MacBook

The original white MacBook.
Developer	Apple Inc.
Type	Laptop
Release date	May 16, 2006 (original release) May 18, 2010 (most recent model)
Discontinued	July 20, 2011 (consumer sales)[1] February 2012 (educational sales)[2]
CPU	Intel Core i3/5/7 dual-core 2nd generation (latest model) Intel Core Duo (original release)
Related articles	MacBook Air, MacBook Pro
Website	Apple — MacBook

The MacBook is a brand of Macintosh notebook computers manufactured by Apple Inc. from 2006 to 2011. It replaced the iBook series and 12-inch PowerBook series of notebooks as a part of the Apple–Intel transition. Positioned as the low end of the MacBook family, the Apple MacBook was aimed at the consumer and education markets.^[3] It was the best-selling Macintosh in history, and according to the sales-research organization NPD Group in October 2008, the mid-range model of the MacBook was the single best-selling laptop of any brand in U.S. retail stores for the preceding five months.^[4]

There have been three separate designs of the MacBook: the original model used a combination of polycarbonate and fiberglass casing that was modeled after the iBook G4. The second type, introduced in October 2008 alongside the 15-inch MacBook Pro, used a similar unibody aluminum casing to the 15-inch Pro, and was updated and rebranded as the 13-inch MacBook Pro at the 2009 Apple Worldwide Developers Conference in June 2009.^[5] A third design, introduced in October 2009, used a unibody polycarbonate shell as aluminium is now reserved for the higher-end MacBook Pro. On July 20, 2011, the MacBook was quietly discontinued for consumer purchase in favor of the new MacBook Air.^[6] Apple continued to sell the MacBook to educational institutions until February 2012.^[7][8]

[edit] Original polycarbonate model

First-generation black polycarbonate MacBook, 2006

The original MacBook, available in black or white cases, was released on May 16 2006, and used the Intel Core Duo processor and 945GM chipset, with Intel's GMA 950 integrated graphics on a 667 MHz front side bus. Later revisions of the MacBook moved to the Core 2 Duo processor and the GM965 chipset, with Intel's GMA X3100 integrated graphics on an 800 MHz system bus.^[9] Sale of the black polycarbonate MacBook ceased in October 2008 after the introduction of the aluminium MacBook.

While thinner than the iBook G4 that it replaced, the MacBook is wider than the 12-inch model due to its widescreen display. In addition, the MacBook was one of the first (the first being the MacBook Pro) to adopt Apple's MagSafe power connector and it replaced the iBook's mini-VGA display port with a mini-DVI display port. The iBook's discrete graphics chip was initially replaced by an integrated Intel GMA solution, though the latest revisions of the MacBook were upgraded with the more powerful Nvidia GeForce 9400M and later the 320M.^[10]

While the MacBook Pro largely followed the industrial design standard set by the PowerBook G4, the MacBook was Apple's first notebook to use features now standard in its notebooks: the glossy display, the sunken keyboard design, and the non-mechanical magnetic latch. With the late 2007 revision, the keyboard received several changes to closely mirror the one that shipped with the iMac, by adding the same keyboard short-cut to control multimedia, and removing the embedded numeric keypad and the Apple logo from the command keys.^[11]

Also offered in a more expensive black model until the introduction of the later unibody aluminium MacBook, the polycarbonate MacBook was the only Macintosh notebook to be offered in more than one color since the iBook G3 (Clamshell).

Ports[link]

The ports are all on the left edge; on early models, from front to back, they are: Kensington Security Slot, audio out, audio in, two USB 2.0 ports, FireWire 400, mini-DVI, Gigabit Ethernet, MagSafe power connector.

The front edge features a short line-shaped power light and a round black infrared receiver, for Apple Remote; the right edge features only the disc slot.

