Product Description
Machined from a solid piece of aluminum, the new MacBook is thinner,
lighter, and more powerful than ever. The streamlined enclosure slides
easily into backpacks and briefcases and is stunning in any setting.
NVIDIA delivers discrete-level graphics with up to five times the
performance,1 so you can immerse yourself in faster, smoother, more
lifelike 3D gameplay. The brilliant, ultrathin LED-backlit display
provides instant full screen brightness and enhances any media viewing
experience. Click anywhere on the all-new glass Multi-Touch
trackpad—the spacious, smooth surface doubles as the button.
Multi-Touch gestures now come to the MacBook, so you can use your
fingers to swipe through photos, rotate an image, and pinch to zoom in
and out. With the new four-finger swipe gesture, access Exposé modes
and toggle between open applications. And MacBook is greener than ever:
It’s highly recyclable and more energy efficient. At just 0.95 inch
thin and 4.5 pounds,2 MacBook is truly the next generation of
notebooks. 1Testing conducted by Apple in October 2008 using
preproduction 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo–based MacBook units with NVIDIA
GeForce 9400M. MacBook systems with 2.4GHz Core 2 Duo and Intel GMA
X3100 were shipping units. MacBook continuously monitors system thermal
and power conditions, and may adjust processor speed as needed to
maintain optimal system operation. 2Actual weight varies by
configuration and manufacturing process. 31GB = 1 billion bytes; actual
formatted capacity less.
Product Details
- Amazon Sales Rank: #42 in Personal Computers
- Brand: Apple
- Model: MB466LL/A
- Dimensions: .95" h x
12.78" w x
8.94" l,
4.50 pounds
- CPU: Intel Core Duo 2 GHz
- Memory: 2000MB DDR3 SDRAM
- Hard Disk: 160GB
- Processors: 2
- Display size: 13.3
Features
- 2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Processor
- 2 GB RAM (4 GB max)
- 160 GB hard drive, DVD/CD SuperDrive
- Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard Operating System
- 13.3-inch LED-backlit glass display, Integrated NVIDIA graphics (with 256 MB shared memory)
Editorial Reviews
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). |
Under the hood, the MacBook is powered by a powerful 2.0 GHz Intel Core
2 Duo processor (with 3 MB L2 cache and 1066 MHz front-side bus), which
runs applications faster and more efficiently as well as helps to
reduce power requirements and save on battery life. And the MacBook
features the integrated NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics processor, which
delivers outstanding 3D game play with up to five times faster graphics
performance than the previous generation. 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 160 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.
 |
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.
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
 |
Intel Core 2 Duo Processor
Experience improved energy efficiency, expanded wireless connectivity,
and amazing battery life with the 2.0 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.
The MacBook includes a next generation Mini DisplayPort, which delivers
a pure digital signal that can drive up to a 30-inch widescreen
display. The Mini DisplayPort is ultra-compact at just 10 percent the
size of a full DVI connector, and is compatible with Apple's 24-inch
Cinema Display. Adapters are also available for using VGA, DVI/HDMI and
Dual-Link DVI displays
Hard Drive and Memory
The
160 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 DDR3 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 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)
Environtmental Considerations
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). |
Leopard's new desktop includes the redesigned 3D Dock with Stacks, a
new way to organize files for quick and easy access with just one
click. Leopard automatically places web, email and other downloads in a
Downloads stack to maintain a clutter-free desktop, and you can
instantly fan the contents of this and other Stacks into an elegant arc
right from the Dock. The updated Finder includes Cover Flow and a new
sidebar with a dramatically simplified way to search for, browse and
copy content from any PC or Mac on a local network. 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
I switched to Mac and all I got was this stupid smile
I upgraded to a new Vista laptop last year, and have been unhappy
and frustrated with it from the start. When my daughter's laptop died a
horrible death, I really didn't want to go through the same Vista pains
with her, so I decided to replace it with a Mac (it's going to be a
Christmas present, so shhh!). As designated tech support for my family
and friends, I started learning everything I could about Mac before she
started asking questions. The more I learned about it, the more I
wanted one for myself, and now that I have one, I am really kicking
myself for not switching last year.
It's simply beautiful. I know it sounds like I drank the
apple-flavored Kool-Aid, but the Macbook really is a marvel of elegant
form and function. It feels solid and substantial, without being bulky
and heavy. the aluminum design is a work of art, and I really
appreciate all of the eco-friendly choices that were made regarding the
components.
The LED screen is brighter and clearer than my old laptop's LCD
screen. Looking at them side by side, the difference is amazing (and my
old laptop was marketed as a portable entertainment PC, with an
upgraded screen). I don't know what kind of LCD screens some of the
other users have, but the Macbook screen is far superior to any
notebook screen I've ever seen.
