35% off Dell's Most Popular Laptops
Entered CNET Catalog: 11/03/2007
SKU: 0885909208975
Manufacturer: Apple Inc.
Manufacturer description
The MacBook uses a graphics processor that economizes space in a whole new way. A traditional computer logic board contains multiple components: the CPU, two chips that control communication throughout the computer, and the graphics processor. The logic board in the MacBook contains only two components: the CPU and a graphics processor with all of the core logic built into a single chip. Open your MacBook and you're instantly greeted by glorious full screen brightness. Anything you view, including the glossy widescreen display itself, is a spectacular experience. The LED-backlit display is more power efficient. And it's mercury- and arsenic-free, so it's greener than ever.Product summary
The good: Upgraded CPU for the same price; same great design; Leopard operating system.
The bad: Still no Express card or SD card slots; only more expensive models are available in black.
The bottom line: Apple has been content to issue minor periodic hardware updates to the 13-inch MacBook, but the modest performance gains and new Leopard OS keep it in our top tier of laptop recommendations.
User opinions
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5/10
OK product. Not worth switch from PC
Pros: Intuitive user interface. Easy to add printers, etc. Lightweight. Stable OS.
Cons: EXTREMELY FRAGILE wireless communication. If I have anything less than full signal strength, the connection slows way down to dial-up speed and data gets dropped. I have notice that this problem crops up for many users without a clear solution.
User Rating: 
9/10
Spend more time with a product before [mis]judging it..
Pros: ? Ease of use
? Stability
? Well designed
? User Friendly
? Ability to run Windows and/or Linux as secondary, or even primary OSes, and having it run like "any other PC"
Cons: ? GMA X3100 graphics chip doesn't allow many games to run
? Internal speakers aren't the best, but they work well for how they're designed
Other than that, it works well for me and most other people who purchase it.
stevettodo, with all due respect, I really think you should have given your MacBook more of a chance.
Also, some nitpickyness:
"Calendar" is actually called "iCal". Apple's Mail client is actually quite usable. If you had given it more of a chance you would have seen that. Also, I agree with the user that said to run the system updates. Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard stock isn't perfect, and the updates improve it quite a bit.
Saying Windows is "better" is all a matter of usage. OS X has all the same functionality of Windows XP, can't say the same about Vista at this point.
With all that said, I always recommend Apple products to people that are just starting out with technology, and for experienced users alike. Whether or not they choose to take the plunge is their decision. I really don't mind either way, but usually users that DO take the plunge and switch over, are happy. I think it's the best time to go Mac with the current models, given it's running on the x86 architecture, making it the most universal platform on the market.
So, I give the MacBook that's the subject of this review 4.5/5 stars, solely due to the limited graphics capabilities. For me it doesn't matter, but for others it could.
User Rating: 9/10
Wow!! Great Computer--Not So Great Tech Support.
Pros: Great design, can run Windows and Mac, Leopard is great, No crashes, Fast.
Cons: Overheats, Bad Tech Support, Expensive.
User Rating: 9/10
excellent laptop
Pros: fast great photo shop
Cons: old monitor from pc doesn't work
User Rating: 9/10
Great product. Bye bye windows...
Pros: Functionality, OS X Leopard - amazing software, design, iWork
Cons: plastic body
User Rating: 
2/10
MACS SUCK AS USUAL
Pros: Not much: every innovation a PC has, has more or has done better
Cons: Cant run graphics cards in SLI mode - only XP and Vista can.
Cant run photoshop, Maya, autodesk, etc.. in 64 modes.
get better hardware,
get HDMI
get more memory and better GD for a better price
get something that can run 64 bit programs that professionals need.
get something that isnt the highest markedup hardware in the industry.
Stop being a *******!
Updated on Oct 25, 2008Another sad sad uninformed MAC user.
Misinformed or wrong.
As for digitalizing your life, welcome MAC users, its taken 8 years to catch up? PC users have been doing this for years.
The ability of a MAC to run XP or Vista on it in a dual boot or VM manner is a testiment to Microsoft's ability and NOT Apple's. Apple ties down its EFI chip so you must buy Apple's highest marked up hardware in the industry.
The simple things are probably easier on a MAC but anything more, you are restricted, you lack the software, you can't run important new programs in 64 bit, only Vista 64 can.
When you actually listen to computer user and not someone disgruntled because of their own inability, you might decide to get something that actually JUST WORKS. Vista 64 or XP 64.
the idiocy doesnt stop, many "mac users" regularly use XP and Vista on a MAC rather than OSX to get work done. Somehow the retardation effect doesnt sink in, that they should have just bought a PC to begin with and save money.
