New 13.3" MacBook **Now $999 after MIR at Amazon**

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: Vortec4800

Originally posted by: preslove

Originally posted by: mercanucaribe

Originally posted by: Kaido

Originally posted by: Tu13erhead
Are any of you MacBook owners having heat issues? Or any other issues? Some people have reported their MacBooks locking up due to overheating...

I'm going to put Arctic Silver 5 on mine when I get it. Check out this pic from the Apple Service Manual on how to apply thermal grease:

http://forums.macnn.com/showthread.php?t=295925

Ugh! Also, 7200rpm drives not only fit but work great in the MacBooks. No heat problems with them reported.

WTF!! Why would they put that much thermal paste on?

That picture really gives me pause. My next laptop may be a dell...

Why? Not all of them are having such a serious heat issue and if you do get one that's having an issue then Apple will take care of you under warranty. I've seen some pretty shady things on Dell laptops as well...

I've got a MacBook Pro and I was surprised to see that the tip about the two-finger secondary click feature doesn't work on my machine. Must be new for the MacBook, hopefully I'll get a software update or something to add that.

Another neat trick I learned while trying to make the two-finger + mousebutton right-click feature work was that if you just use two fingers it makes the curse scroll on the MacBook! I really liked that feature a lot, considering I hate touchpads

 

[RossMAN]

Kaido, any recommendations on a Bluetooth mouse?

 

[manly]

Logitech V270 should be the best value out there.

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: RossMAN
Kaido, any recommendations on a Bluetooth mouse?

Sure - RadTech, Logitech, and Microsoft. I'll be updating my Accessories section as I find more Apple Bluetooth-compatible mice:

http://www.wiredbynature.org/comp/mac/macbook/mods.php#Accessories

I'll be using a wired Logitech MX510 mouse when I "dock" my MacBook and RadTech BT600 Bluetooth mouse when I'm on the go (OS X & Windows compatible). It's a bit pricey at $60, but it has the two side buttons like my Logitech and includes a USB cable for charging, which is nifty. Here's a link:

http://www.radtech.us/Products/BT600.aspx

It really depends on what size and how many buttons you want. RadTech sells Bluetooth mice of all sizes and functions. Check them out here:

http://www.radtech.us/Products/Default.aspx#CategoryBluetooth

If you're a Logitech fan, the V270 is a Bluetooth notebook mouse with a nice little case:

http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/produ...etails/US/EN,CRID=2146,CONTENTID=10916

If you want something bigger and more ergonomic, Microsoft has the IntelliMouse Explorer for Bluetooth:

http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/mouseandkeyboard/productdetails.aspx?pid=032

I've heard that Microsoft + Apple Bluetooth = problems in the past, but this one seems to get good reviews. SteerMouse is a good mouse control app and is well worth the $20 registration fee:

http://plentycom.jp/en/steermouse/

I will expand my Accessories section once I try out the RadTech, since I've never tried that brand before. It will be a couple weeks before I have a bigger mouse section, but that should be enough to help you make a good choice

 

[Kaido]

Actually, here, I added a Bluetooth mouse section:

http://www.wiredbynature.org/comp/mac/macbook/mods.php#Bluetooth

 

[Vortec4800]

Originally posted by: Kaido

Originally posted by: Vortec4800

Originally posted by: preslove

Originally posted by: mercanucaribe

Originally posted by: Kaido

Originally posted by: Tu13erhead
Are any of you MacBook owners having heat issues? Or any other issues? Some people have reported their MacBooks locking up due to overheating...

I'm going to put Arctic Silver 5 on mine when I get it. Check out this pic from the Apple Service Manual on how to apply thermal grease:

http://forums.macnn.com/showthread.php?t=295925

Ugh! Also, 7200rpm drives not only fit but work great in the MacBooks. No heat problems with them reported.

WTF!! Why would they put that much thermal paste on?

