Simplify your laptop buyingApple MacBook Pro Summer 2009 (Core 2 Duo 2.53GHz, 4GB RAM, 250GB HDD, Nvidia GeForce 9400M, 13-inch)
Manufacturer: Apple Part number: MB991LL/A
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Product series
- Accessories
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- Previously known as the MacBook, Apple's basic 13-inch aluminum unibody laptop has been promoted to the "Pro" series, all while adding features and cutting the base price.
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CNET editors' review
Apple MacBook Pro Summer 2009 (Core 2 Duo 2.53GHz, 4GB RAM, 250GB HDD, Nvidia GeForce 9400M, 13-inch) price range: $1,410.00 - $1,499.00
- Reviewed by: Dan Ackerman
- Reviewed on: 06/10/2009
- Released on: 06/10/2009
The good: Adds SD card slot and reacquires FireWire; lower starting price; same solid unibody construction and giant multitouch trackpad.
The bad: Nonremovable battery; no matte screen or discrete graphics options.
The bottom line: Previously known as the MacBook, Apple's basic 13-inch aluminum unibody laptop has been promoted to the "Pro" series, all while adding features and cutting the base price.
Radically overhauled last year, Apple's MacBook line of laptops moved to aluminum construction, edge-to-edge glass over LED displays, and oversize multitouch trackpads (with the exception of the lone $999 white plastic model). The latest round of updates is more of a refinement than another revolution, but it adds some much-sought-after features, while lowering prices on many configurations.
Most notable, the 13-inch aluminum unibody MacBook has been promoted to join the MacBook Pro family. It's a move that makes sense, as the differences between the two lines were becoming increasingly blurred. To complete the transformation, the 13-inch Pro regains its missing FireWire port, making it even more useful for creative professionals on the go.
New to the Pro line is something we never thought we'd see on a MacBook: an SD card slot. Standard on the 13- and 15-inch Pro laptops, this corrects one of our main MacBook annoyances. We're also pleased to see the backlit keyboard--previously found in only the more expensive 13-inch versions--filter down to even the $1,149 base model (which is a nice discount from the previous $1,299 entry price).
Some have strong feelings about the nonremovable battery--similar to those already found on the MacBook Air and 17-inch Pro. It's a legitimate concern, but we think the promise of better battery life (Apple claims up to a 40 percent improvement), and three times as many recharge cycles as older batteries is just as important.
There are still a few items on our 13-inch wish list--matte screens, mobile broadband options, Blu-ray--but Apple has done an admirable job filling in some of the major missing pieces. By offering more features for less money, the 13-inch MacBook Pro remains one of the most universally useful laptops available.
| Price as reviewed / Starting price | $1,199 |
| Processor | 2.26GHz Intel Core 2 Duo |
| Memory | 2GB, 1066MHz DDR2 |
| Hard drive | 160GB 5,400rpm |
| Chipset | Nvidia MCP79 |
| Graphics | Nvidia GeForce 9400M (integrated) |
| Operating System | OS X Leopard 10.5.7 |
| Dimensions (WD) | 12.8x8.9 inches |
| Height | 0.95 inch |
| Screen size (diagonal) | 13.3 inches |
| System weight / Weight with AC adapter | 4.5/5.2 pounds |
| Category | Thin and light |
The design and construction of the system remain largely the same as last year's model, with a solid block of aluminum carved down, rather than a thin outer shell that has had support struts added to it. It's both lighter and sturdier than the older plastic versions of the 13-inch MacBook.
The new Pro also retains the same oversize trackpad, where the entire surface depresses like a button--although a simple tapping (as on a PC laptop) will also work once you turn that option on in the settings menu. We've become accustomed to the two-, three-, and four-finger multitouch gestures, which let you hide all your apps by sweeping four fingers up on the pad, or bring up the application switcher by sweeping four fingers left or right. Once you get used to that, going back to a regular touch pad is difficult.
According to Apple, the new display offers a wider color gamut, and the screen certainly looks bright and colorful, but we wish the same matte-screen option offered on the 17-inch MacBook Pro was available across the line. The 13.3-inch wide-screen LCD offers a 1,280x800-pixel native resolution, which is standard for screens this size, but we'd love to see Apple try its hand at a 16:9 laptop display.
