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FederalAgent

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jan 27, 2007
15
0
Im buying macbook white to replace my desktop computer that I've had a long time(cos macbook is lot smaller and requires only little table space ). How long do you think macbook will last in this kind of desktop use(may use it in kitchen too but..). Do the components wear off faster or something than table pc's?? Can you share some experience?? thanks
 

mkrishnan

Moderator emeritus
Jan 9, 2004
29,776
15
Grand Rapids, MI, USA
My experience with an iBook -- which has relatively similar components -- is that it gets dirty, but is cleanable, and long term physical durability is as good or better than PCs I've owned, maybe with the exception of the keyboard. But you have to clean it... You can do some little things like getting an iSkin for the keyboard -- the keyboard does wear.

So long and short, I have a three year old iBook, and the trackpad is shiny, but otherwise it looks fairly close to new.
 

bbergie

macrumors regular
Jul 3, 2006
213
0
Calgary
My experience is with a PowerBook. It's nearing 5 years, and I've managed to keep it in good condition save the top edge where my wrists rest (I have a TiBook and it has some painted surfaces) and some of the paint has chipped away. I use my TiBook daily, for both work and pleasure, so it is probably in use 8 to 12 hours per day (average). I've had to replace the battery and the hard disk, but otherwise, it's performance remains great to this day.
 

mick4394

macrumors 6502a
Oct 25, 2006
554
0
Flyover country
I don't think anyone can really give a good answer to your question. The Macbook line was just released last May.

The iBook line seemed to have pretty good staying power, but there are way too many differences between iBooks and Macbooks to use that as a gauge. Short term, the Macbook seems to be a pretty good machine. Long term? Only time will tell.
 

bubbamac

macrumors 6502
Dec 24, 2003
260
0
As others have said, it's hard to tell with new hardware. But, I'm using my 5 year old TiBook 667, and it's going strong. Some things are frustrating, but it's amazing what you can do with a 5 year old Mac.

When 10.5 hits 10.5.1, I'll be buying a MacBook Pro, and this one will most likely be used as a server.
 

mkrishnan

Moderator emeritus
Jan 9, 2004
29,776
15
Grand Rapids, MI, USA
As others have said, it's hard to tell with new hardware.

Sorry, yes, I was specifically referring to the durability of the physical external casing. With the internal hardware, there are some unknowns related to the new motherboard. But, for instance, the HDs are the same 2.5" SATA HDs that are used across the board, and so they're not that much of an unknown risk on the MacBook....
 

Bill Gates

macrumors 68030
Jun 21, 2006
2,500
14
127.0.0.1
I'd expect it to last a good decade or more if it doesn't ever fall. High-wear items include the fans, the hard drive, and the superdrive. The screen will get dimmer over time, but should still work fine.
 

holamiamigos

macrumors 6502a
Aug 10, 2006
541
0
I don't think anyone can really give a good answer to your question. The Macbook line was just released last May.

The iBook line seemed to have pretty good staying power, but there are way too many differences between iBooks and Macbooks to use that as a gauge. Short term, the Macbook seems to be a pretty good machine. Long term? Only time will tell.

seems to be my feelings exactly
 
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