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Reviews from around the WebPowered by alaTest
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alaTest.com
Editors' rating: 87
Summary: alaTest has collected and analyzed 615 reviews of Apple MacBook (Core 2 Duo, 2008) from international magazines and websites. Experts rate this product 88/100 and users 91/100. Comparing these reviews to 163904 other Laptops reviews gives this product an overall alaScore™ 87/100 = Very Good.
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macworld.co.uk
Editors' rating: 80
Summary: The latest MacBooks are a big improvement over the previous models €" as long as you can live without a FireWire port. If not (or you absolutely must have a matte screen, which is still an option on the 17-inch MacBook Pro) the MacBook Pro might be ...
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macworld.com
Editors' rating: 90
Summary: The $1,099 2.1GHz MacBook comes with 1GB of RAM. The 2.4GHz MacBooks (one white, the other black) come with 2GB; the models they replaced came with 1GB. All MacBooks support to up 4GB of RAM. As before, Apple recommends installing RAM in matched pairs ...
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digitaltrends.com
Editors' rating: 80
CNET editors' buying advice
We have not reviewed this product but here is CNET's buying advice on Laptops. This content was chosen based on the features included with this model of laptop.
Laptop computer memory size
To maximize battery life, notebook computer processors are often designed to save more energy and run cooler than desktop processors. The drawback is slower performance, but more memory can help, which it won't consume energy or radiate heat. Even better, up to 4GB of RAM can now be found in budget configurations. If you want more memory later, expansion is often a simple procedure.
See more Notebook computer RAM products
Notebook computer processors
The central processor (CPU) is the heart of any computer system and an excellent litmus test as to whether a desktop computer or notebook fits your needs. The trouble is, processor names like Athlon and Celeron are as cryptic as system names like Latitude and Pavilion. Here's a quick guide to see which chip is a fit:
| Manufacturer | Processor name | Processing power | Designed use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intel | Core 2 Extreme Quad | Very high | Gaming and graphics |
| Intel | Core 2 Quad | Very high | Gaming and graphics |
| AMD | Turion | High | Mainstream |
| AMD | Athlon | High | Mainstream |
| Intel | Core 2 Duo | High | Mainstream |
| AMD | Sempron | Medium | Entry level |
| Intel | Celeron | Medium | Entry level |
| Intel | Pentium Dual Core | Medium | Entry level |
| AMD | Athlon Neo | Low | Netbook |
| Intel | Atom | Low | Netbook |
| Via | C7-M | Low | Netbook |
| Via | Nano | Low | Netbook |
| Intel | Pentium | Low | Budget |
See more Notebook processor products
CNET product brief
Description: This configuration of the Apple MacBook 2008 is a 5.1-pound, thin-and-light notebook computer.Compared to other thin-and-light notebooks on the market, it is relatively inexpensive at around $1,235.The 13.3 inch widescreen has a native resolution of 1280 x 800, which is fairly standard among notebooks.Runs on the Intel Core 2 Duo processor.This unit has a 160GB hard disk drive and 2 GB of memory.Features integrated graphics with 144MB of video memory.
Pros: Has a 2.4 GHz CPU speed, which is faster than some similarly priced notebooks.Also, this notebook comes with Apple MacOS X 10.5 OS, which is somewhat more favorable than some similarly priced notebooks.The built in Bluetooth connectivity will let you pair headphones or sync your mobile contacts.
Cons: Has only a Intel GMA X3100 graphics chip, which is less desirable than some similarly priced notebooks.Also, this notebook has only a 13.3-inch screen size, which is smaller than some similarly priced notebooks.For example, the Dell Vostro 1310, a 4.6-pound notebook at around $1, 130, has a 13.3 screen size.The fair battery performance of this laptop means it has to be recharged more frequently than other laptops in its class.Shared video memory has a negative impact on system performance which may be okay for users with more modest graphics needs.Users with more demanding needs should look to a graphics solution that brings its own muscle.
Suitability: Suited for those who want a balance between power and portability.If you have a wireless network at home, wirelessly browse the Internet from any room in your house with this Wi-Fi enabled laptop.Archive your digital videos using this laptop's DVD writer.With 144MB of dedicated video RAM, this machine will do OK with some games and multimedia applications, but will fall short of satisfying the serious gaming enthusiast.An anti-theft security tether can be fastened into the built-in lock slot.
Value: Overall, this notebook's features are in line with its price.However, the average price of thin-and-light products with a similar screen size is quite a bit more -- in fact around $1,549.
Suggestions: (1) Given this device's Wi-Fi capability, you may want to get a wireless access point for your home, so that you can browse the Internet more conveniently from any room.(2) To get the most out of this laptop's Bluetooth capability, you could have a Bluetooth-enabled headset, handheld or other device, and be able to link it wirelessly to your computer within a range of 20-or-so feet inside the same room.
CNET's Product Briefs are generated by a software tool that combines product specifications with knowledge of our editorial experts. They do not reflect hands-on assessment or labs testing. For more information about how we create Product Briefs, contact us.

