Macbook Late 2008 Mac Os
Late 2008 Macbook 5,1 MB51.007D.B03 SMC Version (system): 1.32f8. Installed 2 x 4GB Ram one slot reading and the other says empty. Reinstalled the 2 x 2 GB Ram both slots work fine. MacBook (Early 2015) MacBook (Late 2008 Aluminium, or Early 2009 or newer) MacBook Pro (Mid/Late 2007 or newer) MacBook Air (Late 2008 or newer) Mac mini (Early 2009 or newer) iMac (Mid 2007 or newer). The Unibody MacBook will reliably support 8 GB only with the later version of EFI Firmware Update 1.4 (or newer) installed and Mac OS X 10.6.6 or newer. See Firmware Update Supports 8 GB in Unibody MacBook and Late 2008 15 MacBook Pro for more information. Online Resources.
Macbook Late 2008 Mac Os High Sierra
Mac Os 10.12 On Macbook Pro Late 2008
The Aluminum MacBook uses the same unibody construction as the 15 MacBook Pro and now has an LED-backlit display. The top-end 2.4 GHz MacBook also has a backlit keyboard. The Unibody MacBooks use new, more energy efficient versions of the Core 2 CPU: P7350 in the 2.0 GHz model and P8600 in the 2.4 GHz one. This CPU draws 25W, down from 35W in the previous generation, which means less heat and better battery life.
The Aluminum Unibody MacBook uses the new nVidia GeForce 9400M graphics processor, which combines 16 cores and all the support chips on a single die. Graphics uses 256 MB of system memory, which is a good reason to upgrade the 2.0 GHz model from the stock 2 GB if youre running OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard or later. It supports resolutions to 2560 x 1600 on an external display, a big improvement over the 1920 x 1200 of earlier MacBooks.
With it aluminum unibody construction, graphics processor, and excellent display, this should be considered the finest model in the entire consumer MacBook line to date. It definitely paved the way for the 13 MacBook Pro, which arrived in June 2009.
However, it raises two questions: Why doesnt it have FireWire like the other consumer MacBook models, and why is the base model clocked slower (at 2.0 GHz vs 2.1 GHz) than the consumer machine introduced at the same time?
Both models include 2 GB of RAM and support up to 8 GB, although Apple says 6 GB is the maximum. An 8x dual-layer SATA SuperDrive is standard (this is the first Mac portable with a SATA optical drive); there is no longer a model with a Combo drive.
The new MacBook is available in two configurations:
2.0 GHz, dual-layer 8x SuperDrive, 160 GB hard drive, 2 GB RAM, US$1,299
2.4 GHz, 250 GB hard drive, 4 GB RAM, otherwise identical to 2.0 GHz model, US$1,599
Build-to-order options include more RAM, larger hard drives, and a 128 GB solid state drive (SSD).
Although it is not officially supported, the Aluminum MacBook can run macOS Sierra using Colin Mistrs Sierra Patch Tool. See our macOS Sierra page for more details and a link.
Following in the steps of the MacBook Air and consumer MacBooks, there is no FireWire port. Antares autotune studio one 3 . For those who need FireWire in a 13.3 model, the MacBook White is available.
Closed Lid Mode: All Intel Books support lid closed (or clamshell) mode, which leaves the built-in display off and dedicates all video RAM to an external display. To used closed lid mode, your Book must be plugged into the AC adapter and connected to an external display and a USB or Bluetooth mouse and keyboard (you might also want to consider external speakers). Power up your Book until the desktop appears on the external display and then close the lid. Your Book will go to sleep, but you can wake it by moving the mouse or using the keyboard. The built-in display will remain off, and the external monitor will become your only display. Since all video RAM is now dedicated to the external monitor, you may have more colors available at higher resolutions. The MacBook is designed to run safely in closed lid mode, but if yours runs hot (perhaps due to overclocking or high ambient temperatures), you may want to open the lid when in closed lid mode: The screen will remain off and the computer will more readily vent heat from the CPU.
Liberty link slot machine . To resume use of the internal display, you need to disconnect the external display, put the computer to sleep, and then open the lid. This will wake up your Book and restore use of the built-in display.
Intel-based Macs use a partitioning scheme known as GPT. Only Macintel models can boot from GPT hard drives. Both PowerPC and Intel Macs can boot from APM (Apples old partitioning scheme) hard drives, which is the format you must use to create a universal boot drive in Leopard. Power PC Macs running any version of the Mac OS prior to 10.4.2 cannot mount GPT volumes. PowerPC Macs wont let you install OS X to a USB drive or choose it as your startup volume, although there is a work around for that. Details Macbook Late 2008 Mac Os High Sierra
introduced 2008.10.14 at US$1,299 (2.0 GHz, 160 GB hard drive), and US$1,599 (2.4 GHz, 250 GB hard drive, backlit keyboard); replaced by 13 MacBook Pro, which adds FireWire 800 and an SD Card slot, 2009.06.08
Part no.: MB466 (2.0 GHz), MB467 (2.4 GHz)
ID: MacBook5,1 Mac OS
requires Mac OS X 10.5.5 Leopard through 10.11 El Capitan, macOS Sierra and High Sierra via patch tool see macOS Sierra on Low End Macs. macOS 10.4 Mojave and later are not supported.
Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard compatibility
Grand Central Dispatch is supported.
32-bit booting only; cannot boot 64-bit OS.
64-bit software is supported.
OpenCL is supported.
Mac OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion compatibility
AirPlay Mirroring is not supported.
AirDrop is supported.
Power Nap is not supported. Core System
CPU: 2.0/2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo (Penryn), soldered in place, no upgrade options
Level 2 cache: 3 MB shared cache
Bus: 1066 MHz
RAM: 2 GB (using matched modules), expandable to 8 GB (Apple says 6) using PC3-8500 DDR3 RAM
Performance
performance, Geekbench: 3139 (2.4 GHz), 2708 (2.0 GHz)
Speedmark 5: 195 (2.0 GHz), 215 (2.4 GHz)
performance, Xbench 1.3 (2.0/2.4 GHz)
overall: 96.35/110.20 2.0 GHz 174.05 with SSD
CPU: 136.05/130.30 2.0 GHz 142.57 with SSD
memory: 161.23/183.12 2.0 GHz 161.18 with SSD, essentially unchanged
Quartz graphics: 130.37/165.30 2.0 GHz 149.97 with SSD
OpenGL graphics: 112.32/138.00 2.0 GHz 121.10 with SSD
Hard drive: 31.89/40.34 2.0 GHz: 457.79 with SSD Graphics
GPU: Nvidia GeForce 9400M with resolution to 2560 x 1600 on external display (Mini DisplayPort), supports extended desktop.
VRAM: uses 256 MB of system memory, very likely uses 16 MB more with an external display (MacBook Pro and MacBook Air with same GPU work that way)
Video out: Mini DisplayPort standard, VGA and S-video with optional adapter
display: 13.3 glossy 1280 x 800 18-bit 113 ppi color active matrix
supports 1280 x 800, 1152 x 720, 1024 x 768, 1024 x 640, and 800 x 500 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 Drives
Hard drive: 160 or 250 GB 5400 rpm SATA, 320 GB hard drive and 128 GB SSD optional
SuperDrive: writes DVDR at up to 8x, DVDRW and DVD+R DL at 4x, reads DVDs at 8x, writes CD-R at 24x, writes CD-RW at 10x, reads CDs at 24x Expansion
USB: 2 USB 2.0 ports
FireWire 400: none
FireWire 800: none
Ethernet: 10/100/gigabit
WiFi: 802.11n AirPort Extreme built in
Bluetooth: BT 2.1 built in
IR receiver: supports Apple Remote
Modem: optional v.92 56k external USB modem
ExpressCard/34 slots: 0 Physical
size: 8.94 x 12.78 x 0.95 (241 x 325 x 22.7 mm)
Weight: 4.5 pounds (2.04 kg)
battery: 45 Watt-hour
AC adapter: 60W MagSafe
* Although Apple officially supports 4 GB of RAM, users early on discovered that 6 GB worked reliably without issues, and while 8 GB could be installed, if any single app used more than 6 GB, there were significant slowdowns. The Unibody MacBook will reliably support 8 GB only with the later version of EFI Firmware Update 1.4 (or newer) installed and Mac OS X 10.6.6 or newer. See Firmware Update Supports 8 GB in Unibody MacBook and Late 2008 15 MacBook Pro for more information. Online Resources
The June 2009 13 MacBook Pro value equation, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2009.06.11. The new 13 MacBook Pro has a lot to offer over the discontinued Unibody MacBook, but wheres the best value?
The October 2008 MacBook value equation, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2008.10.15. Apple changed the entire MacBook lineup on Tuesday. How do close-out prices compare to the new ones?
Mac Notebook Value for the College Student, Charles W Moore, Book Value, 2009.08.20. Apple Books represent the best long-term value for money spent, not to mention user experience.
Unibody MacBook works with 4 GB RAM, laptops fair game for border search, bigger netbooks, and more, The Book Review, 2009.10.08. Also 13 MacBook Pro what I wanted, netbooks sales to soar for holidays, 1 TB of internal MacBook or PowerBook storage, bargain Books from $179 to $2,294, and more.
The Best Sub-$1,000 Mac Notebooks for Gamers, Dan Bashur, Apple, Tech, and Gaming, 2009.09.25. We have a tie for the best Mac gaming notebook below $1,000, and also four Books that almost made the cut.
MacBook with Snow Leopard trumps $1,000 Windows notebooks, Dan Bashur, Apple, Tech, and Gaming, 2009.08.28. If youre on a $1,000 laptop budget, hunt up a MacBook. If you need 17 inches, hunt for a PowerBook or early MacBook Pro.
Protect your notebook against loss, theft, data loss, and security breaches, Charles W Moore, Book Value, 2009.08.25. 10 percent of laptops are lost or stolen every year. Tips on preventing theft, securing your data, and recovering from a lost, stolen, or broken notebook.
OS X 10.6 requirements, why Apple owns the high end, when to upgrade your Mac, and more, Mac News Review, 2009.08.14. Also Microsoft Word patent infringement, BackPack shelf for iMac and Cinema Displays, two updated Bible study programs, and more.
OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard for $29, run Windows on your Mac for Free, Update Breaks Office 2008, and more, Mac News Review, 2009.08.07. Also getting your Mac ready for Snow Leopard, Time Capsule doubles capacity, Picasa 3 for Mac, Bodega Mac app store, and more.
New Books have better displays, digital vs. analog audio I/O, Craigslist restrictions, and more, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2009.07.15. Also three browsers Opera, Stainless, and Cruz compared, and installing Mac OS X from DVD on a Mac that cant mount DVDs.
Are close-out MacBooks a better value than the new models?, Charles W Moore, Book Value, 2009.07.14. There are great prices on previous gen MacBooks, new and refurbished, but the June 2009 models have lots to offer as well.
Optimized Software Builds Bring Out the Best in Your Mac, Dan Knight, Low End Macs Online Tech Journal, 2009.06.30. Applications compiled for your Macs CPU can load more quickly and run faster than ones compiled for universal use.
Intels promise fulfilled: More processing power per processor cycle, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2009.06.30. Apple promised improved CPU efficiencies when it announced the move to Intel in 2005. Three years of MacBooks show the progress.
Importance of FireWire, replacement battery advice, RAM for WallStreet PowerBooks, and more, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2009.06.24. Also what is IrDA good for? And reflections on Kodachrome, digital photography, and medium format cameras.
Death of a Pismo, end of G4 upgrades, 13 MacBook Pro assessment, and more, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2009.06.17. Also ATA100 drives working reliably in Pismos and Eudora 6.2.4 functioning perfectly with Leopard and broadband.
Low End Macs Safe Sleep FAQ, Dan Knight, Online Tech Journal, 2009.06.15. What is Safe Sleep mode? Which Macs support it? How can you enable or disable it? And more.
The Safe Sleep Mailbag, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2009.06.15. Safe Sleep mode is enabled by default on modern MacBooks. How it works, and how to change how it works.
13 MacBook Pro a Practically Perfect Replacement for the 12 PowerBook, Andrew J Fishkin, Best Tools for the Job, 2009.06.15. Except for being an inch wider, the 13 MacBook Pro surpasses the 12 PowerBook G4 in every respect.