User Rating: 
10/10
Best Computer Ever
Pros: Very Speedy, Good at playing Spore and other games, Great for Multimedia
Cons: Nothing is BPr
Updated on Oct 25, 2008When I said BPr i meant BPr
Updated on Oct 25, 2008When I said BPr i meant BPr
User Rating: 10/10
Best laptop ever!
Pros: Fast, very good stability, rarely bugs, higly compatible, amazing apple apps
Cons: Black finishing not as strong as the aluminium, lack of card jack, a bit heavy for the size
User Rating: 10/10
Best laptop ever after MBP
Pros: everything, fast, small, beautiful
Cons: speakers are not to good
User Rating: 9/10
Mac, faster, better, more secure, portable genius!
Pros: Speed, small size, long battery life, great track pad, clear screen, fits into handbag, large hard disk, Airport facility, surprisingly tactile keyboard, smart design, super reassuring Time Machine, and most of all OS-X Leopard - and more.
Cons: Two USB ports close together, but Belkin's Ultra Mini Hub fixed that.
The MacBook, about the size of sheet of foolscap paper and about as thick as my thumb, fitted into my very small cabin bag.
Having been used to a mouse and a large keyboard on the PC, I doubted that I could ever get used to a track pad. The one on the Mac is genial. Scrolling by flicking two fingers is easier and more precise than my mouse ever was.
Wherever I stayed I had immediate, fast and free internet access via Airport. Perhaps I was just lucky; nevertheless, I enjoyed free access to the net.
I used the MacBook as my TV set, watching digital TV via Pinnacle USB TV stick; I used it as my photo album (though the Mac was smaller and lighter than my album at home); the Mac was my morning paper; it was my radio keeping me in touch with happenings at home; it was my music library and player; it was my studio to process photographs with Photoshop software; it was my diary and fincancial planner with Microsoft's Office.Mac; it was my correspondence file; it entertained me with audio books, kept me in touch - via those cute and clever "widgets" - with exchange rates and flight schedules; or it streamed music via Airport and iTune wirelessly to a hi-fi system. All without a hitch, with 4 GB on board.
(I won't even start on the smart design of the MacBook; that's a chapter in itself, as is the lack of viruses or malware, though one of these weeks I might think about getting anti-virus software.) The back-up via Time Machine is genial and I have benefited from it by going back a couple of weeks to resurrect documents and software I had discarded.
After use the MacBook disappeared into a drawer. No more computer desk, no tower, no messy cables, no mouse, no separate keyboard, not one indication that there is a super computer in the house. No more being confined to a computer corner. Now it's the terrace, or the kitchen table, or the armchair, or the bed.
The space once occupied by computer desk, desk top PC, and attendant clutter now holds a little table with a bowl of fruit.
What kind, you wonder? Apples, of course.
Volker Mattar
User Rating: 10/10
Best Laptop I've got!
Pros: This best PC I have is a Toshiba M700 tablet ... and I find myself wishing it had OSX on it! Unlike the tablet ... there has been no drama, the Mac just works!
Cons: I prefer my white Macbook ... the white frame around the screen seems to be easier on the eyes, other than that it's rock solid!
User Rating: 5/10
Very picky optical drive, so test drive before you buy.
Pros: I like the MacBook so much I have purchased two in the last week (only to return them). A solid evolution of the Apple platform in a realtively small package, it does what I need done.
Cons: MacBooks ignore and spit out all of my many home burned image file CD's where any I-Mac; MacBook Pro, Mac Pro, not to mention older G4 machines has zero problem. I am not smart enough to know why, but smart enough to move on.
User Rating: 9/10
FIRST TIME MAC USER
Pros: -style
-keyboard
-trackpad
-OSX
-Internal hardware (hard drive, memory, screen, battery)
-Build Quality
Cons: -price
-video card
User Rating: 
4/10
The worst computer I have ever owned. Period.
Pros: high resale value. black case
Cons: terrible wifi. slow, terrible calendar software. clumky os
User Rating: 9/10
I switched from a PC and i wished i would have done it sooner, makes the perfect college laptop
Pros: Lightweight, fast, quiet, reliable, The magnet cord to recharge is a great feature, great look, thin, bright screen, good battery life, good overall price with student discount
Cons: Can't upgrade DVD drive to blu ray
User Rating: 9/10
Perfect for anyone in need of a laptop.
Pros: OS X Leopard is smoother in operation compared to Windows Vista. And with Boot Camp, I can get the best of both worlds. Amazingly powerful laptop for the price you pay. Amazing battery life. And 802.11n Wi-Fi standard.