While the LED screen means a thinner lid and some battery life benefits, the edge-to-edge glass covering the entire display panel grabs stray light rays with ease, making the glossy screen hard to see in some lighting conditions.
| Apple MacBook Pro (13-inch) | Average for category [thin-and-light] | |
| Video | Mini-DisplayPort | VGA, mini-HDMI, or Mini-DVI |
| Audio | Stereo speakers, headphone/microphone jacks | Stereo speakers, headphone/microphone jacks |
| Data | 2 USB 2.0, Mini-FireWire 800, SD card reader | 3 USB 2.0, Mini-FireWire, SD card reader |
| Expansion | None | ExpressCard/54 |
| Networking | Ethernet, 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, | Ethernet, 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, optional WWAN |
| Optical drive | DVD burner | DVD burner |
By bringing back the FireWire port (now FireWire 800) and adding an SD card slot, Apple has addressed most of our most pressing issues with the previous 13-inch model. Pro photographers will point out that they usually use CompactFlash cards, but the rest of us won't have to always remember to pack a USB card reader or cable to directly connect our cameras. Connecting to another video display, however, will require a sold-separately dongle for the Mini-DisplayPort video output.
The 13-inch MacBook Pro performed as expected in our benchmark tests, with the 2.26GHz GHz Intel Core 2 Duo CPU roughly on par with the 2.4GHz processor in the late-2008 version of the 13-inch MacBook. Trading up to the faster 2.8GHz Core 2 Duo available in the 15-inch MacBook Pro yields a marked improvement on paper, but for most anecdotal use--Web surfing, working on office documents, multimedia playback--any of the current MacBooks will be more than adequate. An even faster 3.08GHz CPU is available on the 15-inch MacBook Pro, but the 13-inch model tops out at 2.53GHz.
We found the same Nvidia GeForce 9400 graphics as last time--a GPU that redefined the meaning of integrated graphics. The previous 13-inch MacBook gave us almost 60 frames per second in Quake IV (admittedly not the most hardware-intensive game) at 1,024x768-pixel resolution. Only the 15- and 17-inch versions offer the second, discrete GeForce 9600 GPU. But being able to play new games, even at lower resolutions, on this system is a major plus for nonhardcore gamers.
The new battery in the 13- and 15-inch MacBook Pros is nonremovable, but Apple claims the system can last up to 7 hours while surfing the Web, and about half that for DVD playback. To assuage concerns about the sealed battery, according to Apple, the new models are good for at least 1,000 full recharge cycles--which it estimate to be about five years of use. We were able to run the system for 5 hours and 42 minutes on our video playback battery drain test, which is about 40 minutes longer than the current 15-inch MacBook and more than an hour longer than the basic white MacBook--the only model Apple still offers with the older removable battery.
Unfortunately, we haven't seen any changes to the basics of Apple's warranty and support plans. New MacBooks still include a standard one-year, parts-and-labor warranty, but only 90 days of toll-free telephone support. This, along with the proprietary nature of Apple's products, makes purchasing an extended Apple Care warranty almost a necessity, but a necessity that will cost $249 for three total years of coverage for 13-inch systems and $349 for 15- and 17-inch models.
 Juice box | |||
| Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch | |
| Off (watts) | 0.5043 |
| Sleep (watts) | 0.6349 |
| Idle (watts) | 6.5 |
| Load (watts) | 40.1 |
| Raw (annual kWh) | 35.01 |
| EnergyStar compliant | Yes |
| Annual operating cost (@$0.1135/kWh) | $3.97 |
(Shorter bars indicate better performance)
(Shorter bars indicate better performance)
(Shorter bars indicate better performance)
(Longer bars indicate better performance)
Find out more about how we test laptops.
System configurations:
Apple MacBook Pro - Summer 2009 - Core 2 Duo 13.3 inch - 2.26GHz
OS X 10.5.7 Leopard; Intel Core 2 Duo 2.26GHz; 2048MB DDR3 SDRAM 1066MHz; 256MB Nvidia GeForce 9400M; 160GB Hitachi 5,400rpm
Apple MacBook Pro - Summer 2009 - Core 2 Duo 15.4 inch - 2.8GHz
OS X 10.5.7 Leopard; Intel Core 2 Duo 2.8GHz; 4096MB DDR3 SDRAM 1066MHz; 256MB Nvidia GeForce 9400M / 512MB Nvidia GeForce 9600M GT; 500GB Hitachi 5,400rpm Apple MacBook - 2008 - Core 2 Duo 13.3 inch - 2.4GHz
OS X 10.5.5 Leopard; Intel Core 2 Duo 2.2GHz; 2048MB DDR3 SDRAM 1066MHz; 256MB Nvidia GeForce 9400M; 250GB Toshiba 5,400rpm
Dell Adamo
Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 (64-bit); 1.2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo U9300; 2048MB DDR2 SDRAM 800MHz; 779MB (Shared) Mobile Intel GMA 4500MHD; 128GB Samsung SSD
Apple MacBook - Summer 2009 - Core 2 Duo 13.3 inch - 2.13GHz
OS X 10.5.7 Leopard; Intel Core 2 Duo 2.13GHz; 2048MB DDR3 SDRAM 800MHz; 256MB Nvidia GeForce 9400M; 160GB Hitachi 5,400rpm
User reviews
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First Mac and easy transition
by cgcaps on July 12, 2009
Pros: Great OS, pretty fast, I like the 13" screen i travel alot and to me its more portable. Backlight is awesome. Has not froze or crashed at all. Photo and movie editing software is great and easy to use.
