“Apple’s new MacBook ranks as one of the company’s most anticipated laptops ever,” Rob Pegoraro reports for The Washington Post. “In general, the MacBook represents a tremendous advance over the iBook that it replaces. It starts at $1,099, $100 more than its predecessor, but is barely heavier (the review model loaned by Apple weighed 5.14 pounds) and offers a wider, brighter, glossier screen (13.3 inches across). Its most important feature lies inside, a 1.83 or 2 GHz Intel Core Duo processor.”
“Like the Intel-based iMac, Mac mini and MacBook Pro, the MacBook rips through software revised for these new processors — including the bundled Mac OS X 10.4 operating system and iLife ’06 multimedia suite, plus a growing number of third-party applications,” Pegoraro reports. “And the MacBook can run Windows itself. You can employ Microsoft’s operating system inside Mac OS X using the pre-release version of Parallels Workstation, an upcoming, $80 release from Herndon-based Parallels ( http://www.parallels.com ), or you can download Apple’s free Boot Camp software ( http://www.apple.com/bootcamp ) to add a completely separate, faster copy of Windows XP that can be booted instead of OS X each time you start the MacBook. Either way, buying the MacBook — or any other Intel-based Mac — means never having to say ‘I’m sorry, I can’t run this program on my computer.'”
“The MacBook provides only two USB ports, lacks a memory-card reader or PC Card expansion slot and even leaves out a modem. That last feature could be deal-breaker; if you ever must use dial-up, your only option is a $49 external model sold by Apple,” Pegoraro reports.
MacDailyNews Note: How is it a “deal-breaker,” when you can simply toss the $49 Apple USB modem in your backback?
Pegoraro continues, “The review unit repeatedly lost the wireless signal of an Apple AirPort Extreme WiFi access point, even while Windows laptops in the same room stayed online. MacBook users have posted similar complaints in Apple’s discussion forums. Weirdly enough, this problem didn’t emerge when I rebooted the MacBook into Windows — which suggests that Apple should be able to fix it by updating the MacBook’s software… Glitches such as the MacBook’s erratic WiFi reception and almost painfully hot surfaces undercut that appeal. Apple has taught its users to expect better, and it ought to be able to deliver as much before long.”
Full review here.
MacDailyNews Take: Surprisingly harsh, but a fair-enough review by Pegoraro. We do think the MacBook is a much better machine than the overall impression of it that Pegoraro leaves his readers – and so do most other reviewers. Please see the related articles below.
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Related articles:
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
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 debuts new 13.3-inch widescreen MacBook; replaces both iBook and 12-inch PowerBook – May 16, 2006
Mossberg: Apple’s MacBook Pro gives users a ‘much better OS with vastly better built-in software’ – March 02, 2006
Macfanboy #12: MDN already covered the story! (June 8)
I loved the photos — especially the large quote from Steve. Shows that Steve is all for protecting consumer’s rights! That may not be what they intended — but that sure is the message.
Absolutely great advertising for Apple. The protester’s plan has totally backfired — and besides, these days, any publicity is good publicity!
GO APPLE! And thanks to all the goofy dudes in the yellow costumes who really need to get a life anyway!
R: Me want one, too, but me too poor.
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It’s kind of ironic how people with less money will go for the $1099 MacBook, since it’s the cheapest comsumer laptop that Apple makes, and these same people will be the one’s who can’t afford $50 per month for broadband. So, instead of the MacBook costing Apple another $5 to manufacture with a modem built in, the folks with less money have to shell out $49 for another accessory to tote around with their laptop.
I view the modem issue is about a technological tipping point. Modems are available for those who want/need them, but for the majority, they are no longer necessary. Want one? Get one. There are people I know that stillw ant zip drives. Ok… just cuz/ they want it doesn’t mean it isn’t time to let it go.
From the same broadband article someone quoted above:
>Although broadband has not yet blanketed the entire nation, the sought->after demographics, no matter how small or remote, are connected.
I bought two MacBooks (1.8 GHz and 2.0 GHz, both 1 GB RAM), one to replace an iBook 12″ and another to replace a PowerBook 12″.
The MacBooks are superlative. No heat issues, the WiFi is so sensitive, I’m now able to pick base stations I didn’t know existed and the think is fast.
I strongly recommend this Apple notebook.
One more thing®
As for the lack of a built-in modem being a “deal breaker”, I don’t know anyone personally other than a few grandmas still using modems. Honestly.
I haven’t used one in over five years and I do a lot of traveling all around this planet. Usually there is free high speed WiFi, paid WiFi or LAN connections.
If a built-in modem is really a “deal breaker” for you, are you sure you need a new, bad ass, Intel Mac? Think about it.
Rock on Steve!