Cons: Glossy screen is a bit of a turn-off. Trackpad lacks multi-touch (for now). And for some reason, OS X Leopard seems to run slower than Tiger on a similar spec machine.
User Rating: 
8/10
I made the switch!
Pros: Sophisticated, clean, fast, easy to use
Cons: Compatibility, price
User Rating: 9/10
Great Laptop
Pros: Fast processor, light weight
Cons: Screen hard to read from certain angles
User Rating: 5/10
hello hello hello hello
Pros: hello hello hello hello
Cons: hello hello hello hello
User Rating: 
3/10
Big disappointment with my first (and last) Mac
Pros: Light, fast, nice looking
Cons: Very poorly made, confused technical support
User Rating: 
1/10
Terrible. The worst product I ever bought.
Pros: None. The only good thing is that it runs Microsoft Apps, but they run better on Windows.
Cons: Everything. The only two Mac Apps I run are Calendar and Mail and neither is as good as Outlook.
I cannot get VPN to work with systems that work on my IPhone. When I went to the Apple store, they couldn't help me because "VPN is not very common and the helpers aren't very familiar". However, VPN is common enough to put the functionality on the IPhone, where it works fine with the same systems it doesn't work with on Mac.
My girlfriend has a MacBook and complains of the same problems, but if she were buying a new computer would still buy another MacBook. The only people who like Macs are ignorant because of only using Macs in the past. They don't realize how much better Windows is.
You cannot get third party support. Buying a MacBook was a terrible mistake.
Don't buy a Mac. The only apps Apple writes are calendar, mail and a small photo app. Outlook and the third party apps for Windows are far superior.
Why would you buy a Mac to simply run a bunch of Microsoft apps? I can't imagine what I was thinking. I feel so dumb.
User Rating: 9/10
I Love My Mac
Pros: Virus-Free, Fast, Smart, Fun, Great Support
Cons: Many PC Only Programs
Thank god for Mac! HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT! User Rating: 10/10
Better than any Windows computer
Pros: Great operating system, great design, comfortable keyboard, great applications
Cons: No firewire 800, low speakers
User Rating: 9/10
Former PC/Win Laptop User now MacBook Forever
Pros: Performance; ease of use; smooth OS
Cons: Noisy optical drive
I researched numerous mid-range thin laptops, and I felt MacBook was comparable to PC offerings in price and features. The only key hardware shortcomings, in my view, are no express card slot (but can get a USB card) and only two (neighboring) USB slots (I was not concerned with high end video cards). Was pleased to have gigabit ethernet, BT 2.0, and WifiN (some PC offerings that were more expensive didn't), although wish it had the LED screen.
I AGONIZED over the potential pain of moving to a Mac OS after using Windows for 15 years--would I regret the attempt? My fingers are wired to use all the shortcuts going back to the days of Win 3.0 and the command line from MS-DOS, I have tons of data for Windows programs...you get the idea. But the questionable quality control and customer support with some of my other laptop options or their higher relative price, my fear of Vista problems, and the ability to run Windows on the Mac when needed made me take the plunge. Have you noticed the major difference in average CNET user opinions and comments between reviewers of Macs vs windows laptops? Opinions on most mid-price Windows machines are decidedly mixed, but almost everyone seems to love their Mac. Now I know why.
The best part: it WORKS PERFECTLY AND SMOOTHLY right out of the box. No crashes, hardware installation/configuration, endless re-starts. A few minutes of reading "Mac for Windows users" sites/advice, and it was easy to use/customize the OS and applications. Instant connections to wifi, BT, external drives, etc--no messing around like it seemed I always had to do with PCs. The optical drive is absurdly noisy sometimes. Screen is decent, keyboard nice, touch pad fine, videocam nice, decent sound, great battery life, love that magnetic power cord. The overall simplicity and functioning of the hardware makes you say, "why aren't all machines like this?"
The desktop/application management features are slick (Expose, Spaces, shortcuts). With the HD from my dead Win laptop in an external case w/ USB cable, I was able to transfer my data easily (slightly different storage scheme on Mac). Overall the basics of getting around the Mac are not THAT different from a Windows OS, I expected it to be harder.
Installed Office for Mac, the normal apps work great. Entourage is, as I knew, NOT an Outlook counterpart, and there is no perfect solution to migrate Outlook data (PST files, etc) to Entourage. I will probably use MissingSync to load contacts/tasks/calendar/notes into Entourage/iCal/etc from my WinMobile phone, and then migrate the email with Outlook2Mac or Emailchemy (neither is perfect). A corporate user might have to think through this carefully, I was not to worried with my personal email since I can always pull up an Outlook window to get into an archive...see next paragraph.
