Sign In
Register
Help
Post your comments for From the Lab: MacBooks get a boost from Penryn here
Page 1 of 1
From the Lab: MacBooks get a boost from Penryn
MultiQuote
#3
rickcarl 
- Member
-
- Group: Members
- Posts: 251
- Joined: 27-February 08
Posted 05 March 2008 - 03:02 PM
I just received my MB black Penryn/SR. Wow! Double Wow! I moved up from a 1.67MHz PB. Keyboards great. I don't have a way to measure heat but this one is running barely warm. Nice screen. Nice flat black box. I heard black was a fingerprint magnet. In just one day I don't see that as a problem. The trackpad is pretty sensitive but I switched to a mouse. I'll run a few battery cycles to see how long it lasts in my working environment outside the Starbucks. :-) Wireless works fine. The OWC 2.5in external firewire works fine. I gave 160GB to BootCamp for XP and Adobe CS3. Smooth.
#4
funkboy
- Member
-
- Group: Members
- Posts: 47
- Joined: 29-August 04
Posted 05 March 2008 - 04:58 PM
I'm very much digging my new MacBook - it absolutely FLIES compared to my old Mac Mini G4 1.42 GHz. I just have it as a desktop replacement now, and plan to for at least a year. How bad is that for a battery? How often should it be charged up and down?
I should probably do a full discharge cycle now?
I should probably do a full discharge cycle now?
#5
hawthorn
- Member
-
- Group: Members
- Posts: 16
- Joined: 21-November 07
Posted 05 March 2008 - 05:21 PM
I bought the previous model black MacBook within two weeks of the new release. After much contact with Apple we ran a refund and exchange. So moving from MacBook Nov to MacBook now was great. But from my old faithful 12" PB G4 to MacBook now really was wow.
Highly recommend the switch despite the lack of graphics card, even just for a built in iSight and less cable. The screen size is perfect with the higher resolution and works well at work or on the road. The system is quieter, less heat and fan action. Miss the aluminum finish, but small price to pay when the Air is weak and the Pro too mighty (in weight and price for similar performance at the low end).
Feeling smug with the upgrade after the performance figures, look forward to the full review.
Highly recommend the switch despite the lack of graphics card, even just for a built in iSight and less cable. The screen size is perfect with the higher resolution and works well at work or on the road. The system is quieter, less heat and fan action. Miss the aluminum finish, but small price to pay when the Air is weak and the Pro too mighty (in weight and price for similar performance at the low end).
Feeling smug with the upgrade after the performance figures, look forward to the full review.
#6
hawthorn
- Member
-
- Group: Members
- Posts: 16
- Joined: 21-November 07
Posted 05 March 2008 - 05:25 PM
Highly recommend you charge your MacBook and then unplug until the battery is drained - regularly if you can.
Also at least one full discharge and overnight recharge per month. Also worth downloading the iStat Pro widget so you can monitor battery health and number of cycles. The Pro version also gives you easy access to the battery remaining on wireless mouse and keyboard if you're using the MacBook as a desktop replacement.
I've killed a few batteries over the years and have learnt the hard way. Enjoy.
Also at least one full discharge and overnight recharge per month. Also worth downloading the iStat Pro widget so you can monitor battery health and number of cycles. The Pro version also gives you easy access to the battery remaining on wireless mouse and keyboard if you're using the MacBook as a desktop replacement.
I've killed a few batteries over the years and have learnt the hard way. Enjoy.
#7
trip1ex
- Member
-
- Group: Members
- Posts: 434
- Joined: 12-September 06
Posted 05 March 2008 - 05:56 PM
I just got a refurb Nov 2k7 black MB.
IS the screen improved on the new ones? I don't really like the MB screen. Poor viewing angle.
Also the iSight camera doesn't seem to do 24 fps aka isn't smooth. Is that normal? It works nicely on my Imac, but seems in slow motion on the MB.
Other than that I like it, but I think it's going back. Refund if this is the norm or exchange if it isn't.
I'm thinking MBA now because I think the screen is nicer.
IS the screen improved on the new ones? I don't really like the MB screen. Poor viewing angle.
Also the iSight camera doesn't seem to do 24 fps aka isn't smooth. Is that normal? It works nicely on my Imac, but seems in slow motion on the MB.
Other than that I like it, but I think it's going back. Refund if this is the norm or exchange if it isn't.
I'm thinking MBA now because I think the screen is nicer.
#8
minischneides
- Member
-
- Group: Members
- Posts: 311
- Joined: 14-December 07
Posted 05 March 2008 - 08:03 PM
trip1ex said:
I just got a refurb Nov 2k7 black MB.
IS the screen improved on the new ones? I don't really like the MB screen. Poor viewing angle.
Also the iSight camera doesn't seem to do 24 fps aka isn't smooth. Is that normal? It works nicely on my Imac, but seems in slow motion on the MB.
Other than that I like it, but I think it's going back. Refund if this is the norm or exchange if it isn't.
I'm thinking MBA now because I think the screen is nicer.
IS the screen improved on the new ones? I don't really like the MB screen. Poor viewing angle.
