Post Your Perfect MacBooks!

[Locker]

I thought it'd be nice to have a thread which showcased the 'perfect' MacBooks that exist out there. Not only would it be great to see that Apple are still making fantastic machines, but it would give hope to those thinking of buying one and to those waiting for replacements (like me).

So, post your perfectly aligned function keys, beautifully snug battery cover and dare I say it - beautiful screen! Go...

[John Jacob]

I got my Macbook yesterday, and I have to say it is perfect in every way. All the keys seem flat, screen is perfect, battery cover is flush, no dead pixels (that I have noticed). It is a 2.4 with 4GB RAM.

I have had one problem. I have purchased a 320GB Western Digital 7200RPM hard drive to replace the stock drive with. I plan to use the stock drive as backup. I bought a cheap set of screwdrivers, and today I opened my Macbook to change the drive. However, I couldn't unscrew the screw that holds the harddrive in place. No matter what I did, the bloody thing wouldn't budge. I don't want to strip the screw, so I didn't exert too much force. I'm not very sure what to do now, as I don't want to transfer all my data to the stock drive, only to have to transfer it again to the new one. :confused: But I can't wait to start using my new Macbook.

[LFC.SL]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/steven2509/sets/72157608678549595/

Contains some quick unboxing pictures and some comparisons with my Samsung 215TW monitor and HP nc8430 notebook (both matte screens)

2.4 GHz | 4GB Ram | 320GB HD

[richorlin]

I bought a cheap set of screwdrivers, and today I opened my Macbook to change the drive. However, I couldn't unscrew the screw that holds the harddrive in place. No matter what I did, the bloody thing wouldn't budge. I don't want to strip the screw, so I didn't exert too much force.

There's your problem. You bought a cheap set of screwdrivers. The screw is a little tight, but with a decent screwdriver - something with a long shaft and larger handle for leverage - you should be able to exert enough pressure without stripping the screw. I was able to do it using a set of good-quality jeweler's screwdrivers. If you don't want to buy the whole set, go to Sears or Ace hardware and buy a big-ass screw driver with a small head on it. You'll also need a torx screwdriver to remove the mounting screws, or you can use a small needle-nose pliers to loosen them.

[tiartrop]

I got my Macbook yesterday, and I have to say it is perfect in every way. All the keys seem flat, screen is perfect, battery cover is flush, no dead pixels (that I have noticed). It is a 2.4 with 4GB RAM.

I have had one problem. I have purchased a 320GB Western Digital 7200RPM hard drive to replace the stock drive with. I plan to use the stock drive as backup. I bought a cheap set of screwdrivers, and today I opened my Macbook to change the drive. However, I couldn't unscrew the screw that holds the harddrive in place. No matter what I did, the bloody thing wouldn't budge. I don't want to strip the screw, so I didn't exert too much force. I'm not very sure what to do now, as I don't want to transfer all my data to the stock drive, only to have to transfer it again to the new one. :confused: But I can't wait to start using my new Macbook.

My macbook is perfect (by perfect I mean it hasn't severely suffered the symptoms people said in this forum) except this problem too.

I ended up taking it back to the reseller store and had the screw removed from me... I think he drilled it and completely stripped it too (and originally he wanted to charge $75 service fee). I need a replacement now. Called Apple and they referred me back to the store that I had my screw removed, what the heck... So I called Apple store (there's one in my city but it's kinda far from where I live) and they told me to make an appointment with a genius; haven't done that since I'm rather occupied until the end of this month.

So if you don't want to risk stripping the screw, my suggestion is take it to Apple store if there's one in your area.

[christiemp]

My macbook is perfect. I don't know exactly what to say about it...it doesn't have any of the defects! Yay!? :D

[mobilehavoc]

+1

:)

[Locker]

Can anyone provide photos of their keys, battery cases etc. - being perfect. I'm sure it would be encouraging for a lot of folk.

[Halon X]

I've purchased 2 MacBooks and an MacBookPro, all have been perfect.

2 were purchased at the Apple Store, one online via Apple's website.

[Halon X]

Can anyone provide photos of their keys, battery cases etc. - being perfect. I'm sure it would be encouraging for a lot of folk.

Why? So we've got a thread full of the same pictures of the same laptop?

It's sort of like unboxing photo's! Once you've seen one, you've seen them all! I've never understood the need or desire!

[mcewanmac]

I have a MBP and a MB. They are both perfect.

For the record, the screens are virtually identical.

