buying a new notebook...

[SnowLeopard2008]

When MacWorld tested the two, the unibody was only marginally faster: 4.8% in speed tests, and a few seconds either way in most of their other tests.

Before you go off spouting claims about how different the performance is, try doing your research first. Yes, the unibody is faster, but not by much. And given how much less expensive the white MacBook is, it's a better performance/dollar proposition.

As for "if you think it's not that big of a deal, then the only tasks you do are basic computing tasks", what's wrong with that? For the OP's stated uses, the white MacBook will be more than sufficient. And anyone looking for a machine to use for "apps that matter" is likely looking at a MacBook Pro anyway. :

You're extremely arrogant if you think the only apps "that matter" are the highly demanding ones. Email might be a "basic computing task", but for many people it's a critical method of communication. You're also a hypocrite: if you think computers are meant to be used for things "that matter", then an internet forum is not where you belong.

Get your "facts" straight and stop pulling random garbage out of your sorry behind. I never once claimed that the UMB is a better "performance/dollar". Nor have I expressed any opinion to anything wrong with the OP's uses. Nor have I claimed that apps "that matter" are "high demanding ones". From a computer's POV, email is a basic task. I don't know what computer you're using but mine certainly thinks so. I never once claimed that a computer's sole purpose is to be used with things "that matter".

Why don't you take your own advice and stop "spouting claims" that you made up????? Hypocrite.

 

[Demosthenes X]

Get your "facts" straight and stop pulling random garbage out of your sorry behind. I never once claimed that the UMB is a better "performance/dollar". Nor have I expressed any opinion to anything wrong with the OP's uses. Nor have I claimed that apps "that matter" are "high demanding ones". From a computer's POV, email is a basic task. I don't know what computer you're using but mine certainly thinks so. I never once claimed that a computer's sole purpose is to be used with things "that matter".

Why don't you take your own advice and stop "spouting claims" that you made up????? Hypocrite.

When in doubt, stack lies on lies, I guess. This post clearly insinuates that the UMB is faster than the WMB, and that "apps that matter" are highly involving and demand more RAM:

The performance between the polycarbonate MB and unibody MB is very different. The unibody has DDR3 memory and if you think it's not that big of a deal, then the only tasks you do are basic computing tasks. In apps that matter DDR3 is much faster than DDR2.

And this isn't the only thread where you've expressed belief that anyone who doesn't buy the UMB is a "below average" users:

Please show where you got your facts from. DDR2 and DDR3 memory is very different. DDR3 is newer and much faster than DDR2. If you work with audio, video, photoshop, etc you will notice the difference. I assume you are an below/average user in order to justify your statements. The aluminum MB has an LED backlit screen, and a much better LCD panel than the polycarbonate MB.

And again, this information is simply incorrect. Testing reveals a very small speed difference between the two machines - not something a user would notice in day to day activities.

As for "spouting claims" - any claims I've made about the performance of the machines are true and verifiable - unlike yours. Any claims I've made about what you said are based on the message you convey in your posts. If you don't want to insinuate that "apps that matter" are highly demanding ones, then think before you post a comment like "then the only tasks you do are basic computing tasks. In apps that matter DDR3 is much faster than DDR2." Because the insinuation there is very clear.

 

[sosnoregrets]

I am a grad student who takes my uni MB everywhere I go. I like the 13" size because of the portability and the screen is large enough for my needs (paper writing, photoshop and internet access). I do not have the backlit keyboard, but haven't needed that feature so far because I rarely type in the dark. Even if I did, the screen provides enough light if I needed to find a key. I did, however, increase the memory from 2GB to 4GB for multiple program use. It was also cheaper for me to purchase a non-Apple 250GB external hard drive (less than $100) to use with time machine rather than increasing the hard drive on the computer itself. Plus, I was able to get the student discount. I've had this computer for about 8 months and it has been worth every penny.