Whitebook or Blackbook? Advice appreciated...

[janey]

Curiously enough, both of those opinions were expressed here in the MacRumors forum and by more than one poster - just one of those things don't have the time and energy to argure argue against....

Because it is true. You cannot argue against the fact that Apple laptops did not in fact come in white until the iBook clamshells and entirely-white iBooks.

I loved the PowerBook G3s. When Apple released the silver titanium powerbook g4s I was disappointed. Somewhere around then and up until the blackbook I've had both iBooks and PowerBooks and I've never liked them. With the blackbook, I feel like I'm in heaven because I finally have a laptop that's in a color I wanted. And when you don't have much variety in color (remember beige vs. fruity iMac G3s back in the 90s? well, it felt like a modern day beige with not much of a choice, Apple's computers being all white or silver) you think of more drastic things to do, like expensive or DIY paint jobs. I had actually removed the paint on the casing on my iBook G3 to paint it black for my iBook G4 to swap after the warranty ran out..but the blackbook was released

And hey, look at what Dell's doing right now..dumb ads about colored laptops, because they finally got what Apple was doing back in 1996 (well, and subsequently ditched in favor of black/white/silver)..."A democrat chose red"..."a vegan didn't choose green" or something along those lines...

 

[sm0]

owned both. white was nice for a while, then it turned yellow.

black is just class.

no point getting into heated debates when everyones means and values are so diff, so ive drawn my own conclusion:
if money tight = white
if money is no object = black owns
if money is really no object = consider MBP?

i went for black for what it is, black. not because its the most expensive

 

[Igantius]

Because it is true. You cannot argue against the fact that Apple laptops did not in fact come in white until the iBook clamshells and entirely-white iBooks.

How soon they forget But in a forum, more than a few can - and will - argue against the facts

I was interested in your comments about the black MBs - when I was working on one UK Mac mag a few years ago, rather a few readers were crying out for an Apple laptop along similar aesthetic lines... just took a bit longer than they were hoping.

 

[mick4394]

I had nothing but problems with my white Macbook. I loved the computer, but kept having to send it in for service because of case cracking. Ultimately Apple ended up replacing my 'Book with a brand new one, which I sold.

I haven't heard of the cracking problem with the Blackbook, but wasn't willing to take a chance on another Macbook, myself. Personally, I can't deal with sending my machine in for service every other month.

 

[Igantius]

I haven't heard of the cracking problem with the Blackbook, but wasn't willing to take a chance on another Macbook, myself. Personally, I can't deal with sending my machine in for service every other month.

The problem has been reported with black MBs - e.g. on this forum.

Given that the most likely suspects for this problem are a design flaw and/or stress fractures caused by the plastic injection moulding process (the latter is a problem for many different manufacturers), the case colour isn't going to be a factor.

Given that the majority of MBs are white, I woud expect such a problem to be found chiefly in the white models.

 

[mick4394]

The problem has been reported with black MBs - e.g. on this forum.

Given that the most likely suspects for this problem are a design flaw and/or stress fractures caused by the plastic injection moulding process (the latter is a problem for many different manufacturers), the case colour isn't going to be a factor.

Given that the majority of MBs are white, I woud expect such a problem to be found chiefly in the white models.

Agreed. I followed the same assumption. So, I no longer use a Macbook.

 

[The Stig]

I think my parents might let me spend some money on a laptop, and I think that after 11 years being Windows only, it's time to switch back to Apple.

I've decided to get a Macbook, as my budget doesn't extend far enough to the MacBook Pro, but can't decide on a color. I really want the black one, but I really can't justify spending $200 more just for the extra 40GB and and the black coloring.

Can anyone point me in the right direction?

Real Apple guys have white macs. Plus I think the ladies like it better. Save the money and get a high-end white MB and add the extra you are missing from the blackbook.

The Stig

 

[Foxglove9]

To me if you are going to spend the extra money for a blackbook then just get a MBP if you can, since you'll get more for your money.

I always thought the black looked a little generic PC looking. I love the white glossy mac product look.

Whenever I bring it to work everyone always says how beautiful it is and how they want one. (they all have Dells or Compaq laptops ..heh).

