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.
posted May 17th 2006 8:03AM
Does anyone know if the Macbook is compatible with Blackberry phones? Will my candar and programs 'sync' with it, or do I have to get an IPhone???
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."
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..
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
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.
>> 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.)"
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.
Hey guys. Right Click = 2 fingers on the trackpad + click. I think the option is in Sys Prefs somewhere. Now that's minimalist!
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.
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)!
.
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%!
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!!!
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.
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.
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.
"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!
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.
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.
Same question as Pete, does this thing run bootcamp? I need to prove to my office that I can run windows on it :(
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).
How bad is the graphics card? Somebody?
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.
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.
I disagree with the notion that two buttons is somehow "kludgy" but "holding two fingers on the trackpad and clicking" is "logical".
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
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?
I don't think typing on that will be very good. Indented keys are important.
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
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.
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
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.
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
How crap is the integrated video? This crap:
http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=2427&p=2
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.
I wont mind the lack of a proper GPU if the thing can playback 720p using H.264 codec without a hitch. can it?
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.
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.
Looks fugly imo.
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...
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."
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.
Please Apple, make a 12" MacBook Pro! Or even just a MacBook. I need portability!
"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.
@ 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...
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
I own a Powerbook and went to the local AppleStore to check out the MacBook last night.
The keyboard is the most striking visual change. Other than that it looks a lot like a larger, thinner iBook.
The keyboard is extremely cool looking. It reminds me somewhat of the keyuboard on a very old computer we had before the Commodore 64: The Tommy Tutor (see http://www.oldbits.de/collection/tomy_tutor.jpg).
Unlike the Tutor, this keyboard felt right, I typed a couple of emails on it and it was fine. The separation between keys is about the same as the separation between the TOP of the keys on my Powerbook. The space between them does feel strange, though, but I think it's something you quickly get used to.
#32: OK, yeah, so we're not going to be playing a lot of Doom 3 on that. I am not sure that's such a big deal for someone looking at the MacBook. Pretty clearly you'd want to get a gaming laptop if that was your intention. Honestly, I used to be really big on the idea of a gaming laptop, and one of the big reasons I bought my Sony Vaio s360 is because I loved the combination of portability with a "real" graphics card (a Mobility Radeon 9700, which still holds up pretty well). But I found that I don't really ever use my laptop for games like that. I think I'd only use a laptop for intensive 3d games if I was going to go to a lot of LAN parties or something. But in practice, what I use my laptop for is primarily word processing and web browsing, and maybe some DVD or DivX watching. And for that, I don't think the dedicated graphics is really all that big a deal. I'm certainly not going to judge a laptop like this based on how well it runs Doom 3, FEAR, etc. I think it would have been a pretty nice bonus if it did at least have an X1300 or X1400 or something in it, but now that I think about what I really use my Vaio for, I don't think it's such a big deal.
Im just wondering will the intergrated graphics on the macbook be "Vista ready"? Or will it only be able to handle XP using bootcamp.
I don't think most people are buying a mac for gaming to begin with. If I wanted to play a game, I would get a PSP, PS3, or XBOX 360.
I don't think college kids are going to have an issue running microsoft word or PAGES to do their homework. Safari should run pretty smooth, but we better do a DOOM 3 graphics card test... geeze...
Am I wrong to think MOST people that purchase the MacBook are NOT going to push it to it's limits?
I bet one of those sites that paints Macs/everything could paint a white MacBook to a nice glossy-black finish, that'd be pretty sweet!
"21. I disagree with the notion that two buttons is somehow "kludgy" but "holding two fingers on the trackpad and clicking" is "logical"."
thank you. but i am interested in this lil machine. i have to say this is the first apple that i wanted to get my hands on.
It reminds me of the Sinclair QL keyboard.
http://oldcomputers.net/pics/ql-keyboard.jpg
"48. Im just wondering will the intergrated graphics on the macbook be "Vista ready"? Or will it only be able to handle XP using bootcamp."
The GMA950 is vista ready, but the card is kind of basic, so don't expect glass to run very smooth with more than mabye one or two windows running.
For people asking about the video card, you'll probably only notice if you are running an application that requires 3D rendering.
