Apple MacBook MB062LL/B 13.3-inch Laptop (2.2 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Processor, 1 GB RAM, 120 GB Hard Drive, 8x SuperDrive) White Reviews

• Forget Vista - buy a Mac

  
  By ATKO6YOX29HTQ on 2007-11-18
  Having used Macs through college and then into my career, I was forced to switch to NT when I took a job at Microsoft in the late 90s. Windows gets the job done, and I have enjoyed using it through XP Pro, but I have had nothing but trouble with Vista.
  
  When it came time to replace my Sony laptop I shopped all the major PC brands and found them to be gimmicky. By chance I took a look at the new Macbooks and liked what I saw, so I bought one.
  
  With 2 gigs of RAM I am running Photoshop CS3 and Nikon Capture NX without a hassle. Screen redraws are fast.
  
  Installing programs is a breeze, you drag them into the Applications folder. That's it.
  
  On boot up I am online in 35 seconds. Every wifi connection I have tried has been rock solid.
  
  If you want a fast, stable, easy to use laptop, check out a Macbook, you won't be sorry.
  
  

• Good Laptop, but not as polished as you'd expect from Apple.

  
  By A25A2EAC0EB10K on 2007-12-04
  This review won't focus on the Mac OS and explain why it is so awesome. Like Louis Armstrong said (about jazz), "if you need to ask, you won't understand." The Intel chips are really fast, rest assured. The glossy screen is glossy, but the colors are rich. What really bothers me is how the quality control of the manufacturing is going downhill. My Macbook (from Amazon, Black Friday sale) had several "build" defects. There were some slight gaps along the left and right edge seams of the laptop. The hard drive kept making "chirping" sounds-- it seemed like the heads were trying to park themselves sporadically... every 10-30 secs or so. The plastic frame (or housing) around the LCD did not sit flush on the LCD Panel. When seen from the sides, you can see gaps between the frame and the LCD panel.
  
  This is probably my 10th Mac I've purchased in the past 12 years or so (in addition to countless Apple accessories). I've also convinced friends and family members to buy at least another dozen. No joke. I am a die hard Mac fan. And for good reason. Design and build quality used to be a non-issue for anything Macintosh. That was why you happily paid a premium (and for the OS)-- because everything (even the Newton) looked polished and well built and intelligently designed. Titanium G4 Powerbook! Remember when that came out?! Made with real titanium! Sigh, those where the days-- Apple didn't mess around.
  
  Well, all I can say is that this latest Macbook quality is disappointing. Aesthetically, it's a fine looking piece of hardware. But like the drunk guy/girl across the room, when you get up close and personal, the warts begin to show. Maybe it's because it's made in China, where the QC standards are harder to keep track of-- I'm not being racist. I'm Asian, first of all. Also, I'm a big fan of their food. I'm just stating a fact. None of my rock solid other Macs were made in China. Plus I've seen pics of these huge Chinese mega-factory complexes. They make Detroit assembly lines look like haute couture. Bottom line: I think Apple is cutting corners... sad to say. It was inevitable... they've grown exponentially in the past few years.
  
  Anyway, the good news is that Apple usually stands behind their product... although recently it only happens after enough people get angry and make a fuss, heh heh. To be fair, in the past I've only had one very minor problem and it was resolved without issue. Like I said, Apple usually stands behind their stuff.
  
  So, what's my conclusion? It's a good laptop. Would I buy it again? Sure, but not as eagerly and only after I checked out one of those sub-$500 Windows notebooks that seem to be in every big box store in America. Don't get me wrong, I would never buy said Windows notebook, but I'd check them out just to know that other options were out there... it's good to be informed.
  
  Anyway, I hope Apple will take care of these defects for me. I'm with them for the long haul. Still, there's one thing that really bummed me out about this latest Macbook purchase: I missed out on the excitement of my "new Mac computer" high. After all, that's the best part about buying a Mac. Otherwise, we may as well run the Mac OS on an ugly generic Intel box.
  
  
  
  

• Slender, lightweight -- and powerful

  
  By A23GFTVIETX7DS on 2008-01-01
  I adore my MacBook. Despite being a longtime Mac user, I almost did not buy a Mac when it came time to buying a laptop. I figured that I could buy a cheaper Windows machine that was just as powerful. Thank goodness I came to my senses! My husband had been through three laptops in the time that I had owned my Mac desktop, so that didn't portend well for those machines. And then both my daughter (a longtime Windows user who opted to go MacBook for college) and a few of my own college students convinced me to take a serious look at this computer. Wow.
  
  Pros:
  
  -- AirPort connectivity. On the road, while my husband is fiddling around on his Windows computer to connect to a new network, my daughter and I are already surfing the web. The MacBook also comes with Bluetooth capability.
  
  -- OS X (now up to Leopard). Until you've used OS X, you have no idea what you've been missing. The users interface is so seamless that even the uninitiated can figure it out. You can create a Dock with all your favorite applications at the bottom of the screen -- all the time. Windows users have to be careful not to make things more complicated than they need to be. I know people who try to set up directories and files the way they do on Windows, when everything is SO much simpler on the Mac. Forget all that "My Computer" stuff to switch drives/discs. Everything is displayed all the time in the directory windows. Because OS X has so many features, I can't go into them here. Trust me -- you'll love it.
  
  -- Size. I can slip this computer into an oversized handbag without a problem. While it's not as lightweight as some truly high-end laptops, the weight doesn't drag on my shoulder.
  
  -- Keyboard. Large enough to easily use, it still allows a good-size area below the keys to rest your wrist.
  
  -- iLife. The Mac comes bundled with iLife, Apple's lifestyle package that includes iTunes, iDVD, iPhoto, iWeb, GarageBand, PhotoBooth, and iMovie. These programs are part of what makes Macs so cool. All are intuitive, although GarageBand requires the most effort to learn.
  
  -- Speed. Even with 1 GB RAM, this machine is blazingly fast compared to others in its category. (I recommend getting another GB of RAM, although my daughter says hers is fine with only 1 GB.)
  
  -- Screen. The display is crisp and bright. Controls allows you to dim or brighten, depending on your preferences and the current lighting. Although the screen is glossy, I never have much problem with glare unless I'm in full sun.
  
  -- Built-in camera. Although the camera isn't as powerful as a stand-alone digital camera, you can easily take shots for PhotoBooth fun or to upload to web sites such as Facebook.
  
  Cons:
  
  -- You cannot insert mini-DVDs. If you use them, look at a different computer.
  
  -- Screen size. If a larger screen size is important to you, then get a different model. Of course, you'll sacrifice some portability with a larger computer.
  
  -- It comes with only 1 GB of RAM. Although this is enough for most users, I still recommend installing another GB.
  
  I've had my MacBook for a year now and haven't had any problems, so I haven't tested Apple customer service. A leading consumer magazine rates Apple's service as the best among manufacturers.
  
  Highly recommended.
  
  

• Students, go for it..

