The release of the MacBook Pro was heavy news show : It was Apple ’s first laptop with two processing cores , the first to use Intel fries , and had the feature set and price tag professional user are accustomed to . The new MacBook , on the other hand , replaces both the iBook and the 12 - inch PowerBook G4 in Apple ’s product line . As you might expect from a product that put back both a consumer and professional system , the MacBook is a fascinating hybrid of in high spirits - end feature and monetary value - witting technology . Now that we ’ve spent several day with these novel laptops , here are some answers to several burning MacBook questions .
How does the MacBook fit into Apple’s portable lineup?
With the release of the MacBook , Apple has discontinue its last two PowerPC - found laptop models : the 12 - in PowerBook G4 and both sizing ( 12.1 - column inch and 14.1 - in ) of iBook . The 12 - inch PowerBook was in many ways a souped - up iBook with a metal skin , so merging the two products together was n’t that much of a stretch .
So only one size for the MacBook?
Currently , yes . There ’s no word on if Apple will ever reckon making a larger - screened interpretation of the MacBook . For now , if you want a covert larger than 13 inches slanting in a Mac laptop computer , you ’ll need to move up to the MacBook Pro .
The MacBook is quite a bit bigger than the 12-inch PowerBook. What if I want a truly tiny Apple laptop?
We can imagine a sidereal day when Apple will do out with an ultra - small subnotebook . In fact , we daydream about it on a regular basis . Historically , Apple has shown very small interest in designing very small laptops . But thing change , and the transition to Intel has opened up a new world of possibilities in term of what parts Apple can apply to assemble its computing gadget . So you never know .
Why did Apple raise the price of the entry-level laptop? I used to be able to buy one for under $1000.
It ’s true that Apple no longer has a $ 999 laptop , a fact that some have lamented already , as much for the psychological aspect as any other . But if you ignore everything else , this is a consumer - level laptop computer with a dual - core C.P.U. — a feature that can probably rationalize the price increment all by itself .
Apple could have chosen to free a cheap , underpowered MacBook with an underpowered Intel Core Solo processor — the same approach it take with its Intel - ground Mac miniskirt models — but it did n’t go down that path . ( Apple ’s MacBook mathematical product manager told us that the company need to simplify its portable intersection line , and tossing in one model that run a dissimilar cow dung would have complicated issue . ) As a result , even the lowest - priced MacBook is a unmistakably powerful organisation .
So there’s a black MacBook model—what’s it like?
If you ’re an quondam Mac hand , you ’ll find the black MacBook quite reminiscent of the “ Wall Street ” generation of G3 PowerBooks . Unlike the white MacBook ( or previous iBooks ) , the pitch-dark MacBook has a matte goal . After less than a solar day of use , the trackpad on the black model was smudged with fingerprint , although the rest of the case remain in pretty good shape .
Other than the color, is there anything special about the black model?
When you get beyond the bluff blackness , the only difference between it and the 2.0GHz lily-white model is a slightly bigger hard drive ( 80 GB versus 60GB)—and a $ 200 price addition .
Wait, the hard drive upgrade is a $50 option, so does that mean Apple is charging $150 just for the color?
You subtracted aright . If price is your master concern , then the mordant theoretical account is not a skilful deal . But with theU2 Special Edition iPod , Apple proved that it could charge more for a tweaked design . And people were ready to storm the Cupertino campus and contrive cash at Steve Jobs ’ feet when Apple released theiPod mini , which cost intimately as much as a full - sizing iPod , but with only a fraction of the storage space . Of naturally , the iPod miniskirt go on to become the most democratic iPod model ever . Since it also replaces the 12 - inch PowerBook , Apple says the MacBook ’s unexampled and dissimilar look will appeal to the more professional client who prefer the MacBook ’s small sizing . understandably , Apple is banking on the fact that its customer are still unforced to ante up a premium for a different design .
I hear Apple is using a glossy screen on the MacBook—isn’t that a bad thing? Won’t I just see my reflection all the time?
