Review of Apple MacBook MA255LL/A 13.3″ Laptop
I have owned several Apple laptops over the past decade, including a Pismo Powerbook G3, iBook G3 Tangerine, iBook G4 white (several models), and a couple of Powerbook G4’s. Apple has a fantastic design and great feature set with the MacBook. Considering the feature set and huge performance jump over previous G4 portable Macs, this is Apple’s best laptop to date.
WHAT I LIKE:
Size – 13.3″ widescreen is not too big, not too small. Good for desktop use, and great for travel. Incredibly, the MacBook only increased .3 pounds vs. the smaller 12.1″ iBook (4.9 to 5.2 lbs) and DROPPED .7 pounds from the 14.1″ iBook (5.9 lbs)!
Features – fastest processor to date in a Mac portable at 2.0GHz core duo. I tested the DVD to MPEG-4 ripper/converter Handbrake, and my MacBook 2.0 Intel beat an iMac G5 2.1GHz desktop by over 4x the speed! Other great features include magsafe power connector, mini-DVI output, screen spanning (in iBook spanning required a hack), built-in iSight, serial ATA hard drive that is easily replaceable (I put in a 100GB 7200rpm), great new keyboard, long battery life (3.5-4 hours average) and the glossy screen. Yes, I was leery of the glossy screen before purchase, but images look great and glare has not been a problem in many different environments.
Cost – Good price at $1299 for the white considering the $1999 MacBook Pro only adds dedicated graphics, 15″ screen, 20GB, backlit keys, and Aluminum shell. For the increased heat, size, and cost, the MacBook is much more appealing to me vs. the Pro model.
WHAT I DO NOT LIKE:
Nothing. Absolutely nothing. I thought I would not like the integrated GMA950 Intel graphics, but the reduced heat and increased battery life of the integrated graphics are of much greater value to me than being able to squeeze more FPS out of a 3D game which I hardly play on a laptop. Apple’s entry level laptop is not meant to be a gaming machine.
I originally purchased the white SuperDrive MacBook, but after seeing the black model in an Apple store, I spent the bucks and bought the black model and resold the white. Not that I didn’t like the white, it’s just that the black is THAT MUCH BETTER LOOKING. In my opinion, the black is worth the $150 premium ($50 for HD upgrade).
I am very pleased with my MacBook and would highly recommend the MacBook to anyone looking for a portable Mac. Just be sure to see them in person before you buy, as I think the black one looks better, so much so that I sold a new white one at a loss just to get the black one here on Amazon.
Product Description
With Intel Core Duo processing power, you’ll be amazed at what your MacBook can do–and how fast it can do it. Its 13.3-inch glossy widescreen display lets you see more of your photos, movies, websites, and documents at once and with more clarity than ever. A built-in iSight camera gives you hassle-free video chatting,1 while Front Row and the Apple Remote make it simple to navigate your digital media from across the room. At just 1.08 inches thin and barely over 5 pounds,2 the versatile and portable MacBook puts a world of advanced features all within your reach. 1Video conferencing requires a broadband Internet connection; fees may apply. 2Weight varies by configuration and manufacturing process.
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