By far my favorite aspect of this new toy came when I installed VMWare Fusion (allows running other OS's on the Mac, simultaneously with Leopard). Wow is this a fantastic and well-executed concept! So simple, so smooth. This machine runs WinXPsp2 way more smoothly than my old PC, and the XP virtual machine (VM) is so eash to start/stop/configure. You can confine any guest OS to its own portion of the hard drive, protecting from infection of Win viruses. Since the import of Quicken data from Win to Mac is not seamless, I will use the XP VM to run Quicken. I'll also need to use IE for a few sites that don't work with Mozilla/Safari.
So for ~$1500 plus some software I got a machine that runs and looks great, and the confidence that it will continue to do so. If this machine meets your requirements for hardware and price, do NOT let the fact that it is a Mac stop you--even if you install VMWare/BootCamp/Parallels and ONLY use the machine with a Win/Sun/other OS, it is still worth doing for the quality and piece of mind.
User Rating: 10/10
Perfect, but get the white one and upgrade the harddrive if needed
Pros: Solid build, reliable OS, what more could u want?
Cons: screen resolution is low 1024x768
User Rating: 9/10
Just South of Absolute Perfection
Pros: Beautifully designed, attention grabbing system; Bright display; Comfortable keyboard; OS X 10.5 Leopard; Good trackpad; Powerful as Hell processor; As good with Windows as it is with OS X
Cons: Runs pretty warm; No graphics upgrade option; Not quite enough expandability
To be completely honest, however, let me be clear: I am totally in love with my Macbook. It's just the right size to take virtually everywhere with me. It's significantly more powerful than the Dell desktop that it replaced. It attracts attention, when you whip a Macbook out, people pay attention.
This computer is perfect for everything that I do on it. It's comfortable for a few hours of internet browsing, or typing a report or blog post. Leopard's features are proving more and more useful by the day. iMovie is vastly superior to anything I've used in Windows, and there really is no substitute fo r Garageband. Time Machine might be one of the coolest features any operating system has come out with in a decade or more, and it really makes the essential task of backups a non-issue. I don't use Microsoft Office, but it's right there as an option if you need it.
The standard 2 GBs of RAM and the 2.4 GHz processor really make this system shine. I regularly use Photoshop CS3 and it handles the program like a champ. I loaded Windows XP up using Boot Camp and, frankly, I've never seen it running better. World of Warcraft runs great, even on it's integrated graphics...
But there is one of my sticking points. I would've gladly shelled out another $200 to Apple to have an even mid-level graphics card in the system. I love the 12.1" screen and the overall small form factor of the Macbook, but it really looks like I'll have to swallow the extra 3" and get a Macbook Pro at one point or another.
It's not a huge issue, as I have no problem at all plugging my camera's USB cable in, but an SD card reader seems like an obvious option that's been overlooked. It could easily be placed on either side of the system without messing too much with the sleekness. Another USB port or two, or perhaps an ExpressCard slot would've been nice as well, or at least a cellular internet option...
It's hard to nitpick a computer quite as good as this though. For every problem that might arise there're a dozen or so good points to counter it. If you're in the market and are looking for a Macbook, by all means buy it and never look back. I did and I've never been happier with a notebook.
User Rating: 10/10
One amazing laptop!
Pros: Extremely fast. It looks really sharp and thin. Also, it's got great features like the iSight camera, MagSafe, and the easy-to-type-on keyboard.
Cons: Trackpad is a little jumpy, and the screen looks a bit washed out.
User Rating: 9/10
Best laptop ever
Pros: built in I sight camera, fast processor, mag-safe power adapter, bootcamp, mac osx leopard, nice design, built in bluetooth, 802.11n.
Cons: white notebook can get dirty, extra money for black notebook.
It comes with mac os-x leopard, and I life '08 so whatever you're into video editing, developing, music mixing or making a vlog, the macbook can do it all.
The small features on the computer really add up, such as the built in microphone and I sight camera, the magsafe power adapter, front row, and charge level indicator lights directly on the battery. And as a side note, this thing is blazing fast.
User Rating: 4/10
way overpriced
Pros: always on, battery life
Cons: overpriced, no right click
User Rating: 9/10
great little machine
Pros: poweful, lightweight, good battery life, great os
Cons: none so far
User Rating: 9/10
simple, easy, just works
Pros: very intuitive, well thought out
Cons: needs video memory
User Rating: 9/10
Windows user converted!