If you ’ve ever walked past a PC laptop ( or your TV , for that subject ) and comment that its filmdom was incredibly reflective , you ’ve seen the same type of screen that ’s been incorporate in the MacBook . In the right condition the glossy screen appear absolutely gorgeous ; black are blacker , whites are whiter , and colors are more intense . However , the screen is also remarkably reflective when compare to Apple ’s premature laptop displays . If you oftentimes figure out in spotlight - occupy environments , the MacBook might not be for you . It ’s safe to say that some people will fuck it , and others will detest it .
But I liked the old screen—why did Apple change it?
fit in to Apple , iBook customers have been postulate for a showy screens for about as long as they ’ve been available for microcomputer laptops — and that ’s been quite some meter . But Apple say that it ’s only now that the calendered - screen technology has make headway enough so that the company was comfortable adding the feature article to its laptop computer . Apple ’s MacBook product manager told us that the two grownup improvement in the glossy screens were a decrease in reflexion levels and the elimination of color - torture problems . When you moot that the screen is also 79 percent brighter than the one on the iBooks and 12 - column inch PowerBook , this new screen character might stop up pleasing a whole lot of mass .
How is the MacBook’s keyboard not like other keyboards?
The MacBook features an entirely young keyboard style for Apple . The large modification is with its look . Previous Apple laptops have sport keyboards with keys that are wide at the base , but narrow at the top . As a solution , even though there are fairly large spaces between the square areas where your fingers reach out to the keys , there are only tiny disruption down at the base of the keys .
This Modern MacBook keyboard does away with that approach . The MacBook ’s keys do n’t get wider at their basis . or else , they ’re brusque , perfectly solid key caps — although you may still pop them off if you need to , Apple says it ’ll be harder for kids to do so , which is a good news for schools .
Although the feel of the MacBook ’s keyboard is hard to describe , it ’s definitelydifferent . However , it ’s quite usable , and we adapt to the raw keyboard almost immediately . It does n’t feel cheesy at all — just different .
I see the MacBook uses the same GMA 950 integrated graphics as the Mac mini—should I be worried?
This is a consumer laptop computer , and as a result Apple has made some technological sacrifice . One is the MacBook ’s deficiency of a graphics chip with dedicated picture RAM . It ’s the same graphics as you ’ll find in the Mac miniskirt . For most undertaking , you probably wo n’t remark the lack of a video card at all — but if you adjudicate to play a 3 - D game , you ’ll see the divergence . And the MacBook ’s Core Duo processor can overcome many of the limitations of its graphics system . For case , we played back legion 1080p high - definition videos with nary a hiccup on both the 1.83GHz and 2.0GHz model . And do n’t forget that the MacBook improves on the resolution of the models it replaces .
Why does Apple only sell MacBooks with RAM in pairs that use up both RAM slots? The MacBook Pro ships with one RAM module instead of two.
Like the other Intel - based Macs , the MacBook uses dual - line memory . Although you’re able to put RAM in just one time slot , when instal in matched duet , the RAM can reach its maximum throughput . grant to Apple , you probably would n’t notice much of a difference on the MacBook Pro , which has a discrete graphics circuit board . But on the MacBook , which shares up to 80 Bachelor of Medicine of its main memory with the onboard graphics system , the supererogatory amphetamine you plunk up by interleave two freestanding RAM faculty is vital .
Sounds like the 512MB of include RAM isn’t enough—should I custom-order a MacBook with more RAM?
We would n’t practice a Mac with 512 MB of random-access memory , so take that as a strong recommendation to upgrade . Apple unremarkably charges a quite a little more for Aries the Ram than you may bribe it for by searching a land site such asRamseeker . In the cause of the climb to 1 GiB , however , Apple ’s prices are pretty much in origin with the diligence . If that ’s all you require , it ’s likely best to allow Apple do it . But if you want a MacBook stocked with 2 GB of RAM , you could save as much as $ 300 by prescribe your system with the stock 512 MB , pulling those RAM mental faculty out , and replacing it with module you grease one’s palms elsewhere .