  
  By A3JNDO7PARRLX8 on 2007-11-23
  If you are a student in school or college and on a budget, then DEFINITELY go for it. I am a PhD student in VirginiaTech and I was planning to get an HP notebook to replace my older HP. My advisor was a loyal Mac user and I decided to follow. I got this Mac and what the hell I was living with Windows. Microsoft mind programmed us to use Windows, Office and wait "stupidly" for the new "worse" Windows.
  Mac is a really new, wonderful world. Mine was bought last September 2007 so it came with Tiger OS not the latest Leopard.
  + The OS boots in seconds. Yes, this is not a typo, I mean seconds.
  +There is "NO" errors, hang ups, system faults, crashes or any other Microsoft crap.
  +The processor runs smoothly, the RAM is really sufficient, unlike the ever-hungry Windows.
  + The hard disk has no sound, vibration or any evidence of internal physical movements.
  + The ComboDrive does not have a tray that pops out with the lens, motors and everything, Instead the media is pulled in smoothly through the slot.
  + The BATTERY is REALLY INCREDIBLE. Four hours, again yes 4 hours is the least time to run with iTunes running, Safari browsing, iPhoto loading and typing in iWork. In light conditions you can go fr 6 Hours straight. Never happened with Windows. I say windows not a PC because I have noticed that Windows is the guilty one. On your PC you will always see the hard disk running, lighting up and down. Mac OS does not do any of these silly non-logic load.
  
  The cons of MacBook are:
  -You don't have VGA output and the converter doesn't come with the notebook and you should then buy a miniDVI to VGA converter for $20.
  - You should only buy hardware like external drives or printers that says "Mac Compatible".
  - The white casing gets dirty "SO" quickly so make sure that your palms, wrists and fingers are clean.
  
  Conclusion::
  Go and get a Mac right now, you are mind programmed by Microsoft.
  
  I took out a star for the White casing and for the built-in shared memory graphics card. If you are a Pro-gamer then you should pay extra money and get MacBook Pro
  
  

• Oh, It Is Love

  
  By A35LFO0F2ROTNG on 2008-01-05
  I am a PC user of many many years. I have been using PCs since the DOS days, and have owned a PC with every windows OS. I thought I was pretty much happy, until I made the switch. I won't talk much about OS X, except saying that "all of my wildest dreams came true" (I must've voted for Pedro). It is truly amazing.
  
  So on to the unit itself. It is white. And beautiful. The exterior is fantastically glossy, the inside is matte and smooth. The keys are light and responsive, and well separated so I can type quickly without mistakes. The lid snaps shut with an unbelievably satisfying "clap" and all the look is one that is clean, complete, and well-finished. No QC issues here. The infamously glossy screen has proved to be more beneficial than detrimental and produces a crisp vibrant image that is noticeably reflective only in extreme conditions. The speakers are unusually located on the rear of the notebook and use the display bezel to reflect the sound. They're typical laptop speakers-don't expect much from them.
  
  The computer is quick.... not just quick.... supersonic. Encoding video is a snap. Opening some programs (such as Safari) is instantaneous. I have not tried playing any games on it yet, and with the integrated video, I'm sure its able to but likely not as easily as it can with other tasks.
  
  The iLife suite, is, sweet. GarageBand is a blast that is quite easy to use after getting used to it. iMovie is almost industry standard (just below Final Cut). iDVD is truly one of the most underrated program in iLife. You can actually make incredibly professional-looking animated DVD menus and pop in your videos from iMovie and make a great looking DVD. Keep in mind, though, that this configuration does not have a DVD burner, so you will have to buy an external DVD burner (about $70-$150) to take advantage of this software. iWeb is pretty good too. It's nice for blogs, but not so much for web pages, and requires a .mac account. iPhoto is a great organizational tool, but its editing capabilities are limited, and many of the auto-fixes often don't work well or actually make the photo worse. I prefer Picasa's editing features.
  
  Leopard, sad to say, is a lot like Vista-only in the fact that it provided few upgrades and had several reported installation woes. I love it. The quick-look feature, while a little over-hyped, is very useful. It allows you to preview most files, like a document right in the finder (large enough to read the contents). Spotlight is a fantastic search tool, and thoroughly and quickly finds things on your computer. UI is clean, interactive, and speedy, as expected.
  
  Anyway, there are too many more features to list. I will say that the iChat/iSight setup is pretty amazing. The camera is sharp and I was able to videochat with several of my friends. There is also a screen-sharing feature that allows you to comandeer another persons computer (if they have Leopard) and control what's on their screen or vis-versa. Its quite useful. For example, my friend is somewhat inexperienced with computers, and I was able to get on her computer remotely and transfer her music from her iPod to her new computer.
  
  Also, battery life is very good. I was able to watch 2 1/2 movies, write about 10 emails, burn a cd, and rip a cd all on one charge. Incredibly impressed. The MagSafe adapter is really innovative and handy too, and has already prevented my MacBook from taking a couple of tumbles.
  
  So, the negitave (that I haven't already mentioned):
  
  OS X and iLife take up a lot more space on the hard disk than I expected. With the hard drive formatting, the OS, and iLife, you are left with only about 50 gigs of space. Then after I put on all of my photos, videos, and music, I was left with a measly 13.5 gigs, and with the rule of thumb to leave about 10 gigs available for system tasks, I imagine I will be upgrading my hard drive in the near future.
  
  The optical drive is pretty slow for a CD-R/RW only drive. It took me about 15 minutes to rip a CD. My PC with a combo drive and do it in about 9, and my other PC laptop with a DVD/CD-R/RW drive can do it in about 10-12. Not a big deal, just a bit of a disappointment.
  
  Leopard eliminated the feature that allowed you to send/receive SMS messages from your phone via Bluetooth. This was a feature I was looking forward to.
  
  The mini-DVI display interface is proprietary meaning you will have to buy a $20 adapter to attach an external display.
  
  Integrated video: Although the X3100 is a pretty top-of-the line integrated setup, it still doesn't compare to dedicated video cards, and has many compatibility issues with games (such as Sims 2). But then again, this isn't a gaming machine. It just seems ridiculous to pay $1,000 more for a MacBook Pro, just (pretty much) for dedicated video.
  
  Mismatched colors: One thing I first noticed (I'm pretty sure it's by design) is the display bezel, trackpad, and the wrist areas are light grey. This looks weird compared to the keyboard and rest of the case. I imagine this is to prevent dirt/grime from showing up but it still looks weird.
  
  Sharp wrist edges: the edges around the top part of the lower case are cut very, err, straight. They cause red streaks on your wrist, and a friend of mine thought I was "cutting". Yeah, kind of a problem.
  
  Well that's it in a nutshell. The Mac experience is INCREDIBLE, and this is a surprisingly capable and fast machine. Easily the best notebook for around $1000-1500.
  
