Archive for MacBook tag
Apple MacBook released – cheaper than comparable Dell
Apple have released their MacBook to compete on the low-end with similar PC laptops. I thought I’d compare it to a very similar Dell offering by using the Apple and Dell web sites…
| Dell Inspiron 640m | Apple MacBook | |
| Processor | Intel Core Duo | Intel Core Duo |
| Processor speed GHz | 1.83 | 1.83 |
| Operating system | Win XP Pro | Mac OS X |
| Warranty | 1 year | 1 year |
| RAM size MB | 512 | 512 |
| RAM speed MHz | 553 DDR2 | 667 DDR2 |
| HD size GB | 60 | 60 |
| HD speed RPM | 5400 | 5400 |
| Optical | 24xCD-RW 8xDVD |
16xCD-RW 8xDVD |
| Screen size | 14.1″ | 13.3″ |
| Screen res | 1280×800 | 1280×800 |
| Modem | Yes | No |
| Bluetooth | No | Yes |
| Wireless Mb | 54 | 54 |
| Battery Whr | 53 | 55 |
| Ethernet Mb | 100 | 1,000 |
| Height mm | 38.6 | 27.5 |
| Width mm | 333 | 325 |
| Depth mm | 243 | 227 |
| Weight kg | 2.5 | 2.36 |
| Audio-out | Stereo jack | Optical + stereo jack |
| Audio-in | Mono jack | Optical + mono jack |
| Video-out | S-Video | Mini DVI |
| Camera | No | Yes |
| Extras | Works 7 5-in-1-media |
iLife 06 Apple Remote MagSafe power |
| Price – VAT | £642.34 | £637.45 |
| Price + VAT | £754.75 | £749.00 |
That’s right, the Apple comes out at £5 cheaper.
In Dell’s favour is a .7″ bigger screen, modem and a card reader.
In Apple’s favour is Bluetooth, iLife 06, media center features, remote control, web camera, DVI and optical outputs, faster networking, bigger battery, faster RAM and a smaller and lighter package.
No doubt the anti-Apple brigade will find something to whine about but it certainly can’t be that it doesn’t run Windows.
[)amien
MacBook Pro round-up
Just a few quickies regarding my favourite laptop…
MacBook Pro disassembly
iFixit has published a MacBook Pro disassembly with photographs guiding you each step of the way.
Vista on the MacBook
Some other enterprising individuals have managed to use BootCamp to get Vista going.
Windows right-click with the touch pad
RH Designs’ Apple Mouse lets you trigger a right mouse click from the track pad by holding down control – similar to what you do under OS X.
Meron 64-bit pin compatible with Core CPU
Intel have announced that their forthcoming Merom processor will be pin compatible with the existing Core Duo chips – indeed during his demo he swapped out one processor for another on his Dell laptop. The Merom gives 20% more performance at the same power consumption whilst also adding 64-bit processing. While the MacBook’s CPU is soldered in the Mac mini’s isn’t…
MacBook Pro benchmarks
I’m hoping to get some benchmarks together soon from PCMark05, Everest and 3DMark but here’s a sneaky preview of what’s to come
CPU
FPU
Memory
In the meantime check out the benchmarks from MacWorld.
MacBook iBook replacement
The current rumour mill is putting the money on Apple releasing their iBook replacement soon bringing it under the Mac brand as simply MacBook (no Pro suffix). Whether it is going to be Duo or Solo based is up for debate but there seems to be some evidence to support multiple colours and a 13″ widescreen display.
[)amien