MacBook
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| MacBook | |
|---|---|
| Image:Macbook white redjar 20060603.jpg The white MacBook | |
| Type: | Laptop or Notebook |
| Developer: | Apple Computer |
| Released: | May 16, 2006 |
| Processor(s): | 1.83 / 2.0 GHz 64-bit Intel Core 2 Duo |
| Base Price: | USD$1099 |
| Website: | Apple — MacBook |
The MacBook is a line of Macintosh notebook computers developed and marketed by Apple Computer. The MacBook was introduced on May 16, 2006<ref name="MacBook PR">Apple PR — Apple Unveils New MacBook Featuring Intel Core Duo Processors - May 16, 2006</ref> to immediate availability in all United States Apple online and retail stores. The MacBook replaced the iBook G4 series as well as the last of the PowerBook series, the 12" PowerBook G4. The original Macbook was built around the Intel Core Duo chip.
On November 8, 2006 Apple introduced a Macbook line equipped with the Intel Core 2 Duo processor. This version is available in three configurations: 1.83 GHz and 2.0 GHz with a white polycarbonate enclosure, and a 2.0 GHz model in a matte black case. Every model has a built-in iSight webcam, and a magnetic latch mechanism. The MacBook line is the companion to the higher-end MacBook Pro line.
Contents |
[edit] Specifications
The 1.83 GHz and 2.0 GHz Core 2 Duo (retailing at US$1099/£749 and US$1299/£879, respectively) are equipped with a 60 GB 5400-rpm Serial ATA hard drive and an 80 GB 5400-rpm Serial ATA hard drive, respectively. The 2.0 GHz Core 2 Duo premium black model (US$1499/£999) features a 120 GB 5400-rpm Serial ATA hard drive. The two higher end models are equipped with an internal double-layer SuperDrive (DVD±RW, CD-RW), while the low end model features a Combo Drive (DVD-ROM, CD-RW).
Image:MacBook iSight.jpg All MacBooks come with integrated iSight, mini-DVI, MagSafe power connector, upgradeable 512 MB (2x256) RAM (1 GB comes standard on the mid-range white and high-end black macbooks), built-in 10/100/1000 BASE-T Gigabit Ethernet, AirPort Extreme, Bluetooth 2.0 +EDR, Sudden Motion Sensor and Scrolling TrackPad, as well as an Apple Remote. The ATI Radeon 9550 GPU used in the iBook has been replaced by an Intel GMA 950 graphics processor with 64 MB of DDR2 SDRAM (shared memory). The MacBook features a 13.3" glossy LCD display (1280x800) which is 79% brighter and provides 30% more viewing area than the iBook. The MacBook weighs 5.2 lbs (2.36 kg).<ref>MacBook technical specifications. Apple Computer (May 16, 2006). Retrieved on 2006-05-16.</ref> <ref name="MacBook">MacBook. Apple Computer (May 16, 2006). Retrieved on 2006-05-16.</ref> It also includes a Trusted platform module chip, which may be used for Digital Rights Management.
The MacBook comes preloaded with iLife, Front Row and Photo Booth.
[edit] Appearance
The MacBook's appearance is loosely based on that of its predecessor, the iBook G4. In addition to the classic white case, Apple is offering a premium black case option; both cases are made of polycarbonate, the thermoplastic Apple is known for using in many of its products. The two-color decision has already received some criticism due to the fact that the base black model had previously cost US$150 more than a white model with the same hardware configuration. <ref name="Ars_Technica">Clint Ecker (May 18 2006). Review: Apple MacBook. Ars Technica.</ref> With the Core 2 revision, however, the price discrepancy has ostensibly been reduced to $50 (the black Macbook comes with an additonal 40GB of hard drive space, for which Apple charges $150). Worse still is that the actual cost of the black case components is exactly identical to that of the white components, according to the Apple Global Service Exchange (GSX). Some Apple fans criticize the black MacBook, saying it looks more like a generically designed portable from PC manufacturers such as Dell and HP [citation needed]. However, prior Apple laptops such as the PowerBook G3 came in black cases as well.
The MacBook features a glossy display, a first for Apple, which had used anti-glare displays exclusively in its previous portables. The different reflective properties of glossy displays are said to increase color saturation when compared to anti-glare displays. The display has a narrower viewing angle than the anti-glare displays and may glare in bright or fluorescent lighting. Apple's approach with the new glossy display is similar to that of other PC manufacturers such as Sony with its XBRITE displays, Dell's TrueLife, or Toshiba's TruBrite.
