MacBook

The MacBook is a line of consumer Macintosh laptop computers developed and marketed by Apple Computer. The MacBook was introduced on May 16, 2006Apple PR — Apple Unveils New MacBook Featuring Intel Core Duo Processors - May 16, 2006 to immediate availability in all United States Apple online and retail stores. The MacBook replaces the iBook G4 series as well as the last of the PowerBook series, the 12" PowerBook G4.

The MacBook is based on the Intel Core Duo processor and is available in three configurations: 1.83 GHz and 2.0 GHz with a white polycarbonate enclosure, and a 2.0 GHz model in a matte black case. Every model has a built-in iSight webcam, and a magnetic latch mechanism. The MacBook line is the companion to the higher-end MacBook Pro line.

Specifications

The 1.83 GHz and 2.0 GHz Core Duo (retailing at States dollar|US$" target="_blank" >^*1099 and States dollar|US$" target="_blank" >^*1299, respectively) are equipped with a 60 GB 5400-rpm Serial ATA hard drive and the 2.0 GHz Core Duo premium black model (States dollar|US$" target="_blank" >^*1499) features an 80 GB 5400-rpm Serial ATA hard drive. The two higher end models are equipped with an internal SuperDrive (DVD±RW, CD-RW), while the low end model features a Combo Drive (DVD-ROM, CD-RW).

All MacBooks come with integrated iSight, mini-DVI, MagSafe power connector, upgradeable 512 MB (2x256) RAM, built-in 10/100/1000 BASE-T Gigabit Ethernet, AirPort Extreme, Bluetooth, Sudden Motion Sensor and Scrolling TrackPad, as well as an Apple Remote. The ATI Radeon 9550 GPU used in the iBook has been replaced by an Intel GMA 950 graphics processor with 64 MB of DDR2 SDRAM (shared memory). The MacBook features a 13.3" glossy LCD display (1280x800) which is 79% brighter and provides 30% more viewing area than the iBook. The MacBook weighs 5.2 lbs (2.36 kg). It also includes a Trusted platform module chip, which may be used for Digital Rights Management.

The MacBook comes preloaded with iLife, Front Row and Photo Booth.

Appearance

The MacBook's appearance is largely based on that of its predecessor, the iBook G4. In addition to the classic white case, Apple is offering a premium black case option, both cases made from polycarbonate, the thermoplastic Apple is known for using in many of its products. The two color decision has already received some criticism due to the fact that the stock black model costs States dollar|US$" target="_blank" >^*150 more than a white model using the same hardware configuration (other than 20 more GB of hard drive space on the black model). Also, some Mac aficionados think the black MacBook looks more like a generically designed portable from PC manufacturers such as Dell and HP. However, Apple laptops such as the PowerBook G3 came in black cases as well, so this is not quite as unusual as it may at first seem.

The MacBook features a glossy display, a first for Apple, which has exclusively used matte displays in its previous laptops. The different reflective properties of glossy displays are said to increase color saturation when compared with matte displays; this is a point of contention for many users, as some find them an improvement while others find them distractingly reflective. The display has a more narrow viewing angle than the matte displays, which is a disadvantage if the screen is not pointed directly at the viewer, but an advantage for use in public areas, as it is less open to casual inspection by others. Apple's approach with the new glossy display is similar to that of other PC manufacturers such as Sony with its XBRITE displays.

The MacBook also features a new keyboard design. Unlike the iBook's keyboard, it is not removable; instead, each key is individually integrated into the casing with about 5 mm of space between neighboring keys. This is ostensibly intended to give the keyboard a sturdier feel and to avoid keyboard contact with the screen when closed. The color scheme for keys and labels is white and gray for the white model and black and white for the black model.

Integrated graphics

The MacBook, unlike recent portable Macintosh computers, has an integrated GPU. It uses an Intel GMA 950 graphics processor instead of an ATI Radeon series GPU as featured in the iBook it replaces and in Apple's professional line of notebooks. Apple has also chosen not to include a graphics section in its MacBook product website, downplaying the significance of the MacBook's graphical capabilities. Intel's integrated graphics chipsets have been criticized in the past for being unable to handle graphically-intensive tasks such as complex 3D gaming and other heavily GPU-dependent processes.

Apple has most likely used integrated Intel graphics as a cost-cutting measure, as the Intel GMA chipset is cheaper than most discrete GPU solutions from ATI and nVidia. While the Intel GMA 950 lacks dedicated VRAM and other useful features such as hardware transform & lighting functionality and advanced pixel and vertex shaders, it is highly optimized for video playback and requires less power to operate than most ATI and nVidia chipsets, generating less heat (no fan required).. Reportedly, graphics performance for non-3D-intensive tasks is on par with the MacBook Pro models.

The MacBook is the second of Apple's computers to use integrated graphics, after the Mac mini, a desktop model that, like the MacBook, is aimed specifically at typical consumers, which is one new way that Apple is differentiating between its consumer and professional product lines.

User serviceability

The MacBook is different from its iBook predecessor in terms of user serviceability. It is much easier to disassemble compared with the old iBook, which required removing many components such as the EM shields to get to anything, whereas the MacBook requires simply the removal of the outer shell to access almost any interior component. However, the redesigned keyboard is integrated into the main body of the laptop and is thus no longer easily removable or replaceable. By contrast, the MacBook's internal hard drive is now easily accessible via the underside of the unit, as is the RAM. Replacement of the bigger MacBook Pro's internal hard drive is more difficult, requiring disassembly by an authorized service provider to prevent risk of voiding the warranty. This also applies to the older iBook.

MacBook vs. MacBook Pro

Unlike the iBook and PowerBook product lines, the MacBook family is marketed as a continuous range of portables. The main differences between the MacBook and MacBook Pro product lines are size and weight, display resolution and graphics performance.

The MacBook Pro's aluminium enclosure accounts for its relatively low weight, considering its size, of 2.54 kg (5.6 pounds) for the 15.4-inch MacBook Pro model, which has a display resolution of 1440 × 900.

The MacBook Pro furthermore features an ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 graphics card (128 or 256 MiB GDDR3). Other notable differences include the illuminated keyboard, dual-link DVI port, ExpressCard/34 slot, and 7200 rpm hard drive option on the MacBook Pro. The 17-inch MacBook Pro also features an extra USB 2.0 port (three instead of two), a Firewire 800 port and an 8X dual-layer SuperDrive, unlike the MacBook and 15.4-inch MBP's 4X single-layer SuperDrive. The MacBook is currently the only model with a magnetic latch.

The basic MacBook Pro is priced at States dollar|US$" target="_blank" >^*1999, which is States dollar|US$" target="_blank" >^*500 more than the top of the line black MacBook.

Problems

A number of MacBook owners have reported a strange "mooing" noise. One MacBook owner previously complained about a similar problem with a MacBook Pro, which Apple replaced.

Other MacBook owners complained of discoloration that appeared on the palmrests of their MacBooks, which Apple has reportedly acknowledged as a manufacturing problem after a few weeks, offering to replace that part of the casing.

Another issue found in a few laptops lies in the trackpad button, which some users report to be unresponsive.

The computer has also been reported to have a tendency to run hot, with CPU temperatures getting up to 84 degrees celsius.

References

External links

Macintosh computers

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