  
• Power and Style
  By ARMLCO0FE0O95 on 2007-11-07
  This is my first Mac, after many years of using Windows PC at home, work, and school. The main reason I went with the MacBook (over the Pro) was because I already have a powerful gaming laptop and desktop, but wanted something basic for homework and was always interested in trying out a Mac. I'm very impressed with both MacBook and OS X. I like how Apple hardware and software works.
  
  I have found no problems at all, works beautifully as advertised. Upgraded the memory to 4GB (which I recommend, but not through Apple. You can get memory MUCH cheaper online from places like NewEgg and Amazon).
  
  If you want a good laptop for basic productivity/programming, internet usage, email, and enjoy using Mac OS X this is a great purchase. If you want it in black or the bigger HDD, I would recommend this model (the main reason I got this particular one was because I liked the black over the white). If you're looking to do more (gaming, advanced video/photo editing, working w/ powerful 3D apps, etc.), check out the MacBook Pro.
  
  
• Apple Newbie Falls For a Mac . . .
  By A20UXLT1L8STFM on 2007-12-17
  This review is for the white macbook (2.2Ghz intel core 2 duo, 120gb hard drive, 1gb ram, superdrive). I have been using the laptop for about a month now. My background is with Windows and mainly Dells (have owned three dell laptops and one dell desktop over the past 5 years). Thus, I am/was an Apple newbie. Overall, my experience has been nothing short of amazing with this little workhorse. I am continuously impressed on a daily basis when I encounter new features and idiosyncrasies with the macbook.
  
  Pros:
  glossy bright screen (the gloss helps make the images sharper than with matte screens), great vibrant colors of the display, quiet operation (unless you are taxing the machine, then it can get a little loud and hot), the airport (picks up all kinds of wireless signals, and had no problem with my wpa protected network at home, or wireless at work through a vpn), the large trackpad (sensitive and great two-touch scrolling), long battery life (I'm still at 70% when my wife's dell goes out), mac os (leopard is simple, elegant, and quick), everything works when you plug it in (no installing drivers and cursing at your computer when it doesn't recognize your device), iLife and iWork suites (worth the price of admission here, I can't tell you how easy and simple it is to make amazing webpages, movies, slideshows, presentations, posters, flyers, cards, etc, etc). I'm working on some great movie projects for the family right now and haven't had to use the help function yet!
  
  Cons:
  sharp edges (not a huge issue when I'm at a desk, but seems to bug me more when it's on my lap and digs into my wrists more), smaller maximum open angle (screen opens about 100-115 degrees from base, and sometimes I want it to open up a little more), the keys are flat (I miss the concave keys of my dell, but I'm getting used to these), the keyboard is recessed (also a plus in that the keys don't scratch the screen, but gunk gets down in the recess), it's a little heavy for it's size (not a deal breaker though), the case scratches easy (however you have to look at it at the right angle to see the scratches), the installed web browser is sub-optimal (I dumped safari and moved to firefox for now), apple mail is not so hot (I have been using Entourage (MS Office) with good success), the power cord plastic is very stiff (feels like it could break, and I don't feel confident continuously wrapping it up for transport to work and back), and the magsafe power connector is neat, but has a very strong magnetic pull and would not release before my laptop started sliding on a smooth surface.
  
  Overall, I have listed more cons than pros, but I believe that the cons are pretty nitt-picky, and the meat of the laptop rests on the pro side. I have really enjoyed learning the Mac OS, and find it to be MUCH more intuitive, simple, clean, and enjoyable than any Windows version I have ever used. I love using expose to move between open windows, and spaces comes in handy at work when I need to quickly move from internet surfing to real work stuff if the boss comes by unexpected. Plain and simple, it just works. For the few old windows programs that I can't give up I've been running Windows XP on my macbook through Parallels very smoothly, with no rebooting necessary like with Boot Camp. Other items to ponder: I recommend upping the RAM to 2-4GB (I have 2GB now) by installing it yourself, very very easy to do so. Get the mini-DVI to VGA adapter if you plan to give presentations through any typical projector.
  
  I hope this helps you make an important decision, I made the switch and haven't looked back!
  
  
• my macbook
  By A2HKEXKRLO5U55 on 2007-11-30
  I ordered this macbook, the shipping was fast and it was easy to shop with amazon. the price is goo to and i am loving the lap top its so great and i am using it right now
  thanks amazon :-)
  
  
• I LOVE MY MACBOOK!
  By A36PC9NC3QDXU2 on 2007-12-25
  It's so nice to be back on a Macintosh computer. My last 2 computer purchases were a Sony desktop and an HP notebook.
  
  I love Leopard. Lots of productivity boosters (Dashboard, Expose, etc). I'm still re-learning but it's coming back fast.
  
  The computer itself is a real looker. The MagSafe power adapter is awesome. The computer *feels* good. It almost feels like rubber. It just feels good to touch. However, smudges show up very prominently on the black surface (like anything black).
  
  I feel sorta cheated for spending $200 more for the black model. The 160GB hard drive is almost full allready. I'm scoping out a 250GB for $150ish, but would like even more. I also plan to add 4GB of RAM for about $100.
  
  The Core2duo chip is nice. The last Mac I bought was a 600mhz iBook G3, and it felt slow right out of the box. Granted, it was running the 1st edition of Mac OS X, but it felt slow. This computer seems very fast, very little waiting for apps to open, and I can multitask to my heart's content and it won't bog down (ie: iTunes won't skip a beat while I'm surfing the web, copying files to multiple locations, and have about 10 other programs open at the same time).
  
  The built-in iSight camera is a no-brainer. All computers should have this built-in now-a-days. I'm still getting used to the keyboard. The keys are very low profile and it'll probably take some getting used to, like everything new does.
  
  The wireless works great. My HP laptop constantly had a problem with dropping the wireless connection momentairly and then re-gaining it. Annoying. That hasn't happened once on my MacBook.
  
  One weird quirk is the slot-loading optical drive. This is my first slot-loading computer, and I figured it would "suck" the disc in earlier than it does (similar to a car stereo). I have to put it in most of the way and then it pulls it in the last inch and then makes some strange mechanical noises. The discs run fine tho. Maybe it's supposed to be like that.
  
  I went with the MacBook because I don't play alot of games, so didn't need the $1000 price difference that a MacBook Pro would cost. A dedicated video card and illuminated keys are about the only benefits to getting a MacBook Pro.
  
  ----
  
  It's been 3 months since I got my MacBook and I'm happier than ever! There is so much QUALITY freeware/shareware available. Quality, as in, it doesn't screw-up your machine or install spyware/adware, like almost every Windows app does.
  
  I've upgraded to 4GB of RAM, and think this is the PERFECT amount. I check my RAM use with the awesome Widget iStat Pro.
  
  Right now I am:
  Ripping a DVD
  Converting a ripped DVD to H.264
  Watching a Quicktime H.264 video of a previously ripped DVD
  Installing the Amazon MP3 downloader app
  Have iPhoto open
  iTunes is copying a bunch of ripped DVDs to my AppleTV through WiFi 802.11n
  I'm backing up my Pictures folder to my iDisk
  Mail is checking for new messages
  I have like 10 tabs open in Safari
  ...and the system does not studder. Apps do not slow down. Nothing crashes. It's quite amazing. The combination of OSX and the Intel Core 2 Duo chip is FANTASTIC.
  
