Yeah, we have no shame. We marched ourselves down to the Apple store yesterday afternoon and
shoved through braved some lines to get our grubby mitts on Apple's latest, the consumer-oriented
MacBook. You've probably already seen some pics of this thing in the wild, but we'll hook you up with our five minute rundown.
With the MacBook you're getting a full fledged Mac machine: Core Duo processor -- not Core Solo as some had expected -- WXGA display, digital video out to power that 24-incher, Bluetooth, a slot loading DVD burner (depending on your model), the whole megillah. What you aren't getting, however, is slightly more subtle. Yes, you're not getting that 15.4-inch display or the ExpressCard slot (remember, the iBook before the MacBook didn't have a PC Card slot, either), nor are you getting that fancy ATI Mobility Radeon X1600, but you're also forgoing that notably larger MacBook Pro power brick, mechanical latches, and a dimmer (though less reflective) display. Click on for more!
One of the first things we were curious about was the keys. This Mac's keyboard was visually quite different from every other we've seen in the past, and is obviously its most aesthetically striking and distinctive feature.
The flat square keys lack side or top ridges, making touch typing a little unusual (and possibly somewhat difficult), being that the only physical key delineation is the space between them. What made up for this, however, was the notably more tactile key feedback when compared to the PowerBook and MacBook Pro, which share the same lame, mushy keyboard.
Yep, keyboard felt great, looks good, but might be annoying to learn to type on. It's a risk / reward trade off we'd probably be willing to make, and we fancy ourselves something of laptop keyboard snobs.
That IR sensor is a little more discreet than on the MBP.
Also missing are those awful looking iBook speaker-circles, which have been conveniently repositioned to the rear of the machine, completely out of sight. Praise be to minimalism.
The side panel's pretty simple. You've got your MagSafe, gigabit Ethernet, digital out (to a DVI dongle), FireWire 400, two USB 2.0, and audio in / out. Missing: analog modem, which is available as a USB add-on.
Are you really willing to pay the $200 more it costs for the 20GB extra drive space and the matte black finish? Well, we sure as hell wouldn't (not that we have anything against black finish computers).
The glossy screen seemed to worry some people. If you've ever used a Sony XBRITE display (like the ones we use day in and day out here at Engadget HQ), you know a glossy display. The MacBook's was in fact a bit glossy, but was less glossy than a Sony -- all in all a pretty good trade off between enhanced brightness and contrast without any over the top reflectivity.
About as thin as its Pro brethren. And that latch -- ahh the feeling. If you thought the MagSafe snapped home with a satisfying click, check out the latch on this thing. A very confident closure, but a very reasonable opening, too -- it's positively magnetic (wahh). Just don't go jamming your credit carts along the bezel, who knows what'll happen.
What can we say -- if you configure a white MacBook the same as a MacBook Pro, you save just under a $1,000. Actually, we'd say that's a pretty freaking great value. So what about our precious EV-DO, you ask? Well, whatever, there's Bluetooth DUN or tethering -- we'll find a way to make it work. Unlike the iBook, which felt really truly low end, the MacBook strikes us as an amazing portable value -- both PC and Mac -- that's either going to go unsung, or sell an insane amount of units. Now Steve, seriously man, two mouse buttons. Make it happen.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
icruise @ May 17th 2006 8:07AM
Looks like the keyboard and the glossy screen are going to be love it/hate it sorts of things. For the record, though, I think the aluminum PowerBooks (and presumably the MacBook Pros) have the best keyboards I've ever used on a portable. Light years beyond Apple's previous portable keyboards, and far from "mushy."
Alon @ Jun 10th 2007 11:55AM
Hi Everyone!
Not long ago i decided i was moving from PC platform to MAC, which i didnt do yet,
but really planning on going MAC.
Currently i own a Desktop PC that has 2.80ghz Pentium 4, 1GB Ram, Nvidia Graphic Card Geforce FX 5200 and a hard drive of 360GB.
I wanted to ask if it is recommended to upgrade to a macbook 2.16Ghz, 2GB RAM and 120GB Hard drive.
Please help me to decide!
Thanks..
DeeGee @ May 17th 2006 8:11AM
The keyboard is the only thing that I am worried about. I am currently typing on my iBook, but I'm sure I'll get used to the new one quickly. Thanks for the review!
