MacBook

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Portable and Powerful
Measuring only 1.08 inches thin, weighing only 4.7 pounds, and packing a brilliant 13.3-inch  (diagona) LED-backlit glossy widescreen display, the MacBook offers users a great compromise between price, size, and portability.  The 13.3 inch display hits the sweet spot.  It's large enough for watching movies and running multiple applications yet small enough to pack away for your next trip.  It's also light enough to prop on your lap.
09macbook_hero.pngThe MacBook was introduced on May 16, 2006 thus replacing the iBook notebook.  The MacBook is currently on its eighth revision or in other words, it's ninth product cycle.  The most recent MacBook revision occured on October 20, 2009 when Apple introduced the 'Late 2009' .  The MacBook is easily identified by it's plastic enclosure.  Note that for a short period ( between October 14, 2008 - June 7, 2009) Apple offered an aluminum unibody enclosure MacBook that was later repositioned as a MacBook Pro.  Apple currently offers a single sleek white Polycarbonate unibody enclosure MacBook model.

In the Box
  • MacBook
  • 60W MagSafe Power Adapter
  • AC wall plug
  • Power cord
  • Install/restore DVDs
  • Printed and electronic documentation
Key Configuration Options
  • Memory up to 4GB
  • Hard drive up to 500GB
  • MagSafe Airline adapter
Installed software

All MacBook models ship pre-installed with:

  • Mac OS X version 10.6 Snow Leopard operating system which includes key features and applications such as Time Machine, Quick Look, Spaces, Spotlight, Dashboard, Mail, iChat, Safari, Address Book, QuickTime, iCal, DVD Player, Photo Booth, Front Row)
  • iLife which includes iPhoto, iMovie, iDVD, iWeb, and GarageBand

Environmentally Friendly
The unibody MacBook is constructed from highly recyclable materials and is more energy efficient (meets ENERGY STAR version 5.0 requirement and is EPEAT Gold rated) than its predecessors.  Key environmentally friendly specs include recyclable polycarbonate enclosure, arsenic-free glass, mercury-free, BFR -free, and PVC-free.

09macbook_3q.pngWhite Polycarbonate unibody enclosure
The MacBook is Apple's entry-level portable encased in a sleek white polycarbonate enclosure model that offers a system geared towards basic use without sacrificing the Mac and Mac OS X experience.

A fully featured portable
Each MacBook offers two processing cores, a built-in iSight video camera, built in wireless and bluetooth capability, a slot-loading SuperDrive, two USB 2.0 ports, audio in/out ports, a Mini DisplayPort, video out features, Kensington lock slot, and a Gigabit Ethernet port.

Innovative Features
The innovative MagSafe Power Adapter magnetically attaches to the MacBook and easily detaches if someone accidentally trips over the cord. You won't see your MacBook flyng off your desk or lap.  There's even a magnetic lid latch that not only makes opening and closing easy but also saves you from those lid parts that can break, snag, or jam.  No mouse, no problem!  The included Multi-Touch trackpad not only functions as a built-in mouse but it can also intelligently interpret gestures to allow you to scroll through web pages, documents, and photographs with ease while also functioning as a button for clicks.

The built-in lithium-polymer battery that can be recharged up to 1000 times can last up to 7 hours on a single charge.  The innovative battery saves you money over the long-term because it doesn't have to be replaced as often as a traditional battery.  In fact, it should last close to five years!

Expand your Screen Real Estate
Need more viewing area?  Just connect your MacBook via the Mini DisplayPort to an external display up to 30-inches such as the Apple Cinema Displays or even better, to the new generation LED Cinema Display. You have a choice of three options to view and do your work, dual-display mode, video mirroring, and you can even run the MacBook with the lid closed.

What can you do with a MacBook?
It's the most affordable Mac notebook and gives users the speed and design to set you apart from the crowd.  Performance is no concern as you surf the web, manage and edit photos, and video chat with friends and family. The MacBook is a fully versatile portable system that allows you to:
  • Accomplish daily tasks such as email, web browsing, managing photos, making home movies,
  • designing DVDs, designing websites, and listening to and composing music
  • Truly experience Front Row with the (optional) Apple Remote as you easily navigate through your
  • photos, music, movies, and videos.
  • Use the built-in iSight camera to video chat with family and friends, make a quick video clip, or play around with the snapshots you captured in Photo Booth.
  • Burn CDs or dual layer DVDs (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
  • Use the built-in AirPort Extreme for wireless networking and to connect to nearby hot spots
  • Connect to the latest Bluetooth enabled peripherals and/or mobile phones
  • Listen to music with the built-in speakers, your songs and movies in iTunes will sound great
  • Store an abundance of music, videos, documents, and more with the generous hard drive space
  • Add a second display (extended desktop mode and video mirroring)

Conclusion & Buying Advice
The MacBook offers buyers value, performance, and portability at reasonable prices.  It's a powerful and highly portable system that offers many of the features found in the desktop iMac but in a notebook configuration.  For many, it can serve as a desktop replacement and is the ideal system for the mobile student.  The MacBook also offers some of the features found on the more expensive MacBook Pro such as dual core processors, MagSafe power adapter, and LED backlit display.  If you don't need the extra horse power, features, or expandability features in the MacBook Pro, get the MacBook.  Switchers interested in an affordable yet powerful portable Mac should give significant consideration to the MacBook.

Updates/Revisions
  • June 5, 2007 - Added information the Mid 2007 models
  • November 1, 2007 - Added information about the Late 2007 models; new images; corrections; content revision
  • February 27, 2008 - Added information about the new models and specifications; content revision.
  • January 12, 2009 - Content revision based on information from Late 2008 models
  • April 11, 2010 - Content revision based on Late 2009 models
Images used in this guide are Courtesy of Apple
Created: 9:05 PM on Nov 20, 2006
By: switchtoamac