I played with a 1.86 GHz White MacBook at the Apple Store today. The glossy screen wasn't as bad as I was expecting, but I still prefer the old fashioned matte screens instead.
The new keyboard doesn't feel much different than the old keyboard, even though it looks totally different. The areas inbetween the keys are actually part of the top surface of the notebook itself. By that I mean a bunch of key-sized holes were cut into the surface and the keyboard was installed from underneath. Should be easier to keep clean and it's very solid, doesn't have the "flex" that some cheaper notebook keyboards have.
The intergrated graphics didn't seem to slow down any of the Mac OS X eyecandy, and the 3D effects in the bundled Big Bang Boardgames were just as smooth as on my MacBookPro. But there really wasn't any hardcore 3D software available to really test the "power" of the intergrated graphics.
got mine today.. pretty awesome..
Too bad the keyboard does not have a backlight.
Anyone need a Mac Mini?
Too bad the keyboard does not have a backlight.
Anyone need a Mac Mini?
At work now, will write something later on..
Another down side.. 2x256 -> I now need to snag a 1GB chip instead of 512mb..
Got bootcamp working well too.. My VPN access, etc all works well.
Kaido
Elite Member & Kitchen Overlord
- Feb 14, 2004
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Originally posted by: remagavonYeah I saw that... it comes to $95 more if I buy it from apple without an upgrade, due to tax. So it's about $150 with the upgrade (which I would purchase if buying from Apple), not counting any rebates that I could receive purchasing elsewhere. Since it is easily user upgradable I wouldn't mind pulling out the old hard drive and installing my own...
I'm wary about the keyboard (being an English major that's a big deal), but I'll probably head to an Apple store to check one out in person. It does look interesting. Post impressions when you get yours!
Here's my first impressions after a trip to the local Apple store:
http://www.mac-forums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=34932
Kaido
Elite Member & Kitchen Overlord
- Feb 14, 2004
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Have you actually tried it in person? Not only does it look great, but it's the best laptop keyboard I've ever used. My wife said the same thing. I thought it was pretty funky from the pictures, but only seeing it in person and typing on it does it justice. I really like it :thumbsup:
Yes, the keys are too much like calculator keys for me. It may be my imagination, but they don't feel like full travel keys to me. Like I said, they are functional and work fine for touch typing. But subjectively I don't particularly like the new design. You're right it does look nice.
A lot of people still want PowerPC Macs, esp. cheap ones. I'm tempted to sell my Rev. A Mac mini, but then I'd almost assuredly need to buy an expensive MBP to replace it! I'd like to see Apple learn how to apply thermal paste to a Merom die before pulling the trigger.
Also, I doubt I'd get full value on the resale since I have the wireless options and a 1GB DIMM installed. Besides, I never sell off my used systems. I just let them depreciate to zero.
Kaido
Elite Member & Kitchen Overlord
- Feb 14, 2004
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You know, come to think of it, I don't think they are full-travel keys. Does that make a big deal in ergonomics or anything, or is that just more of a user preference issue? Personally I'm coming from a Gateway laptop and the keys on the MacBook felt GREAT to me. I liked them much better than the MacBook Pro's keys as well, but the Pro's keys looked more sealed to keep dust and crumbs out.
A lot of people still want PowerPC Macs, esp. cheap ones. I'm tempted to sell my Rev. A Mac mini, but then I'd almost assuredly need to buy an expensive MBP to replace it! I'd like to see Apple learn how to apply thermal paste to a Merom die before pulling the trigger.
Also, I doubt I'd get full value on the resale since I have the wireless options and a 1GB DIMM installed. Besides, I never sell off my used systems. I just let them depreciate to zero.
I agree; Apple really needs to get their thermal compound application procedure together. I bet it's like the only thing that the factory workers really have to put any effort into, too. Check out the thermal paste section on my MacBook webpage for more links to the thermal paste issue: (pics from the MacBook Pro, the links are in the middle of the Accessories section)
http://www.wiredbynature.org/comp/mac/macbook/mods.php#Accessories
What is my best approach for a memory upgrade?
Keep 1x256 + 1X1GB
Of go with 2x512?
It appears when using the 945 chipset, the dual channel can be important with integrated video..
Any opinions?
Keep 1x256 + 1X1GB
Of go with 2x512?
It appears when using the 945 chipset, the dual channel can be important with integrated video..
Any opinions?
Dual channel is *very* important when using Intel Integrated GMA950 graphics. Especially if you're doing anything involving OpenGL, which is a lot of the Mac OS X eyecandy and apparently many parts of the iLife suite as well.
0roo0roo
No Lifer
- Sep 21, 2002
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I know there are many gamers here at AT, but the Intel GMA 950 still outclasses the iBook's Radeon 9550 and the 12" PowerBook's GeForce FX Go 5200.