The kicker for me is that it won't support some features of the OS (Quartz Extreme). From Apple's website (http://www.apple.com/macosx/features/quartzextreme/), "Quartz Extreme functionality is supported by the following video GPUs: NVIDIA GeForce2 MX and later, or any AGP-based ATI RADEON GPU. A minimum of 16MB VRAM is required." If Apple decides to add more 3D effects to the OS, you won't see them on the Intel graphic machines.
Also, doesn't integrated graphics defeat the purpose of a dual core machine? If you're running two applications that both need to render something, doesn't that mean both cores will go into a wait state since they have to yield to the renderer?
Hell yes! Viva two mouse buttons!!!
Whether it's Doom3 or whatever, the point is that the video card is garbage. Many people will push it to its limits, because its limits are in the same range as an ancient GeForce 4MX. Hell, it can barely run Nanosaur 2!
Doom3 isn't even a new game, it came out nearly two years ago!
JD:
The GMA950 does in fact support Quartz Extreme. I doubt they would put graphics in that doesnt even support the features of the OS.
My only concern is 10.5 and Vista. Maybe some has run vista on a Mac mini and could let us know what to expect... to the google.
That last comment about 2 click buttens. Just use the control key and click to right click or hold down the click butten over a icon!!!!!!! I got one at my apple store and I got the Black one and I compared it to my son's MacBook Pro 2.0 because mine is 2.16 and the MacBook is slower in start up time then the MacBook Pro
Gene:
Have you tried to run anything on the GMA950? If not please not spreading your slanted opinion on the performance. If you want to play games you know damn well you will have to spend more. So please shut up.
Also, have you looked in the specs of the chipset? Probably not, all you see is that is shares memory and it is not ATI or nVidia. Please take your garbage somewhere else, or maybe bring some facts to the table. Like... benchmarks.
This will sound silly but I had hoped for an illuminated keyboard. I work in dark environments (like an airplane) and a MacBook would had been perfect to replace my current 12" PB. At least, couldnt they make the keyboard to glow? There should be a BTO illuminated keyboard. $1000 more for a MacBook Pro just because I need an illuminated keyboard is just insane, isn't it? Grrr...
cheers!
I would like to know if these Macbooks have light sensor to dim the screen like the Pros in automatic mode.
Seems that they don't according to the lack of info in the specs in Apple website...
Regards,
Andrs.
I like that keyboard.
The space between the keys may help with my problem of hitting two keys at once. (Not the most precise typist...)
Maybe the new keyboard design is a backlit supplement...
58 not lazy:
My mistake, I thought I had posted the benchmarks. Here's some for the intel mac mini, which is essentially the same hardware:
http://www.macworld.com/2006/03/reviews/macmini/index.php
Whether you're a gamer or not, the fact that the entire UI is extremely GPU-reliant nowadays is going to be a big deal when running just about anything, Apple iApps included. And what about going to OS 10.5?
For the record, all my gaming gets done on my desktop PC, but all my work gets done on my Mac laptop. Since there are no benchmarks for OS X GUI performance, games will have to do
Gene:
I highly doubt game performance is an indication of GUI perfomance. If the graphics is capable of running Vista I would imagine it would run 10.5. If I get my hands on one, I will surely find out if it does without choking on itself.
Another thing not at you Gene. A trip to the About this Mac on a Macbook and going into the Graphics section, it will tell you if Quaztz Extreme is supported. So if someone could do that. That would be nice.
My earlier comment seems to have flown over the heads of a lot of people.
This keyboard design is not new. Lots of companies used designs like this in the early 1980's, and most people hated them. Here's a photo of one of these reviled keyboards: http://oldcomputers.net/pics/ibm-pcjr-1.jpg
Now, how this keyboard actually *feels* is probably a lot different than those early designs. But *one* of the issues with the early chiclet keyboards was simply the unnatural and uncomfortable spacing of the keys. That looks like it would be an issue with the MacBook as well.
I don't know what's underneath the MacBook's keys; if it has an individual spring for each key (like a buckling spring keyboard - that would easily make up for any deficiencies in key spacing) or if it's just got a rubber dome system like the early chiclet keyboards. My guess is the latter, just because of the limited space available for any laptop keyboard.