Cons: Non removable battary, still a little pricy but got better.
Summary: Overall i love this laptop the OS is very stable it has never froze up on me or crashed, I'm still getting use to it but the transition so ...
Summary: Overall i love this laptop the OS is very stable it has never froze up on me or crashed, I'm still getting use to it but the transition so far has been so easy and there are plenty of guides that show you step by step actions.
2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Portable, Sleek, Great performance. Minor XP issues.
by dejoyf on August 22, 2009
Pros: Performance, stability, Leopard OS, screen resolution, interoperability with peripherals, ease of configuration, Easy to learn for MAC novice, portable and sleek, Compatible software alternatives to Microsoft Office.
Cons: iTunes migration from previous PC Libraries problematic...still trying to resolve after several hours on with Apple help. If migrating from PC, go for the "One-on-one" offer at purchase. No easy way to transfer Outlook "notes" and "tasks."
Summary: Overall great laptop for business or pleasure; portable with great performance; Worth the effort transitioning from PC.
Summary: Overall great laptop for business or pleasure; portable with great performance; Worth the effort transitioning from PC.
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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New to Mac and finding it very user friendly!
by t2some on June 22, 2009
Pros: Love the screen resolution for photo viewing. Would love a larger screen but it wasn't in the budget. Will add a flat screen down the road.
Cons: Learning curve of the track pad. Had to attach a wireless mouse for the first week as I picked up on its use.
Summary: Love the backlit keyboard; the battery has a great working time; nice size for true laptop use. Love the look and feel of the aluminum case; love the feel of ...
Summary: Love the backlit keyboard; the battery has a great working time; nice size for true laptop use. Love the look and feel of the aluminum case; love the feel of the keyboard. I believe I'm now a MAC instead of a PC, as my desktop PC hasn't been touched in two weeks.
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Great, portable, do everything computer. Awesome speed.
by moviebutter52 on June 21, 2009
Pros: Amazing speed, especially while surfing
Love the back-lit keyboard and easy to use track pad. Has great battery life and recharges quickly. It fully charged out of the box in just a few hours. Very light weight, unlike our 17" HP.Cons: Being new to laptops, it's taken a few days to get used to the keyboard but getting easier with practice, I do miss having a 10-key number pad but will sacrifice for a smaller, lighter machine.
Summary: I love the size and weight for easy transport. The power cord is a good length and the second cord adds even more flexibility. The battery life is impressive although ...
Summary: I love the size and weight for easy transport. The power cord is a good length and the second cord adds even more flexibility. The battery life is impressive although I haven't played a movie on it yet. The screen is very bright, clear and colorful. The back-lit keyboard is awesome, especially as I use it in a low light room. Makes typing very easy. The track pad is very responsive and making the transition from using a mouse easy. I thought I might need to buy a wireless mouse but it is easier to use the track pad than I expected. The battery life is very good and it charges quickly. I am transitioning from a 4 year old Mac mini and this is very impressive in comparison for speed and capacity. I love Macs for their stability and dependability. I've never crashed my mini, and look forward to several years of dependable use from this amazing little laptop. It's perfect for using anywhere in the house or on the go. And hooking up to our wifi was as hard as finding the password for the router! If you're looking for a sharp, dependable, small laptop with full-sized attributes, this is great option.
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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The perfect 13" notebook!!
by Slats66 on November 23, 2009
Pros: Highlights: brilliant color depth display, great speed, solid construction, Nvidia 9400 gaming, and I personally am a big fan of the new trackpad. I quantum leap fro my previous Dell Latitude 630, Acer Netbook and iBook G4.
Cons: The SuperDrive will make the odd scratching noise if I pickup the notebook while the drive is in use.
