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April 5, 2007

hardware

The long and winding road of Apple notebooks

Posted Apr. 5, ’07, 3:22 PM PT by Scott Silverman
Category | Hardware

MacBookI type this post on what is officially the sixth Apple notebook I have ever owned. Considering I switched to the Macintosh platform in 2004, that’s more than most, I would say. You must understand, however, that six notebooks includes those replacement units given to me by Apple. Thus, my general progression of laptop ownership goes something like this:

iBook G4 > MacBook Pro > MacBook

Sure, you may think I’m crazy, but hear me out before you shoot me down. The iBook G4 was my first Apple notebook, and thus the one that holds the greatest place in my heart. It was small, could handle a surprising amount of processes (even the likes of Final Cut Pro), and had sleek looks with a durable casing. After MW06, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on a shiny new Intel Mac, and so ended up buying a MacBook Pro with the funds made from the sale of my iBook and Power Mac G5.

My MacBook Pro served me well. It was by far one of the most powerful machines I’d ever owned, even giving the G5 a run for its money. The beautiful 15” screen let me spread out my work and make color-accurate prints, while the dual core processor and dedicated video card let me easily run apps like Aperture and Final Cut Studio. I loved the look of the aluminum casing and the thin design, but ultimately decided to move on to smaller-and-better things.

Last week, after listing my my brand new MacBook Pro on eBay (Apple sent me a new replacement unit after my old MBP malfunctioned), I walked home with a shiny white MacBook. Since the day when my new system was up and running, I have never looked back; I absolutely love this little machine.

I find that in terms of everyday performance, there’s little difference between the MacBook Pro and MacBook. Mind you I did switch from a 2.16GHz Core Duo processor on the MBP to a 2.0GHz Core 2 Duo on the MB, but things on the MacBook are just as speedy. I’ve even been able to dabble in Aperture and Photoshop with no issues at all (alright so Aperture may have been a tiny bit sluggish due to the integrated graphics).

Aside from performance differences, I find the MacBook to be superior in all other aspects. I honestly think it’s a better designed computer: it’s sleeker, smaller, lighter, more ergonomic, and overall just more Apple-like. One of my favorite features, aside from the smaller size, is the magnetic closure of the lid. I never realized what a pain the latch on the MBP was until I didn’t have to deal with it. I also love the MB keyboard and can’t get over how durable it feels. Things I miss on the MBP are the illuminated keyboard and… well I really can’t think of anything else. I guess I would say I miss the 15” screen, but there’s only a 160 pixel difference in length (100 in height) between the MBP and MB. The only part of the screen I miss is the matte finish, brighter backlight, and better color accuracy—all things easy to give up in my opinion.

Thus I’m to make a pretty big conclusion here: I think the Core 2 Duo MacBook is one of the best notebook computers Apple has ever made. (OK all you Apple-history lovers, go prove me wrong.) It’s small, beautiful, powerful, durable, and even inexpensive. I’m not entirely sure why I opted for the inferior, $1000 premium MacBook Pro in the first place. This MacBook rocks.


15 Comments

Pos said:

No doubt about it, I bought my first Apple notebook just before christmas last year and it's simply superb! I still use my mac mini more, but my glossy little macbook is my perfect companion on the go, or when I just want to work in a different environment. Can't complain =)

April 5, 2007 4:03 PM
Eric Longstaff said:

I hear ya. Since 2002 I've owned 5 Mac's and 4 of them notebooks:

iBook G4, PowerBook G4 (twice), iMac G5 and current Mac is a MacBook Pro.

My girlfriend has a black MacBook and although I think it's a great Mac I absolutely love my MBP. The bigger screen , the matte display and the keyboard makes me want to use a MBP over a MB any ole day.

April 5, 2007 4:09 PM
Adam said:

I agree with you 100%. I switched just this year by purchasing a blackbook (100GB 2.0Ghz C2D 1GB Ram) from the refurb store. Only complaint is the glossy screen because I constantly have to have glasses cleaner with me. A couple weeks ago I was working in a studio on a macbook pro and I felt honestly uncomfortable, and even annoyed. I don't know what it was... the keyboard maybe? Logic Pro was slightly speedier yes, but the whole thing just seemed clunky and fragile to me. I never knew how much I loved the magnetic shut system or the brilliant ergonomic keyboard until they weren't there. The feature on the MB that was missing on the MBP that infuriated.. yes infuriated.. me enough to pull my blackbook out of my bag.. was the ports. On macbooks they are all on one side. On MBP's... scattered. On nearly every single other laptop manufactured in the world it is this way, so you would think no big right? Wrong. If this is a feature Apple abandons with future products I will be sorely disappointed. They should somehow incorporate it into their pro notebooks. I might actually purchase one. But for now while I build my own personal studio I am going to buy an 8 core mac with 4gigs ram and pray to God the new version of Logic Pro will support 8 cores, and when I am doing mastering and post-production I will sit with my blackbook (NOT an MBP. the money I will save from not buying one allows me to buy a mactopuss.) in bed doing most of it with play-typing.

Sorry that was so winded, but I guess I didn't know how strongly I felt about that. Macbooks feel like Apple. On the MBP I felt like I was using a Dell or even (ick) an HP. Not quite lenovo.. those are horrid.