That picture really gives me pause. My next laptop may be a dell...

Why? Not all of them are having such a serious heat issue and if you do get one that's having an issue then Apple will take care of you under warranty. I've seen some pretty shady things on Dell laptops as well...

I've got a MacBook Pro and I was surprised to see that the tip about the two-finger secondary click feature doesn't work on my machine. Must be new for the MacBook, hopefully I'll get a software update or something to add that.

Another neat trick I learned while trying to make the two-finger + mousebutton right-click feature work was that if you just use two fingers it makes the curse scroll on the MacBook! I really liked that feature a lot, considering I hate touchpads

Yeah, that feature has been around a while - that worked on my old 14" iBook too.

 

[Journer]

so....i swung on by the local compusa to take a look at the macbook (no apple stores here ) to see what i am thinking about getting into...the main thing i was worried about was the keyboard...well...i had not problems at all...aside from the word procc. i was using (mac notepad? word wasnt installed ) it was perfect. I reinacted being in the classroom typing notes with bullters, bold, etc. and didn't seem to have any problems, and i have never used a mac before (for more than like...20mins) If you're a good typer, don't be scared of the keyboard...it is a little different (especially for windows users, no ctrl-bckspc for quicker work deletion...maybe that can be changed ) If you not a good typer, then you might be in for a bit of trouble. Fact of the matter is, it is a 'standard' qwerty layout...and as far as typing notes and long letters, i think it is fine....just takes some getting used to for the function/alt keys. As far as heat...i didn't notice anything out of the ordinary...cooler than my current turion compaq... The macbook pro though...like a friggin oven on your wrists...the keyboard on that lappy is the more standardized one with contoured keys and nubs on j and f...but i had a HARD time using it...i don't know why...but i prefered the macbook keyboard way way more than the mbp. Anywho, just my 2cents.

Some questions for you current owners...

wtf does the apple key do? lol...i couldn't get it to do anything i feel retarded...
does the touchpad have a scroll function...like...on many laptops there is a designated area (horz & vert) for scrolling...i tried but had no luck...
what kind of GUI mods are widely availiable? I don't know if i can ever get used to all the handy buttons (close, maximise, etc) being on the left
what kind of battery life are you getting?
assuming you are using bootcamp dualbooting with xp...can OSX read NTFS paritions? I don't believe XP can read whatever the Mac standard is...but i am sure there is an emulator for OSX/XP that would allow one to rear those partitions and access files...

thanks!

 

[Vortec4800]

Originally posted by: Journer
so....i swung on by the local compusa to take a look at the macbook (no apple stores here ) to see what i am thinking about getting into...the main thing i was worried about was the keyboard...well...i had not problems at all...aside from the word procc. i was using (mac notepad? word wasnt installed ) it was perfect. I reinacted being in the classroom typing notes with bullters, bold, etc. and didn't seem to have any problems, and i have never used a mac before (for more than like...20mins) If you're a good typer, don't be scared of the keyboard...it is a little different (especially for windows users, no ctrl-bckspc for quicker work deletion...maybe that can be changed ) If you not a good typer, then you might be in for a bit of trouble. Fact of the matter is, it is a 'standard' qwerty layout...and as far as typing notes and long letters, i think it is fine....just takes some getting used to for the function/alt keys. As far as heat...i didn't notice anything out of the ordinary...cooler than my current turion compaq... The macbook pro though...like a friggin oven on your wrists...the keyboard on that lappy is the more standardized one with contoured keys and nubs on j and f...but i had a HARD time using it...i don't know why...but i prefered the macbook keyboard way way more than the mbp. Anywho, just my 2cents.

