Bought a Black MacBook?

[tenshu2k]

Hi,

I'm pretty new to the forum. I've been a long time Apple fan, and waiting for this MacBook for a long time. I wish I could post up pics and all, but its still sitting in its box cause I'm having second thoughts. I've been waiting for a new intel powerbook, but I'm not sure I got what I want and need.

I never had an Apple notebook before, primarily because of speed concerns, but the MacBook seems to have that resolved. The things that concern me are expandability and video features. Currently, I am using a Thinkpad T42 which must be returned rather shortly as I leave my internship position.

Before all this commotion about MacBook's, I was pretty set on getting either a Z61t/T60 or X60. After the release of the MacBook Pros, I was close to buying one, but I was waiting for something smaller. When the MacBook came out, I bought a black one rather hastily. It looked pretty and I thought I wanted it, but I'm having second thoughts.

At the Apple store I noticed that weightwise, its still about as heavy as the MacBook Pro 15.4", whats up with that? All of the IBMs are lighter and offer more durability and screen real estate. Theres also no ExpressCard slot, but what good is an ExpressCard slot anyway. Are there any things that people would use them for? I can think of an EVDO card down the way, but theres always bluetooth tethering..

The other issue is the integrated video. I'm not a heavy video user. I do watch a significant amount of movies on my laptop. Does the MacBook have a SVIDEO out? I saw VGA and DVI cables, no SVIDEO. I'm not a big PC gamer, but I would also like to ocassionaly use Final Cut Pro and some other digital video features. Would the difference be significant in my circumstances? How about hardware acceleration in the OS X itself? Will the operating run slower because of the lack of a dedicated GPU?

I paid $1399 for the black MacBook, and the MacBook Pro 2.0 would be $1799. At the price, it seems like such a value, especially compared to IBM/Lenovo notebooks. But it just seems to lack the balance. 2.0ghz core duo, but 512mb of ram (I plan to upgrade to 2GB anyhow) and integrated video.

I am on the edge of making the switch, should I open the box, go for the MacBook Pro, or maintain the status quo and stick with Lenovo?

 

[Nermal]

I'm pretty sure that you can get a mini-DVI to S-Video adapter.

 

[tektonnic]

I'm pretty sure that you can get a mini-DVI to S-Video adapter.

You certainly can for the old mini-dvi connector of g4 iBooks but I dont think its the same mini-dvi on the new macbooks/imacs, looks a bit bigger.

 

[shuurajou]

I was considering getting a MacBook, and everything looked great until I got to intergrated video. Intergrated Video worked fine for me on work PC's as I never used any graphic intensive apps, but I would consider OS X itself to be more graphical than windows, as is all the iLife apps. I'm concerned before I buy too, that the intergrated video will be able to handle all the bells and whistles that are graphically on OS X & iLife.

 

[drlunanerd]

I was considering getting a MacBook, and everything looked great until I got to intergrated video. Intergrated Video worked fine for me on work PC's as I never used any graphic intensive apps, but I would consider OS X itself to be more graphical than windows, as is all the iLife apps. I'm concerned before I buy too, that the intergrated video will be able to handle all the bells and whistles that are graphically on OS X & iLife.

It can. It's no problem at all for 2D stuff. All the fancy Core Image eye-candy works and works well. Even Aperture and Final Cut Pro run well.

It's a great value - far better than the 15" Macbook Pro IMO.

With the money you save you could have a belting 20"-24" LCD screen on your desk for extra display space if you need it, but have the smaller laptop size for when you're on the road.

 

[Darwin]

You certainly can for the old mini-dvi connector of g4 iBooks but I dont think its the same mini-dvi on the new macbooks/imacs, looks a bit bigger.

The iBook G4 used mini VGA, the new Macbooks have mini-DVI

I believe that you have to buy the mini-DVI to Svideo connection separately but there should be one on sale

As for the Integrated Graphics, Apple wouldn't put it in if it wasn't able to handle the needs of at least the OS and iLife applications

 

[ImNoSuperMan]

The iBook G4 used mini VGA, the new Macbooks have mini-DVI

I believe that you have to buy the mini-DVI to Svideo connection separately but there should be one on sale

You`re right. The new MB uses the mini-DVI to Video adapter to use it with TV. You can find one here on apple.com. They are easily available at all Apple stores too.

 

[Mitch1984]

I'd open it, I found out that the GMA chip compares well to the card that it replaced in the old iBook.

Open it brother.

 

[shuurajou]

As for the Integrated Graphics, Apple wouldn't put it in if it wasn't able to handle the needs of at least the OS and iLife applications

Although I'd like to agree, Apples default amount of built in ram has never been able to handle things to a standard I want from my Mac. Maybe to them that default amount of ram is enough - which makes me wonder.

If to their standards,the built in gfx is fine, but to mine... maybe not. Will have to wait and see I suppose.