Compiled by Charles Moore
and edited
by Dan Knight
- 2006.06.01
This Week's MacBook News
There's so much 'Book news again this week that we've created a
special MacBook only 'Book Review. Our normal 'Book Review will
appear tomorrow.
Perhaps this week's most widely anticipated news is MacBook
performance. Our friends at Bare Feats have done some exhaustive
work comparing the MacBook to the Pro models as well as older
PowerPC models. Performance is generally good, but the MacBook is
not the Mac to buy for serious 3D gaming. dk
All prices are in US dollars unless otherwise noted.
General Apple and Mac desktop news is covered in The Mac News Review. News about Apple's
transition to Intel CPUs and other Intel developments is covered in
The Macintel Report.
Opinion
Reviews
Tech Tips and Info
Opinion
The Black MacBook: What Price Beauty?
"Who else but Apple Computer could make basic
black a $200 option?" asks Computerworld's Ken Mingis.
"Much has been made of Apple Computer Inc.'s decision to
introduce glossy LCD screens with its new MacBooks and offer the top-end model
of its most popular laptop line in black as a $200 option.
"Some Mac fans have bemoaned the fact that Apple - which
released the MacBook last month - took a page from the Windows
world, where black laptops with shiny, reflective screens have been
de rigueur for years now. (They even started a petition
pledging to buy a MacBook if Apple will offer it with a matte
screen.) Others are tickled with the changes."
- Link:
Apple's New MacBook: What Price Beauty?
MacBook Foreshadows Features for MacBook Pro
Line
Low End Mac's Jake Goodridge says:
"Due to Apple's recent penchant for making mysterious 'come and
see what we did' announcements prior to the release of new
products, there were some questions raised when the MacBook made its unannounced debut
in the Apple Online Store last week.
"What had been rumored for some time simply appeared, and all of
a sudden the computer world had an Apple branded, Intel-based
consumer notebook. Yet, looking at the recent history of the iBook,
Apple's behavior towards what is now the MacBook continues a trend
started in October 2003."
- Link: MacBook a Sign of
Things to Come to MacBook Pro Line
MacBook's Vent Blocked
G-Stahl.com reports:
"This is either the most self-explanatory observation or
something Apple's production process has overlooked. In the first
case I hope you forgive me:)
"Just as many other MacBooks, mine got really hot and that got
me a bit concerned. This is my first Apple laptop and I take a lot
of pleasure in discovering new things about it. After playing
around with it I found that the vent under the screen is covered
with a piece of laminate. I briefly checked the manual and it
doesn't mention anything about it. It's very hard to get to it as
the gap between the screen and the base is very tight. However, I
was able to remove it and surprise . . . my fans went quiet.
The laminate covers the whole vent so no air gets out at all."
Reader comments indicate some MacBooks come with plastic
covering the vent, while others don't. dk
- Link: MacBook's
Vent Blocked
Reviews
Adventures Installing MacBook RAM, and
More
My columnist colleague over at MacOpinion, Marc Zeedar, just
installed a RAM upgrade in his new MacBook. Marc says:
"[I haven't found] the glossy screen and chiclet keyboard
. . . a problem yet. But I do most of my heavy typing on
my external Adesso split keyboard (I was developing some wrist
cramps and the split keyboard really helps).
"As for the glossy screen, it's gorgeous, and I honestly can't
see any reflection when it's turned on. Off, the screen's a mirror,
but on, unless I go up close and look at it at a sharp angle, I
can't see the reflection at all. It could just be my light source.
I need to try it in a variety of locations and see if I notice a
problem.
"The thing does get REALLY HOT, though. Blazing. Not for laps,
even with jeans on. It was even too hot for my cat! (And he loves
electric blankets on high.)
"Possible tip: I just read that there's a tool in the Dev
software on the system DVD that you can run to turn off one of the
processors. I'm thinking about trying that as I'm hoping it'll run
cooler and extend battery life. If it works, I'll post an
update.
"Since my report, I found an app called CoreDuoTemp, which shows
you the temperature of your Intel processor. Mine consistently
shows around 70C during moderate tasks, but jumps to around 80-83C
during intense computations.
"I received my 2 GB of generic third-party RAM and installed it
without a hitch. Installing it was definitely more difficult than
on any Ti or iBook where you just lift up the keyboard. In the
MacBook's case there are three tiny screws - you'll need a
jeweler's screwdriver as the heads are very tiny - and I found the
screws difficult to remove because there isn't a lot of room inside
the battery bay for the screwdriver. Once the screws are loosened,
the L-shaped metal base comes off (you may have to tug on it a bit)
and there are two metal levers you press to eject the RAM from
their sockets. It was a little disconcerting how much force was
needed.
"Once the old RAM is out, you just put in the new RAM. Getting
the new RAM locked in is tricky - you really have to jam it in
there. You must press on both sides of the DIMM at the same time or
else one side will go in farther than the other. Trying to hold the
MacBook from sliding while pressing the RAM DIMM with two fingers
is difficult, and it really needs to be pressed in tight. You could
use a screwdriver or some push tool, but I'd be careful - if it
slips off, it could damage your case or something else.
"Getting the L-shaped metal cover back on isn't easy either -
there are padded sections that must be carefully fitted or else
they'll stick out and keep the metal frame from screwing in
flush.
"Overall, it's not difficult, just tight. I would liken it to
putting in an Airport card or hard drive in a Ti. Once people are
accustomed to the new method, it'll be a piece of cake.