Some questions for you current owners...

wtf does the apple key do? lol...i couldn't get it to do anything i feel retarded...
does the touchpad have a scroll function...like...on many laptops there is a designated area (horz & vert) for scrolling...i tried but had no luck...
what kind of GUI mods are widely availiable? I don't know if i can ever get used to all the handy buttons (close, maximise, etc) being on the left
what kind of battery life are you getting?
assuming you are using bootcamp dualbooting with xp...can OSX read NTFS paritions? I don't believe XP can read whatever the Mac standard is...but i am sure there is an emulator for OSX/XP that would allow one to rear those partitions and access files...

thanks!

1. The apple key is the "command" key and does different things. Apple+W closes a window, Apple+Q quits a program, Apple+M minimizes a program, Apple+H hides a program, etc. You'll see the shortcuts in the context menus.

2. The touchpad scrolls by dragging up and down anywhere on the touchpad with two fingers. This is better IMO than only being able to do it on the very edges on the touchpad.

3. You get used to the GUI very quickly. I don't even use it anymore, I pretty much do all those things using keyboard commands.

4. Can't comment on battery life, because I don't have a Macbook. I think around 3 hours is what's normal for these so far.

5. OS X can read NTFS but not write to it. When you install you'll need to format using FAT32, then you can read and write to that partition. Much more useful.

6. As for the heat issue, my MacBook Pro gets warm on the bottom when it's in my lap but I've never had a problem where my wrists sit. Has always been completly cool. Maybe it's just the way they had it in their display or something?

 

[0roo0roo]

http://arstechnica.com/reviews/hardware/macbook.ars
it pwns

 

[Journer]

one thing i haven't been able to find...does macbook have an integrated mic?

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: Journer
one thing i haven't been able to find...does macbook have an integrated mic?

Yes, comes with the built-in iSight camera

 

[Journer]

Originally posted by: Kaido

Originally posted by: Journer
one thing i haven't been able to find...does macbook have an integrated mic?

Yes, comes with the built-in iSight camera

word...will be nice when using GPS ....anyone know of some good GPS products for mac...also...are there windows drivers for the camera and mic?

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: Journer

Originally posted by: Kaido

Originally posted by: Journer
one thing i haven't been able to find...does macbook have an integrated mic?

Yes, comes with the built-in iSight camera

word...will be nice when using GPS ....anyone know of some good GPS products for mac...also...are there windows drivers for the camera and mic?

iSight definately no, not sure on the mic. I don't know anything about GPS for Mac, sorry! PDAs are another matter

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: Journer

Originally posted by: Kaido

Originally posted by: Journer
one thing i haven't been able to find...does macbook have an integrated mic?

Yes, comes with the built-in iSight camera

word...will be nice when using GPS ....anyone know of some good GPS products for mac...also...are there windows drivers for the camera and mic?

There is basically no support for OSX from the GPS industry. That's why dual booting is so nice. I have OSX for everything except GPS right now. I tested the MS Street and Trips GPS and it works great in WinXP on a Macbook.

 

[Acanthus]

My dell:
15" 1680x1050 display (better)
1.66ghz core duo (slower)
512MB single SODIMM (better)
60GB 7200RPM HD (better)
802.11G (same)
Gigabit ethernet (same)
9 cell battery (unknown dell was a free upgrade)
CDRW/DVD combo (same)

6lbs
great battery life
more usb ports
expresscard port for future upgrades

For $330 less.

 

[0roo0roo]

Originally posted by: mercanucaribe

Originally posted by: Kaido

Originally posted by: Tu13erhead
Are any of you MacBook owners having heat issues? Or any other issues? Some people have reported their MacBooks locking up due to overheating...

I'm going to put Arctic Silver 5 on mine when I get it. Check out this pic from the Apple Service Manual on how to apply thermal grease:

http://forums.macnn.com/showthread.php?t=295925

Ugh! Also, 7200rpm drives not only fit but work great in the MacBooks. No heat problems with them reported.

WTF!! Why would they put that much thermal paste on?

slightly exagerated pic i guess. the manual maker dude was a moron..and no ones checking his work lol

i think they probably all use too much in general right? better too much than too little..that or use a thermal pad i bet.

