So for those who need FireWire, it's back -- along with a full set of I/O ports: Gigabit Ethernet, three USB 2.0 ports, FireWire 400, audio line-in and headphone-out (analog or optical digital audio), an ExpressCard/34 slot (the successor to the PC Card), and DVI-out (a VGA adapter is included, but you''ll have to buy an S-Video connector if you need one).
|
Video professionals and other users who were mystified by the loss of the FireWire port...it's back . |
The MacBook Pro trackpad supports scrolling, a feature I've become addicted to, and the keyboard is illuminated with a sensor to automatically set the level of lighting, as well as the screen brightness, according to current ambient light conditions. The built-in iSight video camera allows impromptu videoconferencing using Apple's included iChat AV software. The included infrared Apple Remote and Front Row system makes the MacBook Pro into a great presentations machine.
The slick MagSafe magnetic power adapter available since the first MacBook Pro does indeed protect laptop and charger from the effects of a sudden tug on the cable, and Apple now has a MagSafe power adapter available for those flying in seats with power ports. Battery life is adequate, but not great, comparable to other laptops in its class. Rundown tests with various mixes of battery-intensive tasks, such as DVD playback or very heavy wireless and drive use, fell in the 2.5 to 3 hour range. Less demanding tasks, such as general word-processing and e-mail, could eke out more than four hours of use.
Road warriors may wish to note that, as with the previous MacBook Pro, there is no built-in modem. While not quite as controversial as Apple's decision years ago to ditch the floppy drive, if you (like me) still need to use one of those old-fashioned dial-up connections from time to time, you can purchase a tiny USB modem from Apple for $49.
Bob Friday, Chief AI Officer for Juniper Networks, explains how the advanced technology is transforming operations.
Contact center leaders from 8x8, Awaken Intelligence, and 360insight discuss the importance of agent experience.
AI may force enterprises to rewire parts of their data centers so they are fully optimized to run such workloads. The question is do you use Ethernet or InfiniBand?
