I can't decide! If you've purchased a MacBook, come here!

[thegreatluke]

Now that the MacBook is out, I have no idea what to get.

The mid-range $1299 model is better than my $1800 (after discount) MBP! All but the hard drive, anyway. I'd update that too, so it doesn't really matter.

My MBP has about three billion problems with it, including a logic board that failed the hardware test, so I'm going to try to talk the Genius into letting me get some sort of store credit or gift card for $1800 rather than getting it fixed. I mean, it's good for both Apple and the Genius - Apple doesn't have to pay the $1000 or whatever to fix my logic board, and I'll be buying a new Mac with that money anyway. It would be good for the Genius because he'd get the sales commission if I buy the Mac there anyway.
(Edit: About the fixing, my logic board, screen, keyboard, Bluetooth, HDD, Ethernet, Wi-fi, RAM slot, MagSafe cord and hinge are messed up. I imagine there's so many problems they'd just throw this one out and replace it, which is why my idea would be profitable for them.)

I wouldn't be able to use my college discount again with the MacBook, but I could with the iMac or Mac Pro if I get one of those. Luckily, my father (who's coming with me) gets a government discount, so I could use that with the MacBook if I need to.

About portability, I like it. I like the idea of being able to pick my computer up and just go.

I have a few questions for you guys, though.
1) I know a lot of you say integrated graphics are bad, but with enough (512+ MB) of RAM, it's better than the non-integrated graphics card the iBook G4 had! Do you guys think that the integrated graphics will be able to run the Sims 2, RCT 3, Spore, Warcraft III, the Movies maybe and Civ IV? I plan to up the RAM to AT LEAST 1 GB... I might even do 2 eventually, as I like to edit movies in my spare time.
2) Is the iMac Core Duo's graphics card underclocked like the MBP's? If the iMac is able to play some games the MacBook couldn't, I'd get the iMac.
3) Has anybody seen the MacBook's glossy screens? I really hope they're not talking about those super-gloss screens Dell uses. I hate those things. Unless you're in the dark, those things glare like crazy.

Notes:
1) I'm not getting the Mac mini. I don't care for it.
2) I'd be willing to sacrifice portability for power if the Mac Pro were good enough. However, I still like the idea of portability, if the money's worth it.
3) I like my MBP, but it whines so much I get headaches sometimes.

QUESTIONS FOR THOSE WHO ARE GETTING MACBOOKS:
1) How are the screens?
2) What's up with those new keyboards? Are they nice? Hopefully they have extra keys for volume, brightness, keyboard backlight and Expose. I hate having to use fn!
3) How thick are they? I can't seem to find that anywhere. EDIT: 1.08". Thanks to 4God for finding that.
4) Where are the speakers on that thing? They're above the keyboard around the hinge, right?
5) TELL ME BATTERY LIFE! I love my MBP, but I hate how it only gets 3 hours if I have anything turned on.
6) Does it buzz? Does it whine? How hot does it get?

Thanks for reading and help me decide PLEASE!

 

[4God]

Here's an answer to the thickness question:

http://www.apple.com/macbook/design.html

 

[thegreatluke]

Here's an answer to the thickness question:

http://www.apple.com/macbook/design.html

Thank you. 1.08"? Damn, that's thin! My brother's iBook was 1.3".

Fixed.

 

[aristobrat]

4) Where are the speakers on that thing? They're above the keyboard around the latch, right?

Latch? There's no latch on the new MacBooks.

I know I'm asking the obvious, but you do realize that nobody's seen a MacBook so they can't answer 1, 2, 5 and 6, right?

 

[thegreatluke]

Latch? There's no latch on the new MacBooks.

I know I'm asking the obvious, but you do realize that nobody's seen a MacBook so they can't answer 1, 2, 5 and 6, right?

What do you mean there's no latch? Laptops kind of have to open...

I know nobody has them YET, but a lot of people are running out and picking them up from retail stores. So in a few hours there will be.

 

[Kreamy]

What do you mean there's no latch? Laptops kind of have to open...

I know nobody has them YET, but a lot of people are running out and picking them up from retail stores. So in a few hours there will be.

a) Latches are for keeping things shut =)

b) There are no latches on the macbook, it uses a purely magnetic (invisible) lid securing system

c) the answers to most of your questions are on the macbook's comprehensive webpage, if you can be bothered looking at it.

 

[aqueous0]

What do you mean there's no latch? Laptops kind of have to open...

I know nobody has them YET, but a lot of people are running out and picking them up from retail stores. So in a few hours there will be.