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: Acanthus
My dell:
15" 1680x1050 display (better)
1.66ghz core duo (slower)
512MB single SODIMM (better)
60GB 7200RPM HD (better)
802.11G (same)
Gigabit ethernet (same)
9 cell battery (unknown dell was a free upgrade)
CDRW/DVD combo (same)

6lbs
great battery life
more usb ports
expresscard port for future upgrades

For $330 less.

If you honestly think Dell's are on the same level then it's probably better that you have it. I cannot deny that Dell's are great if you want a cheap machine, I cannot really say anything more than that, though.

 

[Vortec4800]

Originally posted by: Acanthus
My dell:
15" 1680x1050 display (better)
1.66ghz core duo (slower)
512MB single SODIMM (better)
60GB 7200RPM HD (better)
802.11G (same)
Gigabit ethernet (same)
9 cell battery (unknown dell was a free upgrade)
CDRW/DVD combo (same)

6lbs
great battery life
more usb ports
expresscard port for future upgrades

For $330 less.

That's a pretty nice laptop. How fast does it run OS X? I'll bet it's nice to have the maker of the operating system control every aspect of the hardware running their software. I also love calling Pakistan whenever I need technicial support or customer service! Go Dell!

Aw, shucks.

 

[Acanthus]

Originally posted by: Vortec4800

Originally posted by: Acanthus
My dell:
15" 1680x1050 display (better)
1.66ghz core duo (slower)
512MB single SODIMM (better)
60GB 7200RPM HD (better)
802.11G (same)
Gigabit ethernet (same)
9 cell battery (unknown dell was a free upgrade)
CDRW/DVD combo (same)

6lbs
great battery life
more usb ports
expresscard port for future upgrades

For $330 less.

That's a pretty nice laptop. How fast does it run OS X? I'll bet it's nice to have the maker of the operating system control every aspect of the hardware running their software. I also love calling Pakistan whenever I need technicial support or customer service! Go Dell!

Aw, shucks.

1. It can run linux, i have no desire to run linux either.
2. OSX isn't good.
3. I dont need customer support. I know wtf im doing.

 

[Vortec4800]

Originally posted by: Acanthus

Originally posted by: Vortec4800

Originally posted by: Acanthus
My dell:
15" 1680x1050 display (better)
1.66ghz core duo (slower)
512MB single SODIMM (better)
60GB 7200RPM HD (better)
802.11G (same)
Gigabit ethernet (same)
9 cell battery (unknown dell was a free upgrade)
CDRW/DVD combo (same)

6lbs
great battery life
more usb ports
expresscard port for future upgrades

For $330 less.

That's a pretty nice laptop. How fast does it run OS X? I'll bet it's nice to have the maker of the operating system control every aspect of the hardware running their software. I also love calling Pakistan whenever I need technicial support or customer service! Go Dell!

Aw, shucks.

1. It can run linux, i have no desire to run linux either.
2. OSX isn't good.
3. I dont need customer support. I know wtf im doing.

1. What did I say about linux?
2. Hahahaha!
3. So you can make brand new Dell motherboards when they go bad?

Just making a point here, comparing a Dell to an Apple laptop and saying the Dell is better because it's a couple hundred dollars cheaper is just dumb. Also, saying OS X isn't good is pretty rediculous. Even if you don't like it, it's still a very good operating system that is rock solid. Just because it can't play every new game that comes out does not make it bad. I've worked on PC's since the days of MS-DOS and Windows 3.11 and have been a hardcore PC user ever since. I'm a Windows technician for my local PC repair shop and know my way around very well. Until only recently I couldn't stand anything Mac, until I tried one. I ended up selling my Athlon X2 system and bought a G5 and have never looked back. I also have a MacBook Pro that has Windows installed on it for those rare occasions that I need it.

