Customer Reviews

Apple MacBook MA472LL/A 13.3" Laptop (2.0 GHz Intel Core Duo, 512 MB RAM, 80 GB Hard Drive, SuperDrive)-Black

5 star:		(30)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I love it. It is not perfect, but it is close.

The black looks great. It is not shiny, but matte. It is not painted on, but infused in poly-whatever material used to make the case. It is durable and buffs clean from fingerprints when needed.

The magsafe connector is great. I have damaged other laptops from tripping over the power cord, no more with magsafe. I also love the lack of a latch, as magnets hold the laptop closed--a nice touch.

It gets a bit warm, but honestly it doesn't bother me. I prefer that the fans are as quite as they are. It is a trade off, cool computer=loud computer. I prefer a bit warmer and whisper quiet as the MacBook is.

What else can I say? It is super fast, it runs OS X and Windows, it has a beautiful screen, and it feels great in my hand, and works perfectly. I can make DVDs that play on my lousy cheap DVD player hooked to my TV (that my PC can't seem to). I think the huge track pad is great. You can use two fingers to scroll thru documents and use two fingers instead of one to right-click. Yes, a Mac laptop that can right click--finally.

The only complaint is the speakers are small and not very loud for some things. Without headphones, hearing sound when watching DVDs is hard, since DVDs have a wide sound range, so the lower volume sound, like dialog can be difficult to hear whereas the music and explosions are easier. Even if I turn it up full volume, I cannot hear everything. To make this better, I downloaded the free VLC player for DVDs and media, as it allows me to boost the gain with an equalizer, and be able to hear dialog. iTunes also has an equalizer, so boosting the gain is fine in that program. Upshot, speakers small, not perfect, if a problem, use headphones or software that adds an equalizer.

If you want to save money, buy the white one, it is a better deal, and some prefer how it looks. I like the black, so I paid the extra money. Newegg has memory for it, and its cheaper than Apple's by far, and this MacBook is super easy to upgrade memory to 2 gig. I highly recommend more memory if you are a power user.

Overall, I love it.

This was my first Mac. I feared a much steeper slope of getting used to it's applications, and other than some small frustrations (Microsoft Messenger and skype not allowing video calls) this makes a good case for being my best notebook ever.

The Good
- Shiny screen, accomodating the new form factor was quite easy
- the wireless configuration was VERY VERY easy
- connecting a HD video camara to the firewire connector, and using the built-in iMovie software was amazingly easy
- I haven't missed the modem at all. leaving it out was the right move
- the phonebooth application is really cool
- the "on" indicator for the iSight camera (small led) next to it is very cleverly placed.
- no complains at all about the time it can run on batteries, outperforms my Dell NB (one with brand new battery)

The Great
- the magnetic attachment for the power connection to the notebook, and the subtle on indicator (orange/green) is a great feature
- the keyboard is really comfortable. Hard for the letters to be removed (great when you have a pet)
- you will hardly find where the microphone is... and you don't need to. You can use skype with the NB in a speaker-phone-like set-up w/o any issues
- it is really fast on Mac OS. I'm just waiting for bootcamp to stop being beta to install it
- the structure is really solid (I have to say it after using IBM's T40s for years.. those are amazingly easy to damage and not that solid)

The not-that good
- It gets hot! and I don't mean only warm. If you want to put it in your lap after it has been running for a couple of hours, it will be uncomfortable enough (almost burning) on your left leg that you won't stand it.
- Even at the max volume it is not loud enough. Such a shame to miss that simple variable in such a great home notebook
- Slightly heavier than what I expected
- (FrontRow issue in reality). I just hate how the podcasts I suscribe with get mixed with the songs. I ended up building a specific "music" playlist to get rid of that issue
- Ejecting the DVD/CDs: in one of every 3 cases, the CD gets stuck and I find myself doing small acrobatic moves to get it out

I would rate this 4.5, but there is no option. I do not feel that it deserves 5.0 either due to a few issues.

Well, overall impression is very good. Great looking as most Apple's products. 1"thick and has decent small factor for road warrior.

Performance: It is about 2-3 times faster than my old 12.1 G4PB depending on what you run. Everything is very snappy and OS Tiger and iLife'06 work flawlessly. One of the best OS yet. I recommend to reinstall the system. I get around 5GB back by eliminating those programs, etc. that I do not need. Otherwise, it takes around 17GB for complete installation. Quite a lot as it comes straight from factory, me think.

Features: Well, here is what MacBook really shines. It comes with all you would ever need at the best price package. Look at specs yourselves and you will understand what I am saying. I would recommend getting aftermarket memory stick (1GB costs around under $90). Even upgrade to 1.25GB, it is really worth it. Unlike old small iBook, MacBook aftermarket do-it-yourselves upgrade is a breeze whether memory or harddisk.