[richardsim7]

My MBP 2.53 4GB 500GB is perfect :)

-Rich-

[zotes24]

here is my perfect one (the upgraded specs in my sig)

http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj275/blackoutjetta/Macbook/IMG_0186.jpg

http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj275/blackoutjetta/Macbook/IMG_0190.jpg

[wallstreetcrash]

I have had one problem. I have purchased a 320GB Western Digital 7200RPM hard drive to replace the stock drive with. I plan to use the stock drive as backup. I bought a cheap set of screwdrivers, and today I opened my Macbook to change the drive. However, I couldn't unscrew the screw that holds the harddrive in place. No matter what I did, the bloody thing wouldn't budge. I don't want to strip the screw, so I didn't exert too much force. I'm not very sure what to do now, as I don't want to transfer all my data to the stock drive, only to have to transfer it again to the new one. :confused: But I can't wait to start using my new Macbook.

Same! I used pliers after trying a hundrerd screws lol!
Pliers are easy, twist it a little, then use your fingers.

[mcdj]

post pictures of a perfect macbook? kinda dumb. if you want pics of a perfect macbook, they're plastered all over apple.com.

[Locker]

post pictures of a perfect macbook? kinda dumb. if you want pics of a perfect macbook, they're plastered all over apple.com.
I was more thinking of photos of the area which people are having problems with. Mainly the keys and battery case. From angles which show they're correct... it would be nicely encouraging for me and a few others I imagine.

[Halon X]

I was more thinking of photos of the area which people are having problems with. Mainly the keys and battery case. From angles which show they're correct... it would be nicely encouraging for me and a few others I imagine.

So the words of people expressing their satisfaction are not enough?

How many pictures will it take for you to feel encouraged?

Everyone knows what a perfectly good laptop should look like, there is no point in posting pictures of it this!

[Locker]

So the words of people expressing their satisfaction are not enough?

How many pictures will it take for you to feel encouraged?

Everyone knows what a perfectly good laptop should look like, there is no point in posting pictures of it this!
I guess I just haven't seen a shot of the keys being straight, yet lots of people are saying "I've just been to my local Apple store and all of the display ones were wonky" - anyone want to put an end to that?

[pratap21]

Mine is pretty perfect too.. After the screen calibrations its good.

[ManuelGnR]

Hey, let this dude having his fun watching MacBooks that are okay. I don't really feel the same way, but I totally understand his point, so, what's the problem?

I like watching pictures of brand new MacBooks like in ''unpacking'', they look awesome, but more ''in real'' than on apple.com :) Kind of weird too, so what? :P

[CaptainCaveMann]

I can't wait to get my macbook this Christmas! I'm getting the 2.4 with ssd! Woo hoo, bye bye iBook!!!:D

[billyjoegibsonx]

i love my macbook!

new aluminium!
2.4ghz, originally 2gb ram, upgraded today to 4gb :D, 250gb 5400rpm hdd :)

came in perfect condition! so far thers only a tiny scratch on the aluminium part with the apple logo. and a tiny dent where u open the magnetic latch thingy :$ but no biggy! still looks amazing!

screens a magnet for finger prints, just don't touch it and you'll be fine! awfully reflective ! but i don't mind, still would be nice for a matte option :) but i don't really mind!

keeeys are nice! look a tiny bit slanted, but doesn't bother me at all!, nice when they light up!, i think my keys are starting to fade! hmmm. not had it two weeks!

battery cover is a biiiiiit loose when battery is inside, but doesn't bother me at all either! battery life is goood! (im coming from vista laptops) long long long life :)

i just love my macbook! tiny drawbacks, but this machine does it for me :) and thats all that matters :)

[fatefulwhisper]

I've had my new aluminum 2.4 GHz MacBook for 2 weeks now, and I think it's perfect in terms of comparing it to the previous generation MacBook that I bought last year (White, 2.0 GHz). I can overlook the subtle flaws such as the screen and the keyboard because, frankly, the previous generation had it's own share of major flaws. Here's a breakdown of what I love about my new one after using the previous gen for over a year:

- The body is much more rigid; it'll be hard to dent this thing--especially the keyboard palmrest area. The old White MacBook had a plastic palmrest so it would bend a lot and felt very flimsy. Also the aluminum palmrest is less likely to get "stained" like the older white one from your oil and sweat, so there's less maintenance to deal with.

- They fixed the caps lock key on the new MacBook where if you accidently hit it, it won't light up. You actually have to hold the caps lock key down for about 1 second to activate it (as opposed to half a second). This is useful because I always accidently hit it when I meant to hit the Tab key to switch fields (like to a password field) and realize that I can't log in because my password was all caps! Very frustrating! But Apple thought ahead and fixed this for people like me :)

- The speakers are MUCH louder than the older MacBook. I have the volume currently set at 30% because at 50%, it's equivalent to 100% (or max) volume on the old White MacBook. Also the sound is much more crisp and clear.

