Took the plunge

[sjwaste]

Saw a base model aluminum Macbook go up on the Apple Refurb Store yesterday, $1099. They usually get bought up pretty quick and don't show up nearly as much as the old plastic macbooks or the higher end proc models.

Ended up ordering it, hopefully it ships today (said 3-5 days to ship, but its already at the status of packed for shipping) and gets here this week.

This will replace my 15" Inspiron 8600, which has served me well for a long time.

I'll probably install Vista on another partition right away, but this should be a decent development platform w/ the iPhone SDK. Maybe I can sell enough crappy 99c apps to pay for it. Still not sold on the 1280x800 res. Is that really useful to get anything done? I really wish they offered another option. Even on a 13" screen, I'd love 1680x1050.

EDIT: Looks like they raised the price to $1199 before it went OOS. I guess that's a decent deal even for a refurb after all.

UPDATE: Received it today, walked home for lunch to make sure the box didn't sit on my porch all day. It's packed in a non-descript box w/ a fitted foam packing insert. Accessories are packaged as new, might actually be a brand new accessory pack rather than resending the returned product. The computer itself is spotless, wrapped in the normal Apple cellophane packaging. No scratches anywhere on the case or screen, no dead pixels. Nothing going on inside the battery compartment, it's either all been cleaned or replaced. Booted, ran the setup, did system updates.

I'd say the refurb is an awesome value if you must have an Apple product.

 

[TheStu]

Originally posted by: sjwaste
Saw a base model aluminum Macbook go up on the Apple Refurb Store yesterday, $1099. They usually get bought up pretty quick and don't show up nearly as much as the old plastic macbooks or the higher end proc models.

Ended up ordering it, hopefully it ships today (said 3-5 days to ship, but its already at the status of packed for shipping) and gets here this week.

This will replace my 15" Inspiron 8600, which has served me well for a long time.

I'll probably install Vista on another partition right away, but this should be a decent development platform w/ the iPhone SDK. Maybe I can sell enough crappy 99c apps to pay for it. Still not sold on the 1280x800 res. Is that really useful to get anything done? I really wish they offered another option. Even on a 13" screen, I'd love 1680x1050.

EDIT: Looks like they raised the price to $1199 before it went OOS. I guess that's a decent deal even for a refurb after all.

1680*1050 is non-existent on a 13" screen. The highest res that I have ever heard, is 1440*900, but that is on the Lenovo x300 I think. No other 13" screen has that res, they all have 1280*800.

You can get a lot done on it, but you have to make sure that you actually break a lot of nasty Windows habits... like fullscreening. I find that a lot of Windows users (I was one of them) fullscreen, everything, all the time. In fact it is often a complaint from Switchers "There is no full screen button on the Windows". That is because very seldom is it actually necessary, there are quite a few systems in place in OS X to allow you to quickly switch between windows and applications, so layering of windows is just fine.

 

[sjwaste]

Originally posted by: TheStu
1680*1050 is non-existent on a 13" screen. The highest res that I have ever heard, is 1440*900, but that is on the Lenovo x300 I think. No other 13" screen has that res, they all have 1280*800.

You can get a lot done on it, but you have to make sure that you actually break a lot of nasty Windows habits... like fullscreening. I find that a lot of Windows users (I was one of them) fullscreen, everything, all the time. In fact it is often a complaint from Switchers "There is no full screen button on the Windows". That is because very seldom is it actually necessary, there are quite a few systems in place in OS X to allow you to quickly switch between windows and applications, so layering of windows is just fine.

I hear ya. Thankfully, I'm not a full-screener, but I'm also used to a 24" monitor @ 1920x1200, where it'd be an awful waste of space to maximize anything.

I'm mostly worried that with 800 horizontal lines, editing code will be kind of a pain. I suppose I could always hook it up to my monitor, but that takes away some of the mobility and adds another $30 for an adapter to the mix.

I'm wondering, can I use Time Machine to back up to a network share?

 

[imported_madMike]

I have my Macbook hooked up to a 22 inch monitor. If you're going to do development, that would be the best option.

