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Apple MacBook Summary

Rating: 5/5 Stars The good: Upgraded CPU for the same price; same great design; Leopard operating system. The bad: Still no Express card or SD card slots; only more expensive models are available in black. The bottom line: Apple has been content to issue minor periodic hardware updates to the 13-inch MacBook, but the modest performance gains and new Leopard OS keep it in our top tier of laptop recommendations. Specs: Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo (2 GHz); RAM installed: 1 GB DDR II SDRAM; Weight: 5 lbs See full specs >>

Available Specs:

• White – 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Processor, 2 GB RAM, 160 GB Hard Drive
• White – 2.1 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Processor, 1 GB RAM, 120 GB Hard Drive
• White – 2.2 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Processor, 1 GB RAM, 120 GB Hard Drive, 8x SuperDrive
• Black – 2.2 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Processor, 1 GB RAM, 160 GB Hard Drive, 8x Super Drive
• More Models

Introduced in the fall of 2006, the current version of Apple’s 13-inch MacBook laptop was a revolutionary product, combining Intel’s Core 2 Duo CPUs with Apple’s much-lauded operating system. Add in Apple extras such as the iSight camera, Front Row remote, iLife software, and MagSafe power adapter, and you have what is arguably one of the best-loved laptops on the planet.

Since then, Apple has been content to issue minor periodic hardware upgrades, which, while not all that exciting, continue to add CPU horsepower while keeping prices steady. The latest update, from November 2007, bumped up the top available CPU to a 2.2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, and added Intel’s Santa Rosa platform and slightly better integrated graphics, resulting in a modest boost in performance. But you’ll probably be much more interested in Apple’s new Leopard version of its OS X operating system, which comes preinstalled on new MacBooks. It adds a handful of useful new features, keeping the MacBook in our top tier of laptop recommendations, even if we’re secretly itching for something new.

Measuring 1.08 inches thin and weighing only 5.0 pounds, the MacBook cuts a slim profile on any desk (or in any backpack or briefcase).

While the entry-level MacBook is available only in white, we’re much more used to seeing the black version (higher price) in the wild. The matte black look still isn’t quite as sharp as the metallic MacBook Pro, but we still like it better than the plastic-looking white finish.

Inside, you’ll find Apple’s typically minimalist setup, including a power button, a full-size keyboard, a sizable touch pad with a single mouse button, and a built-in iSight camera that sits above the display. If you miss the scroll bar found on almost every Windows laptops, the two-finger scroll option works well (run two fingers down the touch pad, and it scrolls like a mouse wheel). We remain fans of Apple’s flat-key keyboard, although Windows users will have to get used to a Delete key that functions like a PC Backspace key, and no standalone equivalent key for what PCs call Delete. Compared with previous MacBooks, the main visual difference is that a few of the alternate functions on the F keys have been juggled around.

The biggest new feature is the inclusion of Apple’s latest version of OS X, commonly known as Leopard. The look and feel are largely unchanged, but several useful new features have been added, including Time Machine, an easy-to-use backup utility; Spaces, which allows you to set up multiple desktops (one with all your media apps open or one for Web pages) and swap between them on the fly; and Quick Look, which lets you open a fast preview version of any document or file without waiting for their associated applications to open.

The MacBook still includes the Front Row remote control (sadly, only available in white), and the extremely handy MagSafe power adapter, which handily (and safely) detaches itself from a magnetic plug on the laptop’s side when you invariably trip over the power cord.

The 13.3-inch wide-screen LCD display offers a clear and easy to read 1,280×800 native resolution, which is standard for a screen this size, as well as most 14- and 15-inch laptops (although Apple’s 15-inch MacBook Pro offers a higher 1,440×900 resolution).

The magnetically connected MagSafe power adapter breaks cleanly away, without damage to either the cord or the MacBook, if you trip over the cord.

With two-finger scrolling, the trackpad becomes a fast track to wherever you want to go.

Apple’s previous revision added support for 802.11n Wi-Fi technology, but the lack of an SD card reader remains one of the MacBook’s few weak spots. Adding mobile broadband–not offered by Apple–will also be difficult without an Express card slot.

Not surprisingly, we saw a decent uptick in performance from the new 2.2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo CPU, with the new system beating the earlier 2.16GHz MacBook in each of our benchmark tests. If you have a previous generation MacBook, the difference isn’t enough to make you want to go out and get a new one, but credit goes to both the fast CPU and Intel’s Santa Rosa platform for the improvement. Note that our review unit came with 2GB of RAM, a $150 upgrade over the default 1GB offered in even the high level MacBook.

The MacBook ran for 4 hours and 30 minutes on our DVD battery drain test, which is even longer than the 3 hours and 36 minutes we got on the older 2.16GHz MacBook. We again give credit to the efficient Santa Rosa platform, and because our DVD battery drain test is especially grueling, you can expect even longer life from casual Web surfing and office use.

