mind the bigger size of this thing, then go for it. You won't regret it. I'm so happy to be using this coming from the two laptops I had to previously carry around everywhere. Having everything in 1 device, with this much power, and with this great of a battery life, is a blessing.

UPDATE - JUNE 10, 2010

I've had this laptop for some time now, and thought I'd go ahead and update on some of the things I promised I would earlier in the review. As some other reviewers have pointed out, I'm not quite sure how Apple managed to get 8 or 9 hours out of 1 charge, unless they were using it with all its wireless signals off and on very low brightness. But the battery life is still good--I can stay unplugged for 5+ hours if need be.

Computer games on here run really well. Valve is indeed on the Mac now, and here to stay. The games work and look great! If you're a casual computer gamer, and like to play things like Half Life or Portal, Civilization, etc etc, then this computer will easily suit your need.

Finally, I don't know how I missed this is in my first review, but the sound is really very good. It comes with a subwoofer inside, and can produce incredibly loud sound without distortion.

83 of 86 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Love it but there are some things you should know...., May 21, 2010

By 

Conrad B. Senior (Easton, CT United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Apple MacBook Pro MC024LL/A 17-Inch Laptop (OLD VERSION) (Personal Computers)

This is my second 17" MacBook Pro. I had the last generation in a 2.93GHZ CPU. My first one had a SSD drive, this one does not. I updated my first one to 8GB of RAM, this one still has 4GB, and I won't be in a rush to update it. BTW, my first MBP was stolen.

If you can stand the weight, and don't let the other reviewers fool you. Yes you get a nice 17" full HD display, but it is very heavy. I'm 6'4" and have a Brenthaven backpack and Brenthaven carry all. You will need some protection for this thing, because if you drop it, it is heavy enough to break itself. The folks at Brenthaven were great. After my first MBP was stolen they sent me not one but two replacement sleeve at no charge. Did I say it was heavy? It is really heavy. Try to carry it around all day and you will start think that small is beautiful.

We have two 13" macs in the house. A unibody MacBook--the best selling laptop ever, and the newer 13" MacBook Pro--fast becoming the most popular laptop ever. Both of these are outstanding computers--probably better machines. They are lighter and more fun to use.

Let me say a few words about speed. I love fast machines. But get serious, even the slowest Mac is fast as heck. The only reason for getting a really fast machine is if you do video editing, and perhaps professional graphics people who deal with huge photoshop files--if you don't then don't delude yourself into thinking you need a really fast machine. Even so, these other machines will do whatever you want.

I would have bought the new 13" or perhaps the 15" if I didn't have all the accessories for the 17". While this 17" is good for what I wanted--Video editing in the field. It is not very good for every day use. I'd recommend the 13" or 15" or even the MacBook Air for most people. I compromised and bought this and a new iPad. So I have something for general use to carry around, and a blazing fast laptop.

I bought each machine with the glossy display. I like the rich colors and most of the time I don't use it in places with lots of reflections. I could have changed to a mat display and did not. Mainly because I felt the glass display was mechanically stronger, and I don't intend to lose this laptop--I'll have this one for ten years or more.

What else? Well so far in general use, I don't find it to be any faster than my older one. I have not tried ripping a DVD to MP4 yet, that will probably be faster. The truth is, this MBP and the last generation are both darn fast machines. Either will blow your mind with how fast they are.

I did not get a SSD drive this time, because on my old machine, it was lightning fast when I bought it, but not much faster than a hard drive after a year's use. Why pay for something that will just keep getting slower? By the way, I do not recommend the APPLE SSD's. I love SSD's. I'm hooked. I'll just wait and try to find one that works better than the stock Apple Toshiba SSD's.

As for the extra memory. Unless you are a power user, the 8GB or ram is a bit of overkill. I'll probably update my memory when I have some spare cash and another machine to move the present 4GB of RAM into. I do think the combination of a fast SSD and 8GB of Ram will prevent swapping from taking place which will probably improve the longevity of a SSD.

As for this product or any of the Apple products, what sold me on these machines, is the touchpad. I had enough of pushing my pointer over to the side to find a scroll bar and move down the screen--it is tedious. The Apple touchpad interface ALONE, is the worth the purchase of one of these machine. It is so fast, so easy, so natural--so "got to have it and can't stand the old way any more".

The other essential feature is a backlit keyboard. Don't get a Mac without that feature.

Battery life. I was getting 5-6 hours on my old 17" MBP. I can't say how long the new one will last, supposedly it gets 8 hours. That great, but rarely will I need that. Just be glad that Mac batteries last longer than you will need them.

I was a long time Windows user and computer builder--since 1983. I've been working with computers since the PDP-11 and used DOS, Windows, Unix, Linux, and OS-X. I've built dozens of computers for myself. I paid $1000 for one the first 386 motherboards!

