What are the "pros and cons" of the "Mid-2009/Unibody" MacBook Pro models? Is one right for my needs?

Like any other purchase, only you can make the decision whether or not the one of the 13-Inch, 15-Inch, or 17-Inch "Mid-2009/Unibody" MacBook Pro models is the right notebook for you, but you can evaluate the pros and cons of each to see if your needs are met.

This "run down" may be helpful in making a decision:

Pros (All Models):

• Sleek, durable industrial design.
• Quality, widescreen LED-backlit displays.
• Solid performance and impressive battery life.
• Backlit keyboards.
• Reasonably quick and easy to upgrade the RAM and hard drive.
• Firewire "800" standard in all models.
• Innovative multi-touch trackpad.
• More affordable than the models each replaced.

Cons (All Models):

• Glossy display casts a glare in direct lighting (US$50 matte option on 15-Inch and 17-Inch models).
• Non-swappable battery, not designed for user replacement.
• No Firewire "400" port (adapters are available).
• Mini DisplayPort requires adapters to use with older display connectivity standards.

Additional Pros (13-Inch):

• Comparatively compact and lightweight.
• SD Card slot standard.
• Yes, it has a Firewire "800" port (like all other models in the series).

Additional Cons (13-Inch):

• Comparatively small display and weaker graphics performance.
• No optical audio in, and instead has the same "combined optical digital output/headphone out (user-selectable analog audio line in)" port used by the iPhone.
• No ExpressCard/34 expansion slot.

Additional Pros (15-Inch):

• With the exception of the low-end MacBook Pro "Core 2 Duo" 2.53 15" (SD) -- which only has the slower NVIDIA GeForce 9400M with "integrated graphics" -- the 15-Inch models have dual graphics processors that one can switch between to either maximize performance or conserve battery life.
• SD Card slot standard.

Additional Cons (15-Inch):

• Switching graphics processors (when applicable) requires logging out, cannot use both graphics processors simultaneously.
• No ExpressCard/34 expansion slot.

Additional Pros (17-Inch):

• The 17-Inch model has dual graphics processors that one can switch between to either maximize performance or conserve battery life.
• ExpressCard/34 expansion slot standard.

Additional Cons (17-Inch):

• Comparatively large and heavy.
• Switching graphics processors requires logging out, cannot use both graphics processors simultaneously.
• No SD Card slot.

Basically, if you are looking for a sleek and powerful 13-Inch, 15-Inch, or 17-Inch notebook Mac -- and the connectivity and graphics options meet your needs -- one of the "Mid-2009/Unibody" MacBook Pro systems would be an excellent choice.

If weight is a high priority, the MacBook Air is worth considering. If cost is a high priority, the "White" MacBook (or a used MacBook or MacBook Pro) would be a good choice as well.

Site sponsor PowerMax sells all of these systems free of sales tax.