New White Book vs Base 2.0 Alu Mac Book

[jamse]

Aluminum has better ram, and a slightly better screen than the old white ones ,more hard drive too I think..

no the aluminum has more expensive ram, that uses less power at higher frequencies.

benchmarks show that 1066mhz ddr3 will perform almost the same and some cases worse than 800mhz ddr2, these are both only drawing 1.8v of power.

whitebook has an updated nvidia motherboard, which is suppose to be a better mobile platform compared to the previous intel.

if money is a main concern just by the white macbook, if its not buy the aluminum unibody macbook. the main difference component-wise is aluminum has more luxury enhancements like LED backlit LCD, multi touchpad, newest type of memory (ddr3, which does not increase performance.) Besides that they will both have 2ghz c2d @ 1066fsb, 2gb of memory, 13in display, 4-5hr battery life (even though officially the white macbook is rated for 4.5hrs, while the aluminum is rated for 5hrs.)

minor details like 40gb extra storage space and, the aluminum macbook is ever so slightly thinner than the white macbook.

 

[hkim1983]

Now that the new Whitebook has been released for awhile, I'm hoping someone can answer my questions:

-Is the monitor still superior to the Alu Macbook monitors? I have read that the monitors on the Alu Macbooks are poorer qualities than Whitebooks. I'm aware that the Alu Macbooks have LED displays, I don't care if they're LED or traditional florescent lighting if the image/text quality is terrible.

-Do the whitebooks still get uncomfortably hot?

-Do the whitebooks still crack?

I was originally going to purchase an Alu Macbook, but upon further research into the plethora of technical issues owners seem to be experiencing, I'm a little hesitant on making that jump now. I'll also admit that I would miss Firewire. Thank you for anyone who can help me with this.

EDIT: What I'm mainly looking for is a Macbook that is reliable and won't require a lot of maintenance. I may be using this computer in an area where it would be inconvenient for me to get Apple support, so I want something that won't give me too many issues.

 

[11800506]

Ok so I can get a brand new mac book pro for 1836 because i work for the government. I wanted to know, if im not a movie, music or video producer would that be over kill for me? I will either get the base 2.0 Alu or the base mac book pro now because i dont want to deal with case cracking issues. How does the internal hardware difference the macs? meaning i know whats in them but visually and speed wise how will i notice them?

For your purposes a Macbook Pro will be very much so overkill. I doubt you would notice any performance differences between the 2 machines for what you would do with it, so I would go for the 2.0 Alu Macbook. It will serve your purposes very well and will be able to handle much more than what you are doing on it.

 

[gixxerredliner]

Hey

For your purposes a Macbook Pro will be very much so overkill. I doubt you would notice any performance differences between the 2 machines for what you would do with it, so I would go for the 2.0 Alu Macbook. It will serve your purposes very well and will be able to handle much more than what you are doing on it.

By the way hows the weather in DC? I live in anchorage alaska now but im from PG COUNTY MARYLAND, Landover just outside Washington DC. Thanks for the advice on the macbook. I kept saying to myself "if i spend $1599 on the top macbook whats another $400 to get a macbook pro" than used reason and said "either i get the macbook pro base or the alu base.

 

[Primejimbo]

For your purposes a Macbook Pro will be very much so overkill. I doubt you would notice any performance differences between the 2 machines for what you would do with it, so I would go for the 2.0 Alu Macbook. It will serve your purposes very well and will be able to handle much more than what you are doing on it.

I agree, the pro would be overkill. I was in the same boat and got the Alu Macbook instead.

 

[VPrime]

no the aluminum has more expensive ram, that uses less power at higher frequencies.

benchmarks show that 1066mhz ddr3 will perform almost the same and some cases worse than 800mhz ddr2, these are both only drawing 1.8v of power.

Umm.... I did not say any thing about the price.
The DDR3 IS better.. using less power at a higher frequency is better.

 

[sporadicMotion]

Now that the new Whitebook has been released for awhile, I'm hoping someone can answer my questions:

-Is the monitor still superior to the Alu Macbook monitors? I have read that the monitors on the Alu Macbooks are poorer qualities than Whitebooks. I'm aware that the Alu Macbooks have LED displays, I don't care if they're LED or traditional florescent lighting if the image/text quality is terrible.