  Never before have I been as pleased with a computer 3 months after buying it as I am with this computer. Including previous Macintosh computers.
  
  Yesterday I purchased the Time Capsule 1TB WiFi hard drive and it's awesome. It's like I have a 1TB HDD in my MacBook! I threw all my scratch-prone backup DVDs away (after I copied them to my Time Capsule!). Now I have everything I've ever created or downloaded at my fingertips, and my internal HDD is only half full!
  
  The only gripes I have with this computer is the sharp edges sometimes bug my wrists when I type. Also, the keyboard is not that great, but the low-profile keys are very easy to clean and keep clean. I do alot of work in the dark so an illuminated keyboard (like on the MacBook Pros) would be awesome. Also, a dedicated video card would be nice for some of the power-hungry games out there. These are features of the MacBook Pro, but I like the size, feel, and price of the MacBook better.
  
  
• Better than the Macbook Pro
  By AUBYU6A1JI0AY on 2008-01-23
  I'm a longtime Mac user, and have owned Apple laptops going back to the Powerbook 170. Ever since the Powerbook G4 12" they have been used as desktop replacements (with large external monitors).
  When Apple went Intel, I sat out the 1st generation of the Macbook Pro, then bought a 2nd gen 15" as a desktop replacement. A powerful machine, for sure, but I never was quite happy with it: subpar wireless reception, too large to use comfortably on an airplane, serious overheating (which I eventually "solved" by downclocking the CPU using www.coolbook.se), and poor battery autonomy (the machine would go through brand-new, fully charged batteries in under 2h each with normal use).
  Then I had a minor accident (slipping on the ice in subzero Fahrenheit weather) and the laptop crash-landed. Despite being in a neoprene rubber protective case, it was damaged so badly that repairing would cost the same as a new Macbook.
  So after some nagging, the insurance ponied up for a new Macbook rather than repairing the Pro.
  I bought the White 2.2GHz model but with custom RAM (2 GB) and hard drive (250 GB), plus AppleCare, via the Apple Educational store.
  First impressions:
  - battery life is astonishing. I have been running on the wireless network, with a dozen programs open (including a couple dozen tabs in Firefox) and after about 3h20' worth of this the machine claims it has about another half hour left. If true, that's about twice the battery autonomy of my Pro
  - not having a "real" graphics card is no impediment to any "normal" use, only for gaming (and perhaps video editing)
  - screen and keyboard are much more comfortable than I thought. The glossy screen is actually much clearer for text, although graphics professionals will surely prefer a matte screen because of color fidelity issues.
  - wireless reception is fabulous. I've been at conferences where a colleague using a Macbook could easily connect to a wireless network in another building that my Pro wouldn't even see
  - the only difference between equivalent white and black machines is the $125 or so premium one pays for black. I ended up getting the white machine.
  - AppleCare comes with a free copy of TechTool Deluxe, and is good value for money, especially at the educational price
  - Machine heated up seriously during initial Spotlight indexing (for Mac OS X newbies: that's the Apple equivalent of Google Desktop), but is at worst lukewarm during normal use. I run the fans at minimum 3000rpm using smcFanControl, just to be sure.
  - Leopard takes some getting used to if you loved Tiger, but feels much more solid and snappy. I absolutely love "Spaces", which is an excellent way to make the most of the fairly limited screen real estate.
  - the machine is not the lightest, but not unduly heavy
  - if you have some basic screwdriver skills, memory and hard disk are easily user-upgradeable (forget doing that with the Pro unless you're very handy)
  
  Things I would have liked (if ifs and buts were candied nuts...):
  - "real" DVI and VGA ports rather than adapter dongles (probably too hard to do in this form factor)
  - LED-backlit display
  - option to replace optical drive by 2nd battery. However, batterygeek.net sell relatively inexpensive external battery packs with 2-3 times the capacity of the internal battery. Those ought to last you through VERY long flights
  
  All in all, I consider this to be a superior machine to the much more expensive Macbook Pro it replaced.
  
  
  
• First Mac I have owned. Long time Windows user.
  By A3QEQ405S7Q2Z3 on 2007-12-11
  First I would like to say that this is the first Apple Mac computer I have owned. I have used Windows 95,98,2000,NT,XP and Vista. I used to build my own computers but decided to make a change and learn something new. Now one thing you will not see in my review is a person making the change and trashing Windows, Microsoft or any PC makers. I enjoyed Microsoft products but wanted a change. Anyway I love my Mac and enjoy learning it although it's not that hard to pick up on. Right out of the box the Mac is good looking and ready to use. When you download something like FireFox it's a little different process to load on the computer but not to difficult. Also you will notice when you install stuff like Yahoo Messenger theres none of that add on junk like search bars and unwanted adds. Takes a couple days to get used to and figure out how you want the setup of your Mac by ways of personalizing. Apple is clever in things like the magnetic power cord that if you catch it on something it doesn't damage the plug cause its magnetic. The Dock at the bottom of the screen is nice also. I also like that I can run Windows XP on it with Boot Camp and it is simple to set up. Now there is Parallels but thats about 70.00 and boot camp is free. We all have those windows programs we need so keep your widows os and use it on the Mac also. I would recommend the Apple Care 3yr plan as all podcasts like Leo Laporte recommend. I have read some mixed reviews about the quality of the build of Mac's but I cant say anything bad so far. Also you would think only one mouse button would be strange but you adapt quick. There are so many apps and most are not anything I need but cool that people take time to work on them. Also people at the Apple Support Forum are really helpful in case you don't want to waste time calling tech support and Apple techs are smart and nice. Honestly for me I really didn't need to make the change but was looking for a challenge. Anyway do your research and if you make the plunge then take the time to learn the way of the Mac. And don't let people ell you that you should not buy a Mac to run Windows on. I only use Windows for a Money program I like that is not for Mac but hey... Mac OS and Windows XP on one maching is awesome.
  
  
• MacBook 2.2GHz "Santa Rosa"
  By A1ZGWZB5CJUE7D on 2007-12-14
  This Mac is excellent value and a powerhouse in a small package. Coupled with the Leopard OS even the relatively small screen size is not a problem. Screen is excellent, but not sure about the keyboard. The new scroll feature that is built into the mouse pad is a fabulous feature. The same brilliant thinking has gone into the magnetic power-connector.
  
  The Macbook is a great upgrade on the G4 Powerbook which I previously owned, although I am surprised by the sharp edges on the front face of the case
  
  
• Not Impressed!!!
  By A3V4ELAZM795W0 on 2007-12-15
  I actually bought this product as part of a research report I am currently writing at work, and have been using it just to see the differences between Mas OS and Vista.
  
  Do the difference is: MAC OS X SUCKS!!!!!!!
  
