Engadget review of late 2009 macbook: FAIL

[teerexx52]

So, they've 'discouraged' people from upgrading the ram and hard drive on the new models? Diabolical!

Well, that's what they said at the store

Have you tried taking it to a authorized 3rd party repair shop? I've got a couple in my city, and those guys are great.
Not yet. Not sure any of them would have any information about it as it is so new.

Maybe you could start a separate thread asking about taking off the casing. I'm starting to wonder if they're using a special tool, if there's a bit of a trick that requires a bit of knowledge (such as popping of the keyboard of a 12" powerbook) it's a minor design flaw, or if it was consciously designed to be difficult.

The last one sounds kind of nutty, I know. OTOH, it could be argued that Apple and His Steveness have a tendency to be obsessive control freaks. I'm starting to wonder....

I may start a separate thread. I haven't heard from anyone yet that has had the case off this puppy

 

[clyde2801]

I may start a separate thread. I haven't heard from anyone yet that has had the case off this puppy

If they've done that deliberatively to discourage people from upgrading the ram and hd, then frak them to death. This is starting to feel like the 1984 commercial, except that it's Steve's head on the giant monitor talking down to us.

On the up side, it would mean that I'd get to see a hot scandinavian chick running with a sledgehammer...

 

[teerexx52]

If they've done that deliberatively to discourage people from upgrading the ram and hd, then frak them to death. This is starting to feel like the 1984 commercial, except that it's Steve's head on the giant monitor talking down to us.

On the up side, it would mean that I'd get to see a hot scandinavian chick running with a sledgehammer...

One can only wonder. Screws top and bottom but not along the sides. That's where there is some sort of clip.

 

[iPhone 62S]

If they've done that deliberatively to discourage people from upgrading the ram and hd, then frak them to death. This is starting to feel like the 1984 commercial, except that it's Steve's head on the giant monitor talking down to us.

On the up side, it would mean that I'd get to see a hot scandinavian chick running with a sledgehammer...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdVzboF2E2Q <-yup, ironic isn't it, that Apple has now become the 1984 company, they are no longer the conapny who thinks different, they are controlling.

 

[clyde2801]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdVzboF2E2Q <-yup, ironic isn't it, that Apple has now become the 1984 company, they are no longer the conapny who thinks different, they are controlling.

Original blonde chick was much cuter than anime version, sorry.

 

[daneoni]

I fail to see the 'fail' here so to speak. They were pretty spot on considering Engadget is usually very positive about Apple products.

 

[clyde2801]

The engadget article wasn't a fail. The review gave the new macbook a fail.

 

[GeekGirl*]

Fail or not its much nicer then my
13"MBP and the screen is much nicer

 

[halisray]

its funny cause i bought the new macbook last week and my buddy bought the new macbook pro... first off i dont need firewire or an sd slot.. my buddy does... but mine comes with a 250gb hdd and his with a 160gb hdd which is awful.. oh and my MB hasnt scratched yet and im a university student and i throw my laptop into my bag each day to bring to class; theres not dirt or discolouration on the bottom of it either...

oh and my buddys MBP is scratched up majorly.. scratches show so much on those new MBPs its not even funny.. quite frankly the new MB is sick, i love mine to death.. its fast, i have a ton of room in my hdd as well... also the new look and feel to it is nice and i love SL. i had an old MBP before and i love this new MB a lot more.

 

[iPhone 62S]

Considering it was only meant to be a small refresh, I don't think the new MacBook is a fail at all. I used one the other day an loved it. Is it enough to make me upgrade from my current "old shape" one? Not really, no, coz I upped the RAM and could easily do the same to the HD if I wanted. But if I needed a new laptop, I'd probably go for the new MacBook, because I'm a cheapskate who can't afford the Pro

 

[halisray]

honestly.. the cheapest MBP and the MB have virtually no difference at all.. except that the MBP has firewire/SD and a 160gb HDD whereas the MB has no firewire/SD but has a 250gb HDD.. so yeah.. plus white > aluminum imo

 

[iPhone 62S]

You're right actually, only £100 difference, and refurbs have a much smaller difference. I'll look into that when I upgrade!