 

[aphex]

Same here, I use my Macbook on my desk 95% of the time paired with my 24" Acer at 1920x1200. Actually makes a pretty darn nice dual monitor combo, and I get the portability of the Macbook when needed.

The 13" screen is fine for web browsing, but when I start editing photos and the like, its just too small for me.

 

[Kmax82]

Yea.. I wouldn't want 1680x1050 on a 13" screen. My old company laptop had a 1920x1200 15" screen and it was unbearable. I couldn't read anything on it. I bumped up the font size but that just made everything look weird.

I think the standard screen resolutions of the Macbooks/MBPs are quite easy on my eyes. If I need more real estate I just hook it up to my external display.

 

[sjwaste]

Originally posted by: aphex
Same here, I use my Macbook on my desk 95% of the time paired with my 24" Acer at 1920x1200. Actually makes a pretty darn nice dual monitor combo, and I get the portability of the Macbook when needed.

The 13" screen is fine for web browsing, but when I start editing photos and the like, its just too small for me.

Well, I still have my desktop PC set up, so a KVM would be ideal for a similar setup.

I'm still kind of pissed that I have to shell out for an adapter on a $1000 laptop to hook up to a very common interface.

 

[Redfraggle]

I would be interested to know how it looks when you get it. I've often considered a refurb (already have an Apple laptop), and wondered what condition Apple sends out as refurb. I've been thinking a similar Macbook will be my next laptop, so let us know how it goes. I have a 15.4" Powerbook now, I'm not sure about the smaller screen.

 

[sjwaste]

Originally posted by: Redfraggle
I would be interested to know how it looks when you get it. I've often considered a refurb (already have an Apple laptop), and wondered what condition Apple sends out as refurb. I've been thinking a similar Macbook will be my next laptop, so let us know how it goes. I have a 15.4" Powerbook now, I'm not sure about the smaller screen.

I'll post back w/ that. I know the ipods all get new casing, don't think that's the same for their laptops, but other folks told me it'd look new.

I'll tell you tomorrow if that's the case, just got the tracking #.

 

[TheStu]

My mother got a refurbed BlackBook about 2 years ago and hasn't had any issues with it. Plus it looked as good as new aside from not coming in the retail box like my new (non-refurbed) MacBook did.

 

[suklee]

http://www.apple.com/science/p...ylab/#organizingspaces

I have a 24" (1920 x 1200) and 22" (1680 x 1050) and I just recently set up Spaces using the above as a guide. At first I thought there wouldn't be much point, but I've found that it does help to organize applications in different "spaces". This might be helpful on your 1280 x 800 screen.

I just have problems switching between Spaces with the keyboard shortcuts.

 

[little elvis]

Originally posted by: Redfraggle
I would be interested to know how it looks when you get it. I've often considered a refurb (already have an Apple laptop), and wondered what condition Apple sends out as refurb. I've been thinking a similar Macbook will be my next laptop, so let us know how it goes. I have a 15.4" Powerbook now, I'm not sure about the smaller screen.

I got a refurbed 15.4" MacBook Pro (2.5 ghz) a few days ago, it came in absolutely perfect condition, not a scratch on it. I was quite impressed. Damn thing runs hot though! Now I understand why Apple insists on calling it a "notebook"

 

[TheStu]

Originally posted by: little elvis

Originally posted by: Redfraggle
I would be interested to know how it looks when you get it. I've often considered a refurb (already have an Apple laptop), and wondered what condition Apple sends out as refurb. I've been thinking a similar Macbook will be my next laptop, so let us know how it goes. I have a 15.4" Powerbook now, I'm not sure about the smaller screen.

I got a refurbed 15.4" MacBook Pro (2.5 ghz) a few days ago, it came in absolutely perfect condition, not a scratch on it. I was quite impressed. Damn thing runs hot though! Now I understand why Apple insists on calling it a "notebook"

Is that one of the old ones or the new ones? I have heard that new MacBooks are supposed to run a whole lot cooler than the older ones.