User serviceability[link]

The polycarbonate Intel MacBook is easier for users to fix or upgrade than its predecessor. Where the iBook required substantial disassembly to access most internal components, including removal of the keyboard and RAM,^[12] users need only to remove the polycarbonate MacBook's outer shell to access almost any interior component. Replacing the hard drive and memory requires merely the removal of the battery, and Apple provides do-it-yourself manuals for these tasks.^[13]

Quality problems[link]

Some early polycarbonate MacBook models suffered from random shutdowns; Apple released a firmware update to resolve these random shutdowns.^[14]

There were also cases reported of discolored or chipping palmrests. There were many instances of the edges of the palm rest and screen bezel splitting and thin strips peeling off. In such cases, Apple asked affected owners to contact AppleCare.^[15]

There were problems with batteries on some models from 2007 not being read by the MacBook. This is caused by a logicboard fault and not a fault with the battery.

In February 2010, Apple announced a warranty extension and recall for MacBooks bought between 2006–2007 for hard drive issues. This is caused by heat and other problems.^[16]

Model specifications[link]

Notes:
¹ Requires the purchase of a wireless-N enabler software from Apple in order to enable the functionality.^[27]
2 Hard drives noted are options available from Apple. As the hard drive is a user-replaceable part, there are custom configurations available, including use of 7200-rpm drives.
³ Given optical drive speed is its maximum.
⁴ Beginning with the early 2008 revision, the Apple Remote became an optional add-on.
⁵ Expandable to 4 GB, with 3.3 GB usable.^[28]

[edit] Aluminum unibody model

The aluminium unibody MacBook

On October 14, 2008, Apple announced a MacBook featuring a new Nvidia chipset at a Cupertino, California press conference with the tagline: "The spotlight turns to notebooks".^[29]

The chipset brought a 1066 MHz system bus, use of DDR3 system memory, and integrated Nvidia GeForce 9400M graphics up to five times faster than the original MacBooks' Intel chipset.^[30] Other changes include a display which uses LED backlights (which replace the fluorescent tube backlights used in the previous model which contain mercury) and arsenic-free glass, a new Mini DisplayPort (replacing the polycarbonate MacBook's mini-DVI port), a multi-touch glass trackpad which also acts as the mouse button, and the removal of the FireWire 400 port (thus it doesn't support Target Disk Mode, used for data transfers or operating system repairs without booting the system).^[31] An updated line of the unibody MacBooks were rebranded as the 13-inch MacBook Pro on June 8, 2009 at Apple's WWDC 2009^[5] and FireWire was restored in the form of a FireWire 800 port.

Design[link]

The design had stylistic traits of the MacBook Air which were also implemented into the design of the MacBook Pro. This model is thinner than the original polycarbonate MacBooks, and it made use of a unibody aluminum case with tapered edges. The keyboard of the higher-end model included a backlight.

Reception[link]

Although Gizmodo concluded it to be "our favorite MacBook to date," they did claim that, at the time, its display was inferior to that found on the MacBook Pro and MacBook Air, alleging a smaller viewing angle, washed-out colors, and dimmer backlighting.^[32] Similarly, AppleInsider and Engadget concluded that it "may well be Apple's best MacBook to date" and "these are terrific choices—not only from an industrial design standpoint, but in specs as well" respectively, while also drawing attention to a lower quality display as compared with the MacBook Pro and MacBook Air.^[33][34] Charlie Sorrel of Wired News reached an identical conclusion about the MacBook display, citing its poor contrast and lack of vertical angle in comparison with the MacBook Pro and even the older white MacBook.^[35] Peter Cohen wrote an article discussing the loss of the FireWire port for Macworld, saying "The absence of FireWire ports is certainly an inconvenience for some users. But it shouldn’t be considered a deal-breaker for most of us, anyway."^[36]

Model specifications[link]

Notes:
¹ Hard drives noted are options available from Apple. As the hard drive is a user-replaceable part, there are custom configurations available, including use of 7200-rpm drives and SSDs.
² Given optical drive speed is its maximum.