 

[moogle301]

"we'd gladly trade the fancy new trackpad for an SD slot" wow..
Perhaps they find it hard to learn keyboard and trackpad shortcuts but I know it would waaaaay help me to have one!! Can't you buy SD card readers for cheap? And they're small? Surely you use the trackpad more than a card slot even with a mouse?

 

[Zombie Acorn]

Apple should just stick with the sexy aluminum models.

 

[Primejimbo]

Considering it was only meant to be a small refresh, I don't think the new MacBook is a fail at all. I used one the other day an loved it. Is it enough to make me upgrade from my current "old shape" one? Not really, no, coz I upped the RAM and could easily do the same to the HD if I wanted. But if I needed a new laptop, I'd probably go for the new MacBook, because I'm a cheapskate who can't afford the Pro

Same here, not everyone wants a "pro" and I think they are sharp looking. It has everything I need and I would be happy with it.

Apple should just stick with the sexy aluminum models.

I like the aluminum but I also like the white Mac's also. I see one and I know it's a Mac right away and using one the new Macbook a few times I really like it a lot. If I was in the market for a new Macbook, I get it in a heart beat.

 

[l.a.rossmann]

I agree with them. It does scratch easily, it does cost $1k with no bluray or firewire. Did they say anything that isn't true?

 

[teerexx52]

Same here, not everyone wants a "pro" and I think they are sharp looking. It has everything I need and I would be happy with it.




I like the aluminum but I also like the white Mac's also. I see one and I know it's a Mac right away and using one the new Macbook a few times I really like it a lot. If I was in the market for a new Macbook, I get it in a heart beat.

I've had mine a few weeks now. Still no scratching. Runs very well and the screen is one of the best I've ever had.

 

[Ammo]

I've had mine a few weeks now. Still no scratching. Runs very well and the screen is one of the best I've ever had.

Had mine a week, don't know what this "scratching" thing is they're talking about.

And I'm with you about the screen. My HDTV looks dim in comparison.

 

[teerexx52]

Had mine a week, don't know what this "scratching" thing is they're talking about.

And I'm with you about the screen. My HDTV looks dim in comparison.

I agree. I recently purchased an imac so I now have three computers. The imac, 15" MacBook pro and the MacBook unibody. The plan I had was to use a desktop for bigger screen more power and one laptop for taking with me. I'm retired so taking with me means to Dunkin Donuts. So I thought about selling both the macbook and macbook pro and getting one 13" MacBook pro but now I'm kind of thinking I might just sell the 15" pro and keep the MacBook. I haven't had a desktop in years so trying to get use to that idea. We'll see how it works out. Anyways the MacBook is really nice and I am enjoying it.

 

[student_trap]

I agree. I recently purchased an imac so I now have three computers. The imac, 15" MacBook pro and the MacBook unibody. The plan I had was to use a desktop for bigger screen more power and one laptop for taking with me. I'm retired so taking with me means to Dunkin Donuts. So I thought about selling both the macbook and macbook pro and getting one 13" MacBook pro but now I'm kind of thinking I might just sell the 15" pro and keep the MacBook. I haven't had a desktop in years so trying to get use to that idea. We'll see how it works out. Anyways the MacBook is really nice and I am enjoying it.

yep it is gorgeous, although unfortunately it is my last night with it as it is going back to apple tomorrow and will be replaced by the older model!

Anyway, I did review a few days ago, let me know what you think?

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/827568/

 

[Atom75]

My world....of 13,3" laptops

Have been a Window's user for ever...And I needed a new laptop now.

I tried Windows 7 with Asus UL 30. Great piece of hardware, battery will last for ever, but the trackpad was a disaster - kind of making holes on the plastic that will click when you just try to move around. Also touching the aluminum lid leaves huge stains, a real nightmare.

Then the Toshiba T 135, great in many aspects but the keyboard felt flimsy and I just had hard times making professional presentations on it.

So I figured I could try Apple, a bit more expensive....Now the computer is a bit heavier as well but it feels very sturdy, great trackpad & keyboard. Couldn't care less about the 10$ missing SD card. But why on earth is there no integrated VGA connector. Don't Apple techies use beamers ?

In the end the white Macbook feels great, looks good. Snow leopard looks & feels ok for a switcher. Windows 7 is a great product as well, more "compact", but to find a decent 13,3" similar to the white Macbook in the PC world is not that easy. Whatever the price.

