Apple MacBook hands-on review

The Apple MacBookI had the pleasure of setting up an Apple MacBook (for someone who needs that kind of service) the other day, so I had a nice little probe around with the machine.

Firstly, take a look at the amount (and volume) of updates I had to preform once I opened it up:

The Initial software update for the MacBook

I have to say, what a fantastic little bit of kit it is. The screen is great (although there was some unusal pixel texture among smooth gradients).

The processor was absolutely stonking fast. I was converting video ready for my forthcoming iPod video, and it absolutely whipped through it in iSquint. In comparison with my G5 which was about 5 times longer (so I just got the MacBook to do it).

The MacBook has a lush keyboardIt’s very nice to have a little slave computer which you can just chuck hard tasks at while you get on with things on your main computer. I imagine that’s what scientists who use supercomputers to analyse things like the human genome must feel like.

Weirdness

I don’t ‘get’ how they’re cooling it. There seems to be only one vent, just under the screen. I get the feeling that it sucks air in from behind the back of the screen and then spews it out in front… but how? I don’t get that… and it may be the cause of the heating issues.

The audio speakers are really very loud, which is certainly to be expected… but really if I weren’t somewhere silent I might not be able to hear them.

The fan does seem to be on full-pelt an awful lot of the time, which is fair enough because I was really putting that processor through it’s paces most of the time, but I do wonder if they could have worked on the cooling a little more. Is this a case of style over cooling?

The infinite iSight gameThe iSight which is built into the machine is very cool, especially if you’ve got another iSight-equipped computer to hand (see image). It does seem to aim a little high up, though.

The trackpad is pretty good for a trackpad. I mean, they’re all tricky to use and whenever possible I’d want to use an optical mouse, but it works quite fine. You can even do clicking, dragging and right-clicking with it (however fiddly that may be).

The MacBook is a very solid, well built machine overall which I’d be very happy to shell out the money on.

However, as I’ve written before, I don’t think I’m going to part with my cash just yet… I think I’ll be setting a one-mac-per-year maximum :)

Kevin Smith 18th September 2006

I’ve never had my fan running during class, when I use the MacBook to take notes–it only tends to come on during processor-intensive tasks.
It’s usually whisper-quiet for me.

Although the AC adapter hisses, at least when I’m running the computer with it and not just charging. Can you confirm that?

I would think it would be more pronounced with your higher-voltage power supply.

Joel Harbottle 2nd July 2007

Macintosh’s Are Way Better Than Microsoft!!!!!!!! MAC 4 LIFE

Ben Post 21st July 2007

State why, or it’s not true.

Sten 27th July 2007

LMAO POSTY!!!!!!

BUHAHAHAHA… or was it jay…

anyways, NNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRDDDDDDDDDDDD] (ben post)

ben j 28th July 2007

BAHAHAHAHA
ben post = gay computer nerd/ freak

you thought you were so cool with that phone holding one thats NEW

anyway, macs are so much better than the apparant oh so brilliant god called linux that you love postie cos you cant afford a mac.
and they are better than microsoft.

Joel 7th August 2007

SOOOOOOOOOO TRRRRRRRRRUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUEEEE. State why Linux is better, no reason it fucked my desktop computer at home….

Kyle 17th November 2007

my teacher has one. . . im getting one

Ash 23rd November 2007

I have :
Apple Macintosh iMac 2007, Macbook And A Powerbook, Microsoft Windows Vista Laptop, Desktop And A Windows XP Laptop And Desktop…

I find that Apple macs run faster than Microsofts products but the Apples can not run some of my stuff ’cause they are XP. I know you can use bootcamp but its shit to be honest…

Microsoft are SO COPYING Apple with its new Vista OS though =_=

Chek It ¬_¬.

But Yeah Over All The Macs RULE.

Linux Fucked up Alot And I Ended Up Throwing It Down The Stairs.

Macs For The Wiin !

pitchfork 24th December 2007

Shut the fuck up fanboys, pc’s and macs both have uses, neither is better. Grow some fucking brains, use both machines, form an educated opinion and then you’ll come to the conclusion that neither is better than the other.
For christ’s sake you’re worse than console fanboys, the sort of fucktard who types with no grammar and uses shorthand texting words because they’re too stupid to form a coherant sentance, thinks “lol” is a fullstop and capslock is awesome, then when someone corrects them they say something like “OMGZ NOOB LOL”.

In short, shut up, you fucking morons. Macs and PC’s are both good, get over it.

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