Hey, Im a newbie here but ever since I got my new unibody MacBook I felt like and thought that maybe I could help other people by writing a review, then I spotted this thread so heres my impressions/review of the new baby.
First of all to give you some background, ever since I remember, my family has always used Macs. My earliest memories are playing Wacky Jacks or Spectre Challenger on an old boxy Performa. As the years went by the nice computer in the house went from a graphite G3 iMac to an eMac, to a 14-inch iBook G4, then finally to an early 2008 white MacBook. I remember distinctly, the excitement of finding my dad coming home in the evening with a brand new computer packaged in one of those enormous white boxes they used to come in. With the transition to aluminum and glass for the iMac in 2007 I felt convinced that it was merely a matter of time until the MacBook got the same treatment. I waited hopping each new announcement would introduce a new aluminum clad MacBook. With MacWorld 2008 the MacBook Air was introduced but it didnt suit my needs and was out of my price range. Finally on October 14th the unibody MacBook was introduced. Within a week I ordered it. Each day of waiting was so agonizing but fortunately, I was prevented from going insane by an early arrival of my MacBook.
For first impressions, the size of the box, I noticed, was even smaller than that of the previous gen. MacBook, speaking nothing of the box that the iBooks came in. Upon lifting the baby out of the box, I was immediately impressed with how much lighter it felt than the plastic MacBook. Even that half a pound makes it seem just so much lighter and portable. When carrying the white MacBook around the house it isnt heavy but it would be nice if it was lighter. With the unibody MacBook, however, if it was lighter, sure that would be great, but its weight hasnt ever made me actually wish that it was lighter.
Screen: The white MacBooks screen was the nicest screen that I had experienced yet so I was not disappointed at all with the unibody MacBooks screen. Concerning the glossy display, I can see how it could bug some people to no end, but for me it is not a problem at all and the rich colors that it offers are very nice. As an added benefit, the glass screen is super easy to clean.
Speakers: I had heard that the speakers were given an upgrade and indeed, it is very noticeable. Its much louder than the old speakers and seems to have more depth as well.
Trackpad: The new glass multi-touch trackpad is very very nice. Perhaps one of the best additions. Having gotten used to the smoothness and gestures I feel just plain crippled anytime Im forced to use the old trackpad.
Graphics card: Although I havent done a direct comparison to the white MacBook the new graphics card hasnt disappointed. I downloaded the demo for Colin McRae Rally and at full resolution it still runs very smoothly (although I am in no way a serious gamer). Only a couple of times has it stuttered but even then only for a split second.
Overall, the build quality is just phenomenal. After experiencing this level of quality even something like the plastic MacBook just seems so crude (well maybe not quite that much but still). Seems like every little detail is taken care of. One such detail is the new rubber lip around the screen that replaces the square plastic cushions. Not only does it offer a more cushioned closing mechanism but it also keeps the macbook from getting any dust or lint between the screen and keyboard while closed. Or even the battery indicator light; I hardly ever used it when it was on the bottom of the MacBook, but now with the new placement it's one of the most well used features on it.
Being a 1st gen. product (well only the computer casing), I had read all sorts of posts about slanted keyboards, loose battery covers etc.. Thankfully the only serious problem mine had was slightly slanted function keys but with use they seem to have gotten less slanted and cant really be noticed unless you look at them at the keyboard level. Even then its barely noticeable. The battery cover on mine at one point started making an annoying metallic clicking noise each time I place my MacBook on a hard surface. After searching around I found a helpful post in which it was explained that the little clasps holding the battery cover in place just need a little bending. I tried that and what do you know, problem solved!
This is my first own computer and all in all I am extremely satisfied with my purchase and wholly can recommend it.