The bad :
- Snow Leopard sometimes looks less well integrated as W7 does, a bit like if you had bits assembled.
- All Apple MBs seem to have a lower screen definition as all W7, in the sense that all letters look a bit blurry. Very true when you have white on black.
- This is maybe due to my lack of my MAC OS knowledge, but the two things I miss are:
you can now in W7 put a tab full page, or on the side of the screen and then split evenly two applications in 3 clicks.
Since Vista, you can copy any part of the screen into a picture file. Great for work.

The good
- Fast, Sharp, good looking, apparently pretty much more secured than what I understood.
- Very bright screen not reflective at all.
- Manages the idle / start & stop in a breeze.
- Astonishing trackpad.

In the end : A great product.

 

[Timbukto]

I'm a PC user and still prefer Windows 7 for various reasons. That said I bought a recent Macbook even after reading the review. Got a great deal from Microcenter which brings the effectual cost to around $840 after tax ($200 gift card + 5% off).

Things that are 'wrong' with the Engadget review are as follows:

The main takeaway from the review is that it states that the Macbook is 'boring' and that you might as well pay a premium for the Pro. 'boring' is a ridiculous term as used in the review in that it conveys no objective meaning or value and just reveals the reviewer's angst towards the Macbook for not being a MacNetBook. However this frustration should be aimed at Apple as a company and not targeting any single product release from Apple that doesn't happen to be a MacNetBook. He could have criticized the new Apple Shuffle for not being a MacNetBook, or Snow Leopard for not being a MacNetBook just as well. Point being is the Macbook remains a Macbook and should not get docked points just for not being a MacNetBook...its absurd. If BMW didn't release the Mini, would anyone criticize an updated 325i for not being a Mini as well...wouldn't that be retarded? Not that anyone really knows, but I have a feeling that if Apple were to eventually do netbooks, it'd come under a separate line of products anyways. That said Engadget did say they'd review the product in a more positive light if it was for $799, and I pretty much got it for less than that brand new so YMMV. Regardless I wouldn't pay MSRP for a PC either.

Some truths in the article is that the plastic near the ports is too soft, and that fine-line scratching can definitely occur on the extremely wet glossy finish it has. However I think people are getting a bit too extreme on this and if anything Apple has consistently had these issues with a lot of their previous products i.e. iPods. I agree there probably are other materials that exist in this universe that can provide similar qualitative looks without the scratches, but some part of me also thinks its just an Apple scheme to get OCD users (which now that I think about it probably makes up a greater portion of Mac users compared to PC users) to needlessly update because their new iPod or Macbook has hairline scratches that show at certain angles of light. Lets get a grip and realize that with decent care...YES you will still probably get hairline scratches, but NOT gouges or anything that should severely affect the conscious of a rather mentally sound person.

I like the complete rubber bottom a lot...if you really think it gets hideously dirty after a very short amount of time, then chances are, your surroundings (or you) are pretty dirty. You think the standard rubber feet that is bound to fall off is better? Isn't that very PC-typical and dare I say...'boring'? The rubber bottom is cleanable, the hair-line scratches or soft dentable plastic on the sides, not so much.

I do care about scratches though and it is a valid complaint but its just something you deal with for a vast array of products including even your car, etc. Eventually people tend to get over it as long as you don't have gauging scratches, etc. You can make a lot of things look worse than they appear with high resolution DSLR macro photography. I just got a Sansa fuze on the cheap, and within hours it developed an annoying hairline on the LCD exterior finish that although insignificant caused tearing-like light refraction on the display. But I'd care more about things that are designed to be look at in more detail (i.e. your monitor), vs just the regular exterior.

Firewire or SD slot is not a make or break issue for me...the biggest complaint I have is that it only has 2 USB slots but that is the same complaint I'd have with the Pro equivalent. No blu-ray...but neither does the Pro. So what exactly are you paying for with Pro? A smaller hard drive, SD slot, firewire, and an exterior that can still scratch if it ends up being scratched, but at least not usually have hairlines by just looking at it (matte vs glossy finish etc).

Because the Engadget review seems to have angst for an entirely separate issue regarding product line-up and not the actual product itself...and that it suggests paying more primarily just to avoid hairline scratches...IMO it is one of the weakest reviews I've seen, but I don't mind because for all I know the negative perception could have helped get me it at a 25% discount on release.