Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
MacBook Features and Photos
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
mlrproducts said:
I've returned to Macs after 12 years of using PCs and nothing else, and it was the MacBook that got me back. For those who might be interested, I agree that the glossy screen isn't bad -- in fact I think it's great. I bought a white MacBook yesterday after visiting my local Apple store and spending sometime playing with a demo model that the salesguy brought out from the back -- they hadn't even set up store displays for them yet. I was very skeptical about the glossy screen; PC makers have put them on laptops for a while now and I've always swore them off because they exaggerate colors and have too much glare. But after using the MacBook for several hours last night, I have to say it won me over. I had two bright lamps on in my house, both within a few feet of me, and when looking at the screen straight on, I had no notiecable glare, and no noticeable reflections. Some reflections were noticeable when I put in a DVD and the screen momentarily went black before the opening credits rolled. But once the movie began, it looked fine. When typing, surfing with Safari, etc. I didn't have to strain my eyes because of any noticeable glare. Very nice.
One downside I can see to a glossy screen is that, when editing photographs, the colors on screen might not match those in the actual photo when printed out because of the increased saturation on the screen. But, personally, that's okay for me -- I'm going to be using my PCs for photo manipulation for quite some time, and for what I will be using the MacBook for (word processing, internet, some web development) I really like the clarity that the glossy screen gives.
Also, I really love the keyboard. Again, I was very skeptical -- on appearance alone it looked cheap. But it has no "give" like the older iBook keyboards, and while the keys don't travel far, there's a nice balance of firmness and softness to them -- very comfortable. I was surprised, but I'd rather type on the MacBook keyboard now than on my full-size Dell and Sony keyboards. I agree that the keyboard might be a bit better if concave in the middle -- but that's minor for me.
The magnetic latch is a little hard to get used to at first -- I didn't know whether to slowly, gently open the thing or just pull it apart fast. But now I think all laptops should be like this -- sliding a latch or lever and hearing that "clang" when it closes are things I'm glad I won't have to be exposed to.
Again, I haven't used Macs in 12 years and am harldly an expert -- and I haven't had my MacBook that long. But I thought I'd offer my 2 cents. Only immediate issue I see is heat; like the MacBook Pro this thing gets very warm, but so far it has not heated beneath the palm rests or the keyboard.
A very nice piece of equipment for a good price ... unless you go with the black
Brilliant laptop, but I have the same two concerns as most: integrated graphics and that glossy screen.
I think the integrated graphics is totally acceptable for Apple's entry level laptop (and for the mini).
I think the glossy screen is a complete abomination and a total instant dismissal. After using PC laptops with glossy screens, I'd NEVER buy one. I really hope we'll always be given the choice with the MBPs, because I would only ever buy one with a matte screen (luckily, I just did!).
Thinking about the possibility of glossy being the norm for desktop displays makes me really, really sad. I hope that never happens. Changing from using a Sony Triniton CRT to an Apple Cinema Display at work was the most amazing upgrade ever. The Sony CRTs were standard fare in ad agencies for the designers/retouchers... the Cinema displays have a slight ghosting (like all LCDs), but once you get past that, the other advantages are massive, like the matte finish as opposed to the CRTs glossy finish. Less fatigue, and much, much easier to use and read.
I will never, ever but a glossy computer screen!
I think the integrated graphics is totally acceptable for Apple's entry level laptop (and for the mini).
I think the glossy screen is a complete abomination and a total instant dismissal. After using PC laptops with glossy screens, I'd NEVER buy one. I really hope we'll always be given the choice with the MBPs, because I would only ever buy one with a matte screen (luckily, I just did!).
Thinking about the possibility of glossy being the norm for desktop displays makes me really, really sad. I hope that never happens. Changing from using a Sony Triniton CRT to an Apple Cinema Display at work was the most amazing upgrade ever. The Sony CRTs were standard fare in ad agencies for the designers/retouchers... the Cinema displays have a slight ghosting (like all LCDs), but once you get past that, the other advantages are massive, like the matte finish as opposed to the CRTs glossy finish. Less fatigue, and much, much easier to use and read.