Unibody polycarbonate model[link]

On October 20, 2009, Apple released a MacBook that introduced a new polycarbonate (plastic) unibody design,^[40] faster DDR3 memory, a multi-touch trackpad, an LED-backlit display, and a built-in seven hour battery. The polycarbonate unibody MacBook, like its aluminum predecessor, lacks FireWire and, like the 13-inch MacBook Pro, has a combined audio in/out port. There is no infrared port and the Apple Remote is not included. On May 18, 2010, the MacBook was refreshed with a faster processor, a faster graphics card, improved battery life, and the ability to pass audio through the Mini DisplayPort connector. On July 20, 2011, the MacBook was discontinued for consumer purchases,^[41] but was still available to educational institutions until February 2012.^[42]

Design[link]

Like the MacBook Pro, the MacBook follows the same tapered design first seen in the MacBook Air; however, it is rounder on the edges than previous laptops in the MacBook line. This model has an all-white fingerprint-resistant glossy palm rest, unlike the grayish surface of its predecessor, and uses a multi-touch glass trackpad like the one found on the MacBook Pro. The video-out port is Mini DisplayPort. The bottom of the MacBook features a rubberized non-slip finish. The built-in battery of the late 2009 revision, a feature introduced earlier in the year with the MacBook Pro, is claimed by Apple to last seven hours compared with five hours in the older models. However, in tests conducted by Macworld, the battery was found to last only about four hours while playing video at full brightness with AirPort turned off.^[43] However, Apple's battery life was calculated with the brightness at the middle setting and while browsing websites and editing word documents, not with video and at full brightness.^[44] Gizmodo also reached about the same conclusion in their tests, but with AirPort turned on.^[45] The battery included in the mid 2010 model holds an additional five watt-hours over the previous model's and is claimed to last up to ten hours.^[46]

Reception[link]

Despite being hailed by Slashgear as "one of the best entry-level notebooks Apple have produced," the unibody MacBook has received criticism for its lack of a FireWire port and SD card slot.^[47] Nilay Patel of Engadget added that the USB ports were easily dented and the bottom of the laptop became worn and discolored after a few days. He also drew particular attention to the fact that the price was not lowered, stating that the small price difference between the MacBook and the MacBook Pro makes it a "wasted pricing opportunity."^[48] However, most critics agree that the unibody MacBook's display is significantly better than its predecessor's. AppleInsider states that the new display "delivers significantly better color and viewing angle performance" than the previous MacBook, but still "not as vivid and wide-angle viewable as the MacBook Pro screens."^[49]

Model specifications[link]

Notes:
¹ Memory noted are the options available from Apple. As memory is a user-replaceable part, there are custom configurations available, including use of two 2 GB RAM modules, for 4 GB of RAM.
² Hard drives noted are options available from Apple. As the hard drive is a user-replaceable part, there are custom configurations available, including use of 7200-rpm drives and SSDs.
³ Given optical drive speed is its maximum.

Criticisms and defects[link]

There had been a variety of reports of the newer AC adapter with an L shaped connector not working with older MagSafe-powered MacBooks and MacBook Pros. Apple released a firmware update in October 2010 that it claims resolves this issue. However the installer for the firmware update will not run on certain older MacBooks, which means that the firmware can not be updated. This in turn means that it is not possible to use the new MagSafe power adapter with these MacBooks. Currently it is not possible to buy new replacement MagSafe AC adapters (either from Apple or third-party suppliers) that work with these MacBooks, forcing owners to look for used original adapters with a T shaped connector.^{[citation needed]}

The unibody MacBook model has also thought to have a design flaw which causes the topcase of the notebook to crack next to the trackpad.^{[citation needed]}

The rubber bottom of unibody polycarbonate MacBooks has been known to start bubbling and peel off. Apple has noticed this as a flaw and will replace the bottom for free, with or without a warranty.^[53]

Timeline of the MacBook family

Unknown extension tag "timeline"

See also[link]

• Comparison of Macintosh models
• MacBook family
• MacBook Air
• MacBook Pro

References[link]

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2. ^ Slivka, Eric (2012-02-08). "Apple Kills Off White MacBook as Educational Institution Distribution Halted". MacRumors. http://www.macrumors.com/2012/02/08/apple-kills-off-white-macbook-as-educational-institution-distribution-halted/. Retrieved 2012-02-09. 
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External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: MacBook

• Official website
• MacBook Developer Note
• MacBook Buyer's Guide

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