Odd MacBook sleep behavior, Pismo resurrection and upgrades, end nigh for Classic Eudora? and more, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2009.05.27. Also the end of the road for Lombard and G4 iMac CPU upgrades.
Hackintosh Dell Mini worth it?, smallest external notebook drive, troubleshooting your Book, and more, The Book Review, 2009.05.26. Also Apples student rugged netbook from 1997, reviving a Book that wont power up, some trackpad options missing on 10.5.7, bargain Books from $179 to $2,290, and more.
Mac Book Power Management Adventures, Charles W Moore, Book Value, 2009.05.19. If your Book wont power up, shuts down while your working, or has other power issues, resetting its internal power manager may clear things up.
The importance of feel to the computing experience, Charles W Moore, Book Value, 2009.04.21. Computing power is important, but a keyboard and mouse or trackpad with the right feel may have more impact on productivity.
WiFi security advice, Unibody MacBook or white one?, deleting Mac apps, and more, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 04.15. Also getting external Western Digital drives to work with older Macs and a PowerBook Duo prototype found on eBay.
Unibody MacBook an excellent successor to 12 PowerBooks and iBooks, Charles W Moore, Book Value, 2009.04.14. The MacBook is a bit wider and lacks FireWire and a built-in modem, but overall its a worthy successor to the Apples 12 Books.
Can a MacBook replace a 12 PowerBook?, safe wakeup for MacBooks, battery tips, and more, The Book Review, 2009.04.10. Also one Mac user goes Windows, MacBook Pro keyboard and trackpad issues, Snow White on a MacBook, wireless USB, bargain Books from $170 to $2,999, and more.
My Apple laptops: Past, present, and future, Charles W Moore, Book Value, 2009.03.31. Looking back at the WallStreet, Pismo, and PowerBook G4 while moving ahead with a Unibody MacBook.
Getting settled in with the Unibody MacBook, Charles W Moore, Book Value, 2009.03.24. Using a new Mac with dialup is made easier with the preview version of Opera Turbo.
Making the switch from a G4 PowerBook to a Unibody MacBook, Charles W Moore, Book Value, 2009.03.17. The transition to an Intel-based Mac hasnt been without its problems slow dialup performance, incompatibility with Eudora, and no real gain in speed with standby apps.
Apple netbook rumors, two Hackintosh netbooks, 17 MacBook Pro reviewed, and more, The Book Review, 2009.03.13. Also why Apple needs an $800 MacBook, graphics issues, OLED coming to touchscreen Mac netbook?, bargain Books from $170 to $2,999, and more.
17 MacBook Pro reviews, Battery Update improves battery life, matte screen for MacBooks, and more, The Book Review, 2009.03.06. Also 17 Unibody problems, MBA hinge defect, netbooks and notebooks merging, SSD upgrade service for MacBooks, bargain Books from $170 to $2,999, and more.
Unibody MacBook makes old MacBook Pro look old, MacBook cracks, OptiBay for Unibodies, and more, The Book Review, 2009.02.27. Also netbooks dont doom Apple, an Apple netbook wont just be for cheapskates, 12,820 mAh battery in 17 MacBook Pro, bargain Books from $170 to $2,999, and more.
MacBook design limits USB ports, Unibody audio prolem solved, G4 upgrades disappearing, and more, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2009.02.18. How to get the headphone jack on Unibody Books working again, no more dual 1.8 GHz G4 upgrades, and a letter of appreciation.
First impressions of the Unibody MacBook, Charles W Moore, Book Value, 2009.02.09. Construction is sold, size is just right, the keyboard and mouse require a bit too much pressure, and just two USB ports is impractical.
No high definition iTunes video for you, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2008.11.19. The October 2008 MacBooks are preventing users from viewing some high-def iTunes content from being viewed on their external displays. Poor form!
Used Book value, overheating 12 PowerBook, Target Disk Mode weirdness, and more, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2009.02.04. Also Leopard breaks wireless printing for some printers supported by Tiger, and Unibody MacBook the right choice over polycarbonate MacBook.
Charles W Moore going Intel with a Unibody MacBook, Charles W Moore, Book Value, 2009.02.03. Although the 5-year-old 17 PowerBook is just fine, refurb pricing makes this a great time to order a Unibody MacBook.
Plastic or aluminum: Whats the better MacBook now?, Charles W Moore, Book Value, 2009.01.26. Last week Apple updated the polycarbonate MacBook with the same graphics processor as the Unibody MacBook. Which is more compelling?
2 compact portable USB 2.0 hubs, Charles W Moore, Book Value, 2009.01.12. Compact hubs from Targus and Proporta make a great complement to your notebook computer. Each accepts a third-party AC adapter to provide bus power.
MacBook keyboard among best ever, glass trackpad less than intuitive, TiBook desktop mod, and more, The Book Review, 2009.01.09. Also $179 to change battery in 17in MacBook Pro, argument for an Apple netbook, MacBook Air SuperDrive hacked for any Mac, bargain Books from $170 to $2,299, and more.
How netbooks impact Microsoft and Apple, Tim Nash, Taking Back the Market, 2009.01.07. Netbooks are keeping Windows XP alive, which may slow adoption of Windows 7, and perceived value keeps the Mac market share growing at the expense of Windows.
Apples half-baked support for DisplayPort, Frank Fox, Stop the Noiz, 2009.01.06. The DisplayPort specification supports audio, so why does Apple use USB to route sound to the LED Cinema Display?
OS X on netbook guide, fast Intel X25-M SSD benchmarked, Woz joins Axiotron board, and more, The Book Review, 2008.12.24. Also multi-touch trackpad update for Boot Camp, Nvidias Intel-thrashing netbook GPU, Toshiba launches first 512 GB SSD, bargain Books from $170 to $2,299, and more.
Ubuntu Linux and Boot camp make it easy to create a triple boot Mac, Alan Zisman, Mac2Windows, 2008.12.24. Boot Camp makes it easy to install Windows on Intel Macs, and Ubuntu now makes it easy to install Linux to a virtual Windows drive.
Notebooks and blackouts, Charles W Moore, Book Value, 2008.12.23. When the power goes out, a notebook computer with long-lasting batteries lets you keep working for hours and hours.
Why DisplayPort is the video connector for the future, Frank Fox, Stop the Noiz, 2008.12.23. DisplayPort supports multiple displays, combines audio and video on one cable, and costs nothing to use.
New MacBook trackpad takes some getting used to, Alan Zisman, Zis Mac, 2008.12.22. The large glass trackpad is a joy to use in many ways, but it can be frustrating for longtime notebook users and has issues with Boot Camp.
4 GB RAM problem persists after firmware update, TriBook concept MacBook, DIY Mac netbook, and more, The Book Review, 2008.12.19. Also using third-party monitors with Late 2008 MacBooks, MacMagSaver protects MagSafe cord, $25 802.11g USB adapter, bargain Books from $500 to $2,299, and more.
The Better Safe Than Sorry Guide to Installing Mac OS X Updates, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2008.12.16. Most users encounter no problems using Software Update, but some preflight work and using the Combo updater means far less chance of trouble.
MacBook, MacBook Pro, and MacBook Air teething problems and firmware updates, The Book Review, 2008.12.16. Also Apple notebooks strong in weak market, CoolBook controls CPU frequency and voltage for cooler running, Logitechs new Comfort lapdesk, bargain Books from $500 to $2,299, and more.
Why You Should Partition Your Macs Hard Drive, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2008.12.11. At the very least, it makes sense to have a second partition with a bootable version of the Mac OS, so if you have problems with your work partition, you can boot from the emergency partition to run Disk Utility and other diagnostics.
Unibody MacBook video problems, DisplayPort DRM loosened a bit, Mac netbook discussion, and more, The Book Review, 2008.12.05. Also free licensing for Mini DisplayPort, the sexy clamshell iBook, Apples liquid cooled notebook plans, Sonnet FW 400/800 adapter, bargain Books from $500 to $2,299, and more.
MacBook slowdown without battery, DisplayPort and DRM, 256 GB SSD, MagSafe solutions, and more, The Book Review, 2008.11.26. Also Mac netbook prospects, laptop cooling table with 2 fans, solar notebook bag, hard shell cases for unibody Books, bargain Books from $500 to $2,299, and more.
Software to keep your MacBook cool, Phil Herlihy, The Usefulness Equation, 2008.11.25. Heat is the enemy of long hardware life. Two programs to keep your MacBook running cooler.
Netbooks tempting, cry out for Mac OS X, Charles W Moore, Book Value, 2008.11.24. Netbooks are light, cheap, compact, and underpowered. One with OS X and a real Core 2 Duo processor would fly.
DisplayPort copy protection, trackpad update, netbooks not to be taken lightly, and more, The Book Review, 2008.11.21. Also Apple set for record sales, 4-finger gestures on original MacBook Air, MacBook Apples best consumer notebook to date, Cricket laptop stand, bargain Books from $490 to $2,299, and more.
Virtualization shootout: VMWare Fusion 2 vs. Parallels Desktop 4, Kev Kitchens, Kitchens Sync, 2008.11.20. Both programs do the same thing, but one runs Windows XP smoothly alongside Mac apps, while the other bogs down everything but Windows.
Just right: Papa bear, mama bear, and baby bear MacBooks, Charles W Moore, Book Value, 2008.11.20. Some people like small and light notebooks, others prefer huge desktop replacements, but the best value tends to be in the middle.
OS X netbook not from Apple, one-third of notebook buyers leaning to Apple, Spaces made for Books, and more, The Book Review, 2008.11.14. Also Apples special deals site, good-bye to a faithful TiBook, bent Unibody MacBook Pro, 10 hour battery for MacBook Pro, 6 GB RAM solutions and benchmarks, bargain Books from $480 to $2,399, and more.
Kensington Ci95m Wireless Mouse: Great battery life, smooth performance, Charles W Moore, Book Value, 2008.11.13. Kensingtons slim wireless mouse is well built, works smoothly, has great battery life, and avoids Bluetooth pairing and wake-up issues.
Refurb MacBook Pro value, MacBook too big to replace 12 PowerBook, Pismo noise, and more, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2008.11.12. Also installing OS X using FireWire Target Disk Mode, running Virtual PC under Leopard, and how to use filters in iCab.
Targus USB 2.0 High-Speed File Transfer Cable helps offset loss of FireWire, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2008.11.10. Although it cant replace Target Disk Mode, Targus $40 cable makes it easy to transfer files quickly between two Macs, two PCs, or one of each.
Recent MacBooks support 6 GB of RAM, USB 2.0 faster in Unibody Books, graphics shootouts, and more, The Book Review, 2008.11.07. Also FireWire-to-USB, workaround for glossy screens, 3G MacBooks planned, checkpoint-friendly bags for new MacBooks, bargain Books from $480 to $2,399, and more.
Unibody MacBook the logical successor to the 12 PowerBook, Charles W Moore, Book Value, 2008.11.05. All things considered, the thinner, lighter aluminum MacBook is a worthy successor to the 12 PowerBook beloved by so many.
Best refurb MacBook Pro value, AirPort Card thermal issues, Opera vs. iCab, and more, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2008.11.05. Also more thoughts on the lack of FireWire on the Unibody MacBook.
MacBook Pro could use both GPUs at once, 9600M GT smokes 9400M for 3D gaming, new cases, and more, The Book Review, 2008.10.31. Also MacBook Pro doesnt support 8 GB of RAM, matte screen petition, spill sensors in new Books, MacBook Pro reviews, hard drive vs. SSD benchmarks, bargain Books from $259 to $2,399, and more.
Debunking the Apple Tax, Frank Fox, Stop the Noiz, 2008.10.31. no one else is offering the quality of computer construction that Apple offers in the same price range.
The Unibody MacBook FireWire fiasco didnt have to happen, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2008.10.30. Some are claiming that Apple had no choice but to eliminate FireWire with the new MacBook design, but Apple could have eliminated ethernet instead.
One OS to rule them all, Frank Fox, Stop the Noiz, 2008.10.29. With Fusion or Parallels letting you run Windows at full speed, Mac OS X gives you the best of both worlds.
