$300 Less for a Plastic Version?

[SnowLeopard2008]

what the HELL are you Talking about? future proof? MANY computers use DDR2 and Will until around the year 2011~2012. so exactly what are you saying about Future proofing?

Okay I kinda get at where you're going with this. You were probably too cheap to spend extra $$ and now you are dissatisfied with the polycarbonate model. You have to personally "attack" the unibody, making it seem expensive and pointless in order to self-justify your polycarbonate MacBook. New computers will NOT use the DDR2 memory (at least the high end ones, not the low end Dells that cost like $300 dollars per box).

These are the facts:

Multi touch trackpad made of glass = $$ this ain't some 99 cent store stuff that EEE used early in their netbooks
Thinner, aluminum design = $$ NOT JUST FOR DURABILITY, it's a HEAT SINK too.
LED backlit screen = $$ won't fade like CCFL backlights do, and is thinner + brighter + use less energy
LCD panel = $$ much much better than the older MB panels
Faster Ram = $$ this isn't the same as DDR2
Lighter
Faster
Etc...

 

[aluminumapple]

Okay I kinda get at where you're going with this. You were probably too cheap to spend extra $$ and now you are dissatisfied with the polycarbonate model. You have to personally "attack" the unibody, making it seem expensive and pointless in order to self-justify your polycarbonate MacBook. New computers will NOT use the DDR2 memory (at least the high end ones, not the low end Dells that cost like $300 dollars per box).

These are the facts:

Multi touch trackpad made of glass = $$ this ain't some 99 cent store stuff that EEE used early in their netbooks
Thinner, aluminum design = $$ NOT JUST FOR DURABILITY, it's a HEAT SINK too.
LED backlit screen = $$ won't fade like CCFL backlights do, and is thinner + brighter + use less energy
LCD panel = $$ much much better than the older MB panels
Faster Ram = $$ this isn't the same as DDR2
Lighter
Faster
Etc...

wow. your honestly gonna attack me with that?

k fine lets put it this way. i have both alum macbook 13" with poly book 13" they poly for me has 2gb ram with 250 HD, my 13" alum has 4gb ddr3 with 500 seagate momentus 7200rpm
so no , im not cheap.

Aluminum : ONE OF THE CHEAPEST METAL TYPE OUT THERE, your getting me to the point where your argueing that aluminum use for apple costs them alot of money? No It Doesnt, why dont you research aluminum and how much it would cost at large manufacture rate?

Faster Ram: ? no Difference between the 2 DDR 2 and DDR 3 within 13" poly and alum IS A LESS THAN 5% INCREASE, and even than only noticable when the ram IS CLOSE TO FULL.

Faster: ? exactly how the hell is 2.0 ghz duo core 2 slower than the EXACT 2.0 ghz duo core 2? unless you have some magical sprinkles that make it faster Theoretically, Practically and Logically NO ITS NOT FASTER.

LCD and lighter macbook ? : ok i have both macbooks put them side to side one just has a glossy screen and another doesnt, and if you extensively use the alum macbook it does hurt your eye.

Most high end models have DDR3 ?: ok. out of all the dell products as well as Alienware most of them (all of the alienware) HAVE DDR 2 Ram Why?
Because DDR 3 isnt much of a huge difference as well as CONSUMERS DONT NEED IT. If DDR 3 Was Such a huge deal companies would have already started mass producing with DDR 3 notebooks.

So Exactly Whats your Point again? that im poor? Ok. thats Spam Nothing related to the thread.

 

[marbles]

Okay I kinda get at where you're going with this. You were probably too cheap to spend extra $$ and now you are dissatisfied with the polycarbonate model. You have to personally "attack" the unibody, making it seem expensive and pointless in order to self-justify your polycarbonate MacBook. New computers will NOT use the DDR2 memory (at least the high end ones, not the low end Dells that cost like $300 dollars per box).

These are the facts:

Multi touch trackpad made of glass = $$ this ain't some 99 cent store stuff that EEE used early in their netbooks
Thinner, aluminum design = $$ NOT JUST FOR DURABILITY, it's a HEAT SINK too.
LED backlit screen = $$ won't fade like CCFL backlights do, and is thinner + brighter + use less energy
LCD panel = $$ much much better than the older MB panels
Faster Ram = $$ this isn't the same as DDR2
Lighter
Faster
Etc...

Actually if you look at the benchmarks there is not much difference in the polycarbonate model and the unibody.

I will agree that the unibody appears to be a better chassis but only time will tell on that one.Already we are seeing problems with the battery door etc etc etc.