I think by 'latch' you mean 'hinge'...

 

[thegreatluke]

a) Latches are for keeping things shut =)

b) There are no latches on the macbook, it uses a purely magnetic (invisible) lid securing system

c) the answers to most of your questions are on the macbook's comprehensive webpage, if you can be bothered looking at it.

Oops, I meant the hinge. Not the latch.

And about c, I did. I don't think Apple would say how hot it gets. The one question I noticed and fixed, but the other ones Apple wouldn't talk about. The speakers maybe, but they're not there. And the speakers, they're hard to see. White on white. I looked everywhere, but couldn't find them. And the only other one could be battery life. Apple says 6 hours, but those should always be taken with a grain of salt. I want actual real-world battery life.

 

[aristobrat]

I know nobody has them YET, but a lot of people are running out and picking them up from retail stores. So in a few hours there will be.

Sorry about that, hadn't read where the retail stores actually had them today! That's awesome. Hopefully we'll be getting reviews shortly!

 

[thegreatluke]

I'm bumping this because it's on the second page now and I still have questions.

 

[monke]

I'm bumping this because it's on the second page now and I still have questions.

Second page? I see no second page.

 

[thegreatluke]

Second page? I see no second page.

Before I bumped the thread, it was on the second page of the Macintosh Computers subforum. Meaning nobody would see it.

 

[ryanb]

Comment on MacBook screens.

Like many, I've been very, very skeptical regarding these glossy screens. My boss asked me to order two MacBooks immediately after they were announced. In short, they've arrived and I've spent the last two days with them. I've viewed the screens in every lighting situation I could think of (multiple outdoors environments, flourescent lighting, etc., etc.). My initial opinion has been radically altered.

I have worked extensively with the last revision of the 15" PowerBook (improved screen), the 15" MacBook Pro, and now a couple days with the 13" MacBook.

I've been studying the screens side by side. It may be the opposite of what several are guessing, but the truth is the glossy MacBook has far and away the best visibility outdoors. I'm talking direct sun, partial shade, overcast, you name it. It does have some reflection, but you can actually read your text clearly. There is a big (negative) difference when viewing the PowerBook and the MacBook pro in the same environments.

P.S. Generally speaking, any glare on these glossy screens is easily corrected by tilting the screen 1/4 of an inch, up or down. It's that simple.

What's next? I'm ordering myself a MacBook Pro with the glossy option. I'm sold. Seeing is believing.

 

[mcpix]

I was also skeptical of the glossy screen, so I took my iBook down to my local Apple reseller. Once I put the two screens side by side, I couldn't believe how much better the MacBook screen looked. Not only brighter, but much sharper and clearer under the store lighting.

So, once I got back to the office, I immediately placed an order for a new MacBook!

 

[MacBoyX]

Now that the MacBook is out, I have no idea what to get.

The mid-range $1299 model is better than my $1800 (after discount) MBP! All but the hard drive, anyway. I'd update that too, so it doesn't really matter.

Tell me about it. I sold my MBP to a friend and bought both myself and my partner a MacBook.

I have a few questions for you guys, though.
1) I know a lot of you say integrated graphics are bad, but with enough (512+ MB) of RAM, it's better than the non-integrated graphics card the iBook G4 had! Do you guys think that the integrated graphics will be able to run the Sims 2, RCT 3, Spore, Warcraft III, the Movies maybe and Civ IV? I plan to up the RAM to AT LEAST 1 GB... I might even do 2 eventually, as I like to edit movies in my spare time.

Umm No idea about the Sims 2. I can try it but I don't game on my Macs. That's why I have consoles. I will say this. With 512MB, it's slow. Noticable at that. I have memory on order, I can update when I get it but the system holds 122MB of RAM that I can't use and I'm railing the rest. Especially with a an app in rosetta. That said, it's still quicker than my mom's iBook G4 1.2GHz.

2) Is the iMac Core Duo's graphics card underclocked like the MBP's? If the iMac is able to play some games the MacBook couldn't, I'd get the iMac.

No idea, but my G5 iMac (the one that is the same as the current model CoreDuo) plays the Sims2 and UT2K4 just fine.

3) Has anybody seen the MacBook's glossy screens? I really hope they're not talking about those super-gloss screens Dell uses. I hate those things. Unless you're in the dark, those things glare like crazy.

