The MacBook is no MBP...

[slick316]

Just got my MB in black a couple hours ago, been loading stuff on it since. So far I really like it, but its just no MBP. I know that I don't need a MBP, but after having a MBP, the MB falls a little short.
However, its only minor things that fall short. So far, even though it has 512MB ram and my MBP had 2GB, and its a 2.0GHz vs the MBP 2.16GHz, I don't notice a perform difference, which is the best part, as long as I don't notice that, its all good.
The smaller display doesn't bother me (I had a 17" MBP BTW). I'm on the fence with the glossy display. As long as there is no direct light hitting the screen, it looks fantastic, but glare is an issue.
I miss the lighted keyboard, I like to sit in dim lighting, which is good for the glare, but sucks a little on the typing front since I have a habit of looking at the keyboard when I type.
I haven't noticed this sharp edges issue people have been having, the edges aren't bothering me one bit.
The keyboard is nice. My fingers are fat and this keyboad works well for me due to the spacing.
I noticed that when the MB got hot, th fans kicked on. I only noticed this because I NEVER heard the fans on my MBP. Its not like the fans were loud, they were just audible, a very faint sound, but I never noticed this on my MBP. Also noticed that while it gets hot, its not nearly as hot as the MBP (been on my lap for two hours now, its warm, my MBP would be hot enough to be uncomfortable).
I love how light it is an easy to carry. I also like the smaller power supply/charger unit, I didn't know that the MB had a different one (I guess its 85watt vs 60watt or something).
Haven't played a DVD on it yet, but I can already tell that the speakers won't be as loud as on the MBP, those were really good speakers.
While I miss some things on the MBP, the MB is really nice for a consumer level laptop, its really simple looking which I love, yet it doesn't look cheap (to me atleast).
I'm glad I bought this machine. I bought my 17" MBP right when it released. If I waited a few weeks for the MB to come out, I know I would have bought it instead. Its definately all I need, I love it.

Thanks to all of those that helped me, you know who you are.

back to transfering my backed up files and apps to my new MB

 

[mad jew]

Intel machines really need 1GB of RAM as a minimum for Rosetta. Get another 512MB of RAM and your MacBook will speed up significantly, albeit probably not to MacBook Pro speeds.

 

[fivetoadsloth]

Good luck with the macbook, i have on and love it, didnt gt a pro stolen though. must suck, really sorry. But yeah id say get your gig of ram and youll be set.

 

[slick316]

The MB has two 256MB Ram DIMMS stock right? So the question is, spend $110-$125 on either two 512MB modules or one 1GB module?
Basically, utilize the dual channel and have 1GB total memory with 2x512 or have 1.25GB total by replacing one of the 256MB with a 1GB module?
Basically, I want the best performance (if its noticeable).

 

[mad jew]

I'd go for more RAM rather than dual channel capabilities. I think the dual channel thing is a bit overrated.

 

[slick316]

That's what I was thinking, but I wasn't sure on the specifics of the dual channel in the MacBook's, anyone else on this matter?

Ram, case, misc radtech items.....let the spending begin

 

[generik]

Basically, I want the best performance (if its noticeable).

Buy 2 x 1GB modules, or sell the MB and get a MBP

 

[Jiddick ExRex]

The MB has two 256MB Ram DIMMS stock right? So the question is, spend $110-$125 on either two 512MB modules or one 1GB module?
Basically, utilize the dual channel and have 1GB total memory with 2x512 or have 1.25GB total by replacing one of the 256MB with a 1GB module?
Basically, I want the best performance (if its noticeable).

MB has one 512MB Ram So-Dimms stock. Just buy another stick and pop it in and you're good to go.

 

[generik]

MB has one 512MB Ram So-Dimms stock. Just buy another stick and pop it in and you're good to go.

Nope, it is 2 x 256, at least for mine that has been the case.

 

[the Western zoo]

Nope, it is 2 x 256, at least for mine that has been the case.

