MacBook (2006–2012)

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This article is about the Apple computer called "MacBook". For the MacBook family as a whole, see MacBook family.
Apple MacBook
The standard White MacBook
DeveloperApple Inc.
TypeLaptop
Release dateMay 16, 2006 (last updated February 26, 2008)
Introductory priceUSD$1099, EUR€999 (€950 spain), GBP£699, CAD$1149, YEN￥139800, AUD$1499, RON2598, HUF264000
CPU(Early 2008) 2.1 / 2.4 GHz 64-bit Intel Core 2 Duo
WebsiteApple — MacBook

The 'MacBook' is a Macintosh notebook computer by Apple Inc. that replaced the iBook G4 series. The original MacBook was released on May 16, 2006, and utilized the Intel Core Duo processor and 945GM chipset, with Intel's GMA950 integrated graphics on a 667 MHz front-side bus. Later revisions of the MacBook moved to the Core 2 Duo processor.

The fifth and most recent update to the MacBook line occurred on February 26 2008. It uses the Intel GM965 chipset, with Intel's X3100 integrated graphics on an 800 MHz system bus.

Overview

The MacBook's Built-in iSight and microphone.

The MacBook features a widescreen 13.3" glossy LCD display with a 1280x800 resolution, and a built-in iSight webcam. Input and output ports include mini-DVI, built-in 10/100/1000 BASE-T Gigabit Ethernet, AirPort Extreme 802.11 wireless, two USB 2.0 ports, one FireWire 400 port, and Bluetooth 2.0. Sound capabilities include built-in stereo speakers, built-in omnidirectional microphone, audio line in, and headphone audio out. The MacBook closes with a magnetic latch mechanism. The MacBook uses a Scrolling TrackPad. Its hard disk is protected by a Sudden Motion Sensor. The memory controller operates in a dual channel memory mode when RAM is installed in each slot. Using a matched pair of memory modules (e.g. 2x1 GB (2X1 GiB) is called interleaved dual channel, and theoretically results in higher performance than asymmetric dual channel when the modules are mismatched.[1] The MacBook also includes a Trusted platform module chip.

The MacBook is pre-loaded with Mac OS X v10.5, which includes Time Machine, Quick Look, Spaces, Spotlight, Dashboard, Mail, iChat, Safari, Address Book, QuickTime, iCal, DVD Player, Photo Booth, Front Row, iTunes, and Xcode Developer Tools. It comes with iLife '08, which includeks iPhoto, iMovie, iDVD, iWeb, GarageBand.

Specifications

MacBook Model Early 2006[1]1 Late 2006[2] Mid 2007[3] Late 2007[4] Early 2008[5]5
Release date
 May 16, 2006 November 8, 2006 May 15, 2007 November 1, 2007 February 26, 2008
Display 13.3-inch (viewable) glossy widescreen with 1280 x 800 pixel resolution
Graphics Intel GMA 950 graphics processor using 64 MB (64 MiB) of DDR2 SDRAM shared by main memory (up to 224 MB in Windows through Boot Camp).[1] Intel GMA X3100 graphics processor using 144 MB of DDR2 SDRAM shared by main memory
Processor 1.83 GHz or 2.0 GHz
Intel Core Duo (T2400/T2500) 		1.83 GHz or 2.0 GHz
Intel Core 2 Duo (T5600/T7200) 		2.0 GHz or 2.16 GHz
Intel Core 2 Duo (T7200/T7400) 		2.0 GHz or 2.2 GHz
Intel Core 2 Duo (T7300/T7500) 		2.1 GHz or 2.4 GHz
Intel Core 2 Duo (T8100/T8300)
Hard drive
Serial ATA
5400 rpm2 		60 GB or 80 GB
Optional 100 GB, 120 GB 		60 GB, 80 GB or 120 GB
Optional 160 GB, 200 GB (4200 rpm) 		80 GB, 120 GB or 160 GB
Optional 200 GB, 4200 rpm. 		80 GB, 120 GB or 160 GB
Optional 250 GB, 5400 rpm.
 120 GB, 160 GB, or 250 GB
Memory
Two slots for
DDR2 SDRAM
(PC2-5300) 		512 MB stock (2x256)
max. 2 GB 		512 MB (2x256) or 1 GB (2x512 MB)
max. 4 GB (3.25 GB usable)[2] 		1 GB (2x512 MB)
max. 4 GB (3.25GB usable)[2]
 1 GB (2x512 MB) stock
max. 4 GB 		1 GB (2x512 MB) or 2 GB (2 x 1 GB)
max. 4 GB
AirPort Extreme Integrated 802.11a/b/g Integrated 802.11a/b/g and draft-n
(n disabled by default)3 		Integrated 802.11a/b/g and draft-n (n enabled)
Combo drive4
Base model only
 8x DVD read, 24x CD-R and 10x CD-RW recording 8x DVD read, 24x CD-R and 16x CD-RW recording
Internal Slot-Loading SuperDrive3 8x double-layer discs reads. 4x DVD±R & RW recording. 24x CD-R and 10x CD-RW recording 2.4x DVD+R DL writes, 6x DVD±R read, 4x DVD±RW writes, 24x CD-R, and 10x CD-RW recording 4x DVD+R DL writes, 8x DVD±R read, 4x DVD±RW writes, 24x CD-R, and 10x CD-RW recording
Minimum operating system required Mac OS X Tiger 10.4.6[3] Mac OS X Tiger 10.4.8[4] Mac OS X Leopard 10.5.0[5] (introduces non-beta Boot Camp for other operating systems) Mac OS X Leopard 10.5.2
Weight 5.2 pounds / 2.36 kg 5.1 pounds / 2.31 kg 5.0 pounds / 2.27 kg
Dimensions 1.08 x 12.78 x 8.92 inches / 27.5 x 325 x 227 mm