No FireWire on MacBook a deal breaker, getting Pismo working with AirPort, and Pismo screen replacement, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2008.10.29. For those with FireWire peripherals, the Unibody MacBook falls short. Also fixing a Pismo that wont recognize AirPort and replacing its display.
New Unibody MacBook or discontinued 15 MacBook Pro?, Charles W Moore, Book Value, 2008.10.28. The new aluminum MacBook is tempting, but the older MacBook Pro has so many more expansion options.
Apple more green, new MacBook details, FireWire on MacBook petition, benchmarks, and more, The Book Review, 2008.10.28. Also Nvidia controller inside new Books, death of matte displays, MacBook Pro distorted video service program, bargain Books from $259 to $2,399, and more.
New Unibody MacBooks provide some reasons to buy an earlier MacBook Pro, Andrew J Fishkin, Best Tools for the Job, 2008.10.27. While the new MacBook line offers some improvements, Rev. A fears and the lack of a matte display can make the previous design a better choice.
Apples new production technology: Is it worth it?, Tim Nash, Taking Back the Market, 2008.10.27. Carving MacBook bodies from a block of aluminum simplifies production, increases assembly automation, and gives Apple a leg up on the competition.
How to clone Mac OS X to a new hard drive, Simon Royal, Tech Spectrum, 2008.10.07. Whether you want to put a bigger, faster drive in your Mac or clone OS X for use in another Mac, heres the simple process.
Apple Trumps Microsoft in Making the 64-bit Transition Transparent to Users, Frank Fox, Stop the Noiz, 2008.09.18. To use more than 4 GB of RAM under Windows, you need a 64-bit PC and the 64-bit version of Windows. On the Mac, OS X 10.4 and later already support it.
Does running OS X system maintenance routines really do any good?, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2008.08.26. Mac OS X is designed to run certain maintenance routines daily, weekly, and monthly but cant if your Mac is off or asleep.
Tricking out your notebook for superior desktop duty, Charles W Moore, Book Value, 2008.07.29. For desktop use, you dont need to be limited by the built-in trackpad, keyboard, and display or a notebooks compromised ergonomics.
Kensington Portable Power Outlet a great accessory for the road warrior, Charles W Moore, Book Value, 2008.07.22. With three AC outlets and two USB charging ports, this compact device is a great way to have extra power outlets when youre on the go.
Free VirtualBox for Mac now a virtual contender, Alan Zisman, Mac2Windows, 2008.07.21. A year ago, the Mac version of VirtualBox lacked some essential features. Over the past year, its grown into a very useful tool.
Win the depreciation game by buying on the low end, Charles W Moore, Book Value, 2008.06.24. The worst depreciation afflicts high-end models. By buying a less powerful version, choosing certified refurbished, or picking up a used computer, youll come out ahead.
16:9 computer displays: Lets not go there, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2008.06.17. theres no reason our computer displays should match the proportions of our television displays.
SheepShaver brings Classic Mac OS to Intel Macs and Leopard, Alan Zisman, Mac2Windows, 2008.05.20. Mac OS X 10.5 doesnt support Classic Mode. Neither does Leopard. But SheepShaver lets you emulate a PowerPC Mac and run the Classic Mac OS.
Windows on Macs: Three paths for integration, Jason Packer, Macs in the Enterprise, 2008.05.14. Mac users have three routes for running Windows apps: Run Windows using Boot Camp or virtualization, or use a compatibility layer such as WINE.
18 bits cant display millions of colors, todays magic is different from yesterdays, and more, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2008.04.16. Also more feedback on Mac browsers, slow dialup Internet, and a SCSI-to-USB 2.0 solution.
18-bit video inadequate, restoring AppleWorks speed, Macintosh display info, and more, Dan Knight, Low End Mac Mailbag, 2008.04.09. Also problems importing AppleWorks drawings and a damaged, unfixable mail database in Outlook Express 5.
Millions vs. thousands of colors: Whats the difference?, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2008.04.07. Once again Apple is being sued over a Mac that can display only 262,144 colors per pixel, not the millions it claims. Does it realy matter?
Mac again: Picking the right MacBook, Andrew J Fishkin, Best Tools for the Job, 2008.02.27. The 5-year-old PowerBook needed replacing, but is the MacBook Air or the regular MacBook the better choice?
Too few USB ports in too many Macs, developer Leopard ran on Yikes, Mac IIfx RAM heaven, and more, Dan Knight, Low End Mac Mailbag, 2008.01.16. Also Macworld Expo disappoints, Pismo a great field computer, using flash memory in vintage Macs, and Word vs. Pages for academic writing.
Restore stability to a troubled Mac with a clean system install, Keith Winston, Linux to Mac, 2008.01.15. If your Mac is misbehaving, the best fix just might be a fresh reinstallation of Mac OS X dont forget to backup first.
We need more than 2 USB ports in MacBooks, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2008.01.14. Theres something wrong when you cant plug a flash drive, mouse, and printer into a notebook computer at the same time.
External $100 Sony DVD burner likes Macs, Brian Gray, Fruitful Editing, 2007.10.10. The box and manual say nothing about Mac compatibility, but this 18x USB 2.0 DVD burner is plug-and-play (at least with Tiger).
FastMac 8x SuperDrive and BurnAgain DVD: Fast and easy multisession disc burning, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2007.10.08. FastMacs 8x SuperDrive upgrade is remarkably fast compared with older PowerBook burners, and BurnAgain DVD makes it easy to append files to a previously burned CD or DVD.
Does a college freshman need to run Windows on a MacBook?, Al Poulin, My Turn, 2007.07.24. While you can run Windows on todays Intel-based Macs, is there any reason most college students would want to or need to?
Is more RAM more important than matched RAM in the MacBook?, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2007.05.25. Other World Computing has benchmarked 15 configurations with six programs and concluded that more memory is better than matched modules. Are they right?
1 core, 2 cores, 4 cores, 8: How Much Difference Does It Make?, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2007.04.10. Geekbench scores make it possible to compare the newest 3 GHz 8-core Mac Pro with the 1.5 GHz Core Solo Mac mini and all the models in between.
CrossOver: Run Windows Apps on Intel Macs Without Windows, Alan Zisman, Mac2Windows, 2007.02.28. If you need to run Windows apps on your Intel Mac once in a while, CrossOver may be the least expensive way to do so since it eliminates the need to buy a copy of Windows.
Simple ergonomics for the road warrior, Ed Eubanks Jr, The Efficient Mac User, 2007.01.16. The benefits of external keyboards and mice, laptop stands, typing gloves, and anti-RSI software for notebook users.
Parallels Revisited: Release Version Far More Polished than Beta, Alan Zisman, Mac2Windows, 2006.11.21. Parallels lets you run Windows or Linux without rebooting your Intel-based Mac, and its made great strides since the beta came out earlier this year.
To AppleCare or not to AppleCare?, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2006.11.20. Consumer Reports, which generally recommends against extended warranties, says AppleCare makes sense. But does it?
Pre-2006 Software: The Big Reason You Shouldnt Buy an Intel Mac in 2006, Ted Hodges, Vintage Mac Living, 2006.11.09. If you work with software that predates the Intel transition, you may be better off sticking with PowerPC Macs. And if you use classic apps, you definitely want to avoid Intel.
Better laptop performance: Whats the best upgrade?, Andrew J Fishkin, The Mobile Mac, 2006.10.09. Memory, CPU, bus speed, and hard drives all impact performance and battery life. Which upgrades will give you the most up time in the field?
7 tools for keeping your laptop (uh, notebook) cool, Charles W 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.
The Amazing Auto-muting Headphone Jack, Dan Moren, MacUser, 2006.07.01. If you have your MacBooks volume muted and plug in headphones, it turns on the sound and mutes it when you unplug the headphones.
Drive matters, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2006.06.14. Theres 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 youre traveling and need to get hours and hours of use from your Book.
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.
Computer benchmarks and other baloney: Dont 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, theyre actually slower than last years Macs.
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 cant 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.
MacBook (13-inch, Aluminum, Late 2008) Technical Specifications, Apple
Keywords: aluminummacbook late2008macbook macbooklate2008 unsupportedsierra
Short link: http://goo.gl/HVPrDQ
searchwords: aluminummacbook, late2008macbook, macbooklate2008
by Jerry Jackson
Whether youre a college student or a graphic artist Apple just added the most desirable item to your holiday wish list: the new MacBook. With Intel Core 2 Duo processors, Nvidia 9400M graphics, an optional 128GB solid state drive (SSD), and a stylish yet tough design, the new MacBook promises to be one impressive 13-inch notebook. This Mac might look amazing, but does it have the performance to justify the price? Lets take a closer look.
The Apple MacBook (starting at $1,299 ) is available with two choices of Core 2 Duo processors and a choice of hard disk drive or solid state drive. There is only one 13.3 screen offering, a 1280800 WXGA glossy display with LED backlighting.
Our MacBook has the following specifications:
Mac OS X v10.5.5 (Build 9F2114)
Intel Core 2 Duo P7350 2.0GHz (3MB L2 cache, 1066MHz frontside bus)
2GB 1067MHz DDR3 SDRAM
160GB 5400rpm SATA hard disk drive
13.3 glossy widescreen TFT LED backlit display (1280 x 800)
NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics (256MB of DDR3 shared memory)
8x slot-loading SuperDrive (DVDR DL/DVDRW/CD-RW)
iSight webcam
AirPort Extreme WiFi (IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n)
Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR (Enhanced Data Rate)
Mini DisplayPort, Ethernet, two USB 2.0 ports (480Mbps), Audio out and microphone in
Dimensions : 0.95 x 12.78 x 8.94 (H x W x D)
Weight: 4.51 pounds
Integrated 45-watt-hour lithium-polymer battery
60W MagSafe power adapter with cable management system
Build and Design
The new unibody construction of the MacBook for late 2008 makes this MacBook one of the most impressively built 13-inch notebooks weve seen in recent memory. When you pick this notebook up it feels like youre holding a solid piece of metal. In a manner of speaking, you are. The unibody chassis is milled from a solid block of aluminum, making the MacBook one of the most durable 13-inch notebooks you can buy for less than $2,000. A thickness of less than an inch and a weight of roughly 4.5 pounds likewise help to make this update to the MacBook line a compelling choice for students and road warriors.
Bottom line, despite the impressive thinness of the design, the MacBook is quite solid and durable thanks to the aluminum construction. We dont recommend dropping the MacBook (or any notebook for that matter) but the MacBook should survive any use and abuse that a college student or corporate road warrior can deliver over several years of travel between home and school or home and work.
The MacBook lid does not have a latch to hold it closed, but the hinge mechanism works well and firmly holds the lid in place. While were on the topic of the hinge, Apple made the strange choice of using black plastic around the hinge rather than brushed aluminum like the rest of a the chassis design. This isnt a major problem, but it looks a little odd and plastic doesnt give the same impression of durability as aluminum. On the bright side there is almost no flex to the screen thanks to the metal lid.
Performance and Benchmarks
The MacBook has reasonable performance based on the 2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo P7350 processor. The P7350 isnt the most impressive Core 2 Duo processor in the Intel lineup, but it certainly performs much better than the processors used in the Apple MacBook Air. The XBench benchmarks indicate that the new MacBook is a solid update in Apples current lineup. As youll see in chart below, the MacBook has a solid performance boost over previous generation MacBooks. The startup into Leopard is quite fast, and its clear that Apple didnt have to sacrifice processor speed in order to bring this thin unibody laptop to consumers.
The Nvidia GeForce 9400M graphics should provide adequate performance for most games and wont have any trouble with high-definition video output to an external monitor. That said, this isnt a gaming notebook and wont break any records with current 3D games.
The 160GB Toshiba hard drive in the MacBook provides a reasonable amount of storage and performance. The 5400rpm 2.5 hard drive is relatively average for notebooks in 2008. However, since the MacBook is more expensive than your average notebook we would have liked to see a faster 7200rpm hard drive at the $1,299 price tag.
You can also configure that MacBook with a 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo P8600 processor (a modest performance increase) and a larger 250GB or 320GB hard drive or a much faster 128GB SSD. Unfortunately, the faster processor and faster drive increase the price of the MacBook to between $1,599 and $2,199.
