Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
The new MB looks great. I just came back from the Apple store in Chicago, and after few weeks of usage at Apple store, the bottom case looks beat-up on every single display model. I would probably get it with a hard-plastic shell. I do have 2 FW cameras, so I have to go with the MB pro. But the screen on the new MB is an amazing upgrade from the prior gen MBs.
 
I'm likely getting one of these Macbooks today from Microcenter. I originally wanted a refurb 13" Pro model but the lure of a $200 Visa Gift Card rebate is too much to say no to. I played around with it on Friday and I was impressed with the construction. Feels a lot more sturdy than the original Macbook, having seen both side by side. The difference in screen brightness is something else too.

Essentially, it's like getting a new Macbook for $800. You can't beat that.

I just sold a 13" macbook unibody aluminum 2ghz, 160gb hd, 2gb ddr3,
for 750$. Thing sold quick like crack locally here. Included Microsoft Office.
The MB was only 2 months old too. College gave it to me, didn't need it,
already had a 13" MBP.. lol..
So, bough a 22" monitor, printer, speakers, laptop stand, a blu ray player, 3 movies, 2 xbox 360 greatest hits games, saw a movie, went out to dinner, and had some dough left over. : p
 
The new MB looks great. I just came back from the Apple store in Chicago, and after few weeks of usage at Apple store, the bottom case looks beat-up on every single display model. I would probably get it with a hard-plastic shell. I do have 2 FW cameras, so I have to go with the MB pro. But the screen on the new MB is an amazing upgrade from the prior gen MBs.

I put a Best Skins Ever on the bottom and that keeps it clean.
 
Bought it today and I'm very pleased so far. Compared to my old HP that broke and the Vaio I was borrowing this thing is practically silent. Also much, MUCH less heat. I haven't had any screen issues but the brightness did take some adjustment since I wasn't used to such a vibrant screen.

Compared to the Windows Vista machine I was using this thing is a screamer. Can't wait to dive in further. Would I rather have the aluminum? Sure. But value-wise I couldn't say no to the Microcenter rebate deal.

I compared the old Macbook and the new one side by side, this one is so much more sturdy it's not even close. And the colors on the screen "pop" so much more. Apple really did a bang up job with this laptop by going with the unibody design.

I recommend it, especially now through December 6th at Microcenter. There is no such thing as an Apple Tax when you can get this for $799.
 
Bought it today and I'm very pleased so far. Compared to my old HP that broke and the Vaio I was borrowing this thing is practically silent. Also much, MUCH less heat. I haven't had any screen issues but the brightness did take some adjustment since I wasn't used to such a vibrant screen.

Compared to the Windows Vista machine I was using this thing is a screamer. Can't wait to dive in further. Would I rather have the aluminum? Sure. But value-wise I couldn't say no to the Microcenter rebate deal.

I compared the old Macbook and the new one side by side, this one is so much more sturdy it's not even close. And the colors on the screen "pop" so much more. Apple really did a bang up job with this laptop by going with the unibody design.

I recommend it, especially now through December 6th at Microcenter. There is no such thing as an Apple Tax when you can get this for $799.

can you check your screen panel if it is not too much hassle? go to system prefs- displays- colors- open profile- then read what it says next to 'mmod':)
 
My first impression...
1) I hated the rubber bottom
2) I didn't like the shape when it's closed- too rounded, the curved egdes

The funny thing is those two features are what attract me to the white MB. I plan on getting one Friday from Best Buy when they will be offering a $150 Best Buy Gift Card free with the purchase plus I can get 18 months no interest.
 
The funny thing is those two features are what attract me to the white MB. I plan on getting one Friday from Best Buy when they will be offering a $150 Best Buy Gift Card free with the purchase plus I can get 18 months no interest.

Yeah I liked those too. I bought my son a MacBook refurb for Christmas this year and it is here now and I'm comparing the two and I definitely prefer the newer model look
 
Yeah I liked those too

Yeah me too, the rounded edges really make the unit look a lot sleeker, while the rubber bottom is great when travelling as it sticks to your legs rather than sliding all over the place!


It says "40" next to mmod.

thanks for that, I actually meant that if you go to the mmod line and click on it, it should come up with the display model number in the panel below. For example, my panel reads 00009CD1 (the 9CD1 is the important bit).