Notes:
 1Some of these early MacBooks had problems with "random shut downs". According to Apple,[6] software and firmware updates have solved the issue.
2Hard drives listed are configurations available from Apple. Since the hard drive is a user replaceable part, there are custom configurations available, including the use of faster 7200 rpm drives.
3Enabling Wireless-N functionality may require an 802.11n-capable AirPort Extreme Base Station, which includes wireless-N enabler software to be installed on older MacBooks. Alternatively, the enabler software may be purchased from Apple separately.[7]
4Noted optical drive speeds are the maximum possible for each drive.
5Commencing with the Early 2008 revision, the Apple Remote became an optional addition.

Appearance

The high-end black MacBook. Sometimes dubbed the "BlackBook".[8]
Early black MacBook keyboard.

The MacBook's appearance is loosely based on that of its predecessor, the iBook G4. In addition to the classic white case, Apple is offering a premium black case option; both cases are made of polycarbonate, the thermoplastic Apple is known for using in many of its products. The base black model originally cost US$150 more than a white model ordered with the same hardware configuration.[9] With the latest price revision, this difference has been increased to US$200.

Manufacture defects

Some early MacBook owners complained of discoloration that appeared on the palm rests of their white MacBooks.[10] Apple acknowledged the issue and replaced the defective part.[11][12][13] There have been quite a few of customers complaining about the cracks on the MacBooks bottom case after weeks or months of careful use due to the poor quality of the plastic and over-tightening of those screws.[14] The case crack problems have happened to both white and black models, even including some MacBooks purchased in early 2008. So far, Apple's policy towards these manufacture defects is providing free repairs for those MacBooks that are under warranty.

Display

The MacBook was the first Apple portable to feature a glossy display. The different reflective properties of glossy displays are said to increase color saturation when compared with anti-glare displays. The display has a more narrow viewing angle versus the anti-glare displays[citation needed] and may reflect lighting glare. The earlier versions of the Intel-based MacBooks are noted for having very inexpensive screens, making them incapable of using the millions of colors promised by Apple. This seems to have been rectified and Apple has settled a lawsuit in court.[15] The defect was due to the use of inexpensive 6-bit Twisted nematic LCD screens, the use of which is nearly universal throughout the portable market. It was partially concealed through the use of dithering. [16]

Keyboard

The MacBook also features a new sunken keyboard design. Unlike the iBook, PowerBook G3, and Titanium PowerBook's keyboards, it is not removable; instead, each key is individually integrated into the casing with about 1.5 mm between neighboring keys. This is ostensibly intended to give the keyboard a sturdier feel and to avoid keyboard contact with the screen when closed. There are two physical keyboard layouts: an ISO/international layout with a vertical return key crossing two rows, and a US/North America layout with a horizontal, wider return key in one row. With the late 2007 revision, the keyboard underwent a slight redesign of offered functions and now closely mirrors the keyboard that ships with the iMac and includes the same player function hot-keys, removing the embedded virtual numeric keypad and the Apple logo from the command keys.[17] This presaged removal of the included remote control at the February 2008 revision. The color scheme for keys and labels is white with grey lettering for the white model, and black with white lettering for the black model.