Pros: Sexy, powerful, OS X is sleek and easy to use
Cons: Slightly more expensive than other 13 inch laptops
For the big Apple price tag, you are getting a sexy machine which has good solid tech specs, and has also focussed on the little things:
The mag-safe power adapter means your purchase isn't going to get tripped off the desk; The hard drive has an in-built sudden motion sensor - if the accelerometer suddenly notices a rapid change in velocity, the hard drive will lock up - preventing data loss in the case of a dropped MacBook; the magnetic latch also mean no moving parts to jam or get stuck after lots of usage!
All these small things will help to make your purchase last longer. You're paying for the finer detail, but it's worth it to get a laptop that will last.
A few Cons however:
A larger screen (like the 15" MacBook Pro) would have been nice - however you are getting much more value for money with a MacBook in terms of computing power VS $$$, compared to the (overpriced) MacBook Pro.
The speakers are small and weak - but what laptop speakers aren't?
The unit gets quite hot sometimes - even when only running one or two basic Apps.
For me, the Pros heavily outweigh the Cons. Unless you're a graphic design artist, or work in a field which requires heavy CPU usage and a large screen, the MacBook will do the trick and then some. I'm a university student with 6 years of study ahead. It's good to know my MacBook will still be around and working by then.
User Rating: 9/10
Vista did it for me!
Pros: Portability, Time Machine, Supports Windows Virtual Environments
Cons: Lack of a good docking solution, hard drive space (500GB units are just now hitting the market)
I started replacing one Dell desktop with a 20? iMac. Very nice. Next to go was a Dell D600 laptop replaced by this MacBook. Let me start by saying that I am not a hardcore gamer, so integrated video is not a huge deal. Knowing that there is some expectation that the video will be bad with games, I downloaded a trial of WarCraft. Really, the performance is not bad.
So, how did I get here? I started by comparing apples to apples (pun intended) with PC laptops. If I were going to buy a similarly equipped and size PC laptop, what would it cost. In this comparison, since I wanted portability, I was actually looking for a smaller screen size so that ruled out several 15 inch PC laptops. What I found was that the costs were similar and not enough to be too concerned about. I couldn?t come to drop $1,500 on a laptop though. So, how did I end up with a black MacBook? Check out the Apple refurb units. I don?t have an innate fear of buying a refurb unit from the original manufacturer. My Dell D600 was a refurb bought from Dell and it performed flawlessly until age caught up with it. So, instead of dropping the $1,500, I dropped $1,049 for the 2.2 model after the 2.4 hit the market. Yes, not the latest and greatest, but it is light years ahead of the 1.6 in the Dell D600. Plus, it satisfied my miserly tendencies.
How as the switch gone? Great so far. I have not left the world of Windows completely behind. There are some programs like Viso which I use on a regular basis that I just can?t leave. So, viola, VM Ware Fusion and a copy of Windows XP 64 bit and I run Visio in Windows. Additionally, the MacBook is leading the charge in a new effort I have to completely digitize my world. Enter Notebook 2.1 stage left. Now all of my work notes are entered in the digital equivalent of a spiral notebook that tracks my due dates and to do items on the fly. Next comes Bento leading the charge for electronic organization of things such as a home inventory, time tracking for work, expense tracking for work, etc. Not near the power of Access, but for what it is, Bento is not too bad for its initial version.
In summary, I see the MacBook as an enabler. It gives me options that I did not have in the PC world while supporting the ability to run Windows if I so desire or need. If you combine the portability along with the power, it is a solid computer choice. If you are a hard core gamer, then this won?t be the best choice. But if you have more traditional needs, you will be just fine. And lastly, it just works. I was very PC savvy and could troubleshoot and solve any Windows problem I ran across. But I was tired of doing that. Now, I spend less time trying to figure out the solution for the problem of the day.
User Rating: 8/10
Very capable laptop, with some flaws
Pros: Leopard OS. Boot Camp, lots of speed
Cons: Can run hot, small screen, poor speakers
What don't I like? The small screen. That is NOT what I needed for work, but the price for the Pro model was beyond my willingness to pay. The MacBook also tends to run hot for no discernible reason, e.g. 173 degrees with only Safari and iTunes and Entourage running. I've got 2 gigs of RAM, so what the....? My solution so far has been to install SMCfancontrol, which allows one to increase the minimum fan speed. That works to a degree, but the machine still runs hot on occasion. What else? Oh yes, I got an "invalid sibling link" within a week of purchasing this machine, which prevented me from booting. Thanks, Apple. So I had to re-install Leopard, re-install software and gillions of files, etc, etc. But since then, no problems.
Typical lousy speakers (thanks, Steve Jobs) and an SD card reader would have been nice. And the optical drive motor is so loud that I can't use my Rosetta Stone language CD. (This is standard for the industry except on more expensive laptops. But MacBooks ARE more expensive laptops!!)
All in all, a very good machine with a few issues. I'd recommend it.