Summary: To date, I could not be happier.
Summary: To date, I could not be happier.
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Excellent form-factor for a very portable MacBook
by fhellwig on September 23, 2009
Pros: The size is perfect when I travel. I had the 15 inch MacBook Pro but replaced it with the 13 inch as I travel and needed something small and relatively light-weight.
Cons: The trackpad with its integral button is interesting but I prefer the more traditional approach of a separate button (or two).
Summary: This MacBook pro does everything you would expect from the latest line of Apple portables. The SD slot is much faster transferring photos than when connecting a camera via the ...
Summary: This MacBook pro does everything you would expect from the latest line of Apple portables. The SD slot is much faster transferring photos than when connecting a camera via the USB port. I have it paired with the 24 inch Cinema Display for a great desktop system that I can grab and run with when required.
I use the Speck hard case to protect the unit from dents and scratches. The clear Speck case works great while still preserving the aluminum look.
Being right-handed, I like the left-side port location to eliminate wire clutter when using a mouse. The trackpad takes some getting used-to but works well enough. I still prefer separate buttons. The clicking can be relatively loud when used in a quiet environment (office, bedroom) but this can be changed by setting the pad to use "taps" in addition to the full button travel.
The glossy screen may be a detractor for some, but it acts as a mirror only when the display is dark. I personally find the display clarity to be superb.
I frequently use my MacBook in bed and like the illuminated keyboard. I'm glad they made it standard across the entire MacBook product line.
If you need a small MacBook Pro, this unit will do everything you expect from a Mac in a size that is comfortable and very portable. -
everything is great.
by bsarrian on October 24, 2009
Pros: Everything in general.
Cons: Not much at all.
Summary: Read my full review http://bit.ly/2QshvK
Summary: Read my full review http://bit.ly/2QshvK
0 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Apple
- Part number: MB991LL/A
- Description: The latest Intel processor, a bigger hard drive, plenty of memory, and even more new features all fit inside just one liberating inch. The MacBook Pro has the performance, power, and connectivity of a desktop computer. Without the desk part.
General
- Built-in Devices Stereo speakers, Bluetooth antenna, Wireless LAN antenna
- Width 12.8 in
- Depth 8.9 in
- Height 0.9 in
- Weight 4.4 lbs
- Notebook type Thin-and-light (4-6 lbs.)
- Screen type Widescreen
- Wireless capabilities Bluetooth, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, IEEE 802.11 n (draft)
Processor
- Processor Intel Core 2 Duo 2.53 GHz
- Multi-Core processor technology Dual-Core
- 64-bit processor Yes
- Data bus speed 1066 MHz
Cache Memory
- Type L2 cache
- Cache size 3 MB
RAM
- Installed Size 4096 MB / 8 GB (max)
- Technology DDR3 SDRAM - 1066 MHz
- Memory specification compliance PC3-8500
- RAM form factor SO DIMM 204-pin
- RAM configuration features 2 x 2 GB
Environmental Parameters
- Environmental standards EPA Energy Star, EPEAT Gold
- Min Operating Temperature 50 °F
- Max Operating Temperature 95 °F
- Humidity Range Operating 0 - 90%
- Max Altitude Operating 10000 ft
Storage Controller
- Storage controller type Serial ATA
- Storage Controller / Serial ATA Interface Serial ATA-150
Storage
- Floppy Drive None
- Hard Drive 250 GB - Serial ATA-150 - 5400 rpm
- Storage Removable None
- Hard drive type Standard
Optical Storage
- Type DVD±RW (±R DL) - Integrated
- CD / DVD read speed 24x (CD) / 8x (DVD)
- CD / DVD write speed 24x (CD) / 8x (DVD±R) / 4x (DVD±R DL)
- CD / DVD rewrite speed 10x (CD) / 4x (DVD±RW)
Optical Storage (2nd)
- 2nd optical storage type None
Card Reader
- Card reader type Card reader
- Supported flash memory cards SD Memory Card
Display
- Display Type 13 in TFT active matrix
- Max Resolution 1280 x 800 ( WXGA )
- Widescreen Display Yes
- Features Glossy, LED-backlit
Video
- Graphics Processor / Vendor NVIDIA GeForce 9400M Shared video memory (UMA)
- Max Allocated RAM Size 256 MB
Audio
- Audio output type Sound card
- Audio Input Microphone
Notebook Camera
- Camera Type Integrated
Input Device(s)
- Input device type Trackpad, Backlit keyboard
- Features Multi-touch technology
Telecom
- Modem None
Networking
- Networking Network adapter
- Networking / Wireless LAN Supported Yes
- Data link protocol Ethernet, IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, Bluetooth 2.1 EDR, IEEE 802.11n (draft)
- Networking standards IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, Bluetooth 2.1, IEEE 802.11n (draft)
Expansion / Connectivity
- Expansion Slots Total (Free) 2 ( 0 ) x Memory - SO DIMM 204-pin
- Interfaces 1 x Network - Ethernet 10Base-T/100Base-TX/1000Base-T - RJ-45, 1 x IEEE 1394b (FireWire 800) - 9 pin FireWire 800, 2 x Hi-Speed USB - 4 pin USB Type A, 1 x Display / video - Apple mini-DisplayPort, 1 x Audio - SPDIF output/headphones - Mini-phone 3.5 mm / TOSLINK
Miscellaneous
- Included Accessories Cleaning cloth
- Cables Included Power cable ( 1 pcs.)
