Apple MacBook MC240LL/A 13.3-Inch Laptop
Apple MacBook MC240LL/A 13.3-Inch Laptop
Elegant and intelligently designed for your on-the-go digital lifestyle, Apple’s MacBook is the perfect confluence of accessibility, innovation and effective computing. This latest version of the affordable “White MacBook line (model MC240LL / A) gets a boost in the processing, thanks to the power 2.13 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor and storage space with a hard disk from 160 GB — plenty of room for music, photos, videos and more.
The Go-Anywhere notebook also features a 13.3-inch glossy widescreen display, excellent video processing power of NVIDIA GeForce 9400M integrated graphics chip, 2 GB of installed RAM (with a capacity of up to 4 GB) and an integrated 802.11n Wi-Fi LAN that provides compatibility with older 802.11b / g routers as well as the faster throughput of Apple’s Airport Extreme. It also includes a combo 8x SuperDrive for burning dual-layer DVDs and CDs.
Measuring 1.08 inches thin and weighing only 5.0 pounds, the MacBook cuts a slim profile on any desk (or in any backpack or briefcase). See a larger version of this image
Only one measuring 1.08 inches thin and weighing only 5.0 pounds, the MacBook cuts a slim profile on any desk (or in any backpack or briefcase). A durable polycarbonate shell keeps White ready for ups and downs of daily life. It also offers a unique design keyboard that is flush against the bed for a sleeker, lower profile – which means that the experience of a company, responding during touch typing. Other standard Apple “extras” includes a built-in iSight camera and Apple’s MagSafe power adapter is magnetically connects the power, which safely disconnects when under strain.
It comes pre-loaded with Apple’s Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard operating system – a custom operating system designed for the advanced technology inside – and it comes with the iLife ‘09 suite of applications, including iPhoto, iMovie , GarageBand, and iTunes.
Among other hardware features a DVI output built-in Gigabit Ethernet high-speed Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR (Enhanced Data Rate), two USB ports, one FireWire 400 port, and mini-video.
Apple Innovations
One of Apple’s most celebrated innovations is the MagSafe power adapter connector with offers a magnetic connection instead of physics. So if you happen to trip over a power cord, you can not send MacBook flying off the table or desk – the cord simply disconnects, without damage to either the cord or the system. As added nicety, this means less wear on the connectors.
Cleverly integrated above the MacBook display is an iSight camera, providing easy video chat capability when using iChat. You can also take a photo in Photo Booth to send via e-mail, as well as record video and then edit them in iMovie before uploading them to other websites.
Adapter magnetically connected MagSafe power breaks cleanly away, without damage to either the cord or the MacBook, if you trip over the cord.
With two-finger scrolling, the trackpad becomes a fast track where you want to go.
The trackpad can tell if you have a finger on the pedal, or two. With two, you can easily scroll through documents or open contextual menus. When you need functionality right mouse button, simply open the Keyboard & Mouse in System Preferences and enable the secondary click preference. Opening and closing your MacBook is also a pleasure, thanks to a magnetic hook that catches without a catch. Why is a magnet, there are no moving parts to catch, jam, or break.
Intel Core 2 Duo Processor
Experience improved energy efficiency, expanded wireless connectivity, and amazing battery life, the workhorse of Intel Core 2 Duo, which has a 2.13 GHz processor speed, ultra-fast 1066 MHz front-side bus ( FSB), and a large 3 MB L2 cache. (An L2, or secondary, cache temporarily stores data and a larger L2 cache can help speed up system performance. The FSB carries data between the CPU and RAM, and a faster front-side bus will provide better overall performance .)
The hafnium-infused circuitry – which reduces electrical current leakage in transistors – conserves even more energy, giving more time away from the wall outlet. With a substantial 3 MB of shared L2 cache, data and instructions can be kept close to the two processor cores, greatly increasing performance and allowing the entire system to work more efficiently. And, because the processor cores share the L2 cache, either can use the entire amount if the other appears to be inactive.
Hard Drive and Memory
The 160 GB Serial-ATA (SATA) hard drive (5400 RPM), accelerate the pace with a higher speed transfer of data – similar to FireWire and USB 2.0. The 2 GB of DDR2 RAM (two SO-DIMM 512 MB) have a speed of 800 MHz and RAM capacity can be increased up to 4 GB.
Wireless Connectivity
The networking built-in wireless 802.11n provides up to five times the performance and twice the range of 802.11g, but it is also compatible with 802.11a/b/g routers, enabling you to communicate with a wide variety of Wi – FI resources. It works seamlessly with the new AirPort Extreme with 802.11n. Using Bluetooth wireless technology to connect to your PDA or cell phone, synchronize addresses, or download pictures from your phone. You can also use a wireless headset for iChat audio chats and VoIP calls as well as quickly share files with a colleague.