Yes, I have used one for about a week and I must say... I like it. ALOT. More than my Matte screens and I was NOT happy to hear they used it. First of all, when you use it the screen is usually so bright, you can't see the glare. Secondly when there is a glare, just moving the screen a tiny bit usually takes care of it and lastly, I used mine in the car this morning and to me it's actually BETTER in the sunlight than my MBPs was. There was glare for sure, but I could actually SEE the scree!

QUESTIONS FOR THOSE WHO ARE GETTING MACBOOKS:
1) How are the screens?

Great. The resolution is equal to that of my older 15" PB (not HiRes) and the width is perfect. The glossy screen makes colors look more vibrant and the screen is brighter and even my MBPs was.

2) What's up with those new keyboards? Are they nice? Hopefully they have extra keys for volume, brightness, keyboard backlight and Expose. I hate having to use fn!

I for one like the keyboard a lot. I didn't think I would but I find myself making LESS mistakes and I've not accidentally hit the CAPS LOCK once.

All the keys that control vol etc are still on the "F" keys, I use the option under the Keyboard Sys Pref to make them "F" keys and to need to use the fn only when i want to use Vol or Brightness. This means I can Expose and Dashboard without it. That's a feature in Tiger, try it.

4) Where are the speakers on that thing? They're above the keyboard around the hinge, right?

Yes, they are on the BACK of the case on either side of the hinge and they "bounce" sound off the screen's base. However they're still not very loud.

5) TELL ME BATTERY LIFE! I love my MBP, but I hate how it only gets 3 hours if I have anything turned on.

I got about 4.5 hours with AirPort ON and the sceen at 75% brightness. I'm not a real stickler about battery life. It is what it is to me and I'm still happy I can get a few hours out of any battery on a laptop. I am sure turning off AirPort and Bluetooth and reducing brightness etc...

6) Does it buzz? Does it whine? How hot does it get?

Sadly, mine is Mooing. It makes a noise that sounds like a fan starting to spin up but then stops. I'm investigating, I don't know what it is but I read that MBPs are having that issue too. I am hoping it's something that can be Firmwared out. My MBP did have the iSight whine but AppleCare fixed it.

Heat... well does it get hot? yup. Is it unbearable? NOPE. Unlike my MacBook Pro, which I could not sit on my lap or even type on without a "cool pad" under it, the MacBook gets hot only in the far left corner (where all the processors are) and that's not so bad. It's warm for sure, even bordering on hot but not unbearable. I use it on my lap with shorts on all the time. The other nice thing is that the rest of the computer where your hands touch it is cool.

All in all I could not be happier about my switch from a MBP to a MB. Your mileage of course may vary.

 

[Scarlet Fever]

i got my MB today
questions:

1) How are the screens?
good. i like the matte better, but it does seem to be brighter.

2) What's up with those new keyboards? Are they nice? Hopefully they have extra keys for volume, brightness, keyboard backlight and Expose. I hate having to use fn!
enjoi fn! there is no backlight. Remember, the reason they put integrated graphics in is to keep costs down. they wouldn't put a backlight in preferance to a good GPU. Functions like volume work by defult; if you want to get F1, you have to go fn+F1. Its a good keyboard, not as good as the Powerbook/macbook pro, but its acceptable. Im liking it

4) Where are the speakers on that thing? They're above the keyboard around the hinge, right?
Found them! they are on the back of the unit. When the screen is up, sound bounces off the bottom part of the screen into your general direction. The speakers are small, but it means you don't have to have the speakers up as loud to get the same volume. Sound quality is good; not as good as the Altec Lansings sitting on my desk, but for laptop speakers, they arent too bad. Good treble response, good mids, but again, a severe lacking of the low notes.

5) TELL ME BATTERY LIFE! I love my MBP, but I hate how it only gets 3 hours if I have anything turned on.
laptops never achieve their stated life. At the moment, my battery is on 85%, i have all wireless on, 3 apps open, screen dimmed and it predicts 3.5 hours left.

6) Does it buzz? Does it whine? How hot does it get?
so much for that hype about "mooing" and whining; i cant hear anything coming from it. Its the quietest laptop ive used!
You can feel its hot, but its not lets-fry-an-egg hot like some MBPs. On the left corner closest to the screen (where heatsinks and power go through) gets warm. CoreDuoTemp tells me 60 C after gaming (which by the way isnt terrible, but ill use my parents macbook pro for hardcore gaming). I can have it on my lap and it doesn't sterilize me

I love it so far. No major gripes about it. Keyboard will take some time to get used to. Integrated graphics are sad, but its not a gaming laptop. its a laptop with game playing capabilities