Should I buy a Macbook?

[Mona~Lisa]

I really like the look of the new Macbooks and I'm tempted to buy one. I've always found Apple laptops to be good quality and well designed, and also well made and sturdy, unlike some poor quality Windows laptops I have owned in the past. I really like the OS as well, I find it easy to work with and also do fun stuff like photos and graphics as well. The only thing that stopped me buying one previously was the fact that I need to run certain Windows applications for work and they aren't available on the Mac. But now that the Mac can run Windows programs and even boot Windows, I'm finding myself being swayed towards buying a Macbook.

My only concern is that Apple's normally sturdy design seems to have slipped a bit on the Macbook. I've heard reports of laptops being stained yellow after only a couple of weeks and Apple don't cover this on their warranty, reports of overheating and kernel panics, and reports of difficulty typing on the new style keyboard (which worries me a lot as I have arthritis and struggle with typing to begin with). There's also the problem with the lack of a dvd writer on the basic model (which is the only one that's within my price range, and not having a dvd writer is a bit pathetic in this day and age, even the most rubbishy windows laptops have one), and the integrated graphics issue (I don't know if this will affect my ability to do graphics and photos etc).

I'm interested to know what other people think of these issues. Would the risk of ending up with a yellow stained laptop after a fortnight put you off buying a Macbook? Do you think the integrated graphics and lack of a dvd writer be a problem? Is there a serious overheating issue or is it just few isolated cases?

Thanks in advance for all replies.

 

[Scarlet Fever]

As soon as the MacBooks came out, i ordered one. No whining, mooing only when doing something which eats the CPU (like gaming), no discolouration, no overheating, and only 1 kernel panic which was easily resolved by a quick PRAM reset.

As for the keyboard, its best to try it out at your Apple centre. It seems to be very personal, but i find it fine. I think the indented keyboard is perhaps more comfortable than the MacBook Pro, although the keys on the MBP feel nicer.

You can get a Superdrive as a BTO option. For the times when you need to back up a lot of data, i find im either using a CD or backing up to my iPod. The HDD method is faster and more cost effective (DVDs are still about $3 a disc in my neck of the woods; i cant afford to be buying a new disc for every 1GB backup i have to do).

The integrated graphics wont have an effect on your everyday use of the machine. I believe most "graphics" work tends to be harder on your CPU and RAM than on the GPU.

If you can only just get the base model, i suggest you look out for a refurb and get more RAM in that. I exchanged one of the 256MB sticks for a 1GB stick, and it runs sweetly.

If you end up in the unlikely case of having a dud (one that stains, whines excessively, burns your legs off, etc), Apple should quickly exchange it for you. But remember, just because there are a lot of complaints about the MacBook, doesn't mean that all models are affected. I have a perfect computer, which does everything i need and more, and is still asthetically perfect. You won't regret buying one

 

[dextertangocci]

I have the 2Ghz white model, and it's the best computer I've ever owned I have NO problems with it whatsoever (no mooing, whining discolouration etc) and it is extremely durable. The integrated graphics is good, and I play Doom 3 on medium to high settings without a problem. I don't think it will affect your photography etc, unless you are a proffessional, although I know someone who uses photoshop for a living, and does all his work on a 400Mhz tiBook with 384MB's RAM What you say about the DVD writer is not true, mabye you were talking about a dvd reader, in which case the 1.83Ghz model has. If you really want a dvd writer, you can buy a nice external one for less than it would cost you to upgrade to the 2Ghz model. So I say get it!

Just be sure to upgrade the RAM, though.

 

[count chocula]

i've got the 2.0 core dup black with 1gb ram and 120gb hdd, no problems at all. i dont find the keyboard awkward or hard to use at all. i love this computer, its absolutely perfect. i've done a little photo editing, but nothing too advanced. no problems with the integrated graphics at all. it plays hd video swimmingly. last of all, the glossy screen is amazing, its absolutely beautiful and no glare to be seen.

 

[dextertangocci]

Last of all, the glossy screen is amazing, its absolutely beautiful and no glare to be seen.

Yes it is! I don't know why people complain about it! I don't see any reflections, and it is SO bright!

 

[QCassidy352]

Yes it is! I don't know why people complain about it! I don't see any reflections, and it is SO bright!

I'll third that.

I also think the new style keyboard is wonderful. It felt weird for about a day, and since then I've liked it much more than I ever liked my ibook keyboard.

 

[amac4me]

Have you considered purchasing a refurbished MacBook Pro? You'd save some money versus a new system and you won't have to worry about the discoloration. You'll also get some better specs on the Pro.

Good luck with your decision and purchase.

 

[lil chris]

The one thing that's pissed me off though when looking at them is the RAM. I wanted to upgrade to 1gb, then maybe later on buy another gig if I needed it. But nooo, being the tw*** they are, they put 2x512 in the 2 slots instead of 1x1gb So a future upgrade would be more expensive.

 

[yellowmunky]

excellent point amac4me.

get a refurb mbp

there are some excellent features not found on the consumer macbook!

 

[olivia]

read that apple was replacing discolored cases... it came up on the google "news results"

 

[aristobrat]

Yes it is! I don't know why people complain about it! I don't see any reflections, and it is SO bright!

I'll fourth that.

What amazes me, though, is when I turn my MBP off, the screen shows MEGA reflection, almost like a mirror. But the minute I turn my MBP back on, 100% of the reflection goes away. It's the craziest thing. I had to show my roommates to make sure I wasn't hallucinating it. The MB screen rocks!

Even though I wish it ran a little cooler on the bottom, I still rate this as the *best* laptop I've ever used, and working in IT, I've used more laptop makes/models than I care to mention. I LOVE MY MB!

 

[rjgonzales]

I've had my MB (black) for about 2 weeks now with none of the "know" problems. No mooing, no whining and no heat issues.

 

[fatties]

mine is perfect too... love the keyboard, love the screen.

only thing is the speakers are not good, but i have connected it to my imotion which is... marginally better.


it only mooed once on the first day, but i think the cow in it died because it doesn't moo, whine and is like 500% quieter than my old vaio.

it does get a little hot though when used on lap/ the bed/ anywhere that it is not 'aired' properly. on my icurve it is positively ice cold.

get one! they are the most amazing machine ever!