In fact, most keyboards today (of any kind) really owe more to early chiclet keyboards than they do to the old buckling-spring kind. The *big* reason most people reviled chiclet keyboards in the first place is because they lacked the quality feel of the buckling-spring models available at the time. Today, though, people are so used to crap rubber dome keyboards that a chiclet keyboard probably wouldn't feel much different underneath.
Which is all my roundabout way of saying this looks to be the first real mass-market chiclet keyboard since the PCjr. It probably feels better than the PCjr just because of the advances made in rubber dome technology over the years, but it is likely still an actual, honest-to-god chiclet keyboard. Which is not something I *ever* thought I'd see again.
Oh, not the 1- vs. 2-mouse button debate again?! I know that you can have 2 fingers on the mousepad, and that's all minimalistic. BUT why do that when you can add a second button there and have it be all simple!!!
As just about anyone with a computer can attest to, "supported" and "actually works well" are not the same thing.
Gene:
Until I use it and see for myself I surely am not going to listen to someone who is cleary basing his opinions on well, limited information.
Reading the spec sheet from intel, I can say that the chip looks promising. I don't game and don't give a crap about having a gaming capable laptop. If I want to game, I will get a desktop. Done.
"Apple, as usual, found a way to do it without resorting to the kludgy method of actually having two physical buttons." -- 'kludgy' ?? two buttons = a poor solution to a problem? the apple hack/solution is nice, but a computer having both left and right click buttons is FAR from a 'kludgy method' , spare me.
the macbook is for sure a sexy laptop, but I've to say that is too heavy! 2,3kg is more than the old ibook 12'' and I think that an Acer or Dell 12'' model is lighter than the macbook and not so expensive.
Anyone think i'd have any trouble running Final cut pro on a Macbook, assuming i top it out with RAM and a big HD. I'm deciding between the MB and MBP but the price on this is a better option if it will run FCP.
Ok so I have a MBP and I HAD to run out to the Apple store to see these little guys. First off the keyboard is NOT better then the one on the MBP, what are they talking about? Also the materials and attention to detail on the MBP are far and away better, the metal makes the whole thing feel really expensive and while this new Macbook does indeed look pretty spiffy it STILL feels as plasticy as the old iBook. I am keeping the MacBook Pro, it is obviously the superior machine (X1600 graphics, expresscard, illuminated keys, the metal really makes a difference to me). BUT there are some things that I dislike about my Macbook Pro and want Apple to fix them. There was someone whosaid they got Apple to take theiirs back after he stated 8 things wrong with his MBP and I would like to compare those porblems with the ones that I am having. Thanks guys! The Macbooks are gorgeous but the graphics kills them for me.
About that keyboard. Laptop keyboards (I've used iBooks, PowerBooks, and IBM T40/T42s) make my hands hurt after a period of extended use. Does anyone else who has a similar problem know how this keyboard feels?
One more question...would this integrated graphics make graphic programs (adobe suite and macromedia suite) run any slower then on a MacBook Pro because of the slower video card? Thanks!
To everyone debating (read: fighting) over the spacing between the keys: there is less spacing between the crest of one key and the crest of another than on the keys of my Apple Pro Keyboard, and most other keyboards I'd assume. I'm typing this on a MacBook right now, and I can tell you that the feeling is different, but the spacing between the keys is not an issue.
All bootcamp does is make OSX seem that much more advanced than XP... I dread booting into Windows these days
Does anyone know if the right click button works on an after market mouse when plugged into a Mac running Windows through bootcamp?
Can someone help me out here? Would the video output resolution for, say itunes visualizations, be of poor quality if connected to a 40" LCD HDTV via DVI/HDMI connection on the MacBook? Would there be a significant different between the MacBook and MacBook Pro is this case?
I would love to hook up the MacBook to the aforementioned LCD, but if graphics, animations, visualzations, etc. are going to look pixelated and not render properly I'm wondering if I should go with the Pro?
Please help!
Thx.