  After a month, I am still not used to it (granted I did start using it less and less) and its aesthetic features are far inferior to aeros on vista (also, it crashes a lot more, I guess that not published because of Mac's smaller user base)
  
  Anyways, there is nothing wrong with this lap top and you can definitely buy and install vista which would already make this lap top 9348023948 times better. Nevertheless, you need to take the price into consideration. You can get a dell, HP, or sony vaio for far cheaper but with the same specs.
  
  Better yet, get yourself a laptop that has 2GB of memory (this model has 1, and adding another GB costs even more) so that you can run any operating system you choose smoothly and beautifully.
  
  Anyways, just keep in mind three things before you buy this:
  1 Bad user interface is very confusing and very impractical, especially for those who have grown up using windows (basically everybody)
  
  2 Extremely overpriced - can get a much better laptop for same money
  
  3 Not compatible with many of your favorite games and other software applications
  
  
• I'll never buy another Windows laptop
  By A15CN75IY33KG2 on 2007-12-28
  You know how when something is almost perfect, the small flaws seem a lot more annoying? That's the Macbook. I'll start with the positives:
  
  - It's a laptop that seems to realize it's a laptop. My Windows laptop is like a cat that thinks it's a human - it thinks it's a desktop. There's not a single thing about a Windows laptop that's optimized for laptops - the whole OS (XP or Vista) is written for desktops and then tweaked (with crappy OEM drivers) for laptops, and it shows. The story is actually the same for OS X, but at least they did an amazing job of it.
  
  - The screen is beautiful
  
  - It's small and light and cute
  
  - It doesn't generally get hot unless you're doing serious stuff - the temperature of my Windows laptop is directly proportional to how long it's been on (maybe because it doesn't know it's a laptop)
  
  - Battery life seems to be 3+ hours
  
  - comes with awesome programs like iMovie, PhotoBooth, iPhoto and others
  
  - Lots of other little things you'll find along the way playing with OS X
  
  In all the MacBook is a great experience, a breath of fresh air compared to a Windows laptop. The cons are all little things that are all the more annoying for how awesome the MacBook is otherwise.
  
  - one button touchpad mouse is stupid. I get a little enraged every time I go looking for the rightclick button.
  
  - I can't get used to the function/control/option/command buttons along the bottom, I can't figure what they do or how they relate to ctrl and alt on windows keyboards. Also no home/end and no page-up and page-down keys.
  
  - Seems like there are some basic physical design flaws - like the left side of the laptop is a little loose, as is the lid in general.
  
  
• Buy the Apple Care
  By A2YWJ5BFBP796Q on 2008-01-08
  Overall, the product is ok, but definitely not very durable, even when treated with kid gloves.
  
  After the first week of use, the camera quit working, so I had to return the thing and get a new one. Big hassle since the whole thing was already full of files I had moved over.
  
  Another couple of months down the road, and the casing surrounding the keyboard cracked, and I had to take it in and get that replaced.
  
  The real kicker is that 1 month after the warranty runs out, the SuperDrive dies. So, now I have a 13 month old machine with no optical drive (love to install Leopard, but alas I can't). The drive is $300 to replace. Apple Care is $249, but I can't buy that now either.
  
  Mac OS X is also very difficult to get used to for someone used to Windows. Windows is an OS intensive application; Apple products are not. This comes heavily into play when dealing with Apple's highly touted iLife applications - iPhoto, and also iTunes. It is MUCH faster and easier to deal with thoudsands of photo and music files in the OS rather than the applications.
  
  So whenever you need to deal with a photo, Apple asks you to open iPhoto. When you have several thousand pictures, this is cumbersome. PLUS if you use the OS to delete the files from the "pictures" folder - it doesn't actually delete them. It leaves the thumbnails in the application. THEN when you try to reload them, it loads duplicates, leaving duplicate thumbnails - which aren't all going to have actual files associated with them. What a pain.
  
  The point? Buy the warranty, and don't assume that the machine is going to work like a PC - it doesn't.
  
  
• Advance PC user on the MacBook
  By A1BCNCC1PQO59T on 2008-01-22
  I've been using and repairing computers since my beltron (apple II). I've used a good mix of computers but tended to side with PC's to get the most compatibility from software. As a PC user my main purpose in a laptop is portability and ease of use. My last notebook was a 15.4 laptop which was formatted immediately to remove all the bloatware and took extensive time to configure properly to my liking.
  
  My laptop now is the black MacBook, which didn't require much cleaning up after since the software that's included on it is actually useful. You'll have to decide between mac:office or iWork, but I chose iWork for simplicity's sake. If you don't feel like paying for either you can go open source with StarOffice, an OSX port from open office, which is a pretty decent alternative. This laptop wasn't meant for hardcore gaming or hardcore video editing or photoshopping as the lack of screen space and dedicated video board makes work a bit tedious. But this MacBook is still sufficient if you need these tasks done in a pinch.
  
  I also installed bootcamp with windows xp to use applications and peripherals (mostly printers) that haven't been written for Mac yet, but I hardly find myself booting into windows. I thought if I installed VMware's Fusion, a virtual machine application, I would find more instances where I could use XP, but those opportunities were rare. You can pretty much do what you need to do on a mac that you used to do with a PC.
  
  My macbook usually accompanies me in my travels as it's light enough to lug around (much lighter than my 6.4lbs 15.4in pc laptop), has great battery life, and excellent power management that not only improves battery life but maximizes the lifespan of the battery. Wireless connections are usually bulletproof and having the remote is great for presentations.
  
  The only few downsides to this particular brand of laptop is the black matte finish that shows fingerprints very easily, but usually comes off with a little effort with the included cleaning cloth. The macbook also lacks an express card slot which can hinder internet portability through use of mobile broadband card, as well as limiting other upgrades... although you might be able to tether your macbook to your cellphone through bluetooth if you can hack it. :D
  
  I compared the macbook with the dell xps m1330 with the LED backlight about 2 months ago and surprisingly the macbook had a better price point given all the features. I'm sure this is now not the case as dell is great for dealing out discounts and coupons, but I've still never looked back and the macbook still has a longer battery life compared to the awkwardly shaped 9cell from dell.
  
  I'm still going to use my PC desktop for my hardcore gaming and photoshopping, but for everything else there's my MacBook.
  
  
• Adios Vista, Hola Apple!
  By A1EUYV1OL52EWJ on 2008-02-01
  I bought a beautiful HP TX1000 Laptop last year (Sep. '07) and in just over a month, I experienced overheating and crashing. Having owned HP-only notebooks since 2001, I've had excellent service w/ them and their computers.
  
  HP replaced the notebook w/ another TX1000 and in two days, it wouldn't boot. Hmmmppphh!
  
