capsule review

13-inch MacBook/2.16GHz (black)

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At a Glance

  • Generic Company Place Holder Apple MacBook Notebook

The black MacBook posted the highest Speedmark score in our test of the new MacBook models, a fact we attribute to its larger hard drive. Apple continues to charge a $200 premium for the bigger-capacity drive and black finish; whether that extra expense makes this a better buy than the equally fast 2.16GHz white MacBook is a matter of personal taste.

At a Glance

  • The black MacBook gets a processor boost to 2.16GHz and a bigger 160GB hard drive in the May 2007 round of laptop updates. The SuperDrive has also been upgraded to an 8X model, and the MacBook now has built-in support for 802.11n wireless networking. Otherwise, the specs are unchanged from the previous Core 2 Duo-based offerings.

    Pros

    • 802.11n wireless enabled
    • Integrated iSight camera
    • Sturdy but elegant design
    • Slightly faster CPU
    • Built-in AirPort Extreme and Bluetooth
    • Larger hard drive
    • Great glossy screen
    • 8x SuperDrive
    • Good battery life

    Cons

    • Enclosure easily marred by fingerprints
    • No expansion card slot
    • Mediocre graphics performance limits appeal for gaming
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