Expert’s Rating
Pros
Cons
Our Verdict
replace both the 12 - inch PowerBook G4 and the entire iBook G4 short letter , Apple ’s MacBooks deliver many of the same feature as the higher - end MacBook Pro line — include an Intel Core Duo processor and a work up - in iSight camera — in a 13 - inch case with a lustrous widescreen display . Like the Intel - based Mac miniskirt , the MacBook line features an integrated Intel graphics central processing unit that partake its computer memory with main RAM . This white 2GHz mannikin improves upon the 1.83GHz configuration with a DVD - burning SuperDrive .
The release of the MacBook Pro ushered in a new era in mobile computing for Apple : It debut two processing core , a work up - in video camera , remote control - controlled multimedia computer software , and more .
The three new MacBooks — one 1.8GHz and two 2GHz modelling available in either bloodless or black — replace Apple ’s intact iBook billet as well as the 12 - inch PowerBook G4 . They incorporate many of the climb included in the new Pro machines and pop the question telling performance and features for an submission - level laptop computer line , blurring the distinction between consumer and professional models . We test the low - end white and the high - death black fashion model for this review .
Speedmark 4.5 scores are relative to those of a 1.25GHz Mac mini, which is assigned a score of 100. Adobe Photoshop, Cinema 4D XL, iMovie, iTunes, and Zip Archive scores are in minutes:seconds. All systems were running Mac OS X 10.4.6 with 1GB of RAM, with processor performance set to Highest in the Energy Saver preference pane when applicable. The Photoshop Suite test is a set of 14 scripted tasks using a 50MB file. Photoshop’s memory was set to 70 percent and History was set to Minimum. We recorded how long it took to render a scene in Cinema4D. We used Compressor to encode a 6minute:26second DV file using the DVD: Fastest Encode 120 minutes – 4:3 setting. In iMovie, we applied the Aged video effect to a 1-minute movie. We converted 45 minutes of AAC audio files to MP3 using iTunes’ High Quality setting. We used Unreal Tournament 2004’s Antalus Botmatch average-frames-per-second score; we tested at a resolution of 1,024 by 768 pixels at the Maximum setting with both audio and graphics enabled. We created a Zip archive in the Finder from a 1GB folder. To compare Speedmark 4.5 scores for various Mac systems, visit our Apple Hardware Guide .—Macworld Lab testing by James Galbraith and Jerry Jung
Even though Apple no longer offers a laptop computer for less than $ 1,000 , the advance built into the Modern MacBooks are well worth the added price . Despite minor fault , the MacBooks are a great selection for multitude who want a laptop computer , but who do n’t ask the fastest model available , or who do n’t take on 3 - D plot that require speedy frame rates . And with its first black model in years , Apple has given all laptop substance abuser a reason to covet the MacBook .
Performance matters
Many percipient had look Apple to follow the same design it had established with the Mac mini : that it would release models with Core Solo and Core Duo processors , letting customers pick out how much they were willing to expend ( and how much public presentation they were willing to give to carry through money ) . Instead , Apple chose to release three MacBook form , all with Core Duo processors , 2 MiB of L2 stash , a 667MHz frontside jalopy , and firm RAM . The result is that regardless of which modeling you take , you ’ll get performance very exchangeable to that of the MacBook Pro stock .
The new MacBooks perform well overall , and especially in our processor - intensive native software test , where they even outperformed the 1.5GHz 12 - inch PowerBook .
The MacBooks were three time as fast in our Cinema 4D render mental test , nearly twice as fast in our Compressor MPEG2 encoding test , and about 1.5 time as tight in our iTunes MP3 encoding test .
What ’s more interesting is how little you give up by sticking with the least expensive manikin — not surprising , perhaps , given the relatively close speeds of the processors inwardly , but very skillful in that Apple has n’t crippled its incoming - level laptop computer . I instal the Intel - native Final Cut Studio ( one piece of this professional rooms , Motion , would n’t even set up on an iBook ) on the 1.83GHz example , and found everything quite functional . ( Apple suppose that Final Cut Studio is not supported on system using Intel ’s GMA950 artwork CPU , but I happen that it worked just ok . ) And transcoding picture for a fifth - genesis iPod using the free iSquint app took roughly the same amount of time as the same operation on a dual 2.0GHz PowerMac G5 . All the MacBooks experience degraded and responsive at almost every task .
As with all Intel - based Macs , however , program that have not yet been update to run natively on Intel chips must practice Apple ’s Rosetta dynamical translation technology , and those apps perform much more slow than they do on older PowerPC - based Macs .
