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MacBook
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| MacBook | |
|---|---|
 The white MacBook |
|
| Type: | Laptop or Notebook |
| Developer: | Apple Inc. |
| Released: | May 16, 2006 |
| Processor(s): | (Late 2006) 1.83 / 2.0 GHz 64-bit Intel Core 2 Duo |
| Base Price: | USD$1099 |
| Website: | Apple — MacBook |
The MacBook is a line of Macintosh notebook computers developed and marketed by Apple Inc. The MacBook replaced the iBook G4 series as well as the last of the PowerBook series, the 12" PowerBook G4. The original MacBook was built around the Intel Core Duo chip. Every model has a built-in iSight webcam, and a magnetic latch mechanism. The MacBook line is the companion to the higher-end MacBook Pro line.
On November 8, 2006 Apple introduced a MacBook line equipped with the Intel Core 2 Duo processor. This version is available in three configurations: 1.83 GHz and 2.0 GHz with a white polycarbonate enclosure, and a 2.0 GHz model in a matte black case.
Contents |
Early 2006: One 1.83 GHz Intel Core Duo (Yonah) T2400 model and two 2.0 GHz Intel Core Duo (Yonah) T2500 models. All models have a 2 MiB shared L2 cache. The first two models are white while the highest end model is black. The two higher end models are equipped with an internal slot-loading SuperDrive which reads double-layer discs at 8x speed but does not write double-layer discs. This SuperDrive writes DVD-R and DVD+R discs at up to 4x speed, writes DVD-RW and DVD+RW discs at up to 4x speed, writes CD-R discs at up to 24x speed, and writes CD-RW discs at up to 10x speed. The low end model features a slot-loading Combo Drive (DVD-ROM, CD-RW)which reads DVDs at up to 8x speed, writes CD-R discs at up to 24x speed, writes CD-RW at up to 16x speed. There are two DDR2 SDRAM 667 MHz (PC2-5300) user-upgradeable (maximum 2 GiB) slots, with all models stock configured with 512 MiB (2x256) RAM.
Late 2006: The 1.83 GHz Core 2 Duo (Merom) T5600 (2 MiB shared L2 cache) and 2.0 GHz Core 2 Duo (Merom) T7200 (4 MiB shared L2 cache) (retailing at US$1099/£749 and US$1299/£879, respectively) are equipped with a 60 GB 5400-rpm Serial ATA hard drive and an 80 GB 5400-rpm Serial ATA hard drive, respectively. The 2.0 GHz Core 2 Duo T7200 premium black model (US$1499/£999) features a 120 GB 5400-rpm Serial ATA hard drive. The two higher end models are equipped with an internal slot-loading SuperDrive (DVD+R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW) which writes DVD+R DL up to 2.4x speed and DVD-R and DVD+R at up to 6x speed. The low end model features a slot-loading Combo Drive (DVD-ROM, CD-RW)which reads DVDs at up to 8x speed, writes CD-R discs at up to 24x speed and writes CD-RW discs at up to 16x speed. There are two DDR2 SDRAM 667 MHz (PC2-5300) user-upgradeable (maximum 2 GiB) slots, with the lower-end model shipping with 512 MiB (2x256) RAM, while 1 GiB (2x512) RAM comes standard on the mid-range white and high-end black MacBooks).
All MacBooks come with integrated iSight, mini-DVI, MagSafe power connector, built-in 10/100/1000 BASE-T Gigabit Ethernet, AirPort Extreme, two USB 2.0 ports, one Firewire 400 port, Bluetooth 2.0 +EDR, Sudden Motion Sensor and Scrolling TrackPad, as well as an Apple Remote. The ATI Radeon 9550 GPU used in the iBook has been replaced by an Intel GMA 950 graphics processor with 64 MiB of DDR2 SDRAM (shared memory). The MacBook features a 13.3" glossy LCD display (1280x800) which is 79% brighter and provides 30% more viewing area than the iBook. Sound capabilities include built-in stereo speakers, built-in omnidirectional microphone, combined optical digital audio input/audio line in, and combined optical digital audio output/headphone out. The MacBook weighs 5.2 lbs (2.36 kg).[1][2] It also includes a Trusted platform module chip, which may be used for Digital Rights Management.
The MacBook comes preloaded with iLife, Front Row, and Photo Booth.
