Apple MacBook Review (Late 2008 Model)

Whether you're a college student or a graphic artist Apple just added the most desirable item to your holiday wish list: the new MacBook. With Intel Core 2 Duo processors, Nvidia 9400M graphics, an optional 128GB solid state drive (SSD), and a stylish yet tough design, the new MacBook promises to be one impressive 13-inch notebook. This Mac might look amazing, but does it have the performance to justify the price? Let's take a closer look.

The Apple MacBook (starting at $1,299) is available with two choices of Core 2 Duo processors and a choice of hard disk drive or solid state drive. There is only one 13.3" screen offering, a 1280x800 WXGA glossy display with LED backlighting.

Our MacBook has the following specifications:

• Mac OS X v10.5.5 (Build 9F2114)
• Intel Core 2 Duo P7350 2.0GHz (3MB L2 cache, 1066MHz frontside bus)
• 2GB 1067MHz DDR3 SDRAM
• 160GB 5400rpm SATA hard disk drive
• 13.3" glossy widescreen TFT LED backlit display (1280 x 800)
• NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics (256MB of DDR3 shared memory)
• 8x slot-loading SuperDrive (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
• iSight webcam
• AirPort Extreme WiFi (IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n)
• Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR (Enhanced Data Rate)
• Mini DisplayPort, Ethernet, two USB 2.0 ports (480Mbps), Audio out and microphone in
• Dimensions : 0.95" x 12.78" x 8.94" (H x W x D)
• Weight: 4.51 pounds
• Integrated 45-watt-hour lithium-polymer battery
• 60W MagSafe power adapter with cable management system

Build and Design

The new "unibody" construction of the MacBook for late 2008 makes this MacBook one of the most impressively built 13-inch notebooks we've seen in recent memory. When you pick this notebook up it feels like you're holding a solid piece of metal. In a manner of speaking, you are. The unibody chassis is milled from a solid block of aluminum, making the MacBook one of the most durable 13-inch notebooks you can buy for less than $2,000. A thickness of less than an inch and a weight of roughly 4.5 pounds likewise help to make this update to the MacBook line a compelling choice for students and road warriors.

Apple MacBook Pro Review (T7500)

The Apple MacBook Pro is the 15.4" notebook aimed to compete with other desktop replacement or road warrior notebooks on the market. This notebook combines a thin stylish aluminum body, sleek port layout, and hearty specs to handle most of your desktop duties. Combine this notebook with Boot Camp, and you have a major contender in the notebook market, being able to run all the key operating systems in the market being Mac OSX and Windows XP or Vista.

Our MacBook Pro has the following specifications:

• Mac OS X v10.5 Leopard
• Intel Core 2 Duo T7500 2.2GHz (4MB L2 cache, 800MHz frontside bus)
• 2GB 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM
• 120GB 5400rpm SATA hard disk (also tested with 128GB SSD from DVNation)
• 15.4" glossy widescreen TFT LED backlit display (1440 x 900)
• NVIDIA 8600M GT w/ 128MB
• iSight webcam
• AirPort Extreme WiFi (IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n) and Bluetooth
• DVI, 2 USB, ExpressCard/34, Audio in/out, Firewire 400 and 800, 1Gb Ethernet,
• Dimensions : 01 x 14.1 x 9.6 inches
• Weight: 5.4 pounds
• 60Whr Battery, 6 hours estimated
• 85W MagSafe power adapter with cable management system

MacBook Air First Thoughts Review

For those of you who have been living in a cave for the last month, the MacBook Air is Apple's newest 13.3" ultra-thin notebook offering cutting edge design in a remarkably thin package. With Intel Core 2 Duo processors, Intel X3100 integrated graphics, an optional 64GB solid state drive (SSD), and a stylish yet tough design, the MacBook Air might be one of the hottest 13-inch notebooks on the market in 2008. Let's take a closer look. The Apple MacBook Air (starting at $1,799) is available with two choices of Core 2 Duo processors and a choice of 80GB hard disk drive or 64GB solid state drive. There is only one 13.3" screen offering, a 1280x800 WXGA glossy display with LED backlighting.

Our MacBook Air has the following specifications:

• Mac OS X v10.5 Leopard
• Intel Core 2 Duo P7500 1.6GHz (4MB L2 cache, 800MHz frontside bus)
• 2GB 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM
• 80GB 4200rpm parallel ATA hard disk drive
• 13.3" glossy widescreen TFT LED backlit display (1280 x 800)
• Intel GMA X3100 graphics (144MB of shared memory)
• iSight webcam
• AirPort Extreme WiFi (IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n)
• Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR (Enhanced Data Rate)
• Micro DVI, USB 2.0 port (480Mbps), Audio out
• Dimensions : 0.16-0.76", 12.8", 8.94" (H, W, D)
• Weight: 3.0 pounds
• Integrated 37-watt-hour lithium-polymer battery
• 45W MagSafe power adapter with cable management system