- The laptop in general runs VERY quiet and cool... the old one, whenever I'd just goto youtube, the fans would kick in and the CPU jumped to 90%. It got very loud and hot to the touch where the palmrest was (and the bottom of the case too, around the CPU area). The new one is so much different... it does not get hot, but warm to the touch and only at the bottom. The palmrest area is still stone cold. I have yet to hear the fans kick in on this new MacBook--the loudest component is the optical drive if that says anything! I usually have about 9-10 apps running on a daily basis.

- The new battery reading on the side is very handy, although I rarely used on the old MacBook (the indicator was on the bottom though for the older model). But it's good to know that it's now easily accessible.

- The trackpad -- my GOD it's so wonderful. If you haven't touched one yet at an Apple Store, I will describe it the best way I can. It feels like gliding your fingers across silk. It's a real pleasure to use too. And the non-button is not even an issue. You would normally move your thumb down to the bottom where the button is supposed to be, and click the area and it works the way it's supposed to. Even right-clicking works now! Function-wise, it works exactly how you expect it would, but it looks a lot cleaner now. I don't really use all the gestures yet, but once in a while I'll use the four-finger gesture to bring up the application switcher or expose/desktop.

- Photoshop CS4 + new MacBook trackpad = Major Win. Wow. That's all I'll say. Speed is fast of course, but the way to manipulate the images w/ the new trackpad gestures just makes the product so much more enjoyable to use.

- The keys feel the same way as the old MacBook but seem a lot quieter. Plus on my model they light up :)

- The LED screen is very bright and vivid. It's definitely a lot brighter than the older model. I have to keep it down to 80% brightness to match my old LCD MacBook screen's brightness at times. However, the software has a built in sensor to automatically adjust the screen brightness depending on the ambient lighting conditions (like the iPhone).

- The hard drive and battery are now much easily accessible, compared to the coin trick you had to do with the older model (you had to use a coin or large flat object to open the battery out and change the hard drive).

- In general the overall responsiveness of the system is highly acceptable. My older system was a Core 2 Duo 2.0 GHz w/ 4 GB of DDR2 RAM. The new system is a 2.4 GHz w/ 2 GB of DDR3 RAM. Even though I have less RAM, the new DDR3 definitely makes a huge difference--being almost double the bus speed, it's just as responsive as if I had 4 GB. I can't wait until 4 GB RAM prices drop and I'll make the upgrade to see how much faster this thing can go.

- One neat thing is the new white indicator light on the bottom right of the case is a thin little light (like the MacBook Air) and you can't tell there is a light there until it turns on. It literally bleeds through the case. I guess it's hard to describe unless you see it in person. But the effect is very cool looking.

- The best thing over all the new features is the weight--which was the primary reason I bought it. I can definitely feel the weight difference between the previous MacBook model (5 lbs) compared to the new one (4.5 lbs). It feels a lot lighter than 4.5 lbs but is definitely lighter in general. The new MacBook Pro was going to be my second choice, but I felt 5.5 lbs is still too heavy. I'm very picky like that. But the MacBook is sufficiently powerful enough for my daily needs. I didn't buy it for gaming, but it's nice to be able to play Fallout 3 at the airport if I ever get really bored. And yes, I tested Fallout 3 on the thing and it works! It runs pretty smooth too at Medium settings. I have to reboot to Windows XP though (via BootCamp), but it works if I ever need it.

This pretty much sums up my impressions so far. This is coming from a person who's used a PC for 20 years, and recently switched to Mac a year and half ago. So this MacBook is far and away probably more perfect than any PC notebook I've used in the last 10 years of my life.

I hope this helps an owner of the previous generation MacBook who is comtemplating on buying a new one!

[StingerT125]

There have been no problems with the fit and finish on my 2.4 model.

I have been very happy with it. My screen has also not been a problem for me. The viewing angle is a little narrow, but when I am sitting using it the screen looks good to me.

Happy camper here.

[petermcphee]

I am quite satisfied with my new macbook.

[viccles]

Mine is perfect other than I seem to have some airport issues. Otherwise, all good :D

[Dybbuk]

My first one had dust, and some slanted function keys I didn't care about. New one is perfect.

Of course, the vertical viewing angle still sucks hard.

[VSMacOne]

Ever since I've gotten my MB I've spent hours on these forums. If there is something to know about my toys, I usually want to know it . I have complained and griped about some issues I've had with my mac, and since it was my first one i just wanted it to be perfect.
It does have a louder than normal HD, the battery cover is a little loose, and the screen doesn't shut completely flush with the bottom (it sits a tiny bit to the right) but so far I haven't noticed any marks on the screen. All in all, none of these issues have affected my ability to use this computer or its performance (KNOCK ON WOOD!! ).
Basically I just wanted to say that despite these little inconveniences, this machine is AMAZING! I actually enjoy doing work on it, and using all its "MAGIC" tricks.
SO not a PERFECT mac, but a SATISFIED owner

PS. This thing is straight up BEAUTIFUL! I catch myself sitting here and just staring at it...