"Interestingly, after upgrading the RAM, I noticed my MacBook
runs a lot cooler. That CPU fan noise I mentioned in my articles I
hear less often, and the CPU temp doesn't jump over 70 as often and
many times it's in the 60s.
"As for performance, I haven't noticed much of a difference, at
least for Universal apps. Xbench didn't get much of a better score
(a few points). But I can now run many more apps at once without
seeing the spinning beachball and app launching is faster. I
haven't tested non-Universal apps yet, but I suspect those are
faster.
"One other follow-up. In my article I was critical of battery
life. However, I forgot I was running with 'all options on' - that
is, I had Bluetooth and WiFi and the screen at full brightness.
Just turning off Bluetooth ups my estimated battery life to 3:18,
and I suspect I'd get closer to four hours without WiFi and with
some conservation. That's actually not too bad. For instance, if
you're on an airplane, you're not allowed to have those wireless
options on anyway, and that's a time when you want longer battery
life. If I can get 3-4 hours for word processing and other lighter
tasks, that'd make me happy.
"Overall, for my needs, it's a perfect machine. Just the right
balance of price/features."
You can read Marc's recent four-part series on getting
acquainted with the MacBook on MacOpinion.
MacBook vs. MacBook Pro, PowerBook, and
iBook
Bare Feats rob-ART morgan says:
3D Gaming and Core Image Results
"Apple says, that the MacBook
13" (and Mac mini)
'...features a graphics processor... that's no slouch...'. That
'the Intel GMA 950 graphics supports Tiger Core Graphics and the
latest 3D Games.' Our experience with the embedded Intel GMA 950
graphics chip on the Intel Mac mini is that it reduces the Mac to a
pathetic 3D gaming and Core Image platform."
"The 13" MacBook is NOT optimized for 3D gaming or Tiger Core
Image effects.
"The MacBook 13" not even a good Core Image machine...."
iMovie and iDVD Results
"Our revised results with our second 13" MacBook . . .
show that it is every bit the equal of a 15" MacBook Pro running at
the same 2 GHz core clock speed - even with a slower 5400 rpm
hard drive."
MacBooks 'a Great Choice'
Macworld's Jonathan Seff reports:
"The release of the MacBook Pro ushered in a new era in mobile
computing for Apple: It debuted two processing cores, a built-in
video camera, remote-controlled multimedia software, and
more...
"Even though Apple no longer offers a laptop for less than
$1,000, the improvements built into the new MacBooks are well worth the added
cost. Despite minor flaws, the MacBooks are a great choice for
people who want a laptop, but who don't need the fastest model
available, or who don't play 3-D games that require speedy frame
rates. And with its first black model in years, Apple has given all
laptop users a reason to covet the MacBook."
- Link:
MacBook 1.83 GHz and 2 GHz
Notebook Review on the Black MacBook
Notebook Review's soulreaver99 reports:
"Apple has come up with many creative methods in successfully
'switching' Windows users over to the Mac through a variety of ad
campaigns (yes, the ones on their website), promoting an intuitive
OS X operating system, and mass marketing the Windows
compatible iPod MP3 players. The next thing you know, Apple
announces they will be dropping the IBM made processors and then
switching over to the manufacturer that's been powering PC-based
computers for years, Intel. This then creates an opportunity for
old and new Mac users to do this blasphemous thing which is to run
Windows XP NATIVELY on the notebooks and desktops! Now just
recently Apple finally adds the 'glossy' screen that Windows based
notebooks have been using for years on their new line of MacBooks and MacBook Pros. What's
next, a two button mouse? Ha!
"An Intel chipset, being able to run Windows XP and a wide
glossy screen makes the new MacBook one of the most anticipated
laptops of all time. I personally held off on the 15" MacBook Pros
which came out earlier this year to wait for a smaller 13.3" since
I am used to working with smaller notebooks such as my 12" iBook
and my 13.3" Sony Vaio S460. I was even more pleased when I heard
that Apple finally implemented the glossy XBRITE-like screen onto
their new MacBooks and just recently, the MacBook Pros."
- Link:
Apple MacBook Review for 2.0 GHz Core Duo Black Color
Version
Tech Tips and Info
Step by Step Guide to Upgrading MacBook
Memory
Creative Mac's Dave Nagel says:
"When it comes to design, Apple's new 13-inch MacBook is
innovative inside and out. One of the ways it's innovative on the
inside is in the design of its memory slots, making it simple to
upgrade memory yourself (and allowing you to save money in the
process). Here's a step by step guide to upgrading memory in the
MacBook.
By default, the 13-inch MacBook comes with a scant 512 MB RAM in
the form of two 256 MB chips. Obviously that's barely enough to
start your computer and launch a Web browser in this day and age.
So the options are to upgrade via the Apple Store ($500 to $600 for
a full 2 GB complement) or buy the memory from a third-party vendor
(less than $300 for 2 GB) and install it yourself. You can install
the modules in pairs of 1 GB chips, or you can add in a single 1 GB
chip, bringing your total memory to 1.25 GB.
- Link: Adding
RAM to a 13-Inch MacBook: A Step By Step Guide To Upgrading
Memory
Instructions for Accessing the MacBook's RAM
Modules
- Link: Apple
do-it-yourself instructions - PDF.
Instructions for Replacing the MacBook's Hard
Drive
- Link:
Apple do-it-yourself instructions - PDF.
