Amazon.com Product Description
Redesigned with a precision unibody enclosure crafted from a single block of aluminum, the MacBook is thinner and lighter than its predecessor as well as stronger and more durable. But Apple didn't stop innovating with the body's design. The MacBook also includes a new 13.3-inch, LED-backlit glass display (instead of an LCD panel) and a glass trackpad that doesn't include a button (for larger tracking area) and features includes Apple's Multi-Touch technology.
 The redesigned MacBook (see larger version). |
It's pre-loaded with Apple's Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard operating system, which enables easy backup of your most important data via Time Machine, a redesigned desktop that helps eliminate clutter. It also comes with the iLife '08 suite of applications--including iPhoto, iMovie, Garageband, and iTunes--and the newest version of the fast-loading Safari web browser. Other hardware features include a 250 GB hard drive, 2 GB of installed RAM (which can be upgraded to 4 GB), an 8x combo Superdrive (for burning dual-layer DVDs as well as CDs), built-in Gigabit Ethernet for high-speed networking, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR (Enhanced Data Rate), and Mini DisplayPort video output (for DVI and VGA connections)
The New MacBook Design
Traditionally notebooks are made from multiple parts. With the new MacBook all of those parts with just one part--the breakthrough unibody enclosure. Every MacBook starts its life as a single block of aluminum, which is precisely machined into the basic unibody design. Another pass and the unibody takes shape. Another, and the integrated keyboard emerges. When you pick up a new MacBook you immediately notice the entire enclosure is thinner and lighter. And it feels strong and durable--perfect for life inside (and outside) your briefcase or backpack.
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The standard aluminum electro-static trackpad has been replaced with a new glass Multi-Touch trackpad, which provides 40 percent more tracking area than before. Use two fingers to scroll up and down a page. Pinch to zoom in and out. Rotate an image with your fingertips. Swipe with three fingers to flip through your photo libraries. Swipe with four fingers to show your desktop, view all open windows, or switch applications. The entire trackpad surface is also a button, allowing you to both track and click virtually anywhere on the trackpad. And you can easily enable multiple virtual buttons in software, such as right-clicking.
The keyboard has also been improved, with the rigid aluminum keyboard webbing cut precisely to hold the keys, which are curved to perfectly fit fingers. And it's illuminated, so when you're in low-light settings, such as airplanes or conference rooms, you can always see what you're typing.
The 13.3-inch display is made of edge-to-edge, uninterrupted glass for a smooth, seamless surface and features LED backlighting for brilliant instant-on performance that uses up to 30 percent less energy than its predecessor. The ultra-thin displays provide crisp images and vivid colors which are ideal for viewing photos and movies
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Experience improved energy efficiency, expanded wireless connectivity, and amazing battery life with the 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, which has a super-fast 1066 MHz front-side bus (FSB), and a large 3 MB L2 cache. (An L2, or secondary, cache temporarily stores data; and a larger L2 cache can help speed up your system's performance. The FSB carries data between the CPU and RAM, and a faster front-side bus will deliver better overall performance.)
The new hafnium-infused circuitry--which reduces electrical current leakage in transistors--conserves even more energy, giving you more time away from the wall outlet. With 3 MB of shared L2 cache, data and instructions can be kept close to the two processor cores, greatly increasing performance and allowing the entire system to work more efficiently. And, because the processor cores share the L2 cache, either can use the entire amount if the other happens to be idle.
Video Processing & Output
The new MacBook uses a graphics processor that economizes space without sacrificing battery life. The NVIDIA GeForce 9400M is great for gaming, providing up to a 5x performance boost. Enjoy faster, smoother, more responsive gameplay as you power your way through the 3D environments of Quake, Call of Duty, and Spore. The 9400M graphics processor shares 256 MB of DDR3 SDRAM with main memory.
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Hard Drive and Memory
The 250 GB Serial-ATA (SATA) hard drive (5400 RPM) quickens the pace with a higher speed transfer of data--akin to FireWire and USB 2.0. The 2 GB of PC3-8500 DDR2 RAM (two SO-DIMMs of 1024 MB) has an industry-leading 1066 MHz speed, and the RAM capacity can be increased to 4 GB.
Wireless Connectivity
The built-in 802.11n wireless networking provides up to five times the performance and twice the range of 802.11g, but it's also backward-compatible with 802.11a/b/g routers, enabling you to communicate with the a wide variety of Wi-Fi resources. It works seamlessly with the new AirPort Extreme with 802.11n. Use the built-in Bluetooth wireless technology to connect to your PDA or cell phone, synchronize addresses, or download pictures from your cell phone. You can also use a wireless headset for iChat audio chats and VoIP calls as well as quickly share files with a colleague.