Display and Graphics
If you’re working on a Keynote presentation or watching a movie before you catch a flight, every document, video and photo on your MacBook will be strong 13.3-inch glossy widescreen display. By Pixel-perfect 1280-by-800 resolution is ideal for viewing and working with the media. Video is powered by the NVIDIA GeForce 9400M integrated graphics processor, which shares 256 MB of DDR2 SDRAM with main memory. Graphics-intensive features in iPhoto and iMovie are smooth and 3D games – from Spore for Call of Duty – it’s faster and more responsive. You get extended desktop and video mirroring, with simultaneous support for full native resolution on the built-in display and up to 1920 x 1200 pixels on an external monitor – at millions of colors
Video Conferencing with Built-in iSight
Masterfully inserted into the display bezel is an iSight camera, which allows for easy video conferencing as it allows you to take pictures of yourself and create video podcasts. Using the iChat AV application, video conferencing is integrated into your iChat list, in order to initiate a video conference is a breeze. iChat also lets you hold audio chats with up to 10 people and provides high quality audio compression and full-duplex sound so conversation can flow naturally. For video podcasting, you can record a short movie with the iSight camera, then use iWeb to create a video blog entry or post your GarageBand-recorded podcast.
Other features
Connect to the network, a desktop monitor and all peripherals with two USB 2.0 ports, one FireWire, a mini-DVI video output, and one Gigabit Ethernet.
* SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD ± R DL / DVD ± RW / CD-RW) Writes DVD + R DL and DVD-R DL discs at up to 4x speed, writes DVD-R and DVD + R discs at up to 8x, DVD ± RW up to 4x speed, writes CD-R and CD-RW up to 24x speed, reads DVDs at up to 8x speed, reads CDs at up to 24x speed
* Mini-DVI video output (VGA adapter and mini-DVI to DVI sold separately)
* Built-in stereo speakers and omnidirectional microphone
* Combined optical digital audio input / audio line-in
* Combined optical digital audio output / headphone
* Two USB 2.0 ports, one FireWire 400
* Built-in full-size keyboard with 78 (U.S.) or 79 (ISO) keys, including 12 function keys, 4 arrow keys (inverted “T” arrangement), and the numeric keypad
* Solid-state scrolling trackpad for precise cursor control, and supports two-finger scrolling, tap, tap, and drag
* Kensington cable lock slot
* Meets ENERGY STAR
* Measures 12.78 x 8.92 x 1.08 inches (WxDxH) and weighs 5 pounds
Pre-loaded with Mac OS X Snow Leopard and iLife ‘09
Every Mac comes with Mac OS X Snow Leopard, the world’s most advanced operating system, and iLife, Apple’s innovative suite of applications for managing photos, making movies and creating and learning to play music. Snow Leopard is based on a decade of innovation and the success of OS X with hundreds of improvements, new technology base and out of the box support for Microsoft Exchange. iLife iPhoto features, easily organize and manage photos, iMovie with powerful, easy to use new features like precision Editor, stabilization, advanced video and drag and drop, and GarageBand, which introduces a whole new way to help you learn to play piano and guitar.
Software installed
* Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard Snow Leopard (including Time Machine, Quick Look, Spaces, Spotlight, Dashboard, Mail, iChat, Safari, Address Book, QuickTime, iCal, DVD Player, Photo Booth, Front Row, Xcode Developer Tools)
* ILife ‘09 (includes iPhoto, iMovie, GarageBand, iWeb, iDVD)
Designed with the Environment in Mind
Apple has worked hard to eliminate many of the toxins, which are a common part of computer manufacturing. Apple engineers have removed most of the brominated flame retardants (BFRs) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) from printed circuit boards, internal cables, connectors, insulators, adhesives, and more MacBook.
Because Apple makes both the hardware and software for the MacBook, are designed to work together to produce an intelligent product that uses less electricity. For example, to reduce energy consumption, the MacBook hard drive spin down automatically when idle. The MacBook also decides which processor – CPU or GPU – is best suited to carry out a task efficiently. The processor also handcuffs down to save power between keystrokes as you type. Together, these adjustments make the MacBook a lot more energy efficient and therefore less CO2 emissions.
The MacBook meets the stringent low power requirements set by the EPA, giving it ENERGY STAR certification. MacBook also meets the latest performance requirements of ENERGY STAR Version 5.0 specification for computers in July 2009 before its effective date.
The MacBook also has received the highest rating of EPEAT Gold. The Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool, or EPEAT, evaluates the environmental impacts of a product in terms of how it can be recycled, how much energy you use and how it is designed and manufactured.
Customer Reviews
By Princeps P “The Princeps” (The PHX)
A few months ago I bought an iMac from Amazon, my first Mac in the street. I could not be happier. I am a student learning of computational science and wanted to get familiar with all major systems: Windows, Mac and Linux. I was a frustrated Windows user for many years and was satisfied with the Mac I recently just bought this MacBook for mobile computing. I spend most of my time away from my apartment and I wanted to work on a Mac when they are in motion. This computer is perfect, the size and weight are right for you anywhere. Compared to my Windows-based laptops get more than three hours of battery life, which is perfect for me.
