Macbook Pro: Durability and Construction

When I ask about the durability and construction of the machine, I'm looking beyond simple aesthetics.

Sitting in lecture, I often take notice of people using their Macbook Pros to take notes. However, their systems (which are relatively new) all seem scathed and dented--some more dramatic than others.

I'm aware that these issues relate to how one treats their machine, but I'm also thinking that the FREQUENCY of scratched/dented/warped cases is reason for a raised eyebrow.

Anyone have any experience with their system's (physical) fragility?

I am in the market for a new notebook, and apart from Lenovo's Thinkpad series, Apple is looking like a great option.

Any and ALL comments would be appreciated, thanks!

 

well the MBP is made of pretty thin metal so it dents

 

Everything depend on how you threat your system.MBP made by solid aluminum, so it can be dent.(MBP is better than crackable plastic )

 

Damnit, I suppose that I considered a $2000+ notebook more durable, hoping that it would manage a bit more abuse...C'est la vie

 

Seriously, it really does depend on how you use it. As long as you don't drop it, drop anything heavy on it, or keep it in a bag without padding, you should be fine.

While the MBP has excellent build quality and durability, it wasn't designed for impact resistance- if you plan on dropping your laptop regularly, I'd recommend a toughbook or similar notebook.

 

Well if you want durability look at the Lenovo T61p

 

The T61P has long been on my list of things to buy, but I'm too eager to find what Lenovo has as a refresher to that model.

I.e., I want something newer :-( I'm a shameless junkie for all things cutting edge (albeit, obsolete a week after purchase).

 

Aluminum is a not a good material for a notebook case. It dents and scratches easily (and shows them well), gets hot, and transfers heat when you are holding (especially in your lap) and 1" thick case with limited ventilation contributes a lot to heat.

 

I own a MBP, and agree to all the above. It's a shame. It's even more frustrating when you go to the airport. When you put the MacBook Pro in those plastic tubs, by the time it comes out the other end of the X-Ray machine, the bottom of your MBP is destroyed. Totally pisses me off.

 

I've had my MBP for over a year and there's only two minor scratches on the lid(right next to each other so some may consider it one scratch). I believe that's from my backpack because I take this thing everywhere. It really depends on how you treat your laptop. I wouldn't use the average college student as a good comparison as they generally tend to not care so much about this stuff. I've got several friends who didn't even know there are special backpacks for laptops, and they just stick theirs in with their books... *shudder*

 

That fact alone is reason enough to avoid Apple (g'damnit!). I travel often and can't rationalize spending SO much money on something that is so fragile.


This isn't an attack against Apple, but rather, a plea for rebuttals! I want a Mac (for the OS), in addition to their fabulous package
...
alas, can OS X be installed on a Thinkpad?

 

You can install,but violating Apple EULA

 

To which I retort, "blow me Apple"

 

it is very durable but also very easy to get scratches, I hope Apple can come up with something like anti-scratches chassis soon.

 

Technically it isn't illegal but Apple doesn't like you to do it.

And yep there are guides on the web.

 

Have you tried Invisible Shield?

 

It isn't illegal if you own an OS license.

 

According to Apple it is, Apple says the hardware must have an Apple logo and must be Apple made.

 

Breaking a EULA != illegal.
Actually it only says "Apple-labelled", put an Apple sticker on it?

EULAs are made to be very general and generic, they are not enforceable and won't hold in court. Apple can't even take something like this to court without risking their entire business, or they would have sued Psystar, which openly sells hackintoshes.

 

I highly recommend the Invisible Shield. I have it on my Macbook and it's a great product.

 

I think the next iteration of the MBP will have a casing similar to the Air. I have both and the Air seems to be more resistant to little dings in the casing. Yes, I've gotten one or two of these during the lifetime of my 3 MBP's, but they in no way affect performance or reliability - which should be your concern.

That's why I switched from Lenovo to Apple. Just fed up with all their utils that are installed and niggly little issues with reliability. Their casing and keyboard are top notch, but I've got a T61 with Vista that I refuse to use because of the number of problems I've had with their software update and synergy with Vista. It sits on a shelf while my MBP is my daily work horse and the MBA is my traveling companion.

BTW, I'm a Windows software developer so I still run Windows, just via Parallels. Couldn't be happier since switching just over 2 years ago.

Oh, and my son has the invisible shield applied to his MBP and it does afford another level of protection for the case. Me, I just use a good laptop bag and avoid banging it on the corner of tables.

 

On the airport tubs: I've never had a problem with them, and I fly all the time. If you're that worried get a notebook sleeve. Simple.

On the EULA: It's illegal whether you like it or not. Besides the point, it's against the forum rules to discuss installing OS X on non Apple hardware, so forget about it already.

 

Please stop discussing about the installation of MacOSX on non-Apple hardware. It is not allowed here.

Thank you for your cooperation.

 

Speck Shield, and be done with it:

 

^yep, buy the spec or techshell case. that's it. i like the techshell better though.

 

do those shields let the mbp vent as well as without the shield?

 

I can say in my case that using the Apple Powerbook G4 (12") for little more than two years, I had absolutely no issues as far as the case was concerned. It was my first ever Apple computer btw. After selling it I bought a Thinkpad R51 which was built before Lenovo formally took over. The reason for purchasing the thinkpad was mostly for it's legendary build and boy! how wrong I was.

In less than 2 years of use the plastic grill that covers the fans broke off. The area where the pc cards go in was cracked since it was flimsy to begin with and had a lot of flex. The power cable would crack if bent and I had to replace the powercable TWICE! This never ever happened with the Apple PB and I used it in the SAME way. Finally the LCD gave up the ghost, all within 2 years.

Shows sometimes we overhype certain products and in my case the Thinkpad. The icing on the cake is the new Lenovo customer service which IMO is one of the worst ever. Before Lenovo took over, they were extremely helpful and quick to resolve any issues. So I'm pretty much done with Lenovo and my next purchase will be either a MacPro or MBP.

 

umm i have a soft notebook case.

you put the sleeve case in the bin and the macbook pro on top of the sleeve. it comes out unscratched...

obvious? yes. simple? also yes. why didn't i think of this before going to the airport? i actually did, and it worked.

also, for the record, i dropped my macbook pro one time about 3 1/2 feet onto a hard wooden floor. no dent, no scratch. i think i was just lucky though.

 

yes it does.

 

I've owned a MBP for 2 months.

I travel weekly and always transport it in a case. And not a nice case at that: it's a Samsonite bag that used to house my old 15" brick of a VAIO

Scratches/cosmetic issues? Zero.

Not a big deal at all.