With the basics out of the way, lets jump into the performance benchmarks.
XBench is a comprehensive benchmarking solution for Mac OS X commonly used to compare the relative speeds of two different Macintoshes.
XBench 1.3 summary results: Model Overall Score MacBook 2008 (2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo) 126.23 MacBook Air (1.6GHz Intel Core 2 Duo) 50.76 Mac Mini (1.83GHz Intel Core 2 Duo) 94.58 MacBook (2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo) 95.89 MacBook Pro (2.2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo) 106.05 PowerBook G3 Pismo (500MHz G3) 18.47
wPrime is a program that forces the processor to do recursive mathematical calculations, the advantage of this program is that it is multi-threaded and can use both processor cores at once, thereby giving more accurate benchmarking measurements than Super Pi. (Lower scores indicate better performance.)
Notebook / CPU wPrime 32M time Apple MacBook (Intel Core 2 Duo P7350 @ 2.0GHz) 38.421s Apple MacBook Air (Intel Core 2 Duo P7500 @ 1.6GHz) 68.173s Dell Inspiron 13 (Pentium Dual Core T2390 @ 1.86GHz) 44.664s
Toshiba Satellite U405 (Core 2 Duo T8100 @ 2.1GHz)
37.500s Sony VAIO NR (Core 2 Duo T5250 @ 1.5GHz) 58.233s Toshiba Tecra A9 (Core 2 Duo T7500 @ 2.2GHz) 38.343s Toshiba Tecra M9 (Core 2 Duo T7500 @ 2.2GHz) 37.299s HP Compaq 6910p (Core 2 Duo T7300 @ 2GHz) 40.965s Sony VAIO TZ (Core 2 Duo U7600 @ 1.20GHz) 76.240s Zepto 6024W (Core 2 Duo T7300 @ 2GHz) 42.385s Lenovo T61 (Core 2 Duo T7500 @ 2.2GHz) 37.705s Alienware M5750 (Core 2 Duo T7600 @ 2.33GHz) 38.327s Hewlett Packard DV6000z (Turion X2 TL-60 @ 2.0GHz) 38.720s
PCMark05 comparison results (Higher scores indicate better performance): Notebook PCMark05 Score Apple MacBook (2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo P7350, Nvidia GeForce 9400M) 3,961 PCMarks Apple MacBook Air (1.6GHz Intel Core 2 Duo P7500, Intel X3100) 2,478 PCMarks Dell Inspiron 13 (1.86GHz Intel T2390, Intel X3100)
3,727 PCMarks Lenovo ThinkPad X301 (1.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo SU9400, Intel 4500MHD) 4,457 PCMarks Sony VAIO NR (1.5GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T5250, Intel X3100) 3,283 PCMarks Sony VAIO CR (1.8GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T7100, Intel X3100) 3,612 PCMarks Sony VAIO TZ (1.20GHz Core 2 Duo U7600, Intel GMA 950) 2,446 PCMarks Lenovo ThinkPad X61 (2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T7300, Intel X3100) 4,153 PCMarks Lenovo 3000 V200 (2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T7300, Intel X3100) 3,987 PCMarks Lenovo T60 Widescreen (2.0GHz Intel T7200, ATI X1400 128MB) 4,189 PCMarks HP dv6000t (2.16GHz Intel T7400, NVIDA GeForce Go 7400) 4,234 PCMarks Fujitsu N6410 (1.66GHz Core Duo, ATI X1400) 3,487 PCMarks Alienware M7700 (AMD Athlon FX-60, Nvidia Go 7800GTX) 5,597 PCMarks Sony VAIO SZ-110B in Speed Mode (Using Nvidia GeForce Go 7400) 3,637 PCMarks Asus V6J (1.86GHz Core Duo T2400, Nvidia Go 7400) 3,646 PCMarks
3DMark06 comparison results (Higher scores indicate better performance): Notebook 3DMark06 Score Apple MacBook (2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo P7350, Nvidia GeForce 9400M)
2,116 3DMarks Apple MacBook Air (1.6GHz Intel Core 2 Duo P7500, Intel X3100) 502 3DMarks Dell Inspiron 13 (1.86GHz Intel T2390, Intel X3100)
470 3DMarks Lenovo ThinkPad X301 (1.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo SU9400, Intel 4500MHD) 712 3DMarks Sony VAIO NR (1.5GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T5250, Intel X3100) 504 3DMarks Toshiba Tecra A9 (2.20GHz Core 2 Duo T7500, NVIDIA Quadro NVS 130M 256MB) 932 3DMarks Toshiba Tecra M9 (2.20GHz Core 2 Duo T7500, NVIDIA Quadro NVS 130M 128MB) 1,115 3DMarks Sony VAIO TZ (1.20GHz Core 2 Duo U7600, Intel GMA 950) 122 3DMarks LG R500 (2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T7300, NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GS 256MB) 2,776 3DMarks HP dv2500t (2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T7300, NVIDIA GeForce Go 8400M GS 128MB) 1,055 3DMarks Dell Inspiron 1420 (2.2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T7500, NVIDIA GeForce Go 8400M GS 128MB) 1,329 3DMarks Sony VAIO FZ (2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T7300, Intel X3100) 532 3DMarks Dell XPS M1330 (2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T7300, NVIDIA GeForce Go 8400M GS 128MB) 1,408 3DMarks Samsung Q70 (2.0GHz Core 2 Duo T7300 and nVidia 8400M G GPU) 1,069 3DMarks Asus F3sv-A1 (Core 2 Duo T7300 2.0GHz, Nvidia 8600M GS 256MB) 2,344 3DMarks Alienware Area 51 m5550 (2.33GHz Core 2 Duo, nVidia GeForce Go 7600 256MB 2,183 3DMarks HP dv6000t (2.16 GHz Intel T7400, NVIDA GeForce Go 7400) 827 3DMarks
HDTune results:
Screen
The 13.3 WXGA glossy screen on the MacBook isnt ideal for HD video, but it does offer sharp contrast, excellent color, and reasonably even backlighting. Unlike many other 13.3 1280800 pixel displays the screen on the MacBook doesnt suffer from graininess. Horizontal viewing angles were excellent although vertical viewing angles were only average. The screen itself didnt suffer from ripples or stuck pixels, and we didnt notice any obvious light leakage around the edge of our display.
While were on the topic of the display, lets go ahead and address our biggest problem with this screen: an extremely glossy outer layer that creates reflections so strong you might as well use the screen as a mirror. Weve discussed this problem before with other notebooks, but unfortunately it appears that the notebook industry continues to think consumers want excessively glossy displays.
Our editorial staff actually likes standard glossy displays on notebooks. Traditional glossy displays usually have better contrast and deeper/richer colors than matte screens. However, over the last year many notebook manufacturers have started placing a glossy transparent protective layer in front of the actual notebook screen. Why should you care? This causes major reflections and serious eye strain problems because your eyes are constantly shifting focus between the reflections on the glossy protective layer and the text/images displayed on the screen underneath. Below are images showing just how reflective the protective layer is:
Dim room lights and maximum screen brightness
Normal room lights and maximum screen brightness
This overly reflective screen surface also makes it next to impossible to use your notebook outdoors in bright sunlight because the sunlight overpowers the screens LED backlights and makes the screen look like a mirror.
Keyboard and Touchpad
How to use xbox 360 controller on mac . The full-sized keyboard on the MacBook has no flex and is remarkably solid thanks to the laptops aluminum construction. The keys have excellent cushion and response and were quiet during use. The keyboard lacks dedicated keys for home, end, page up, page down and also lacks obvious function keys for those keys. The f-keys also control a range of features (such as raising or lowering screen brightness). The only potential negative issue with the keyboard is that the keys are extremely flat. Some typists enjoy flat keys while others absolutely require traditional curved keys. This may or may not be a problem for you.
The backlit keyboard is a nice touch that proves quite useful when working in low light environments. That said, we would have liked the backlight to be even stronger.
The touchpad is nice and large and features a durable and responsive surface. The multi-touch functionality gives the touchpad some extra usefulness when editing photos or manipulating other files. The touchpad buttons are hidden beneath the bottom edge of the touchpad and the bottom of the touchpad actually presses down when you press the bottom left or bottom right of the touchpad. The touchpad buttons (or button) has extremely shallow feedback with a quiet, cushioned click. That being said, we generally prefer to have a bit deeper feedback in touchpad buttons. Adobe premiere pro free mac tumblr . In general, the liberal size of the touchpad makes for a genuinely enjoyable experience.
One minor note, when testing the MacBook with BootCamp and Windows Vista Ultimate we discovered that the touchpad drivers provided by Apple dont perform nearly as well as the drivers under Mac OS X. Although Im sure Apple wasnt overly concerned about Windows performance, if you plan to use this notebook with Windows we recommend you use an external mouse.
Input and Output Ports
Ports selection on the new MacBook is something of a mixed bag. While were glad to see there are considerably more ports on the MacBook than there are on the MacBook Air, Apple decided to make some strange choices about what to include (and what not to include) on the new MacBook. The complete list of ports includes:
MagSafe power port
Gigabit Ethernet port
Two USB 2.0 ports
Mini DisplayPort
Audio line in
Audio line out
Kensington lock slot
Although Apple engineers deserve serious credit for making the new MacBook so thin and so durable at the same time, we cant help but feel a little disappointed by the lack of ports. The most obvious omission is the lack of a Firewire port. Although USB 2.0 is more popular than Firewire, many Mac accessories require a Firewire port, so now those Made for Mac accessories are useless. Windows 7 on new macbook pro . Likewise, there is no standard video out port so you have to use an adapter (or one of Apples new displays) in order to connect the MacBook to an external monitor or projector. Additionally, the lack of either an eSATA port or an ExpressCard slot makes the MacBook one of the least useful 13-inch notebooks on the market when it comes to ports and expansion. Mac Os 10.12 On Macbook Pro Late 2008
Audio
The built-in stereo speakers in the MacBook are surprisingly impressive. After the downright horrid performance of the monospeaker in the MacBook Air, we expected the speakers in the MacBook to be underwhelming. Fortunately, the speakers in the new MacBook produce distortion-free sound at reasonably loud volume levels with excellent highs and midtones. The bass is rather lacking, but thats not a big surprise in notebooks that dont have a dedicated subwoofer. In short, the MacBook has reasonable audio performance for a notebook in this class.
The audio out port (headphone minijack) provides excellent audio output. Theres little or no distortion or static and the sound on my earbuds was quite enjoyable.
Battery
The MacBook uses an integrated 45-watt-hour lithium-polymer battery. The lithium-polymer technology should have a longer lifespan than standard lithium-ion batteries found in most notebooks. Unfortunately, there is no higher capacity battery available from Apple.
Apple claims that the battery inside the MacBook provides 5 hours of wireless productivity. Our real-world tests suggest that estimate is very accurate. With the MacBooks power management set to maximize battery life and a 100 percent charge the battery life ended up coming to 4 hours and 47 minutes with the display switching between maximum and minimum brightness and wireless on.
Heat and Noise
One downside to an all-aluminum design is the entire notebook acts as one gigantic heatsink. In the case of the MacBook, we expected the machine to run extremely hot when under stress. Thankfully, our tests show that the MacBook manages heat quite well. Even after running multiple benchmarks the MacBook the temperatures remained at perfectly acceptable levels. Below are temperature readings listed in degrees Fahrenheit.
There really isnt much point in mentioning noise when it comes to the new MacBook because this notebook is extremely quiet. I overlooked the cooling fan in the initial teardown because I never heard it running during benchmarks. This thing is very quiet.
Conclusion
Youll have a hard time finding anyone in the United States today who hasnt heard the phrases, Im a Mac and Im a PC. Apple heavily invested in both design and advertising around that design over the last decade. Those investments have clearly paid off, but is the new MacBook really as impressive as Apple wants you to believe? Well, the answer depends on your answer to this question: Are you a Mac, or are you a PC?
The lack of ports and overly glossy screen make the MacBook a less than compelling option for students and road warriors. On the other hand, if you specifically need a Mac the new MacBook is an excellent value.
Bottom line, if you need a Mac laptop for less than $1,500 then the new MacBook makes a good choice. However, if youre just looking for a high-performance, portable notebook with rugged build quality I suggest you consider an HP EliteBook 2530p which retails for just a little more than the MacBook but is a far superior notebook.
