MacBook Pro: the five-minute fiddle!

OK so the MacBook Pro (MBP) might not strictly be a Mobile Device (to be fair it depends on your definition of ‘Mobile’), but it’s going to get an FMF (five-minute fiddle) anyway!

So Mr. MBP arrived last night, to rapturous applause, looking absolutely stunning – the entire package, even boxed looks great – and inside, the minimalist approach to packaging continues, with Apple (NSDQ: AAPL) supplying just the bear essentials to get you going. And here are my initial thoughts:

- Hardware – largely, stunning – from the case to the keypad, the design aesthetic is superb

- Screen – I can’t find the right superlative – you have to see it to believe it, incredibly bright and pin-sharp. Love it.

- Trackpad – hmm, this is the only thing I am unsure of. Much like the BlackBerry Storm mechanism, a touchplate is mounted on a chassis, so it can act like a button too. Combining multiple HID (human interface device) functions on to a single platform makes you feel like you constantly need to be checking how you are touching it (so to speak). I reserve judgement on this one…

- Accessories – minimal, but very well designed. I wonder if the power adaptor is due a re-design, as it’s a little blocky – but functional

- O/S, and Apps – visibly, everything you need to get started

- Network – connected to wireless network within minutes of following the prompts

- Introduction Wizard – great! Easy to follow – software patching occurred soon after startup, but was done in 15 mins and all applied successfully!

- Cost – that’s probably one of the few negatives – you are paying a lot of money for Apple kit generally, but, you are getting quality (from what I believe to be the best consumer electronics company out there)

So overall, I am HAPPY HAPPY – the MBP, even though I have had it for a limited amount of time, gave a GREAT first impression – and that’s what the FMF is all about – does a device make you feel happy within the first few minutes of using it? – if it doesn’t, chances are it is going to really irritate you over time!

Overall rating: Excellent – a touch expensive, but equals incredible quality
Grade: A+ (FAB so far!)