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 PC Hardware : Apple MacBook MB403LL/A 13.3-inch Laptop (2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Processor, 2 GB RAM, 160 GB Hard Drive) White |
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Rating:  - It rules, but make sure you calibrate the display.
I've had this white macbook for about 3 months now, and no problems at all. I love it. I thought I'd post a review thought to let people know of the importance of calibrating the display. The white macbook does not come pre-calibrated, so make sure you do it yourself. It will greatly increase the color accuracy of your macbook. There are several youtube videos about calibrating a display in OS X, so I would recommend you check some out. If you don't calibrate your monitor, your screen will never look as good as it ought to.
Rating: - A review for life long PC user from a life long PC user
I've been using PC's since the 90's and am an avid computer enthusiast. Granted my schools computers I used we're Apple II's in the 80's and even the Mac 128k's in the 90's. But I've always been a Windows user building my own PC's and maxing out graphics cards and what have you. Been in the IT/IS industry since 2001.
The thing is I'd come home from fixing computer problems to a computer/s with random problems. Maybe Windows didn't recognize the drivers to my graphics card for some reason and I had to reinstall it. Or a laptop that I downgraded from Vista to XP (Really though, downgrade?) suddenly starts overheating (only after sleep mode starts) because the manufacturer made software (not hardware) control the fan and the software only runs on Vista. Finally I had enough, I just wanted something that works.
So almost shamefully/embarrassingly I bought an iMac. How dare I? I could build a computer for the same price with X times more performance! But after I started using it I realized I could stop worrying about that stuff and just start using the computer. Like Obi'wan says to Luke "Just let go" Mac's are a whole new world. The idea of make it easy to use spreads over to people who make the software for it, not just Apple software but third party's. Yes you can do everything on a Mac now. And sure you may have to install Windows to play your favorite games. But I've spent so much of my time seeing and fixing all the wonderfully awful problems that Windows spews out that it's nice to have a liberating experience on a computer that just works. Plugging in things like cameras or printers for the first time nothing happens. No window pop's up asking you to configure anything they're ready to go.
I don't find myself having to go into a registry and change some variables because a toolbar disapeared. Or finding out that Creative doesn't fully support Vista for the sound card I bought dispite the box saying it does.
I'm familiar with Linux and the OS is based on BSD/Unix. So your getting the shell, and you can run apache and php on it. With sooooo much less configuration then you would be looking to do with a windows box. And the thing about the spec's is your getting an OS tied into the hardware so much that performance is great. Windows has to account for a lot of different hardware configurations so sacrifices are made.
And no your not buying a lifestyle your buying something that just works so you can get to work. You don't have to use these at starbucks drinking a latte and talking about your Jetta or how you voted for Obama. And you aren't going to become a pretentious snob.
I haven't even mention the hardware of this particular Macbook. But things like a magnetically closing lid means there are no moving parts to break. Same with the power supply which is connected magnetically. It doesn't scorch my manhood from overheating. And it's very quite. I haven't heard the fan or harddrive kick on into overdrive at all like most laptops.
Funny thing is I understand I probably sound like a snob talking about Mac's but in a lot of important ways they are better then PC's. When are PC's going to stop becoming things that get in the way of life? Maybe Windows 7 will fix all of your problems and make computing easier, if you don't think so come to the dark side and get a Mac.
Rating:  - Amazon keeps blind woman in the dark
This rating of one star is for Amazon's service, and does not reflect the quality of any Apple product. That one star is more than Amazon deserves, but is the lowest review available.
On Saturday evening, 22 Nov 08, I ordered a MacBook; set it up for three-day shipping (that would be Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday--three business days).
The computer should be here today, Wednesday, right? No.
On that Saturday evening, we received a confirmation of the order with a projected date of 1 Dec 08. I called immediately (this was still Saturday evening) and talked to telephone operator Lisa, but got the sad news that "The order has already been processed." If I had known Amazon meant nine days when they said three, I would have ordered express overnight delivery. What's $20 more when you've just spent $1000?
Since placing the order, I have talked to three Amazon telephone operators who, while pleasant, were completely unable to help. Then, after dangling on hold for 20 minutes, I talked with manager Kevin. He told me that "three-day shipping" means "three to five days". He explained, as had the three operators, that the only way to receive a computer before next Monday would be to give Amazon another $1000 plus the charge for overnight shipping and refuse the "first" order when it arrives.
I know everybody has a sob story, but this MacBook was to replace a damaged computer for a blind woman. To a blind person, a computer constitutes her eyes, her contact, her window to the world. But that is a window that Amazon, through gross negligence, has darkened for a week.
Shame on you, Amazon!
Rating: - I'll never use a PC again
To summarize this product, the MacBook is an amazing laptop. My previous laptop, a Dell, caused me problems the first month I purchased it. It was terribly slow, had a battery life no longer than an hour and a half at most, and often would freeze up while I was using it. After having it only one year, the battery was shot and the computer wouldn't even run unless it was plugged in at all times. Eventually it blacked out and never turned on again.
After all this, the MacBook makes my life so much easier since it runs extremely fast and isn't able to get the viruses that plagued my PC. The programs it comes with are easy to use and have more features than Windows programs. For example, iPhoto will automatically take your imported digital pictures and separate them into different events based on the time they were taken. This saves a lot of time when uploading photos because you don't have to manually select pictures to separate into an album. iChat is a smoother, more professional version of AOL Instant Messenger. Also, the built-in webcam takes surprisingly detailed photos that can be easily edited with the Photo Booth.
The MacBook is a sturdy, dependable computer and is well worth the extra couple hundred bucks since it will save you a lot of the hassle PCs come with. If you need to check something quickly, you can have the computer turned on and the internet running just a few seconds after pushing the power button. It is able to handle multiple programs running at once without slowing down or freezing.
Many people are afraid to purchase a MacBook because they are unfamiliar with it and believe the programs are difficult to run. This isn't true at all, since I've found that the advanced design of Macs is much more simple to navigate then Windows. My dad has the same computer I do and feels the same way. I am always telling my friends to make the switch and get a MacBook.
Rating: - one small problem
This laptop has been great so far - one small problem has been waking it up from sleep mode. Only once so far, it wouldn't wake up and I had to remove the battery and hold the start button for 5 seconds - but the manual was superb in showing how to problem solve this issue.
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