“Like its high-end MacBook Pro brethren, the MacBook features a widescreen display (13″ in this case, at a resolution of 1280 x 800), a dual-core Intel Core Duo processor, an integrated iSight camera and remote infrared (IR), and a gorgeous form factor. The MacBooks are available in both white and black cases, just like the iPod, and they’re beautiful to behold, with a magnetic latch and Apple’s trademark row of ports on the side. One minor problem: The MacBook, like the Mac mini, uses an integrated graphics chipset that steals RAM from the system, which means it won’t perform as well as a similar MacBook Pro. The MacBook is also pretty useless for 3D game playing,” Paul Thurrott writes for Connected Home Media.
“I particularly value the MacBook’s screen. Like many PC notebooks, the MacBook uses the so-called ‘glossy’ screen type, which enhances contrast but often creates glare, depending on the lighting. However, unlike all the glossy screens I’ve seen to date, the Apple screen manages to offer incredibly high contrast with a minimum of glare. Indeed, if you’re looking directly at the screen, there’s almost never any glare. It’s one of the prettiest screens I’ve ever seen,” Thurrott writes. “The MacBook comes with Apple’s reliable Mac OS X and the highly recommended iLife suite of digital-media applications, which are without peer in the Windows world. That said, one of the first things I did when I got the MacBook was download and install Boot Camp, Apple’s dual-boot utility that lets you install—get this—Windows XP on any of the company’s Intel-based Macs… That’s right, this MacBook is now running XP Professional.”
“I’ve thrown my entire collection of always-installed applications at the MacBook, and the performance has been incredible, quite a bit better than any of the low-end Windows notebooks I’ve tried over the years… I needed to download a keyboard utility called Input Remapper to make the Mac-centric keyboard more Windows-friendly,” Thurrott explains. “What I’m left with is the ultimate ‘best of both worlds’ scenario, at least in the tech industry. The MacBook is a dual-booting sensation, capable of offering the best of both Mac OS X and XP, regardless of which I need. I’ve moved my email over to the machine, so I’ll be using it regularly going forward. The screen, as I said, is a joy to behold. I guess I could have gone with a MacBook Pro if gaming was a concern, but an acceptable 15″ MacBook Pro costs about $1000 more than the MacBook.”
“Overall, I’m quite satisfied. But there’s more to do. A new software-virtualization solution called Parallels… has the potential to make dual-booting between two OSs as archaic as a steam-powered boat,” Thurrott writes. “‘ll be looking at Parallels more in the future… Overall, Apple has a winner on its hands, and unlike most Macs, the MacBook starts at a reasonable price ($1049), although the base model is woefully short in the RAM department. Upgrade to at least 1GB, and go nuts. You might just find your perfect notebook, whether you prefer Windows or Mac OS X. “
More in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: We thought he hated everything, but give him a little Mac OS X, some nice Apple hardware, and iLife and… He likes it! Hey, Paulie!
Advertisements:
• Introducing the super-fast, blogging, podcasting, do-everything-out-of-the-box MacBook. Starting at just $1099
• Get the new iMac with Intel Core Duo for as low as $31 A MONTH with Free shipping!
• Get the MacBook Pro with Intel Core Duo for as low as $47 A MONTH with Free Shipping!
• Apple’s new Mac mini. Intel Core, up to 4 times faster. Starting at just $599. Free shipping.
• iPod. 15,000 songs. 25,000 photos. 150 hours of video. The new iPod. 30GB and 60GB models start at just $299. Free shipping.
• Connect iPod to your television set with the iPod AV Cable. Just $19.
• iPod Radio Remote. Listen to FM radio on your iPod and control everything with a convenient wired remote. Just $49.
Related articles:
CNET writer won’t buy Apple MacBook because it lacks 2nd mouse button (uh, two-finger right-click?) – May 30, 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 adds glossy screen option to 15- and 17-inch MacBook Pro – May 16, 2006
Apple debuts new 13.3-inch widescreen MacBook; replaces both iBook and 12-inch PowerBook – May 16, 2006