Macbook or Macbook Pro?

With the new Macbooks the lines have been blurred between the Macbook and Macbook Pro. So, why should one choose one over the other? Let’s look at a few situations and you can figure out which one you fit into. :)

The Professional Designer or Editor – Macbook Pro

If you are a designer or editor for your profession (Photo, Video, Audio) or even a budding editor then there is no better choice for a mobile editing solution than a completely maxed out Macbook Pro. With processors up to 2.8ghz Dual Core, 3Mb cache, DDR3 Memory and the GEForce 9600M there is more than enough grunt to cut together the latest commercial or even an independent movie. (I know people who have on previous generation Macbook Pros). The integrated Firewire 800 port is backwards compatible to Firewire 400, so all your drives and camera equipment will work.. including your Digi002. The awesome 15in screen will give you great color reproduction and quality and keep your eyes from falling out of your head because of long hours of sitting at the machine.

Working in this industry I am sure you already are familiar with the fact that we have Photoshop, Flash, Illustrator, After Effects, and all the other fun Adobe toys. Web designers also can pick up the really awesome Coda for one stop site design.

The broke full time student, lawyer or average user – Macbook

If you are a broke full time student you have no excuse not to have a Macbook. It is a machine built to last. The base model Macbook will keep you cruising along virus and trojan free your entire school career well into grad school while your friends are all getting bombed with problems and complaining that their email wont work right.

Switching from Windows? NO PROBLEM.

There is not a thing that you can do on a PC that you can’t do on a Mac. Go ahead, trust me.. switch from Outlook Express to Apple Mail.. you will love it. Your digital camera should work with iPhoto RIGHT OUT OF THE BOX with no drivers and more than likely your printer too! You know they make Office for Mac don’t you? You get all the great iApps as well. iCal for managing your class schedules and band practices, iTunes for your music (which will work with that iPod you already own..), Safari with it’s ACID 2.0 compliance will be rock solid for browsing and iChat or Skype with the Macbook’s integrated high resolution iSight cam will keep you in touch with your friends (or that hottie across campus at 3:00am.. ;) ).

Oh no! that jerk professor is forcing you to use an application that only runs on Windows? No problem. With plenty of virtualization options such as the $79 VMWare Fusion or the also $79 Parallels Desktop you can run Windows on your Mac WHILE you are still running the super stable Leopard.

Have an extra desktop monitor lying around from that Dell Mom and Dad bought? Great, just pick up a $29 display port adaptor and plug in your external monitor! Then you can watch Hulu or John Stewart while you crank out that term paper.

The Software Engineer – Macbook or Macbook Pro

I am a programmer and I can say that the new Macbook is a great machine hands down, but depending on what types of applications you are building and if you need to be more or less portable is really where it boils down to.

If you will be building web applications, GPhone or iPhone apps and cranking in XCode.. love portability, battery life and need all the basics for a great price the Macbook 2.0 is a SOLID upgrade from your previous Macbook or year and 1/2 old Macbook Pro.

On the other hand, if you will be doing tons of compiling, GL code and graphics coding.. or just taking your machine from point A to point B. There is no reason not to go for the Macbook Pro.

You probably already know we get the completely bad ass Textmate Editor, Ruby, Rails, PHP, Python, Perl (yuck…), Apache, MySQL, XCode, iPhone Development Toolkits, Interface Builder, GCC tools and all the wonderful goodies including the awesome debugger that comes with XCode toolkits.

What I chose and why

I chose the Macbook Aluminum 2.0 and picked up some after market ram. Why? Simple. I get exactly what I need and nothing more. I code web apps, I build iPhone apps, I work with music software, I need it to be highly portable. I need plenty of power but I know that I don’t have to go completely overboard to do what I need done. I know that machines usually only last about a year for me until I want to upgrade. Not because I beat up the machine.. I am very careful with my equipment. I also know that unless you plan on keeping your mac for quite a while longer than a year getting the first model is usually not such a great idea. The price will usually drop after 8 months when the new models come out. Applecare comes standard on the machine for a year. This way I give the next person the option to pick it up. Just using the AppleCare that is included saves me bucks since I know that I am only going to keep the machine until the included AppleCare runs out anyway. I AM NOT OPPOSED TO APPLE CARE.. if you are going to keep your machine longer than a year trust me… you want it.

