Apple MacBook 13-inch Review
The new 13-inch widescreen Apple MacBook is the powerful new value laptop, replacing the Apple iBook. Available in both white and black colors, the MacBook is Apple's first completely redesigned Intel-based laptop in the thin and light spectrum. Although this laptop is meant to be thin-and-light, weighing 5.2 pounds is relatively heavy for its size. But built to last, the MacBook is composed of a durable polycarbonate shell that provides a unique solid feel. The brightly lit, glossy widescreen display is breathtaking, and the keyboard is top notch in comfort and tactile feedback.
The MacBook's new features have raised the standard for what value-focused laptop should be. While the rest of Apple's computers have simply just received Intel chips in similar enclosures to their PowerPC predecessors (like the MacBook Pro), the MacBook was built from the ground up using Intel's fast and efficient Core Duo processor. The MacBook is arguably the ultimate companion for students and even business professionals since Apple officially supports Windows XP via the BootCamp software.
Some major improvements over the iBook include a wider trackpad, magnetic LCD closure, MagSafe AC adaptor, fantastic keyboard (which can easily be removed for disassembly), and a built-in iSight webcam. Apple has also recently upgraded their iLife suite of software packages, as well as its Front Row multimedia software. Meanwhile, other hardware improvements include improved feet on bottom of the laptop so that they do not fall off, as well as internal improvements including customer replaceable hard drive, digital audio-input, extensive wireless connectivity options, extend desktop support with external display, and extended battery life. However, if you are a high performance user, hardcore gamer or graphic designer you may want to consider Apple's MacBook Pro lineup for more horsepower and standard performance features.
Design Portability
Weighing in at 5.2 pounds, 1.08' thick, 12.78' wide, and 8.92' deep the 13-inch MacBook isn't the most portable machine out there. This 13.3' machine weighs closer to most 14-15' laptops, but shouldn't trouble most users with its size.
13-inch black MacBook on top, 15-inch MacBook Pro on bottom
Case and Design
When the computer is on, the glowing white Apple logo radiates from the black matte finish to add aesthetic appeal. Similar to the Apple iPod, the MacBook is available in black or white colors to give users more personal preference.
The form factor and aesthetic nature of the MacBook is arguably superior to other thin and light notebooks in its class. The case is made of a durable polycarbonate with a matte-like feel. Much like the Apple iPod, the new MacBook features a very simplistic look and feel. Everything is right where it needs to be.
All peripherals are plugged in on the left of the keyboard, the Superdrive to the right of the keyboard, and the keyboard features the standard Apple keys. The only other items visually present are the LCD, track pad, an IR port, and indicator light next to it, the glowing Apple logo on the lid, and that's it. This computer relishes in simplicity, yet is just as efficient if not more so than any other laptop.
Keyboard
The keyboard has a rounded edge bezel and is offset deep enough so that when the notebook is closed, the keyboard cannot come in contact with the MacBook's screen. This is a considerable improvement over Apple's iBook that was known for key marks on its screen. The new keyboard has flatter keys that have been separated from each other so they aren't touching. This is a new keyboard design for an Apple laptop, but it is a considerable improvement. The new keyboard only takes a short while to get used to and once you do you may miss it when using any other.
The tactile feel of the keys is just right, and the keys are lightly audible, but the sound and feel are satisfying. The iBook's keyboard was arguably too shallow and quiet for most users' tastes.
| MacBook Keyboard | |
| Number of keys | 89 keys |
| Number of rows | 6 rows |
| Special/Function Keys | F1: Reduce Brightness |
Touch pad
Apple has increased the size of the track pad on both the MacBook and MacBook Pros to match the widescreen design. At first it was a little strange to have such a big track pad, but since Apple has incorporated touch scrolling and double finger right-click, the larger track pad is necessary, and easy to use. The touch scrolling is rather simple and requires a user to simply place two fingers slightly separated on the track pad, then move the fingers in the direction one wishes to scroll (up, down, left, right - can be adjusted in the System Preferences).
Lastly, do not be fooled by the single button on the track pad, the MacBook and Mac OS X do feature right-click on just about everything a PC and Windows does. To right click, a user must simply place the cursor over whatever it is they wish to right click, then place a second finger on the track pad and click the pad's button with a thumb, and a 'right-click' contextual menu will display (requires being turned on in System Preferences).
Design ContinuedConnectivity Options
Front
The front of the MacBook simply has a small LED on the right to let you know when the computer is asleep, and the small circular item next to it is the IR port for the Apple remote.
Rear
The back of the MacBook shows two speakers that reflect sound off the bottom portion of the lid when opened and operating.