I am typing this on my brand new White 2.0 ghz MacBook. I am a new Mac owner but not new to the Mac. Firs impressions
-very good screen, not nearly as much glare as Sony Xbrite
-keyboard tactile feel is very very good. I am adjusting to the flat keys though, but I do like them. The caps lock key seems a litte too big, I hit on accident on my way to shift
-fit and finish is very good, of course, it's an apple
-speed is very good, mine has 512mb ram and I just ordered 2 x 512 from newegg, remember you want dual channel ram on this thing because of the integrated graphics
-i'm digging the builtin isight, I video conferenced for the first time last night with a macbook pro, that was cool.
-it does get pretty hot, I ran cure duo tempts and it was around 66C which is pretty damn high.
all in all I love my purchase. What I didn't want was a hack and slashed macbook pro and this is definitely not one. The integrated graphics will be fine if you don't game or if you don't render anything in 3d. It would have been nice to have the express card slot but that's not a big deal with usb and bluetooth. I just wish the casing was a little bit smaller.
Pimp,
it will look identical to a MacBook Pro. Most HDTV's are in 720p and the DVI output on the MacBook can go up to 1080p. You won't have a problem as long as you're using VGA or DVI.
Wow, you struck a chord. I plopped the kids down in front of and iMac and let Dora babysit while I took a look. The graphics card can't be that bad it if it will support 1920x1200 w/the lid closed. So I guess if you are planning on 3D rending this isn't the computer for you. But how many $1,000 laptops would be.
This computer is for the average user that is not concerned about polygons and fps. If you need more power then opt for the pro machine. For the list price of $1099 this is a fantastic machine and will serve its master well...
Not Lazy:
Quartz Extreme is indeed supported. If I could post a screen shot I would.
As anside, doesn't the GMA950 sit on the PCI Express bus?
im about to march down that mac store grab a macbook and...well...play with the keyboard...haha im so intruiged!
Separated keys? Well that is the single most ugliest keyboard design on a notebook since thouse old V-Tech educational toys from the 1980's. Not good, Apple. Heck when have you done anything right?
Think the new keyboard layout will stop key marks from going onto the LCD when clam-shelled????
and we fancy ourselves something of laptop keyboard snobs.
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well, yeah.. you just said laptop keyboards were mushy and annoying.. and Apple obviously agrees, and went about changing that.. give it a chance
Say what you will about the price premium for the black MB, but according to a source I talked to yesterday, the Union Square, San Francisco Apple Store still had white MBs left but completely sold out of the black one within a few hours of launch.
Interesting that Apple split the 12" and 14" iBooks to come up with the 13" screen of the MB.
apple sucks
>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.
Seriously, the GUI runs just as well on the integrated graphics as it does on a high end video card, it doesn't require that much crank. To be honest, I think the finder is a bit snappier on a mini duo than a quad G5. I doubt leopard will make it flinch either. If you're not running a 3d app like a game, you literally can't tell if the machine is running integrated or a graphics card. Nice try with the FUD though.
>I wont mind the lack of a proper GPU if the thing can playback 720p using H.264 codec without a hitch. can it?
Absolutely. It will even do 1080 although you'd need external monitor for that resolution.
From the pics:
I am a little dissapointed by the look of the PC. Looks like a thin version of a mid '90s laptop.
I hope seeing it in person proves me wrong.
Integrated graphics are fine once you are not a gamer or video editor. Just remember no 'second life' either.
I just want a WoW test run on it. it can't be much worse than my 12in pb with geforce go graphics, I imagine.
>I wont mind the lack of a proper GPU if the thing can playback 720p using H.264 codec without a hitch. can it?
"Absolutely. It will even do 1080 although you'd need external monitor for that resolution."
Thats great! One more thing, though. What about the new Core 2 Duo chips to be released soon? I know theres no guarantee thayll be available for MBs right off the bat, but how significant will be the performance difference?
Can somebody answer a question for me?
I am currently on a 12" powerbook- 1st generation. I was all set to get the new MBP 15". But now it seems like I can get the MacBook with the same speed as a MBP and still stay with a smaller computer. Is this true?
I tote my powerbook to work everyday- and love it's size. I just don't want to lose power. It's been a great computer - but it is slowing down and starting to drive me crazy.
Also- what's up with only having the Firewire 800 on the 17" MBP?