How well do the MBP's hold up?

Question

I've been using laptops for some years now, mainly Dell Inspiron and Latitudes, but just picked up myself an MBP. The MBP seems to be build like a tank with its aluminun case...but how well do these things hold up?
For those of you who have them I would be interested in how much you use your MBP, how you use it...traveling, school, etc. I would also be interested in whether you shut them down or just close the lid, go to your next destination, open it up and continue on with your work?
How well do the keyboards hold up on the MBP? I've gone through a few on my work Latitude.
Thanks,
~Steve

Answer 1

At work I've used a IBM T42 for the last 2 years including lots of international travel.
In short the T42 is a slow (pentium M) bulletproof laptop that has taken everything I've thrown at it without any issues. This includes airports, hot/humid countries and I've never had a problem with presentation projectors.
I have a MBP 15" 2.4 SR with 2GB for home. My first Mac too. Here's my impression:
1. Aluminium is thin compared to the feel of the T42
2. Screen wobbles (flexes) more than the T42 this could lead to fatigue when working on the move, when the screen is shut on the T42 the overlap against the side of the laptop prevent side ways knocks to the screen breaking the screen pivot.
3. Heat issues without smcFanControl. The T42 isn't afraid to ramp up/down it's fans.
4. No form of desk dock. It's quite useful just to place the laptop in the dock and have everything (power, network, keyboard, mouse, second monitor, skype headset, etc) all connect up in one go. I suppose apple's answer is wireless..
5. MBP is faster performance than the T42 by a long way.
6. MBP SR has better battery life by far
7. T42 wireless experience has been better than the MBP - mainly due to OSX's desire to look for a different connection if the preferred wireless becomes unavailable.
8. Keys on the T42 becames nice and shiney quite quickly but I don't have a problem with that. MBP has no issues.
9. MBP has far better trackpad usability - down to OSX. On the move I'd often loose files with the T42 with the trackpad as windows double click on the pad causes drags etc.
10 Webcam in the MBP is a master stroke. With my T42 I carry a Logitech Fusion webcam around to record white board sessions. Now the MBP internal cam can do that - although it does require some odd looking manovers with the MBP!
11. No getting away from it - MS Office. The move by MS to support Applescript instead of VB for the mac:Office 2008 is a little worrying as VB scripted templates from the business will no longer work. I've yet to see if this will be a problem but it makes me apprehensive.
12. MS Visio - I've not found a OSX substitute. This needs to be available for integrating into mac:Office 2008 documents, slide sets etc.
13. HDD movement protection. The T42 has very good movement protection. I don't feel the MBP's is quite up to that standard.
14. Second monitor/projector support is good with both. I think the MBP OSX has the lead over windows but it does require an adaptor. Just a bind to remember it..
So in short - I would say that the MBP isn't ready for mainstream travel business abuse. The build design is great for sitting in coffee bars or places without much movement but needs more armour and architectural integrity for mainstream business abuse.
The T42 is designed from the bottom up for abuse and it shows it. Now lagging behind in performance and features it's still one of the best (if not the best) business laptops out there.
Working practice perspective - I would prefer the MBP/OSX as a work platform.
I hope I don't get shot by the applofisi but that's my experience.