13" MacBook is as Sweet as Apple Pie!
Pros:
Lightening Fast, Gorgeous Display, More Compatibility with Non-Apple Products, Built-in Webcam.
Cons:
All plug ports on left side, same old one-button touch pad.
The Bottom Line:
It takes some adjusting, but the MacBook is well worth the time and money it requires.
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Overall Rating:
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Author's Review
This laptop replaced my old iBook from 2002. I realize this is a significant upgrade, but I am really loving this computer!
I used PCs exclusively until 18 months ago. There is definitely a learning curve in making the switch to a MacBook, but it's really not so bad.
The LCD glossy display is very clear. It even looks great when it's dimmed in a dark room. The screen is more oblong than the iBook, giving a widescreen view. This allows more tabs in the web browser, and a larger zoom in the Page Width viewing mode.
The AC adaptor/charger is very much the same as the old one, except that the point that plugs into the computer is magnetic. This makes it very easy to connect and stay connected without a super tight fit. It also makes it easy for the cord to disconnect under strain, avoiding damage to the port or connecting point.
The battery holds a charge quite well. I use this computer at work, and it is plugged in most of the day. If I have to take work home, I usually leave the adaptor at work. I know that the laptop battery will last 1 1/2 - 2 hours, so that limits my work-at-home time, giving me more time to spend with my family. In the summer, I like to sit outside by my pond in the early morning and use my MacBook. I can get a lot done on one battery charge.
The overall speed of the processor is more than adequate. I installed Parallels on this machine, and I had to immediately upgrade the memory. Without parallels, the standard configuration is fine. Parallels basically allows the Mac to run in Windows. I only use Parallels when I'm working with a program that is not available to Mac users, and it works beautifully. Windows laptops are famous for overheating and hibernating without warning. The MacBook gets very hot (a lap desk is recommended), but I have never had mine quit, due to overheating.
Apple has definitely raised the bar in the laptop world. This MacBook is, in many ways, superior to a Windows laptop, and with Parallels, there are really no limitations. It's an amazing machine.
