My review of the 2.16 MB C2D, from a non-pro

[Edandlindz28]

Okay so here is my review of my MacBook from a basic user who does the chat/mail/internet/music/home video editing. Long winded, sorry.

Basic info, stock white 2.16GHz, 1GB Ram, 120GB HD, purchased from MacConnection, shipped via USPS.

Out of the box, easy to set up like always, no dead pixels, lid closed all lined up. Key board no problems, sharp edges didn't notice any when using. Looks great, but...

My track pad is dented. When you move the mouse around I can feel a dip and looking closer you can see it. Will get it fixed when I get back from deployment. It still works great, just minor flaw. IF Apple had better quality control...j/k So working past that...

Tested everything out, cam GTG, airport GTG, speakers GTG, jacks/usb/FW/optical GTG, calibrated battery, GTG and remote GTG. Need to test BT but don't have anything here to test it with.

Ordered a Speck case and iSkin key board protector, in the mail.

Apps I installed by reading the forums:
Firefox I thought I would give it a try, not bad, I like the tabbing something I didn't know Safari did (ref. basic user). Add block/accuweather great add ons.
Aduim easy to use and great for multiple chat accounts.
Quicksliver is by far the best app that I have used. So easy just type away, no moving mouse, opens other apps. Awesome, would recommend this to anyone who hasn't tried it.
Growl, don't really understand its capability yet, still working on exactly what it does.
Handbrake, ripped Happy Feet, easy to use, took some time, good little program.
iStumbler, easy to work for wireless needs, don't see myself using it lots.
VLC/FlipforMac- A must for anyone.
MPEG Player, used this to convert .avi to mp4. Easy to use program.
Sentui- Thanks to this program I was able to move all my songs off of my iPod to iTunes. Easy to use.
iStat- Only widget I downloaded, cool, very cool for the basic person to look at.
MSOffice '04 only 20 bucks from work, couldn't pass it up, I would never pay 150 for it. I would use the open office products.

Okay so what would I have don't differently...probably bought refurb, but shipping to an APO is a must and MacConnections came through.

I will be upgrading the ram 2,3,4?? I dunno yet probably to 3GB. I was given the go ahead to get a MBP, but I would feel that I had this awesome machine that I would not be able to put through the rigors, plus the 13 fits into my kit better.

 

[taylorwilsdon]

You can't put 4gb RAM in your Macbook Pro, only the new ones will support that.

Your trackpad was dented on a NEW macbook pro? Thats not good at all, theres now way thats new. Are you sure you didn't buy used?

Growl isn't a program that you will use, its a program that other programs use. Adium uses Growl to make its system notification sounds.

 

[Edandlindz28]

To answer your questions

I have a MacBook, not a pro.

I know you "can't" put 4 GB Ram in the MacBook, but it has been done, just not by me.

The track pad is a minor problem, I am not going to get bent over it.

And I am about 90% sure this is new since the white MB was only 2.0GHz before, but don't know if you were able to upgrade it. I broke the seal on the static cover. I am sure MacConnections didn't upgrade the ram, HD, and processor to sell a used new.

 

[iBookG4user]

You can't put 4gb RAM in your Macbook Pro, only the new ones will support that.

Your trackpad was dented on a NEW macbook pro? Thats not good at all, theres now way thats new. Are you sure you didn't buy used?

Growl isn't a program that you will use, its a program that other programs use. Adium uses Growl to make its system notification sounds.

They got a MacBook (Not Pro).

You might test out the program delicious library, it's a neat catalog program that uses the iSight camera to read barcodes and catalog your possessions.

 

[iBookG4user]

I have a MacBook, not a pro.

I know you "can't" put 4 GB Ram in the MacBook, but it has been done, just not by me.

The track pad is a minor problem, I am not going to get bent over it.

And I am about 90% sure this is new since the white MB was only 2.0GHz before, but don't know if you were able to upgrade it. I broke the seal on the static cover. I am sure MacConnections didn't upgrade the ram, HD, and processor to sell a used new.

The processor is soldered onto the motherboard, so I don't think that they upgraded the processor.

 

[Edandlindz28]

iBook-Thanks for the link, I will check it out. I just got done looking at the SPEC page on Apple, just to move myself into the 99.9% for sure my MB is new.

 

[taylorwilsdon]

I have a MacBook, not a pro.

I know you "can't" put 4 GB Ram in the MacBook, but it has been done, just not by me.

The track pad is a minor problem, I am not going to get bent over it.

And I am about 90% sure this is new since the white MB was only 2.0GHz before, but don't know if you were able to upgrade it. I broke the seal on the static cover. I am sure MacConnections didn't upgrade the ram, HD, and processor to sell a used new.

You still can't even put 4GB in a Macbook, no matter how hard you try. Yes, you can physically put it in but the chipset can only recognize 3GB and Apple officially only supports up to 2GB in the Macbook, 3GB in the Macbook Pro (pre Santa Rosa) and 4GB in the Macbook Pro (post Santa Rosa)

Macbook (newest generation) does not have Santa Rosa and cannot physically take 4GB RAM.

 

[Edandlindz28]

You still can't even put 4GB in a Macbook, no matter how hard you try. Yes, you can physically put it in but the chipset can only recognize 3GB and Apple officially only supports up to 2GB in the Macbook, 3GB in the Macbook Pro (pre Santa Rosa) and 4GB in the Macbook Pro (post Santa Rosa)

Macbook (newest generation) does not have Santa Rosa and cannot physically take 4GB RAM.

Okay dude, for the sake of argument, yes you can physically put it in, yes it has been seen to only recognise 3.3GB and yes Apple only supports to 2GB. But if I have to write, I am going to put 4GB of ram to have 3.3 recognise, then I guess the next time I will be more specific in what I write for you. Sorry for my confusion to you.