Apple MacBook Pro 15in (2011) review

Apple has also upgraded the integrated webcam to a High Definition model which is compatible with the iPhone 4’s FaceTime video calling, but the remainder of the laptop has stayed mostly unchanged from the previous model. It retains the excellent backlit keyboard, high-quality display and ultra-long battery life. Using intelligent graphics switching, which disables the dedicated chipset, it’ll run for almost seven hours away from the mains.

There’s no question that the MacBook Pro is a stunning piece of technology. Of the three available models, the 15in chassis is definitely the best suited for media-intensive work on the go. It’s more powerful than the 13in thanks to a quad-core processor and dedicated graphics, but far more portable than the 17in version.

There’s a cheaper version of the 15in MacBook Pro, for ‘only’ £1,549 inc VAT, but this has a slower processor, smaller hard disk and far less powerful graphics chipset. That makes this one of the rare cases when we think the more expensive Mac is the better buy, though at £1,849, the pricing certainly lives up to the Pro moniker.