The price difference between the two models (in the UK) is excessive for what you actually get .

 

[TonyL08]

Okay I kinda get at where you're going with this. You were probably too cheap to spend extra $$ and now you are dissatisfied with the polycarbonate model. You have to personally "attack" the unibody, making it seem expensive and pointless in order to self-justify your polycarbonate MacBook. New computers will NOT use the DDR2 memory (at least the high end ones, not the low end Dells that cost like $300 dollars per box).

These are the facts:

This is funny. I was, in fact, too cheap to spend the extra $300 on the new body. And I for sure do not regret it one bit. I'm also not bashing the new body either, just pointing out why it was worthless for me.

People are really talking about future proof laptops? Really? Haven't we learned anything over the last 3 decades of having computers in our lives? You don't buy a computer for it's ability to be relevant in 2 years, because no matter how top of the line it is now. In 2 years it will be mid to low end. Whatever you upgrade the machine with, won't be needed in a new machine in 2 years. Upgrade the RAM now, your next machine will come with that standard, if not a better version. Same for HDD, a 500GB 7200RPM drive now will likely be below standard in 2 years in the higher end laptops. There is no such thing as future proof. Buy what you need now, that will last you however long you feel you need it to, because when you're ready to upgrade, every spec in your current machine will be outdated.

White vs. Aluminum specs? They are the exact same. Same proc., same video, same DVD, same everything. Except the ram. One has DDR2 and one has DDR3. Really, you will never notice the difference in real world day to day use. Step away from the benchmarks, they're meaningless. You're riding a spec sheet.

For the facts you posted,

Multi touch trackpad made of glass = $$ this ain't some 99 cent store stuff that EEE used early in their netbooks

I don't understand the awesome of glass here. It's a trackpad, nothing more. It's glass so the multitouch will work. I've never had a trackpad wear out, so material does not matter. Multitouch in the OS? I use a mouse, don't like trackpads, so I don't care. Personal pref. and nothing else.

Thinner, aluminum design = $$ NOT JUST FOR DURABILITY, it's a HEAT SINK too.

Again, personal preference. The plastic is durable enough for a computer. Has been for years. Also, I don't think Apple designed any part of the components to actually contact the body in any way that would allow it to act as a heat sink. Heat sinks are firmly attached to certain chips in the casing with thermal grease. In no way are they attached to the body. Sure, AL cools faster than plastic, but that's just the body and has little to no effect on the components inside.

LED backlit screen = $$ won't fade like CCFL backlights do, and is thinner + brighter + use less energy

CCFL does fade, but it takes time. Something like half brightness in 5 years. I have never used a computer past 2 years, so it's meaningless. Plus I keep mine about 4-6 notches down from max anyway. I can just raise it as I perceive it dims. Thinner lighter, uses less energy, yes. All nice pluses. Not worth the extra money for me.

LCD panel = $$ much much better than the older MB panels

Where do you get this? They're the same, one with CCFL backlight, one with LED. Apple uses more than one distributor for panels from what I understand. Some are better than others. I had two MacBooks once that sucked, couldn't display dithered colors at all. Took them back. I read about the same problems on the AL model as well.

Faster Ram = $$ this isn't the same as DDR2

Back to this? Again. Makes no difference here in the real world. You won't notice it surfing the web. You may, if you have them both sitting next to each other and can directly compare, notice a difference while compiling something over a long time frame. Again, not worth the price since I can just bump the RAM to 4GB for $35 and come out ahead of a stock AL model while still saving $265.



To end. Nobody is an idiot for buying either model. It's a personal thing. If the AL suits you, buy it, love it, use it. If the plastic model is good enough, save $300 and do the same thing the AL user does. It's a computer, nothing more. In two years or so you'll be doing this all over again with Apple's then weird lineup. Making arbitrary emotional choices based on price to new features is a part of using Apple products. At least this time, no one is having to justify $200 for nothing more than a color.

 

[fibrizo]

I agree. I like my macbook aluminum for it's sleekness. Does that mean that it's a better buy? No. Did I still buy it? Yes. Does that make me a whore for looks? Maybe.