  Third time is a charm: HP replaces it with a fully-loaded Santa Rosa 15.4" DV6500t w/ Intel 2.4Ghz T7700 Core 2 Duo processor, 2GB RAM, HDMI, Nvidia 128MB 8400M GS Graphics Card, HD DVD, etc. The works. One month of ownership later, Vista starts the "Mystery Blue Screen". I call HP and they suggest a Reformat/Re-install...been there, done that. One of the discs end up being bad, so I am waiting for the disc to come. In the meantime, I need to get work done.
  
  My g/f has owned Macs since her first Powerbook Duo in the 90's. She's an avid Mac fan and has been "pushing" me to get a Mac for some time, but I'm a "PC Guy" and I use Windows. Vista has been an abysmal failure for me and to HP's credit, they've had nothing short of excellent customer service and always followed through on any promises of service. I felt as though I was "defecting" to Apple, but in the end it seemed like the right thing to do.
  
  One Saturday afternoon, we stopped by our local Apple Store here in Southern California (South Coast Plaza) and picked up a White Macbook 2.2Ghz w/ an 8x SuperDrive. On our way home, we had to stop by Fry's Electronics to return something and lucky for me, RAM was on sale ($80 for 4GB!). Got home, popped in the 4GB of RAM (2 - 2GB sticks) and BOOM, I'm flying through Leopard and back to work in under an hour.
  
  One week later, I'm running vmWare w/ Windows XP Professional & Office 2007 Ultimate, Microsoft Office 2008 (Educator Copy), and iWork '08. In other words, I'm on overload for tools to get my work done; I originally bought Office '07 Ultimate to go w/ my PC but my g/f is an educator and gets Office '08 at a huge discount, so we went w/ that.
  
  I've had ZERO issues adapting to the Mac OS. I've used Mac in the past (on her Mac Mini) but now I feel as though I'm more productive and spending less time "fitzing" w/ my machine. Vista would nag me w/ the UAC (User Account Control) that required me to click "Continue" to do just about anything; Leopard asks me for my password when I install things, or need to unlock a preference. Nice.
  
  If you are using Windows (esp. Vista) or are having "Windows Angst", then I can tell you as a longtime Windows user (since Windows 3.1 & DOS 5.0) that the Mac is truly the best computer for simply getting work done and a more efficient workflow.
  
  For example; I am usually typing in Word '08, designing the coversheet in Pages, listening to music in iTunes, uploading photos to Flickr, updating my iDisk, and printing a photo in iPhoto. I can do all of this AT THE SAME TIME! Plus, if there is something I need to do in Windows, I just open up vmWare (optional software purchase...about $80) and have XP running my PC-only software.
  
  Mac is the best computer for those who are individuals (like me) who need a reliable computer that can handle just about everything you throw at it.
  
  The only downside I can see is that there is only two USB ports, but that's it.
  
  
• Forget Vista - This Mac Rocks
  By A3E8GZSWGUNVIB on 2007-12-16
  I bought this Macbook less than two weeks ago and have upgrade the memory from 1 GB to 2 GBs without any problem on my own! I called technical support before I ordered it and they were helpful and friendly! The new airport extreme is very valuable in picking up wi-fi signals! It boots up very fast and battery life is awesome! Small but powerful! You can even run windows on it - but don't care to! The new leopard operating system rocks! Buy one and you will never go back to PC or Windows!
  
  Sincerely,
  Jeff
  
  
• Does what it's supposed to do, with ease, speed, and good looks
  By A2TDELJPOFCG2S on 2007-12-17
  I bought this laptop right before Thanksgiving and have been using it just about everyday since. I maxed the RAM out at 4 gigs and this thing smokes! I love the new features of Leopard.
  
  Right now the line between the Macbook and the Macbook Pro is so small I couldn't justify the extra $700. I'm sure new Macbook Pros will come out after January 2008, but I couldn't wait that long, and I'm content with this Macbook. Only different is the smaller screen and lesser video card really. (a few other small things.)
  
  I wouldn't hesitate to buy this again!!
  
  
• Windows Users - BEWARE!!
  By A1S0TXI27XDTU0 on 2007-12-26
  Writing this review on my old laptop with windows. Very unhappy with new macbook. Windows don't cover the whole screen making my 13 inch essentially a 10 inch. Very confusing and hard to navigate. Never tried Vista but lifetime windows user and I feel like I just walked into Starbucks for the 1st time and don't know the silly names they give their sizes. Can't "double tap" the touch pad - have to click on the button, so using one hand to navigate is not possible. Going to give it a shot over next couple of days before exchanging it for a windows based laptop.
  
  
• Screen's Too Small for a $1000+ Laptop!
  By A1VBQLR1PSX32B on 2007-12-04
  I like my MacBook overall, but Apple has GOT to be kidding about putting a 13" screen on a laptop this expensive!
  
  Most PC laptops have 15" screens on them these days, even many cheap $600 ones do. Apple needs to step up here!
  
  A couple of other bummers are no DVD burner (again, other cheaper laptops usually have them), and weak graphics (yes, some girls do play games). If it was a $500 laptop I probably wouldn't care, but it's double that, so I do.
  
  Other than that, its been a good laptop. Macs are nice, I like the looks and no viruses, but Apple really seems to be skimping on the basics lately. The competition is including a lot of nice stuff for less money.
  
  
• MAcBook A Disappointment
  By A2JFOFQAYLCFLU on 2008-01-21
  I paid much more for my MAc Book than any other computer and had high expectations. It started off ok. The hardware seems sound, however in a very short time I experienced problems with the photo software. I went to the class, only to be told that my computer worked "differently" from what they had demonstrated. Apple notified of a software update, which I downloaded. After that the printer quit working properly. I took it into their "genius" group, who after 2 guys and 45 minutes, they advised their printers were not working so they could not trouble shoot. I had taken in samples of the defective printer output. I have had 9 computers in the last 22 years, and had only minor problems, but never one in which I had to take the computer in for technical help. After 5 trips with very limited results, I'm ready to sell it.
  
  
• Allow me to dispel some complaints...
  By A2H9KNX4L2GOO6 on 2008-02-11
  First off, what I like about this computer.
  I have been very impressed with this computer. A friend taught me a bit about Macs and helped convince me to buy it. Some features I really like are the built-in camera and microphone, the accelerometer, remote control, the magnetic screen closing as well as the magnetic power cord connection (very easy to use). The included software is excellent as well.
  
  I was a little hesitant in buying a Mac because I like gaming. But I learned that the Mac comes with the ability to make a hard drive partition for Windows, and the drivers to make sure that Windows recognizes all the hardware and makes it function properly. A couple of games haven't worked properly, I don't know why, but overall I have been very satisfied with this. Mac computers offer you the best of both worlds now.
  
  Another reason I like this computer, was made obvious at home. I am a college student, and at home my parents have a Windows desktop. On one occasion their printer stopped working with their computer. My mom uninstalled the printer, reinstalled it and its drivers, and it still wouldn't work properly. But I hooked up the printer to my MacBook and it was immediately recognized and completely functional. Genuine Plug-and-Play. I printed my mom's document, and meanwhile her computer still won't work with that printer (though it used to).
  