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<b>You never know when you’re going to be stuck with dial-up.<b>
In January, my local telephone company switched my ISP to… my local telephone company, during a conversation in which I said repeatedly, “I am not switching from my ISP”.
It took me five months to get the situation resolved.
During the 5th month, I had to use dial-up for 3 1/2 weeks while the local phone company and my ISP troubleshooted my lack of a PPPoE server.
It was better than no Internet access, but it sure was a pain. Thank goodness I have a built-in modem in my 3 year old iMac, because if I had been forced to go out and spend another $50 for that painful month, that would have added insult to injury.
PS. I second the remark that OS X has built-in software support for faxing, but the new products do not have the hardware to support it. What’s wrong with this picture ??
No modem? I won’t buy it because it won’t take my old 8-tracks tapes.
Waiting to get one before the school year, but I can barely wait.
Does anybody know if there’s any idea of Apple changing the MacBook in any way at the conference? If not, I’ll go and get mine now.
Fax? what the hell is fax?
My Powerbook has a modem, but I don’t know if it actually works because I have never tried to use it. I haven’t used dialup for at least 4 or 5 years now. Wireless at home, ethernet at work.
Modem = Floppies.
Good riddance.
Its still annoying to have to use a seperate device to take care of business out in the Ozarks or whereever. Damnit I hate the wireless coverage in the Ozarks…
Andrew Hamilton
Videographers in Las Vegas
http://www.hiproductions.com
If you’re thinking of buying a Macbook and don’t, you are an idiot.
Period.
The Macbook rocks. I LOVE mine.
Tom
I rarely post… but whoever says they can’t handle not having dial-up is a pure wanker. I mean, as if… I mean, like fsck… you know?!?! Man? Dial-up is for losers, Macbooks are for winners. I’m getting one just in hopes that one day I’ll need dial-up access… Then I will shoot myself in the head.
MW: seen. As in “I don’t think I’ve ever SEEN a 56k modem”
January 24, 1984:
Folio Views is a database type of thing that allows quick access to thousands of pages of text. Apparently many law firms use Folio. My church has about eleven thousand pages of text archives and they use Folio Views. They have tried in vain to find any thing else on the Mac platform. On the Windows platform they are using Logos’ Libronix.
I use the modem on my PowerBook to send/receive faxes from time to time. I’m gonna miss my internal modem when Merom is released and it’s time to upgrade.
No high-speed internet here in rural downeast Maine. No DSL, no cable, no wireless, not even satellite for most areas. The cable company lines go right past, but they won’t service us.
Left turn, Clyde.
Too funny!
From TRROSEN: “Hey people that 50% of users still using dial-up aren’t buying new $1000 laptops. There using hand me down PCs running Windows98. I personally know of no-one uaing dial-up with a new machine.”
Well I guess THAT is a definitive study then …
Seriously, given that the MacBook is a consumer oriented machine, leaving a modem out is in my opinion an oversight that should be corrected.
Internet Explorer 7 Beta 2:
This baby’s blocking all your damn popups! Isn’t that cool?
meatofmoose wrote: “What percentage of users choose glacially slow dial-up versus high-speed access (wireless, DSL, cable, and satellite)? … Even when I worked in rural Alaska north of the Arctic Circle I had 24/7 high-speed access.”
To which I respond with the following (numbers from last year):
“When you look at pure numbers, the current U.S. population of 296 million translates into about 200 million Internet users, and 69 million — or 35 percent — with access to broadband.”
http://pda.physorg.com/lofi-news-broadband-internet-not_5386.html
So blow it out your ass, you egocentric jerk.
meatofmoose, you are an idiot.
hundreds of thousands of people in the United States don’t have access to broadband internet and are forced to ‘dial-up’. This is no fault of their own, but rather the location of their home.
Dennis and db:
Thank you for your insightful, if not gracious, discourse regarding the social inadequacies and economic hardships experienced by some citizens of the United States. I was not aware that the lack of high-speed internet access was so prevalent nor was I aware that the cost of such services were beyond the financial means of so many citizens.
Don’t worry, lads, I understand that power utility companies may be offering high-speed access in the future, provide that you have electrical service to your homes. I guess you will have to enjoy 56k until then.
http://marketplace.publicradio.org/shows/2006/05/11/AM200605112.html
$50 is very expensive for a modem. I really wish it would be built in or something more like $20. I live no more than 30 miles from Wichita, KS, and just 5 miles out of a smaller town. The only services other than dial-up available to us are DTN Speednet and satellite, both of which cost $50+ per month, not to mention setup. Dial-up is pathetically slow, especially when you pay $24 per month. There’s no excuse for this. The entire country should have cheap high-speed, but until we do, maybe abandoning the modem should wait.
My page timer said it took 59.851 sec to reload this page. Like I said, pathetic.