At a Glance
Expert's Rating
Pros
- Very good overall performance
- Integrated iSight camera
- Sturdy but elegant design
- Ample RAM
- Built-in AirPort Extreme and Bluetooth
- Double-layer SuperDrive
- Great glossy screen
- Huge hard drive
Cons
- No expansion card slot
- Mediocre graphics performance
Our Verdict
As with the Intel-based iMac and MacBook Pro lines, the consumer MacBooks get a new processor in the form of the Intel Core 2 Duo chip, which promises better performance without any decrease in battery life. Like the white 2GHz model, this MacBook features 4MB of L2 cache — twice the amount of earlier MacBooks. There’s also 1GB of installed memory now, as well as a faster DVD-burning SuperDrive and a higher-capacity hard-drive.
Like the other MacBook Core 2 Duo models, this version is a fast, sturdy, and versatile laptop. It comes with a hefty premium compared to the white 2GHz MacBook — the extra $200 gets you a black case and an extra 40GB of hard-drive capacity.