The MacBook's appearance is loosely based on that of its predecessor, the iBook G4. In addition to the classic white case, Apple is offering a premium black case option; both cases are made of polycarbonate, the thermoplastic Apple is known for using in many of its products. The two-color decision has received some criticism due to the fact that the base black model had originally cost US$150 more than a white model with the same hardware configuration.[4] With the latest price revision, however, this has been reduced to $50.
The MacBook features a glossy display, a first from Apple, which had used anti-glare displays exclusively in its previous portables. The different reflective properties of glossy displays are said to increase color saturation when compared with anti-glare displays. The display has a narrower viewing angle than the anti-glare displays and may glare in bright or fluorescent lighting. Apple's approach with the new glossy display is similar to that of other PC manufacturers such as Sony with its XBRITE displays, Dell's TrueLife, or Toshiba's TruBrite.
The MacBook also features a new sunken keyboard design. Unlike the iBook, Powerbook G3, and Titanium PowerBook's keyboards, it is not removable; instead, each key is individually integrated into the casing with about 3 mm between neighboring keys. This is ostensibly intended to give the keyboard a sturdier feel and to avoid keyboard contact with the screen when closed. The color scheme for keys and labels is white and grey for the white model and black and white for the black model.
The MacBook, unlike recent portable Macintosh computers, has an integrated GPU. It uses an Intel GMA 950 graphics processor instead of an ATI Radeon series GPU as featured in the iBook it replaces and in Apple's consumer line of notebooks. Apple has also chosen not to include a graphics section in its MacBook product website, downplaying the significance of the MacBook's graphical capabilities. Intel's integrated graphics chipsets have been criticized in the past for being unable to handle graphically-intensive tasks such as complex 3D gaming and other heavily GPU-dependent processes.[5]
Apple has most likely used integrated Intel graphics as a cost-cutting measure, as the Intel GMA chipset is cheaper than most discrete GPU solutions from ATI and nVidia.[6] While the Intel GMA 950 lacks dedicated VRAM and other useful features such as Hardware Transform and Lighting (T&L) functionality, it is highly optimized for video playback and requires less power to operate than most ATI and nVidia chipsets.[7]
Another possible reason for not making use of a discrete graphics solution is the amount of space available on the inside of the MacBook. There is simply not as much room on the PCB or in the unit itself for a 1.25 square inch chip, which would require additional cooling, as there is in the MacBook Pro.[citation needed]
The MacBook is the second of Apple's computers to use integrated graphics, after the Mac mini, a desktop model that, like the MacBook, is aimed specifically at typical consumers, which is one new way that Apple is differentiating between its consumer and professional product lines.
The MacBook is different from its iBook predecessor in terms of user serviceability. It is much easier to disassemble compared to the old iBook, which required removing many components such as the EM shields to get to anything, whereas the MacBook requires simply the removal of the outer shell to access almost any interior component. However, the redesigned keyboard is integrated into the main body of the laptop and is thus no longer easily removable or replaceable. In contrast, the MacBook's internal hard drive and RAM are now easily accessible[8] via the underside of the unit. Replacement of the bigger MacBook Pro's internal hard drive is more difficult, requiring disassembly by an authorized service provider to prevent risk of voiding the warranty. This also applies to the older iBook.
- For more details on this topic, see Comparison of Macintosh models.
Unlike the iBook and PowerBook product lines, the MacBook family is marketed as a continuous range of portables. The main differences, except for the pricing, between the MacBook and MacBook Pro is that the MacBook Pro is geared towards professionals who need the better Radeon X1600 based graphics processing capability and higher quality IPS display[citation needed] (as compared to the lower end TN display found on the MacBooks). Both machines run identical software out of the box, at similar speed since the entire MacBook and MacBook Pro line is based on the same Core 2 Duo CPUs at varying clock speeds from 1.83GHz to 2.33GHz.
The MacBook Pro's aluminum enclosure accounts for its relatively low weight, considering its size, of 2.54 kg (5.6 pounds) for the 15.4-inch MacBook Pro model. It has a display resolution of 1440×900 as opposed to the 3.1 kg 17" model with 1680×1050 display. Both can output to the Apple 30" 2560×1600 display. The non-Pro model on the other hand can only drive a 1920×1200 display since it lacks the Dual Link DVI output available on the Pro models.
