Apple MacBook Pro 17 Inch (MD311LL/A) Review

In this article, I'll be reviewing the MD311LL/A model MacBook Pro 17 Inch with Core i7, AKA "still the best 17 inch laptop of 2013".

The race to create the ultimate laptop is still raging on, despite the growing interest (and performance) of smaller devices such as tablets and cellphones.

In fact, the demand for ultrabooks is as strong as ever. Apple, arguably the leader when it comes to premium gadgets, threw their 17 inch hat into the fray with the Apple MacBook Pro 17 Inch Laptop, which - although officially discontinued by Apple - is still being touted as one of the best 17 inch ultrabooks on the market in 2013.

So what's special about this particular laptop? Read on to find out.

NEWER: Apple MacBook Pro MD386LL/A 17-Inch Laptop -- click the image below to find out more about the 17 Inch MacBook Pro Quad-Core i7

Display

As the dimensions would suggest, the MacBook Pro MD311LLA's display should be one of its strongest suits. And yes, the 17-inch screen doesn't disappoint at all. Its screen real estate can only be equaled by a select few in the laptop market. And to make full use of this massive screen, it also displays images at an astounding 1920x1200 HD resolution. Making everything work is a powerful AMD Radeon HD 6770M image processor. When saving power, it automatically switches to Apple's integrated Apple HD Graphics processor. LED backlighting combines optimal brightness with excellent energy efficiency.

Processor

A computer of this calibre must be equipped with the most powerful hardware available. And on the processor end, this laptop definitely has it. It comes installed with the top-of-the-line processor from Intel, the much-vaunted Intel Core i7. This second generation quad-core processor comes with features that greatly improve performance for 3D gaming, digital media management, and content creation. This chip also comes with Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0, which allows for dynamic increase of performance during heavy-duty use. And with Hyper-Threading Technology, multitasking performance is improved by allowing each core to work on 2 tasks at the same time. Combine that with a 750GB HDD and a 4GB RAM, and you have the makings of a superb performer.

Unique Technologies

This laptop has no shortage of unique and innovative technologies. But the one that takes the headlines here is the Thunderbolt technology Apple developed in partnership with Intel. This system allows for incredibly fast transfer speeds recorded at 10GB/second. All you need is a system that is Thunderbolt-compatible. You can also use USBs and FireWire on the Thunderbolt port, but you'll need an adaptor for that.

Design

Apple is well-known for their design genius, and this product is no different. It all starts with the unibody structure made exclusively from aluminum. The use of aluminum makes it extra light for its size and provides serious durability. Stunning looks is a bonus on selecting such material. It also uses a track pad without a button, allowing you to have more space for tracking. Not only does it recognize conventional clicking, but it also recognizes multi-touch gestures such as swiping, pinching, and inertial scrolling, among others. This allows for a more intuitive using experience.

The Bottom Line

Right from the outset, it can be seen that Apple has pulled all the stops to make this product (arguably) the best ultrabook in the market. Although the 2000+ dollar price tag might keep this machine in the clutches of only the wealthiest of geeks, the Apple MacBook Pro MD311LL/A 17 Inch is every bit as good as advertised and well worth the price of purchasing brand new.

If you're looking for even more power than this system provides (and that's a lot) you can also check out the 17 Inch Apple MacBook Pro MD386LL/A available at Amazon.

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Review: Toshiba Excite 10 SE (AT305 16GB)

If you are tech savvy, you should check out the new Toshiba Excite 10 SE. It is Toshiba’s most recent tablet release. This gadget will let you enjoy excellent features for a very affordable price. For only $350, you will be able to enjoy the performance of a quad-core processor (Tegra 3) and a 1280 x 800 display.

Nearly every Toshiba Excite 10 SE review will tell you that it is very similar to the original Excite 10, except that it runs on Android Jelly Bean and not on Ice Cream Sandwich. Here’s what makes this tablet special in its own right.

Toshiba Excite 10SE is designed with aluminum trim around the edges, and it does not have slots for SD and HDMI cards. However, it does have a built-in Micro SD and Micro USB slot, so you can easily share video clips, photos, and other files, as well as increase your storage options. It has a built-in storage of 16 GB. This gadget also has a 10.1-inch high resolution AutoBrite display. It is slim and lightweight, weighing only 1.4 lbs.

If you travel often, this gadget is perfect because it is portable and easy to carry around. You can conveniently stuff it inside your bag. It is also very user friendly. You can easily customize the home screens and quickly switch between apps. Its Voice Search app and Chrome browser allow you to search more quickly and easily. So if you need to search for something on the Web, you will not be having a hard time.

In addition, it runs on a Super 4-plus-1 quad-core processor. This will allow you to experience more speed. It is practically faster than other tablets. It will enable you to get excellent performance even for the most complicated applications. So, you will enjoy faster apps, smoother HD videos, better web browsing, and console-quality games. This gadget is really ideal for those who like to play games and watch videos. It is arguably better than your typical tablet and e-book reader.

If you want to download books, apps, movies, and music, you can go to Google Play. At the Play Store, you will find anything you need such as magazines, electronic books, television shows, and lots of other exciting stuff. Downloading is easy. You will also be presented with free and paid choices. In fact, you can enjoy more than six hundred and seventy-five thousand options. Google Play can be accessed whenever and wherever you want.

What’s more, the Toshiba Excite 10 SE features stereo speakers with crisp, rich, and life-like sound. It has premium quality that will amp up your voice communication and audio entertainment. Thus, you will be able to enjoy superior listening experience. You can access these features directly from your headphones or Toshiba tablet. You will be able to appreciate videos, video chat, music, and games better.

The dual HD cameras that come with the gadget will surely impress you, as well. Through its front webcam, you will be able to take pictures and engage in chats and video conferences. If you want to record videos and capture photos in high definition, you can simply use the rear camera. As mentioned earlier, this gadget is perfect for the frequent traveller. Whenever you see breathtaking sceneries and beautiful people, you can easily capture the moment on the fly with these dual HD cameras.

Do not worry about power because it has a long battery life. You can watch, read, write, and play continually up to twelve hours. You can enjoy its fantastic apps and features for a long time. This is great, especially if you are on a long trip on the train, bus, or any other mode of transport where there is nothing else to do. The battery can last for hours; so even if there is no outlet around, there is no need to worry about the battery suddenly dying on you.

Any Toshiba Excite 10 SE review will tell you that two of the best advantages of this gadget are its quad core processor and really huge RAM capacity. It actually has 1024 MB RAM. It also has regular features which include a calendar, a document viewer, an alarm clock, a calculator, and sensors such as compass, gyroscope, and accelerometer. Then again, some of its disadvantages are its low pixel density screen and its lack of flash.

Conclusion

The Toshiba Excite 10 SE may not necessarily be the best tablet on the market; but it offers great specs and features for its price. Although there may be some comparable models packed with better features for a higher price, the 10 SE from Toshiba, overall, is a good product and will prove to be worth your money.

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