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
Well...seeing as apple has used this GPU in both the MacBook and the MacMini I really doubt that that they will design the next version of MacOS to "NOT" work on it. Use your heads. I've used this video chipset with Windows and had no problems at all. I even tried OSX on it and it was even more impressive. This is by far Intel's best integrated solution yet. Sure it completely sucks for games due to the power but it has a lot of features that can be utilized by the GUI etc.
Honestly the only places the Macbook lags behind PC systems is the lack of DVD burner in the base model and the hard drive size. The RAM is a bit low but for it's audience it's ok. Quality is obviously much higher which is why it's priced higher than a comparable Dell.
APPLE's 2 BUTTON MOUSE is called the Mighty Mouse. If you go into system preferences when the mighty mouse is connected you can change the right side of the mouse to a right click button. Although the appearance of the mouse looks like a one button mouse what lies underneath is the ability to have a right and left click.
I love the design! I just wish they made a high end one with a decent graphics card and sold it for the same price as the low end MBP. They would have at least one of those sold.
That black is freakin' bitchin'! My favorite laptop design of all time is still the PowerBook G3. http://www.oldmac.jp/image/pbg3-01.jpg
By the way, here's a good site for all you people who like to "remember the old days" of Apple:
http://www.apple-history.com/?page=gallery&model=128k
Hey Guys a few comments in response to yours:
!:wishing it was 12" instead of 13.3.....hmmm....im preferring the widescreen aspect ratio myself so the difference is absolutely minimal.
2: Someone was upset that it didnt have nvidia or ati chipset........looking at various benchmark test results the intel integrated graphics card outperformed a couple of ati and nvideo hypeer portable cards........so whats in a name?
3: The keyboard is a BIG improvement: Having owned every apple ibbok and powerbook model, i absolutely prefer the keys on my black macbook( Courtesy of lovely staff discount) , the spacing apart from each other means my accuracy has improved greatly! and it just looks retro-cool.
>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?
They're saying abotu 20% improvement at the same clock speed. So a 2.4gig Core 2 duo will be about the same speed as a 2 gig core duo. Nice boost, but not huge.
"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? "
Mate, I run OS X 10.4 on an iBook G3 800MHz with 256MB RAM and 32MB Built in VRAM. It runs nicely. The only thing that it doesn't do is the "splash" water wavey thing in dashboard when you add a new widget. That doesn't run slowly, it's just turned off.
The UI might be GPU reliant, but if it runs on my 32VRAM iBook, I can't imagine the new integrated chips will struggle with it. 10.5 might be another story, but I guess we'll have to wait and see.
"72. 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."
My iBook G3 12" is 4.9lb and it's not that heavy? The new ones are a little bit heavier than that [5.2 or 5.6 i think?].
Also, I priced a similarly configured Dell [a 14" Inspiron I think] and the difference was AUD$60 [~USD$25] more for the MacBook. Don't know about you, but I'd pay the extra $60.
Sorry, but two physical buttons on a notebook is kludgy because it's the quick and dirty solution to the problem of having two mouse inputs. It's the obvious, brute-force solution and that's "kludgy" to me. We need two separate inputs? Let's add more buttons! Kludge.
The MacBook's trackpad and button is akin to the iPod's ClickWheel, which simultaneously acts as a scrolling wheel and five discrete buttons.
The "kludge" solution is to have a separate physical button for all your inputs, and is it any wonder tha virtually all non-iPod players are littered with buttons? Is it any wonder that the iPod's biggest selling point is its simplicity, which is largely possible because it doesn't have buttons sprouting all over the place?
Sure, having multiple buttons serves its purpose, but don't tell me that solution isn't kludgy when Apple found a way to offering pointing + scrolling + 2 buttons using just 1 trackpad and 1 button. Best of all, Apple's solution works exactly the same way for right-handers and southpaws, which isn't true when you have physically discrete buttons (do left-handers still call it "right click" when they have to reverse the functionality of the left and right mouse buttons? See? Kludge)
here's the info on the integrated graphics from intel which they claim will be Vista "ready".
http://www.intel.com/products/chipsets/gma950/
#73. Final Cut Pro will WORK on the MacBook. If by "trouble" you mean will it work slower, yes. I own the MBP and one of my buddies just picked up his MacBook with 2 gb RAM. Mine renders scenes much faster and adds effects faster as well. His works just fine and did not seem irritating to me in the least but mine was definitely faster. If you want the most speed available and have the extra money to buy an MBP, it will be a much better machine for Final Cut Pro, especially if you use it frequently. Me: 2.16 gHz, 2 gb RAM MBP. Friend: 2.0 gHz, 2 gb MB.
#79. Yes, of course. I use one all the time too game.
#80. It depends on the resolution of the LCD in question. If your LCD is anything higher than 1366 x 768, the image will look terrible. If your LCD is 1920 x 1080, the image will not come up at all. The MBP supports higher resolutions than the MB and will benefit you if you have a very large or very high quality LCD television.
