[Review] Apple MacBook 13.3"


Recommended Posts

hey guys,

I managed to get my hands on my black MackBook 13.3" quickly this morning.

DSC00641.JPG

DSC00642.JPG

so far, my review is: It's beautiful.

i'm going to play around with it a bit and transfer everything over from my old 867mhz 12" :p

i'll post up new pics and finish this review later tonight.

---edit---

meh, i'm doing all the software updates now. there's a good 10 or 12 to do.

so meanwhile, i'll just talk about the physical aspects.

Okay, so the outside of the MacBook is polycarbonate. It feels similar to the iBook G4. One of the drawbacks is the cool touch that the PowerBook G4's have. Apple has taken out the button latch, and now just has a little indentation allowing you to just lift up the LCD (it's magnetic).

The bezel around the LCD is a little bit thicker than the PBG4, at 3/4ths of an inch. LOL, while measuring, I learned that the magnetic 'latch' is throughout the entire bezel, making a much more secure seal.

The touchpad is 4" wide (same depth), making scrolling much easier. I'm assuming the MacBook Pro's have the same (I never really checked). The keyboard has a whole new look now. imagine an inset soap dish, with holes about 1mm apart for keys. The keys peer out just enough so there's enough elevation to press them down nicely, but not enough to touch the screen while closed. It's gorgeously integrated.

That's pretty much all for now. (pics soon to come)

---edit 2---

So I finished installing BootCamp/XP and Counster-Strike: Source. I ran everything on it's default settings (pretty much medium or high on everything) using the native widescreen resolution of 1280*800, and sad to say, I only got some 10-15 fps. I personally don't mind too much, because I don't play games much. But for some of you i'm sure that comes as a big disappointment. I'm not sure if I needed to tweak anything or whatever. I just did everything cleanly installed (no other apps). I even ran it again using the minimum graphics settings and got the same 10-15 fps results. I ran it at default gfx settings @ 1024*768 and the game seemed to pick up a little more, but still quite laggy. I didn't check for fps on that one though.

---edit 3---

there's something wrong with one of the RAM lever.

it's supposed to be spring loaded to pop out.

so i have it all packaged up right now.

going to go get a new one tomorrow.

so sorry folks. no pics tonight.

tomorrow :)

Edited by SOOPAH256
Link to comment
https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/461793-review-apple-macbook-133/
Share on other sites

i was thinking about waiting. but i couldn't resist the purchase.

it's nice having an inside man.

but anyway, for those that are also thinking about the 120gb...

i opted to get this 100GB 7200rpm, and swap the included 80gb into an external.

dunno if that drive will work, remember its a SATA drive in the macbook now, and thats a PATA drive

Edited by -Dave-

lol. i'm still installing xp.

i've been distracted with some other things. but yeah, definitely later tonight, i'm going to clear up my desk and try and take some good photos.

as for the keyboard, it's not the stantard PBG4 feel. in fact they feel a little bit looser. kind of 'hollow' (if that makes any sense)

that may be because they're all spread apart. i think it's just a matter of getting use to the feel. although i wouldn't say it makes a big difference to me.

the touchpad shows some evidence of either moisture or finger oils. i'm pretty sure it can be cleaned up. overall it's effect seems simliar to that of the PowerBook.

one thing that might not be very evident on the Apple site, is that the white MacBook has a glossy finish on the outside. (just like the iBook) whereas my black MacBook has a duller almost gun metal black finish throughout. but to each his own. :)

Does the touchpad have one click or two clicks built into one piece?

dL

From what I have read elsewhere, the one button touchpad can be setup so you can do right-clicks. Kinda like the mighty mouse can sense when your doing a left/right click.

I wish laptop makers would make more black laptops... Personally I hate silver, gray, white laptops... I just like black ones, and the new macbook being black is nice, I just which they offered a color choice on all models! I also wish people like dell would also offer this...

lol. i'm still installing xp.

i've been distracted with some other things. but yeah, definitely later tonight, i'm going to clear up my desk and try and take some good photos.

as for the keyboard, it's not the stantard PBG4 feel. in fact they feel a little bit looser. kind of 'hollow' (if that makes any sense)

that may be because they're all spread apart. i think it's just a matter of getting use to the feel. although i wouldn't say it makes a big difference to me.

the touchpad shows some evidence of either moisture or finger oils. i'm pretty sure it can be cleaned up. overall it's effect seems simliar to that of the PowerBook.

one thing that might not be very evident on the Apple site, is that the white MacBook has a glossy finish on the outside. (just like the iBook) whereas my black MacBook has a duller almost gun metal black finish throughout. but to each his own. :)

The finish reminds me of the old Lombard PowerBooks.