The MacBook Pro furthermore features an ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 graphics card (128 or 256 MiB GDDR3), compared to the MacBook's integrated Intel GMA 950. Other notable differences include the illuminated keyboard, a FireWire 800 port, dual-link DVI port, and ExpressCard/34 slot. The 17-inch MacBook Pro also features an extra USB 2.0 port (three instead of two) and an 8x dual-layer SuperDrive, unlike the two upper-end MacBook's 6x dual-layer SuperDrive and the 15.4-inch MacBook Pro's 6x dual-layer SuperDrive.
The basic MacBook Pro is priced at US$1999, which is US$500 more than the black MacBook.
- Some MacBook owners complained of discoloration that appeared on the palm rests of their MacBooks,[9] which Apple has acknowledged as a manufacturing problem after a few weeks, offering to replace that part of the casing.[10][11] Apple has issued a Knowledge Base article regarding this issue.[12] This issue is unique to the white MacBooks.
- Another problem reported by some MacBook owners is the uneven illumination of the MacBook's glossy display. In reviews by computer magazines and websites, the display was sometimes criticized as having too narrow a viewing angle (particularly in the vertical direction), unsatisfying color saturation and below-average color contrast, compared to other glossy laptop displays.[13]
- When the MacBook was first released, some owners complained of a "mooing" sound coming from the cooling fan. This issue was resolved with a firmware update released by Apple.
- Apple-Intel architecture
- Apple Intel transition
- Boot Camp
- Comparison of Macintosh models
- MacBook Pro
- MagSafe
- ModBook - a tablet PC made by re-engineering MacBooks
- ^ MacBook technical specifications. Apple Computer (May 16, 2006). Retrieved on 2006-05-16.
- ^ MacBook. Apple Computer (May 16, 2006). Retrieved on 2006-05-16.
- ^ An example can be seen in Shiny Apple Blackbook Rumor: Merely a Coated Black MacBook?. Gizmodo (August 6, 2006). Retrieved on 2006-12-23.
- ^ Assuming same configuration. Based on Clint Ecker (May 18, 2006). Review: Apple MacBook. Ars Technica. Retrieved on 2006-12-23.
- ^ Bruce Gain (September 15, 2005). Are Intel's Integrated Graphics Processors Good Enough for Gaming?. Tom's Hardware. Retrieved on 2006-12-23.
- ^ Fuad Abazovic (July 19, 2005). Intel's Lakeport threatens Nvidia and ATI. The Inquirer. Retrieved on 2006-12-23.
- ^ Intel. IntelGMA 950 Graphics (PDF). Intel.com. Retrieved on 2006-12-23.
- ^ Kasper Jade; Katie Marsal (May 16, 2006). Apple's MacBook sports user-replaceable hard disks. AppleInsider. Retrieved on 2006-12-23.
- ^ Evan Blass (June 13, 2006). White MacBooks showing premature discoloration?. Engadget.com. Retrieved on 2006-12-23.
- ^ Victor Mihailescu (June 29, 2006). Apple Acknowledges MacBook Stains As Manufacturing Defect. Softpedia. Retrieved on 2006-12-23.
- ^ Rae Whitlock (July 13, 2006). My Stained MacBook (and what Apple did about it). not another blog.. Retrieved on 2006-12-23.
- ^ About white MacBooks' palmrest area. Apple Computer. Retrieved on 2006-12-23.
- ^ MacBook. AppleDefects.com. Retrieved on 2006-12-23.
| Apple hardware since 1998 | |
|---|---|
| Consumer computers: | eMac • iBook • iMac (G3, G4, G5, Core Duo, Core 2 Duo) • MacBook • Mac mini |
| Professional computers: | MacBook Pro • Mac Pro • PowerBook (G3, G4) • Power Macintosh (G3, G4, Cube, G5) • Xserve |
| Computing accessories: | AirPort (Express, Extreme) • Cinema Display • iSight • Mighty Mouse • Xserve RAID |
| Consumer electronics: | Apple TV • iPhone • iPod (mini, photo, shuffle, nano, 5G) |
| General accessories: | Apple Remote • iPod Hi-Fi • iPod Universal Dock • Nike+iPod |
| Italics denote discontinued products, bold italics denote announced but not yet released products. | |