The power of the MacBook is perfect for everyday computing and grassroots development. Adding Nividia graphics card adds a lot of photos, video and light. I am also very pleased that Apple has not increased the price when you add the faster 2.13GHz chip and expanded the space of the hard disk. Initially I was going to buy one of the new aluminum MacBook just for the best performance, but the recent addition of this computer has changed everything. I intend to keep this short review, because I wrote a longer one for the iMac that I bought. If you need a laptop that is not used for extreme gaming and video editing then this large computer would be perfect for you. As I already said that complimented my studies in programming and also allows me to work with Adobe Web Bundle Premium without a problem. Also you can increase the RAM to 4 GB for about $ 60 from Crucial.com not have video to show how, and is not that difficult. Although I love Amazon and usually do all my major purchases through them I can say that if you are a student you can purchase this through Apple MacBook less and receive a free iPod Touch until September, only one thing to keep in mind. However, if you do not need an iPod to avoid paying taxes and buying through Amazon.
This is an update to my previous review of the MacBook. I was not aware when I bought this less expensive than a new Macbook Pro 13 “is being released. I really wanted one of the MacBook unibody, but because of the costs are going with this computer. However, with the release of New MacBook Pro 13 “I was able to return the computer and upgrade to the unibody. My review of this MacBook has stopped and I was very satisfied, but with the lowest price on the new MacBook Pro paired with a student discount that deal could not be beat! If you can afford the additional cost of about $ 100 for students and $ 200 for non-student, I would recommend the MacBook Pro 13 “, you get more bang for your buck. The white Macbook is still a good investment if you need to keep your cost below $ 1000.
By Jessica Rowe
As the owner of a 2 times a MacBook (my previous MacBook Pro bought last September) I am amazed at the huge package you get for a price so cheap. At the Apple Store, I was able to purchase a recently published (3 days) for less than Amazon (949.00 with the student or teacher discount, and they did not even ask for proof), taxes and up to September 2009 is expected a Free iPod Touch. (Or any iPod worth up to 229.00). I respect the specifications side by side on my Pro and found to be almost completely captured, except for the video card and screen size. Even the memory has a faster bus! My Pro is still working well, but my husband needed something mostly for school. The glossy display is beautiful and the resolution slightly lower than the Pro goes unnoticed. I have the Pro for photography and graphic design, but the MacBook can handle these very well if you really needed to, what with all the extra processing speed. (2.4 vs. 2.13).
Overall a great value and a power packed small computer. For an entry level, I think that it is loaded with a ton of power to stay ahead in the coming years. Even the Mac Pro “in a shop recommended on some of the most expensive because of my husband, first to use Office programs and Internet based on some photos and music on the side. I am confident there is nothing this little white Macbook could not do that my Pro would.
P.S. Play with all the menus in the Apple icon on the top LH for the experience more personalized. This includes touch pad “gestures” which lets you use combinations of fingers to scroll, right click, turn the pages, etc; hotspots that let you do a program or application found only by going deep into a corner of the screen; Spaces that allows you to have multiple applications running on different screens so you can hop between the windows are more organized, and many other options. Do not be afraid to try things with the menu options, do not break!
By G. Argov
If I had written this review, let’s say half years ago, I would have given the Macbook 5 stars. I took him with me to school after my previous laptop – an Acer Aspire – I am not horribly. My Aspire had a problem with overheating, which occurred just after my warranty has expired. The cost of the repair was not worth it compared to getting a new laptop computer that was smaller, lighter, more powerful and more capable of multi-tasking (more RAM).
I come from a family that began using Macs for over a decade, even though I myself have preferred Windows … up to Windows Vista is released. We have had many Macs around the house growing up because my parents use Macs in their office, and have never really been impressed with the Apple operating system, so I had doubts about the Macbook. But since the MacBook is loaded with 2 GB of RAM and an Intel processor, you can run both Mac and Windows operating systems with ease. So I thought worse comes to worse, I will use my Macbook as a laptop computer to run Windows XP with. I used very heavily in college and served me very well. E ‘light weight allowed me to easily carry from class to class, including his photo and video editing software has given me hours of productivity, and perhaps best of all, it was reliable! I really loved my MacBook and I would give it 5 stars … but …
My sister, who was in graduate school, also had a Macbook at the same time I had mine. His laptop went well until the end of last year. For some reason, the laptop started receiving buggy … It would freeze, it would be overheating, has become a major nuisance. We have reformatted several times, hoping that would solve the problems, but to no avail. I highly recommend getting the AppleCare Protection Plan. Unfortunately, we did not do, and really do not feel like forking the money to repair the MacBook when not using it much more anyway. But our attempt to save money, not getting the protection plan will end up costing us more money now, we choose to repair the laptop! Experience with our second, identical Macbook, which is why I give 3 stars instead of 5 for an otherwise good product performance, which can run both Windows and Mac that is bundled with lots of excellent software and that looks really cool (especially on a campus where nearly all have Macs!)
One last note … I most recently bought the MacBook thinner, and I want to stress that, while its construction is more beautiful, and it seems like this cheap plastic, I still think this is a good deal. If you are trying to “wow” people and can show off, get the latest model, but if you’re looking for a powerful laptop and do not care too much about having the latest build, this is good. I still use my plastic one, although I have the most recent (Cooler-looking!) One.