Tech Review: MacBook (Computerworld, CNE, etc)

Apple has taken the MacBook, its most mainstream portable computer, decidedly upscale with its combination of unibody construction, innovative tweaks and faster hardware.

http://www.apple.com/macbook/

Size and weight

Height:

0.95 inch (2.41 cm)

Width:

12.78 inches (32.5 cm)

Depth:

8.94 inches (22.7 cm)

Weight:

4.5 pounds (2.04 kg)¹

Connections and expansion

• MagSafe power port
• Gigabit Ethernet port
• Two USB 2.0 ports (up to 480 Mbps)
• Mini DisplayPort
• Audio line in
• Audio line out
• Kensington lock slot

Communications

• Built-in AirPort Extreme Wi-Fi wireless networking² (based on IEEE 802.11n draft specification); IEEE 802.11a/b/g compatible

• Built-in Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR (Enhanced Data Rate)
• Built-in 10/100/1000BASE-T Gigabit Ethernet (RJ-45 connector)

Audio

• Built-in stereo speakers
• Built-in omnidirectional microphone
• Combined optical digital input/analog line in (minijack)
• Combined optical digital output/analog line out (minijack)
• Supports Apple Stereo Headset with microphone

Environmental Status Report

MacBook is designed with the following features to reduce its environmental impact:

• Highly recyclable aluminum and glass enclosure
• Mercury-free LED-backlit display
• Arsenic-free glass
• BFR-free internal components
• PVC-free internal cables
• Meets ENERGY STAR requirements
• EPEAT Gold rating

Display

• 13.3-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit glossy widescreen display with support for millions of colors
• Supported resolutions: 1280 by 800 (native), 1152 by 720, 1024 by 640, and 800 by 500 pixels at 16:10 aspect ratio; 1024 by 768, 800 by 600, and 640 by 480 pixels at 4:3 aspect ratio; 720 by 480 pixels at 3:2 aspect ratio

Graphics and video support

• NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics processor with 256MB of DDR3 SDRAM shared with main memory³
• Extended desktop and video mirroring: Simultaneously supports full native resolution on the built-in display and up to 2560 by 1600 pixels on an external display, both at millions of colors

• Built-in iSight camera
• Mini DisplayPort

Video output options

DVI output using Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter

VGA output using Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adapter

Dual-link DVI output using Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI Adapter

Input

• Multi-Touch trackpad for precise cursor control; supports two-finger scrolling, pinch, rotate, three-finger swipe, four-finger swipe, tap, double-tap, and drag capabilities

2.0GHz MacBook

• Built-in full-size keyboard with 78 (U.S.) or 79 (ISO) keys, including 12 function keys and 4 arrow keys (inverted “T” arrangement)

2.4GHz MacBook

• Built-in full-size illuminated keyboard with 78 (U.S.) or 79 (ISO) keys, including 12 function keys and 4 arrow keys (inverted “T” arrangement)

Processor and memory

• 2.0GHz or 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor with 3MB on-chip shared L2 cache running 1:1 with processor speed
• 1066MHz frontside bus
• 2GB (two 1GB SO-DIMMs) of 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM; two SO-DIMM slots support up to 4GB

Storage

2.0GHz MacBook

• 160GB 5400-rpm Serial ATA hard disk drive⁴
• Optional 250GB or 320GB 5400-rpm hard drive or 128GB solid-state drive⁴

2.4GHz MacBook

• 250GB 5400-rpm Serial ATA hard disk drive⁴
• Optional 320GB 5400-rpm hard drive or 128GB solid-state drive⁴

Optical drive

• 8x slot-loading SuperDrive (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)

  Maximum write: 8x DVD-R, DVD+R; 4x DVD-R DL (double layer), DVD+R DL (double layer), DVD-RW, DVD+RW; 24x CD-R; 10x CD-RW

  Maximum read: 8x DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD-ROM; 6x DVD-ROM (double layer DVD-9), DVD-R DL (double layer), DVD+R DL (double layer), DVD-RW, and DVD+RW; 24x CD

Battery and power⁵

• 45-watt-hour lithium-polymer battery
• 60W MagSafe Power Adapter with cable management system
• MagSafe power port

Electrical and operating requirements

• Line voltage: 100V to 240V AC
• Frequency: 50Hz to 60Hz
• Operating temperature: 50° to 95° F
  (10° to 35° C)
• Storage temperature: -13° to 113° F
  (-24° to 45° C)
• Relative humidity: 0% to 90% noncondensing
• Maximum operating altitude: 10,000 feet
• Maximum storage altitude: 15,000 feet
• Maximum shipping altitude: 35,000 feet

Software

• Mac OS X v10.5 Leopard (includes iTunes, Time Machine, Quick Look, Spaces, Spotlight, Dashboard, Mail, iTunes, iChat, Safari, Address Book, QuickTime, iCal, DVD Player, Photo Booth, Front Row, Xcode Developer Tools)
• iLife ’09 (includes iPhoto, iMovie, iDVD, iWeb, GarageBand)