 

[little elvis]

Originally posted by: TheStu

Originally posted by: little elvis

Originally posted by: Redfraggle
I would be interested to know how it looks when you get it. I've often considered a refurb (already have an Apple laptop), and wondered what condition Apple sends out as refurb. I've been thinking a similar Macbook will be my next laptop, so let us know how it goes. I have a 15.4" Powerbook now, I'm not sure about the smaller screen.

I got a refurbed 15.4" MacBook Pro (2.5 ghz) a few days ago, it came in absolutely perfect condition, not a scratch on it. I was quite impressed. Damn thing runs hot though! Now I understand why Apple insists on calling it a "notebook"

Is that one of the old ones or the new ones? I have heard that new MacBooks are supposed to run a whole lot cooler than the older ones.

Older one, MacBook Pro ver 4.1, I think

 

[Kmax82]

Yea.. my MacBook Pro, which is a generation behind yours (SantaRosa)... runs super hot. I get temps in the 40-50 when idling or just surfing the web.. and when I start using Photoshop or Flash, they can jump to 80. Definitely not a laptop. Of course, my old Dell Inspiron 8200 used to do the same thing, although it wouldn't burn your leg off right away. It took an hour or so to do it.

 

[Redfraggle]

My 5 yr old Powerbook G4 runs hot too. It's nice in the winter, but awful in the summer. Machines like these are what those little laptop desks were made for. I think it's inescapable with their aluminum cases. All in all, I'd rather my table or legs got that hot than the guts of my machine.

Thanks to those who've commented on appearance. I'm less concerned about function, because I've dealt with Apple before and have always had my problems resolved. Granted, I did once have to send some high level e-mails, but it got the job done. While I'm not a fashion junkie by any means, I know I'd be disappointed to have a "new" notebook with scratches and such all over the casing.

 

[sjwaste]

Updated the OP.

 

[umrigar]

$900 for this model (white polycarbonate)

2.4GHz Intel Intel Core 2 Duo / 2GB DDR2 SDRAM / 160GB Hard Drive / SuperDrive

http://www.macconnection.com/I...Detail.htm?sku=8252907


what made you choose the unibody w/o firewire?

 

[sjwaste]

Originally posted by: umrigar
$900 for this model (white polycarbonate)

2.4GHz Intel Intel Core 2 Duo / 2GB DDR2 SDRAM / 160GB Hard Drive / SuperDrive

http://www.macconnection.com/I...Detail.htm?sku=8252907


what made you choose the unibody w/o firewire?

I never cared for the white plastic notebooks, really. I don't use firewire. My Dell 8600 has it, and it's never once been used. The only purpose for FW I can think of is to grab DV, but I don't have a DV cam, and even if I did, my desktop PC would take on those tasks.

I like the idea of an aluminum case. It looks nice, and it can probably take a little bit more abuse than a plastic shell. I don't beat the hell out of my laptops, but I don't exactly baby them either. It's a portable, and needs to be able to take the beatings that come along with that.

The other things I liked were the touchpad being one big button, updated graphics, and reduced weight. The LED backlit screen is nice too, but I mostly like the black frame.

I figured if I'm going to pay that much for a notebook, I'm paying for the aesthetics too.

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: sjwaste
UPDATE: Received it today, walked home for lunch to make sure the box didn't sit on my porch all day. It's packed in a non-descript box w/ a fitted foam packing insert. Accessories are packaged as new, might actually be a brand new accessory pack rather than resending the returned product. The computer itself is spotless, wrapped in the normal Apple cellophane packaging. No scratches anywhere on the case or screen, no dead pixels. Nothing going on inside the battery compartment, it's either all been cleaned or replaced. Booted, ran the setup, did system updates.

I'd say the refurb is an awesome value if you must have an Apple product.

I've bought a few machines through Apple Refurb and have never had any serious issues :thumbsup:

 

[sjwaste]

Originally posted by: Kaido

Originally posted by: sjwaste
UPDATE: Received it today, walked home for lunch to make sure the box didn't sit on my porch all day. It's packed in a non-descript box w/ a fitted foam packing insert. Accessories are packaged as new, might actually be a brand new accessory pack rather than resending the returned product. The computer itself is spotless, wrapped in the normal Apple cellophane packaging. No scratches anywhere on the case or screen, no dead pixels. Nothing going on inside the battery compartment, it's either all been cleaned or replaced. Booted, ran the setup, did system updates.