Left Side
The left side of the MacBook sports the MagSafe power adapter, Gigabit Ethernet, Mini-DVI port (can connect to S-video or VGA with adaptors sold separately), FireWire 400 port, two USB 2.0 ports, a digital audio in port, and a digital audio out port.
Right Side
The right side of the MacBook contains only the slot loading Superdrive (CD/DVD burner).
Heat and Noise
The MacBook runs warmer than its predecessor. After extensive use, the MacBook's fans engage to cool things down rather quickly. The noise level of the fans is apparent but not enough to ruin your music listening. Other than the occasional sound of the hard drive, the MacBook is a considerably quiet computer.
Upgrading and Expansion
Unlike the past Apple portable machines, the MacBook makes upgrading easy, with easily upgradeable hard drive and RAM.
Inserting RAM into the MacBook is as simple as pulling a lever, and placing the new RAM into the slot and lever loading mechanism.
If the above images make it look simple to remove the hard drive, it is because it actually is that simple.
Feel free to upgrade your hard drive!
Features
Technical Specifications
The Apple MacBook uses Intel's Core Duo T2500 processor. This CPU sports a 2MB shared L2 cache , runs on a 667 MHz Font Side Bus, and is built on a 65nm manufacturing process. The T2500 runs at 2.0GHz has a maximum power draw of 31W. To save space and power, Intel's 945GM chipset is used with the GMA950 integrated graphics solution. It is worth noting that GMA950 supports the Windows Vista Aero interface, should you want to load it on your Apple in the future. Unfortunately the GMA950 shares the main system RAM, borrowing between 8MB and 128MB depending on need. Given the limited 512MB RAM included, we highly recommend users to upgrade their system RAM. All of the 945 chipsets support dual channel DDR2 667 RAM, which the MacBook uses with its 2x256MB modules.
The MacBook includes built-in stereo speakers that hide on the back of the MacBook, yet when opened the display dips behind the back of the laptop so sound reverberates off the bottom of the display bezel directing sound towards the laptop user. The MacBook also includes an omnidirectional microphone, a combined optical digital audio input/audio line in (minijack), and a combined optical digital audio out/headphone out (minijack).
Display
The MacBook has a 13.3-inch TFT glossy widescreen display with resolutions up to 1280x800. Some users may be concerned by the glossy display, but it really is not as intrusive in real life as it appears photographed online (camera flash increase the shine). As for the brightness, this display gets extremely bright. It literally gave me a headache after an hour of use, but my solution was simple: I turned the brightness down. By turning the brightness down to about 2/3rds I easily could view the screen all day without strain, and the glossiness became less apparent as well. Overall, the display is a significant improvement over the iBook and past PowerBook displays, and can also easily be viewed outside when on full brightness.
The MacBook also features an 'Extended desktop' that allows users to connect an external LCD display at up to 1920x1200 resolution. Essentially, this allows you to plug in a larger display and use it concurrently with the MacBook's built-in LCD. This is not mirroring, but an actual extension of the desktop granting users more workspace on the external display. Using the MacBook's Mini-DVI port and DVI, VGA, or S-video adaptors the MacBook can connect to just about any modern display, projector, or television.
FeaturesTechnical Specifications
The Apple MacBook uses Intel's Core Duo T2500 processor. This CPU sports a 2MB shared L2 cache, runs on a 667 MHz Font Side Bus, and is built on a 65nm manufacturing process. The T2500 runs at 2.0GHz has a maximum power draw of 31W. To save space and power, Intel's 945GM chipset is used with the GMA950 integrated graphics solution. It is worth noting that GMA950 supports the Windows Vista Aero interface, should you want to load it on your Apple in the future. Unfortunately the GMA950 shares the main system RAM, borrowing between 8MB and 128MB depending on need. Given the limited 512MB RAM included, we highly recommend users to upgrade their system RAM. All of the 945 chipsets support dual channel DDR2 667 RAM, which the MacBook uses with its 2x256MB modules.
The MacBook includes built-in stereo speakers that hide on the back of the MacBook, yet when opened the display dips behind the back of the laptop so sound reverberates off the bottom of the display bezel directing sound towards the laptop user. The MacBook also includes an omnidirectional microphone, a combined optical digital audio input/audio line in (minijack), and a combined optical digital audio out/headphone out (minijack).
Display
The MacBook has a 13.3-inch TFT glossy widescreen display with resolutions up to 1280x800. Some users may be concerned by the glossy display, but it really is not as intrusive in real life as it appears photographed online (camera flash increase the shine). As for the brightness, this display gets extremely bright. It literally gave me a headache after an hour of use, but my solution was simple: I turned the brightness down. By turning the brightness down to about 2/3rds I easily could view the screen all day without strain, and the glossiness became less apparent as well. Overall, the display is a significant improvement over the iBook and past PowerBook displays, and can also easily be viewed outside when on full brightness.