In our Photoshop CS2 tests , for case , the 1.83GHz MacBook bring almost 68 percent longer to complete our retinue of tests than the 12 - inch PowerBook , while the 2.0GHz MacBook took 53 percent longer ( this was the biggest difference between the two MacBook hurrying in our benchmark mental testing ) .
MacBooks Tested
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Speedmark 4.5 scores are proportional to those of a 1.25GHz Mac miniskirt , which is assigned a mark of 100 . Adobe Photoshop , Cinema 4D XL , iMovie , iTunes , and Zip Archive scores are in minutes : moment . All systems were running Mac OS X 10.4.6 with 1 GB of RAM , with CPU public presentation set to Highest in the Energy Saver predilection pane when applicable . The Photoshop Suite test is a set of 14 scripted tasks using a 50 Bachelor of Medicine file . Photoshop ’s retentivity was set to 70 percent and History was set to Minimum . We record how long it took to render a scene in Cinema4D. We used Compressor to encode a 6minute:26second DV file using the DVD : Fastest Encode 120 second – 4:3 setting . In iMovie , we applied the Aged video result to a 1 - minute movie . We converted 45 minutes of AAC audio files to MP3 using iTunes ’ High Quality place setting . We used Unreal Tournament 2004 ’s Antalus Botmatch intermediate - frames - per - irregular score ; we test at a resolution of 1,024 by 768 picture element at the Maximum scope with both audio recording and graphics enabled . We created a Zip archive in the Finder from a 1 GB folder . To liken Speedmark 4.5 score for various Mac systems , visit our Apple Hardware Guide .—Macworld Lab examination by James Galbraith and Jerry Jung
At the same sentence , I used some of the applications in the Microsoft Office 2004 suite — which is not Intel - native — and after waiting a little longer for them to launch , I could scarce differentiate that OS X had to translate the instruction code to run on the Intel - based system .
On display
The first thing most people will notice about the MacBook is the display : Its widescreen format and glossy coating are basal departures from the construction of previous screens .
For the first time on any Mac laptop , Apple utilize a glossy software — coarse on Windows laptops — instead of an anti - glare coating . The result is a display with much more reflection factor — reckon of a television readiness — but also very laconic Shirley Temple Black , bright whites , and vibrant , pleasing colors .
Apple says the MacBook ’s display is 79 percent brighter than the simulation it replaces . And that is obvious when you abide by one alongside an iBook or PowerBook — the screen is very bright and operate well with the glossy coat .
I quickly got used to the new sieve , but some mass will find the glare of the shining covert distracting , especially in offices with bright ambient light or if they ’re using the laptop computer outdoors .
The display is now bigger and good , as well as smart , and that should be welcome news to anyone who felt constrained by Apple ’s minuscule PowerPC laptops .
With the MacBook , Apple has now switch all its display to widescreen data formatting . The 13.3 - inch MacBook show offer a 1280 - by-800 pixel native resolution , 30 percent more pixels than the 1024 - by-768 pixel resolution of the iBook and 12 - in PowerBook models . This is good for watching widescreen DVDs , having multiple windows open at once , or sustain software floating palette next to open document window .
Graphics view
Powering the new show is Intel ’s GMA 950 unified nontextual matter CPU , the same one Apple uses in the Mac mini . Unlike traditional Mac nontextual matter , the MacBooks ’ computer graphic processors do n’t have their own dedicated store . As a result , the GMA 950 borrows its memory — a lower limit of 64 Bachelor of Medicine plus 16 megabit for startup processes , but sometimes more for 3 - D and other graphics - intensive apps — from the system RAM .
The GMA 950 is n’t as muscular as the ATI graphic chip with dedicated RAM that arrive in the MacBook Pro , and drug user who make for 3 - D games will definitely notice the difference in performance . Our Unreal Tournament Average Frame Rate test , for exercise , shows the MacBooks pushing out only about 18 form per second , not much faster than the 14 - inch iBook G4 ( 14.1fps ) , a little slower than the 12 - inch PowerBook G4 ( 21.7fps ) , and much tedious than the 20 - in iMac Core Duo ( 56 fps ) and 17 - in MacBook Pro ( 63.1fps ) . The graphics performance was dead passable , however , for smooth playback of HD video in QuickTime and for adding effects in Motion .
One area where Apple clear made improvements is in the outside graphics connections . you’re able to use the MacBook ’s mini - DVI larboard to connect to an external exhibit ( with resolution of up to 1920 - by-1200 pixels ) for cross your screen background across two monitors . The iBooks could only mirror the build - in video display to an extraneous monitor . Apple ’s removal of this confinement is great for those who need extra screen real estate . Unlike the MacBook Pro , however , the MacBook does n’t include the adapters you ’ll need to hook up to outside DVI or VGA monitors — each cable is available for $ 19 .