Pros:
Slick design
Cool touchpad
Durable build quality
So quiet it seems like it has fanless cooling
Its a Mac
Cons:
No Firewire ports
No standard video out ports
No eSATA port
All the ports are located on one side
Flat keyboard keys
13-inch mirror masquerading as a display
Its a Mac
Macbook Late 2008 Mac Os High Sierra
Mac Os 10.12 On Macbook Pro Late 2008
The Aluminum MacBook uses the same unibody construction as the 15 MacBook Pro and now has an LED-backlit display. The top-end 2.4 GHz MacBook also has a backlit keyboard. The Unibody MacBooks use new, more energy efficient versions of the Core 2 CPU: P7350 in the 2.0 GHz model and P8600 in the 2.4 GHz one. This CPU draws 25W, down from 35W in the previous generation, which means less heat and better battery life.
The Aluminum Unibody MacBook uses the new nVidia GeForce 9400M graphics processor, which combines 16 cores and all the support chips on a single die. Graphics uses 256 MB of system memory, which is a good reason to upgrade the 2.0 GHz model from the stock 2 GB if youre running OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard or later. It supports resolutions to 2560 x 1600 on an external display, a big improvement over the 1920 x 1200 of earlier MacBooks.
With it aluminum unibody construction, graphics processor, and excellent display, this should be considered the finest model in the entire consumer MacBook line to date. It definitely paved the way for the 13 MacBook Pro, which arrived in June 2009.
However, it raises two questions: Why doesnt it have FireWire like the other consumer MacBook models, and why is the base model clocked slower (at 2.0 GHz vs 2.1 GHz) than the consumer machine introduced at the same time?
Both models include 2 GB of RAM and support up to 8 GB, although Apple says 6 GB is the maximum. An 8x dual-layer SATA SuperDrive is standard (this is the first Mac portable with a SATA optical drive); there is no longer a model with a Combo drive.
The new MacBook is available in two configurations:
2.0 GHz, dual-layer 8x SuperDrive, 160 GB hard drive, 2 GB RAM, US$1,299
2.4 GHz, 250 GB hard drive, 4 GB RAM, otherwise identical to 2.0 GHz model, US$1,599
Build-to-order options include more RAM, larger hard drives, and a 128 GB solid state drive (SSD).
Although it is not officially supported, the Aluminum MacBook can run macOS Sierra using Colin Mistrs Sierra Patch Tool. See our macOS Sierra page for more details and a link.
Following in the steps of the MacBook Air and consumer MacBooks, there is no FireWire port. Antares autotune studio one 3 . For those who need FireWire in a 13.3 model, the MacBook White is available.
Closed Lid Mode: All Intel Books support lid closed (or clamshell) mode, which leaves the built-in display off and dedicates all video RAM to an external display. To used closed lid mode, your Book must be plugged into the AC adapter and connected to an external display and a USB or Bluetooth mouse and keyboard (you might also want to consider external speakers). Power up your Book until the desktop appears on the external display and then close the lid. Your Book will go to sleep, but you can wake it by moving the mouse or using the keyboard. The built-in display will remain off, and the external monitor will become your only display. Since all video RAM is now dedicated to the external monitor, you may have more colors available at higher resolutions. The MacBook is designed to run safely in closed lid mode, but if yours runs hot (perhaps due to overclocking or high ambient temperatures), you may want to open the lid when in closed lid mode: The screen will remain off and the computer will more readily vent heat from the CPU.
Liberty link slot machine . To resume use of the internal display, you need to disconnect the external display, put the computer to sleep, and then open the lid. This will wake up your Book and restore use of the built-in display.
Intel-based Macs use a partitioning scheme known as GPT. Only Macintel models can boot from GPT hard drives. Both PowerPC and Intel Macs can boot from APM (Apples old partitioning scheme) hard drives, which is the format you must use to create a universal boot drive in Leopard. Power PC Macs running any version of the Mac OS prior to 10.4.2 cannot mount GPT volumes. PowerPC Macs wont let you install OS X to a USB drive or choose it as your startup volume, although there is a work around for that. Details Macbook Late 2008 Mac Os High Sierra
introduced 2008.10.14 at US$1,299 (2.0 GHz, 160 GB hard drive), and US$1,599 (2.4 GHz, 250 GB hard drive, backlit keyboard); replaced by 13 MacBook Pro, which adds FireWire 800 and an SD Card slot, 2009.06.08
Part no.: MB466 (2.0 GHz), MB467 (2.4 GHz)
ID: MacBook5,1 Mac OS
requires Mac OS X 10.5.5 Leopard through 10.11 El Capitan, macOS Sierra and High Sierra via patch tool see macOS Sierra on Low End Macs. macOS 10.4 Mojave and later are not supported.
Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard compatibility
Grand Central Dispatch is supported.
32-bit booting only; cannot boot 64-bit OS.
64-bit software is supported.
OpenCL is supported.
Mac OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion compatibility
AirPlay Mirroring is not supported.
AirDrop is supported.
Power Nap is not supported. Core System
CPU: 2.0/2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo (Penryn), soldered in place, no upgrade options
Level 2 cache: 3 MB shared cache
Bus: 1066 MHz
RAM: 2 GB (using matched modules), expandable to 8 GB (Apple says 6) using PC3-8500 DDR3 RAM
Performance
performance, Geekbench: 3139 (2.4 GHz), 2708 (2.0 GHz)
Speedmark 5: 195 (2.0 GHz), 215 (2.4 GHz)
performance, Xbench 1.3 (2.0/2.4 GHz)
overall: 96.35/110.20 2.0 GHz 174.05 with SSD
CPU: 136.05/130.30 2.0 GHz 142.57 with SSD
memory: 161.23/183.12 2.0 GHz 161.18 with SSD, essentially unchanged
Quartz graphics: 130.37/165.30 2.0 GHz 149.97 with SSD
OpenGL graphics: 112.32/138.00 2.0 GHz 121.10 with SSD
Hard drive: 31.89/40.34 2.0 GHz: 457.79 with SSD Graphics
GPU: Nvidia GeForce 9400M with resolution to 2560 x 1600 on external display (Mini DisplayPort), supports extended desktop.
VRAM: uses 256 MB of system memory, very likely uses 16 MB more with an external display (MacBook Pro and MacBook Air with same GPU work that way)
Video out: Mini DisplayPort standard, VGA and S-video with optional adapter
display: 13.3 glossy 1280 x 800 18-bit 113 ppi color active matrix
supports 1280 x 800, 1152 x 720, 1024 x 768, 1024 x 640, and 800 x 500 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 Drives
Hard drive: 160 or 250 GB 5400 rpm SATA, 320 GB hard drive and 128 GB SSD optional
SuperDrive: writes DVDR at up to 8x, DVDRW and DVD+R DL at 4x, reads DVDs at 8x, writes CD-R at 24x, writes CD-RW at 10x, reads CDs at 24x Expansion
USB: 2 USB 2.0 ports
FireWire 400: none
FireWire 800: none
Ethernet: 10/100/gigabit
WiFi: 802.11n AirPort Extreme built in
Bluetooth: BT 2.1 built in
IR receiver: supports Apple Remote
Modem: optional v.92 56k external USB modem
ExpressCard/34 slots: 0 Physical
size: 8.94 x 12.78 x 0.95 (241 x 325 x 22.7 mm)
Weight: 4.5 pounds (2.04 kg)
battery: 45 Watt-hour
AC adapter: 60W MagSafe
* Although Apple officially supports 4 GB of RAM, users early on discovered that 6 GB worked reliably without issues, and while 8 GB could be installed, if any single app used more than 6 GB, there were significant slowdowns. The Unibody MacBook will reliably support 8 GB only with the later version of EFI Firmware Update 1.4 (or newer) installed and Mac OS X 10.6.6 or newer. See Firmware Update Supports 8 GB in Unibody MacBook and Late 2008 15 MacBook Pro for more information. Online Resources
The June 2009 13 MacBook Pro value equation, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2009.06.11. The new 13 MacBook Pro has a lot to offer over the discontinued Unibody MacBook, but wheres the best value?
The October 2008 MacBook value equation, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2008.10.15. Apple changed the entire MacBook lineup on Tuesday. How do close-out prices compare to the new ones?
Mac Notebook Value for the College Student, Charles W Moore, Book Value, 2009.08.20. Apple Books represent the best long-term value for money spent, not to mention user experience.
Unibody MacBook works with 4 GB RAM, laptops fair game for border search, bigger netbooks, and more, The Book Review, 2009.10.08. Also 13 MacBook Pro what I wanted, netbooks sales to soar for holidays, 1 TB of internal MacBook or PowerBook storage, bargain Books from $179 to $2,294, and more.
The Best Sub-$1,000 Mac Notebooks for Gamers, Dan Bashur, Apple, Tech, and Gaming, 2009.09.25. We have a tie for the best Mac gaming notebook below $1,000, and also four Books that almost made the cut.
MacBook with Snow Leopard trumps $1,000 Windows notebooks, Dan Bashur, Apple, Tech, and Gaming, 2009.08.28. If youre on a $1,000 laptop budget, hunt up a MacBook. If you need 17 inches, hunt for a PowerBook or early MacBook Pro.
Protect your notebook against loss, theft, data loss, and security breaches, Charles W Moore, Book Value, 2009.08.25. 10 percent of laptops are lost or stolen every year. Tips on preventing theft, securing your data, and recovering from a lost, stolen, or broken notebook.
OS X 10.6 requirements, why Apple owns the high end, when to upgrade your Mac, and more, Mac News Review, 2009.08.14. Also Microsoft Word patent infringement, BackPack shelf for iMac and Cinema Displays, two updated Bible study programs, and more.
OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard for $29, run Windows on your Mac for Free, Update Breaks Office 2008, and more, Mac News Review, 2009.08.07. Also getting your Mac ready for Snow Leopard, Time Capsule doubles capacity, Picasa 3 for Mac, Bodega Mac app store, and more.
New Books have better displays, digital vs. analog audio I/O, Craigslist restrictions, and more, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2009.07.15. Also three browsers Opera, Stainless, and Cruz compared, and installing Mac OS X from DVD on a Mac that cant mount DVDs.
Are close-out MacBooks a better value than the new models?, Charles W Moore, Book Value, 2009.07.14. There are great prices on previous gen MacBooks, new and refurbished, but the June 2009 models have lots to offer as well.
Optimized Software Builds Bring Out the Best in Your Mac, Dan Knight, Low End Macs Online Tech Journal, 2009.06.30. Applications compiled for your Macs CPU can load more quickly and run faster than ones compiled for universal use.
Intels promise fulfilled: More processing power per processor cycle, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2009.06.30. Apple promised improved CPU efficiencies when it announced the move to Intel in 2005. Three years of MacBooks show the progress.
Importance of FireWire, replacement battery advice, RAM for WallStreet PowerBooks, and more, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2009.06.24. Also what is IrDA good for? And reflections on Kodachrome, digital photography, and medium format cameras.
Death of a Pismo, end of G4 upgrades, 13 MacBook Pro assessment, and more, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2009.06.17. Also ATA100 drives working reliably in Pismos and Eudora 6.2.4 functioning perfectly with Leopard and broadband.
Low End Macs Safe Sleep FAQ, Dan Knight, Online Tech Journal, 2009.06.15. What is Safe Sleep mode? Which Macs support it? How can you enable or disable it? And more.
The Safe Sleep Mailbag, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2009.06.15. Safe Sleep mode is enabled by default on modern MacBooks. How it works, and how to change how it works.
13 MacBook Pro a Practically Perfect Replacement for the 12 PowerBook, Andrew J Fishkin, Best Tools for the Job, 2009.06.15. Except for being an inch wider, the 13 MacBook Pro surpasses the 12 PowerBook G4 in every respect.
Odd MacBook sleep behavior, Pismo resurrection and upgrades, end nigh for Classic Eudora? and more, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2009.05.27. Also the end of the road for Lombard and G4 iMac CPU upgrades.