The MacBook also features a new sunken keyboard design. Unlike the iBook and Titanium Powerbook's keyboards, it is not removable; instead, each key is individually integrated into the casing with about 5 mm between neighboring keys. This is ostensibly intended to give the keyboard a sturdier feel and to avoid keyboard contact with the screen when closed. The color scheme for keys and labels is white and gray for the white model and black and white for the black model.
[edit] Integrated graphics
The MacBook, unlike recent portable Macintosh computers, has an integrated GPU. It uses an Intel GMA 950 graphics processor instead of an ATI Radeon series GPU as featured in the iBook it replaces and in Apple's professional line of notebooks. Apple has also chosen not to include a graphics section in its MacBook product website, downplaying the significance of the MacBook's graphical capabilities. Intel's integrated graphics chipsets have been criticized in the past for being unable to handle graphically-intensive tasks such as complex 3D gaming and other heavily GPU-dependent processes.<ref>Bruce Gain (September 15 2005). Are Intel's Integrated Graphics Processors Good Enough for Gaming?. Tom's Hardware.</ref>
Apple has most likely used integrated Intel graphics as a cost-cutting measure, as the Intel GMA chipset is cheaper than most discrete GPU solutions from ATI and nVidia. <ref>Fuad Abazovic (July 19 2005). Intel's Lakeport threatens Nvidia and ATI. The Inquirer.</ref> While the Intel GMA 950 lacks dedicated VRAM and other useful features such as Hardware Transform and Lighting (T&L) functionality and advanced pixel and vertex shaders, it is highly optimized for video playback and requires less power to operate than most ATI and nVidia chipsets, generating less heat (no fan required).<ref>Intel. IntelGMA 950 Graphics (PDF). Intel.com.</ref> Reportedly, graphics performance for non-3D-intensive tasks is on par with the MacBook Pro models.<ref name="Ars_Technica" />
Another possibility for not making use of a discrete graphics solution is the amount of space available on the inside of the MacBook. There is simply not as much room on the PCB or in the unit itself for a 1.25 square inch chip, which would require additional cooling, as there is in the MacBook Pro.[citation needed] The same applies to the Mac Mini.
The MacBook is the second of Apple's computers to use integrated graphics, after the Mac mini, a desktop model that, like the MacBook, is aimed specifically at typical consumers, which is one new way that Apple is differentiating between its consumer and professional product lines.
[edit] User serviceability
The MacBook is different from its iBook predecessor in terms of user serviceability. It is much easier to disassemble compared to the old iBook, which required removing many components such as the EM shields to get to anything, whereas the MacBook requires simply the removal of the outer shell to access almost any interior component. However, the redesigned keyboard is integrated into the main body of the laptop and is thus no longer easily removable or replaceable. By contrast, the MacBook's internal hard drive and RAM are now easily accessible<ref>Kasper Jade; Katie Marsal (May 16 2006). Apple's MacBook sports user-replaceable hard disks. AppleInsider.</ref> via the underside of the unit. Replacement of the bigger MacBook Pro's internal hard drive is more difficult, requiring disassembly by an authorized service provider to prevent risk of voiding the warranty. This also applies to the older iBook.
[edit] MacBook vs. MacBook Pro
- For more details on this topic, see Comparison of Macintosh models.
Unlike the iBook and PowerBook product lines, the MacBook family is marketed as a continuous range of portables. The main differences (besides price) between the MacBook and MacBook Pro is that the MacBook Pro is geared towards professonials who need the better graphics card. The average consumer only needs the software and portablity.
The MacBook Pro's aluminium enclosure accounts for its relatively low weight, considering its size, of 2.54 kg (5.6 pounds) for the 15.4-inch MacBook Pro model, which has a display resolution of 1440 × 900.
The MacBook Pro furthermore features an ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 graphics card (128 or 256 MiB GDDR3), compared to the MacBook's integrated Intel GMA 950. Other notable differences include the illuminated keyboard, a Firewire 800 port, dual-link DVI port, and ExpressCard/34 slot. The 17-inch MacBook Pro also features an extra USB 2.0 port (three instead of two) and an 8X dual-layer SuperDrive, unlike the two upper-end MacBooks' 6X dual-layer SuperDrive and the 15.4-inch MBP's 6X dual-layer SuperDrive.
The basic MacBook Pro is priced at US$1999, which is US$500 more than the black MacBook.
