[HOM]

It was bound the happen. My 12" PowerBook is dead.

I had ruled out getting another Mac for numerous reasons, but now that I've got a Treo again the ultra portability isn't as important.

Here are my questions:

How long the does the battery last? I've seen reports from as low as 2 hours to as high a 5.

How heavy is it really? I'm talking travel weight more than speced weight. I'm coming from a 12" PB so reports from other sub 5LBS machine owners would be appreciated.

How many cosmetic issues do the black MacBooks have? I've been burned by Apple's shoddy craftsmanship on my 12".

Thanks. I'll likely go out and buy the sucker in an hour or two.

[Partial]

3.5-6 hours. Turn bluetooth off and screen to mid-level and its like 5.

It's well-built and feels sturdy, not heavy. It's like 5 pounds. What are you looking for? It does not feel heavy coming from a 12" iBook g4 user.

No cosmetic isues.

[digitalprimate]

Make sure and tell us how you think of it! I'm also in the market for a MacBook, so I'm very curious!

(One can't get enough opinions, even though there are quite a few threads out here)

[ghoti]

How did your PB die? And how old was it? And how was the craftsmanship shoddy?

I also second the request for a report, some of us might be thinking of replacing their aging PBs, too ...

[dark54555]

thirded...

...for those of us looking to buy a first mac.

[HOM]

Originally Posted by ghoti How did your PB die? And how old was it? And how was the craftsmanship shoddy?

It KPs every time I look at it. The fans haven't worked in about 6 months, the cable that connects the screen to the computer is loose so every time the back of the screen is touched in the least it crashed (including many times in my bag!), the battery lasts about 30 minutes (to be expected), I've gone through 4 power adapters that have all frayed at the same point at the end, and both palm rests are now bare exposed metal after the entire anodizing has worn away. Oh, I've also had a recent batch of dead pixels showing up. And this is weird, there is a little black splotch about 10 pixels high and 4 pixels across that started up at the top of my screen and is slowly working it's way down. It may be dirt or dust, but it's annoying as hell.

OOOOOOHHHHH! New problem!

Now the screen is 'tearing'. Looks like the video card is fried.

[digitalprimate]

I think it suffers from Laptop-Arthrosis. You should check it into an elderly laptop home, because it will become a burden to cater for its needs. There it can link up with other old laptops and share stories.

[sirnick4]

Man, that sucks. Sorry 'bout that

I also have a 12'' PB. It is 2 years old now (time flies..) and I haven't had any problems with it (knocks on wood repeatedly).

I didn't know that a messed up video card could screw up the screen like that. Did this happen because of overuse? or the age?

My computer has to last me at least another 2 years, that's why I'm asking. Anyway to prevent the trouble you are having with yours?

[macleod]

Get a black MacBook. Other then cleaning it once in a while to get a smudge off it has no cosmetic issues. It is beautiful, the battery lasts anywhere from 3 to 5 hrs based on settings ( I generally get about 4 and I use the screen on one of the brightest settings). It is pretty light too. good luck with your decision.

[pilot1129]

If you havent bought a macbook yet, I'm trying to sell my black one with 2 gb of ram and applecare.

PM if interested

[Partial]

bah, don't get a blackbook. Invest that 150 in something. That is essentially throwing money away.

[bassplayinMacFiend]

I've had the base model MB for 2-3 weeks now and I have no troubles at all. Great little laptop, solidly built and I can get around 5 hours uptime on the battery while coding / surfing the net.

[LaEsperanza]

Originally Posted by tensdanny38 bah, don't get a blackbook. Invest that 150 in something. That is essentially throwing money away.

I disagree...I feel that the BlackBook is actually worth the money. It looks tons nicer, but also I don't have to clean it as much. I bought a white one then a black one. I feel great on the black one.

The battery lasts a good 5 hours but I rarely drain it all the way. Come fall and class I will, but not til then. I do wish I had a 2GB upgrade though for graphics reasons. The build quality is great, it isn't the nutwarmer that my 15" PB was, and it works great. My ONLY problem is the glossy screen. It is no biggie, but where I sit gets a slit of sunlight from behind onto it. Overall though, if you like black, spend the extra $150 or do what I did and be patient on eBay. I bought mine for $1345 with a 1GB upgrade. The last owner worked at the Apple Store in Boca Raton, FL.

[digitalprimate]

Any News on how HOM's purchase went?

[HOM]

Originally Posted by digitalprimate Any News on how HOM's purchase went?

Quick one.

I got a "refreshed" black MacBook w/ 1GB of ram preinstalled for $1350 at the 5th Ave Apple Store.

So far I'm mildly impressed.

It's fast, but that's about all it is. It is almost too big for daily use and the battery life is just barely adequate (about 3.5 hours under normal usage).

Actually, the thing I'm most impressed with is the brightness of the screen. I had to turn it down to two notches bellow zero before I could use it.

[naren]

Cool, but... how well does World of Warcraft run on it?

[funduk]

Wow i'm surprised you feel that way. I have a 12" pb and my fiance got the white macbook as soon as it was released. it's barely any heavier (only slightly according to the spec), only a bit wider and thinner.

You should make sure bluetooth is off, cpu stuff in the power saver set to reduced and all that to extend the battery life, my fiance keeps hers at full brightness and it easily lasts 4 hours minimum.

[arnoct]

If you're only getting 3.5 hours under normal use you might want to check the battery... I can generally get 4.5 hours with full screen brightness, wireless and bluetooth on

[nskk]

yea my 12" pbook just killed itself. The frame wasn't put together well. It poped out in the front and knoked the insides around. Now the cd drive is broken. And the kicker is that apple won't cover it under applecare. So they say it will cost 1240 dollars. Now i'm getting a macbook. But i just can't justify the extra $$ for the black macbook when it has the same specs of a white one.

[Robo]

Originally Posted by nskk yea my 12" pbook just killed itself. The frame wasn't put together well. It poped out in the front and knoked the insides around. Now the cd drive is broken. And the kicker is that apple won't cover it under applecare. So they say it will cost 1240 dollars. Now i'm getting a macbook. But i just can't justify the extra $$ for the black macbook when it has the same specs of a white one.

Really? It poped out? Well, sic transit gloria mundi...

[nskk]

Originally Posted by Roboman Really? It poped out? Well, sic transit gloria mundi...

i completly agree. Its also nice to see an other latin enthusiast on the forums

[Robo]

Originally Posted by nskk i completly agree. Its also nice to see an other latin enthusiast on the forums

That was pretty much all the Latin I know. Well, that, and memento mori.

Yeah, I have a pretty depressing view of the Latin language.

[sirnick4]

Carpe diem!!