The WhiteBook screen is not better, it's worse. The Air is the 13" with the better screen.

-Do the whitebooks still get uncomfortably hot?

no, they use the same low power CPU as the Alu now so it'll run around the same temp.

-Do the whitebooks still crack?

To early to tell. Probably.

I was originally going to purchase an Alu Macbook, but upon further research into the plethora of technical issues owners seem to be experiencing, I'm a little hesitant on making that jump now. I'll also admit that I would miss Firewire. Thank you for anyone who can help me with this.

The technical issues you see are just people complaining more or less. All hardware gets complained about from every company. The fact is, people come online to bitch primarily, not glow.

EDIT: What I'm mainly looking for is a Macbook that is reliable and won't require a lot of maintenance. I may be using this computer in an area where it would be inconvenient for me to get Apple support, so I want something that won't give me too many issues.

You'll be fine.

 

[sporadicMotion]

no the aluminum has more expensive ram, that uses less power at higher frequencies.

benchmarks show that 1066mhz ddr3 will perform almost the same and some cases worse than 800mhz ddr2, these are both only drawing 1.8v of power.

Where are you getting these benchmarks? DDR3 in the MacBook shows an approximate 15% speed boost. I did them myself to confirm before I got rid of my WhiteBook. I ran GeekBench's memory benchmarks with identical OS X installations. The benchmark flat line is more from the efficiency differences of the Intel and Nvidia chipsets. It'll be interesting to see how the Nvidia whitebook benchmarks.

 

[hkim1983]

The WhiteBook screen is not better, it's worse. The Air is the 13" with the better screen.

no, they use the same low power CPU as the Alu now so it'll run around the same temp.

To early to tell. Probably.

The technical issues you see are just people complaining more or less. All hardware gets complained about from every company. The fact is, people come online to bitch primarily, not glow.

You'll be fine.

Thank you for your cordial reply.

-On Apple's own support forums, there are people complaining about the inferior quality of the Alu Macbook monitors, claiming it is worse than even the Whitebooks (with the Air monitors being superior to both).

To be honest, I haven't seen these monitors myself in person, so I'm going by what they're saying.

-This is great to know. I still use my iBook G4 800 (and had an iBook G3 500 before that), and both of these laptops ran relatively cool, so I was quite happy using them. The cooler running temperatures should also reduce the "cracking" phenomenon I would assume too?

-Yea, I was worried about that.

-Yea, I realize that, but certain Apple models have more problems than others (the logic board failure fiasco of the later G4 iBooks for example), with the big problem so far from the Macbook camp being external display issues (which from the sheer number of complaints I've seen online, I would assume is somewhat noteworthy). There also seem to be battery issues (also seemingly caused by the logic board), and to a lower degree, faulty displays/sound.

Granted, I don't see myself using the Macbook for presentation purposes, but in the case that I DO want to use it, knowing that the issue (at this time) still remains unresolved is not reassuring.

I sincerely appreciate your reply though! It's good to know that these problems may be a bit overblown, and my investment not as risky.

 

[sporadicMotion]

Thank you for your cordial reply.

-On Apple's own support forums, there are people complaining about the inferior quality of the Alu Macbook monitors, claiming it is worse than even the Whitebooks (with the Air monitors being superior to both).

I've owned 4 MacBooks, 4 iBooks blah blah blah going back to old 68k PowerBooks. The screen on the new MacBook is better 100%. I've compared each new to old as I purchase new machines. The funny thing is the second best screen was the one in my 2nd MacBook (GMA950 C2D) but it's still not as good as this one.

To be honest, I haven't seen these monitors myself in person, so I'm going by what they're saying.

Is it possible for you to go take a look?

-This is great to know. I still use my iBook G4 800 (and had an iBook G3 500 before that), and both of these laptops ran relatively cool, so I was quite happy using them. The cooler running temperatures should also reduce the "cracking" phenomenon I would assume too?

I don't attribute the heat to the cracking due to where the cracking occurs. I never had any of my WhiteBooks crack on me but I only own a laptop for usually 6 to 8 months at a time before upgrading. They usually crack from the pressure of the tabs at the top of the LCD bezel seeing as that is where they usually crack.