  Now to dispel some complaints about this computer, or Macs in general:
  
  Some reviews have complained about the difficulty of right-clicking with the trackpad. Truth is, the secondary click is EASIER THAN WITH A PC. In the System Preferences you can enable secondary clicks with two fingers on the trackpad. Just touch your two fingers to the pad and press the button, that's a right-click. Easy. Personally I use my middle finger for moving the mouse, adding my ring finger to scroll up and down, and to right-click, with my index finger wherever I want it on the button. It's comfortable and simple.
  
  And if anyone complains about the lack of a Home, End, Pg Up or Pg Dn buttons, all you have to do is press Command + (arrow). And to delete text from the right of the cursor, it's Fn + Delete.
  
  I also saw a complaint about the difficulty of seeing which applications are open. Indeed, some applications do not completely close when you press the red button in the corner. When you want to see what's still running, hold down Command and press Tab. You will be shown the logos of each running application. Highlight any of these applications with the mouse and press Q to quit them. Alternatively, when an application window is still open, you can just press Command + Q to completely exit the program.
  
  I hope I have been of assistance. I have found that this computer is really easy to use, and has great hardware and software features. All you need to do is familiarize yourself a little. You won't be disappointed.
  
  
• simply the best...
  By A2XL0YPPJAWFOG on 2007-12-18
  it's fast. it's fun. it's fabulous. and it's easy to use right out of the box! i'm still discovering uses for all the amazing applications. and because it's a mac everything is intuitive... so i can take my time and figure it all out. sure my old ibook was still working but was no longer up to the demands of the internet so this is a major upgrade for me and i couldn't be happier. i'm especially pleased with having a 120 gig hard drive... because having hobbled for so long with 10 gigs i don't have to constantly throw everything out. love the built in camera. love the wireless. love the new screen. even love the new operating system... bugs and all. only thing that seemed a little odd to me was that amazon shipped it unprotected except in its own box... no bubble wrap... no nothing... and at an angle because the box was too small. still it arrived working perfectly... a testament to the ruggedness of this fine machine. if you need a new laptop. you can't go wrong with the macbook. and hey it can even run windows - but why would you want to?
  
  
• So far so good
  By A3ESSQXWUXMH26 on 2008-01-06
  This is my first Mac. I come from a predominantly Linux background (with Windows reluctantly mixed in when forced upon me), so I'm happy to know that this is got BSD under the hood, along with access to bash shells, X11 programs (got GIMP installed!), etc. So far, I'm happy with OS X Leopard, with only a few things still to get used to (e.g. OS X's semi-click to focus, etc.).
  
  One problem: the power adapter that came with the Mac stopped working after about 1 full day. Luckily for me, I was in a city with an Apple Store, so I headed out there and wound up getting a brand new one as a replacement. The new adapter's been working fine ever since, so I can't hold a single hw problem against them too much (as long as it's a replaceable part!).
  
  I like my laptops small and with long battery life. I've been impressed with the battery life of this MacBook so far. Flying back home after the holidays, I was able to do a little internet surfing, and sync & charge my ipod at the airport, then watch a 102-minute DVD on the plane (with bluetooth and wireless turned off), and it still reported 1-2 hours left after the movie. Not too shabby. And, unlike some long-life batteries for other laptops, the included battery is not obtrusive at all, fitting the MacBook like a glove (which one should expect given it's an Apple).
  
  One of my big concerns before getting a MacBook was the lack of multiple buttons. I'd grown quite accustomed to using a laptop trackpad with two buttons and a scrollwheel. However, once I learned that the MacBook trackpad could simulate secondary clicks (read: right mouse button) by tapping two fingers, and could scroll by keeping one finger on the pad while moving the other, that alleviated a lot of my concern. There still doesn't seem to be a replacement for a middle mouse click (which is used a lot to paste stuff in Linux, as well as do things in Firefox like open a link in a new tab), but I'm dealing so far.
  
  
  
• A pleasure to use
  By A3NEAETOSXDBOM on 2008-01-16
  The last time that I bought an Apple computer was about 20 years ago when real floppy disks were still being used. In the interim, I have used (and suffered through) every incarnation of Windows through XP Pro. But when Vista came out with all of its headaches (I ordered and then returned a Vista laptop), I decided to listen to all of my friends who raved about Apple and bought the black MacBook with 2 GB of RAM. It is one of the best purchases that I made.
  
  When I am at home, I have this connected to a Samusung 226 BW monitor and am blown away with the high resolution display. Even when I use the laptop as a standalone, the screen is bright, the colors are sharp, and the text is crystal clear.
  
  Finding and connecting to wi-fi hotspots on the road is painless compared to the configuration required on my pc laptop. Recently I was in an airport that had a paid wi-fi service that was pricey, yet my MacBook found a free connection that I easily connected to.
  
  Although I had never used a Mac before, because everything is so intuitive, and because the help menus are excellent, it took me very little time to learn all of the basic functions.
  
  Apple Tech support is excellent. I redid the wireless network in my home with an Apple Airport Extreme and ran into some problems that tech support solved. Best of all, everyone spoke clearly and in American English since I was not routed to another country.
  
  The MacBook comes with lots of interesteing ILife software, including IPhoto. For the first time on vacation, I took hundreds and hundreds of digital photos because transfering them from my digital camera to the MacBook,editing them, and deleting unwanted photos was so easy with the IPhoto software.
  
  The bluetooth is also a nice feature that works effortlessly with the Apple bluetooth mighty mouse and Apple bluetooth wireless keyboard that I purchased to use when the laptop is hooked to my external monitor.
  
  This laptop, while not "slim", is still reasonably compact and was very easy to travel with using an InCase bag that Apple sells specifically for this unit.
  
  In short, this is packed with lots of features, is easy to use, and looks like and is a quality product.
  
  
• Disappointed
  By AEWC9FQ01I79E on 2008-01-17
  Got the thing from Apple.com about two months ago, Leopard pre-installed. Very disappointed with it. Here are the reasons:
  1. Computer freezes often or won't wake up after having been put to sleep. The only remedy is to force-restart it (use the button).
  2. Keyboard becomes completely unresponsive seemingly randomly and without any warning. Solution: see 1.
  3. Lots of Tiger-compatible programs are NOT supported by Leopard.
  4. The main interface design is ludicrous (e.g. transparent menu bar, semi-transparent 3D(!!?) shelf-like dock at which you have to peer hard to see which apps are running). A prime example of ruining something good while trying to make it better.
  5. Case material is a magnet for dust (mine is black, so it's obvious).
  6. Power adapter extremely overpriced (as is the whole thing, but that's the Mac tax), so buying a second one for work is no longer an easy option.
  
  Pros? Yeah, there are some, hence the 2nd star.
  
  Advice: wait some, and then wait some more. And then think twice.
  
  
• Good machine - does what I purchased it for
  By A2BTHZY32EIS55 on 2008-02-26
  I used Macs extensively from 1985 through 1998 and then switched to PC's because by and large, 10 years ago, PC's integrated better in my work environment (my company switched from Mac notebooks to PCs as well for similar reasons, despite howls of protest from Mac devotees!)
  