User Rating: 10/10
This Baby Really Rocks!!!
Pros: Fast boot time & really clear screen
Cons: No backlit keyboard.
User Rating: 8/10
Beauty of a machine; not for gamers
Pros: Speed; portablility
Cons: Video card not compatible with many games
The one issue I have is the video card. Admittedly, I should have read up on it before making my purchase; I had hoped to be able to play games, and of course the first thing to do is check out the video card specs. I did not do this, and sorely wish I had. While it does what it needs to for the general applications on the computer, unfortunately many games do not support it. Too bad; everything looks so nice on this machine I can imagine that games would look gorgeous, but alas, all I can do it seems, is just that; imagine.
All in all, though, really, for uses outside of gaming, this is a great computer.
User Rating: 9/10
Best computers ever
Pros: No viruses, fast system, all the hardware you need
Cons: some software is not compatible, not compatibale with Sony DLNA
Now you can even add windows to your mac, but why would you. The biggest issue here is compatiblity with certain microsoft software and programing. If you are only running a mac os, some stuff just might not work, or you'll have to got through an obstacle course looking for extra software to make it work. so far ive had problems with syncing my blackberry, and also with setting up my playstaion 3 on the dlna network so i could play the media on my macbook on my ps3
User Rating: 
7/10
Solid laptop with a few flaws
Pros: Size, keyboard, price
Cons: Screen, ports
I would prefer a matte screen to the glossy screen. Color saturation seems to be extremely sensitive to viewing angle, and this is not a behavior I see with my MBP. I would like to see a FW800 port added to the machine. Finally, the fit of the battery cover is finicky. I upgraded the base memory and the cover doesn't fit tightly afterwards and I get slight shocks from the casing.
If I had to do it again, I think I might just opt for another MBP instead of this machine.
User Rating: 3/10
Once again junk except this is Mac Junk
Pros: none except that Jobs gets rich
Cons: slow,slow,slow
User Rating: 9/10
long time pc rebelling with 1st mac; running XP in parallels virtual machine
Pros: so much easier to use than pc; less vulnerable than windows; MUCH BETTER CUSTOMER SERVICE THAN PCs
Cons: More expensive; hard to load in devices to virtual PC in parallels; less software available than PCs
User Rating: 9/10
Mac & PC all in one Little Black Box!
Pros: Portability, Sleek Design, Ability to run Mac OS X & Windows XP or Vista using BootCamp
Cons: Battery Life Leaves a bit to be desired, Wish they had a 15" version of the MacBook for the same price.
User Rating: 10/10
First time MAC user here, and found out it was LONG overdue
Pros: Reliable, FAST, extremely fast boot up, too many to list!
Cons: Screen isnt as crisp as I thought it would be
User Rating: 10/10
unbelievably easy to learn
Pros: OS, OS, OS, iphoto, burning, imovie, everything
Cons: little expensive, big learning curve
User Rating: 10/10
Maybe not perfect but very very close
Pros: Leopard. great keyboard and screen.
Cons: No firewire 800 port
User Rating: 10/10
This IS the laptop
Pros: Great glossy display, it's Apple, Has everything out of the box.
Cons: Get's diry mor foten than other laptops because of the black finish that it has.
. User Rating: 9/10
Love my MacBook! Could be better though..
Pros: Design, function, Leopard, Mac mystique.....
Cons: Needs more app developers, always expense compared to pc's..
User Rating: 9/10
Durable and Awesome
Pros: Good Hardware, Awesome OS, Good Screen Size
Cons: No dedicated Memory Card, Black cost More
User Rating: 9/10
Incredible unit, but with some minor flaws
Pros: Sleak, Fast, Compact
Cons: Gets Hot, Fan gets loud
User Rating: 10/10
Much better than Windows
Pros: Fast, sleek, large memory/ hard drive
Cons: none!!! ^_^
User Rating: 5/10
Overrated!
Pros: Coherent design, solid keyboard, battery life.
Cons: Price compared with competitive machines, sluggish.
Sorry, I just can't be convinced that OS X is worth hundreds of dollars over a superior Windows computer.
User Rating: 9/10
From a former PC guy...
Pros: good build quality, stable and secure OS
Cons: too few USB ports, and too close together
It was the right move, although the learning curve was a little steeper than I expected. Someone who is/was not as involved in the nuts and bolts of the OS might have an easier time of it, however, as there would be fewer WinOS habits to unlearn.
The MacBoook is a bit pricey, but well put together, and the assembly quality is better than the low-end PCs that I had been using of late. The slot-loading optical drive means no more gingerly operating a flimsy disc tray, and the magnetic lid is a nice touch. The keyboard has good tactile feedback, the screen is bright and clear, and the connections for USB, audio, etc. all fit securely.