Hackintosh Dell Mini worth it?, smallest external notebook drive, troubleshooting your Book, and more, The Book Review, 2009.05.26. Also Apples student rugged netbook from 1997, reviving a Book that wont power up, some trackpad options missing on 10.5.7, bargain Books from $179 to $2,290, and more.
Mac Book Power Management Adventures, Charles W Moore, Book Value, 2009.05.19. If your Book wont power up, shuts down while your working, or has other power issues, resetting its internal power manager may clear things up.
The importance of feel to the computing experience, Charles W Moore, Book Value, 2009.04.21. Computing power is important, but a keyboard and mouse or trackpad with the right feel may have more impact on productivity.
WiFi security advice, Unibody MacBook or white one?, deleting Mac apps, and more, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 04.15. Also getting external Western Digital drives to work with older Macs and a PowerBook Duo prototype found on eBay.
Unibody MacBook an excellent successor to 12 PowerBooks and iBooks, Charles W Moore, Book Value, 2009.04.14. The MacBook is a bit wider and lacks FireWire and a built-in modem, but overall its a worthy successor to the Apples 12 Books.
Can a MacBook replace a 12 PowerBook?, safe wakeup for MacBooks, battery tips, and more, The Book Review, 2009.04.10. Also one Mac user goes Windows, MacBook Pro keyboard and trackpad issues, Snow White on a MacBook, wireless USB, bargain Books from $170 to $2,999, and more.
My Apple laptops: Past, present, and future, Charles W Moore, Book Value, 2009.03.31. Looking back at the WallStreet, Pismo, and PowerBook G4 while moving ahead with a Unibody MacBook.
Getting settled in with the Unibody MacBook, Charles W Moore, Book Value, 2009.03.24. Using a new Mac with dialup is made easier with the preview version of Opera Turbo.
Making the switch from a G4 PowerBook to a Unibody MacBook, Charles W Moore, Book Value, 2009.03.17. The transition to an Intel-based Mac hasnt been without its problems slow dialup performance, incompatibility with Eudora, and no real gain in speed with standby apps.
Apple netbook rumors, two Hackintosh netbooks, 17 MacBook Pro reviewed, and more, The Book Review, 2009.03.13. Also why Apple needs an $800 MacBook, graphics issues, OLED coming to touchscreen Mac netbook?, bargain Books from $170 to $2,999, and more.
17 MacBook Pro reviews, Battery Update improves battery life, matte screen for MacBooks, and more, The Book Review, 2009.03.06. Also 17 Unibody problems, MBA hinge defect, netbooks and notebooks merging, SSD upgrade service for MacBooks, bargain Books from $170 to $2,999, and more.
Unibody MacBook makes old MacBook Pro look old, MacBook cracks, OptiBay for Unibodies, and more, The Book Review, 2009.02.27. Also netbooks dont doom Apple, an Apple netbook wont just be for cheapskates, 12,820 mAh battery in 17 MacBook Pro, bargain Books from $170 to $2,999, and more.
MacBook design limits USB ports, Unibody audio prolem solved, G4 upgrades disappearing, and more, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2009.02.18. How to get the headphone jack on Unibody Books working again, no more dual 1.8 GHz G4 upgrades, and a letter of appreciation.
First impressions of the Unibody MacBook, Charles W Moore, Book Value, 2009.02.09. Construction is sold, size is just right, the keyboard and mouse require a bit too much pressure, and just two USB ports is impractical.
No high definition iTunes video for you, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2008.11.19. The October 2008 MacBooks are preventing users from viewing some high-def iTunes content from being viewed on their external displays. Poor form!
Used Book value, overheating 12 PowerBook, Target Disk Mode weirdness, and more, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2009.02.04. Also Leopard breaks wireless printing for some printers supported by Tiger, and Unibody MacBook the right choice over polycarbonate MacBook.
Charles W Moore going Intel with a Unibody MacBook, Charles W Moore, Book Value, 2009.02.03. Although the 5-year-old 17 PowerBook is just fine, refurb pricing makes this a great time to order a Unibody MacBook.
Plastic or aluminum: Whats the better MacBook now?, Charles W Moore, Book Value, 2009.01.26. Last week Apple updated the polycarbonate MacBook with the same graphics processor as the Unibody MacBook. Which is more compelling?
2 compact portable USB 2.0 hubs, Charles W Moore, Book Value, 2009.01.12. Compact hubs from Targus and Proporta make a great complement to your notebook computer. Each accepts a third-party AC adapter to provide bus power.
MacBook keyboard among best ever, glass trackpad less than intuitive, TiBook desktop mod, and more, The Book Review, 2009.01.09. Also $179 to change battery in 17in MacBook Pro, argument for an Apple netbook, MacBook Air SuperDrive hacked for any Mac, bargain Books from $170 to $2,299, and more.
How netbooks impact Microsoft and Apple, Tim Nash, Taking Back the Market, 2009.01.07. Netbooks are keeping Windows XP alive, which may slow adoption of Windows 7, and perceived value keeps the Mac market share growing at the expense of Windows.
Apples half-baked support for DisplayPort, Frank Fox, Stop the Noiz, 2009.01.06. The DisplayPort specification supports audio, so why does Apple use USB to route sound to the LED Cinema Display?
OS X on netbook guide, fast Intel X25-M SSD benchmarked, Woz joins Axiotron board, and more, The Book Review, 2008.12.24. Also multi-touch trackpad update for Boot Camp, Nvidias Intel-thrashing netbook GPU, Toshiba launches first 512 GB SSD, bargain Books from $170 to $2,299, and more.
Ubuntu Linux and Boot camp make it easy to create a triple boot Mac, Alan Zisman, Mac2Windows, 2008.12.24. Boot Camp makes it easy to install Windows on Intel Macs, and Ubuntu now makes it easy to install Linux to a virtual Windows drive.
Notebooks and blackouts, Charles W Moore, Book Value, 2008.12.23. When the power goes out, a notebook computer with long-lasting batteries lets you keep working for hours and hours.
Why DisplayPort is the video connector for the future, Frank Fox, Stop the Noiz, 2008.12.23. DisplayPort supports multiple displays, combines audio and video on one cable, and costs nothing to use.
New MacBook trackpad takes some getting used to, Alan Zisman, Zis Mac, 2008.12.22. The large glass trackpad is a joy to use in many ways, but it can be frustrating for longtime notebook users and has issues with Boot Camp.
4 GB RAM problem persists after firmware update, TriBook concept MacBook, DIY Mac netbook, and more, The Book Review, 2008.12.19. Also using third-party monitors with Late 2008 MacBooks, MacMagSaver protects MagSafe cord, $25 802.11g USB adapter, bargain Books from $500 to $2,299, and more.
The Better Safe Than Sorry Guide to Installing Mac OS X Updates, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2008.12.16. Most users encounter no problems using Software Update, but some preflight work and using the Combo updater means far less chance of trouble.
MacBook, MacBook Pro, and MacBook Air teething problems and firmware updates, The Book Review, 2008.12.16. Also Apple notebooks strong in weak market, CoolBook controls CPU frequency and voltage for cooler running, Logitechs new Comfort lapdesk, bargain Books from $500 to $2,299, and more.
Why You Should Partition Your Macs Hard Drive, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2008.12.11. At the very least, it makes sense to have a second partition with a bootable version of the Mac OS, so if you have problems with your work partition, you can boot from the emergency partition to run Disk Utility and other diagnostics.
Unibody MacBook video problems, DisplayPort DRM loosened a bit, Mac netbook discussion, and more, The Book Review, 2008.12.05. Also free licensing for Mini DisplayPort, the sexy clamshell iBook, Apples liquid cooled notebook plans, Sonnet FW 400/800 adapter, bargain Books from $500 to $2,299, and more.
MacBook slowdown without battery, DisplayPort and DRM, 256 GB SSD, MagSafe solutions, and more, The Book Review, 2008.11.26. Also Mac netbook prospects, laptop cooling table with 2 fans, solar notebook bag, hard shell cases for unibody Books, bargain Books from $500 to $2,299, and more.
Software to keep your MacBook cool, Phil Herlihy, The Usefulness Equation, 2008.11.25. Heat is the enemy of long hardware life. Two programs to keep your MacBook running cooler.
Netbooks tempting, cry out for Mac OS X, Charles W Moore, Book Value, 2008.11.24. Netbooks are light, cheap, compact, and underpowered. One with OS X and a real Core 2 Duo processor would fly.
DisplayPort copy protection, trackpad update, netbooks not to be taken lightly, and more, The Book Review, 2008.11.21. Also Apple set for record sales, 4-finger gestures on original MacBook Air, MacBook Apples best consumer notebook to date, Cricket laptop stand, bargain Books from $490 to $2,299, and more.
Virtualization shootout: VMWare Fusion 2 vs. Parallels Desktop 4, Kev Kitchens, Kitchens Sync, 2008.11.20. Both programs do the same thing, but one runs Windows XP smoothly alongside Mac apps, while the other bogs down everything but Windows.
Just right: Papa bear, mama bear, and baby bear MacBooks, Charles W Moore, Book Value, 2008.11.20. Some people like small and light notebooks, others prefer huge desktop replacements, but the best value tends to be in the middle.
OS X netbook not from Apple, one-third of notebook buyers leaning to Apple, Spaces made for Books, and more, The Book Review, 2008.11.14. Also Apples special deals site, good-bye to a faithful TiBook, bent Unibody MacBook Pro, 10 hour battery for MacBook Pro, 6 GB RAM solutions and benchmarks, bargain Books from $480 to $2,399, and more.
Kensington Ci95m Wireless Mouse: Great battery life, smooth performance, Charles W Moore, Book Value, 2008.11.13. Kensingtons slim wireless mouse is well built, works smoothly, has great battery life, and avoids Bluetooth pairing and wake-up issues.
Refurb MacBook Pro value, MacBook too big to replace 12 PowerBook, Pismo noise, and more, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2008.11.12. Also installing OS X using FireWire Target Disk Mode, running Virtual PC under Leopard, and how to use filters in iCab.
Targus USB 2.0 High-Speed File Transfer Cable helps offset loss of FireWire, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2008.11.10. Although it cant replace Target Disk Mode, Targus $40 cable makes it easy to transfer files quickly between two Macs, two PCs, or one of each.
Recent MacBooks support 6 GB of RAM, USB 2.0 faster in Unibody Books, graphics shootouts, and more, The Book Review, 2008.11.07. Also FireWire-to-USB, workaround for glossy screens, 3G MacBooks planned, checkpoint-friendly bags for new MacBooks, bargain Books from $480 to $2,399, and more.
Unibody MacBook the logical successor to the 12 PowerBook, Charles W Moore, Book Value, 2008.11.05. All things considered, the thinner, lighter aluminum MacBook is a worthy successor to the 12 PowerBook beloved by so many.
Best refurb MacBook Pro value, AirPort Card thermal issues, Opera vs. iCab, and more, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2008.11.05. Also more thoughts on the lack of FireWire on the Unibody MacBook.
MacBook Pro could use both GPUs at once, 9600M GT smokes 9400M for 3D gaming, new cases, and more, The Book Review, 2008.10.31. Also MacBook Pro doesnt support 8 GB of RAM, matte screen petition, spill sensors in new Books, MacBook Pro reviews, hard drive vs. SSD benchmarks, bargain Books from $259 to $2,399, and more.
Debunking the Apple Tax, Frank Fox, Stop the Noiz, 2008.10.31. no one else is offering the quality of computer construction that Apple offers in the same price range.
The Unibody MacBook FireWire fiasco didnt have to happen, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2008.10.30. Some are claiming that Apple had no choice but to eliminate FireWire with the new MacBook design, but Apple could have eliminated ethernet instead.
One OS to rule them all, Frank Fox, Stop the Noiz, 2008.10.29. With Fusion or Parallels letting you run Windows at full speed, Mac OS X gives you the best of both worlds.
No FireWire on MacBook a deal breaker, getting Pismo working with AirPort, and Pismo screen replacement, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2008.10.29. For those with FireWire peripherals, the Unibody MacBook falls short. Also fixing a Pismo that wont recognize AirPort and replacing its display.
New Unibody MacBook or discontinued 15 MacBook Pro?, Charles W Moore, Book Value, 2008.10.28. The new aluminum MacBook is tempting, but the older MacBook Pro has so many more expansion options.