-Yea, I realize that, but certain Apple models have more problems than others (the logic board failure fiasco of the later G4 iBooks for example), with the big problem so far from the Macbook camp being external display issues (which from the sheer number of complaints I've seen online, I would assume is somewhat noteworthy). There also seem to be battery issues (also seemingly caused by the logic board), and to a lower degree, faulty displays/sound.

There are actual reports online that compare frequency of product repairs over the years and between different companies and Apple does come out ahead... I'll see if I can dig it up (it was posted on here a month or so ago).

If you look at the complaints that are occurring, so many of them are actually cosmetic or a lack of understanding of their hardware (ie. battery at 99% health... which is ok, people learn about their machines this way)

Granted, I don't see myself using the Macbook for presentation purposes, but in the case that I DO want to use it, knowing that the issue (at this time) still remains unresolved is not reassuring.

I've used my machines countless times for presentations and carry them around with me 24/7 and I've only ever had one problem which was a faulty logic board and that was fixed under warranty. That's one major fault in 17 years.

I sincerely appreciate your reply though! It's good to know that these problems may be a bit overblown, and my investment not as risky.

No worries!

 

[hkim1983]

I've owned 4 MacBooks, 4 iBooks blah blah blah going back to old 68k PowerBooks. The screen on the new MacBook is better 100%. I've compared each new to old as I purchase new machines. The funny thing is the second best screen was the one in my 2nd MacBook (GMA950 C2D) but it's still not as good as this one.

Is it possible for you to go take a look?

I don't attribute the heat to the cracking due to where the cracking occurs. I never had any of my WhiteBooks crack on me but I only own a laptop for usually 6 to 8 months at a time before upgrading. They usually crack from the pressure of the tabs at the top of the LCD bezel seeing as that is where they usually crack.

There are actual reports online that compare frequency of product repairs over the years and between different companies and Apple does come out ahead... I'll see if I can dig it up (it was posted on here a month or so ago).

If you look at the complaints that are occurring, so many of them are actually cosmetic or a lack of understanding of their hardware (ie. battery at 99% health... which is ok, people learn about their machines this way)

I've used my machines countless times for presentations and carry them around with me 24/7 and I've only ever had one problem which was a faulty logic board and that was fixed under warranty. That's one major fault in 17 years.

No worries!

-That's good to know, about the screens that is.

-I'll check it out the next time I'm able to visit an Apple store.

-Hm, I see. I plan on this laptop being temporary (a year or so), but there is the chance that it may have to go longer.

-Well, the external display issue seems to be a legitimate issue with no single solution fixing it across the board. As for the battery issue, the one I was referring to was the charger no longer charging the battery, or it goes very, very slowly. It doesn't seem to be the magsafe at fault, but rather something else.

-While my Performa, B&W Mac, and iBook G3 were all relatively problem free (until my CRT died on me), my iBook G4 has it its share of issues (thankfully not logic board related), and the massive logic board failure fiasco that affected the G4 iBooks during the middle of their life never dwelled well on me.

Like I mentioned before, I may be using this in an area of the world where it would be very inconvenient for me to get it repaired or diagnosed in a timely manner, so reliability is key to me (I'm willing to give up features, like firewire, for that), but it's good to hear that the Alu Macbooks aren't as problematic as they appear to be.

 

[sporadicMotion]

-That's good to know, about the screens that is.

-I'll check it out the next time I'm able to visit an Apple store.

-Hm, I see. I plan on this laptop being temporary (a year or so), but there is the chance that it may have to go longer.

-Well, the external display issue seems to be a legitimate issue with no single solution fixing it across the board. As for the battery issue, the one I was referring to was the charger no longer charging the battery, or it goes very, very slowly. It doesn't seem to be the magsafe at fault, but rather something else.

-While my Performa, B&W Mac, and iBook G3 were all relatively problem free (until my CRT died on me), my iBook G4 has it its share of issues (thankfully not logic board related), and the massive logic board failure fiasco that affected the G4 iBooks during the middle of their life never dwelled well on me.

Like I mentioned before, I may be using this in an area of the world where it would be very inconvenient for me to get it repaired or diagnosed in a timely manner, so reliability is key to me (I'm willing to give up features, like firewire, for that), but it's good to hear that the Alu Macbooks aren't as problematic as they appear to be.

Oh yeah, the external display thing. I run a 24" Samsung with no issues. That's a weird issue and if I had encountered that one, I'd be pretty grumpy about it.