Integrated graphics

See also: Intel GMA

The Early 2006, Late 2006, and Mid 2007 revisions of the MacBook used an Intel GMA 950 integrated graphics processor.

Starting with the Late 2007 revision, the MacBook uses an Intel GMA X3100 integrated graphics processor. Intel's integrated graphics chipsets have been criticized in the past for being unable to handle graphically-intensive tasks such as complex 3D gaming and other heavily GPU-dependent processes.[18] However, the GMA X3100 is capable of playing most older games[19], and of rendering the Aero GUI when running Windows Vista.

Apple most likely used integrated Intel graphics as a cost-cutting measure, as the Intel GMA chipset is cheaper than most discrete GPU solutions from ATI and NVIDIA.[20] While the Intel GMA X3100 lacks dedicated video memory, it is, according to Intel, highly optimized for video playback and requires less power to operate than discrete graphics solutions, such as those offered by ATI and nVidia.[21][22] However, the X3100 chip does not include hardware acceleration for H.264 video, though at the time of its inception this would have put its features set in line with most discrete graphics options.[23]

Despite the fact that the Intel GMA X3100 chipset has shown remarkable improvement over previous Intel chipsets, many owners of MacBook computers with the chipset have reported very poor performance under Mac OS X. [24] In many cases, MacBooks with the X3100 chipset exhibit far inferior performance to Macs with the previous GMA 950 chipset, and even older low-end PowerPC-based Macs, such as older iMac and iBook models. The cause of the issues has been linked to poor-quality drivers in Mac OS X. As of yet, neither Apple nor Intel have done anything to resolve this issue.

Benchmarks comparing the MacBook and MacBook Pro[25] indicate that including a dedicated video solution would have placed the performance of the "consumer" oriented line close to the performance of the more expensive "professional" line.

User serviceability

The MacBook is different from its iBook predecessor in terms of user serviceability. Apple has made it easier to disassemble compared to the old iBook, which required removing many components such as the EMI shields to get to anything, whereas the MacBook requires simply the removal of the outer shell to access almost any interior component. In addition, the MacBook's internal hard drive and RAM are now easily accessible by simply removing the battery.[26] via the underside of the unit. Further, the RAM and hard drive are considered user replaceable parts by Apple, meaning that these parts can be replaced by the end user without violating any terms of the warranty. Apple provides step-by-step directions for replacing the hard drive and RAM. [27][28] In contrast, replacement of the MacBook Pro's internal hard drive is more difficult, requiring disassembly by an authorized service provider to prevent risk of voiding the warranty.

Timeline of portable Macintoshes
Mac transition to Apple siliconiMac ProApple WatchiPadiPhoneMac ProPower Mac G5Power Mac G4Power Macintosh G3Power MacintoshCompact MacintoshMacBook Pro (Apple silicon)MacBook Air (Apple silicon)MacBook Pro (Apple silicon)MacBook Pro (Apple silicon)MacBook Air (Apple silicon)MacBook Pro (Apple silicon)MacBook Pro (Apple silicon)MacBook Pro (Apple silicon)MacBook Pro (Apple silicon)MacBook Pro (Intel-based)MacBook Pro (Intel-based)MacBook Pro (Apple silicon)MacBook Pro (Intel-based)MacBook Pro (Intel-based)MacBook Pro (Intel-based)MacBook Pro (Intel-based)MacBook Pro (Intel-based)MacBook Pro (Intel-based)MacBook Pro (Intel-based)MacBook Pro (Intel-based)iBook G4PowerBook G4PowerBook G4iBook (white)PowerBook G3PowerBook G3PowerBook 2400cPowerBook 3400cPowerBook 1400PowerBook 5300PowerBook 500 seriesPowerBook 190PowerBook G4PowerBook 150PowerBook 500 seriesPowerBook 500 seriesPowerBook 500 seriesPowerBook 500 seriesPowerBook 160PowerBook 140PowerBook 180PowerBook 180PowerBook 160PowerBook 160PowerBook 140PowerBook 170PowerBook 140MacBook Air (Apple silicon)MacBook Air (Apple silicon)MacBook Air (Apple silicon)MacBook Air (Intel-based)12-inch MacBookMacBook Air (Intel-based)iBook G4iBook (white)iBook ClamshellMacBook Air (Intel-based)MacBook (2006–2012)PowerBook Duo 210MacBook Air (Intel-based)MacBook (2006–2012)MacBook (2006–2012)PowerBook G4PowerBook 100Macintosh PortablePowerBook G3PowerBook G3PowerBook G3PowerBook G3PowerBook G3PowerBook DuoPowerBook DuoPowerBook DuoMacintosh PortablePowerBook DuoPowerBook DuoPowerBook Duo 230Macintosh Portable
See also: List of Mac models

