Apple’s MacBook consumer notebook line “packs so many clever, practical features into its case that it doesn’t feel like a compromise,” Harry McCracken reports for PC Advisor. “The MacBook’s unusual in-between size actually makes a lot of sense. The system is petite enough to be travel-friendly, yet it packs a 13.3in widescreen display with room for everything from letterboxed movies to spreadsheets. The screen is Apple’s first with a glossy surface, and it’s a definite plus for film watching. We weren’t overly distracted by the occasional reflections.”
“The MacBook does have integrated graphics rather than the faster discrete adapter that gamers and graphics pros will want. And as standard it has no ExpressCard, PC Card or memory-card slots, nor a dialup modem. Design-wise, the MacBook shines [and,] like all Intel-based Macs, the MacBook can be a Windows PC once you’ve installed Apple’s Boot Camp utility and a full copy of Windows XP SP2,” McCracken reports.
McCracken reports, “The MacBook is a terrific piece of hardware. It’s not particularly expensive, and it gives you a healthy dose of everything that’s great about Macs. Add the PC compatibility, and this is quite a product.”
Full article here.
Related MacDailyNews articles:
Apple 13-Inch MacBook benchmarked: it’s fast – July 24, 2006
Temperature Test: Apple MacBook vs. Dell Latitude D620 – July 18, 2006
Washington Times: If you want a stylish, great, capable portable, buy an Apple MacBook – July 18, 2006
AP: Apple’s MacBook should give makers of Windows-only notebooks nightmares – July 07, 2006
Survey shows big jump in consumer interest in buying Apple Mac; Dell takes steep slide – July 06, 2006
Boston Herald: Apple MacBook superior to iBook predecessor in every way – July 03, 2006
Report: Apple MacBook shipments stronger than expected; 15-inch MacBook (not Pro) model planned? – July 03, 2006
MSNBC’s Krakow: Apple’s MacBook ‘the best notebook computer I’ve ever used’ – June 28, 2006
The Washington Times: Apple’s new 13-inch MacBook ‘is one powerful, affordable Mac portable’ – June 23, 2006
Apple offers special deal prices on select Apple Certified MacBook, MacBook Pro models – June 20, 2006
Review: Tom Bihn ‘Smart Alec’ backpack for Apple MacBook and MacBook Pro models – June 19, 2006
IT Business Net reviews Apple 13-inch MacBook: ‘Insanely great value, Strong Buy recommendation’ – June 13, 2006
Computeract!ve: Apple MacBook ‘the best of both worlds’ – 5 out of 5 stars – June 13, 2006
Washington Post: Apple MacBook leaves iBook in the dust – June 11, 2006
Mossberg: Apple’s new MacBook surprisingly inexpensive, offers vastly superior Mac OS X – June 08, 2006
Time Magazine on Apple’s 13-inch MacBook: ‘Dell and HP should be very worried’ – June 07, 2006
Thurrott: Look at Apple’s MacBook and ‘you might just find your perfect notebook’ – May 31, 2006
Personal Computer World review: Apple MacBook – May 22, 2006
Amazon offers US$100 and $150 rebates on Apple MacBook and MacBook Pro models – May 22, 2006
Ars Technica reviews Apple MacBook – May 19, 2006
iTWire’s Beer: My next notebook is an Apple MacBook – May 18, 2006
Analyst: MacBooks are best consumer notebooks Apple has created, sure to be big winners – May 18, 2006
Apple’s new MacBooks are mobile HDTV media centers – May 17, 2006
Analysts expect Apple’s new MacBook to drive market share gains in near future – May 17, 2006
PC World: Hands on with Apple’s new black MacBook running Mac OS X and Windows – May 17, 2006
Analyst: Apple’s new MacBook costs a bit more than iBook, but will sell strongly – May 16, 2006
Close-up Apple MacBook photos (keyboard, glossy screen, and more) – May 16, 2006
Apple debuts new 13.3-inch widescreen MacBook; replaces both iBook and 12-inch PowerBook – May 16, 2006
Wicked
“PC Compatibilty” <shudder>
And what does Harry McCracken’s brother Phil think?
Yeah, I’d be pi$$ed if I just bought a macbook pro before these came out. These systems are wicked fast, and they have everything your average consumer would ever want, as long as it’s not hardcore gaming or intense graphics or video work. Good thing I was critically short of cash when the pros came out.
I’d probably be madder when the pros get the newer, faster, cooler running processors from intel in a few weeks. Yes, I know it’s the nature of the beast, but this experience is a new one for Macs, unlike PC’s.
Of course, if they reduce price on the current pros on the Apple store refurb section when the new models come out, it may be a decent deal for the money…
When I run windows on my macbook, the optical audio out light comes out of the jack, even when nothing is plugged in. This isn’t a problem for me, because I have only run windows to test it out, and plan on deleting it soon, but if it happens to others it is probably a battery wasting annoyance.
anybody else have this issue?
I heard Mike Hunt loved it too.
m
Lest not forget about his OTHER brother Zack McCracken. Fighting aliens and all.
face.. read your post back to yourself out loud… and let me know if you think this is a big deal.
what the hell are you doing, man?
