What to check for when getting a MBP?

If I get an MBP, I'd buy it from a retail store so I can check it over before I buy it. What are the things I should check for before purchase? I know I should try adjusting the brightness to check for LCD striping, but what else? Is there an easy website to check for stuck/dead pixels? Anything else I should check?

Thanks!

 

The one thing I would check for is if you are comfortable with the keyboard. I would prefer the keyboard on the MacBook, but the MBP keyboard could take some getting used to. It's not bad, its just different. To me, it feels a bit too "soft" in that the key presses feel "mushy".

There are lots of free applications on the web that help check for dead pixels.

Other than the keyboard on the MBP, see if you like the quality of the sound coming from the built-in speakers.

Hope that helps a bit.

 

I have recently purchased the 17" MBP. The keys do feel a little mushy to me but they still feel comfortable and I was able to adjust quite rapidly. When I first opened my System in the MAc Store. I didn't notice any dead pixels and still to this day have found none.

I have had only 3 concerns with my MBP.

1- The Screen will close quite easily if moving your system around. Or when lying in bed with it resting on your knees. It doesn't have stif hinges to hold it open when the system is tilted towards you.

2- The color was a bit off. But with some Searching here on the forums and with some help of some members, my screen colors are clear and bright. On my Bootcamp of Vista X64 everything is still a bit too pink for me. But besides for a few Visio Drawings and WOW I never boot in there anyways lol.

3- The heat while gaming under Vista X64. But with a nice notebook cooler, Zalman NC2000 My system runs much cooler to the touch and about 5 degrees C cooler overall. I also Added some Clear 1/4 rubber bumpers to the bottom and it allows for much better air flow under the MBP. It also keeps it secured in one place much better. The rubber pads on the standard MBP are way to small and thin.

Those are my only complaints so far lol compared to my 4k M15x this thing is a WET DREAM (I know all about the gaming capabilities of the 8800m GTX, but this thing just does what is says it will do). But to be honest I find I have my work completed much faster. I am way more productive on my Mac then I was on any PC. Once I got the shortcuts down everything was rocking. And on the plus side of all that, I am no longer wasting my Time scanning for Viruses, spyware and trying to find TWEAKS to improve my Vista Experience. So when you get your system drop us all a note and tell how you feel about.

cheers

 

Well, it's kind of interesting because I've been fairly anti-mac since I first used it about 10 years ago, but now I'm thinking of getting the MBP, (and with student discount) iPod Touch, the free printer, and a Time Capsule (I'm going to the laptop exclusively and need more room than the 200 GB they give you, and even though the TC is 3x more expensive than a comparable external, I like the idea of wireless, expanding it with another USB HDD, and the "print server").

Anyways, thanks to both the above posters for the info, but I meant what should I check for as far as possible defects in the MBP while I'm at the Apple store. They'll let me check out the actual unit I'd purchase before I buy it, right?

 

I'm not sure if that's customary, but if you ask to, I'm sure they won't refuse to let you check your MBP .

Some MacBook Pros I've seen and heard, their lids don't sit perfectly flush against the palmrest. Considering its aluminum, I'm not particularly surprised, but some are worse than others so you can easily take a look at that. Also, for stuck-dead pixels, you can just try a white window (like a blank webpage) and then a black window. Test out the keyboard for any loose keys, inspect the MBP for any cracks or such, try out the speakers and display brightness.

You don't have to do that in store, because if you unpack it at home and there's any issues, just bring it right back to the Store, the employees are good about that stuff .

But I really wouldn't worry too much! Most likely you'll be perfectly fine .

 

Check for dead pixels. I just bought one monday from my college computer store, and took it home without powering it up. I noticed a dead pixel in the middle of the screen that was pink. I took it back, and was glad that the manager just gave me a new one since i had bought it a few hours before. Some of the sales people wanted me to take it up with apple, which was stupid because i had just bought it a few hours before.