Apple more green, new MacBook details, FireWire on MacBook petition, benchmarks, and more, The Book Review, 2008.10.28. Also Nvidia controller inside new Books, death of matte displays, MacBook Pro distorted video service program, bargain Books from $259 to $2,399, and more.
New Unibody MacBooks provide some reasons to buy an earlier MacBook Pro, Andrew J Fishkin, Best Tools for the Job, 2008.10.27. While the new MacBook line offers some improvements, Rev. A fears and the lack of a matte display can make the previous design a better choice.
Apples new production technology: Is it worth it?, Tim Nash, Taking Back the Market, 2008.10.27. Carving MacBook bodies from a block of aluminum simplifies production, increases assembly automation, and gives Apple a leg up on the competition.
How to clone Mac OS X to a new hard drive, Simon Royal, Tech Spectrum, 2008.10.07. Whether you want to put a bigger, faster drive in your Mac or clone OS X for use in another Mac, heres the simple process.
Apple Trumps Microsoft in Making the 64-bit Transition Transparent to Users, Frank Fox, Stop the Noiz, 2008.09.18. To use more than 4 GB of RAM under Windows, you need a 64-bit PC and the 64-bit version of Windows. On the Mac, OS X 10.4 and later already support it.
Does running OS X system maintenance routines really do any good?, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2008.08.26. Mac OS X is designed to run certain maintenance routines daily, weekly, and monthly but cant if your Mac is off or asleep.
Tricking out your notebook for superior desktop duty, Charles W Moore, Book Value, 2008.07.29. For desktop use, you dont need to be limited by the built-in trackpad, keyboard, and display or a notebooks compromised ergonomics.
Kensington Portable Power Outlet a great accessory for the road warrior, Charles W Moore, Book Value, 2008.07.22. With three AC outlets and two USB charging ports, this compact device is a great way to have extra power outlets when youre on the go.
Free VirtualBox for Mac now a virtual contender, Alan Zisman, Mac2Windows, 2008.07.21. A year ago, the Mac version of VirtualBox lacked some essential features. Over the past year, its grown into a very useful tool.
Win the depreciation game by buying on the low end, Charles W Moore, Book Value, 2008.06.24. The worst depreciation afflicts high-end models. By buying a less powerful version, choosing certified refurbished, or picking up a used computer, youll come out ahead.
16:9 computer displays: Lets not go there, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2008.06.17. theres no reason our computer displays should match the proportions of our television displays.
SheepShaver brings Classic Mac OS to Intel Macs and Leopard, Alan Zisman, Mac2Windows, 2008.05.20. Mac OS X 10.5 doesnt support Classic Mode. Neither does Leopard. But SheepShaver lets you emulate a PowerPC Mac and run the Classic Mac OS.
Windows on Macs: Three paths for integration, Jason Packer, Macs in the Enterprise, 2008.05.14. Mac users have three routes for running Windows apps: Run Windows using Boot Camp or virtualization, or use a compatibility layer such as WINE.
18 bits cant display millions of colors, todays magic is different from yesterdays, and more, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2008.04.16. Also more feedback on Mac browsers, slow dialup Internet, and a SCSI-to-USB 2.0 solution.
18-bit video inadequate, restoring AppleWorks speed, Macintosh display info, and more, Dan Knight, Low End Mac Mailbag, 2008.04.09. Also problems importing AppleWorks drawings and a damaged, unfixable mail database in Outlook Express 5.
Millions vs. thousands of colors: Whats the difference?, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2008.04.07. Once again Apple is being sued over a Mac that can display only 262,144 colors per pixel, not the millions it claims. Does it realy matter?
Mac again: Picking the right MacBook, Andrew J Fishkin, Best Tools for the Job, 2008.02.27. The 5-year-old PowerBook needed replacing, but is the MacBook Air or the regular MacBook the better choice?
Too few USB ports in too many Macs, developer Leopard ran on Yikes, Mac IIfx RAM heaven, and more, Dan Knight, Low End Mac Mailbag, 2008.01.16. Also Macworld Expo disappoints, Pismo a great field computer, using flash memory in vintage Macs, and Word vs. Pages for academic writing.
Restore stability to a troubled Mac with a clean system install, Keith Winston, Linux to Mac, 2008.01.15. If your Mac is misbehaving, the best fix just might be a fresh reinstallation of Mac OS X dont forget to backup first.
We need more than 2 USB ports in MacBooks, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2008.01.14. Theres something wrong when you cant plug a flash drive, mouse, and printer into a notebook computer at the same time.
External $100 Sony DVD burner likes Macs, Brian Gray, Fruitful Editing, 2007.10.10. The box and manual say nothing about Mac compatibility, but this 18x USB 2.0 DVD burner is plug-and-play (at least with Tiger).
FastMac 8x SuperDrive and BurnAgain DVD: Fast and easy multisession disc burning, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2007.10.08. FastMacs 8x SuperDrive upgrade is remarkably fast compared with older PowerBook burners, and BurnAgain DVD makes it easy to append files to a previously burned CD or DVD.
Does a college freshman need to run Windows on a MacBook?, Al Poulin, My Turn, 2007.07.24. While you can run Windows on todays Intel-based Macs, is there any reason most college students would want to or need to?
Is more RAM more important than matched RAM in the MacBook?, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2007.05.25. Other World Computing has benchmarked 15 configurations with six programs and concluded that more memory is better than matched modules. Are they right?
1 core, 2 cores, 4 cores, 8: How Much Difference Does It Make?, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2007.04.10. Geekbench scores make it possible to compare the newest 3 GHz 8-core Mac Pro with the 1.5 GHz Core Solo Mac mini and all the models in between.
CrossOver: Run Windows Apps on Intel Macs Without Windows, Alan Zisman, Mac2Windows, 2007.02.28. If you need to run Windows apps on your Intel Mac once in a while, CrossOver may be the least expensive way to do so since it eliminates the need to buy a copy of Windows.
Simple ergonomics for the road warrior, Ed Eubanks Jr, The Efficient Mac User, 2007.01.16. The benefits of external keyboards and mice, laptop stands, typing gloves, and anti-RSI software for notebook users.
Parallels Revisited: Release Version Far More Polished than Beta, Alan Zisman, Mac2Windows, 2006.11.21. Parallels lets you run Windows or Linux without rebooting your Intel-based Mac, and its made great strides since the beta came out earlier this year.
To AppleCare or not to AppleCare?, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2006.11.20. Consumer Reports, which generally recommends against extended warranties, says AppleCare makes sense. But does it?
Pre-2006 Software: The Big Reason You Shouldnt Buy an Intel Mac in 2006, Ted Hodges, Vintage Mac Living, 2006.11.09. If you work with software that predates the Intel transition, you may be better off sticking with PowerPC Macs. And if you use classic apps, you definitely want to avoid Intel.
Better laptop performance: Whats the best upgrade?, Andrew J Fishkin, The Mobile Mac, 2006.10.09. Memory, CPU, bus speed, and hard drives all impact performance and battery life. Which upgrades will give you the most up time in the field?
7 tools for keeping your laptop (uh, notebook) cool, Charles W 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.
The Amazing Auto-muting Headphone Jack, Dan Moren, MacUser, 2006.07.01. If you have your MacBooks volume muted and plug in headphones, it turns on the sound and mutes it when you unplug the headphones.
Drive matters, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2006.06.14. Theres 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 youre traveling and need to get hours and hours of use from your Book.
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.
Computer benchmarks and other baloney: Dont 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, theyre actually slower than last years Macs.
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 cant 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.
MacBook (13-inch, Aluminum, Late 2008) Technical Specifications, Apple
Keywords: aluminummacbook late2008macbook macbooklate2008 unsupportedsierra
Short link: http://goo.gl/HVPrDQ
searchwords: aluminummacbook, late2008macbook, macbooklate2008
by Jerry Jackson
Whether youre a college student or a graphic artist Apple just added the most desirable item to your holiday wish list: the new MacBook. With Intel Core 2 Duo processors, Nvidia 9400M graphics, an optional 128GB solid state drive (SSD), and a stylish yet tough design, the new MacBook promises to be one impressive 13-inch notebook. This Mac might look amazing, but does it have the performance to justify the price? Lets take a closer look.
The Apple MacBook (starting at $1,299 ) is available with two choices of Core 2 Duo processors and a choice of hard disk drive or solid state drive. There is only one 13.3 screen offering, a 1280800 WXGA glossy display with LED backlighting.
Our MacBook has the following specifications:
Mac OS X v10.5.5 (Build 9F2114)
Intel Core 2 Duo P7350 2.0GHz (3MB L2 cache, 1066MHz frontside bus)
2GB 1067MHz DDR3 SDRAM
160GB 5400rpm SATA hard disk drive
13.3 glossy widescreen TFT LED backlit display (1280 x 800)
NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics (256MB of DDR3 shared memory)
8x slot-loading SuperDrive (DVDR DL/DVDRW/CD-RW)
iSight webcam
AirPort Extreme WiFi (IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n)
Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR (Enhanced Data Rate)
Mini DisplayPort, Ethernet, two USB 2.0 ports (480Mbps), Audio out and microphone in
Dimensions : 0.95 x 12.78 x 8.94 (H x W x D)
Weight: 4.51 pounds
Integrated 45-watt-hour lithium-polymer battery
60W MagSafe power adapter with cable management system
Build and Design
The new unibody construction of the MacBook for late 2008 makes this MacBook one of the most impressively built 13-inch notebooks weve seen in recent memory. When you pick this notebook up it feels like youre holding a solid piece of metal. In a manner of speaking, you are. The unibody chassis is milled from a solid block of aluminum, making the MacBook one of the most durable 13-inch notebooks you can buy for less than $2,000. A thickness of less than an inch and a weight of roughly 4.5 pounds likewise help to make this update to the MacBook line a compelling choice for students and road warriors.
Bottom line, despite the impressive thinness of the design, the MacBook is quite solid and durable thanks to the aluminum construction. We dont recommend dropping the MacBook (or any notebook for that matter) but the MacBook should survive any use and abuse that a college student or corporate road warrior can deliver over several years of travel between home and school or home and work.
The MacBook lid does not have a latch to hold it closed, but the hinge mechanism works well and firmly holds the lid in place. While were on the topic of the hinge, Apple made the strange choice of using black plastic around the hinge rather than brushed aluminum like the rest of a the chassis design. This isnt a major problem, but it looks a little odd and plastic doesnt give the same impression of durability as aluminum. On the bright side there is almost no flex to the screen thanks to the metal lid.
Performance and Benchmarks
The MacBook has reasonable performance based on the 2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo P7350 processor. The P7350 isnt the most impressive Core 2 Duo processor in the Intel lineup, but it certainly performs much better than the processors used in the Apple MacBook Air. The XBench benchmarks indicate that the new MacBook is a solid update in Apples current lineup. As youll see in chart below, the MacBook has a solid performance boost over previous generation MacBooks. The startup into Leopard is quite fast, and its clear that Apple didnt have to sacrifice processor speed in order to bring this thin unibody laptop to consumers.
The Nvidia GeForce 9400M graphics should provide adequate performance for most games and wont have any trouble with high-definition video output to an external monitor. That said, this isnt a gaming notebook and wont break any records with current 3D games.
The 160GB Toshiba hard drive in the MacBook provides a reasonable amount of storage and performance. The 5400rpm 2.5 hard drive is relatively average for notebooks in 2008. However, since the MacBook is more expensive than your average notebook we would have liked to see a faster 7200rpm hard drive at the $1,299 price tag.
You can also configure that MacBook with a 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo P8600 processor (a modest performance increase) and a larger 250GB or 320GB hard drive or a much faster 128GB SSD. Unfortunately, the faster processor and faster drive increase the price of the MacBook to between $1,599 and $2,199.
With the basics out of the way, lets jump into the performance benchmarks.
XBench is a comprehensive benchmarking solution for Mac OS X commonly used to compare the relative speeds of two different Macintoshes.