April 5, 2007 5:10 PM
Tim said:

I disagree: while I don't have a macbook, I have a 17" MBP I find it to be thiner sleeker and better designed and would not replace it with anything except perhaps a faster one or a subnotebook in the pro line. I love the keyboard and how its backlighted the speed the screen size and quality, the extra ports and design not to mention the amazing speakers and just the overall feel of that smooth aluminum it is a feast for the senses well enough of my rambling about how much I love the Pro line of apples notebooks :)

April 5, 2007 5:26 PM
nik said:

I totally agree with the article. I have been using macs for 6 years now, and have 8 people (friends, colleagues, and family) who have bought macs on my recommendation (wish apple had a referrral program!!) and swear by them. I started with the 1GHZ imacG4 ad a few months back, bought the MacBook C2D (black). I upped the memory last week to 2GB and boy! does this thing rock or what??? The new keyboard style, the simple things like the mag-safe adapter, the magnetic cover, Front Row with the remote - all scream apple! Simple and elegant. In fact, I have a few frends who have the iMac and iBooks, and I showed them movie trailers on FrontRow. Now all of them are looking to buy a MaBook for themselves!!!

Truly a fine piece of machinery that other's envy and owners of one take pride in.

April 5, 2007 5:46 PM
Ben said:

your title: ibook g4 > macbook pro > macbook looks like ibook greater than macbook pro greater than macbook.

April 5, 2007 6:44 PM
WesG said:

I'm going to have to agree with the general consensus here in that MacBook >>>> most other systems. Like you, Scott, I became my own Mac user (my dad has used them forever) in 2004 with the purchase of a 14" iBook G4. I love that machine, as it kept up with all the things I wanted to do, including more demanding jobs like video editing and the like. It was unfortunate that the logic board died, forcing me to buy a new MacBook, but I haven't looked back! This new machine is even better, I love the widescreen display, and you don't recognize how good the keyboard is until you use another system, like the other iBook we have in our house. I'm not trading this MacBook, ever! (which includes getting AppleCare so I'm covered!)

April 5, 2007 7:14 PM
David Anasco said:

For me the very best Mac portable computer was the Powerbook Pismo G3. Mine is almost seven years old, and it is still running strong. While it definitely slows down during iMovie renderings and such, it is SEVEN YEARS OLD! It is running Tiger, and purring along. I currently am using a 15" G4 Powerbook, and I hope it lasts as long as the Pismo. For some reason I doubt it will.

April 5, 2007 7:21 PM
Johnald126 Author Profile Page said:

I agree completely. However, my opinion is a little biased since my Intel Core Duo BlackBook is the first Mac I've ever owned. All the reasons you just extolled in your post are the exact reasons why I love my machine and there is no chance in Hell that'd I'd go back to a PC. But, I must admit, walking around my campus I've seen more than one 12" Powerbook G4 and felt pangs of jealousy. That computer is the perfect size. Oh well, I'll just hope that Apple releases a similar form factor for the MacBook (MacBook Mini, perhaps?) and that when that happens I have enough funds to trade up (or is it down?). Anyways, I agree that the MacBook is the best notebook money can buy at the moment.

April 5, 2007 7:27 PM
Moe said:

Disagree. The Macbooks are prettier and more "Appleish", but the Macbook Pro takes the cake for me. For all the reasons you mentioned (Screen Real Estate, backlit keyboard) and I have to admit, I love the metallic look. It works fast and powerfully and it just works beautifully. I can see why people choose the Macbooks, but the Pro in the Macbook Pro does make the difference.

By the way, the guy who said it feels Dellish or HPish is a nut. Come on, I would never compare any Apple product to a Dell or HP. Apple makes quality and sexy hardware and wonderful software. Lets keep moving on.

April 5, 2007 9:00 PM
Jezza said:

I couldn't agree more, I just got the black one after using the last of the titaniums for years. Not sure about the glossy screen but I love this machine

April 6, 2007 1:07 AM
Mac Junky said:

I agree. The little black box is faster, smaller, lighter and far more durable the the MBP. I have a black and MBP 15", the small one traveles with me is lighter and doesnt get dinged...its faster too!

This isnt the right forum for it...but when is apple coming out with a nice thin 12" fir us business users (yes business guys on macs)

April 6, 2007 4:39 AM
Mitch said:

Right now, I am awaiting a shipment of a shiny new MBP from a referral/offer program I joined. I only paid about $70 and spent 10 hours of time getting the computer. I currently have a MB CD 2.0 that will go to the wife. I look forward to the MBP for several reasons - I think I will enjoy the bigger screen and the fact that there's a USB port on either side: I like to have my external HD plugged in on one side and be able to hot swap camera card readers on the other, etc. I'm also looking forward to the double-sized hard drive and the keyboard I miss so much from my 12-inch PB G4 867 of college days. I know I will probably miss all the ergonomic niceties of the white MB (magnetic latch, thinness) and might end up eBaying the MBP to get a tricked out refurb Blackbook.

April 6, 2007 6:37 AM
Walt Basil said:

Like most things, it's relative to the user. For years, (back in my frequent travelling days)the 12" iBook was my perfect laptop. It did all I wanted, I have perfect vision, and it fit on the fold-down tray of the airliners. Later, when I wasn't travelling anymore and money wasn't an issue, I bought a 15" PowerBook G4 from the online store and maxed out all the options. A friend had the 17", so I knew what that felt like and it was too large for my liking or purposes. Nearly 2 years later my trusty friend and PowerBook is still treating me nice, and doesn't leave me feeling like I want more. My next will be either a MacBook or iMac. I haven't quite decided yet. The iPhone will fullfil all my mobile needs (email, contacts, web, iTunes), so I'm leaning towards an iMac now.

April 6, 2007 7:38 AM
Bubba said:

Personally, I'm not a fan of the new keyboard. Don't know about other MB users, but I type much slower and less accurate with it. And my palmrests are looking gross as I opted for the white casing. I hear they've fixed that up. But most of all, I wish the MB had better battery life.

That's why I go back to the 'back up' computer when i have to hit a writing deadline hard. Or if I'm getting on an international flight.

9.5 hours battery life in Tiger, can edit HDV video, has a responsive keyboard, matte screen, and comes in sexy black.

PISMO G4!

April 7, 2007 6:26 PM

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