  When my "trusted" and souped up HP NX-5000 refused to power up all of a sudden, I needed a new machine. Although I was satisfied with Win-XP based systems, the new Vista based machines seemed resource hungry and not as backward compliant with software/peripherals as XP - at least, this was my experience with my son's Toshiba notebook running Vista Home. So I decided that the time was ripe to try a Mac again.
  
  At home, we now have a ThinkPad T42 running XP, a Toshiba Satellite running Vista, a Dell Desktop running XP and now, my MB063LL/B with OSX and XP installed. We also have 4 printers - a multifunction Canon MF5550, a legacy NEC Superscript 870, a new HP 2605N color laser and an HP940c inkjet. Both OSX and Vista do not support the Canon or NEC printers - only the HP's. Only Windows XP truly supports all four.
  
  The first thing I did was upgrade RAM from 1GB to 4GB. I believe both Leopard and Vista machines require at least 2GB (even though they are commonly sold in 1GB configurations) and I use my machine extensively for work - no games or toys! I purchased Kingston memory and it has worked flawlessly. Although the installation procedure is straightforward, it is hard to remove the tiny screws covering the memory card bay even with the screwdriver recommended by Apple's installation guide.
  
  The screen brightness and crispness is very good although font sizes are small. I tend to use a second monitor whenever possible and the dual screen functionality works very well (as it does on Windows machines as well.) Battery retention has been very good so far.
  
  My experience with software is mixed. Yes, I love OSX's Unix underpinnings (I was a Unix sys admin as a grad student in the 80's and know it pretty darn well.) The operating system seems very reliable and I like that. I really love Parallels 3.0 and the ability to run XP under it - programs like MS Project, Visio etc. seem to work flawlessly. With Coherence mode enabled, it is truly spectacular - you have Mac OS and Windows applications running side by side - you can even cut and paste across applications in both environments!
  
  The built in camera is pretty good and iChat works very nicely with it. Definitely a plus over most comparable Windows machines.
  
  However I have also had my share of problems with Apple user programs. Mail crashed several times on me initially with bus-error (I figured out what user interaction caused it - it was a UI issue, but still, unacceptable.) iCal is surprisingly limited - it does not work very smoothly with network calendars. IMHO Thunderbird/Lightning worked much better overall, but I have transitioned to Mail/iCal for now. I do not like proprietary mail solutions like Outlook that use proprietary databases, resulting in legacy portability issues.
  
  My biggest grouse is with Mac Help - I find answers more easily on Google than on the machine itself!
  
  Another weird problem - when I set up my machine to ask for my password, if I close my notebook without shutting down at night, it hibernates. When I open it up, I get the password screen, but after I enter the password, the screen goes blank, the machine stops responding and the only thing I can do is the age-old ! Oddly enough, I had the same problem on my HP, so I wonder if it is an Intel special :-)
  
  I do not like the sharp edge around the machine - almost all PC notebooks that I have used in the past - Acer/HP/Toshiba/Lenovo/Dell have designed this better. Also, it is surprisingly heavy for its size. That is a disappointment - maybe I should have gone for the Air.
  
  In summary, I am pleased with the machine - I give it 4*s. it has a lot of pluses, few minuses and it does all that I need it for. But I am not entirely in the Apple camp as yet - Windows-based notebooks have a lot to offer if you know how to configure them properly and are certainly good value for the money.
  
  
• Over promises and under delivers
  By A2KLXHNPWCDDE8 on 2008-03-16
  After years of being a Windows user, I was ready for a change. I was fed up with constant crashes (probably didn't help that I was running Windows ME), viruses, Microsoft always adding new features without really fixing core problems, etc so after reading so much about Apple products I decided to switch. First, the good:
  
  - My Mac (running on the latest Leopard OS) has a few pretty cool features. Time machine (back up software for ALL your stuff on the Mac) seems pretty good (I've seen the demo but have never used it yet since you need an external hard drive)
  
  - Spaces, that lets you divide your screen (specially useful if you are running lots of programs at the same time)
  
  - Much less "malware", no viruses, far less "pop up" stuff or programs being installed without you knowing
  
  - And being a novice user, that is pretty much it for now.
  
  Now for the bad:
  
  - First, you can buy much more with the same money if you decide to go with a Windows-based system. Macs are pricey
  
  - Despite what you have heard on the news, Macs DO crash. In fact, my computer crashed TWO times just when I was thinking about writing a review
  
  - If you are a MS Money software user (there's no Money for Macs) you will need to switch to Quicken. Listen to all the people in the forums and think twice about doing it. The switch was a NIGHTMARE. I probably spend 24 hours in a 3-week period to switch. Although this is not Apple's fault (Quicken is published by Intuit, which has nothing to do with Apple), the fact that there are far less programs for Apple than for Windows is a big issue
  
  - You can't ready AVI (a movie format) files without a converter (you will need to pay for it to get a full version). I want to say there are at least a couple more movie formats that the Mac can't read
  
  - The right click feature on the mouse pad is not straightforward. I recommend that you buy a mouse and program it to work with right click
  
  - If you are subscribed to NetFlix you CAN'T yet (March 2008) watch movies on your Mac (has to do with Apple's Digital Rights Management software)
  
  - Although there is a Mac version of Microsoft's Messenger, it does NOT support video. So if you want to have a video chat with a Windows' user, you will need to use either AOL's instant messaging program or Skype (video sessions between Mac users work very well in Apple's "ichat")
  
  - Numbers, Apple's equivalent of Microsoft's Excel is a joke if you want to use it extensively. Numbers lacks many of Excel's advanced features
  
  Overall, I am very disappointed with Apple. I was expecting almost a flawless experience, but even the basics sometimes are not covered (for example, the fact that my Mac crashes A LOT).
  
  
• Awesome Computer coming from a long time Windows user
  By A9RCGSWGPG7LR on 2007-12-31
  This computer just simply amazing. The MacBook is so polished and refined. Everything on the Mac OS is so well organized. The base software load is not bloated like when you buy a PC. You get exactly what you need and not 5 different programs that all do the same thing like on some PCs.
  
  The thing works straight out of the box. It amazing how every just works by itself (printers, cameras, and etc.). This is the way a computer should be.
  
  Some Windows users are sometimes worried about the learning curve when switching over. I am an advanced and long time windows user. It took me about a week to learn everything on a Mac that I can do on a PC. The Mac OS is very intuitive.
  
  You can run windows on a Mac too and guess what it runs way better on the Mac then any of my PCs I have. Boot camp will allow you setup windows and switch between operating systems. And it works perfectly. Also there is a program called Parallels 3.0 which will let you run windows inside the Mac OS. It also works great too.
  
  I am person that works in the Tech Industry and has a Computer Engineering degree and has been using Windows since I was 12. I am completely sold on Macs.
  
  

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