But I work with all women, if that matters at all. I also don't smoke so by time it yellows or looses its luster I'll have upgraded to something else.

But if you want the BB then get that one so you have no regrets.

 

[craigo424x]

I was in the same boat a week ago, I was sooo tempted to pay $400 more from the 2.0ghz macbook to the blackbook. I'm gald I just got the white one, it's unique compared to any other laptop out there. It just looks so nice too, I thought it would bother me that all my accessories etc are black, but it just makes your sweet mac stand out more Good luck with your decision, I mean really either way your going to be thrilled.

 

[Igantius]

Agreed. I followed the same assumption. So, I no longer use a Macbook.

Although statistically, the odds are against getting another unit that also had the same problem (and I believe Apple has weakened the latch magnets), I have to admit I probably would have done the same!

To me if you are going to spend the extra money for a blackbook then just get a MBP if you can, since you'll get more for your money.

You're certainly not alone feeling that way - although to me personally, it's not so cut and dry. In the UK, the price differential between the entry level MBP and black MB is £350 ($700) - whether it's worth paying the extra is going to depend on the individual user. Of course, you can argue whether paying the extra cash just for the black enclosure isn't worth it.

 

[clickclickw00t]

i say go for the MBP

you eliminate the dillema of color and you get a better machine.

plus its better for pron

 

[mick4394]

Although statistically, the odds are against getting another unit that also had the same problem (and I believe Apple has weakened the latch magnets), I have to admit I probably would have done the same!

I never had the top case cracking problem. My problem was that the bottom case kept cracking. The, hairline-type, cracking would appear along the edges of the casing, mostly around the speaker vents and along the bottom edges.

Apple didn't put up much of a fight on getting it fixed twice, and ultimately replaced it. So, I would guess it's an issue that they're trying to solve, but we all know how forthcoming Apple is with this sort of information.

I'm not alone. There are several threads concerning this on these forums.

All of you Macbook owner's should check out your 'Books. You may not even realize that you have the problem. I didn't until I stumbled upon a thread in these forums talking about it. So, I flipped over my 'Book, and much to my surprise there were several cracks along the edges, and what looked like something trying to puncture through the bottom. I was crushed. I loved that computer.

Because of my experience, I couldn't recommend purchasing the current crop of Macbooks. I'd hold off until they are replaced, or go for a MBP.

 

[BillyBobBongo]

Look at it this way....if you buy a Black MacBook you're gonna have to shell out some extra readies in the long run for an external HD. If you buy a White Macbook you're gonna have shell out some extra readies in the long run for an external HD. If you buy a Black MacBook you're gonna be using a cleaner on it constantly to get off the greasy marks. If you get a White MacBook you're gonna be using isopropanol on it to keep away the yellow sweat marks.

Do the smart thing....get the White MacBook and blow your savings on a new external HD and some beer!

 

[GusR9]

Well I have a White MacBook and I'm love with my mac, its perfect for me, If I can give you an advice buy the color you prefer. Black is great but pay more just for the color...

 

[janey]

Plus I think the ladies like it better.

According to this thread, the ladies overwhelmingly prefer black.

To me if you are going to spend the extra money for a blackbook then just get a MBP if you can, since you'll get more for your money.

This is the same argument as the white vs. black MacBook...

I for one did not get a MBP because it's not nearly as durable as a regular MB. The additional cost of the blackbook would have been similar if not cheaper and better than the cost of a professional paint job.

I always thought the black looked a little generic PC looking. I love the white glossy mac product look.

But black is classy and beautiful. And with the exception of the iBooks, again, so many Apple laptops have been dark grey/black. White looks cheap and crummy, and Apple uses white for all their consumer products....

Black is great but pay more just for the color...

You'd pay more for the color regardless. A paint job would probably cost more than getting the blackbook, and on top of that would not be as nice (e.g. the feasibility of painting the keyboard).

 

[DMC-12]

For some reason, when I first starting looking into Macs, I hated the white plastic. Now after doing all the research, I love the white. I guess deep down I always wanted white.

 

[menthol moose]

Alright, after listening to all of your suggestions, as well as those from a couple of other forums, I've decided to get the black Macbook. Now to persaude my parents...