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Mobile Intel 945 Express Chipset Family Datasheet". Intel. 12 April 2007. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help) Cite error: The named reference "Data" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  2. ^ a b "MacBook Core 2 Duo can address up to 4 GB of RAM". OtherWorldComputing. Retrieved 2007-04-15. Cite error: The named reference "RAM" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  3. ^ Apple MacBook (13-inch, 2.0 GHz Intel Core Duo), CNET review, 23 May 2006
  4. ^ Apple MacBook (Core 2 Duo 2GHz), CNET review, 15 November 2006
  5. ^ MacBook Developer Note, Apple, November 2007.
  6. ^ "MacBook: Shuts down intermittently". 1 February 2007.
  7. ^ "AirPort Extreme 802.11n Enabler for Mac". Apple, Inc. Retrieved 2007-04-15.
  8. ^ An example can be seen in "Shiny Apple Blackbook Rumor: Merely a Coated Black MacBook?". Gizmodo. August 6, 2006. Retrieved 2006-12-23.
  9. ^ Assuming same configuration. Based on Clint Ecker (May 18, 2006). "Review: Apple MacBook". Ars Technica. Retrieved 2006-12-23.
  10. ^ Evan Blass (June 13, 2006). "White MacBooks showing premature discoloration?". Engadget.com. Retrieved 2006-12-23.
  11. ^ Victor Mihailescu (June 29, 2006). "Apple Acknowledges MacBook Stains As Manufacturing Defect". Softpedia. Retrieved 2006-12-23.
  12. ^ Rae Whitlock (July 13, 2006). "My Stained MacBook (and what Apple did about it)". not another blog. Retrieved 2006-12-23.
  13. ^ "About white MacBooks' palmrest area". Apple Computer. Retrieved 2006-12-23.
  14. ^ {{cite web|url=http://www.appledefects.com/wiki/index.php?title=MacBook/
  15. ^ The issue with the LCD screens was addressed with a lawsuit. Apple Insider. March 26, 2008
  16. ^ Twisted Nematic Film LCDs were also used in the recent 20 inch iMacs. This article points them out specifically. Apple Insider. March 30, 2008.
  17. ^ The Vanishing Numeric Keypad, David Pogue, New York Times blog, 9 January 2008.
  18. ^ Bruce Gain (September 15, 2005). "Are Intel's Integrated Graphics Processors Good Enough for Gaming?". Tom's Hardware. Retrieved 2006-12-23.
  19. ^ "Mobile Intel 965 Express Chipset Family Game Compatibility List". Intel. 12 February 2007. Retrieved 2007-04-12. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  20. ^ Fuad Abazovic (July 19, 2005). "Intel's Lakeport threatens nVidia and ATI". The Inquirer. Retrieved 2006-12-23.
  21. ^ Intel. "Intel 965 document" (PDF). Intel.com. Retrieved 2006-12-23.
  22. ^ Intel. "Intel GMA 950 Brief" (PDF). Intel.com. Retrieved 2008-05-11.
  23. ^ Hardwarezone. "Intel 965 review" (HTML). hardwarezone.com. Retrieved 2007-05-12.
  24. ^ x3100 Drivers Requested!
  25. ^ "MacBook 13" Core Duo versus two other Macs doing iMovie and iDVD". Barefeats. May 29 2006. Retrieved 2007-04-12. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  26. ^ Kasper Jade (May 16, 2006). "Apple's MacBook sports user-replaceable hard disks". AppleInsider. Retrieved 2006-12-23. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  27. ^ "MacBook: How to install memory". Apple Inc. 2006-05-03. Retrieved 2007-06-03.
  28. ^ "MacBook Hard Drive Replacement Guide" (PDF). Apple Inc. Retrieved 2007-06-03.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to MacBook.
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