Conclusion

I hope this gives you a few scenarios to work off of to decide where you fit. While everyone’s needs are different this should give you an idea of what you need to base your decision on. If there are specific questions, you can always leave a comment and I will punch out a reply.

;{) – Stay frenchy interwebs.

Aluminum Macbook, Coolest Yet (Macbook Aluminum Heat Issues)

Using the Aluminum Macbook for over two weeks with a large amount of that time sitting on the couch… I can tell you for sure this is the end of burned, sweaty legs. The Aluminum Macbook runs cooler than any other Macbook or Macbook Pro that I have used, hands down.

I have been on the machine nearly non stop since I got it and I can barely even hear the fan. You have to put your ear against the keyboard to hear it. Right now I am running Ableton Live, with Mail, Safari, iChat, Terminal, XCode, and the iPhone Simulator all open… no heat.. no stutter.. zip zero zilch. It is WAY cooler than my EEEPC, extremely cooler than my Compaq and still much cooler than my Macbook Pro and Macbook White.

Here is a shot from the terminal, at usage.

$ sysctl kern.cpu_temp
kern.cpu_temp: 52

Just goes to show it is not just cool, it really is the coolest Macbook yet.

—

EDIT:

3 people have written me to say how much cooler the machine is, and 1 person has commented that it runs hot. I have also heard reports of the machines running cooler from friends who own or work on the 15 inch. (You can see the comment below).

I was and have been running it in the Florida and Southern California heat (although granted.. today is colder).

Under normal load the fan does not even kick on, with the laptop on the rug, or sitting on my lap.

Here is what is running:
MAMP (Apache, MySQL, PHP)
Textmate with 2 projects and 4 additional files
Terminal with 2 windows and 7 tabs
2 Safari windows and 36 tabs playing a movie from Vimeo
1 Firefox window and 9 tabs
iChat with 6 conversations
Skype with 2 conversations
XCode with 3 windows
iPhone Simulator
and Mail.app.

The machine is sitting on my lap, the machine is plugged in and at 100% charge. It’s current temp feels cool to the touch and I can’t even hear the fan turning.

$ sysctl kern.cpu_temp
kern.cpu_temp: 45

The commenter complained about Final Cut and iMovie; You do have to remember, crunching video takes quite a bit of processor grunt, and possibly playing .flv videos from badly optimized or badly written flash players may cause the fan to spin up.

If you have problems with heat issues, or the fan..

What apps are you running?
What is the system load?
Do you have enough ram?
Are you running Universal Binary version of the apps?
Have you checked to see if there is a hung process that is spooling up the cpu?
Do any of your apps have a memory leak?

I am curious to know..

MacBook Aluminum Unboxing (mb466lla)

The new macbook is great, and the new packaging is just as superb! Having opened nearly every series of Macbook and Macbook Pro boxing.. I can tell you this is the most well engineered packaging yet.

First of all, why get excited about packaging? JUST LOOK AT IT! It is beautiful. Apple really thinks these things through. Go and unbox a Compaq or a Dell… then go and open a Mac.. you will see what I mean.

Right down to the recycled materials and the biodegradable plastics and foam, even the packaging is engineered with as much care as the new machine. The small touches are the things that I notice the most, such as the new security label (safety seal) that is perforated instead of just stuck on.. to keep Apple safe from unscrupulous customers, and consumers safe from buying less than “brand new car” fresh products. (Yes it is a two way street..).

The first thing you will note though, is the way that the box is turned into a display case as soon as you open it. A little tab is positioned to ease lifting the machine out, and also to tell you.. “hello.. I am your new best buddy named Macbook and I was made by Apple so enjoy…”.

New Macbook Aluminum Review (Late 2008 MBAL – MB466LL/A)

I have had my new Macbook Aluminum for a few days now… time for a review. (Photo Copyright Apple Inc.)