-DeeGee
David Appleyard @ May 17th 2006 8:11AM
It looks like a stunning machine - one I'll almost certainly be upgrading to from my current Mac Mini. Well done Apple, nice to see you're giving the consumer as great a deal as the pros.
mike @ May 17th 2006 8:12AM
>> Now Steve, seriously man, two mouse buttons. Make it happen.
Not exactly the same as two satisfying mouse buttons, buuuuuuuuuuuut (from MacCentral.com) :
"... when you click while you?ve got two fingers on the MacBook?s trackpad, the button becomes a control-click/right-click button. (This is an option; you can turn it on or off in the Trackpad tab of the Keyboard & Mouse preference pane.)"
TexRob @ May 17th 2006 8:13AM
If my iBook hadn't aged so darn well (G3 700) I'd be all over this. Truly an amazing value in the non-black model. Anyone who thinks Apple is overpriced hasn't looked at what prices have done over the past 3 years. Small premium for fantastic quality and design, but that's about it.
idesign @ May 17th 2006 8:14AM
Hey guys. Right Click = 2 fingers on the trackpad + click. I think the option is in Sys Prefs somewhere. Now that's minimalist!
Mat @ May 17th 2006 8:16AM
I dont know whether im impressed or not...Im not keen on the Matte finish, but i havent seen one in the flesh yet. I know people keep going on about the integrated graphics, but are they really that bad? Whats the spec on that thing?
I did imagine it to be much thinner and sleeker, but i wasn't that keen on the last ibook to be honest.Was a bit too clunky.
Next to the last ibook revision though, the spec is miles better, so thats good i suppose.
Paul @ May 17th 2006 8:18AM
Actually, there ARE two mouse butons.
Just go to mouse preference and activate the cool feature that enables 2 fingers on trackpad + click = right click.
It's basically a logical extension of the scrolling trackpad feature. Apple, as usual, found a way to do it without resorting to the kludgy method of actually having two physical buttons. Once you start to use it, you'll wonder why no one thought of it before (just like the scrolling trackpad)!
.
John from Buffalo @ May 17th 2006 8:18AM
http://www.johnwaller.org/macbook/
Read and read and read. I have Windows XP Home w/ .NET working on it with ALL drivers. NO FREAKIN KIDDING! WORKS 100%!
Ihar `Philips` Filipau @ May 17th 2006 8:22AM
Of courtesy of Apple, some features of iBooks are locked down. One thing I have hit, is that screen resolution is caped at 1024x768 and external display can work only in mirroring mode. There are patched for iBook's formware to remove the limitation.
I wonder what Apple had castrated on the new MacBooks.
PS Damm that thing is sexy!!!
Zadillo @ May 17th 2006 8:27AM
Hrmm, have to say, I'm tempted now. At first I was kind of disappointed in the integrated graphics, but then it occurred to me that I didn't buy my old G3 iBook to play games on either. As it is, I have a Sony Vaio s360 which has an ATI Mobility Radeon 9700, and as cool as the thought was to me of being able to play real games on it, in reality, I don't use it for games (I just don't find playing 3d games like FPS's all that comfortable on a laptop), and I use it mainly for writing, etc......... this sounds like a really tempting machine actually, and if Windows XP runs well on it as well, I could ditch my PC laptop too. I'm going to have to go down to the Apple store and give this thing a look. I still kind of wish there wasn't the price premium on the black one though (it's $1399 at the educational price), since black still strikes me as the natural color for a Mac laptop.
Pete @ May 17th 2006 8:38AM
This is a total noob question, but does this support bootcamp?
I've been looking at a mac for my next laptop cause I need it get met through college without breaking but I'd like it to play nice with my pc's too. This is looking pretty promising for the price.
dan @ May 17th 2006 8:57AM
Unfortunately you cannot configure the MacBook like a MBP because you don't get a decent graphics card and you don't get it without glossy finished screen.
otherwise this would be perfect.
Conrad Quilty-Harper @ May 17th 2006 8:58AM
"Are you really willing to pay the $200 more it costs for the 20GB extra drive space and the matte black finish? Well, we sure as hell wouldn't (not that we have anything against black finish computers)."