What really is funny though is all this talk of future proofing. There is no such thing really. Is your laptop going to look dated when Apple updates to a newer shinier/sexier design? Yes. Will you likely lust after the new product? Yes. Will your laptop be slower than what they have 1-2 years from now? Yes. Computer tech really moves so fast that "future proofing" doesn't make that much sense. It's probably best actually to buy 1 gen down from the newest tech, and upgrade along with it. I still remember getting my first 3x CD-ROM drive... cost 450 freaking dollars and I had to load all the stuff into caddies... In retrospect I probably should have just gotten the 2x and waited for progress... would have saved alot and gotten much better overall hardware along the way. But hey I had a 3x CD-Rom when other people didn't

 

[aluminumapple]

Yup.

people should really start to notice what they type without having knowledge of exactly what they are talking about. Computers get outdated, fast and quickly programs appear more material appear. That is a fact.

From this point on Do Not Mention Future Proofing Anyone. Anyone that does will be called a idiot and brought back to point 1.

 

[Mikey B]

I think Apple is currently clearing warehouses of the polycarb shell and when they run out the whitebook is history, then we'll possibly see a smaller form
factor netbook type machine which will dock into the new iMacs

Nope. Not true, they just revamped the WhiteBook and have stated that they plan to sell it for a long time.

 

[arthursiew]

It's not exactly the same. The Al MacBook has LED backlit displays, glass trackpad and NO firewire.

 

[marbles]

Nope. Not true, they just revamped the WhiteBook and have stated that they plan to sell it for a long time.

Not true ? how d'you know? because Apple said so I guess....
I'm a reasonable guy so fair enough but Apple do say a lot of things! ,What I mean is they're not going to say "hey folks the whitebook will be discontinued when we run out of polycarb shells" now are they ?

But , with this video of the supposed new Mini in the wild now and it being white an all I can see how they could tie the product line together
low end desktop = white
low end notebook = white

 

[Mikey B]

wow. your honestly gonna attack me with that?

k fine lets put it this way. i have both alum macbook 13" with poly book 13" they poly for me has 2gb ram with 250 HD, my 13" alum has 4gb ddr3 with 500 seagate momentus 7200rpm
so no , im not cheap.

Aluminum : ONE OF THE CHEAPEST METAL TYPE OUT THERE, your getting me to the point where your argueing that aluminum use for apple costs them alot of money? No It Doesnt, why dont you research aluminum and how much it would cost at large manufacture rate?

I'm not sure if he was arguing that aluminum is an expensive metal per se, just that it is a more expensive material than polycarbonate. I'm inclined to agree. Also, the labor involved in creating the unibodies is far higher than the plastic. Like it or not, that cost is transferred to the consumer.

Faster Ram: ? no Difference between the 2 DDR 2 and DDR 3 within 13" poly and alum IS A LESS THAN 5% INCREASE, and even than only noticable when the ram IS CLOSE TO FULL.

Is it a mind-numbing difference in speed? No. Is it the newest technology? Yes. /story. Newer = more money.

Faster: ? exactly how the hell is 2.0 ghz duo core 2 slower than the EXACT 2.0 ghz duo core 2? unless you have some magical sprinkles that make it faster Theoretically, Practically and Logically NO ITS NOT FASTER.

It's not just the processor, it is the whole system. Sorry, but there are differences. You might not think they are worth it, but obviously plenty of people do. http://tinyurl.com/macworld-benchmarks

LCD and lighter macbook ? : ok i have both macbooks put them side to side one just has a glossy screen and another doesnt, and if you extensively use the alum macbook it does hurt your eye.

I'm not sure what you are getting at here, but the aluminum is indeed lighter- 4.5 vs. 5 pounds. http://tinyurl.com/macbook-weights And to me, someone who lugs around his computer all day, that half pound makes a difference. And sorry, but both have a glossy screen, the aluminum's may be glass, but both are glossy. I stare at my aluminum all day and my eyes feel great. Finally, if you are honestly trying to argue that the aluminum's screen isn't a dramatic upgrade from the plastic, well...

Most high end models have DDR3 ?: ok. out of all the dell products as well as Alienware most of them (all of the alienware) HAVE DDR 2 Ram Why?
Because DDR 3 isnt much of a huge difference as well as CONSUMERS DONT NEED IT. If DDR 3 Was Such a huge deal companies would have already started mass producing with DDR 3 notebooks.

Sorry, but the reason most companies use DDR2 is because it is much much cheaper. This allows them to keep the cost of their product lower. But I guarantee you that within a year we shall see DDR3 saturating the market. Apple's consumers are willing to pay to play so they can use it. The whitebook is their entry-level notebook, hence cheaper components for a cheaper price point.

So Exactly Whats your Point again? that im poor? Ok. thats Spam Nothing related to the thread.