I didn't bother to chance the ram myself but back when I ordered mine the "standard model" was 2 x 256...

 

[Abstract]

I loves me some MacBook.

And although I don't know how the 17" MBP feels on your lap and such, or about the heat issues, I generally agree with the rest of it. I doubt you'd notice much performance benefit, which includes using graphics software like Photoshop (or any graphics editing program like it, really), or any software related to audio recording and such. If you play games, it's fine, but obviously the MBP is better.

I know you're likely short on money now since you have basically just bought two new computers over the past year, but I'd aim for 1.5 to 2 GB of RAM. I made the mistake of getting 2x 512 MB of RAM (1 GB), thinking this was enough since my old 12" PowerBook only had 1.25 GB (it was maxed out at this point) and my MacBook had a faster everything inside, but I was wrong. Now I have a 512 MB + 1GB RAM inside, and for Adobe Lightroom I still find that having 2 GB would make a huge difference.

I'd go for the 256 MB + 1 GB combination rather than the 2 x 512 MB config.

 

[sunfast]

I'd go for the 256 MB + 1 GB combination rather than the 2 x 512 MB config.

Seconded. I added 1GB to my MB and it was fine. It also left me the option of going 2 x 1GB (which I've now done) without wasting RAM.

 

[Surf and Turf]

i am thinking about the macbook, the wait for the mbk is lame just about now.
happy yom kippor

 

[pjo]

Do not buy apple branded RAM

Hmm, I'm surprised Multimedia hasn't seen this thread yet but you pay a high premium if you buy Apple branded RAM.

Go for Crucial etc, or as Multimedia would suggest, go to ramseeker.com , select the type of notebook you have and you can get Optival RAM which works just as well, but is much cheaper.

 

[Zadillo]

Hmm, I'm surprised Multimedia hasn't seen this thread yet but you pay a high premium if you buy Apple branded RAM.

Go for Crucial etc, or as Multimedia would suggest, go to ramseeker.com , select the type of notebook you have and you can get Optival RAM which works just as well, but is much cheaper.

Have RAM prices been going up recently or something? I remember looking a little while ago for MacBook RAM, and the G.Skill 1GB RAM at NewEgg was going for around $82. A little later it was going for $89. I just checked today and it's at $109.99. And it seems like that is still cheaper than even the Optival RAM listed there, which is at $115.

 

[airkarol]

Good Luck!

 

[Killyp]

...or any software related to audio recording and such.

You say no noticeable performance in audio, my MBP almost certainly sounds better than my friend's MB with headphones connected. Also, the MBP's higher RAM bandwidth will allow better RAM streaming and lastly the MBP has dedicated VRAM, which means when you're using 99% of your RAM up with samples, and you load a VST instrument with a 500kb image interface it doesn't crash

 

[gnasher729]

That's what I was thinking, but I wasn't sure on the specifics of the dual channel in the MacBook's, anyone else on this matter?

Ram, case, misc radtech items.....let the spending begin

Matching RAM is a tiny tiny bit faster. More RAM is a lot faster. If you have 2 x 256 MB, replacing one 256 MB chip with a 1GB chip will be faster than replacing both chips with 2 x 512 MB.

 

[Storrow]

Have RAM prices been going up recently or something? I remember looking a little while ago for MacBook RAM, and the G.Skill 1GB RAM at NewEgg was going for around $82. A little later it was going for $89. I just checked today and it's at $109.99. And it seems like that is still cheaper than even the Optival RAM listed there, which is at $115.

id be careful of that G.Skill ram. i bought 2 x 1 gig and started seeing programs crash. i might take it out.

 

[CedarPoint182]

Sorry to bring back a slightly old thread, but I had a RAM question and didn't want to make a new topic. Anyways, I've been noticing that the MB could certainly be faster in some areas (I have the black one) and was wondering what kind of performance increases I'd see with the 1gb/2gb of RAM. Are there any charts out there that have percentage of performance increase between the different RAMs?