The MacBook also features an Extended desktop that allows users to connect an external LCD display at up to 1920x1200 resolution. Essentially, this allows you to plug in a larger display and use it concurrently with the MacBooks built-in LCD. This is not mirroring, but an actual extension of the desktop granting users more workspace on the external display. Using the MacBooks Mini-DVI port and DVI, VGA, or S-video adaptors the MacBook can connect to just about any modern display, projector, or television.
Optical Drive
The MacBook features Apples SuperDrive, a slot-loading drive with double-layer read support (DVD+R DL/DVDRW/CD-RW), but only 4x DVD burning support. Most users should find this drive sufficient for their needs, but the SuperDrive option offers DVD burning capability.
- Read: 24X CD-ROM/CD-R, 8X DVD-ROM, 8X DVD+/-R
- Write: 24X CD-R, 10X CD-RW, 4X DVD+/-RW, 4X DVD+/-R
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
For wireless connectivity, the MacBook includes 802.11g (Airport Extreme) and Bluetooth 2.0 + Enhanced Data Rate. We experienced no problems to speak of during our testing. The MacBook was capable of picking up eight local Wi-Fi networks, where as a PowerBook was only capable of picking up three Wi-Fi networks from the exact same location.
Webcam (iSight)
Built directly into the top bezel of the MacBook is a 640x480 webcam called iSight, which can be used for video conferencing, or simply capturing still images. The MacBook includes Apples iChat AV software that allows users to video chat via AIM, Jabber, and GoogleTalk. Also included is Photobooth, an application which allows you to take snap shots of your self and e-mail them to friends or family easily without any complications. The iSight works seamlessly when connecting with another user who has a webcamera, thanks to the iChat software. Overall, image quality was great, even in low light conditions.
Apple Remote
The Apple Remote is a simple 6-button remote control capable of controlling Apples Front Row media software. Front Row enables users to select media content such as music and videos via the remote. While it seems like a somewhat trivial feature, it is surprisingly handy and soon youll wonder what you did without it. See our video of the Front Row feature in the Quick Glance section of this review.
Battery
The MacBooks battery is a different form factor than Apples past batteries. However, the re-designed battery enables Apple to grant easy access to the RAM and hard drive. This lithium-polymer battery is rated at 55-watt-hours and comes with integrated charge indicating LEDs to notify you how much battery life is left. Overall, battery life performed average compared to PC counterpart.
AC Adapter
The MacBook comes with a new AC adapter that is considerably smaller than the MacBook Pros adapter.
MacBook AC adapter vs MacBook Pro AC adapter
The MacBook also features MagSafe, a magnetic adaptor that connects to the laptop.
The advantage of the MagSafe connector is that if something pulls on the AC cord, it can detach itself from the computer, preventing the computer from falling down with it. How clever!
Software
The MacBooks software offerings put most PCs to shame. Included with Mac OS 10.4 are several critical applications such as Spotlight (real-time file search), Dashboard (widgets), Mail (e-mail client), iChat AV (AIM, Jabber, GoogleTalk), Safari (web browser), Address Book, QuickTime, iCal (calendar), DVD Player, and Xcode software development tools. The MacBook also ships with Apples iLife suite preinstalled that includes iTunes, iPhoto (photo sorting and editing), iMovie HD (movie creation and editing), iDVD (DVD creation and editing), iWeb (website creation and blogging), and Garageband (software music creation and editing). Also installed is a trial version of Microsoft Office, TextEdit for basic word processing and several other system utilities. The MacBook also features Front Row, Apples media viewing software that allows users to select movies, songs, and other media via the Apple Remote.
Users can also download Apples new free beta software called Boot Camp that allows users to install Windows XP SP 2 and above. Boot Camp does not include a copy of Windows, so users must provide or purchase Windows themselves. What Boot Camp does is easily walk users through burning a CD that includes drivers for Windows, and then install and run Windows. The process is extremely simple if a user has ever installed Windows XP before, and is more time-consuming than difficult. One thing we noticed when installing Boot Camp is to leave all peripherals, especially a mouse, unplugged during the Windows install process.
The MacBook is also capable of running other operating systems such as Linux, although Boot Camp wont walk users through the process. It would be best to consult any guides posted by the creators of the distribution you wish to install. Our advice to visit a local Apple Store and see the robust operating and software available on the MacBook.
