The Washington Times: Apple’s new 13-inch MacBook ‘is one powerful, affordable Mac portable’

“After about 84 hours with Apple Computer’s new MacBook, whose high-end version I’m testing, my initial verdict is positive. This is one powerful, affordable Mac portable,” Mark Kellner reports for The Washington Times. “Some will complain about heat dissipation — yes, it’s warm; that’s why there are products such as LapWorks’ Laptop Desk. However, even after running for a full business day, the MacBook hasn’t faltered yet.”

“My $1,599 test unit was equipped with a 2 gigahertz Intel Core Duo processor, 1 gigabyte of RAM (512 megabytes is the standard) and an 80 GB hard-disk drive,” Kellner reports. “Its 13-inch (diagonal) screen is of the glossy variety; no “matte” version is available. Upgrading the RAM to 2 gigabytes would seem to be a good idea, even if Apple will charge another $400 for that (you can find less-expensive RAM upgrades at companies such as Crucial Technology, http://www.crucial.com).”

“While my greatest “travels” with the MacBook have been only within Montgomery County, so far, I have the feeling that this will make a more-than-suitable road-trip companion. It weighs 5.2 pounds, Apple says, and it certainly fits in a briefcase more easily than the 17-inch MacBook Pro, which was reviewed here recently,” Kellner reports. “I plan to write again about this computer after a real trip, far from home. Meanwhile, after a quick and intensive few days of use, I’m impressed, and you might well be, too.”

Full article here.

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42 Comments

  1. When Apple introduces the next generation MacBooks and MacBook Pros, proudly featuring how they have resolved the over heating fatal flaw, all this adulation will be deserved.

    Until then, you should not give Steve your money. Make him understand we won’t buy his stuff until its true quality lives up to the promise.

  2. Pete:

    It is the early adopters that allow Apple to make their products better by continuing the influx of cash into the organization.

    If everyone was so upset at these notebook computers and noone bought one, where is the incentive for Apple to update them or make them better?

    It is completely normal for early adopters to bear the brunt of initial problems. This is neither new to the industry, nor is it new to any product line or service.

  3. The 13″ MacBook doesn’t fit in my world.

    The Meaning of the Numbers.

    4815162342 = µ = Mu = Atlantis

    Watch the shows, most everything is done or has 4 8 15 16 23 or 42

    Four toes on the remains of the statue for one.

    Search for Mu Metal, explains the electromatic stuff.

    Watch the very ending of the last show, what where those chess guys looking for?

    Why couldn’t Desmond sail away from the island but the “Others” can?

  4. When Apple introduces the next generation MacBooks and MacBook Pros, proudly featuring how they have resolved the over heating fatal flaw, all this adulation will be deserved.

    _______________

    Pete, the heat is not a MacBook flaw at all.. That is simply how warm the core-duos run. The only way Apple will be able to deliver a cooler MacBook is if Intel delivers a cooler running chip. If you want performance, you’re gonna have to deal with a warm notebook. If the heat is too much for you, you can always buy a used iBook G4 on ebay.

  5. These are machines. There is nothing wrong with them, even if some experience trouble– minor or severe. What seems to be wrong for some though, is the very real threat Apple now poses. Apple isn’t the biggest, but it’s very, very successful. And, it’s growing very quickly. So, to the tools and trolls who chase windmills.

    Touché.

  6. Our new MacBook (White, 2.0 GHz) arrived about a week ago. Comparing it to our iBook G3 (all-white, 700 MHz), I don’t notice abnormal laptop heat. Like Pete, I’ve read lots of articles regarding the heat, plastic-covered vents, supposedly weird keyboard, discoloring finish, integrated graphics, reflective screen, etc.

    I’m happy to report no such problems here in Bakersfield, CA. Sure, we could have waited to spend the balance of our Best Buy award card, but we had waited several months just to see Apple complete the transition to Intel in the consumer-level models.

    You can wait for Leopard, wait for 10.5.1 or 10.5.2, wait for the Core 2 Duo, wait for the quads, wait for whatever. We decided the MacBook was good enough for our iMovie and iDVD needs. It handles those applications and more. I’ve never enjoyed a laptop (or notebook) like this.

    It’s like having my iMac with Intel inside with me wherever I go. Yeah, the screen is smaller, but it’s the perfect notebook screen size for me and my teacher bag. Another plus is that the MacBook is very quiet, much like the iMac. I’ve only heard noise when using the optical drive.

    The only negative for me so far is a bit of a “mushy” feeling trackpad button. Maybe it’s because it’s so wide. Maybe it’s because it’s so new. Anyway, I usually plug a mouse into the MacBook, so it’s not a big problem.

    If you are afraid of the heat, just wait for the cooler versions sure to come. There will always be something better. We are very happy with ours.

    Michael
    http://schmittweb.tripod.com

  7. me,myself, and uninformed–

    Why can’t he get a car charger? $20 bucks or less at Radio Shack. Works with anything you can plug in. Use it in the car, on planes.

    I can also make a hat, a brooch, a pteradactyl…

  8. R:

    I have a auto/air adaptor from Kensington that has power tips for my iBook and PowerBook, but as of right now no one, not even Apple, is making an auto/air adaptor for the new MacBook/MacBook Pros that have the new MagSafe connector.

    Perhaps you are thinking of power inverters? So far, according to the discussion boards at apple.com, not many users have had much luck with them on airlines.

  9. R:

    I have a auto/air adaptor from Kensington that has power tips for my iBook and PowerBook, but as of right now no one, not even Apple, is making an auto/air adaptor for the new MacBook/MacBook Pros that have the new MagSafe connector.

    Perhaps you are thinking of power inverters? So far, according to the discussion boards at apple.com, not many users have had much luck with them on airlines.

  10. You don’t need a magsafe connector. This adapter allows ANY standard plug to work. Why wait?

    During Hurricanes Katrina and Wilma, I used it to charge my laptops, cell phone, and even plugged in a tv to my car. No special adapters, just the cords they all came with. It’s small, very portable, and totally worth it.

  11. “…..even after running for a full business day, the MacBook hasn’t faltered yet.”

    Geez. A whole 8 hour work day.
    PC people are so easily amused. But that’s a good thing I guess.

    My iBook sometimes runs for weeks before we shut it down. iMac has run for months. Had other macs run for years.

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