13" MacBook (Core Duo)

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• Tiger List is for those using Mac OS X 10.4.
• Leopard List is for those using Mac OS X 10.5.

Overview

We've been waiting quite a while to see what Apple would replace the iBook with, and the rumored 13.3" widescreen MacBook is now a reality.

The biggest surprise is that Apple is replacing both the iBook line and the 12" PowerBook with the 13" MacBook, greatly simplifying their line of notebook computers.

Details

• introduced 2006.05.16 at US$1,099 (1.83 GHz white 512/60), US$1,299 (2.0 GHz white 512/60) and US$1,499 (2.0 GHz black 512/80). 1 GB/80 white version at US$1,449 added 2006.07, replaced by Core 2 model 2006.10.08.
• requires Mac OS X 10.4.6 or later
• CPU: 1.83/2.0 GHz Intel Core Duo (Yonah), soldered in place, no upgrade options
• bus: 667 MHz
• performance:
• • Geekbench 2 (Leopard): 2411 (2.0 GHz), 2262 (1.83 GHz)
  • Geekbench 2 (Tiger): 2468 (2.0 GHz), 2391 (1.83 GHz)
• RAM: 512 MB (2 x 256 MB), expandable to 2 GB using PC2-5300 DDR2 RAM
• Level 2 cache: 2 MB shared cache on CPU
• Graphics: Intel GMA950 with resolution to 1920 x 1200 on external display (mini-DVI port), supports extended desktop.
• • VRAM: 64 MB DDR2 SDRAM (shared with main memory, and according to Apple actually uses 80 MB of system RAM)
  • video out: DVI standard, VGA and S-video with optional adapter
  • display: 13.3" glossy 1280 x 800 18-bit color active matrix
  • supports 1280 x 800, 1152 x 720, 1024 x 768, 1024 x 640, 800 x 600, 800 x 500, 720 x 480, and 640 x 480 pixels at 16:10 aspect ratio; 1024 x 768, 800 x 600, and 640 x 480 pixels at 4:3 aspect ratio; 720 x 480 at 3:2 aspect ratio
  • allows mirroring to external display and extended desktop mode
• hard drive: 60 GB 5400 rpm Serial ATA on 1.67 GHz model, 80 GB 5400 rpm drive on 1.83 GHz, 100 GB and 120 GB optional
• Combo drive: reads DVDs at 8x, writes CD-R at 24x, writes CD-RW at 16x, reads CDs at 24x
• SuperDrive: writes DVD±R and DVD±RW at up to 4x, reads DVDs at 8x, writes CD-R at 24x, writes CD-RW at 10x, reads CDs at 24x
• floppy drive: external USB only
• expansions bays: none
• USB: 2 USB 2.0 ports
• FireWire: 1 FW 400 port
• IR port: none
• IR receiver: supports Apple Remote
• ethernet: 10/100/gigabit
• modem: optional v.92 56k external USB modem
• WiFi: 802.11g AirPort Extreme built in
• Bluetooth: BT 2.0 built in
• ExpressCard/34 slots: none
• size: 8.92 x 12.78 x 1.08" (227 x 325 x 27.5 mm)
• weight: 5.2 pounds (2.36 kg)
• Part no.: MA245 (1.83 GHz), MA255 (2.0 GHz, white), MA472 (black)

