Expert's Rating
Pros
- Affordable
- Built-in iSight camera
- Fast Core Duo processor yields great performance
- Attractive case design
Cons
- Rough case edge
- Poor 3-D game performance
- Weak speakers
- No video cables included
- $150 premium for black case
Our Verdict
Replacing both the 12-inch PowerBook G4 and the entire iBook G4 line, Apple’s MacBooks deliver many of the same features as the higher-end MacBook Pro line — including an Intel Core Duo processor and a built-in iSight camera — in a 13-inch case with a glossy widescreen display. Like the Intel-based Mac mini, the MacBook line features an integrated Intel graphics processor that shares its memory with main RAM. This model sports an 80GB hard drive and a DVD-burning SuperDrive, as well as an eye-catching matte black finish.
The MacBook is very impressive, not only compared to the iBooks and PowerBook it replaces, but also compared to its new Pro brethren. It offers almost everything that people would need in a laptop. There’s not much of a performance difference between the 1.83GHz and 2.0GHz models running Intel-native apps, but Rosetta does somewhat better with the faster processor. If you use non-native apps often, and prefer a SuperDrive to a Combo drive, consider this model — especially if you favor its matte black finish.