I'd say the refurb is an awesome value if you must have an Apple product.

I've bought a few machines through Apple Refurb and have never had any serious issues :thumbsup:

I might go so far as to say I'll not buy another new apple product. The refurbs are excellent, if you have the patience to wait for the exact model you want to show up at least. Not too big an issue with ipods, but for laptops, it took a while for the base model aluminum macbooks to hit the refurb store (obviously, they have to ship 'em, get a return, and fix it). Worth the wait, though.

I still feel I overpaid for a laptop of these specs, but the refurb discount helps with that. Plus, once I factor in how nice looking the machine is, I feel a little better

Glad I went w/ this and not a mac mini as an iPhone dev machine. It's a cool little computer.

 

[Redfraggle]

Awesome! As you have pretty much the model I hope to purchase, I'm going to ask a couple more questions. (If you don't mind answering) I like that is has an integrated web cam, but how is the quality? I'm very curious about the new touchpad, how's that work out for you? My current screen is matte, but I understand the new ones are glass -- is glare an issue?

The good experiences of some people here reassure me that a refurb is the way to go.

Another plus for the unibody -- my older aluminum cased notebook has developed creaks and squeaks as fittings loosened.

 

[sjwaste]

Originally posted by: Redfraggle
Awesome! As you have pretty much the model I hope to purchase, I'm going to ask a couple more questions. (If you don't mind answering) I like that is has an integrated web cam, but how is the quality? I'm very curious about the new touchpad, how's that work out for you? My current screen is matte, but I understand the new ones are glass -- is glare an issue?

The good experiences of some people here reassure me that a refurb is the way to go.

Another plus for the unibody -- my older aluminum cased notebook has developed creaks and squeaks as fittings loosened.

No problem, I'm a mac noob, but happy to help where I can.

I haven't used the integrated cam much, basically when you set it all up, it pops up the app so you can take a self-portrait for your user acct. The quality looks very good there, not grainy or anything. I sent my sister an email since I bought her a Macbook last year (yeah, she got one before me), so I'll let you know when she responds so that I can test out iChat.

The touchpad is nice. It takes a little bit of effort to click. It's sort of "hinged" at the top, if you cant to call it that, so its easier to press down the very bottom. You can turn on tap-clicking, so that you dont have to physically click the touchpad. I did turn that on since that's what I'm used to. The gestures are great. The trackpad prefs pane has all of the options and gesture capabilities, plus a little video demo for each. Of any feature so far, the touchpad's size and built in gestures are my favorite.

The screen is glossy. Not sure if its glass or lexan, but it works for me. I don't have anything I like about it more or less than my 15" dell notebook with a matte screen. It's very crisp, and the instant-on backlight is kind of neat. One thing that I do notice is that unlike CCFL-backlit screens, there's no backlight bleed-through anywhere. Very uniform.

The one flimsy point on the unibody mac is the trapdoor for the battery and HD. It's a bit thin, but so far it doesn't clank around, and its locking system is very secure. One great feature is that the HD is right there next to the battery, and swapping would be a breeze.

At this point, I would highly suggest a refurb. I can't tell the difference from new.

The things I don't like:

- Have to pay to upgrade to iLife '09. It's $10, but they seriously could throw it into the box.
- iWork doesn't come with the system. Yeah, I know PC's don't ship for free with Office either, but when I think Mac, I think integrated solution.
- Wifi seems a little slow compared to my other laptops. I have 20 Mbit FIOS, this machine isn't getting those speeds.
- USB seems very slow. For proper Time Machine use, the system would ideally have an esata port.
- Time Machine doesn't, out of the box (easy hack though), support network volumes.

I have high expectations for a $1100 laptop, I know that. Fit and finish is impeccable though. No buyers remorse, just some wishes.