Online Resources

• Best online MacBook deals, updated biweekly.
• Best Mac OS X 10.4 'Tiger' deals. Best online prices for Mac OS X 10.4.
• Best Mac OS X 10.5 'Leopard' deals. Best online prices for Mac OS X 10.5.
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• 7 tools for keeping your laptop (uh, notebook) cool, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2006.07.24. A quick look at the Podium CoolPad, ChillMat, ChillHubs, Laptop Desk, Xpad, iLap, and iBreeze - seven stands designed to keep you 'Books running cooler.
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• The amazing auto-muting headphone jack, Dan Moren, MacUser, 2006.07.01. If you have your MacBook's volume muted and plug in headphones, it turns on the sound - and mutes it when you unplug the headphones.
• MacBook replaces Dell laptop, can outperform Power Mac G5/2.7 GHz dual, Adam Robert Guha, Apple Archive, 2006.06.30. After two years, the Dell was on its last legs, and Apple's bundled apps made the MacBook a compelling choice. But what's really impressive is the performance of universal apps.
• Mac Pro musings, no Pismo startup chime, changing a user's Short Name, MacBook drive upgrades, and more, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2006.06.26. Also OS X installation questions, a cool hard drive gadget, thoughts on Mark Pilgrim switching from the Mac, and more on an upgraded Pismo vs. a PowerBook G4.
• MacBook Apple's Best Yet, Unexpected Performance Differences, Case Discoloration, and SATA drives, The 'Book Review, 2006.06.15. Still more reviews raving about the MacBook, and some head scratching at Macworld about performance differences between white and black models.
• Drive matters, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2006.06.14. There's more to picking the right hard drive than size, spindle speed, buffer size, and price. But how can a 5400 rpm drive ever outperform a 7200 rpm drive?
• Upgraded PowerBook vs. new MacBook: Which makes more sense?, Andrew J Fishkin, The Mobile Mac, 2006.06.12. Especially for serious gamers, the older PowerBooks with their graphics processors and dedicated memory run circles around the low-end Intel GMA950 graphics of the MacBook.
• Power strategies for using your 'Book in the field: Batteries and AC adapters, Andrew J Fishkin, The Mobile Mac, 2006.06.05. One or two extra batteries and at least one spare AC adapter can be essential when you're traveling and need to get hours and hours of use from your 'Book.
• Matte vs. glossy screens, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2006.06.05. Also how DiskWarrior can save the day even when it 'fails', thoughts on keyboards for those with neuropathy in their hands, Norton SystemWorks for Mac, and more on OS X browsers.
• Blocked MacBook vent, MacBook benchmarked, how to upgrade RAM and replace your hard drive, and more, The 'Book Review, 2006.06.01. Also the price of beauty, MacBook anticipates features of future MacBook Pro models, and several MacBook reviews.
• MacBook a sign of things to come to MacBook Pro line, Jake Goodridge, Fresh Picked Apples, 2006.05.26. The MacBook isn't just an incredible value compared to the MacBook Pro, it also introduces some features sure to migrate to the pro line.
• Apple nailed it: All you need to know about the MacBook, The 'Book Review, 2006.05.26. Reviewers find Apple's new MacBook nearly perfect, the clever upgrade bay, a matte screen petition, and more.
• What's the best 'Book for my needs: MacBook, MacBook Pro, iBook, or PowerBook?, Andrew J Fishkin, The Mobile Mac, 2006.05.25. You need to balance size, weight, price, power, and processor to find just the right 'Book for your own needs.
• Picking the right laptop in 2006, Andrew J Fishkin, The Mobile Mac, 2006.05.23. You need to balance size, weight, price, power, and battery life to find just the right notebook computer for your own needs.
• Smart design and easy drive replacement will make the MacBook a winner, Adam Robert Guha, Apple Archive, 2006.05.19. Although the graphics processor is far from state-of-the-art and the screen is very reflective, everything else about MacBook points to it becoming a huge success.
• Glossy MacBook screen, MacBook keyboard, fix for MacBook Pro heat problems, and more, The 'Book Review, 2006.05.19. Also inside the MacBook, positive 17" MacBook Pro reviews, third-party power supplies, Hitachi's notebook 'drive of steel', bargain 'Books from $1,000 to $2,199, and more.
• 13" MacBook introduced, 15" MacBook Pro speed bump, The 'Book Review, 2006.05.17. The iBook replacement has a 13.3" widescreen display, 1.83 and 2.0 GHz Core Duo processors, extended desktop, sudden motion sensors, iSight, Front Row with remote, and much more.
• MacBook glossy screen problems, Classic option for Intel Macs, and more on replacing Home Page, Dan Knight, Low End Mac Mailbag, 2006.05.17. Reader unconvinced a glossy laptop screen is a good idea, SheepShaver PowerPC emulator puts Classic on Macintel, more thoughts on WYSIWYG HTML editors, and eMac CPU upgrade possibilities.
• Opinion: And we all shine on, John Siracusa, ars technica, 2006.05.16. "o, what's the big deal? Consider some synonyms for the word "glossy." Gleaming. Shiny. Reflective. Now you're getting it."
• Opinion: MacBook Drops, Keyboard Irks, Dave Zatz, Zatz Not Funny, 2006.05.16. "I want to love the MacBook and it suits my purposes perfectly, but the keyboard just isnÕt working for me."
• Review: Hands-on with the MacBook: first impressions, Dan Moren, MacUser.com, 2006.05.16. Mixed thoughts about the glossy screen, and the keyboard is unlike any previously found on any 'Book.
• Opinion: The black tax, Derik DeLong, MacUser.com, 2006.05.16. "Surely, I'm missing something that makes the black version worth $200 [more]."
• The MacBook value equation: Incredible value, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2006.05.16. With a widescreen display, dual-core CPU, fast bus, and $1,099 base price, the MacBook isn't just a great value - it could gut sales of the 15" MacBook Pro.
• Computer benchmarks and other baloney: Don't expect 2-4x performance from Intel Macs, Alan Zisman, Mac2Windows, 2006.02.06. The Intel Macs are faster than the models they replace, but only with software written for them. With older software, they're actually slower than last year's Macs.
• Tech: Booting an Intel iMac from an external drive, Jonathan Rentzsch, TidBITS, 2006.01.30. Intel Macs use a different partitioning scheme (GPT) than older Macs (APM), so you can't simply update an existing drive - your must repartition it with GPT.
• Comparing Apples to Apples: When is Macintel faster? When does PowerPC make more sense?, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2006.01.29. Benchmarks show the Intel Core Duo flies through native code but plods through PowerPC programs. Will PowerPC or Intel give you the more productive workflow?
• Macintel stumbling block: Sometimes you need Classic, Jeff Adkins, Mac Lab Report, 2006.01.25. As nice as the new Intel Macs seem to be, the lack of any Classic environment makes it impossible for some people to upgrade.
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