About.com Rating
The Bottom Line
A rugged notebook with plenty of power and capability, just right for students and home users on the go.
Pros
- Faster Core 2 Duo processor
- Available in white or black
- LED backlit 13.3” LCD display
- Backlit keyboard
- Can run OS X and Windows
Cons
- Limited to a maximum of 4 GB RAM
- Limited user expansion
- Few hard drive options
- No PC card or ExpressCard slot
Description
- 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor
- 800 MHz front side bus
- 2 GB RAM
- 160 or 250 GB hard drive
- 8x Superdrive
- GMA X3100 graphics processor
- Built-in iSight video camera
- 802.11n wireless connectivity
- 1 FireWire 400 and two USB 2.0 ports
- 60 watt MagSafe power adapter
Guide Review - MacBook
Since its introduction, the Apple MacBook has been one of the most popular notebook computers available. Apple has repeatedly updated the MacBook’s innards, to keep it current with the ever-changing technological landscape, so it’s no surprise that the latest version of the MacBook shares the same outward style as previous offerings.
Underneath the calm MacBook exterior is a faster, 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor and, just as important for overall performance, a fast, 800 Mhz system bus to allow the processor to chat with the other components that make up the MacBook.
In addition to the processor, the MacBook’s graphics processor has also been beefed up. Gone is the older Intel GMA 950, which was handicapped by having only 64 MB of video RAM available.
Instead, the new MacBook uses an Intel GMA X3100 graphics processor, with 144 MB of video RAM. The new video processor will certainly help the MacBook’s performance with graphics-intensive applications like Photoshop, Aperture, and Lightroom. It should also provide reasonable gaming performance for all but the most hard-core gamers.
The 13.3” display now uses LED backlighting, replacing the cold fluorescent tube commonly used in displays. The new backlighting has two important characteristics that users will enjoy. First, the display is much brighter than in previous MacBooks, and can stand up to bright lighting conditions, such as outdoors, with no washout problems. Second, LED backlighting uses less power, which means longer time between battery recharges.
The MacBook’s networking capabilities are top flight, with Gigabit Ethernet as well as 802.11n for wireless connectivity. It also has built-in Bluetooth 2.0.
With its sleek design and attractive collection of useful features, the Apple MacBook is a great choice for people on the go.