You think people are going to read your post and say "he's right my Mac is stupid I should have saved $300 and bought a Dell"? That's about as likely as you reading my post and buying a Mac.

 

[Acanthus]

You are essentially paying $300 more for inferior hardware and a different OS.

I dont understand the argument.

OSX is not worth the increased cost.

 

[Philippine Mango]

Originally posted by: Vortec4800

Originally posted by: Acanthus

Originally posted by: Vortec4800

Originally posted by: Acanthus
My dell:
15" 1680x1050 display (better)
1.66ghz core duo (slower)
512MB single SODIMM (better)
60GB 7200RPM HD (better)
802.11G (same)
Gigabit ethernet (same)
9 cell battery (unknown dell was a free upgrade)
CDRW/DVD combo (same)

6lbs
great battery life
more usb ports
expresscard port for future upgrades

For $330 less.

That's a pretty nice laptop. How fast does it run OS X? I'll bet it's nice to have the maker of the operating system control every aspect of the hardware running their software. I also love calling Pakistan whenever I need technicial support or customer service! Go Dell!

Aw, shucks.

1. It can run linux, i have no desire to run linux either.
2. OSX isn't good.
3. I dont need customer support. I know wtf im doing.

1. What did I say about linux?
2. Hahahaha!
3. So you can make brand new Dell motherboards when they go bad?

Just making a point here, comparing a Dell to an Apple laptop and saying the Dell is better because it's a couple hundred dollars cheaper is just dumb. Also, saying OS X isn't good is pretty rediculous. Even if you don't like it, it's still a very good operating system that is rock solid. Just because it can't play every new game that comes out does not make it bad. I've worked on PC's since the days of MS-DOS and Windows 3.11 and have been a hardcore PC user ever since. I'm a Windows technician for my local PC repair shop and know my way around very well. Until only recently I couldn't stand anything Mac, until I tried one. I ended up selling my Athlon X2 system and bought a G5 and have never looked back. I also have a MacBook Pro that has Windows installed on it for those rare occasions that I need it.

You think people are going to read your post and say "he's right my Mac is stupid I should have saved $300 and bought a Dell"? That's about as likely as you reading my post and buying a Mac.

Funny you say that because I just converted my friend from an iMac with OSX to a rig a built him with windows 2000, he is much happier with the PC. One reason he hated the mac was because it was very SLOW and unreliable...

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: Philippine Mango

Originally posted by: Vortec4800

Originally posted by: Acanthus

Originally posted by: Vortec4800

Originally posted by: Acanthus
My dell:
15" 1680x1050 display (better)
1.66ghz core duo (slower)
512MB single SODIMM (better)
60GB 7200RPM HD (better)
802.11G (same)
Gigabit ethernet (same)
9 cell battery (unknown dell was a free upgrade)
CDRW/DVD combo (same)

6lbs
great battery life
more usb ports
expresscard port for future upgrades

For $330 less.

That's a pretty nice laptop. How fast does it run OS X? I'll bet it's nice to have the maker of the operating system control every aspect of the hardware running their software. I also love calling Pakistan whenever I need technicial support or customer service! Go Dell!

Aw, shucks.

1. It can run linux, i have no desire to run linux either.
2. OSX isn't good.
3. I dont need customer support. I know wtf im doing.

1. What did I say about linux?
2. Hahahaha!
3. So you can make brand new Dell motherboards when they go bad?

Just making a point here, comparing a Dell to an Apple laptop and saying the Dell is better because it's a couple hundred dollars cheaper is just dumb. Also, saying OS X isn't good is pretty rediculous. Even if you don't like it, it's still a very good operating system that is rock solid. Just because it can't play every new game that comes out does not make it bad. I've worked on PC's since the days of MS-DOS and Windows 3.11 and have been a hardcore PC user ever since. I'm a Windows technician for my local PC repair shop and know my way around very well. Until only recently I couldn't stand anything Mac, until I tried one. I ended up selling my Athlon X2 system and bought a G5 and have never looked back. I also have a MacBook Pro that has Windows installed on it for those rare occasions that I need it.

