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MacBook 13.3" (Aluminium) or MacBook 13.3" WHITE

zorahk said:
You sure seem to be insecure about your white macbook to be defending it.

The fact is I have used both apple's plastic computers and aluminum computers over the years and the plastic doesn't even compare.
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He's not insecure, he's right. No one in their right mind (let me repeat - RIGHT MIND) would buy an Aluminum when they can get a white MacBook for hundreds of dollars less. It's just stupid, because testing shows they are damn-near equivalent. I used to own a poly MacBook and had NO problems with the casing. The majority of the multiple hundred thousand people who bought them had no problems either.
 
zorahk said:
You sure seem to be insecure about your white macbook to be defending it.

The fact is I have used both apple's plastic computers and aluminum computers over the years and the plastic doesn't even compare.
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My BlackBook is from the very first revision. And it's the best computer I've ever owned. Zero problems with the case. OTOH, my buddy's aluminium MacBook Pro of the same vintage is dented to hell. Take from that what you will, but plastic doesn't dent, and mine hasn't cracked.

I am not insecure about anything. The simple fact is that the updated white MacBook offers virtually the same performance as the unibody MacBook for less money. In case you've forgotten, they use the exact same processor and GPU. Only the RAM is different, and the speed difference between DDR2 and DDR3 is miniscule.

So no, I don't need to be insecure to point out that the white MacBook is a fantastic value proposition. If anything, I'd say one has to be pretty insecure about their decision to buy a unibody MacBook if they feel the need to rag on the white MacBook. It's a fantastic computer, equal to the unibody in performance, and a great price. Why rag on it?
 
FireWire
White > Alu
I've never use or at least I think I've never use FireWire before but I think FireWire is only for pros who have like pro hardware. LOL. :p

Trackpad
White < Alu
I seriously can't live without the Multi-Touch anymore. Every time I go on a different laptop the Multi-Touch gestures just comes to me but I can't use it on a different laptop/notebook. I thinks it's a really nice feature for faster navigation and such.

Enclosure
White < Alu
I really like the feel of my aluminum enclosure, although I really can't compare it to the white enclosure because I have not really had one. But you decide cracks vs dents, both of them could get scratches. Mine is only a couple of weeks old but I already have a tiny, tiny, tiny dent on the side of my LCD lid, well that's because I was being too careful if you know what I mean.

Environment
White < Alu
"LED technology uses 30 percent less power than conventional LCD displays. The LED-backlit display is mercury-free, highly recyclable, and encased in arsenic-free glass."

Price
White > Alu
I would really consider the Alu if you have the money.
 
zorahk said:
The fact is I have used both apple's plastic computers and aluminum computers over the years and the plastic doesn't even compare.
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:D And what are your qualifications and benchmark tests to support that subjective statement? :eek:

To the OP:
What are you studying in school? If you're studying graphic arts or film, you'll definitely want the firewire. Also firewire is good for faster transfer of files.

Otherwise, if you have the money to burn go ahead and buy the fancier item.

You actually don't NEED either, but WANT one of them. I'm sure you could find a cheaper computer if all you want to do is type class notes, surf the web, etc. So unless you've got a trust find, think about what saving that couple hundred $$SGD would do for buying textbooks, school supplies, etc :p Also, did you compare what it would cost without getting all the extras(package)?
 
People complain too much about the plastic MacBook. My wife dropped hers numerous times on carpet and once on concrete from about four feet with no visible or internal damage. The aluminum MacBook would likely had had some external damage. In three years of use, it never cracked or had any issue except a dead battery. I expect it will last quite some time longer.

That said, I recently bought a unibody MacBook. The aluminum is very sturdy for everyday use and does a nice job preventing any internal flex. I think it will be even more reliable than the MacBook, assuming I don't drop it. I bought it over the white MacBook because the unibody is a work of art (a big reason), it's light (I walk with it about 2 miles a day), and I really value a bright screen (it helps with eye strain in bright environments). The faster memory is also useful for some intensive applications that I do, but it wasn't close to being a deal-breaker. I also like this MacBook's ability to drive the 30" Cinema Display (I currently use the 24" LED display).
 
dwsolberg said:
That said, I recently bought a unibody MacBook. The aluminum is very sturdy for everyday use and does a nice job preventing any internal flex. I think it will be even more reliable than the MacBook, assuming I don't drop it. I bought it over the white MacBook because the unibody is a work of art (a big reason), it's light (I walk with it about 2 miles a day), and I really value a bright screen (it helps with eye strain in bright environments). The faster memory is also useful for some intensive applications that I do, but it wasn't close to being a deal-breaker. I also like this MacBook's ability to drive the 30" Cinema Display (I currently use the 24" LED display).
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Good argument, DW. :D

Though I will pick with one point, DW. Having a heavier laptop could be seen as a bonus, in this obese leaning society. It can be considered a hand weight, perfect for exercise when walking ;)
 
My G wireless network with a Linksys WRT54GL works perfectly fine from one end of the two story house to the other with my Aluminum MB. Not everyone has problems with wireless reception.
 
iObama said:
He's not insecure, he's right.
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I don't think anybody wants to hear the truth.


Saying that, I'd choose the Aluminium version. It's not because it's better than the white MacBook. I'd buy it because it looks cooler, and I like the unibody construction despite the fact that it would have very little impact on long-term durability. I've never had a laptop just fall apart on me because it wasn't "unibody". We've survived with our non-unibody notebooks until Fall/winter 2008, and people will continue doing so.

However, it is pretty.
 
zorahk said:
so considering you don't own both you wouldn't realize the difference.
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The objective truth is that the unibody is only marginally faster than the white MacBook in speed tests (4.8%) and only a couple of seconds apart in most other tasks that MacWorld tests.

Is the unibody better? Yes. But my point was never that the white MacBook is better than the unibody, only that the white MacBook is a very capable machine for less money. I reiterate: the only reason anyone would feel the need to rag on the white MacBook is because they're insecure in their own purchase decision. The white MacBook is an excellent machine, and an excellent value proposition. I'm not sure why that offends you so much...
 
Demosthenes X said:
The objective truth is that the unibody is only marginally faster than the white MacBook in speed tests (4.8%) and only a couple of seconds apart in most other tasks that MacWorld tests.

Is the unibody better? Yes. But my point was never that the white MacBook is better than the unibody, only that the white MacBook is a very capable machine for less money. I reiterate: the only reason anyone would feel the need to rag on the white MacBook is because they're insecure in their own purchase decision. The white MacBook is an excellent machine, and an excellent value proposition. I'm not sure why that offends you so much...
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I have the unibody 2GHz MB and I agree with you. Though when I bought it in October the new White version didn't exist. The white MB is a bargain for most people.
 
macrumorsMaster said:
To the OP:
What are you studying in school? If you're studying graphic arts or film, you'll definitely want the firewire.
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Or music. I have a USB box from M-Audio to connect my guitar to my Mac, but I'm under no illusions that it is as good as a FireWire one. It was cheaper, though :rolleyes:
 
I second the opinions on wifi reception. I think the consensus is that the plastic books get better and wider reception than the metal ones. It was that way with the ibooks and powerbooks, and it's that way now.

OTOH, I got a pristine 12" 1.5 powerbook yesterday as a secondary machine and I'm LOVING it.
 
If resale value is an issue, then I would always say get the latest and greatest version of a Mac that you can afford. I'm quite comfortable in saying that the unibody Macbook will fetch more in 2 or 3 years then the white version which is essentially a small update to an earlier version............

I'm sure you'll be happy with either though.
 
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