Battery life is good, especially with some minor tweaking to the power management features. Boot-up and shut-down are fast, and OS X Leopard has so far been very stable. Being free of the need for conventional resource-sucking antivirus and spyware software has been a performance plus.
On the down side: Hard-wired connectivity isn't the greatest. There are only two USB ports, both located on the same side of the chassis, and too close together. Cables or devices that are only a little wider than the ports themselves won't fit simultaneously. iLife is an impressive suite of creativity tools, but I might have preferred to have iWork included instead, since the bulk of my work is more pedestrian spreadsheets and word processing. (Boring, I know. Most prospective Mac buyers might disagree with me.)
I bought the black Mac, but would probably recommend others get the white. The price difference for the black isn't cost effective, and the matte finish can get marked up with fingerprints easily.
If you're happy using Windows or have a lot invested in Windows softwawe, making "The Switch" might not be for you. If, however, you've considered moving to Mac and you need a notebook, the MacBook is a good way to do it.
User Rating: 9/10
Realiable laptop
Pros: The laptop has a very comfortable keyvoard.
Cons: The screen is knd of little
User Rating: 9/10
Macs are GREAT!
Pros: Fast, easy, pretty
Cons: None so far
User Rating: 9/10
Switched From PC to Mac... Couldn't Be Happier!
Pros: weight, screen, desktop, speed, dock, applications, ipod conversion software, pretty much everything...
Cons: fingerprints show easily
User Rating: 9/10
BEST LAPTOP EVER
Pros: Software, Look, Screen
Cons: ONLY 2 USB 2.0s
User Rating: 9/10
Cannot go wrong with a Mac
Pros: OS X Leopard, good graphics, fast speed
Cons: No memory card slot, No Express Card 34 slot; no PCMCIA slot
User Rating: 9/10
Fantastic everyday computer.
Pros: Great design and value. Good battery life and nice clean layout.
Cons: Would like there to be a two-button mouse and more memory.
I do with my MacBook came with 2GB of memory standard as opposed to the 1GB it came with and I do miss the two-button mouse of the Windows world, but other than that I think it rocks.
User Rating: 4/10
I have nothing but HUGE problems with this computer!!
Pros: You can run 2 operating systems at once with parallels
Cons: Paraelles crashes horrifficly with Lepord.
User Rating: 8/10
Very good but as usual has some flaws
Pros: OS X, Looks good, decent power under the hood
Cons: Can cut your wrists if not carful, no dedicated GPU, No LED screen
Anyways my impressions of this machine so far:
Its fast and everything loads quickly...its definately no slouch. Leopard works well for the most part but like every new OS needs a little tweaking. Basically everything works well out of the box
It'll get you looks as the laptop looks good i'd say even better than the white version.
However i've found some issues with it.
For one there is a significant design flaw on the notebook. The edge between the palm rest and the base of the notebook is quite sharp and can cause some serious discomfort when using the trackpad unless you don't rest your palms on the edge at all which is not a natural thing to do
Also you will notice the fact that you're using an integrated graphics solution, transitions/animations (eye candy) in Leopard can become jerky and laggy. Supposedly though, this will be fixed in the form of a driver update soon.
Finally i was a bit bummed that Apple still didn't include an LED screen in the current revision like other manufacturers are doing. It would have decreased weight (5 pounds currently) and improve battery life (between 4 & 5hrs) but instead Apple would rather you pony up the extra cash for a MacBook Pro which has this
Overall i don't hate the laptop in fact, i quite like it due to the flexibility it gives in terms of running multiple OS with very good performance thanks to high-end processors, ample storage etc but i am not 100% satisfied with it.
However if you're looking to try out OS X whilst retaining the option to run other OSes then this laptop is for you and offers decent value for money.
User Rating: 9/10
worth every cent!!
Pros: Simplicity & functionility
Cons: none really apart being pricey
User Rating: 5/10
Simple, but eh.
Pros: Ease-of-use, stability in OS
Cons: Incompatibility with several software products, keyboard issues.
Actually, it drove me back into Microsoft's arms.
I had leased it from my high school to use as a laptop thinking maybe it would enticeme to buy one. I technically owned it since we had ordered 3 Macs (out of a school with 200 Windows PCs). I took it home, toyed with it a bit and tested it comparably with the Windows Vista system I had baught just 6 months ago. The quickness was easily noticed, and for a novice the ease of use was note-worthy.