The back-lit keyboard is great - no more keyboard light needed. The
keys have a solid feel to them, they're not mushy or noisy like some
keyboards can be, they're just right, and the key layout is just like a
full-size keyboard - no more hunting to figure out where the heck the
backslash key is hidden or hitting the wrong key because your pinky
slipped off of an undersized shift key.
I'll admit that I couldn't figure out the trackpad at first, but I
felt like a dork once I realized how simple it is. I did change the
settings so that I can tap to click in addition to pressing down on the
trackpad (since that's what I'm used to). It's just incredibly easy
once you get going. Swipe two fingers down the pad to scroll, swipe
four for expose, tap with two fingers for secondary-click... it does
more straight out of the box than my old highly-programed touch-pad.
And after about an hour, the gestures become second-nature.
As far as the built-in speakers go, they're nicer than I expected,
especially since I can't figure out how the heck they fit any speakers
into such a tiny case. Seriously, it's like the whole case is the
speaker. As I type this review, I'm listening to the album Paradise
Lost by Symphony X and It sounds pretty good to me. of course, it
sounds even better played through my Klipsch Room Groove, but um..
hey... they're integrated laptop speakers - though they are very nice
ones.
There are only two USB ports, but since the keyboard and trackpad
are so functional, you won't need external input devices (though a
number pad is a must for me when doing a lot of data-entry). I only use
USB for external storage and synching my iPod, so it's not a problem
for me (my iPod touch has a program that lets it act like a number pad
when I need one). If I ever need more devices at once, I'll get a USB
hub.
Now, it's confession time: As a Windows-centric IT Professional, I
never liked Apple much, and I spent many years making fun of Mac and
Mac users. When OS X came out, I couldn't justify further ridicule, so
I just ignored Mac whenever the subject came up. After using Leopard
for a short time, I can tell you that I don't have the appetite to eat
the big heaping serving of humble pie that I'm owed. Leopard is slick
and smooth and oh so fast. I'm truly enamored with iLife and iWork, and
Time Machine is just about perfect (better than shadow copies, for the
Windows guys and gals). It's packed with a lot of little things (like
Spotlight and Preview) that are unobtrusive and helpful, which is a
vast improvement over Vista's annoying and unhelpful features.
So, now I'm a happy convert. I still have two programs that are
Windows-only (until I find replacements), and I still go back to my old
(1 year old) laptop occasionally (for just the two, I don't want to
bother with Boot Camp or Parallels). I hate going back to Vista after
using my Macbook. Even though that laptop technically has higher RAM
and processor specs than the Macbook, it's slow and clunky in
comparison. I always sigh in relief when I can put it away again.
Bottom line: I love my Macbook and I wish I hadn't waited so long
to make the switch. If you're worried about switching to Mac, visit an
Apple Store - even if you have to make a day trip to get there, it will
be worth it. Spend a little hands on time with the Macbook, and check
out all the free classes the store offers. If you buy from the store,
they will move your files from your old PC for you (for free). If all
of that doesn't convince you, then come see me, and I'll offer you a
tall, refreshing glass of Apple-flavored Kool-Aid. :-)
Phenomenal Laptop
Pros: - GREAT OS
- Lightning fast
- Light-weight, sturdy unibody design
- Attractive design
- Dashboard
- Incredible screen
- Great trackpad
- Good battery life
- Keyboard is excellent
- Magsafe adapter
- Excellent iSight Camera
- Boot camp available
Cons: - Glossy screen quite reflective
- Screen is fingerprint prone
- No FireWire
- Small amount of game functionality
- Battery not as good as advertised
- Distant longing for physical trackpad button
- Multi-touch gestures not entirely spot-on
Summary: The new Macbook. It's incredible. With faults. That's all I'm going to say for my introduction. Read on.
Physical Specs
The product physically is very sturdy, thanks to the unibody
construction. Normally the chassis would normally consist of various
small parts. So instead of taking a small piece of aluminum and adding
more aluminum, Apple has taking a big piece of aluminum and subtracted
from it. Thus creating a sturdy, yet light laptop. I have heard that
the aluminum interferes with internet connectivity issues. I do have to
say, unfortunately, it is true. I put the Macbook and my old PC laptop
side by side, and the PC was able to pick up better frequency and more
networks.
Now for the multi-touch trackpad. It is made from glass, but it
feels like there is a covering on it that doesn't nearly have the
friction of glass. Clicking and moving the cursor is very easy and
enjoyable, with the very large surface. Right-clicking can be done with
by clicking with two fingers or by clicking one of the bottom corners
after being manually set. It should also be noted that only the bottom
3/4 of the trackpad is clickable.
The multi-touch gestures are fun to use, but are truly unneeded gimmicks that could be done easier with a click.
I'll just go through the gestures now.
There are 2 finger gestures:
The first is scrolling with using two fingers by swiping your fingers vertically or horizontally depending on the page.
Secondly you can rotate a picture using two fingers apart and rotating.
The third gesture is holding the control button and scrolling vertically to zoom in on a page.