ANy chance that you could check that?:)
 
Ok after a second look in a different shop (that doesn't have several 100 watt bulbs concentrated down on it) it looks better than what i thought when i first viewed it. Looks better in more natural lighting and not as cheap. :eek:
 
Ok after a second look in a different shop (that doesn't have several 100 watt bulbs concentrated down on it) it looks better than what i thought when i first viewed it. Looks better in more natural lighting and not as cheap. :eek:

Wanna see cheap? Compare this Macbook to the old style Macbook side by side. Old Macbook feels like junk in comparison.
 
Wanna see cheap? Compare this Macbook to the old style Macbook side by side. Old Macbook feels like junk in comparison.

You mean the old white plastic one? Yes i can imagine that it is a lot sturdier in construction and design. I just think that with it being a glossy finish it took something away from the new look. However the insides aren't that far off a base MacBook Pro in terms of specs. Seems Apple has finally decided on how to market this now after the whole aluminium top of range MacBook and white base MacBook in same range.
 
I have found that this is the best of all the macbooks I have owned, no dirt or any issues Fans are dead silent, heat is not there:) I love the look and the shine much better then that grayish first macbook.
 
harperjones99, I can sympathise with you. I had the exact same problem where there would be a flicker/pulsating in my Macbook's screen which would cause me eye strain. (13" aluminium Macbook early 2009) I reluctantly had to return it because the eye strain I was getting got so intense. I have never had eye strain from a computer screen before, and haven't since. But like you said, it's one of those bizarre problems which only the user can really see from having to sit infront of it and use it properly. Hope you get something sorted.
 
harperjones99, I can sympathise with you. I had the exact same problem where there would be a flicker/pulsating in my Macbook's screen which would cause me eye strain. (13" aluminium Macbook early 2009) I reluctantly had to return it because the eye strain I was getting got so intense. I have never had eye strain from a computer screen before, and haven't since. But like you said, it's one of those bizarre problems which only the user can really see from having to sit infront of it and use it properly. Hope you get something sorted.

i have just sent back my macbook for the same reason, but wonder whether all led backlit screens would cause this problem. Did you change to a ccfl screen, or have you found another screen where the led backlighting is not an issue?
 
Have had my unibody macbook for about a week now (this will be my first Mac).
First impressions:
-quick boot up and shutdown compared to old Dell PC.
-easier and quicker access to all files and programs once you're familiar with Snow Leopard (which took me about a couple hours to get familiar with). Although I'm sure that there is alot more to it to explore and learn, the basics took almost no time to master
-love the new LED screen, in one word Awesome
-as far this scratching and dirt issue on the white body, none to speak of yet and I do plan on getting a hardcover once they are available, but in the meantime, I had these small rubber feet that I stuck on the bottom (6 of them actually) to prevent any dirt/scratches from developing on the bottom.
-on that issue of being "easily scratched", I had a 6 1/2 year old Dell that looked as new as the day I bought it, so I think that it will depend on how well you look after and treat the laptop that will determine if the surface gets scratched.
-the battery is incredible. Was skeptical about the claim of 7 hours, but after the first full charge, I would say that I got over 6 1/2 hours out of the battery and this includes the data transfer and setting up/customizing. Wow!!!
- incredibly comfortable keyboard. Much better than any other keyboard I've used in the past.

So far my impression of this laptop is that (from my perspective at least), it's worth the $'s that I paid for it.
Very impressed with the speed, Mac OS ease and features, the looks ( have always had a thing for the white Apple laptops ), the 6 1/2 + hour battery, the LED screen and so much more.
In short, love the Macbook.
 