My point is that while the differences may not be big to you, to me and many others, the $300 price jump is worth it. As a long time owner of the WhiteBook (which I still use and love, btw) I find my Aluminum to be much more robust, much much quicker, and basically the best consumer notebook Apple has ever made.

Not true ? how d'you know? because Apple said so I guess....
I'm a reasonable guy so fair enough but Apple do say a lot of things! ,What I mean is they're not going to say "hey folks the whitebook will be discontinued when we run out of polycarb shells" now are they ?

But , with this video of the supposed new Mini in the wild now and it being white an all I can see how they could tie the product line together
low end desktop = white
low end notebook = white

I really don't think Apple is going to make a computer simply because they have a surplus of cheap, white polycarb shells. What reason do you have to not believe Apple when they actually said, "this is our best selling notebook and we plan to keep on selling it for a long time."

 

[Mikey B]

Sorry, double-post.

 

[marbles]

I really don't think Apple is going to make a computer simply because they have a surplus of cheap, white polycarb shells. What reason do you have to not believe Apple when they actually said, "this is our best selling notebook and we plan to keep on selling it for a long time."

They are in business to make money.

Define" much much quicker " according to benchmarks there isnt much difference at all speed wise

 

[Mikey B]

They are in business to make money.

Define" much much quicker " according to benchmarks there isnt much difference at all speed wise

Well, to me, much much quicker is how all of my apps load faster, encoding goes quicker, I can edit photo's faster, everything I do on my Aluminum, just feels faster to me. My battery lasts longer, the screen is much brighter, the whole package, trackpad, keyboard, everything, is just a faster more pleasureable experience. According to Macworld's benchmarks, there is about an 8% difference. Like I said, not a mind-numbing increase, but I definitely notice it in my day-to-day. YMMV.

And right, they are in the business to make money, which is why they wouldn't go through the expense of making a computer, packaging it, shipping it, and selling it, simply because they may or may not have a surplus of plastic cases. They do it because as they said it is there best selling notebook of all time. They are not going to make their margins selling the aluminums at the $999 price point.

 

[aluminumapple]

double post error.

 

[aluminumapple]

jesus, how many times must you people be so ignorant and not take in just a few minutes into reading the whole thread?

most of the posts that are made here are personal references, that have nothing to do with the thread and or / facts that people list that Think is right, as well as posts that are relevant to one another but are ignored and posted again.

Closing thread if possible.

i will no longer post here, or look at this thread.

 

[marbles]

Well, to me, much much quicker is how all of my apps load faster, encoding goes quicker, I can edit photo's faster, everything I do on my Aluminum, just feels faster to me. My battery lasts longer, the screen is much brighter, the whole package, trackpad, keyboard, everything, is just a faster more pleasureable experience. According to Macworld's benchmarks, there is about an 8% difference. Like I said, not a mind-numbing increase, but I definitely notice it in my day-to-day. YMMV.

And right, they are in the business to make money, which is why they wouldn't go through the expense of making a computer, packaging it, shipping it, and selling it, simply because they may or may not have a surplus of plastic cases. They do it because as they said it is there best selling notebook of all time. They are not going to make their margins selling the aluminums at the $999 price point.

I'm happy you feel the alu mb is faster , thats good .enjoy

 

[marbles]

jesus, how many times must you people be so ignorant and not take in just a few minutes into reading the whole thread?

most of the posts that are made here are personal references, that have nothing to do with the thread and or / facts that people list that Think is right, as well as posts that are relevant to one another but are ignored and posted again.

Closing thread if possible.

i will no longer post here, or look at this thread.

here here

 

[J&JPolangin]

Nope. Not true, they just revamped the WhiteBook and have stated that they plan to sell it for a long time.

...3 - 6 months in computer tech IS a long time...who knows how long they will be around...only time will tell...

...for the price difference, I'm thinking of upgrading the RAM myself and buying apple care (maybe spending a few $$ more on a 320 GB HDD) on a white book...

 

[AmbientEternity]

[insert in-depth post]
Is the aluminum MacBook worth the extra $300.00? Absolutely, but not if you suffer from astignatism

I have an astigmatism in my left eye, and it doesn't seem to bother me.

I went with the 2.4GHz Aluminum unibody macbook simply because of the overall sexiness and durability. The trackpad is out of this world(especially the accessibility of the expose!). The screen is nice and bright(and my keys light up for late night usage ). I don't own anything that uses a firewire port, so I'm not missing anything there.

It was expensive, but as a first time Mac owner I am enjoying the experience.