Also the iSight camera doesn't seem to do 24 fps aka isn't smooth. Is that normal? It works nicely on my Imac, but seems in slow motion on the MB.
Other than that I like it, but I think it's going back. Refund if this is the norm or exchange if it isn't.
I'm thinking MBA now because I think the screen is nicer.
@ trip1ex
I don't exactly know your situation however I would personally advise you to spend the extra $200 and get a Macbook Pro instead of the Macbook Air. You are likely going to buy a external Superdrive for the Macbook Air which will cost $100 so buy the Macbook Pro and not loose the large amount of functionality. You can get a Macbook Pro with a matte screen, and I would recommend that.
Though that's just my opinion :)
#9
Ozzieboy
- Newbie
-
- Group: Members
- Posts: 1
- Joined: 07-March 08
Posted 07 March 2008 - 04:15 PM
Good article but missing a major piece as others have noted: battery life comparison of this model vs. '07 model. Please update the article with this information ASAP. FWIW, I did see ANnother AND TECH site mention that their tests with the new 2.4 MB gave 5 hours of battery life in a wireless surfing test. The article gave several other results as well...overall it said to expect a 7 to 15 percent increase in battery life but it didn't compare Apples to Apples as it were.
#10
trip1ex
- Member
-
- Group: Members
- Posts: 434
- Joined: 12-September 06
Posted 08 March 2008 - 10:45 PM
[quote name='minischneides']
>
Yeah I've been debating what I'm going to get next. The refurb black MB went back. I was close to keeping it, but the screen is pretty meh. I may try a new model MB (except white cause I don't want to pay the black tax) just to double-check.
I really want an AIR tho. The screen is much better and the trackpad is sweet. It's larger. The swipe gesture is quite handy and the trackpad seems smoother and more responsive. I'm not scared off by the lack of an optical drive. I never watched DVDs on a laptop before anyway. I would need to invest in some external storage though like a Time Capsule and something to back that up or vice versa. Also I saw a walkthrough already on how to take it apart and replace the hard drive. It's not too hard at all.
Then there's the MBP. I think I'm going to wait on that. Price is a factor. I kown that sounds silly when I'm considering a MBA, but I don't know. Maybe it's because the MBA is something new and thus I can see paying the asking price. Also I just liked my hands-on time with the MBA in the store. I felt more comfortable using it than the MBP and the MB. I think it's the thin form factor and the large trackpad and nice screen.
>
trip1ex said:
> I just got a refurb Nov 2k7 black MB.
>
> IS the screen improved on the new ones? I don't really like the MB screen. Poor viewing angle.
>
> Also the iSight camera doesn't seem to do 24 fps aka isn't smooth. Is that normal? It works nicely on my Imac, but seems in slow motion on the MB.
>
> Other than that I like it, but I think it's going back. Refund if this is the norm or exchange if it isn't.
>
> I'm thinking MBA now because I think the screen is nicer.
@ trip1ex
I don't exactly know your situation however I would personally advise you to spend the extra $200 and get a Macbook Pro instead of the Macbook Air. You are likely going to buy a external Superdrive for the Macbook Air which will cost $100 so buy the Macbook Pro and not loose the large amount of functionality. You can get a Macbook Pro with a matte screen, and I would recommend that.
Though that's just my opinion :)
>
> IS the screen improved on the new ones? I don't really like the MB screen. Poor viewing angle.
>
> Also the iSight camera doesn't seem to do 24 fps aka isn't smooth. Is that normal? It works nicely on my Imac, but seems in slow motion on the MB.
>
> Other than that I like it, but I think it's going back. Refund if this is the norm or exchange if it isn't.
>
> I'm thinking MBA now because I think the screen is nicer.
@ trip1ex
I don't exactly know your situation however I would personally advise you to spend the extra $200 and get a Macbook Pro instead of the Macbook Air. You are likely going to buy a external Superdrive for the Macbook Air which will cost $100 so buy the Macbook Pro and not loose the large amount of functionality. You can get a Macbook Pro with a matte screen, and I would recommend that.
Though that's just my opinion :)
Yeah I've been debating what I'm going to get next. The refurb black MB went back. I was close to keeping it, but the screen is pretty meh. I may try a new model MB (except white cause I don't want to pay the black tax) just to double-check.
I really want an AIR tho. The screen is much better and the trackpad is sweet. It's larger. The swipe gesture is quite handy and the trackpad seems smoother and more responsive. I'm not scared off by the lack of an optical drive. I never watched DVDs on a laptop before anyway. I would need to invest in some external storage though like a Time Capsule and something to back that up or vice versa. Also I saw a walkthrough already on how to take it apart and replace the hard drive. It's not too hard at all.
Then there's the MBP. I think I'm going to wait on that. Price is a factor. I kown that sounds silly when I'm considering a MBA, but I don't know. Maybe it's because the MBA is something new and thus I can see paying the asking price. Also I just liked my hands-on time with the MBA in the store. I felt more comfortable using it than the MBP and the MB. I think it's the thin form factor and the large trackpad and nice screen.
Page 1 of 1