Thank you! I just ordered the mid range white model with a BTO 80GB drive - identical to the black model but 90 cheaper!
Harrison @ May 17th 2006 9:00AM
last night when i first saw these, i was convinced that it's worth the extra money for the pro.
now i'm not so sure.
i've owned an iBook G3 12" for 4 months now. I bought it second hand for AUD$200, and it's the best computer i've ever bought.
I do graphic and web design by trade, and i'm an industrial design student, which means I need decent graphics capability. I'm thinking the integrated graphics aren't such a big deal when weighted with a 2GHz Duo and 1GB RAM.
I would like a bigger screen, but by the same token my PC runs the 17" monitor at 1280 resolution, so it won't be such a big deal on the 13" screen.
I priced it against a comparable dell, and the difference was all of AUD$60 extra for the MacBook. Every time I look at it, i'm convinced i'm going to buy one.
The AUD$2200 it will cost me will take probably until the end of the year to save, which means if I can hold out [keep my G3 iBook running until then] I will wait a year for the upgraded models and buy it then. Maybe they'll have an illuminated keyboard by then.
BAH I'm conflicted.
SteamSHIFT @ May 17th 2006 9:01AM
The graphics card is the real kicker for me - I'd happily go for a MacBook and save myself a load of money but for graphics intensive apps, that built in jobby isn't going to cut it.
Glancing Aft @ May 17th 2006 9:03AM
Same question as Pete, does this thing run bootcamp? I need to prove to my office that I can run windows on it :(
Zac Grose @ May 17th 2006 9:04AM
The Macbooks are not restricted to a particular resolution, they support screen spanning (not just mirroring), and yes, they support boot camp (everything on the intel chip does).
Mo Far @ May 17th 2006 9:06AM
How bad is the graphics card? Somebody?
David @ May 17th 2006 9:08AM
Nice review along with the afore-commented John Waller review. Just a quick question. I have a (relative) student going to an art college (FIT-NYC) and they want an Apple notebook. Are the integrated graphics on the new MB good enough for moderate use of Photoshop, Illustrater and the like? Or would a MBP be better suited in the long run? I'm aware that the Universal Adobe products won't come out until CS3 but in the meanwhile? Thanks.
John Doe @ May 17th 2006 9:16AM
WTF was Apple thinking with that GPU? They must have some sort of contract with Intel. To get pref treatment with the CPU's you have to use our craptastic GPU or something. Seriously you couldn't pay me to take a laptop with an Intel GPU esp considering how heavily Apple uses their GPU to drive the UI. People who buy this system are idiots to don?t get that this thing has planned obsolescence written all over it. I can?t wait to see how Leopard and Quartz 2D extreme brings this thing to its knees.
Hank Cazorp @ May 17th 2006 9:17AM
I disagree with the notion that two buttons is somehow "kludgy" but "holding two fingers on the trackpad and clicking" is "logical".
Ashton Tibbitt @ May 17th 2006 9:18AM
I know I'm not going to even think about getting one until they come out with an illuminated keyboard! Thats one of the things I love most on the MacBook Pro model. I don't know though. Its not like I can afford either of them right now...... :(
Ashton Tibbitt
LordJezo @ May 17th 2006 9:19AM
Okay, how about this.
I know the Apple v. Mac thing stinks, but, is there a Windows laptop out there with in the same form factor as the Macbook or Powerbook? Does any company make a Windows laptop as thin and small for the price?
Shmoe @ May 17th 2006 9:22AM
I don't think typing on that will be very good. Indented keys are important.
Aaron @ May 17th 2006 9:22AM
i just got mine and yes it does run boot camp and the graphics really are not that bad on a 13 in screen and i love it it is a lot lighter and mor portable than my macbook pro
i got the white one i like that better. the black one looks like the $400 dell laptop with an apple sign thats just my opinion though, i wish it was glossy black that now that would make me buy the black one
Jordan @ May 17th 2006 9:24AM
LordJezo -
I would not buy an Asus over this (despite the fact that if I'm not mistaken, Asus manufactures the MacBook) - but, check out Asus. Configured the same, they are similiar in price I do believe. The MacBook might be slightly cheaper still. It really is a fantastic value.