And there is one 3-finger gesture:
Swipe with three fingers to navigate. You can do this to go forward or back on a page, or changing a picture.
Lastly there are 4-finger gestures:
Swiping vertically upwards allows you to clear everything off your desktop.
Swiping vertically down launches Expose.
Swiping horizontally in any direction lets you change and view your
running applications, which can also be done with command+tab.
On the bottom of the MacBook there is a panel that allows for easy
access to your battery and hard drive. This will be handy to many
people.
The keyboard is just like the Air, with the spaces between the
keys. This creates a very nice typing experience, and are backlit if
you purchase the 2.4GHz model.
A major letdown by Apple is the omission of a FireWire port. This
is very disappointing to many people, but doesn't affect me at all.
Nowadays the average users don't use FireWire too much. Although I do
see this as a major problem for professional applications.
There is also a battery life indicator on the side of the base that glows green to show the rounded percentage of your battery.
Software and Performance
Of course the MacBook has the great Mac OS X Leopard software.
It is very fast, and has good security.
The battery life is advertised to have 5 hours of battery life, but
Apple obviously means not being connected to the Internet, and having
no applications running. You'll probably get about 4 and a half hours
with Safari and other apps running. Unless you have a lot of apps on
like me, then you'll maybe have 3 and a half to 4 hours.
With the NVidia graphics card, the screen looks pretty good, as do
games. I do have to admit, though, the new MacBook Pro screen looks
better, especially with blacks. Still, games really pop on the gorgeous
glossy screen, unless you are in a bright area. The glossy screen of
course attracts bad glares and many noticeable fingerprints. Still, if
you are indoors or someplace with low light, the glossy screen is
perfect. I mostly use it inside, so I wouldn't trade the beautiful
glossy screen. Although for those coffee-shop typing folks, this could
be a deal-breaker.
Other than these things, Mac OS X is the same, really.
Conclusion
If you have purchased a MacBook anytime soon, then I would not
suggest you purchase this one. Most of the differences are the physical
attributes, and the software is pretty much the same.
If you are new to Macs like me, then I would DEFINITELY suggest
this phenomenal notebook computer. Of course it does have it's faults,
truly I have never used such a simple, enjoyable computer.
Not quite what we were hoping for...
I work as an IT manager, overseeing about 4000+ client computers.
About one-fourth of them are Macs. I myself am a long-time Mac user,
currently using a dual-quad Mac Pro and a 1st gen white MacBook, which
I love both of them.
Full disclosure: I do not own this new MacBook (although I had
planned to upgrade), but we bought several for evaluation purposes to
determine whether they would be purchased in larger quantities. I have
used one for almost a week now and have developed a love / hate
relationship with them.
The Good:
The unibody is a beautiful design, and makes for a rigid and solid
feeling notebook. I like the fact they've make it easier to perform
hard drive and memory upgrades. The battery indicator on the side is a
nice touch, instead of on the bottom, but I admit, I never used it that
much, since I tend to check the battery life when it's on and I check
it on the menu bar.
Once you get used to it, the new trackpad, it's a delight to use,
and the new finger gestures are useful. The new DisplayPort also seems
to work well enough, although once again, new adapters will have to
purchased. Some people have complained about the lack of HDMI, but if
you read the specs for the DisplayPort standard, it really takes us
into the next generation of video display and is a better standard,
IMHO.
Finally, the new graphics update is much welcomed. Graphics
performance has substantially been increased, and the 2.0 GHz machines
we're testing are pretty snappy when using graphics intensive tasks. We
don't play games with these, but I'm sure gamers will welcome the
change. Our Pro Apps are noticeably faster.
The Bad:
Naturally, this new manufacturing process has to cost Apple more,
but we didn't except to pay so much more for a computer with worst
[basic] specs than what we were getting in our purchase of the white
and black MacBooks. Except for graphics performance, our CPU benchmarks
are very lackluster in comparison. Our IT budget is very tight right
now, and it's going to be hard to justify a purchase with so little
difference in performance. Respectively, each model, compared to the
MacBook model it replaced, is only 6% and 12% faster. These benchmarks
have been independently verified by many Mac-related websites.
Several of our early testers are complaining about the ultra-glossy
(or glassy) screen and the quality of the display itself. Our offices
are brightly-lit and it takes quite a bit of adjustment to properly see
the screen without severe glare. This isn't as noticeable in low-light
environments, but we also see poor side-to-side viewing, meaning you
almost have to look at these dead-on straight to see a good image.
Comparing it to earlier MacBooks and MBP's, these new models are much
worse. Fingerprints are much more noticeable also, and the glass front
bezel seems to be a fingerprint magnet. That's not a big deal, but they
complained that calibration doesn't help the color flaws in this new
display. These use LED displays, as opposed to TFT displays that the
previous MacBook had. I think it's just a cheaper panel, because other
reviews have had no major complaints with LED displays in the new
MacBook Pros.
Lastly, and most important to me as a technician, is the