We’re still not fans of Apple’s nearly obligatory extended warranty upsell. The default warranty for the MacBook is one year of coverage for parts and labor, but toll-free telephone support is limited to a mere 90 days–well short of what you’d typically find on the PC side–unless you purchase the $249 AppleCare Protection Plan, which extends phone support and repair coverage to three years.

System configurations:

Apple MacBook (Core 2 Duo 2.2GHz, Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard)
OS X 10.5.1 Leopard; Intel Core 2 Duo 2.2GHz; 2,048GB DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz; 144MB Intel GMA X3100; 160GB Fujitsu 5,400rpm

Apple MacBook (Core 2 Duo 2.16GHz)
OS X 10.4.8 Tiger; Intel Core 2 Duo 2.16GHz; 2,048GB DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz; 64MB Intel GMA 950; 160GB Fujitsu 5,400rpm

Fujitsu LifeBook S6510
Windows Vista Business Edition; 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T7700; 2048MB DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz; 128MB Mobile Intel 965GM Express; 120GB Toshiba 5,400rpm

Dell XPS m1330
Windows Vista Home Edition; 2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T7300; 2,048MB DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz; 128MB Nvidia 8400M GS; 160GB Hitachi 5,400rpm

Conclusion: Apple MacBook is one of the top tier in laptop market with their elegance look and innovation. Many of us does own this Apple MacBook Laptop. With our positive experiences with Apple MacBook laptop, we strongly recommend you to buy one.

Reviewed by CNET

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written by North J. Kroster \\ tags: apple macbook, authorized dealer, buy macbook, cheap deals, cheap macbook, discounted macbook, macbook review

There’s no doubt in my mind that the new Apple Macbook is one of the best laptops in the market right now. Upon release, I began to scour the internet for some great cheap Macbook deals.

I’ll first teach you how to spot one yourself. This applies to any thing that you may want to purchase online.

Things to watchout for:

1) Is it in stock?

There are a lot of online dealers out there allowing you to buy the Macbook online but don’t tell you that they don’t have it stocked yet in their inventory, so it will actually take some time for you to order. Watch out for these people.

How can you tell? Always look for an authorized dealer. Authorized dealers usually post the information regarding the number of items left in their inventory. If it is a very reputable online site, then it’s a safe bet that your future Macbook is ready for shipping.

2) Bonus deals

One of the things people don’t know about is that, online dealers usually spice the item up in their online store (if they have a physical one) because they’re encouraging online orders! They have to give you a better deal otherwise they would be losing a sale to a physical store such as your local BestBuy.

If you don’t get Bonus deals out of it, then you may be better off going to the nearest dealer and actually buy your Macbook there.

3) Rebates

Ahhh Macbook cheap deals should have rebates! Mail-in rebates actually decrease the total cost of your Macbook. So instead of paying let’s say $1100, after some time you get your $100 back.
Total cost: $1000…not bad eh?

Again, if there are no rebates… go buy your Macbook somewhere else.

4) Financing Options

A good deal offers a great financing option. Low interest payments per month, 0 payments for a certain period of time, all contribute to the overall Macbook cheap deal. The great thing about financing plans is that you really don’t have to spend a big chunk of your cash at one period of time. The idea here is to spread your costs over a relatively longer period of time.

When you do this, you can be productive with your new Macbook, get some cash going, and actually pay for those small amounts over let’s say 6,12,18 months?

Where to find all these?

Each and every online store will have different features, different bonuses, etc. One factor to consider is buying from a very reputable website.

I consider Macmall to be the best place to buy a Macbook. When I bought my Macbook I was only able to avail of the $50 rebate but now the rebate is already at $100! What a great deal!

Final Words

The Apple Macbook is one of my best purchases yet. No viruses, no hassles, cool eyecandy, fast and reliable performance, all in one! All my pc-using friends have envied my Macbook for a lot of reasons among them of course is the design of the Macbook, simple, classy, and it doesn’t look like all the other laptops out there.

Finally, it’s a joy to bring to work. I can type all day long and not feel any eye-strain, I can be sure that my Macbook won’t crash on me when I have a big project to do and here’s a big plus:

It runs Windows. I can still play games with my friends and switch back to OS X when I want to work! If you’re still thinking twice about buying a Macbook. Don’t. Stop thinking and just buy it. You’ll never regret your purchase.

Super tip:

There’s a super tip you can take advantage of right now, I made a site/guide for free so you can purchase your Macbook with ease.

Paul Vernon is an Internet Marketer, currently enjoying his Macbook. Looking for the super tip? Visit http://macbookdeal.myextrastash.com

written by North J. Kroster \\ tags: apple macbook, authorized dealer, best laptops, cheap deals, financing options