Pros & Cons
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- Most affordable Intel-Mac notebook.
- Lightweight.
- One-inch-thick chassis.
- Has most of the MacBook Pro features.
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- No ExpressCard or PC Card slot.
- Runs warm like the MacBook Pros.
Apple Macbook (13-inch) Specs
| Graphics Memory | 128 |
| Graphics Processor | Intel GMA 950 |
| Operating System | Mac OS X |
| Optical Drive | DVD+/-RW (Plus Minus) |
| Processor | Intel Core Duo T2500 |
| Processor Speed | 2 |
| RAM (as Tested) | 1 |
| Screen Size | 13.3 |
| Weight | 5.1 |
| Wireless Networking | 802.11a/g |
The new MacBook comes in three configurations, all available in the familiar Apple-white design. But you can also get, as I did, the high-end configuration in a very un-Apple-like black design. (Funny how the black version looks like a typical Microsoft Windows laptop.) Personally, I think the white MacBooks are better-looking, and they don't clash with Apple's white-colored AC adapter (60W, not the 84W found on the MacBook Pro) and Apple Remote accessories.
Color and design aside, there are other cool features, such as the wide 13.3-inch screen that boasts a glossy surface, which livens up photos and movies. This is an upgrade from the 12.1-inch matte screen found on the iBook. Let's not forget Apple's hallmark 1-inch-thick chassis, which lets you easily slide the notebook into briefcases or backpacks. The laptop uses the same, tough polycarbonate plastic found in bulletproof windshields and it weighs 5.1 pounds, roughly the same as the original iBook. Sadly, the MacBook emits heat like a veritable hotplate, exhibiting the same cooling problems plaguing the MacBook Pros.
You'll notice the keyboard is slightly different from other Apple notebooks, too. The keys are slightly smaller, but evenly spaced so you get the same tactile feel as on other responsive, full-size keyboards. Additionally, the individual keys lie flatter against the surface and are harder to remove—especially good if you have inquisitive children. I love the width of the large touchpad and that you can scroll in multiple directions by applying two fingers. But the pad still has a single-click mouse button, which is problematic if you plan on booting right-click-friendly Windows.
My test configuration costs $1,699, but there are comparable MacBook machines from $1,099. No matter which configuration you decide on, you get many of the cool features found in the more expensive MacBook Pro 15-inch and 17-inch models. These include the easy-release MagSafe adapter, the iSight webcam, Apple's Front Row, the Apple Remote, and the all-inclusive iLife '06 suite.
The 5-pound MacBook also has an integrated optical drive, as do the
Thankfully, the configuration I reviewed had 1GB of RAM, and I give kudos to Apple for going with an Intel Core Duo T2500 (2.0 GHz) processor instead of the slower Core Solo CPU. One drawback, though, is that the MacBook uses integrated graphics, so as I expected, 3D gaming on the Mac platform and even on the Windows platform (using Apple's Boot Camp) was dreadfully slow. Battery life with integrated graphics should be decent, but on my DVD-playback tests, the 55-Wh battery lasted only 2 hours 10 minutes. A typical workload, with idle times, will probably get you close to 3 hours.
The MacBook 13-inch is Apple's most affordable Intel-Mac notebook, and I'm happy to see it carries over so many of the features and Intel components from the more expensive MacBook Pros. It's the perfect laptop for anyone who wants an Apple system but can't afford the pricier Pro versions.
See how the MacBook measures up to similar systems in our
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