CNET Editor's rating: 8.3 out of 10
Reviewed by
Dan Ackerman
Review date: 12/17/07
Release date: 11/14/07
The good: Upgraded CPU for the same price; same great design; Leopard operating system.
The bad: Still no Express card or SD card slots; only more expensive models are available in black.
The bottom line: Apple has been content to issue minor periodic hardware updates to the 13-inch MacBook, but the modest performance gains and new Leopard OS keep it in our top tier of laptop recommendations.
Description:
This configuration of the Apple MacBook is a 5.1-pound, mainstream consumer notebook computer.
Compared to other mainstream notebooks on the market, it is midpriced at around $1,445.
Has Wi-Fi (wireless connectivity) built-in.
Pros:
Has only a 5.1-pound weight.
Also, this notebook comes with Apple MacOS X 10.5 OS.
This is more favorable than the average notebook on the market today, but is to be expected for a notebook of this price.
Cons:
Has only a 13.3-inch screen size, which is smaller than some similarly priced notebooks.
For example, the
Dell Studio 17
, a -pound notebook at around $1, 445, has a 17.0 screen size.
Also, this notebook has only 1 GB RAM, which is less than some similarly priced notebooks.
For example, the
HP Compaq 6535b
, a 5.3-pound notebook at around $1, 420, has 3 GB RAM.
Integrated graphics controllers that rely on shared RAM are sometimes an acceptable trade-off for budget-minded users.
Suitability:
Suited for those who just need a basic notebook.
Store massive amounts of data on DVD using the DVD burner included in this laptop.
Includes advanced word processing software -- fine for most serious business or academic document authors.
Also, this notebook comes packaged with photo editing software to help you select, crop, and print the photos from your digital camera.
If you have a
wireless network
at home, wirelessly browse the Web from any room in your house with this Wi-Fi enabled laptop.
Value:
In general, this notebook has great features for the money.
Suggestions:
(1) Given this device's Wi-Fi capability, you may want to get a
wireless access point
for your home, so that you can browse the Web more conveniently from any room.
(2) To get the most out of this notebook's Bluetooth capability, you could have a Bluetooth-enabled headset, handheld or other device, and be able to link it wirelessly to your computer within a range of 20-or-so feet inside the same room.
1 x Display / video - Apple mini-DVI,
1 x IEEE 1394 (FireWire) - 6 pin FireWire,
2 x Hi-Speed USB - 4 pin USB Type A,
1 x Audio - SPDIF input/line-in - Mini-phone 3.5 mm / TOSLINK,
1 x Audio - SPDIF output/headphones - Mini-phone 3.5 mm / TOSLINK,
1 x Network - Ethernet 10Base-T/100Base-TX/1000Base-T - RJ-45,
1 x Network - Radio-Ethernet
Miscellaneous
Included Accessories
Remote control
Cables Included
Power cable ( 1 pcs.)
Features
Security lock slot (cable lock sold separately)
Power
Power device form factor
External
Voltage Required
AC 120/230 V
Battery
Technology
Lithium polymer
Installed Qty
1
Battery capacity
55 Wh
Mfr estimated battery life
6 hour(s)
CNET Labs battery drain test: DVD playback (min)
270
Operating System / Software
OS Provided
Apple MacOS X 10.5
Software
Front Row,
Apple iCal,
Apple iChat,
Photo Booth,
Apple Safari,
Apple Spaces,
Apple iLifeÃ08,
Apple Dashboard,
Apple QuickTime,
Apple Spotlight,
Apple DVD Player,
Apple Quick Look,
IWork Ã08 (Trial),
Apple Address Book,
Apple Time Machine,
Apple Mac OS X Mail,
Drivers & Utilities,
Apple XCode Developer Tools,
Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac Test Drive
Environmental Standards
EPA Energy Star Compliant
Yes
Manufacturer Warranty
Service & Support
1 year warranty
Service & Support Details
Limited warranty - 1 year,
Technical support - Phone consulting - 90 days
Greenpeace 'Guide to Greener Electronics'
Greenpeace 'Guide to Greener Electronics' manufacturer rating (June 2008)
4.1
Greenpeace 'Guide to Greener Electronics' manufacturer rating (Mar 2008)
6.7
Greenpeace 'Guide to Greener Electronics' manufacturer rating (Sep 2008)
Watch product review video
Show
Hide