Just bought my first Mac...

Hi guys,

I had sworn off Apple products for a long time after hearing testimony from various people about how they lock down their software and generally try to control how you use their products. I've been using Android for the past few years, and Windows for far longer than that. Recently, my fiancee decided to buy an iPhone 4S for me as an early Christmas present so that I would "see the light," which led to the semi-inevitable curiosity of Apple's other products.

So, here I am, with Macbook Pro 13" in hand. I'm still a bit up in the air as to whether or not I want to keep it (I have until early to mid January to return it, no questions asked), but overall I'm fairly impressed. The fit and finish of the machine is excellent, even coming from an HP Envy 14.

My only gripes are the low screen resolution, and the repositioned keys on the keyboard compared to your average Windows notebook. The low screen resolution is what is really giving me a tough time as to whether or not I want to keep it. Coming from a 1920x1200 desktop monitor or my Envy 14's 1600x900 display, 1280x800 seems a bit restrictive. I really wish they had included a 1440x900 panel with this generation, and I'll be heartbroken if the next refresh bumps the resolution up to something like that. I considered grabbing a 13" Macbook Air, but the screen was noticeably worse in terms of colors and viewing angles. It still looked nice, but even my fiancee, who isn't quite as into computers as I am said something about it. The repositioned keys, on the other hand, are something that I've gotten around for the most part, thanks for OSX allowing me to remap command and control to be more Windows-esque. The fn / control key switch is my biggest complaint at the moment, and I haven't tried Windows yet (Parallels or BootCamp) to see if I'll have any issues there.

So, overall, I'm impressed. I just really wish the screen resolution was higher, but hopefully that's something that I can forget about in time.

One quick question - I had heard that the touchpad was able to be "clicked" anywhere. Mine works as expected for the bottom 2/3rds or so, but I can't seem to click it at the very top of the touchpad. It feels like it isn't meant to pushed down up at the top. Is that normal?

 

About the screen resolution--this is only reason I have not jumped to get the 13" Pro yet; I am eyeing the 13" Air though. I hear the 15" Pro has a better resolution, but gets damn hot after a while on AC power--so I am not sure.

 

The air has better resolutions, true. But it lacks an ODD, and also the cpu is kept under check. The MBP 13" screen is low.res. technically, but produces outstanding colors and the contrast is amazing! The only limitation is Apple does not provide the matte option on the 13" version. Personally though, I prefer the glossy screens. You can safely get the MBP 13". The screen is amazing, in spite of having lesser pixels.

 

Re-positioned keys are not a shortcoming. The macs are designed to run MAC OS x. It's a different OS, and has different requirements than windows. As simple as that.

 

you are correct. the touchpad must be mechanically hinged somewhere for the button click to work and in the case of apple's touchpad, it is near the top edge.

 

I think the screen on my 13" Air is leaps and bounds better than the one on my MBP - both 2011 models.

 

How so?
Resolution may be better, but color gamut is definitely a weakness of the Air. My 13" Air's display is noticeably worse than my 15" MBP HR/AG (of course, I expected that).

 

Our eyes are different - to me, the Air is perfect

 

No, the guy above you is right. Try looking at the screen from different angles.

 

Now that's a street open at both ends

 

I have the same issue with the track pad and am constantly trying to click there. It is a good laptop, but I have spent so much time learning Windows I am hesitant to learn all the new stuff that allows to me to what I already know how to do

 

No, the trackpad is hinged at the top. You couldn't click anywhere on your PC trackpad anyway so why is this such a problem? Anyway, you can tap-to-click on any part of the trackpad which I find preferable. Also, keep in mind that you can use the bottom of the trackpad just as if there was an ordinary button positioned there. For instance, if you needed to drag, you could hold down one finger on the bottom as if it were a separate button and drag with the other. It works very well like that. If this is such a bother to people maybe Apple will magnetically float the trackpad so that it can be clicked anywhere. Just imagine, Apple introducing it ("... and this astounding option can be added to your MacBook Pro for just $3,499!!!!!) <Apple store immediately goes out of stock>