I soon learned a personal truth. The MacBook didnt really have many features that Windows XP or Vista were really yearning. I liked the Tiger OS much much better, which held a fighting chance at knocking XP of it's throne. Leopard has several unadressed issues, such as random program executions and Durability issues.
At the time I leased this, I was unbiased in relation to the Windows and Macintosh OS's. After I tried both Vista and Leopard for 6 and 3 months, respecitivly, I can honestly say that Mr. Jobs should be a little more focused on customer service rather than trying to topple Microsoft.
Note: This decision also had a part in which mp3 player I baught. I had bought a zune 30 a year ago, and now I have a zune 80 sitting next to me. I'm sorry Apple, please put some oomf behidn your name like you had a few years ago.
Thanks!
User Rating: 8/10
Wait...Bias, anyone?
Pros: Unknown, I didn't change the current rating
Cons: Unknown, I didn't change the current rating
User Rating: 9/10
I love it, no problems upgrading to Leopard, highly recommended
Pros: fast, small size, lightweight, trouble free
Cons: runs very hot,
Leopard is more evolutionary than revolutionary with two significant exceptions; Time Machine and Spaces. They are worth the price of the software.
User Rating: 10/10
Amazing computer!
Pros: Everything about it....It really just works...
Cons: Keyboard, but issue was fixed by Apple.
User Rating: 8/10
MacBook does support Mobile Broadband
Pros: Perfect for teenagers - no viruses, intuitive O/S, smart features like magnetic pwr supply cord
Cons: No memory card slot, runs very hot near power supply
User Rating: 9/10
When will I learn? PC's just can't compare to a MAC
Pros: Quality build; scary fast; great screen; compact form factor; awesome keyboard
Cons: No Express Card 34 slot; no PCMCIA slot; no dedicated video
I initially set out to purchase an HP TX1320 (specs: AMD TL-60; 2 gig Ram; 250 hard drive; tablet; 12.1" screen; great speakers; dedicated video, er 64 native, 128 can be allocated if I recall correctly) but visited CompUSA and tried it out first. It had an excellent keyboard, quality look and feel to it, but I could not focus on the screen without squinting. I was very disappointed.
My alternate object of affection was the beautiful Sony TZ 150. Wow, she was gorgeous. Had a sleek, quality design. Though only 2.7 pounds, she had a built-in DVD writer, wicked long life battery, great keyboard (similar to the Blackbook, albeit a bit cramped), and a screen to die for. So why didn't I get it? I could not see myself typing out my whitepapers hunched over such a small screen. My eyes were strained too much during grad school and I really needed a machine that was travel-wise yet provided much needed ergonomic comfort (I still have a soft spot for my old iBook 14" ... she was hot). But alas, I digress...
Now convincing myself to buy another Mac wasn't difficult, I just wanted to sample my options. Sure I looked at the Toshiba Tecra M8, Satellite U305-S5127 (she wasn't bad in the eyes), but the build quality just didn't stack up. I suppose I've been a bit brainwashed by Steve Jobs, but after owning a Mac SE 30, iMac, 2 iBooks, 2 Powerbooks, and a MacBook Pro, I really like the Mac platform. Having said all this, I am still equally drawn to Windows machines. I've owned 2 Thinkpads, 2 Sony Vaios (SZ and T series), one wild night with a cheap Acer (she won't let me forget it...suppose I drank too much), and countless short term relationships with nondescript Win-Tel laptops, but haven't found the COOL factor in any Windows machine to date. There I said it -- the COOL factor. I know I can be a bit shallow when it comes to aesthetics, but I appreciate a good looking lady, er laptop!
OK, let me get back on track. The Blackbook is a well executed design. My only drawbacks are the lack of a PC card slot, and dedicated video card. I am not a hard core gamer, but I like options. Verizon Broadband should be happy because I had to purchase a USB 720 exterior card to stay connected on the road, and will not be using my Express Card 34 Broadband card, thus extending my contract (don't get me started on that oligopoly arrangement Sprint, Verizon, AT&T -- really a 2-year commitment just to but new technology!!)
In closing, if you are even considering a purchase of a MacBook, I'd say go for it. Even as an owner of the MacBook Pro, I find the MacBook black edition, more attractive and it has a superior keyboard feel (I like the tactile feel; MBP is too mushy). Finally, the battery lasts a whopping 5+ hours versus 3 hours for my MBP (your results may vary).
Peace,
blackmanrising
User Rating: 9/10
Amazing computer
Pros: Small, powerful for everything but gaming
Cons: nothing but the money
User Rating: 10/10
LOVE this computer!
Pros: Blazingly fast, compact size, easy breezy beautiful usability
Cons: Some hiccups getting airport extreme base station running, not cheap when fully loaded (but worth every penny)
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