Video Conferencing with Built-in iSight
Artfully placed in the glass display is an iSight camera, which enables easy video conferencing as well as allows you to snap pictures of yourself and create video podcasts. Using the iChat AV application, video conferencing is integrated into your iChat buddy list, so initiating a video conference is a breeze. iChat also lets you hold audio chats with up to 10 people and provides high-quality audio compression and full-duplex sound so conversation can flow naturally. For video podcasting, you can record a short clip using the iSight camera, then use iWeb to create a video blog entry or post your GarageBand-recorded podcast.
Other Features
- Two USB 2.0 ports
- Mini DisplayPort compatible with DVI, VGA, and dual-link DVI connectors (all optional)
- 8x slot-loading SuperDrive with the following write speeds: 8x DVD±R; 4x DVD±R DL (double layer); 4x DVD±RW; 24x CD-R; 10x CD-RW
- Built-in full-size backlit keyboard with 78 (U.S.) or 79 (ISO) keys, including 12 function keys and 4 arrow keys (inverted "T" arrangement)
- Internal omnidirectional microphone and built-in speakers
- Combined optical digital output/headphone out (minijack)
- Combined optical digital input/audio line in (minijack)
- 50-watt-hour lithium-polymer battery providing up to 5 hours of battery life
- Kensington lock slot
- Measures 12.78 x 8.94 x 0.95 inches (WxDxH) and weighs 4.5 pounds (including battery)
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The entire new MacBook family meets stringent Energy Star 4.0, EPEAT Gold and RoHS environmental standards, and leads the industry in the elimination of toxic chemicals by containing no brominated flame retardants, using only PVC-free internal cables and components, and using energy efficient LED-backlit displays that are mercury-free and made with arsenic-free glass.
Preloaded with Leopard and iLife '08
The biggest Mac OS X upgrade ever, the Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard operating system features over 300 new features, including:
- Time Machine, an effortless way to automatically back up everything on a Mac
- A redesigned Finder that lets users quickly browse and share files between multiple Macs
- Quick Look, a new way to instantly see files without opening an application
- Spaces, an intuitive new feature used to create groups of applications and instantly switch between them
- A brand new desktop with Stacks, a new way to easily access files from the Dock
- Major enhancements to Mail and iChat
 Preloaded with Leopard, you'll enjoy enhanced productivity and a clutter-free desktop (thanks to the the redesigned 3D Dock with Stacks). |
Time Machine lets you easily back up all of the data on your Mac, find lost files and even restore all of the software on their Mac. With just a one-click setup, Time Machine automatically keeps an up-to-date copy of everything on the Mac. In the event a file is lost, you can search back through time to find deleted files, applications, photos and other digital media and then instantly restore the file.
The MacBook also comes with the iLife '08 suite of applications that make it easy to live the digital life. Use iPhoto to share entire high-res photo albums with anyone who's got an email address. Record your own songs and podcasts with GarageBand. Break into indie filmmaking with iMovie and iDVD. Then take all the stuff you made on your MacBook and share it on the web in one click with iWeb.
Included Software
Mac OS X v10.5 Leopard (includes Time Machine, Quick Look, Spaces, Spotlight, Dashboard, Mail, iChat, Safari, Address Book, QuickTime, iCal, DVD Player, Photo Booth, Front Row, Xcode Developer Tools)
iLife '08 (includes iTunes, iPhoto, iMovie, iDVD, iWeb, GarageBand)
What's in the Box
MacBook, display cleaning cloth, lithium-polymer battery, 60W MagSafe Power Adapter, AC wall plug, power cord, install/restore DVDs, printed and electronic documentation
Customer Reviews
Ideal performance for size.
I have never owned a Macintosh product of any kind. The 13 inch MacBook fit all the specifications I wanted in a laptop including size and battery life. I was wary to make the change but the transition has so far been smooth. This includes my own customization of the laptop preferences and finding applications that fulfill my needs when the ones that come with it do not.
The screen works great. I have no problems with the glossiness in any way. Once the machine is on, I pay no attention to reflections most of the time. This may be due to the fact that I tend to avoid using it in lighting situations that would provide the most reflections. The auto-dim/brighten feature due to light sensitivity is nice. I am not sure it has a significant effect and it does seem overly responsive to small light changes.
