Mac book pro for business

Has anyone had experience with the viability of the MBP for business? Im trying to replace my old thinkpad and im looking around for different options.

Also I heard MBP Had problems with overheating? This has all been resolved in the newest iterations correct?

 

Business how? What apps do you run?

There wasn't overheating in the help-my-laptop-just-melted sense, it was in a this-is-too-hot-to-put-in-my-lap-but-otherwise-works sense. And I don't think they ever resolved it.

 

Yea, internal temps for the MBP aren't that bad. My processors usually stay around 50 (45 would be better, but 50 isn't horrible).

The chassis that's made entirely from aluminum on the other hand - well...
Metal + Large surface area + direct contact with heated inside components with depths of only 1 inch + and cooler air flow outside = giant heatsink.

In other words, the outside will get quite hot. You can fry your eggs on the palmrest.

Your hardware inside will be fine. Your exposed skin on your palms and lap - well, they may not do quite so well.

As for business, that all depends on the applications you need to run. In terms of general software, OSX has software the equivalent or better than Windows counterparts for most situations. However, if you require specialized software or proprietary Windows software that only runs on Windows, then you still can run them - you'd just have to reboot into boot camp or use parallels or vmware fusion.

As for as the other aspects of business - durability and security and portability:

Durability The MBP is not as durable as a business class laptop. It will scratch and dent if you aren't careful. You will need to protect it.

Portability: the MBP is the most portable 15" on the market. It's the thinnest and lightest, and it has the best battery time (under OSX) of any 15" without using extra battery bays or extended batteries that stick out. The time averages to 5 hours of use on battery.

Security: in OSX, it's unlikely you'll get serious viruses or malware, and the OS offers file encryption and a firewall. As far as direct hacks are concerned: well, obviously if you're in that situation, you're in trouble (although I guess if they didn't know you were using OSX, you'd have a slight advantage in terms of time).
On the other hand, there is no TPM, the keyboard is not spill-proof, and there's no suspension on the HDD, although it is shock-resistant. Nor does the MBP have a fingerprint or retinal scanner. It does not offer a smart card either.

 

Excellent replies - exactly the overview I was looking for.

 

Hm... mine gets hot at times but never so hot that I could fry an egg on the palmrest. It does get too hot to comfortably have on my legs. Maybe because I have the 2.2 version?

The hard disk has drop protection, e.g. when it detects unusual acceleration, it will park the heads. That has saved me once when I dropped my PowerBook on the concrete floor from about 4 feet. It was fine, just had a dent.

The MBP scratches but it doesn't dent easily, you'd really have to seriously drop it for that.

It's not a tank like a ThinkPad but I think it compares favorably to others in terms of durability. No spill-proof keyboard is a bummer though.

 

More facts relevant to business use...

- It does hold up very well to lots of traveling (I do)
- Don't forget the DVI -> VGA converter cable - included - because it doesn't have a separate VGA output. So you need the converter cable when hooking up to a projector.
- You can get an airplane power adapter but need to buy from Apple because of the proprietary MagSafe connector.

 

I am sure MacBook Pro has TPM...Maybe it just does not have any software for it...

 

One of the major problems with OS X is its lack of network folder sharing capabilities. For example, you cannot just simply select any random folder and share it with everyone on the network. You can only share your Public folder, unless that someone knows the password to your account, after which he/she would have access to all your folders.

 

Good definitions, but yes they did resolve the initial issues. The current MBP does not get as hot as the original did.

 

It also has poor Samba support...

I have both a CD and C2D version, the CD does get hotter (mine is 2nd gen) than the C2D, but unless you're under a full load, they don't get very hot.

It's only a problem when I'm in my apt during summer (have no AC and it's about 90-95 in there)... that makes it unbearable to use on your legs. Same with any other laptop that can game though. At least you don't have to worry about blocking the heat exhaust with your legs like on most.

I've got tow dents on my MBP... from a short fall. About 2 feet. The laptop backpack failed to protect it, and it got a dent.

Scratches aren't much of a problem. And as far as spill proof... I had my ceiling leak right onto my laptop. A good amount too, plus, my ferret knocked a glass of water onto my laptop, still works.

 

Yikes...

 

Double-yikes. I often use my laptop on my lap / legs.

This is not what I wanted to hear.