You think people are going to read your post and say "he's right my Mac is stupid I should have saved $300 and bought a Dell"? That's about as likely as you reading my post and buying a Mac.

Funny you say that because I just converted my friend from an iMac with OSX to a rig a built him with windows 2000, he is much happier with the PC. One reason he hated the mac was because it was very SLOW and unreliable...

Wow, your friend must be extremely dim-witted if he managed to make OSX unreliable. I'm guessing that it's probably true if he is your friend, though.

 

[bigrash]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82

Originally posted by: Philippine Mango

Originally posted by: Vortec4800

Originally posted by: Acanthus

Originally posted by: Vortec4800

Originally posted by: Acanthus
My dell:
15" 1680x1050 display (better)
1.66ghz core duo (slower)
512MB single SODIMM (better)
60GB 7200RPM HD (better)
802.11G (same)
Gigabit ethernet (same)
9 cell battery (unknown dell was a free upgrade)
CDRW/DVD combo (same)

6lbs
great battery life
more usb ports
expresscard port for future upgrades

For $330 less.

That's a pretty nice laptop. How fast does it run OS X? I'll bet it's nice to have the maker of the operating system control every aspect of the hardware running their software. I also love calling Pakistan whenever I need technicial support or customer service! Go Dell!

Aw, shucks.

1. It can run linux, i have no desire to run linux either.
2. OSX isn't good.
3. I dont need customer support. I know wtf im doing.

1. What did I say about linux?
2. Hahahaha!
3. So you can make brand new Dell motherboards when they go bad?

Just making a point here, comparing a Dell to an Apple laptop and saying the Dell is better because it's a couple hundred dollars cheaper is just dumb. Also, saying OS X isn't good is pretty rediculous. Even if you don't like it, it's still a very good operating system that is rock solid. Just because it can't play every new game that comes out does not make it bad. I've worked on PC's since the days of MS-DOS and Windows 3.11 and have been a hardcore PC user ever since. I'm a Windows technician for my local PC repair shop and know my way around very well. Until only recently I couldn't stand anything Mac, until I tried one. I ended up selling my Athlon X2 system and bought a G5 and have never looked back. I also have a MacBook Pro that has Windows installed on it for those rare occasions that I need it.

You think people are going to read your post and say "he's right my Mac is stupid I should have saved $300 and bought a Dell"? That's about as likely as you reading my post and buying a Mac.

Funny you say that because I just converted my friend from an iMac with OSX to a rig a built him with windows 2000, he is much happier with the PC. One reason he hated the mac was because it was very SLOW and unreliable...

Wow, your friend must be extremely dim-witted if he managed to make OSX unreliable. I'm guessing that it's probably true if he is your friend, though.

haha. pwnd.

 

[PlatinumGold]

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo

Originally posted by: mercanucaribe

Originally posted by: Kaido

Originally posted by: Tu13erhead
Are any of you MacBook owners having heat issues? Or any other issues? Some people have reported their MacBooks locking up due to overheating...

I'm going to put Arctic Silver 5 on mine when I get it. Check out this pic from the Apple Service Manual on how to apply thermal grease:

http://forums.macnn.com/showthread.php?t=295925

Ugh! Also, 7200rpm drives not only fit but work great in the MacBooks. No heat problems with them reported.

WTF!! Why would they put that much thermal paste on?

slightly exagerated pic i guess. the manual maker dude was a moron..and no ones checking his work lol

i think they probably all use too much in general right? better too much than too little..that or use a thermal pad i bet.

actually not. if you put too much it will insulate.

it is better to have slightly less. the whole purpose of thermal paste is to fill in the void where metal does not make contact. ideally, solid metal to metal contact gives best conduction. thermal paste is to be a filler. too much is not better than too little.