Kirk @ May 17th 2006 9:32AM
To answer all those Boot Camp questions. Yes it should work without a problem, its running the same "type" of CPU's as the (Intel-based) MacBook Pro, mini, and iMac.
But why get a Mac and run Windows on it? Thats dirty! ;-) (Just kidding) I never will, but I totally respect how compelling that is to some people so more power to you you, I'll stick with OSX thank you. I have to deal with a enough Windows problems as it is ;-) lol
Daniel of Luderbrus @ May 17th 2006 9:38AM
Nice one. Top notch as usual. I'd like a photo of it closed up from the back though. I'd like to see the speakers, you know.
Robin @ May 17th 2006 9:47AM
Personally, I like the MacBook Pro better. You get the Radeon card, you can choose between the matte or glossy screen, and I prefer the larger screen. I do web design and technical writing and the 13" is just too small to me, for anything really.
John from Buffalo @ May 17th 2006 9:48AM
BootCamp runs flawlessly. I loaded it up last night on my Macbook 2ghz duo. ALL drivers work. I will have pictures tonight of everything. It repartitioned perfectly, loaded XP Home w/ out a hitch, and the resolution of the screen is awesome. I'm actually doing .NET development at this very moment. You have to understand that w/ BootCamp, Microsoft's VPC is now out of business on the Mac platform. I can compile and everything. There is fast-switching software that allows you to run both, too. Check out the following posting (mine) at http://www.johnwaller.org/macbook/ and my friend Kevin's posting on fast switching on his MacBook (Pro) here --> http://theory.isthereason.com/?p=928
Matthew Fitzsimmons @ May 17th 2006 9:57AM
I love the PB/MBP keyboards so much, I don't know if I could ever get used to that keyboard. I'd definitely be willing to try it out, though, and see if I like it.
Paul Sihvonen-Binder @ May 17th 2006 9:57AM
For those who haven't seen it Apple has provided a side by side comparison of their new laptop "family" -
http://store.apple.com/Catalog/US/Images/comparison_chart.html
Weedkiller @ May 17th 2006 10:04AM
I just ordered a 14" Ibook last week, and I'm happy I did! I'm proud that I got my hands on one of the last notebooks with original Apple hardware. I feel a bit down when I see the new Intel chips in an Apple machine, that was what we have been fighting against for all those years! And now Apple has given in, "lost" the battle...imho... Running faster yeah, but warmer, less battery life, more mobo problems... Back to the old PC-problems... But I guess the market forced apple to go this way, maybe in the near future they will have the power to go back to their roots... Hope never fades. Always an Apple-fan.
Blake @ May 17th 2006 10:08AM
I purchased a MacBook Pro when they first came out. Mine was one of the very earliest models, and it suffered from a laundry list of problems. Yesterday, when these thigns were annonced and I realized that anyone buying a MacBook and paying about $800 less than I did for my MacBook Pro would have themselves about the same computer. I understand the Pro benefits if the MacBook Pro, and I understand there will be people that need those options at any price, but, in my eyes, Apple slashed the price on my 2 month old computer by $800.
After some work, I was able to get Apple to take back my MBP, citing no less than 8 technical problems and design flaws. This put me in a position to do things right and buy a new MacBook. Well, last night, I did, and I can honestly say to anyone in a similar position as I was: unload your MBP and get yourself a MB. We'll have to wait for any long-term issues to surface, but, initially:
-no whine(!!!)
-no screen flicker
-keyboard lays flat
-lid not warped
-not nearly as hot
With that said, it seems to me that the Apple may actually have taken steps to ensure Quality Control was on its toes (not sleeping in the break room) with these new models. From the moment I opened my MBP, there were unsettling flaws in the build, and these flaws could be seen and heard. So far, that is not what I am seeing with this new MB. This thing seems very solid, and I'm very happy with my purchase.
Jeff @ May 17th 2006 10:11AM
So we've come full circle, and Apple is now taking design cues from the IBM PC Jr.
The chiclet keyboard is not a feature I think many people were hoping would be resurrected.
Gene @ May 17th 2006 10:11AM
How crap is the integrated video? This crap:
http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=2427&p=2
LordJezo @ May 17th 2006 10:12AM
Jordan - I was going to get a MB but the video card (or lack of one in this case) is what's keeping me away.
fabio @ May 17th 2006 10:17AM
I wont mind the lack of a proper GPU if the thing can playback 720p using H.264 codec without a hitch. can it?