Thanks for all of your help. I'll be sure to post a bunch of pictures if I can get one.

 

[Igantius]

I'm not alone. There are several threads concerning this on these forums.

True, but that doesn't mean that is a widespread problem. There were a couple of very recent threads about unsafe magsafe connectors, but that problem is still statisically a rare one, and one affecting a product that was phased out seven to eight months ago - not that you would have realised that from the threads.

If I had the same experience as you, as I say, I would have probably shied away from the MB, but given just how well the MBs have sold and how little coverage sites like Macintouch and MacFixit sites have given this problem, if this was a widespead problem, I would have expect to have heard far more more reports - particularly on sites with editorial control.

 

[mick4394]

True, but that doesn't mean that is a widespread problem. There were a couple of very recent threads about unsafe magsafe connectors, but that problem is still statisically a rare one, and one affecting a product that was phased out seven to eight months ago - not that you would have realised that from the threads.

If I had the same experience as you, as I say, I would have probably shied away from the MB, but given just how well the MBs have sold and how little coverage sites like Macintouch and MacFixit sites have given this problem, if this was a widespead problem, I would have expect to have heard far more more reports - particularly on sites with editorial control.

I think a lot of people have this problem that don't even realize it. It takes some inspection to even notice it. It may not even bother some people, but it sure bugged me to have this beautiful machine that was spontaneously cracking. It was getting to the point where it felt like my Macbook was spending more time in service than on my desk. That's a pretty serious problem.

I don't know about you, but I do actually use my computer to get work done.

 

[greenday123]

Although White is apple's signature color, i got a black macbook. For two reasons. 1. I needed the extra hard drive space. and 2. The black is MATTE! it isnt glossy like the white one. Which like the ipods, shows scratches very easily. After about a year or two of use, it will look terrible! Believe me, my brother has an iBook G4 that he has had for about 3 years now, it looks terrible, it is sooooo scratched. Go with the black one, it still scratches, but doesnt show them nearly as much as the white one. Its worth the extra money.

 

[DMC-12]

I've had electronics with a similar black "matte" finish, and the finish would start the wear off on the edges. Personally, I'd rather have the white, "well-loved" look with some eventual scratches than the possibility of a worn-off finish.

 

[Joshua8o8]

i got the blackbook because i have sweaty hands. I know you can see the smudges on it, but you can always wipe the smudges off. You cant wipe the discoloration off of the white macbooks, if it happens to get discolored. I am happy i got the blackbook. I like that it dosent LOOK like an apple product, but it still is an apple product.

 

[Igantius]

That's a pretty serious problem… I don't know about you, but I do actually use my computer to get work done.

At the risk of dragging this further OT.

Okay, I think from my posts it should be clear that that I think sites like Macintouch (which rely on reader reports) are better for judging the scale of a problem than just relying on forums.

Although I appreciate you are basing your opinion that more people are affected than they realise, I still feel that, given the MB case design is over a year old and how many units Apple has shipped, we would be hearing a lot more reports about this. That’s not to say that’s going to always be the case but I’m basing my opinion – and that’s what it is, opinion - on the evidence at my disposal at the current time.

At no stage on this, or any other thread, have I given an opinion whether or not this particular issue is a serious problem for those affected – only on the scale on which it has occurred.

Yes, I do use my Macs to get work done – it’s not relevant to pompously mention what but as some of this is freelance, it’s essential that I have machines I can use.

You cant wipe the discoloration off of the white macbooks, if it happens to get discolored. I am happy i got the blackbook. I like that it dosent LOOK like an apple product, but it still is an apple product.

The discolouration problem was found in the original MacBook revision. Apple has changed the plastic used in the manufacturing process.

 

[iJawn108]

Blackbook ftw I had my cheap consumerist mindset when I went to get mine allmost a year ago... but I walked in saw how scratched the all hell the whitebooks were and just fell in love with the blackbook.

 

[dancoleman007]

my girlfriend has got the white macbook and tbh it seems to be getting a little bit discoloured. and after seeing the black macbook for the first time today i was convinced that she had made the wrong choice. but at the end of the day its up to you. and i would recommend going to see them both before you make a decision

COLEMAN