XBench 1.3 summary results: Model Overall Score MacBook 2008 (2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo) 126.23 MacBook Air (1.6GHz Intel Core 2 Duo) 50.76 Mac Mini (1.83GHz Intel Core 2 Duo) 94.58 MacBook (2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo) 95.89 MacBook Pro (2.2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo) 106.05 PowerBook G3 Pismo (500MHz G3) 18.47
wPrime is a program that forces the processor to do recursive mathematical calculations, the advantage of this program is that it is multi-threaded and can use both processor cores at once, thereby giving more accurate benchmarking measurements than Super Pi. (Lower scores indicate better performance.)
Notebook / CPU wPrime 32M time Apple MacBook (Intel Core 2 Duo P7350 @ 2.0GHz) 38.421s Apple MacBook Air (Intel Core 2 Duo P7500 @ 1.6GHz) 68.173s Dell Inspiron 13 (Pentium Dual Core T2390 @ 1.86GHz) 44.664s
Toshiba Satellite U405 (Core 2 Duo T8100 @ 2.1GHz)
37.500s Sony VAIO NR (Core 2 Duo T5250 @ 1.5GHz) 58.233s Toshiba Tecra A9 (Core 2 Duo T7500 @ 2.2GHz) 38.343s Toshiba Tecra M9 (Core 2 Duo T7500 @ 2.2GHz) 37.299s HP Compaq 6910p (Core 2 Duo T7300 @ 2GHz) 40.965s Sony VAIO TZ (Core 2 Duo U7600 @ 1.20GHz) 76.240s Zepto 6024W (Core 2 Duo T7300 @ 2GHz) 42.385s Lenovo T61 (Core 2 Duo T7500 @ 2.2GHz) 37.705s Alienware M5750 (Core 2 Duo T7600 @ 2.33GHz) 38.327s Hewlett Packard DV6000z (Turion X2 TL-60 @ 2.0GHz) 38.720s
PCMark05 comparison results (Higher scores indicate better performance): Notebook PCMark05 Score Apple MacBook (2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo P7350, Nvidia GeForce 9400M) 3,961 PCMarks Apple MacBook Air (1.6GHz Intel Core 2 Duo P7500, Intel X3100) 2,478 PCMarks Dell Inspiron 13 (1.86GHz Intel T2390, Intel X3100)
3,727 PCMarks Lenovo ThinkPad X301 (1.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo SU9400, Intel 4500MHD) 4,457 PCMarks Sony VAIO NR (1.5GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T5250, Intel X3100) 3,283 PCMarks Sony VAIO CR (1.8GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T7100, Intel X3100) 3,612 PCMarks Sony VAIO TZ (1.20GHz Core 2 Duo U7600, Intel GMA 950) 2,446 PCMarks Lenovo ThinkPad X61 (2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T7300, Intel X3100) 4,153 PCMarks Lenovo 3000 V200 (2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T7300, Intel X3100) 3,987 PCMarks Lenovo T60 Widescreen (2.0GHz Intel T7200, ATI X1400 128MB) 4,189 PCMarks HP dv6000t (2.16GHz Intel T7400, NVIDA GeForce Go 7400) 4,234 PCMarks Fujitsu N6410 (1.66GHz Core Duo, ATI X1400) 3,487 PCMarks Alienware M7700 (AMD Athlon FX-60, Nvidia Go 7800GTX) 5,597 PCMarks Sony VAIO SZ-110B in Speed Mode (Using Nvidia GeForce Go 7400) 3,637 PCMarks Asus V6J (1.86GHz Core Duo T2400, Nvidia Go 7400) 3,646 PCMarks
3DMark06 comparison results (Higher scores indicate better performance): Notebook 3DMark06 Score Apple MacBook (2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo P7350, Nvidia GeForce 9400M)
2,116 3DMarks Apple MacBook Air (1.6GHz Intel Core 2 Duo P7500, Intel X3100) 502 3DMarks Dell Inspiron 13 (1.86GHz Intel T2390, Intel X3100)
470 3DMarks Lenovo ThinkPad X301 (1.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo SU9400, Intel 4500MHD) 712 3DMarks Sony VAIO NR (1.5GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T5250, Intel X3100) 504 3DMarks Toshiba Tecra A9 (2.20GHz Core 2 Duo T7500, NVIDIA Quadro NVS 130M 256MB) 932 3DMarks Toshiba Tecra M9 (2.20GHz Core 2 Duo T7500, NVIDIA Quadro NVS 130M 128MB) 1,115 3DMarks Sony VAIO TZ (1.20GHz Core 2 Duo U7600, Intel GMA 950) 122 3DMarks LG R500 (2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T7300, NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GS 256MB) 2,776 3DMarks HP dv2500t (2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T7300, NVIDIA GeForce Go 8400M GS 128MB) 1,055 3DMarks Dell Inspiron 1420 (2.2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T7500, NVIDIA GeForce Go 8400M GS 128MB) 1,329 3DMarks Sony VAIO FZ (2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T7300, Intel X3100) 532 3DMarks Dell XPS M1330 (2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T7300, NVIDIA GeForce Go 8400M GS 128MB) 1,408 3DMarks Samsung Q70 (2.0GHz Core 2 Duo T7300 and nVidia 8400M G GPU) 1,069 3DMarks Asus F3sv-A1 (Core 2 Duo T7300 2.0GHz, Nvidia 8600M GS 256MB) 2,344 3DMarks Alienware Area 51 m5550 (2.33GHz Core 2 Duo, nVidia GeForce Go 7600 256MB 2,183 3DMarks HP dv6000t (2.16 GHz Intel T7400, NVIDA GeForce Go 7400) 827 3DMarks
HDTune results:
Screen
The 13.3 WXGA glossy screen on the MacBook isnt ideal for HD video, but it does offer sharp contrast, excellent color, and reasonably even backlighting. Unlike many other 13.3 1280800 pixel displays the screen on the MacBook doesnt suffer from graininess. Horizontal viewing angles were excellent although vertical viewing angles were only average. The screen itself didnt suffer from ripples or stuck pixels, and we didnt notice any obvious light leakage around the edge of our display.
While were on the topic of the display, lets go ahead and address our biggest problem with this screen: an extremely glossy outer layer that creates reflections so strong you might as well use the screen as a mirror. Weve discussed this problem before with other notebooks, but unfortunately it appears that the notebook industry continues to think consumers want excessively glossy displays.
Our editorial staff actually likes standard glossy displays on notebooks. Traditional glossy displays usually have better contrast and deeper/richer colors than matte screens. However, over the last year many notebook manufacturers have started placing a glossy transparent protective layer in front of the actual notebook screen. Why should you care? This causes major reflections and serious eye strain problems because your eyes are constantly shifting focus between the reflections on the glossy protective layer and the text/images displayed on the screen underneath. Below are images showing just how reflective the protective layer is:
Dim room lights and maximum screen brightness
Normal room lights and maximum screen brightness
This overly reflective screen surface also makes it next to impossible to use your notebook outdoors in bright sunlight because the sunlight overpowers the screens LED backlights and makes the screen look like a mirror.
Keyboard and Touchpad
How to use xbox 360 controller on mac . The full-sized keyboard on the MacBook has no flex and is remarkably solid thanks to the laptops aluminum construction. The keys have excellent cushion and response and were quiet during use. The keyboard lacks dedicated keys for home, end, page up, page down and also lacks obvious function keys for those keys. The f-keys also control a range of features (such as raising or lowering screen brightness). The only potential negative issue with the keyboard is that the keys are extremely flat. Some typists enjoy flat keys while others absolutely require traditional curved keys. This may or may not be a problem for you.
The backlit keyboard is a nice touch that proves quite useful when working in low light environments. That said, we would have liked the backlight to be even stronger.
The touchpad is nice and large and features a durable and responsive surface. The multi-touch functionality gives the touchpad some extra usefulness when editing photos or manipulating other files. The touchpad buttons are hidden beneath the bottom edge of the touchpad and the bottom of the touchpad actually presses down when you press the bottom left or bottom right of the touchpad. The touchpad buttons (or button) has extremely shallow feedback with a quiet, cushioned click. That being said, we generally prefer to have a bit deeper feedback in touchpad buttons. Adobe premiere pro free mac tumblr . In general, the liberal size of the touchpad makes for a genuinely enjoyable experience.
One minor note, when testing the MacBook with BootCamp and Windows Vista Ultimate we discovered that the touchpad drivers provided by Apple dont perform nearly as well as the drivers under Mac OS X. Although Im sure Apple wasnt overly concerned about Windows performance, if you plan to use this notebook with Windows we recommend you use an external mouse.
Input and Output Ports
Ports selection on the new MacBook is something of a mixed bag. While were glad to see there are considerably more ports on the MacBook than there are on the MacBook Air, Apple decided to make some strange choices about what to include (and what not to include) on the new MacBook. The complete list of ports includes:
MagSafe power port
Gigabit Ethernet port
Two USB 2.0 ports
Mini DisplayPort
Audio line in
Audio line out
Kensington lock slot
Although Apple engineers deserve serious credit for making the new MacBook so thin and so durable at the same time, we cant help but feel a little disappointed by the lack of ports. The most obvious omission is the lack of a Firewire port. Although USB 2.0 is more popular than Firewire, many Mac accessories require a Firewire port, so now those Made for Mac accessories are useless. Windows 7 on new macbook pro . Likewise, there is no standard video out port so you have to use an adapter (or one of Apples new displays) in order to connect the MacBook to an external monitor or projector. Additionally, the lack of either an eSATA port or an ExpressCard slot makes the MacBook one of the least useful 13-inch notebooks on the market when it comes to ports and expansion. Mac Os 10.12 On Macbook Pro Late 2008
Audio
The built-in stereo speakers in the MacBook are surprisingly impressive. After the downright horrid performance of the monospeaker in the MacBook Air, we expected the speakers in the MacBook to be underwhelming. Fortunately, the speakers in the new MacBook produce distortion-free sound at reasonably loud volume levels with excellent highs and midtones. The bass is rather lacking, but thats not a big surprise in notebooks that dont have a dedicated subwoofer. In short, the MacBook has reasonable audio performance for a notebook in this class.
The audio out port (headphone minijack) provides excellent audio output. Theres little or no distortion or static and the sound on my earbuds was quite enjoyable.
Battery
The MacBook uses an integrated 45-watt-hour lithium-polymer battery. The lithium-polymer technology should have a longer lifespan than standard lithium-ion batteries found in most notebooks. Unfortunately, there is no higher capacity battery available from Apple.
Apple claims that the battery inside the MacBook provides 5 hours of wireless productivity. Our real-world tests suggest that estimate is very accurate. With the MacBooks power management set to maximize battery life and a 100 percent charge the battery life ended up coming to 4 hours and 47 minutes with the display switching between maximum and minimum brightness and wireless on.
Heat and Noise
One downside to an all-aluminum design is the entire notebook acts as one gigantic heatsink. In the case of the MacBook, we expected the machine to run extremely hot when under stress. Thankfully, our tests show that the MacBook manages heat quite well. Even after running multiple benchmarks the MacBook the temperatures remained at perfectly acceptable levels. Below are temperature readings listed in degrees Fahrenheit.
There really isnt much point in mentioning noise when it comes to the new MacBook because this notebook is extremely quiet. I overlooked the cooling fan in the initial teardown because I never heard it running during benchmarks. This thing is very quiet.
Conclusion
Youll have a hard time finding anyone in the United States today who hasnt heard the phrases, Im a Mac and Im a PC. Apple heavily invested in both design and advertising around that design over the last decade. Those investments have clearly paid off, but is the new MacBook really as impressive as Apple wants you to believe? Well, the answer depends on your answer to this question: Are you a Mac, or are you a PC?
The lack of ports and overly glossy screen make the MacBook a less than compelling option for students and road warriors. On the other hand, if you specifically need a Mac the new MacBook is an excellent value.
Bottom line, if you need a Mac laptop for less than $1,500 then the new MacBook makes a good choice. However, if youre just looking for a high-performance, portable notebook with rugged build quality I suggest you consider an HP EliteBook 2530p which retails for just a little more than the MacBook but is a far superior notebook.
Pros:
Slick design
Cool touchpad
Durable build quality
So quiet it seems like it has fanless cooling
Its a Mac
Cons:
No Firewire ports
No standard video out ports
No eSATA port
All the ports are located on one side
Flat keyboard keys
13-inch mirror masquerading as a display
Its a Mac