The Apple Experience

Ah yes, The new MacBook Aluminum. Love it or hate it you can not deny the fact that Apple will more than likely sell a metric ton of them. This is likely due to one of the most important parts of the Apple product cycle. You don’t just buy a piece of hardware that you unpack and throw on the desk. Traditional computer manufacturer’s packaging is akin to buying a microwave. Who knows if you are carrying home a blender, a clock radio, or a brand new HP? With Apple however, you buy an experience. The attention to packaging and small details is amazing. It makes you more attached to the product that you bought, it gives you the warm fuzzy, it makes you feel like the manufacturer really cares, and it makes other people on the subway want to give you the finger because you are carrying what is obviously a box containing your shiny new Apple Macbook Aluminum.

This brings me to:

Packaging

The packaging on Apple products is second to none and the new Apple Macbook Aluminum is no exception to this rule. Continuing with their “We are Eco Friendly and Love the Planet” kick the first thing that I noticed was the completely stripped down packaging.

Looking at a new box as compared to a box even last model shows large differences. It is much slimmer and uses about 1/2 less packaging over all. Out is the styrofoam lid which hides the machine from your view when opened and in is a foam pad that is secured to this lid. This nice change lets the machine be displayed in front of you as soon as you open it. There is a little piece of cardboard that is used as a “pull-me” tab to the machine out of the container which also states “Designed by Apple In California”. (As in.. hello.. I am your Macbook.). The software, swag and power cable are stowed below in the second plastic tray, which also serves as a structural component.

Inside you will find the usual suspects:
An Apple MagSafe Power Cable with Extention and Plug Adaptor
Box of software and manuals containing 2 install disks, two manuals, some warranty stuff and the ever popular “I am an Apple Snob neener neener” stickers which I never end up using.

Build

How on earth could you take the most solidly constructed notebook and make it more solid?

Cut it out of a single block of aluminum.

The build quality of the New Macbook Aluminum is second to none. It is by far THE best and most solid construction of ANY notebook I have ever had the pleasure to use. I have owned and used metric tons of laptops in my lifetime. (The first actual “laptop” that I owned was a compaq 286 with a black and white screen… in MASSIVE contrast to that or any of the other 15 something laptops that I am surrounded by.. ) This thing really IS built like a brick. It feels that solid. I have no better way to explain it, their code name does it complete justice. There is no flex in the chassis. When you have your palms on the rests, it is like you are pushing down on a single solid piece of metal. When typing on the new macbook as compared to the old macbook, it feels cheap and that in itself is a feat… they took the best and made it better.. leaps and bounds better.

The previous generation Macbook Pro used a spring loaded system so that when the open button was pressed it would cause the lid to pop open and the previous Macbook used a rubber bumper system on each side of the lid. These gave you a little play so that you would not smack it down too hard, but had the disadvantage of rubbing the keyboard on the screen and transferring finger grease. Apple engineers fixed these problems too. Instead they installed a tiny rubber ring around the outside of the lid that sticks out ever so slightly to raise the screen surface. This continues the complete length of the case which keeps dust and debris out while it is closed. They also recessed the keyboard at level with the palm rests. This keeps the keyboard off the screen. Yay and yay. The bottom of the machine uses the same large rubber feet that the Macbook Air uses. This makes the machine much more stable on a desk, and is a welcome change to anyone who has ever lost one of the tiny little feet on the older models.

As covered extensively by everyone else, the battery and hard drive compartment is much easier to access and no longer requires a coin or screwdriver to open. The case is rounded just as the Macbook Air and the lid and bottom create a nice slope at the edges.

Screen

Glare! Glare! Horrible! Glare!… is what people are screaming. OK.. let me work that myth for a bit.

First off, I am infatuated with the matte screens of Apple laptops. I wish that they were still available. I absolutely LOVE the matte screen.

The new screen however… well actually I guess it is growing on me? It seems as though there is a an anti-glare / anti-scratch coating on the piece of glass that is in front of the actual screen, just like they have for prescription glasses. While there IS a definite difference between the matte and the glass screen… it is fine when the screen is turned on. When the screen is off however.. it is like a fricken mirror.

Would I rather have a matte screen?
I now question it.

Would I rather that Apple had let the regular Macbooks have the matte option in the previous generation instead of only glossy?
Yes.

Am I upset that Apple did not ADD the matte option to the Macbook Aluminum?
No.