- Features Aluminum enclosure, Ambient light sensor, Security lock slot (cable lock sold separately)
Power
- Power device form factor External
- Voltage Required AC 120/230 V
- Power provided 73 Watt
Battery
- Technology Lithium polymer
- Installed Qty 1
- Battery capacity 60 Wh
- Mfr estimated battery life 7 hour(s)
Operating System / Software
- OS Provided Apple MacOS X 10.6
- Software Front Row, Apple iCal, Apple iChat, Photo Booth, Apple Safari, Apple Spaces, Apple iTunes, Apple Dashboard, Apple QuickTime, Apple Spotlight, Apple iLife '09, Apple DVD Player, Apple Quick Look, Apple Address Book, Apple Time Machine, Apple Mac OS X Mail, Drivers & Utilities, Apple XCode Developer Tools
Manufacturer Warranty
- Service & Support 1 year warranty
- Service & Support Details Limited warranty - 1 year, Technical support - Phone consulting - 90 days
Sustainability
- EPA Energy Star Compliant Yes
- EPEAT Compliant EPEAT Gold
- Greenpeace policy rating (Sept 2009) 4.9
Product series
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Manufacturer: Apple
Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo (2.26 GHz), 2 GB DDR3 SDRAM, 160 GB, Apple MacOS X 10.6, 4.4 lbs, 13.3 in TFT active matrix, EPA Energy Star, EPEAT Gold
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Manufacturer: Apple
Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo (2.53 GHz), 4096 MB DDR3 SDRAM, 250 GB, Apple MacOS X 10.6, 4.4 lbs, 13 in TFT active matrix, EPA Energy Star, EPEAT Gold
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Manufacturer: Apple
Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo (2800 MHz), 4096 MB DDR3 SDRAM, 500 GB, Apple MacOS X 10.5, 6.6 lbs, 17 in TFT active matrix, EPA Energy Star, EPEAT Gold
Accessories
- Apple AirPort Extreme Base Station (Winter 2009) (33549749)173.00
- Apple AirPort Express Base Station (30910240)139.99
- Apple Wireless Keyboard (30568482)139.99
- Apple Mighty Mouse (wireless) (31985391)69.95 - 129.99
- Apple Mighty Mouse (31470406)49.00 - 79.99
- Tucano Work-out 13" MacBook - notebook carrying case (31976799)34.99
- Case Logic 13.3" Laptop Sleeve - notebook carrying case (33234176)13.07 - 23.99
- Samsonite High Tech Leather BACKPACK - notebook carrying backpack (32818167)196.43
- SanDisk Cruzer USB flash drive - 32 GB (33544914)60.20 - 139.99
- SanDisk Cruzer Micro - USB flash drive - 8 GB (32631690)12.82 - 44.99
- SanDisk Cruzer Micro - USB flash drive - 16 GB (33032681)27.25 - 79.99
- Apple Magic Mouse (33783857)68.00 - 119.99
- Logitech V220 Cordless Optical Mouse for Notebooks (32481206)21.45 - 29.99
- Apple keyboard (32568153)43.67 - 59.00
- Logitech Wireless Desktop MK300 - keyboard , mouse (33687687)32.88 - 44.87
Manufacturer info
- Apple
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse Apple products on Shopper.com
-
- Website: http://www.apple.com
- Address:
One Infinite Loop, Cupertino, CA 95014 - Phone: 1-408-996-1010
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Popular accessories
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SanDisk Cruzer Micro - USB flash drive - 8 GB (32631690) 12.82 - 44.99 -
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