Yeah, i was bummed when the MacBook came out and I saw it cost half as much as my MBP. The MBP is a better machine for me though because I crave real estate. The backlit keys are easy to take for granted though and it sucks trying to find your fingers when it gets dark.
The MBP has so many great little features that make life easy, even with the price difference, in the end, the MBP is clearly worth the price, especially seeing that you can get a refurbished one for only a bit more than a MacBook.
If you want to go small and a bit more rugged, get a MacBook. If you want a truely refined workhorse, the MBP is a great buy.
“Add PC compatibility, and this is quite a product.”
Don’t install Windows, and it’s a much better product!!!
Aren’t Ben Dover and Phil McCracken buddies with Gearald Fitzpatrick and Patrick Fitzgerald?
Gerald and Patrick are actually cousins
Don’t forget Ben Dover’s sister, Eileen. And her husband, Pat McCrotch. His stage name is Sunny Pussypatch. Weird theater. The owner is an Irish guy, Paddy O’Furniture. He’s always so relaxed.
http://www.snpp.com/guides/moe_calls.html
sheesh
Come on. Seriously. Harry McCracken?
Didn’t Phil McCrevice also contribute to this story? Uncredited, of course. Figures.
And where the hell is Heywood?
Heywood?
Heywood was last seen cavorting on the southside with Claude Balls.
any self respecting pc magazine KNOWS that pcs are better just like the whole world knows.
tell me why i would spend 1100 bucks on a macbook when i can get a pc laptop with specs that are almosty as good for 50 or 100 less.
mac heads u will throw 50 or 100 at stevey jobsy because u think a builtin cam and remote controls are worth that. i can get a web cam for 20 bucks anywhere and a remote control for 10 bucks at radio shack.
man the kool aid must be strong this week. pc advisor is nobody. make up your OWN mind, sheepies.
“tell me why i would spend 1100 bucks on a macbook when i can get a pc laptop with specs that are almosty as good for 50 or 100 less.
mac heads u will throw 50 or 100 at stevey jobsy because u think a builtin cam and remote controls are worth that. i can get a web cam for 20 bucks anywhere and a remote control for 10 bucks at radio shack.”
Because the Mac just works. All from one box. Many people value time.
” make up your OWN mind, sheepies.”
I did. And it’s Macs now, Macs tomorrow, and Macs forever!
People,
Windows users like to put down the Mac based on a “spec comparison vs cost” basis because they only know how to think like, well, Windows users. They don’t understand and therefore cannot appreciate that Mac users use more programs than them and basically do a lot more with their Macs than Windows users do with their PCs.
If you turn the thinking around a bit (to where they are coming from) and assume that Mac users did the basic stuff PC users do, ie. run two or three programs (besides the bunch of anti-malware stuff that screws their PCs’ performance and wastes their time) as well as limit how you actually use your computer (ie. no Exposé, no Spotlight, no Dashboard, etc.), then you might actually agree that you can “do the same things” cheaper using a Dull or other PC.
Of course that still doesn’t take into consideration the lower-quality hardware and piss-poor industrial design you’d have to settle for.
I guess some people know the price of everything and the value of nothing.
I wish the Macbook would run Aperture. That would make it a buy!
How old are you, “pc advosir????”
FYI: We adults on the MDN site use real English, not the “cryptic patois of the uneducated and impatient” you employ, so wise up or walk out.
Another thing: Calling Mac users “sheepies” is just too ironic and amusing to be effective, especially coming from someone of your age, education, and intelligence.
We all realize that you have no disposable income at your present station in life, but the truth is that CHEAP = CHEAP = CHEAP, and no Dell, HP, Gateway, Acer, or the like can possibly match the Macintosh line for quality, durability, reliability, and service after the sale. We won’t even open the XP vs. OS X can of worms, for I’m sure you’re incapable of fully grasping the difference between the two.
Our collective advice: Keep asking your daddy and mommy to buy your Pee Cees at the lowest possible cost at the local ReCycleWinShop; one of these days you may actually acquire one that survives the first year’s warranty.
I guess I am a sheep. I never would have thunk it, but since I am fortunate to use Macs at work and home my life in front of a screen is pleasent, productive, and yes dare to think…fun.
Perhaps if I got a virus at some point I could be just like the LEMMINGS that are stuck using crap that works only sporadically at best, and mediocre most of the time when it is kinda working..
Oh well to be a sheep, I embrtace the moniker and offer a hearty and good natured “BAH!”
I wonder what sound LEMMINGS make? a whimper?
My Macbook is sitting here next to someone’s Presario…I promise the world, there is absolutely no comparison visually or to the touch. The Macbook, although newer, eats its lunch in every way possible. This Presario is a pieced together conglomeration of 3rd party hardware that doesn’t really fit…it looks as if it is gonna fally apart. It just hibernated running a test DVD without telling you that the battery was low to begin with…that is not HP’s fault…that problem is rubbed with Micro$ofts greasy balm (as in Festus Balmer).