I will never, ever but a glossy computer screen!
I bought this Case Logic nylon model last month in anticipation of my new MacBook, and the MacBooks fits perfectly. (buy.com was $20 off retail). It is not Neoprene, but I imagine it will be some time before you will see a neoprene case made for the MacBook since manufacturers just found out about the MacBook the same time we did. Cases for 13.3" laptops were pretty rare, when I went looking 2 months ago.pcarp21 said:
pcarp21 said:
I think you're thinking of the InCase neoprene sleeves. InCase doesn't have anything about new products up yet, but I imagine they will come out with the neoprene sleeves and the nylon "sleeves" (which latter are very lightweight but protective bags).
doccutter said:
If this is this picture, then I'd have to say not really. Definitely looks better, but still too much IMO.
godbout said:
The Mac mini was still able to run 1080p h.264 content, I think the slower model struggled. Both of the MacBook models are faster than that.
Thing is, the GMA 950 isn't as bad as everyone thinks.
It seems that not being able to customize and upgrade their hardware has left many Mac users quite in the dark with the reality of computer components.
Try
http://www.intel.com/products/chipsets/gma950/
There is alot of FUD flying concerning these graphics chips.
Some say they suck your CPU power -- which is incorrect. They dont use your CPU resources, they have their own 400Mhz GPU. The only thing they use is RAM.
Some seem to think they are bad for everything-- also incorrect. Yes, they are sucky for games. They will also be sucky for any CAD/3D app with hardware acceleration.
They are plenty fast enough for Core Image and all the Quartz things on the Mac platform. It supports high resolutions, supports acceleration of many media formats, including HD resolutions. It drives big screens, all in 32 bit goodness.
Plus it runs cooler and is better on battery life.
Again--
Yes, 3D == Crappy.
Everything else, including Aperture, Final Cut etc == Fine.
Speakers on my macbook are very quiet.
I don't really know if this is a problem limited to my machine or the way it is on these new macbooks. I used to have a powerbook 12" and the sound was amazing considering it was bouncing off of the monitor. Unfortunately on my macbook, this is not the case. I even tried listening directly to the speakers when the book was closed and they are very quiet. Is there a way to adjust the sound other than the volume control in iTunes and System Prefs -> Sound?
I don't really know if this is a problem limited to my machine or the way it is on these new macbooks. I used to have a powerbook 12" and the sound was amazing considering it was bouncing off of the monitor. Unfortunately on my macbook, this is not the case. I even tried listening directly to the speakers when the book was closed and they are very quiet. Is there a way to adjust the sound other than the volume control in iTunes and System Prefs -> Sound?
Pics of my white Macbook
apple shut down my .Mac pages yesterday after the bandwidth killed me.
Pics of my white Macbook
apple shut down my .Mac pages yesterday after the bandwidth killed me.
Pics of my white Macbook
I hate glossy screens so much, there are no words. Whenever I use one of my friends' PC laptops it is so annoying! Every light, every f'n thing in the room reflected on the screen, including yourself.
I would love a MacBook, but I will not buy a laptop with a glossy display. If only it was an "option" on the MB like it is on the MBP.
I would love a MacBook, but I will not buy a laptop with a glossy display. If only it was an "option" on the MB like it is on the MBP.
am i the only one not bothered at all by glossy screens!? i have used them before and they havnt bothered me a bit. maybe i could see a problem when watching a movie, but I usually do that at night....and i usually watch them with my gf....which means not a lot of watching....so no complaints here!
I finally thumbnailed all my pictures (the better ones at least) of my black MacBook.
http://domojo.com/macbook
I've been posting all my commentary on it in the big MacBook thread instead of this one, but I felt this was the place to place the link to my updated pics.
http://domojo.com/macbook
I've been posting all my commentary on it in the big MacBook thread instead of this one, but I felt this was the place to place the link to my updated pics.
Didn't hear any Macbook owners complain about fan noise. I need a silent computer so it can do some light stuff at night qithout me waking up. Hard Drive noise is ok, I'm so used to it I can't really sleep without it when I'm sleeping alone. Yea, I know... I'm a geek.