What is hot: 1. Built-in iSight is pretty good. Better than my expectation. 2. Very nice responsive keyboard and trackpad. You might need to adjust your trackpad response per your personal preference. 3. Keyboard at first look seems unusual, but after a few hours, it think that it does stand out from usual crowd. 4. Nice wireless iDVD remote. 5. Subtle glossy screen, delivers awesome picture quality, while dose not produce too much glare while you are outdoor. 6. Magsafe is one great addition. Very well thought out and design indeed.

What is not: 1. Heat is way beyond my liking. However, it is only at top left of the laptop bottom, where you connect power supply (Magsafe). It is not just warm at that spot, it is blistering hot. This is very imminent when using AC regardless of power setting. While on battery at battery saver mode, it does cool down and only gets warm. I highly suggest that you get cooling pad to max out longevity of your precious lappy. 2. Small lappy factor is not that great. Well it is a tad lighter than MBP by about 0.4lb. 5.2lb is pushing for most true road warriors. Considering many other goodies you will be carrying in your bag. The old small Mac lappies weigh around 4.2-4.6lb only.

Bottomline: If you want the hottest lappy in the market now, go get it. If you think that you can wait, you might want to wait toward the end of the year. I am being hopeful to see MBP in 12 or 13" or Apple improves heat problem for all their new laptops. Well, MBP heat issue is known since the release until today.

What great deal this laptop is! Don't try to use advertised prices of windows laptops. The Macs come with so many features as standard equipment they are not really comparable. iphoto, iTunes, iMovie, iDVD, and garage band allows the average person to use and edit their photo's, video's, music they've bought, and music they've made on their own, and the software is easy to use.
i had a Powerbook G4 and the Intel Macbook blows it away. This is a really fast laptop, and it was easy to add software and content from my old computer to my new powerbook with software included on powerbooks. It walks you through the transfer and using firewire makes it very fast.
Unlike my old G4 the powerbook comes with a glossy screen. It's GREAT. The screen is much brighter, and the colors much more vibrant then the older screens. I was worried about reflections, and yes if you put the sun behind you, you'll have a problem. But in every other situation this a great display. I used to have problems seeing the screen out on the deck, or in a car (no, not driving) but with the glossy screen it is much easier to work out of doors.
Lastly I think that since Apple has vastly increased system bus speeds, and is using faster memory has contributed to dramatic increase in performance.
Windows people should rest assured switching will be a pleaurable experience. And those of you upgrading from power pc Macs can rest assured the change to Intel is a good think.
Oh by the way: we haven't had any problems with noise, this computer runs very quite. It is warm on the bottom as are most laptops. I have seen the video's on YouTube.com about noisey fans, and the ones I've seen are using graphics intensive applications for prolonged periods of time. When you use the processor is used intensively it needs to be cooled. In both situatons I would recommend one of those laptop coolers/shields. Most people with a laptop already have one, some have fans built in, that run off a USB port, and some are passive and work very well. I use the latterf with great success.

I have been scouting Macs since a close friend called me up from Hawaii one evening and told about his recent experience in seeing a demo on GarageBand.

As a music composer and performer, I knew a lot about PC software and have been a Cakewalk customer for numerous years. But something within my friend's voice persuaded me to go to the nearest Apple store the next day just to see if his hype was real and this friend is pretty level headed and calm all the time.

Upon my visit, I checked out GarageBand and this was my first experience with a Mac in at least 12 to 13 years and even then I was not a regular user of Apple's products.

The first thing about using a Mac as a PC user is that you expect things to be more complicated than Apple has made them. Everything about a Mac is simplified to the nth degree. I had bought my wife an iPod Mini which was just as simple as every other product we have been exposed to.

Then after seeing the simplicity of GarageBand, I have put the Mac Mini and then the MacBook Pro in my crosshairs. Then on my birthday in May, Apple releases the Macbook. It could get no better than this for the price and the power built within the Macbook.

The Macbook has even matched or exceeded some of the supposedly more powerful computers such as the MacBook Pro or G5 as one online review indicated.

Every application is simple and once you accept the fact everything about being a Mac user is simple. Faster boot up times, no blue screens of death, no cumbersome viruses, and life just gets easier.

I have had my black MacBook in my hands since June 28, 2006 and it has been truly a red-letter day for me. I am using products within the iLife suite and more.

When it is possible to install Windows products without installing Windows XP either later this month (July) or August, I will add my favorite PC programs. Otherwise, I will probably buy Parallels over Boot Camp since I want to be able to run Sonar Home Studio XL beside GarageBand via ReWire.

Music does not get any better or simpler to produce. I just discovered a device to connect analog video to the USB port on the Macbook as well.

With the built wireless access, you will never realize how much you previously gave up by being tied down with desktop computers.

Thank you Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, and Andy Grove! The 2006 Macbook is truly a winner!

I'm a long-time Mac user and an officer in a Macintosh Users Group. If you want high performance at a good price, you cannot go wrong with a MacBook. It's fast, it's powerful, it's wireless - and it'll turn heads. A very, very capable machine. The new glossy screen is a total pleasure - bright and ultra sharp. The new keyboard is a treat to use and the built-in iSight camera is even better than the one Apple sells separately. My only negative - I recommend going out and buying more memory right away. I got 2GB and the machine blazes! I now use my MacBook as my desktop machine as well - it sits closed behind a 20" monitor. When I travel, I simply unplug it and go!
Highly recommended!