The MacBook was set to run at full performance by setting the power scheme set to 'Better Performance'' with the AC plugged in, meaning that the CPU will not underclock while running the tests. For the battery performance test, the power scheme was set to 'Battery Energy Savings'. This activates Intel Speedsteptechnology, which lowers CPU speed when not needed, thus increasing battery life. Screen brightness and audio were both set to 50%, Bluetooth was turned off and Wi-Fi were turned on. Each test was repeated 3 times to ensure accuracy. Before each test was run, the laptop was rebooted.
Configurations
| Specifications | MacBook 13-inch | PowerBook G4 |
| Processor | Intel Core Duo 2.0GHz | G4 1.67GHz |
| Bus | 667MHz | 167MHz |
| LCD | 13.3-inch Widescreen Display | 15.2-inch Widescreen Display |
| Hard Drive | 80GB 5400RPM 8MB Cache SATA | 100GB Seagate 7200RPM 8MB Cache |
| Memory | 512MB DDR2 667 PC5300 SDRAM (1 x 512MB) | 1.5GB DDR2 PC2-4200 |
| Graphics | Intel GMA 950 integrated | ATI Mobility Radeon 9700 128MB |
| Optical Drive | SuperDrive | SuperDrive |
| Weight | 5.2 pounds | 5.6 pounds |
| Operating System | Mac OS X 10.4.5 | Mac OS X 10.4.5 |
| Battery | 55-watt | 50-watt |
Mac OS X Bootup
XBench 1.2
| MacBook 13-inch | PowerBook G4 | |
| CPU | 70.98 | 61.58 |
| Thread | 195.74 | 73.67 |
| Memory | 117.53 | 26.79 |
| Quartz Graphics | 53.76 | 54.87 |
| OpenGL Graphics | 213.28 | 83.52 |
| User Interface | 14.86 | 31.70 |
| Disk Test | 28.40 | 35.27 |
Cinebench
| Cinebench | MacBook 13-inch | PowerBook G4 |
| Rendering (1 CPU) | 306 | 171 |
| Rendering (Multiple) | 564 | N/A |
| Shading (Cinema 4) | 354 | 181 |
| Shading (OpenGL Software Lighting) | 1203 | 491 |
| Shading (Open GL Hardware Lighting) | 1104 | 840 |
The MacBook dominates in the CPU intensive tests, thanks to the powerful Intel Core Duo.
Multimedia
QuickTime Encoding
In this test, we convert a 55.2MB movie file to a Quicktime movie format.
The PowerBook G4's 7200RPM Hard Drive dominates in this test.
iTunes Importing
We imported the CD album from Robert Miles to MP3 (High Quality)
iMovie HD Exporting
We exported a 2GB movile file to QuickTime movie file (full quality).
We don't see any substantial differences here. The G4 edges the MacBook due to the 7200RPM hard drive.
Battery Performance
Brightness on each machine was set to 50% and set to 'BetterBattery Life' in the power scheme to reduce clock speed.We ran the 141 minute movie Batman Begins and to no surprise, the MacBook's Intel Core Duo lasted increasingly longer than the PowerBook G4.
With 1 hour and 22 minutes remaining after the completion of the 141 minute Batman Begins movie, the MacBook is left with more battery time.
Conclusion
Pros:
Stylish design
Fast processor
Can run Mac OS X, Microsoft Windows XP, and Linux natively
Competitively priced
MagSafe AC adaptor
Fantastic keyboard
Vibrant 13.3-inch Glossy widescreen
Built-in iSight camera
Excellent software package
Digital Audio-input
Cons:
Intel integrated graphics
Ships with only 512MB of RAM
Heavy for 13.3 widescreen
Runs warm
Recommendation
Apples new laptop offers huge features at a huge value. From its rich features to its clean design, everything on this laptop is right where it should be, and it has the system performance to match. Thanks to Intels dual core processor, the overall system runs faster than before, leaving the G4 behind. Expect the MacBook to be updated with Intels faster yet battery efficient Intel Core 2 Duo or Merom soon.
Lets also keep in mind the MacBooks unique features you wont find on any PC: the MagSafe AC adapter, the robust software & operating system, the ability to boot Windows and Linux natively, beautiful display, remote control, slot-loading DVD burner, and intelligent power built-in. There are some things we would like to see to perfect this machine even more like include dedicated graphics, loose the weight, and maybe even reduce the thickness. Who should buy this machine? Students or anyone on a budget. You wont find a PC equivalent come close to the features loaded with the MacBook. Best of all, this laptop wont dent your wallet.
Availability/Warranty
The MacBook 13-inch is available now in white or black colors starting at $1099, $1299, and $1499 (black model). One (1) year limited warranty, 90 days techincal support.
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