 

[Patriks7]

OK so I have the pictures. I'm sorry if I do this wrong, but it's my first time

Left palm rest

Right palm rest

By the screen

And this is the little f***er that I blame for it

Edit -
I'm sorry if they're too big, I can resize them if needed.

 

[andrewag]

By the screen

How did the one below the screen happen??

 

[Patriks7]

How did the one below the screen happen??

That's what I'd like to know. I take care of it as much as I can. If it's not used, it's inside my Crumpler sleeve and inside my bag. I also have this Crumpler thing on the inside to protect the screen. I have never dropped it and my bag is like a cushion :\

 

[Stetrain]

Another thing to consider is a refurbished aluminum MacBook. I received mine a couple of days ago and the build quality is amazing! The thing looks and works like brand new and I only paid $100 more than the whitebook for it. If you don't need firewire and the extra hundred dollars isn't much of a problem, get the aluminum, its an amazing machine.

 

[gixxerredliner]

Wow

That's what I'd like to know. I take care of it as much as I can. If it's not used, it's inside my Crumpler sleeve and inside my bag. I also have this Crumpler thing on the inside to protect the screen. I have never dropped it and my bag is like a cushion :\

Thanks for posting those pics Patriks7, I do believe I will be getting the base aluminum now instead of the white. I know you are supposed to replace laptops 2-3 years but i dont want to replace it do to cracking house.

 

[jamse]

Umm.... I did not say any thing about the price.
The DDR3 IS better.. using less power at a higher frequency is better.

its not BETTER if you are running at higher frequencies, IF the performance is the same. it does means there is a higher premium to the overall unit for bleeding edge technology, that it is incorporated in.

basically making the cost/performance for ddr3 worse than, ddr2.

look at these benchmarks showing ddr2 800 will perform just as well as ddr3 1333

http://www.breakitdownblog.com/ddr2-800-vs-ddr3-1333-does-speed-matter/
http://www.neoseeker.com/Articles/Hardware/Reviews/ddr2_vs_ddr3/
http://www.anandtech.com/memory/showdoc.aspx?i=2989&p=7

 

[VPrime]

as I said, cost aside.. DDR3 is better.

I never once mentioned cost. Only the fact that DDR3 is the better ram. Which it is.

 

[jamse]

Where are you getting these benchmarks? DDR3 in the MacBook shows an approximate 15% speed boost. I did them myself to confirm before I got rid of my WhiteBook. I ran GeekBench's memory benchmarks with identical OS X installations. The benchmark flat line is more from the efficiency differences of the Intel and Nvidia chipsets. It'll be interesting to see how the Nvidia whitebook benchmarks.

these benchmarks:
http://www.macworld.com/article/136214/2008/10/macbookbenchmarks.html

show that the only performance advantage of the unibody (2ghz w/ nvidia chipset) compared to the previous model of the white macbook (2.1ghz w/ intel chipset), is in graphic/video intense process. However, the white macbook does a better job at than the unibody macbook in rendering, mp3 encoding, mpeg encoding, and zip archiving. The unibody did load cs3 quicker.

 

[jamse]

as I said, cost aside.. DDR3 is better.

I never once mentioned cost. Only the fact that DDR3 is the better ram. Which it is.

how is it better if the performance is same, when at the same power draw... its newer, but newer does not necessarily mean better. granted that is what is intended, the newer thing should be better, but some times it just is not the case.

for example windows vista is NEWER, but it does not perform BETTER than windows XP.

the opposite can be said about osx 10.5 is NEWER and it is BETTER than osx 10.4.

 

[gixxerredliner]

Hmmm

DDr 2 may not be better than DDr 3 but that new alu case is better than the white book case because it doesnt crack.

 

[Eric S.]

that new alu case is better than the white book case because it doesnt crack.

But on the other hand, it may chip:
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/645492/

 

[gixxerredliner]

hmmm

But on the other hand, it may chip:
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/645492/

lol i guess there is truly no way to avoid a case malufuction, either deal with a cracking case or a case that chips huh? lol that sucks by the way which alu mac do you own?

 

[California]

I'm jumping on a a white macbook the next time they upgrade. I have the 2.4ghz macbook and four gigs of Apple installed ram and no firewire is a nightmare.