Designer looks
The MacBook sports several additional design change compare to its lower - end PowerPC laptop . The subject is longer and deeper than the previous 12 - in models to accommodate the enceinte video display , yet it is also thin and heavier . Its silkiness makes it better resemble the new MacBook Pro , while its slenderly smashing massiveness make it feel more solid . The spare weight , along with its rounded rubber eraser feet , also helps drop anchor it more stably on a desk or other open ; you could reach the latchless , magnetic lid with a one digit without having the MacBook slide around .
Apple has also updated the keyboard design : The new MacBooks now have single , non - tapered keys set into a recessed area that does n’t reach all the way across the top . I really delight the keyboard , and find it higher-ranking to the previous design . The keys have a tactile and reactive feel and a subtle , reassuring click , as defend to the somewhat bathetic feel of the detachable keyboards on late laptop fashion model .
I also care that if you place two fingers on the trackpad , and then get through on the trackpad button , it convey up a contextual menu — a large advance over have to apply two men to call forth the menu .
The only real problem I found with the newfangled design is that the politic top of the keyboard natural enclosure does n’t extend quite to edge of the MacBook , creating a sparse , rough - feeling bevel square between the top and bottom of the case . Though it ’s thin , the rough edge of the polycarbonate bottom running all the style around the MacBook irritates my palm when I slide my paw around to use the trail pad , and it feel rather tart if I remain my deal on it .
Multimedia inside
All MacBook models let in Apple ’s Front wrangle software and the Apple Remote for controlling audio , pic , TV , and videodisk playback from a length . Front Row worked fairly smoothly on the new MacBook models , although it did n’t always activate promptly when I pressed the Menu button ’s remote control .
The build - in stereo speakers are nothing special : they sound thin , tinny , and too gentle . That detract from the movie - watching experience . But the MacBooks have parallel and digital audio input and yield port , so you’re able to associate them to 5.1 - canal surround auditory sensation speaker to find out better audio . ( The 12 - in PowerBook , by compare , had analog input and output , while the iBook had only analog turnout , but no input . )
Also similar to the MacBook Pro — and unexampled to Apple ’s low - end laptop — is the build - in iSight video recording camera built into the top of the display . The quality of the television camera and microphone are the same as on other Intel Macs . And while you ca n’t align the iSight ’s position , as you may with a bear - alone camera , I was able-bodied to overcome that trouble by change the tilt of the display .
Configurations
The MacBook fall in three configurations : all have one FireWire 400 port , two USB 2.0 ports , built - in AirPort Extreme and Bluetooth 2.0+EDR wireless networking , Gigabit Ethernet , a MagSafe Power Adapter , a scrolling trackpad , and Sudden Motion Sensor technology . All model ship with 512 megabyte of 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM ( PC2 - 5300 ) on two SO - DIMMs . Although this may be enough for many drug user , people with computer graphic - intensive apps will require more memory for brisk performance .
Users will find the MacBook performance on all apps much snappier if they upgrade to 1 GB , or even to the upper limit of 2 GB ( for more information on the RAM , see our MacBook FAQ ) . The difference the superfluous RAM make in the clip it contain to found and lam apps is a quality of life improvement that is well deserving the extra money .
The $ 1,099 fashion model comes in the familiar iBook blanched case , and admit a 60 GB 5400 - rpm Serial ATA hard drive , and a Combo effort . The $ 1,299 exemplar also make out in white-hot , and includes a 60 GB laborious private road , and a 4x SuperDrive . The $ 1,499 exemplar comes in matte black ( a first for Apple since the Pismo PowerBook G3 released in 2000 ) , and ships with an 80 GB hard drive , and a 4x SuperDrive .
Battery life was respectable — though not irresistibly higher-ranking to previous theoretical account . I could get about three - and - a - half hours of videodisc playback in one sitting without the battery going bushed .
Macworld’s buying advice
The MacBook is very impressive , not only compared to the iBooks and PowerBook it replaces , but also compare to its fresh Pro brethren . It offers almost everything that people would require in a laptop computer . There ’s not much of a execution difference between the 1.83GHz and 2.0GHz models run Intel - native apps , but Rosetta does middling better with the faster CPU . If you use non - native apps often , and favor a SuperDrive to a Combo campaign , consider one of the faster models . But if you ’re a tough core 3 - D gamer , the MacBook is not the Mac for you .
And though from a economic value perspective , the shameful model is n’t as good a deal as the others , the nerveless black colour will be enough for some mass — those who desire something dissimilar , own a black iPod , or need a more professional - looking laptop for oeuvre — to justify the cost .
[ Jonathan Seff isMacworld ’s elderly word editor program . ]