#95. The MacBook is quite a bit more powerful than your current Powerbook. If you do video editing (Final Cut Pro) photo editing (Photoshop... HEAVY Photoshop) gaming (Doom 3, Quake 4, Civ IV...) or rendering (Alias Maya, Rhino, Lightwave...) then buy a MacBook Pro without question. If you do none of these things, then buy a MacBook and you will be blown away by the speed.
I love Apple, but Windows is good too. And Linux... Red Hat. :)
Video and Photogrpahy Professionals beware - Overheard from an inside source at Apple this morning that the Mac Book in it's current configuration will not run the currently available versions of Final Cut Pro or Aperature. There appears to be a compatability issue with the display. Aparently you cannot even complete an install of either app. Ask your Apple rep about this before making any purchases.
In Engadget's review, it is said that "we'll find a way to make it [EVDO] work" with the MacBook. Please post that way when you find it. Thanks for the review of the MacBook.
The Powerbook has a lame and mushy keyboard? Huh? Compared to what? The Powerbook has an awesome keyboard! Maybe you are using a ThinkPad and can't tell the difference between an Apple laptop and an IBM???
i love the keyboard
i checked out the new macbooks today and they were great
i think i'm gonna get one
I visited a nearby Apple store during today's lunch. The glossy LCD on the new MacBook is about as reflective as a matted LCD on 15" MacBook Pro (boy, those 15" and 17" are enormous). No significant glare issue. However, that's indoor. So... The keyboard is quite comfortable. It's almost as good as the one on my Thinkpad.
2-finger touchpad inputs some folks suggested here (right mouse click) really work flawlessly. This one stunned me. Engineers should implement this idea long ago. It's actually better than 2nd mouse button in my opinion. Maybe that's because I always use my thumb to click.
When I game, I play...
MacMame
Other emulators (kickin' back with M.U.L.E. on the Atari 8 bit em is fun)
Unreal Tournament (the original, which works fine in Rosetta at the highest settings on an Intel iMac)
So while I'd like to be able to play my Quake 4 at home (rather than at work), if I can't, I can't.
Well I broke down and went to the Apple Store today in Santa Monica to have a look at the MacBook. The glossy screen is nice but the glare off the screen is annoying. I tried to find a good viewing angle and yes any type of light to your back reflects off the screen.
It is a clever system, the keys are much different than the original iBook and 13? widescreen format has a good feel to it.
As the years go by, it's wonderful to see Apple move away from the Tupperware look.
Completely off topic here - but I've noticed that often Engadget photos are not color corrected for white balance. It's as if the photos were taken under incandescent lighting. I know it's nitpicking, but for a review site I believe the colors should be true to life it possible. A quick use of 'curves' in Photoshop would do wonders for that aspect.
Love the site. Just a suggestion. ;)
". I wont mind the lack of a proper GPU if the thing can playback 720p using H.264 codec without a hitch. can it?"
Well the Mac mini we have at work(1,66Ghz dual-core with 1,25GB RAM) is slower overall and can play the 1080p trailers downloaded from apple's trailer site without a hitch, so I'd say the Macbook should sail through 720p.
Is there any possible way to upgrade or increase the performance of the macbooks graphics processor? Am I correct in thinking that an intergrated graphics processor such as the one in the macbook is not easily upgradable?
I use 3d studo Max 8 to create 3D images as a hobby and also would like to be able to play final fantasy 11 online using bootcamp to run xp for both of these applications.
Also when the time come I will want to upgrade to the new mac OS and Windows Vista.
Im afraid that if I buy a new macbook now it will not be able to handle any of this.
Can someone please advise.
I know a macbook pro would be more suitable for the job but I MUCH prefer the look and design of the white macbook.
What??! No card reader? Oh well, you can't have it all. Oh wait... You can. Asus W7J.
I was set on an MBP... but then the Macbook comes out...
Please tell me-
Will this video card be able to handle Dreamweaver? Moderate Photoshop usage? DVD playback?
The video card is the only thing holding me back.
Also, any thoughts on battery life? Is it really 6
hours like Apple claims?
I have a dorky question... Does the Apple on the outside of the case glow when it's turned on?
#117 - So with an Asus you can have it all, can you? Tell me, how well does OS X run on it? Oh I see, your definition of "all" is different than mine. *sigh*
#118, yes it will handle dreamweaver, photoshop, dvd playback no problem.
#119, yes it does.
I just went to the local apple store to check out new MacBook laptops. I liked what I saw. I was really tempted to buy one but few things put an end to my desire to do so...
- Integrated Gfx card... I don't play games but I am worried that it will compromise the performance of HD movies (like HD quicktime movies).
- Plastic enclosure. The white version has this really shinny and glossy finish... I am afraid to get it scratched up just carrying around in my back.
- For $1000, I can get MacBook PRO which has the metal enclosure, 10x faster graphics, backlit keyboard, and of course, bigger screen
so.. what am I going to do? despite all that, I will probably still going to buy the mid range one, the white one with the super drive.
About adding RAM-
I've looked at newegg.com and I think it makes sense to just get the 512 MB of ram from Apple and then purchase a 2 gig upgrade?