Zeeg @ May 17th 2006 10:18AM
For those who were wondering whether the MacBook will run bootcamp:
http://www.apple.com/macosx/bootcamp/
"What you?ll need
* Mac OS X Tiger v10.4.6 (check Software Update)
* The latest Firmware update (check Support Downloads)
* 10GB free hard disk space
* An Intel-based Mac"
etc etc.
TexRob @ May 17th 2006 10:21AM
The integrated graphics, while not optimal, are not like what you remember from back in the day of integrated video.
One thing to remember is that all your desktop, laptop, etc video cards use system memory already. The tests people have done on Mac minis show that the non-dedicated memory is not really an issue. People have done tests and the core duo mac mini with integrated graphics will do h.264 at a full 1920x1080 (full res HD) with zero dropped frames at 60fps. While not as good as the pro or imac ati offerrings, the Intel video is more than decent. All those vids you saw of people running HL2 on a boot camp Mac Mini were with integrated video, and it ran well from what I saw, looked smooth.
So, unless you really want to game hardcore, the Macbook video should be fine for 100% of non-gaming, and decent to good gaming performances for your average user.
Chris Robinson @ May 17th 2006 10:23AM
Looks fugly imo.
Andr @ May 17th 2006 10:28AM
As for alternatives,
there is the BenQ Joybook (S53W?) on the low end, as well as MSI (dont like them though), and higher-end of course the Asus and the new Sony.
What I like about the MacBook:
If you need a very fast processor, a great deal! Bluetooth 2.0 (stereo!)included, Remote included, Webcam (but why not 1,3MP?) included, good screen size with sweet quality.
However it could still be lighter, especially as it also seems to replace the 12" Powerbook, and compared to the Asus weight champs!
Also - where is the SD card reader?
And why not one USB more? The 2 on the left are so close together, that using a TV Stick will be problem...
But in total really tempting!!!
Especially for normal people its just ridiculous to spend more than 1200 USD on a laptop, you can't/do not want to afford loosing all that money when you upgrade to a new one and trade in the old one. So much for the (sweet but overpriced) Pro model...
Google @ May 17th 2006 10:30AM
Engadget, can you get any bootleg than you are on this post.
Stop taking pictures at the local Apple store and posting as if you own your review items. And learn to spell check, nubs!
"One of the first things we were curious about was the keys. This Mac's keybpard was visually quite different from every other we've seen in the past, and is obviously its most aesthetically striking and distinctive feature."
DjFIL @ May 17th 2006 10:32AM
I want one. But the screen (don't like glossy, i love the original matte finish), video card (shares with main ram and it's not an ati or nvidia chipset) and no dvd-dl write hold me back from my purchase. It's a fair price otherwise (personaly based on cdn price) and that what makes me still consider the purchase to upgrade to the age of mac with intel.
James S. @ May 17th 2006 10:38AM
Please Apple, make a 12" MacBook Pro! Or even just a MacBook. I need portability!
Neil @ May 17th 2006 10:39AM
"What can we say -- if you configure a white MacBook the same as a MacBook Pro, you save just under a $1,000"
How did you all come up with that number, from what I can see if you get the black macbook it's only $500 cheaper than the Macbook Pro with similar specs, at best you can "only" save $650 if you go with the white version.
I'm still leaning towards the Macbook Pro though, having a good dedicated graphics card with its own ram is important to me...and to some extent so is the bigger screen.
Anthony @ May 17th 2006 10:39AM
@ Kirk, I understand not wanting to run windows but for a developer like me that needs to run some programs that don't work on mac or have a simlar program that will do what I need. And I'm not talking about MS Office, Visual Studio or other application from Microsoft. At the same time when I design it is easier on the mac so I for one need a machine like this...
Andr @ May 17th 2006 10:42AM
urrrmm, acutally its not stereo bluetooth I think? Hope that can be upgraded with new firmware...
Looking at the space around the screen and thinking of how Apple managed to make the Ipod so slim, I wished they would have done the same with the MacBook... (well in 3 years then) now it might make it more stable but I would prefer superslim...
Now do I trade in my IBM R51? ...maybe...tempted