[edit] Problems
- The weblog MacinTouch surveyed 2800 MacBook and MacBook Pro owners and found that 8.7% of MacBooks require some type of repair, and that 40% of MacBooks and MacBook Pros suffered from heat or noise complaints.<ref>http://www.macintouch.com/reliability/macbooks.html</ref>
- A number of MacBook owners have reported a strange "mooing" noise coming from their laptops.<ref>Nick Farrell (June 22 2006). Help! My MacBook goes moo. The Inquirer.</ref> This is caused by the sound created by the fans as they turn on and then subsequently off continuously. Apple has released a firmware update that makes the fans kick in at a lower temperature, thus stopping the mooing sound and making the machines run cooler altogether. One MacBook owner previously complained about a similar problem with a MacBook Pro, which Apple replaced<ref>Dan Pourhadi (March 13 2006). MacBook Pro noises, LCD, touchpad, other problems. The Unofficial Apple Weblog.</ref>.
- The computer has a tendency to run hot, which some blame on poor application of thermal paste. Ars Technica's Clint Ecker recorded the temperature of his Macbook rising above 80 degrees Celsius, other users have reported temperatures as high as 100 degrees Celsius. <ref>Clint Ecker (May 18 2006). Apple MacBook review. Ars Technica.</ref> Users are reporting[1] no more "mooing" noise and cooler temperatures after applying the SMC Firmware update[2] that was released by Apple on August 17, which runs the fans slowly and continuously to prevent "mooing". The new firmware is also different in that it responds to both CPU usage and temperature, rather than temperature alone. This allows the cooling fans to become more active before the temperature gets a chance to reach undesirable levels. In a sense, temperature control is now more about prevention rather than reaction.
- Some MacBook owners complained of discoloration that appeared on the palmrests of their MacBooks,<ref>Evan Blass (June 13 2006). White MacBooks showing premature discoloration?. Engadget.com.</ref> which Apple has acknowledged as a manufacturing problem after a few weeks, offering to replace that part of the casing.<ref>Victor Mihailescu (June 29 2006). Apple Acknowledges MacBook Stains As Manufacturing Defect. Softpedia.</ref> <ref>Rae Whitlock (July 13 2006). My Stained MacBook (and what Apple did about it). not another blog..</ref> Apple has issued a Knowledge Base article regarding this issue <ref>http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=304058</ref>. This issue is unique to the white MacBooks.
- Another issue found in a few laptops lies in the trackpad button, which some users report to be unresponsive or "squishy". <ref>Unknown (July 5 2006). White Apple Macbook Squishy Button Problem. iBloggedThis.</ref>An unusual solution to this is the installation of a small piece of paper placed between the battery and the case, which increases the sensitivity of the trackpad button. <ref>Unknown (July 5 2006). White Apple Macbook Squishy Button Problem. iBloggedThis.</ref>
- Another problem with some Macbooks is "random shutdowns" that have been occurring, where the machine suddenly shuts down and becomes difficult to turn on again for several minutes. It is unknown how many Macbooks are affected, and the dubbed "RSS" seem to be unaffected by system temperature. It appears the problem is related to the heat sink being too tall and contacting the case. Once these shutdowns begin they may increase in frequency, potentially causing the machine to be unable to turn on. More than 1,400 users have registered their affected machines on the above website alone.<ref>MacBook: Shuts down intermittently.</ref> Apple has now formally recognised this problem on their website and have advised anyone with this problem to contact Applecare.<ref>http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=304308</ref> However, Apple has released an SMC Firmware version 1.1 update that eliminates these random shutdown problems.[3] This can be downloaded through the Software Update application in the operating system.
- Another problem reported by some MacBook owners is the uneven illumination of the MacBook's glossy display. In reviews by computer magazines and websites, the display was sometimes criticized as having too narrow a viewing angle (particularly in the vertical direction), unsatisfying colour saturation and below-average colour contrast, compared to other glossy laptop displays. This problem is far more likely on Macbook Pros, although it is certainly an issue. [4]
[edit] See also
| Wikimedia Commons has media related to: |
[edit] References
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[edit] External links
| Apple hardware since 1998 | |
|---|---|
| Consumer Macs: | iMac | iMac G3 | iMac G4 | iMac G5 | iMac Core Duo | iMac Core 2 Duo | Mac mini | eMac | iBook | MacBook |
| Professional Macs: | Power Macintosh G3 | Power Mac G4 | Cube | Power Mac G5 | Mac Pro | Xserve | PowerBook G3 | PowerBook G4 | MacBook Pro |
| iPods: | iPod | iPod mini | iPod photo | iPod shuffle | iPod nano |
| Accessories: | AirPort | iSight | Cinema Display | Xserve RAID | Mighty Mouse | iPod Hi-Fi |
| Italics denote discontinued products | |
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