The FX 5200 shouldn't even be considered a GPU.
trying to trade in my emac at work for one.
and about the sound card: my buddy was complaining but all i could think was that i have a desktop...i want to keep that. the laptop would be useful for work. and even if i was to bring it home to use it, would it ever be for gaming?
assuming the video card can run videos (which i dont think is too much to ask) does it really matter?
i guess ive never seen laptops as gaming machines.
and about the sound card: my buddy was complaining but all i could think was that i have a desktop...i want to keep that. the laptop would be useful for work. and even if i was to bring it home to use it, would it ever be for gaming?
assuming the video card can run videos (which i dont think is too much to ask) does it really matter?
i guess ive never seen laptops as gaming machines.
All i know is that i get the Ripple effect with the GMA950, and not with my Radeon in the MacMini.
Mine gets warm, but I could keep on bare skin if I had too.. I must say it does get hotter than my Toshiba though..
I like this thing more and more after everyday of use. They keyboard is starting to grow on me a lot.
First Issue to report with boot camp -
AIM is blue screening on me as soon as I try and run it. I have unistalled it. Reinstalled, and tried a different version, it even bluescreened on me during an install. Other than that, bootcamp is awesome.
AIM is blue screening on me as soon as I try and run it. I have unistalled it. Reinstalled, and tried a different version, it even bluescreened on me during an install. Other than that, bootcamp is awesome.
- Mar 11, 2000
- 24,046
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2x512, no question. With GMA 950, performance sucks, but it's much worse if you don't use paired RAM. On some 3D applications the benefit of dual channel RAM is small, but on other 3D apps, it's humungous. For example, Bare Feats got a 50% increase in frame rates in Quake 3, simply by using paired RAM.
The 5200 sucks, but in game performance it's still superior to GMA 950. And Radeon 9550 is superior to both of them.
BTW, here is my 5 minute MacBook (p)review:
1) The MacBook uses the Intel 945GM chipset.
2) For basic usage, Windows XP is very fast on the stock MacBook with 512 MB RAM, but Mac OS X often is not. With the additional RAM needed for the GPU and for Rosetta, Tiger is starved for memory. After loading several applications to memory, the MacBook needs to page out to disk, slowing the whole system down. While I consider 512 MB memory to be the minimum for a usable PowerPC Mac, I'd say the minimum for an Intel Mac with GMA 950 is significantly higher. 768 MB would probably be OK for basic usage, but unfortunately for video performance reasons, the MacBook needs paired RAM, and thus the minimum memory effectively becomes 1 GB.
3) Microsoft Word speed seems acceptable. It is not fast on the MacBook, but it is fast enough enough for everyday usage.
4) The glossy screen is very irritating to use under certain lighting conditions. In the store there was relatively bright overhead lighting and I had to keep moving the screen and/or my body position slightly to eliminate glare while still maintaining a good viewing angle. The glossy screen in my opinion is probably the MacBook's worst "feature", because of the glare. I do admit that the contrast is somewhat better than the old 12" iBook's screen, but that doesn't make up for the glare. Viewing angle on both screens are similarly poor.
5) The look of the black MacBook is quite nice. The matte black finish is very pleasing... until you see the fingerprints. The surface of the black MacBook looked like somebody had smeared grease all over it. And actually that's true... The grease from our human fingers was painfully and disgustingly obvious on the black MacBook. It was still there on the white MacBook of course, but it's much, much harder to see. For this reason, and along with the fact that the black MacBook costs significantly more, I think most people would be better off purchasing the white MacBook. The good news is that I did not see any flaking of the black finish, but I did not try to scratch the finish.
6) The MacBook does seem heavier and bulkier than the 12" iBook and 12" PowerBook, but that's not surprising since the MacBook is heavier and much wider. However, despite the greater weight, the 13" MacBook is actually smaller than the 12" iBook. Because the MacBook is much thinner (and sleeker looking) than the 12" iBook, it takes up less overall volume (2029 cubic cm) than the iBook (2242 cubic cm). However, it still takes up more volume than the 12" PowerBook (1820 cubic cm).
7) "Right-clicking" on the new MacBook: Sticking two fingers on the trackpad and then clicking the button brings up the contextual menu. This the best thing since sliced bread... Well, not quite, but it's certainly the best thing since two-finger scrolling (which was introduced on recent iBooks and PowerBooks). It's very intuitive, and it eliminates the requirement for an annoying second button, or use of a CTRL key.
8) The built-in iSight seems of reasonable quality. The camera is barely noticeable, but it is surprisingly effective despite its small size.
9) Contrary to popular belief, the keyboard spacing/sizing is normal, despite the different design and shape of the keys. The feel is a slight improvement overall, but nothing special in my opinion. It's mainly just different. It does look like it may not touch the screen though when the screen is closed. If true, that's is an improvement.
10) The SuperDrive in the MacBook I tested was the Matsushita UJ-857. It is the same 4X DVD-R 9.5 mm tall drive found in 15" MacBook Pros, and it does not support dual-layer burning.
The torque of which would probably prevent you from rotating the laptop in certain directions, and the laptop could substitute for a makeshift navigational gyroscope in a small boat
Can anyone tell me how to transfer my contacts into Address Book from my Samsung T809?
Mac sees the phone, everything seems good, but don't know how to import any contacts!
Mac sees the phone, everything seems good, but don't know how to import any contacts!
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