Apple MacBook Pro MC024LL/A 17-Inch Laptop This instant

Purchased: 4/15/10 (Mac Connection)
Shipped: 4/16/10 (via UPS)
Delivered: 4/21/10

My previous laptops:
Dell Inspiron 6400
Dell Inspiron 8600

Before I settled on the MacBook Pro, I also eyed the HP Envy 15 and Dell Studio XPS 16. While those laptops provided a better array of basic specifications (i.e. processor, hard drive, graphics card, optical drive) at a lower price, I was drawn to the portability and battery life that the MacBook Pro offered even as a "large" laptop. Small nitpicks such as the HP Envy 15 lacking a backlit keyboard and the Dell Studio XPS 16 utilizing a last-gen graphics card also helped sway my decision. (note: I am aware that the Mobility Radeon HD 4670 slightly outperforms the GeForce GT 330M. However, it requires more power and is not used in an 'automatic graphics switching' setup.)

--edit// (Added May 6, 2010)
On May 5, 2010, HP officially introduced the Envy 14 (replaces the Envy 13) and 17 models with a mid-to-end-of May release date. Two of the caveats addressed with the new models are the backlit keyboard and the option to turn off the discrete graphics card (though, not automatically).
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HARDWARE:
There is no denying the solid design and appealing aesthetics involved with the MacBook Pro's construction. Simply put, the look, feel, and refinement of the laptop's aluminum unibody enclosure is second to none. It is thin, light, and it feels durable/sturdy. The 17-inch LED display delivers crisp pictures and an enjoyable video-viewing experience. Furthermore, the resolution (1920-by-1200) provides great real estate that should be well appreciated by users who require or enjoy organizing multiple windows and applications on the screen simultaneously. Unfortunately, Apple opted not to implement an IPS LED screen for the 2010 hardware refresh. Considering the price, I highly expected the new MacBook Pros to receive the IPS treatment since the iMac line recently incorporated it. The keyboard is top-notch. It is comfortable and it supplies a decent amount of feedback while typing. The multi-touch trackpad is absolutely brilliant. It is a joy to use and its convenient functions streamline the overall experience and laptop's "ease of use". While the three USB 2.0 slots are sufficient (not to mention, really close together), it is disappointing that Apple did not upgrade the hardware to utilize USB 3.0. People speculate that Apple will instead be implementing Intel's 'Light Peak' technology rather than USB 3.0 in the near future. For now, the FireWire 800 port will have to do. The lack of a Blu-Ray optical drive was not too big of a deal for me but I understand it can be an issue for other consumers considering the price of the laptop.

PERFORMANCE:
A majority of other reviews I read centered on the Core i7 processor rather the Core i5. It is safe to say that the Core i5 is more than enough for my needs and, most likely, a majority of other users'. It smoothly and effectively handles multiple applications and activities. I experienced no performance degradation while carrying a video chat, jamming to music, checking e-mail, browsing the web, and chatting online at the same time. Moreover, I encoded video and music files with ease while working with other applications. For users who regularly use processor-intensive applications such as Adobe Photoshop and Aperture 3, the Core i7 would be more suitable. I do not play computer games so I will not discuss the Intel HD graphics or GeForce GT 330M in that respect. All I can say is that it does the job perfectly well when watching high-definition video clips, movies, or Flash-based video. The 500GB hard drive is great for storage but the 5400-rpm specification is underwhelming. I still wonder how a laptop in such a price bracket comes standard with just a 5400-rpm hard drive. I expected at least a hybrid 128GB SSD + 250GB 7200-rpm hard drive setup as "standard". Shame. On a side note, I have always heard of stories about MacBook Pros heating up to temperatures where they are unbearable to use on the lap. I can confirm those stories from using any processor-intensive application or watching high-definition TV episodes online. Ouch.

BATTERY LIFE:
Let's just start with the numbers. I get about 4-6 hours (well, 6 if I'm lucky and very battery conscious) on a daily basis. This involves general tasks such as e-mailing, chatting, music listening, and web browsing with the occasional video viewing. The screen's brightness is usually between 45-60% and the keyboard backlighting is not used. Now, these are commendable numbers by any means concerning the size of the laptop. However, it is an absolute letdown when Apple claims one can squeeze up to 9 hours on a single charge. I even emulated the "test settings" Apple used to achieve those battery life numbers. I barely squeezed out 6 hours with about 4% remaining.

VERDICT:
Great personal laptop with a few subjective issues concerning the purported battery life and price-to-hardware/performance ratios.

OFF-TANGENT RECOMMENDATIONS:
If you decide to purchase an AppleCare Protection Plan to extend your MacBook Pro's warranty/support, look on eBay. You can easily find a legit AppleCare for more than half the price that Apple lists. If you are looking for a backpack to carry your MacBook Pro in, I highly recommend the Incase Nylon Backpack (CL55092 09).Get more detail about Apple MacBook Pro MC024LL/A 17-Inch Laptop.