Most displayed images and texts are sharp and colorful enough for my taste but it seems like some people may be annoyed by it a little bit. There does appear to be some slight blurring of text at certain positions on the screen, especially 'l's, 't's and 'f's where there is the horizontal line on each of those letters. There does not appear to be that line for 'l's in the default font but in some fonts it is there and you may notice the slight blurring.
Also, the max resolution of 1280 by 800 was at first surprising. I was expecting at least one more step up in resolution but it is still suitable for how I use it and the screen size. As I think about it now, an extra step up may make it more difficult to see clearly on because of the screen size. I do not think of the screen size as a con, if I did I would have gotten the 15 inch MacBook.
The trackpad works wonderfully in the native OS and I have no problems with the use of the gestures. The gestures do not feel in any way awkward or cumbersome to me. I have never had experience with that kind of interaction on a trackpad and the gestures feel reasonable for the actions that they perform. I find that the trackpad is the most accurate one I have used among a few laptops. This includes response to my own changes in finger movement speed, the tap clicking instead of using a button, and the scrolling gesture which I use the most among the gestures available.
The sound quality from the built-in speakers is fine. I cannot even find the speakers as of now. If you want high quality, get some headphones. Also, the microphone works surprisingly well. Again, if you want high quality, get your own microphone.
I cannot comment much on the built in camera as I have barely used it. It does appear to work satisfactorily if you want to use it for webcam chat programs.
I have used Bootcamp to install the Windows Vista Ultimate 32-bit version on a separate partition. The partitioning and installation process is easy. The only issue I have with Bootcamp is the fact you cannot adjust the size of a partition once it has been made. If you only use Bootcamp and want to change the Windows partition size, you must delete the partition and restart the whole process. There may be a third-party application that you could use but I personally think it should be a feature within Bootcamp.
The trackpad is significantly harder to use in Windows, but keep in mind this is a step down from what I consider to be the most responsive trackpad I have ever used. When I say 'significantly', I mean only that I can tell a difference. It is not an extreme difference. It is still quite usable. You do not get to use of most of the gestures as they are dependent on features within OS X Leopard; though the scroll gesture is still there and works well enough.
The Windows install was for playing games only. I did not want to leave them behind simply because I switched to a Macintosh. I also will most likely be using it to run SAS which is a statistical software. I am not sure if it will work or not at this point, but I am hopeful considering everything else works fine. The drivers are alright except for the 9400M graphics card not having newer drivers released by nVidia last I checked and some audio stuttering every few minutes. This does not represent a strong annoyance to me as it only lasts a few seconds. The stuttering is at a rapid rate so not much noise gets lost to it. Any voices are still audible and understandable as is the music and other effects.
The graphics are surprisingly good. Left 4 Dead and Bioshock both run fairly well. I have most options put to their highest settings except for the resolution and some texture settings. This is to ensure a smooth framerate which the MacBook is capable of in those two games. Do not expect max settings in newer games when purchasing this laptop. I have no problem with this. I am not the type of person that needs the best graphics. One final thing, games take a lot of energy and the battery life is greatly reduced when playing them. This is the case with all laptops and you will want to plug it in if you play graphic intensive games.
In general, I really enjoy my purchase of the 13 inch MacBook. Of course it does look nice but the main plus is how slim it is for the performance I get out of it. The battery life is excellent. Most features of the laptop are perfectly satisfactory or exceed my expectations. I do not recommend it for power users who want the best performance, people that have tons of peripherals (it only has two USB ports), or hardcore gamers that expect top quality graphics capabilities. It seems to be an excellent general use laptop but may not be the best choice for those who have a specialized need.
Everything I expected and more
This is my first laptop and my first mac. I already had an ipod and an iphone, and I was sold on the software and intuitiveness of it all. Being a PC user my whole life, I was a bit intimidated to get a Mac. However, after going full speed into it, I was up and comfortable after only a few days. I am officially sold. All future computers will be macs. I also now greatly regret getting my mom a new dell with vista on it a year ago. I nearly got her a mac but was worried because I didn't know the OS... turns out that I knew the OS of vista no better. Her next Christmas present will be a mac mini and an ipod touch.
This is my first Mac. I had almost no Mac experience prior to this computer. I love it!
Really fast set up and start up unlike Windows.
The track pad has so many functions - scroll, zoom in, zoom out, left and right click, switch program, etc.
The aluminum case is really solid (except my friend accidentally dropped his luggage and his Macbook was inside and it made a small dent...still works perfectly).
Battery life on this is great so far! If you are using the laptop and charging the battery it will take a while but once fully charged it's 2+ hours.
You can connect to other MacBooks via Bluetooth. Easy to connect but it's slow to transfer large
files.
source : www.retrevo.com