[me2000]

This is my first Mac.. ever.

I love it.

I was scared opening it with all that I've heard on these forums... sure enough, the function keys were slanted.. powered it up... sure enough a "dead" pixel was very obvious when the white screen came up. But it went away! Thank goodness, I thought. :) It must have been stuck.

Checked the battery cover, didn't move at all. I won't be opening it, just because I don't have to.

The slanted function keys don't bother me at all. This keyboard is quite nice to type on. I really do like the chicklet style, which is another thing I was worried about.

The screen is very bright and nice... no complaints at all.

The touchpad is AMAZING. It's so smooth, it just glides to your touch. Best touchpad I have ever experienced.

The size and weight are a huge plus for me, since I'm a student. Having to lug around my 6.5 pound Dell around makes this thing feel like a feather in my backpack. I can now carry my new Macbook with me everywhere and not have to worry about killing my back.

I love OS X... so much better and simpler than Windows. I'm still not completely used to it, but it's been great so far.

Overall, I'm extremely satisfied with my new Macbook.

[Young Turk]

I am quite satisfied with my new macbook.

Likewise. My 2.4 is perfect in every way. My main Mac is a 20" Silver iMac, and I owned the first gen MacBook Air earlier this year, which I sold on eBay b/c I wasn't using it.

While I miss the thinness of the Air, the MacBook isn't too big to be portable. My only 'complaint' is the lack of firewire as I do a lot of HD video work in my law practice.

Otherwise, I'm very pleased.

YoungTurk

[sjobs@mac.com]

While nothing is perfect, I am happy to say my MB is free from the common major defects.

Me=Happy.

[Piaget]

I'm verry happy with my new MacBook :)

No slanted keys, tight battery cover and a 9c8c screen (apparently the best one)! Relatively speaking, blacks looks quite good even without screen calibration... Not seeing any of the problems that Gizmodo pointed out.

[lamina]

i love my macbook!

new aluminium!
2.4ghz, originally 2gb ram, upgraded today to 4gb :D, 250gb 5400rpm hdd :)

came in perfect condition! so far thers only a tiny scratch on the aluminium part with the apple logo. and a tiny dent where u open the magnetic latch thingy :$ but no biggy! still looks amazing!

screens a magnet for finger prints, just don't touch it and you'll be fine! awfully reflective ! but i don't mind, still would be nice for a matte option :) but i don't really mind!

keeeys are nice! look a tiny bit slanted, but doesn't bother me at all!, nice when they light up!, i think my keys are starting to fade! hmmm. not had it two weeks!

battery cover is a biiiiiit loose when battery is inside, but doesn't bother me at all either! battery life is goood! (im coming from vista laptops) long long long life :)

i just love my macbook! tiny drawbacks, but this machine does it for me :) and thats all that matters :)

Was this a joke? If my new computer had so many flaws, I'd send it back.

[Doublewire]

Perfect MacBook right hurr.
And there's no except, EXCEPT THE GELATINOUS GREEN FLUID I CAN NOT IDENTIFY, IT'S FINE.

[PeterQC]

Perfect MacBook right hurr.
And there's no except, EXCEPT THE GELATINOUS GREEN FLUID I CAN NOT IDENTIFY, IT'S FINE.

Battery leak? I really don't know what else it could be.

[Doublewire]

Battery leak? I really don't know what else it could be.

I was being facetious. D:

[mathieuheartmac]

My macbook is perfect for me.
The day after I bought it, I noticed what must be the slanted function keys people are talking about- but it is really not noticeable. It doesn't bother me at all.
I have had no problem with the screen collecting fingerprints. I don't touch my screen, though. I don't even get fingerprints near the isight when I open the notebook. The edge has enough room to not even touch the glass when opening.
I noticed the "louder" space bar too, but that is so minimal I only noticed it when others had commented about it.

I am really happy and I love it completely. (It is my first apple, so that may have something to do with it.)
:D

[JDF]

All good here. Keyboard flat and straight. No dead pixels or dust under glass. Battery cover is fine.

I do highly recommend screen re-calibration. I tried several recommended profiles from the forum but was happiest just using TV saturation. (System Preferences / Displays / Color / Calibrate then select 2.2 Television Gamma and leave other items at their default ("Native"). Really made a big difference, the very bright LED display needs a deeper gamma setting to make it look rich rather than washed out.

LOVE the new machine. Very solid feeling and a great form factor. Best Apple since the PB12.

JDF

[Ironic]

Mine is perfect from day one.

[hogfaninga]

Mine is perfect from day one.

We know. You say it in every thread.