MacBook

MacBook indicates the range of laptops Macintosh, developed by Apple and intended for the “general public”. MacBook succeeds the IBook and the PowerBook 12 inches, while being distinguished from those by the adoption of a Processeur Intel (Core Duo initially on May 16th, 2006, then Core 2 Duet at the time of a first update on November 8th, 2006), of a Webcam ISight integrated, and by the marketing of a black version.

History

MacBook (13 inches)

May 16th, 2006, Apple presents MacBook as a successor of the iBook and PowerBook 12 inches. According to the company, MacBook is up to five times faster than its former generation of laptops general public.

MacBook (at the end of 2006)

November 8th, 2006, MacBook is equipped with a processor Core 2 Duet, and it is supposed being up to 25% faster than its previous model.

MacBook (Semi-2007)

May 15th, 2007, the range of MacBook is updated: swifter processors, hard drives of greater capacity, more random access memory embarked in the first model.

MacBook (at the end of 2007)

November 1st, 2007, of small final improvements are operated: adoption of the platform Santa Rosa (known hitherto on the MacBook Pro), processors a little swifter (up to 2,2 GHz), up to 4 Go of possibility and random access memory dealt with, of choosing an hard drive of 250 Go (in addition to the discs of 80 Go, 120 Go, 160 Go). The graphic circuit integrated GMA 950 disappears with the profit from the GMA X3100, faster and dividing up to 144 Mo of RAM.

Features

Processor : Intel Core 2 Duet 2,0 or 2,2 GHz with 4 Mo of mask in L2
Random access memory : Delivered with 1 Go of DDR2 667Mhz out of standard and extensible to 4 Go
Hard drive : Serial ATA/100 with (5 400 tr/min) of 80,120,160 or 250 Go with technology Sudden Motion Sensor
Monitor : Panoramic TFT shining of 13,3 inches (visible diagonal), resolution of 1280 X 800 pixels
Graphics card : Intel GMA X3100 with 144 Mo of memory SDRAM DDR2 shared with the main memory
Video : Webcam iSight integrated (640 X 480 pixels), connector Minis-DVI
Audio : Entry digital audio optical and analogical (line) combined, left optical digital audio and helmet combined, stereo loudspeakers, microphone
Reader of optical disk : Reader combo (reading of DVD and engraving of CD-RW) or SuperDrive (reading and engraving of DVD±RW and CD-RW), front-load (“ slot-in ”)
Ethernet : 10/100/1000BASE-T (Gigabit) integrated
Connectivity without wire : Extreme AirPort with 54 Mb/s (802.11g) integrated, Bluetooth 2.0+EDR integrated. The models Core 2 Duet are compatible with the standard 802.11n.
Peripheral of seizure : Operate by remote control Apple Remote, tactile Pavé with function of run
Connectique of extension : A port FireWire 400 (400 dry MBits/) and two ports USB 2.0 (480 Mb/sec)
Operating system : Mac OS X Mac OS X 10.5
Applications : ILife '08, Face Row, IWork '08 (version of 30 days evaluation), and Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac (version of evaluation 30 days)
Additional : Adapter sector with connector MagSafe, electric cable of extension, polymeric battery lithium, remote control Apple Remote
Dimensions (L X P X H) : 2,75 X 32,5 X 22,7 cm
Weight : 2,31 kg
Color : White or black (top-of-the-range model only)
Principal separately sold accessories : Adapter Minis-DVI towards VGA, adapter Minis-DVI towards composite S-Video and , adapter Minis-DVI towards DVI, adapter MagSafe Airline for planes, Modem STN by USB

Appearance and design

The general appearance of MacBook is strongly inspired by that of its predecessor, the IBook G4. In addition to the traditional white color, Apple followed the same model as the iPod by also proposing a hull of black color on the top-of-the-range model (the black color justifying a overcost of 120€ compared to the white model are equivalent).

Screen

MacBook proposes series a brilliant screen, a first for Apple in its line of laptop, which had previously always used screens chechmate. These brilliant screens are supposed to increase the contrast of the colors, but have for principal defect of the reflections which can quickly appear awkward during a use in outside.

Keyboard

Compared to the iBook, MacBook has one keyboard with the radically different aspect. With the difference in the precedents IBook, PowerBook G3 and PowerBook Titanium, the keyboard cannot be withdrawn. Indeed, each key is individually integrated in the hull and is separated from different by 3 Misters. Of a style pointing out that of the Minitel, the keyboard presents a more pleasant touch, and the new design of the keys was thought to avoid the contacts with the screen when this last is folded back.

Notable functionalities

Magnetism

MacBook rather uses in a way innovating the Magnétisme:

MagSafe allows the disconnection without resistance of the electric cable when one butts in this last, preventing that the computer does not undergo any damage by not disuniting a cable;
thanks to the incorporation of Magnet S along the screen, this one can be maintained in closed position without there needing to resort to a mechanical process like the hooks; the appearance of the computer is some largely released. In addition it is possible to use these magnets to keep the remote control Apple Remote within reach.

Sudden Sensor Motion

Technology Sudden Motion Sensor, in the beginning intended to protect the data of the hard drive from a damage by the play-back heads at the time of sudden movements, was quickly diverted by certain users of the Apple laptops. Since the hard drives are equipped with a Gyroscope, it became possible to use this one for very other functionalities, like playing flipper, to carry out a preset action when one gives a small slap on the left, on the right, to make resound an alarm with least displacement, etc

Integrated graphs

MacBook has a GPU integrated. It uses a graphics processor Intel GMA X3100 in the place of a GPU of series ATI Radeon used in the iBook that it replaces.

The integrated graphic chipsets of Intel were often criticized for their weak performances in the achievement of tasks 3D like thevideo ones. It appears nevertheless able to make turn good number of popular plays of old generation, and makes it possible to carry out the graphical interface Aero of Windows Vista.

The choice of Apple is justified by the low costs of the chipset, its low fuel consumption significantly increasing the duration of the battery and its very weak thermal release. In addition, the choice of a dedicated graphics card remains a key characteristic of the range pro of APPLE (MacBook Pro and Mac Pro)

Current models

External bonds

MacBook on the site of Apple
Features on the site of Apple

ICLG - Retailer Apple

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