MacBook review (sort of)

[Eugene Liu]

Any MacBook users out there? :-)

My company just bought a MacBook 1.8GHz and a MacBook 2.0GHz (white), both self upgraded to 2GB RAM -- an easy process after removing the battery.

The packaging, like other Apple products, is elegant, and unboxing the machine is like opening a present on Christmas morning.

Bootup time is two blinks of an eye. Yes, it's that fast! The Intel Core Duo is doing its job.

I haven't run into any application problems (yet?). Both PowerPC- and Intel-based applications run just fine, and the application startup time for PowerPC-based apps isn't that slow as some folks fear. The caveat is that I don't run any heavy-duty graphics apps (Photoshop, etc.) or such. I use Microsoft Office, iWork, and iApps regularly with satisfying experiences.

Speaking of applications, FrontRow is definitely an eye-opener. It's pretty slick, especially being able to view movie trailers online from FrontRow. That's pretty cool. BTW, pressing the Shift key while invoking FrontRow gives you the cool slow-motion transition effect too.

The redesigned keyboard feels just as sturdy and reactive, IMO. The trackpad is larger, and the two-finger scrolling feature is neat. I'd used laptops which have the side scrolling feature, which still requires your finger to be on the edges in order to scroll. Apple's two-finger scroll allows you to use it anywhere on the trackpad.

The built-in iSight is great. One less accessory to carry in the bag, not to mention an iSight camera isn't really something that's easily packed in a case.

The use of magnets is quite innovative. The MagSafe power cord is easy to connect and protects the MacBook from pedestrians. The lid closes with a strong magnet and gets the job done just as good as a mechanical latch.

Heat is definitely noticeable on this machine, mainly on the top-left area of the keyboard/case. That's probably where the CPU is? The only vent on the MacBook is along the LCD hinge. The "moo" caused by frequent start and stop of the fan happens on my system, but it doesn't bother me much. That's what the fan is supposed to do, IMO. I think Apple is likely to release a firmware update to the MacBook in the near future to address the fan and heat problems. At the moment I'm not going to say that it's a design flaw, but rather something that needs "real world" tweaking and a firmware update could take care of it.

Overall, I think the MacBook is yet another hit from Apple. It's not a perfect notebook computer, but I don't think there is such a thing as a "perfect notebook." All I can say is that the MacBook is a great companion, gets the job done, and gets it done in style! :-)

[Royce Brown]

I have enjoyed my MacBook.  I bought my 17" a month or so ago.  Overall I agree with everything you said.  It is pretty fast but once you get back 1.5Ghz or so it's hard to see anything much faster.

I had not heard of FrontRow.  For some reason it will not run on my MacBook.  When I tried to install it said I did not have a infrared something. I don't get it.

I do like the PhotoBooth. It's cool to use with iChat.  I also like the new magnet plug in power cord even though I had to buy all new cords for my travel bag and the extra for downstairs.

I use Excel all the time and have not noticed any slowdown they called for.

The big drawback is the heat buildup on the bottom.  I have a lap pad I have to use after a while as it gets too hot to sit with.

The screen definitely seems bigger and brighter.

[Eugene Liu]

You ought to be able to start FrontRow by pressing the Menu button on your Apple Remote. Just aim that thing in front of your 17" MacBook. The infrared receiver is on the right front side of the base.

[Royce Brown]

I guess my version MacBook did not have the infrared dohickey.  With as much as I paid for the thing I would have thought it had a blender and a place to toast bread.

[Chris Waldrip]

It should have an IR sensor. If it's a MacBook Pro it's to the left of the lid release. If its a MacBook then it's to the right front corner.

Check System Profiler, look under the USB section, and you should see IR Receiver listed as a USB device. If you don't then you should contact Apple. That might explain why you got the message trying to install FrontRow.

[Eugene Liu]

I guess my version MacBook did not have the infrared dohickey.  With as much as I paid for the thing I would have thought it had a blender and a place to toast bread.

Ummm, I think it does run hot enough to toast bread? ;-)

[Royce Brown]

I wonder why some versions would have Front Row and some not?  My model was supposed to be top of the line. On the Apple website (I got mine from Club Mac) it shows all the 15 & 17" to come with it.  When I download FR from the Apple site and try to install it gives me an error msg saying "Alert- This software update requires a Mac with a built in infrared receiver running Mac OS X 10.4.5 or later"

Strange.  FR apprears to be a program I would actually use.

[Royce Brown]

This is strange.  I called Apple about why my computer would not have Front Row and she assured me that it should.  My cpu came from Club Mac with Windows already installed via Boot Camp.  Everything was installed.  She had me dig out the system disks that came with my computer and reinstall the other software.  Everything else was in my applications folder except the Front Row. 

It took several minutes for the software to install so I hung up.  After the install nada. Still now FR.  I took disk II and did a custom install that only FR.  Again nada. 

I guess my computer just does not like FrontRow.

[Eugene Liu]

This is strange.  I called Apple about why my computer would not have Front Row and she assured me that it should.  My cpu came from Club Mac with Windows already installed via Boot Camp.  Everything was installed.  She had me dig out the system disks that came with my computer and reinstall the other software.  Everything else was in my applications folder except the Front Row. 

It took several minutes for the software to install so I hung up.  After the install nada. Still now FR.  I took disk II and did a custom install that only FR.  Again nada. 

I guess my computer just does not like FrontRow.

That's very odd. I would take the MacBook Pro to a local Apple Store (Perimeter Mall, Lenox Square Mall, or North Point Mall) and ask somebody at the Mac Genius bar to take a good look. That way you're also there to see what's really going on with this...

Good luck!

[Chris Waldrip]

I still think the problem is with your your IR sensor. If it doesn't detect the sensor it won't work. have you tried this yet...

Check System Profiler, look under the USB section, and you should see IR Receiver listed as a USB device. If you don't then you should contact Apple. That might explain why you got the message trying to install FrontRow.

[Royce Brown]

Under the USB Device Tree there is
USB Bus
IR Receiver

Is that what I should have? What else does this do?

[Chris Waldrip]

Well, that rules out that as a possible issue. My theory was that if there was a problem with the IR Receiver not being recognized that would explain why you couldn't install FrontRow.

I'd make an appointment with the Genius Bar.