This topic is now closed to further replies.
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Posts

    • I can't believe Starmer is still there...his party lost so big. He's a stubborn coot, but this is largely unenforceable, so I would imagine he'll be resigning soon. A key here is for parents to buy their kids phones sans Internet access--and set up the Internet at home, where mom and day can, you know, act like parents instead expecting the government to raise their kids.
    • EA launches in-game advertising platform for brands to "connect with audiences" by Pulasthi Ariyasinghe The gaming giant Electronic Arts is exploring more ways to inject real-life brands into its games. Announced today as EA Advertising, the new platform is attempting to make it easier for brands to reach out for deals with the company and put their products inside titles like EA Sports FC, Madden, NHL, Skate, or The Sims. EA revealed that its EA Sports side of the company brings in "hundreds of millions of players across console, PC, and mobile" every year. Fan engagement of these titles was also touted as being "extraordinary," with 23,000 NFL seasons worth of games being played in Madden NFL daily, while EA Sports FC sees over a billion matches a day. “Players come to EA’s games and live experiences every day to play, watch, create and connect,” said David Tinson, Chief Experiences Officer at Electronic Arts. “That gives brands a meaningful opportunity to show up in ways that add value and respect the player experience, while maintaining authenticity in the worlds our teams are building. With EA Advertising, we’re helping brands become part of those moments in ways that are relevant and built for players.” Using the new program EA Advertising, brands will be able to inject their products into games in real-time via dynamic placement. EA says partners will have access to everything from stadium signage in sports games and targeted adverts to in-game content custom-made for the brands. These are described as additions designed to "enhance, not disrupt" experiences. "In these interactive gameplay environments, brands become part of the game itself, reflecting how players engage with advertising in real-world contexts," adds the company "Brands can activate across live environments, tailoring placements to meet campaign objectives, and update campaigns with ongoing optimization informed by aggregated engagement insights." Current real-world brand partnerships EA has built into its games include Visa (EA Sports FC and College Football), Lowe's (EA Sports FC, Madden NFL, and College Football), Red Bull (EA SPORTS FC), Xfinity and Peacock (EA SPORTS FC), and Mountain Dew’s (College Football).
    • Will be surprised if there isn't a new ver of youtube just for labelled educational content
    • UK to ban under-16s from social media following a six-week trial with teenagers by Paul Hill Credit: Pexels A few months ago, Neowin reported that the UK was trialing a social media ban with 300 teenagers for six weeks, that testing has come to an end, and Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced that the country will ban under-16s from social media. Starmer said that this technology is making children unhappy and making it easier for bullies to harass and abuse them. He continued to talk about the addictive nature of social media, saying that it uses an infinite scroll designed to lock users in for hours. He said this interferes with children doing their homework, reading, playing with friends outside, and going to bed on time. Tackling the idea that nothing can be done about social media, Starmer said: The government’s action won’t stop at social media either, the PM said. It plans to take action on gaming services and livestreaming platforms. Right now, he said, strangers can contact any child unchecked. He said this wouldn’t happen in real life, and the government is going to stop it from happening online, too. The Labour government has overseen the introduction of the Online Safety Act, a big change to the internet which includes age verification on adult websites. This has led to a fair bit of backlash, but overall, the government is pushing ahead with these changes.
    • Still using Hexchat every day but i would not consider it Retro 😛
  • Recent Achievements

    • Week One Done
      Jeroen Wilms earned a badge
      Week One Done
    • Week One Done
      rolfus earned a badge
      Week One Done
    • One Month Later
      Leroy Jethro Gibbs earned a badge
      One Month Later
    • Conversation Starter
      flexorcist earned a badge
      Conversation Starter
    • One Month Later
      AndreaB earned a badge
      One Month Later
  • Popular Contributors

    1. 1
      +primortal
      511
    2. 2
      +Edouard
      200
    3. 3
      PsYcHoKiLLa
      136
    4. 4
      ATLien_0
      89
    5. 5
      Steven P.
      83
  • Tell a friend

    Love Neowin? Tell a friend!