On newegg you can get 2 x 1 gig ddr2 667 pc2 5300 RAM for like $140-
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.asp?N=2010170147+1052308477+1052408745&Submit=ENE&SubCategory=147
Is this the right RAM to get for the Macbook? Which is the exact right type to get?
Because from Apple, upgrading to 2 gig ram is like 500 bucks, it seems to make no sense at all....
#123, no that is not the correct RAM. That RAM is 240 pin, the macbook RAM is 200 pin and more expesive than that RAM.
#122: HD Quicktime movies run fine on the MacBook. The only area where performance suffers because of the intergrated video chip is 3D rendering. That's it. That would include 3D games and 3D modeling/rendering apps, but not anything like movies. If you want the backlit keyboard and bigger screen , then yes the Macbook Pro is your only option there. But unless you're using it for gaming, the regular MacBook is fine, graphics-wise.
#123: Don't bother with Newegg for memory. Just go to:
http://www.datamem.com/
or
http://www.crucial.com/
They have online configurators that allow you to simply tell it what model Mac you have and it will come up with the correct memory.
Hey, I love this computer. One thing that's awesome is the speakers that are on the back. There used to be something called a soundbug i think that you could stick up to large wall type things that shook (such as a blackboard or window) and the vibrations would turn the entire thing into a speaker. This'll be a bit like that (i'm thinking...) so it's gonna be sweet.
And I think I heard someone asking if you can only mirror the screens instead of screen extend and clamshell it. You can do all, it's got a DVI outlet, so you're good.
And finally, a lot of you guys are idiots. If you're so worried about the stupid integrated graphics card, go get a freakin alienware or voodoo or whatever crap "gaming computers" they have now. We're all really sorry if you can't play "Halo" and "Doom 3" @ lightning fast FPS speeds.
you can right click by turning on tap with two fingers for secondary input!
What is it with peoples stupid obsession with 2 mouse buttons? No computer has 2 mouse buttons (apart from some PeeCee laptops). If you are going to have 2 buttons why not make it 3, add scroll wheel and make the computer look like crap! Apple has delt with scrolling and alt clicking in igneous ways. I'm left handed, use an old PowerBook and use lots of programs which use alt clicks, not just one type of alt click but 3 or so (try fitting them all on your mouse - you geeks). I'm quite happy using my spare hand to press modifier keys on the keyboard to change the click task, what's are peoples problem with this? Futher if you put more button on a MacBook (I don't give a crap about windows things since I don't have put-up with using them) - if you are left handed the experance goes to crap and you have to keep swaping the buttons around in the OS which just confuse the hell out of everyone. Keep macs with one button, if you don't like it buy yourself a mouse!
I just ordered my MacBook & hope to find the ultimate in Bluetooth keyboard/mouse combo for comute and/or office use. I am used to the roller tilt-wheel mouse and prefer that option if possible. Do quality, reliability, comfort & fair price exist in one combo?
what was the verdict with EV-DO?
I bought a macbook despite never wanting a mac with an intel processor in it, a purist I guess. I goofed around with a macbook in the store a few times and was pretty amazed at the speed, of course it had 2 gb of ram in it, which deffinatley helped with that. I was told by the guy in the store that even wth 512 ram it was crazy fast, and was told as long as I dont put windows on it, there will be no problems. Well with the 512 I've never had to force quit so many times on this computer, also i've had so many programs quit on my while I was in the middle of a project.
Don't get me wrong, I love my macbook, I'm just not impressed with the shutting down and force quitting. My mini only has 512 ram and I've never had a problem with it. My recommendation is if you are going to get this, get the 2 GB of ram (not from apple though its 600 bucks there) and I think you will have a great computer.
I really appreciate your help.
http://www.edhardyplus.com
I just bought a new white macbook. Customized it to 2GB RAM and 160 GB harddrive. Hopefully it will last me forever. Can't wait until it gets here!
I switched from a Dell Latitude to a black MacBook and don't regret it. The ability to run both Windows and OS X is a novelty at first and an incredible amount of utility after the computer is all set up the way you like. I miss the built-in EVDO and have added a USB modem from Sprint to make up for it.
Here are a couple other areas not covered in the review.
* The battery life is so-so. 2 hours at the most. Apple should be able to do better than this.
* The fan comes on loud and often when any graphic intensive app is running. This can be very annoying and distracting to others in a meeting.
* I like Parallels to run Windows for those apps like Outlook whose counterparts on the Mac miss the mark. The video subsystem on the MacBook is stressed out if you start doing too much in Parallels. If you're going to use the MacBook to run Windows extensively as opposed to just the occasional app, use Bootcamp instead.
* MORE MEMORY!!! 2 gb is just not enough.
* A Mac--any Mac--on a PC-based network is not a good thing. Most admins are not willing to make the modifications necessary to make a Mac feel at home on a Windows network. For example, you can't permanently map your home folder if it exists under the actual share. (\\computer\users\yourshare) You can get to the top-level, but not down to your home folder as you can on XP or Vista.
On balance, this is a terrific machine and I don't regret moving to it. I don't think it will be a corporate standard any time soon, but it shows how design and technology can work together far better than Dell or HP have demonstrated.