How difficult is it to upgrade the RAM myself?
Not very hard at all . If you ’re comfy with a screwdriver and push and pulling RAM module with a trivial force , you should n’t have any trouble . Just riffle over the MacBook , remove the battery , unscrew the three screws holding the cubic decimeter - shaped aluminum striptease in space , and you have admission to the two RAM slots . Push the lever to pop out the module , and put fresh modules in their places . ( Want to see it in action ? watch out our video . )
How about the hard drive?
The surd drive ’s just about as easy . Once you ’ve removed the same L - shaped aluminum strip that you need to remove to get to the RAM , you ’ve also exposed the front of the operose drive , tucked by on the left over side of the battery bay . Just untuck out the white plastic tab that ’s loop under the drive and then use it to slue the parkway out into the bay . you may then unscrew the particular metal drive enclosure , take out the drive , and bond the enclosing to a unlike Serial ATA laptop drive . ( Our video covers this process too . )
What other goodies are inside the MacBook?
All models include a make - in iSight video television camera , Front Row computer software with an Apple Remote , a MagSafe Power Adapter , AirPort Extreme and Bluetooth 2.0 wireless networking , Gigabit Ethernet , and parallel and digital audio input and output .
Speaking of wireless networking, I’ve heard the MacBook has greater AirPort range than previous Apple laptops, and also sees more networks?
In our examination , both of those have been true . We ’ve been able to unfold an AirPort Base Station signal a bit further , and have noticed more networks protrude up when get through on the AirPort icon in the menu bar . Apple say the MacBook ’s antennae ( there are two , both place by the MacBook ’s display : one placed horizontally on the left over side and another place vertically on the right wing ) were designed specifically for the MacBook , and it definitely appear to have good reception than senior models . Although Apple officially supports connexion only to 802.11b and 802.11 g electronic internet , the MacBook can actually link up to 802.11a networks , too .
I probably sound like a broken record, but there’s no modem, right?
right . As with all other Intel - based Macs , Apple has dropped the interior modem , and offers a $ 49 extraneous USB version for those who require one .
What if I want to attach the MacBook to an external monitor?
you could do it , but you ’ll call for to buy one ( or both ) of two $ 19 telecasting adapters . The MacBook ’s video - out port is the same mini - DVI port wine discover on the old 12 - inch PowerBook G4 . Apple sells a mini DVI - to - DVI transcriber , as well as a mini DVI - to - VGA adapter . You ’ll need one of those to snare it up to the external monitor of your choice ( up to 1,920 - by-1,200 pixel ) .
Won’t hooking the MacBook up to an external monitor just display the same thing that I’m seeing on my MacBook screen?
No . Although the MacBook can do video mirroring ( where both monitors display the same matter ) , it also supports background extension — in other words , it can drive two monitors at once , no trouble . you may even boot the MacBook with its lid shut , attached to an extraneous monitor , if you require . Although the 12 - in PowerBook has the same capabilities , this is all new primer for iBook substance abuser .
I already own a MacBook Pro—can I use the power supply that came with it on a MacBook?
If you hold in the two major power supplies side by side , you ’ll notice that the MacBook Pro ’s is with child . That ’s because the MacBook Pro uses an 85 - W power supply , while the MacBook uses a 60 - watt great power supply . Apple order you may use the more powerful , 85 - James Watt big businessman supply with a MacBook without any problems , and that in 80 percent to 90 percent of situation , you may habituate the MacBook ’s baron supply with the more - need MacBook Pro as well . If you ’re really taxing the MacBook Pro ’s processor with some big - tariff work , the MacBook ’s adapter will still be capable to power the MacBook Pro — but it may not have any ability leave over to excite its electric battery .
Speaking of batteries, what’s the battery life like on the MacBook?
We have n’t had a fortune to let it run dry yet , but Apple told us that the battery life is closemouthed to that of the iBook . Apple take that in clear use , the MacBook can execute up to six hours on one care . With more normal use , you could expect between three and three - and - three - quarters hours .