Am I upset that Apple removed matte completely by placing a piece of glass over the screen?
No.

I can see why they did it.

For one in order to offer a matte screen they would have to offer another model WITHOUT the glass over the screen. The glass however serves purposes and is actually pretty nice when you work with it. I like the way that dust and junk can not build up inside the little lip around the screen. It is a good design change since it makes it easier to clean, the coating on it is nice on the eyes, it protects the screen from scratches and junk and it matches their other products.

Rock on Apple.

Update:
The viewing angle is very VERY good. Compared with any other PC laptop I have come across I have found the viewing angle superb. Although it is only a slight viewing angle improvement over the previous generation, I have actually found the screen easier on the eyes than the previous generation. In example, using the machine with my glasses on is far less straining after long periods.

Keyboard / Trackpad

I must admit, I myself was a skeptic about it. The “no button” thing. I was worried that “tap to click” would be the only way to click and that multi touch would get in the way. I think that the new trackpad is great and the multi touch is really an amazing piece of software. The “no button” trackpad.. hate to tell you but it DOES have a button. The button is the rear of the track pad. Just as the mighty mouse has no buttons the Macbook trackpad has no buttons. They are hidden in the depths. This “removal” (more like hiding..) of the button creates a larger trackpad surface. Plus the anti-button makes a satisfying click so unless you look down.. you will never notice that it left the building like Elvis.

The keyboard is an awesome upgrade. Although the key caps are the same as the “chiclet” keyboard from the Air and the Macbook, the structural components underneath are different. This leaves a very solid feel to the keys that is a welcome upgrade to the older one. They no longer rock back and forth and create a bunch of high pitched clacking noises when pushed down. Instead it is replaced by a smooth quiet clunking sound as you write your blog entry, punch out code, finish your term paper, or bang out that hot blockbuster movie script.

Processor and Memory

While I hear a number of people complaining about the processor not being as fast as in the $999 Macbook, there are a few things that should be looked at. The processor that is in the Macbook White is an T8100 which according to Intel uses more power, has a higher heat output and has a slower front side bus. The Macbook Aluminum on the other hand has a newer P7350 which puts out a lower amount of heat, uses less voltage and has a faster front side bus speed. The new Macbook also has DDR3 memory where as the old model is still using DDR2. These things provide the oomph that delivers more power for package, with lower heat (I have not heard the fan kick up).

Ports and Connectivity

The New Macbook Aluminum contains, in my opinion all the ports and connectivity that you will need for general purpose computing. All the ports have been moved to the left side, and in the order of left to right are; Mag Safe power adaptor plug, Gigabit Ethernet, 2x USB 2.0, Display Port Adaptor, Mic Jack /w Optical, Headphone jack /w Optical (ALSO SUPPORTS APPLE HEADPHONES WITH MIC), Kensington Standard Lock port, Battery Indicator and button. The right side contains a single item, the slot load Super Drive. Rejoice, The Combo Drive has finally been killed off. The front has the hidden sleep light next to the infrared port. Inside you get the new 802.11n standard Airport built in, an iSight cam (which appears to be upgraded since the last model), and a 160 gigabyte and up drive.

I know, I know.. “What about the missing Firewire!?” you are screaming.

Look, getting the firewire in the Macbook was a fluke. The only reason we got it to begin with is that the iPod used it instead of USB, so it was required to sell iPods to people who bought Macbooks.. and vice versa required to sell Macbooks to people who bought iPods. Now that iPods have switched over to USB, and all the new cameras support USB.. there is no need for it. It saves Apple bucks not to have to add two more chips into the unit when only a TINY FRACTION of people who buy the Macbook even utilize it. I knew it was leaving the Macbook line years ago when they pulled the plug on firewire iPods.

Overall

I am very happy with this machine. It is a very good upgrade from the previous generation Macbook. I really think it is worth every penny, and I am very pleased with it. Laptops for me only last a few months to a year and then I tend to update to the newest model. With the last Macbook lasting nearly a year, they are really getting to the point where I am not needing to update as often to have the power to do everything that I would like.. compiling and building applications etc.. even with the few downsides.. no firewire, no express card slot…

This one really is a keeper.