Apple has released its new line-up of budget notebooks to very little fanfare, completing its transition from PowerPC to Intel chips. Having now replaced its entire line of iBooks and PowerBooks, all Apple laptops now come with Intel Core Duo processors and widescreen displays.
The MacBook line-up includes the:
- 1.83GHz 13-inch white MacBook -- AU$1,749
- 2GHz 13-inch white MacBook -- AU$2,099
- 2GHz 13-inch black MacBook -- AU$2,399
While the MacBook Pro line-up includes the:
- 2GHz 15-inch MacBook Pro -- AU$3,199
- 2.16GHz 15-inch MacBook Pro -- AU$3,999
- 2.16GHz 17-inch MacBook Pro -- AU$4,399
Upside
Copying the colour scheme of its iPod Nano music players, Apple has released black and white models of the MacBook, which is similar looking to its predecessor, the iBook. The MacBook comes with Apple's MagSafe power adapter, which is magnetised and so easily disconnects from the notebook to prevent damage from accidental trips over the cord. Apple also includes a remote control, the same one that's bundled with the iPod Hi-Fi and MacBook Pro, which can be used to control Front Row on the MacBook.
Weighing 2.36kg, the MacBooks come with built-in Wi-Fi (802.11g), Bluetooth 2.0+EDR (Enhanced Data Rate), gigabit Ethernet, one FireWire 400 port, two USB 2.0 ports and a Mini-DVI port. The lowest priced 1.83GHz MacBook comes with a slot-loading combo drive (DVD-ROM/CD-RW) drive, while the 2.0GHz models have slot-loading SuperDrives (DVD+/-RW/CD-RW). Both white models come with a 60GB hard disk, while the black model has an 80GB disk.
Software includes Apple's Mac OS X Tiger operating system and iLife '06 digital media suite, which includes iTunes, iPhoto, iMovie HD, iDVD, iWeb and GarageBand.
Downside
In its base configuration, Apple installs two 256MB sticks of SDRAM into the MacBook for system memory, upgradable to 2GB. The problem is that with two sticks of memory it's more costly to upgrade to 1GB later, as you can't simply add another 512MB. Conversely, the MacBook Pro comes with one 512MB stick of SDRAM installed.
The price of the 2.0GHz black model is AU$400 more than its white counterpart. The only extra you get for this price -- aside from the black polycarbonate case -- is a 20GB bigger hard disk, which costs only AU$90 to upgrade to through Apple's store.
Unlike the MacBook Pro, which has an ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 graphics card installed, the MacBook relies on 64MB of shared main memory for video with Intel's Graphics Media Accelerator 950.
Outlook
Apple is getting itself into a fairly comfortable spot right now, with Boot Camp letting hesitant Windows users run XP on a Mac and Apple's laptop lineup including options for most budgets. Regardless of the extra cost involved, we can see people who want a notebook to match their Nano -- or those who just want something different from previous Apple laptops -- snapping up the more expensive black MacBook.
We'll also be interested to see how the first MacBooks off the manufacturing line perform. Although Apple hasn't admitted any fault with the MacBook Pros, users have come out in force complaining about processor "whining" noise, overheating above the function keys and on the base, and AirPort wireless connection problems.
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Stama
05/01/2008, 02:05 AM
rating
10/10
i bought a macbook about a year ago, and it converted me from a loyal PC-user to a mac fanatic and im never going back!
everything is easier on a mac, so much easier. and it just looks beautiful. this wonderful while casing, the lowered keyboard which is the most wonderful thing i have ever typed on. the apple logo which lights up on the reverse of the screen. the macbook is just a really good looking laptop, better than any other in the world, it stands out by a mile. a true diamond in the rough.
Pros: it looks amazing, even after a year it still looks beautiful to me.
macs are easier to use, so much easier. i think mac OSX is WONDERFUL! but you can still run windows if you want! i also run full office on my macbook and programs like word look even cooler on a macbook.
the screen is amazing, incredibly sharp.
its TINY! it can fit anywhere. if you're a student or someone who moves around alot this is perfect. macbook pros are just too massive, the macbook is perfect.
you discover so many cool things when you start to use a macbook it really is a wonderful thing.
Cons: if you;re a gamer mabye stick with your PC as there are not as many MAC games, however the ones they do have are awesome.
its white, so it gets dirty after a few months of heavy use and needs a quick wipedown.
your friends will be mesmerized by its beauty and steal it from you so they can spend hours using photobooth.
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Lulu
20/12/2007, 12:27 PM
rating
10/10
i think the MacBook is the top of Laptop Catagory. It's Chic,Sleek and fun. My Favourite part is photo booth!!!!!!!!!!
Pros: it's unique and stands out
Cons: It could have a bigger hard drive for free
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mat
21/09/2007, 03:07 PM
rating
8/10
i think the macbook is great. and the fact that you can choose to run windows is even better. theres nothing wrong with the macbook but i'm sick of ppl's anti apple behaviour. like all the stores i go to upgrade the hard d, they were like are you sure its compatible. i was like u work at the store you should be telling me. instead of giving me advice they just gave me buyers beware and condeming me for ever purchasing a mac. i'm glad i bought it.
Pros: Mac programs such as Final Cut Express, Logic Studio etc
Easy software online updates
Benefits of itunes
smooth shape fits well with university books doeset get snaged in a small bag
good keyboard
runs windows
the camera (its well poistioned)
battery life
Cons: its hard to find unbiased helpful information
it is expensive to buy software legally
limited games if running OSX
limited technical programs such as autoCAD, solid edge or matlab if running OS X
they should make the option of black for all entry levels, as the white has a girly stigma to it (something apple should think about to broaden their demographic)
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none
11/07/2007, 12:22 AM
rating
10/10
it seems like apple have done it again creating a really easy to use laptops
Pros: spaced key pads,camera,widescreen
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jamouslaad
20/03/2007, 11:51 AM
rating
9/10
from using pc's all my life i though i would rack my brain trying to work out the mac but after just 1 day of playing around with it its so user friendly and easy to use. i love it, just the way the desktop and eveything is set out looks and feels right. i like it alot better then window operating system. but in saying that i still love my pc.
its a great laptop and does everything i need and i love the built in wi-fi and bluetooth.
Pros: bluetooth, wi-fi, sleeeeeeek design, sterdy, userfriendly operating system, great comfortable keypad, nice widescreen, crisp looking.
Cons: nothing.
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JaimeK
06/03/2007, 06:29 PM
rating
10/10
I LOVE it. I am coming from a PC only background. I still love PCs but for the price I paid for this I got much better specs. I upgraded everything (2ghz C2D, 2gb ram, 160gb HD) and for $1000 more I could have got the same specs on a PC. Very happy with my purchase.
Pros: Size
Specs for Cost
Light
Bright
Cons: Graphics card could easily have been better or even had an upgradable option. That is the one thing that TRULY lets it down.
It has more moving parts than any PC laptop Ive owned. The screen also bounces and battery moves slightly. Seems the casing isnt the best quality.
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12/08/2006, 04:36 PM
rating
7/10
excellent
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