I also was debating between the MBP and MB. I liked the Alluminum finish, screen size, and lighted keys better on MBP, but I liked the feel of the MB keyboard along with the battery life, small portable size, and the magnetic latch. I figured since one wasn't noticeable better than the other I'd go with the one that is $500 cheaper.

Thanks for the help.

 

[Mac'Mo]

you dont notice the big drop from 17 inches to 13? or its not that big a deal. I play a few games and i am wondering what the big difference is.

 

[slick316]

Wow, forgot about this thread, didnt realize how much it has progressed.

Anyways, I bought just one stick of Corsair ValueRam 1GB (same thing I had in the MBP). I will probably upgrade to 2GB after Christmas.

Some more impressions:
MB definately doesn't get as hot as the MBP, especially on my lap (the MB is easier to use on your lap and when laying down - stupid 17" MBP has a messed up hinge that wont allow the screen to stay up unless its sitting on a flat horizontal surface).
Wifi range is better, though I had no issues with the MBP, I can see the MB working better in public spaces or when you are not within visual range of a wifi hotspot.
The speakers on the MB suck. Even at full volume I can't hear DVD's, the dialogue is hard to ear. Maybe my ears are shot, but this is one thing I really miss about the 17" MBP.
The 80GB hard drive is doing good right now, but I can see it needing an upgrade in the future, I have about 15GB free, but everything I need is on the hard drive, so I'm not worried right now. I am going to wait for larger 7200RPM drives to come out, a 160GB would be nice at 7200RPM.
Battery life isn't any better than the MBP's. I noticed in Coconut Battery that my battery is at 92% of its capacity (4804mAh/5200mAh).
Weight difference isn't that noticeable, but its smaller, so its easier to carry than the MBP.
The black casing smudges easily. Leaves prints everywhere. Radtech makes a cleaning cloth that seems to work well at cleaning these smudges up (also used to put in between the screen and keyboard when closed).
Performance is great. Haven't tried any games in boot camp or anything, but while using OS X daily, I can't tell a lick of difference between this and the MBP, this is my favorite thing about this computer.
All the things that I miss about the MBP can be easily fixed on the MB if I really wanted (MB speakers = crappy, buy aftermarket external speakers or headphones. Sometimes screen is too small, get an ACD ).
Love this thing, glad Apple came out with a great entry level.

 

[slick316]

you dont notice the big drop from 17 inches to 13? or its not that big a deal. I play a few games and i am wondering what the big difference is.

Sometimes I notice it, sometimes I don't. I didn't really game on the MBP much. Gotta remember though, the larger display on the 17" MBP carries a higher resolution, 1680x1050. In my opinion, gaming on an LCD panel at anything UNDER the native resolution is worthless, just try doing that for everyday use.

I can see myself getting a 23" ACD or 24" Dell Widescreen for home use, but its just to have more screen real estate, not for gaming.

 

[Digidesign]

Thanks for these posts.

They're helpful for me as I'm looking for a <15" notebook and the MB is at the top of the list. I was concerned about the performance somewhat, so it's encouraging to hear that for everyday usage it runs fine. I'd like to play WoW on the macbook too, and from what I've read it can do that pretty well (may not run maxed out settings, but medium level is ok).

I checked out a range of notebooks and the MB's design and features are still the best of the best for its range. I can't believe some of the competitor's products (won't mention brand names) but they feel so chintzy and cheap compared to the build of the macbooks.

 

[orangemacapple]

MB vs. MBP Ram question

I need to get 2 notebooks: a MB and a MBP. (one for me and one for employee)
Q1?: can they use the same RAM chips. I want to up the pro to 2gb and drop its ram into the macbook to give it 1gb. It would be nice not to have to buy new ram for both of them.

Q2?: can I up the MB to a 7200rpm drive? or is there a reason it's not offered as an option? i want to up both of them to 7200rpm.

And yes, I'm gonna wait a couple weeks to see if they're refreshed, but i'll need them by thanksgiving -- merom or not (I'll kick myself later).