I am a recent Windows convert and I know I will never go back. This black Macbook is everything I could ever want in a computer. It has so many features built into it you will wonder how you ever lived without them. It sounds funny but the little things on this computer are the things that make me the happiest. The "widgets" are out of this World. You can click an icon and have as many widgets as you want on the screen. The widgets include currency converter, weather, World clocks, stock ticker, BBC radio, etc, ect, etc. You can downloads 100s of widgets right onto your computer and save yourself hours searching around webpages for the same info. There is even a flight tracker that will track any flight on Earth,

COME ON! It's almost too much to handle but it is so nice to know you can do whatever you want with this thing and use all the native software. Unless you want to do Photoshop or Word... you know. The built in camera is brilliant and with ichat (can use with AIM) is awesome! You can video conference without wires and all that. I travel a lot and am gone for months so the built in camera will come in handy.

The Macbook is extremely light yet durable. The keyboard feels rock solid.

And this thing is quick!! I only have 512MB of Ram in it but I will upgrade to 2Gs when I install Photoshop. If you don't use a lot of graphics software this machine is perfect stock. So quick.

Again, the things that impress me the most are the built in things like all the true-to-life screensavers and desktop images. So cool.

I set the Macbook up to my exact specifications in no time. And I'm not just talking about my name and that sort of thing. I changed and customized so many settings and this is the first Mac I have ever used. Take that Windows. I used Windows for 15 years and there was still settings I couldn't change.

Don't think about getting this computer, RUN to the store and get it!! You will not be sorry!

I love this laptop. My dad gave it to us a couple of months ago. He also set up a wireless network with Airport Extreme and it only took a couple of minutes. We still have a Dell desktop and the Airport is hooked up to it with a cable. It works great with the macbook and the dell. After setting up the wireless network, maybe 10 minutes, the computer connected to the internet as soon as we turned it on and then it updated itself automatically. The updates took maybe 30 minutes to download.

The computer itself is really neat. It has a built in camera and a thing called Photo Booth that lets you make all sorts of weird pictures of you and your friends and your pets, like you were in a fun house with weird mirrors. You can make your pets look like they are cyclopses - pretty weird. It also has a thing called Garage Band that is like a music synthesizer and lets you combine all sorts of rhythms together with music that you play yourself. Really fun. It works really well with our Canon digital camera, too - just plug it in and you can make cool slide shows, set them to music, all sorts of stuff like that. You don't even need to download the camera software - just plug in the camera and it works. And most of it is really easy to figure out - we didn't read any manuals or anything. For school you should get the Windows office for Mac programs, since that has all the programs like Word that you will need to share reports and stuff. Our computer does not get that hot, but if yours does, just look for a cooling pad for it - there are lots of good ones on Amazon - some plug into the usb port, and your problems are over. I think it is a pretty common problem with laptops with powerful processors, not just macs. This computer is a million times more fun than our Dell desktop and my dads HP laptop. If you like iPods, you will love this computer. PS - if there is an Apple store near you, you can take summer camp lessons there for free and they will show you how to make your own podcasts, edit fotos, and a lot more stuff. Apple is the best - I love this computer and I think you will too.

Could not be happier. Good software bundle, renders video surprisingly well, I like the keyboard and screen. Nice small size. Battery life good. Magsafe power adapter great. Might buy the 1.83 instead if I had to do over, doubt I would notice that little difference.

Hard drive as easy to replace as the RAM is a nice touch- another reason the get the smaller drive and upgrade it later. The remote control is neat- used it for a slide show in keynote (keynote opens my powerpoint shows and has some slicker effects, so it looks like I'll save a couple of dollars there too). Similarly, pages opens and save MS word documents, so for $49- I have an ofice bundle that meets my needs.

Totally awesome. A little slow with only 512 MB of RAM, you simply must upgrade to get real speed, particularly if you are using any Adobe apps or similar software that isn't Universal (written for the new Intel processor) yet. Integrating iSight was a great idea, PhotoBooth is lots of fun with a bunch of friends crowded around! FrontRow and the remote control is awesome, very impressive, although it doesn't seem to control the volume if you are listening to music through an AirPort Express. The rubberized outer shell is a joy to touch, although it does collect fingerprints. The keyboard is awesome, although the spacing feels a little different than my PowerBook's does. Typing is also much quieter. In fact, the fans rarely run, and with its nearly silent hard drive, the machine is almost always totally silent. Very cool (although it can get a bit warm!). The magnetic latch to keep the lid closed is brilliant. The display is phenomenal, I love the glossy surface and the brightness goes very high, much higher than my PowerBook (a 12" 1.33Ghz in case you are wondering).

All in all, a wonderful machine, it's nice to see Apple releasing such a well-rounded and well-designed successor to the iBook at such a reasonable price. Oh, and it will make your friends instantly jealous, which is always fun! ;)