While the new versions of Linux come close, no one has a better operating system than Apple. Anyone who has switched will agree with me. I switched over when Apple went to Intel CPU's. These have been some of the happiest years in my life. No more viruses. I rarely have to reboot my machine. My Apple desktops have been running without rebooting for many months. My Mac Mini have not been shut off more than three times in three years.

Rebooting? Once in a while you will have to reboot this system for an Apple update. Never will you have to reboot for any other application. You might have to shut down Firefox, or some application to update hat one application--but you will not have to reboot to update an application or most Apple updates. How great is that? The one time I thought my system was locked up--guess what it was? My cordless mouse needed new batteries. This kind of reliatble computer problem I love. Apple computers don't have problems.

OS X is a customizable as you like, or leave it alone right out of the box--it is nearly perfect.

So think about what you want. If you want a good laptop--get the 13"; need a bigger screen, get the 15". Think you are big enough to carry the 17", or using it mostly at home--get the 17" but be wary. I tried using my 17" in bed and found it uncomfortable. It is heavy enough, even with a folded up blanket under it, to hurt your chest if stood in edge to see the keyboard. It is too big for 95% of the people. If you get one, you will start thinking about getting a MacBook Air or iPad. You will be happier with the 13".

One final thing: Get AppleCare's extended warranttee on eBay for half the price.

45 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars One Heck of a Personal Laptop, May 4, 2010

By 

Peter Kim (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Apple MacBook Pro MC024LL/A 17-Inch Laptop (OLD VERSION) (Personal Computers)

Price paid: $2,199.00 (April 15, 2010)

HARDWARE:

There is no denying the solid design and appealing aesthetics involved with the MacBook Pro's construction. Simply put, the look, feel, and refinement of the laptop's aluminum unibody enclosure is second to none. I was drawn to the portability and stated battery life (more on this later) that the MacBook Pro offered. It is thin, light (for its size), and it feels durable/sturdy. The 17-inch LED display delivers crisp pictures and an enjoyable video-viewing experience. Furthermore, the resolution (1920-by-1200) provides great real estate that should be well appreciated by users who require or enjoy organizing multiple windows and applications on the screen simultaneously. Unfortunately, Apple opted not to implement an IPS LED screen for the 2010 hardware refresh but that is simply nitpicking on my part. The keyboard is top-notch. It is comfortable and it supplies a decent amount of feedback while typing. The multi-touch trackpad is absolutely brilliant. It is a joy to use and its convenient functions streamline the overall experience and laptop's "ease of use". The three USB 2.0 slots are sufficient (not to mention, really close together) and the FireWire 800 port is snappy for backups/transfers. The lack of a Blu-Ray optical drive was not too big of a deal for me but I understand it can be an issue for other consumers considering the price of the laptop.

PERFORMANCE:

A majority of other reviews I have read centered on the Core i7 processor rather the Core i5. It is safe to say that the Core i5 is more than enough for my needs and, most likely, a majority of other users'. It smoothly and effectively handles multiple applications and activities. I experienced no performance degradation while carrying a video chat, jamming to music, checking e-mail, browsing the web, and chatting online at the same time. Moreover, I encoded video and music files with ease while working with other applications. For users who regularly use processor-intensive applications such as Adobe Photoshop and Aperture, the Core i7 would be more suitable. The speakers dispense reasonable quality sound. I do not play computer games so I will not discuss the Intel HD graphics or GeForce GT 330M in that respect. All I can say is that it does the job perfectly well when watching high-definition video clips, movies, or Flash-based video. The 500GB hard drive is great for storage but the 5400-rpm specification is underwhelming.

BATTERY LIFE:

Let's just start with the numbers. I get about 4-6 hours (well, 6 hours if I am very battery conscious) on a daily basis. This involves general tasks such as e-mailing, chatting, music listening, and web browsing with the occasional video viewing. The screen's brightness is usually between 45-60% and the keyboard backlighting is not used. Now, these are commendable numbers by any means considering the size of the laptop. However, it is an absolute letdown when Apple claims one can squeeze up to 9 hours on a single charge. I even emulated the "test settings" Apple used to achieve those battery life numbers. I barely squeezed out 6 hours with about 4% remaining.

VERDICT:

Great personal laptop with a few subjective issues concerning the purported battery life and price-to-hardware/performance ratios.

OFF-TANGENT RECOMMENDATIONS:

If you decide to purchase an AppleCare Protection Plan to extend your MacBook Pro's warranty/support, look on eBay. You can easily find a legitimate AppleCare for less than half the price that Apple lists. If you are looking for a backpack to carry your MacBook Pro in, I highly recommend the Incase Nylon Backpack (CL55092 09).

---update// (September 8, 2010)

So far so good. I have grown accustomed to the Mac OS X operating system (quite user friendly) and the computer continues to run very well. The battery still churns out 4-6 hours on a daily basis. Most importantly, there have been no reliability issues even with heavy usage and traveling. One issue, however, is the amount of heat this computer can generate during intensive use such as watching video (i.e. online video, flash-based video, movie files). It can get very hot.

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