Have had my unibody macbook for about a week now (this will be my first Mac).
First impressions:
-quick boot up and shutdown compared to old Dell PC.
-easier and quicker access to all files and programs once you're familiar with Snow Leopard (which took me about a couple hours to get familiar with). Although I'm sure that there is alot more to it to explore and learn, the basics took almost no time to master
-love the new LED screen, in one word Awesome
-as far this scratching and dirt issue on the white body, none to speak of yet and I do plan on getting a hardcover once they are available, but in the meantime, I had these small rubber feet that I stuck on the bottom (6 of them actually) to prevent any dirt/scratches from developing on the bottom.
-on that issue of being "easily scratched", I had a 6 1/2 year old Dell that looked as new as the day I bought it, so I think that it will depend on how well you look after and treat the laptop that will determine if the surface gets scratched.
-the battery is incredible. Was skeptical about the claim of 7 hours, but after the first full charge, I would say that I got over 6 1/2 hours out of the battery and this includes the data transfer and setting up/customizing. Wow!!!
- incredibly comfortable keyboard. Much better than any other keyboard I've used in the past.

So far my impression of this laptop is that (from my perspective at least), it's worth the $'s that I paid for it.
Very impressed with the speed, Mac OS ease and features, the looks ( have always had a thing for the white Apple laptops ), the 6 1/2 + hour battery, the LED screen and so much more.
In short, love the Macbook.

it doesn't matter how nice you are to the plastic, it will still scrach. my Apple dock for my iphone is scratched up and all I do it brush off the dust that falls on it. The plastic is nice, but it WILL SCRACH.
 
it doesn't matter how nice you are to the plastic, it will still scrach. my Apple dock for my iphone is scratched up and all I do it brush off the dust that falls on it. The plastic is nice, but it WILL SCRACH.

Back in the early days of iPods, when they were large and white plastic, there was a lot of discussion of scratching and surface blemishes etc., and one of the products recommended frequently was Meguiar's PlastX Clear Plastic Cleaner & Polish.

I personally don't have any experience with the product so I can't vouch for it, but, it you've got some scratched up plastic it might be worth giving it a try.
 
i have just sent back my macbook for the same reason, but wonder whether all led backlit screens would cause this problem. Did you change to a ccfl screen, or have you found another screen where the led backlighting is not an issue?

I got an early 2009 iMac instead, which I've not had eye strain from at all.

Does anyone know if this iMac uses the same screen technology as the Macbook?
 
Ouimetnick

I know that all laptops will scratch. There isn't one out there that won't, Apple or otherwise. What I meant was that with some extra care, I intend on preventing them. Whether the Macbook is more prone to scratches, time will tell.

I'm just waiting for Incase to come out with the hardcase for the unibody mac's. Unfortunately, the unibody one currently available won't fit the new white macbooks. But I'm told that they're trying to get it out there to stores in time for Christmas.
 
I'm in the market for a new computer- my HP is pushing four years, I've nearly maxed out the 60GB HD and it occasionally throws tantrums where it refuses to function as a laptop and dies within 5 seconds of unplugging the AC adapter. I also use Macs at school and after Vista (thankfully I missed the Vista "upgrade" on this machine and got XP) I decided my next computer would be Apple.

Anyway, I've been tossing around whether to go with the new MacBook or go with a refurb Pro, and even at the same price point, ($999) I can't justify getting the aluminum machine.

With my education discount, for $1415.91 (incl. tax) I can get a Macbook upgraded to 4GB ram, 320GB HD, with iWork pre-installed and AppleCare.

If I go with the Pro, it's $1356.37 for a machine with 2GB ram, 160GB HD, iWork, and AppleCare. Since it's refurb, I can't upgrade the ram or HD unless I go into an Apple Store after the fact, and I can't afford to buy one new.

With my student discounts, I get way more bang for my buck by going with the Macbook. I also prefer the white to the aluminum- I love the gloss and shine, and I'll get a BodyGuardz to protect it, no big deal. And IMHO, the black keys on the silver case of the Pro are so ugly. Backlit keypad would be nice, but I don't ever look at the keys when I'm typing, nor do I often type in the dark. I don't use Firewire or SD- everything I have is USB. I've gone 4 years without an external battery light, so I'm okay with not having it now.

While it would be nice to have the Pro, I just can't justify getting less for the same amount of money. The only difference is the screen and casing, which is definitely not worth less RAM and HD. I just feel like down the road (especially if Apple updates the MBPs soon) I would regret having gone for the cool "look" of the Pros rather than what really counts- what's inside the machine.
 
Played with it at a reseller. Works great but nothing beats the original unibody aluminium MacBooks. ;)
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.