is macbook all around the best notebook?

Answer 1

It is in one way. You can partition the drive and install XP along with OS X now that they're Intel. Otherwise, it's pretty average. OS X is a much better system than Windows, but Apple hardware isn't that great.

Answer 2

In terms of its price and its performance, it's probably on par with the MacBook Pro, if not better. But Macs in general are the best overall on the market right now.

There are a few less features on the MacBook than there are on the MacBook Pro, but they have about the same benchmarks as the MacBook Pro. So at least $700 cheaper, but the same performance.

Answer 3

Apple's new MacBook 2.0 GHz, 13", is even sleeker and faster than the previous iBook. When compared with my previous 1.2 GHz, 12" iBook, the speed increase is quite noticeable for the suite of Apple software included in the system (Tiger 10.4.6). Startup and overall performance is definitely snappier, much closer to that of my desktop G5 PPC. The other obvious improvements over its predecessor, the iBook are:
• Noticeably brighter screen, even when not nearly maximum brightness
• More screen real estate, wide screen aspect ratio
• Thinner
• New Intel Duo Core processor at 2.0 GHz
• Full-sized keyboard with redesigned, recessed keys, more positive action
• iSight camera integral
• Improved native trackpad functionality
• Mag Safe power connector
• USB 2.0 connectivity
• Onboard Bluetooth 2.0 Connectivity
Of course, it has a bigger drive (60 Gig versus the 30 on my iBook; and I opted for the Superdrive versus the CD-RW) but the items mentioned above, for the buck, really make the MacBook a better all-around bargain when compared with the simple upgrades to be expected when going from a base machine to the mid-level.
But for me, the brighter, bigger screen, snappier keyboard and overall response and trackpad I can actually configure without buying 3rd party software are the biggest highlights. The usability with tap-clickable and two-finger scrolling are fantastic. Oh, sure, I was skeptical about the glossy screen, having been a matte, non-glare partisan since way back, but I have not had any reflection issues to speak of, in its primary use at home, even with a potential picture window to throw me into reflection Hades. It is truly a gorgeous looking display.
I even put a copy of Adobe 7.0 (for Power PC) onto the machine and it runs well under Rosetta under the non-demanding use I have put it through. Not a hitch so far. iTunes and iPhoto are faster with improved features; transferring photos from my old Nikon 885 zipped through without issue, only speedier.
Even the now-integral iSight camera has me ogling my own reflection with the included Photo Booth, and anticipating finally trying out iChat with a .Mac account! This is such a nice little machine, my only gripe is that, as mentioned in reviews I read before I bought, the edge that runs below the trackpad, where the wrists tend to rest, is rather on the sharp side where the iBook was a nice rounded edge. If you use the MacBook at an angle where your wrists just above parallel to the keyboard, you don't notice it. But if, like me, you tend to slouch with the thing on your lap, with your wrists dangling a big off the lower edge, then you will notice that you wished it was rounded. Sort of a strange oversite given the rest of the usual beautiful industrial design of this lush little laptop. I thought it might bug me more in the beginning, but the more I use it, the less it bothers. Just me, perhaps.
The big hoop-la over the supposedly over-hot battery is a non-issue, as it feels no hotter to me than its predecessor, the iBook. I use it all the time on bare legs and you just have to be mindful is all, like before, especially if you are sensitive to this sort of thing.
I don't play the "big" processor-intensive games, or use big pro level audio or video, so the potential bottleneck of the integrated versus separate graphic card on the MacBook doesn't really effect me. Some DII, Lord of Destruction and a little Neverwinter Nights is all I generally play--or their ilk. Loaded up the DII (non-native, Rosetta, btw), and it's played fine so far through lvl 10 (though a mouse is a must on any game worth the time). :-) If you have needs that run toward those higher end graphic requirements though, I'd consider the Pro version, instead. My review and observations are with the stock 512M of memory, so I expect I'll get a little boost when I get to maxing out the RAM at the 2 Gigs it'll take, but cannot comment on that performance variable as of yet. The bluetooth works effortlessly with my Motorola PEBL and I was able to create my very own ringtones and send them to the phone. The usual smooth Mac experience so far. I transferred my entire iBook settings/docs/everything using the firewire Target Disk mode (even with Power PC to Intel difference, take note) and it was effortless and perfect, saving me the hassles of having to manually transfer over all my email and other documents by hand.
I never knew I "needed" a laptop before I was seduced originally by an iBook. The new MacBook's siren call pulled me in once again. My poor desktop G5 sits forlorned, pinned to its power cord in my office while I whisk my little MacBook off to wherever it is more fun or convenient to be, utilizing the still-powerful Airport to keep me online and networked wherever there is WiFi access, at home or elsewhere. A lovely but powerful and affordable little computing luxury, to be sure. A joy even with plain old text.

Answer 4

The best notebooks are from Sony, HP, and Gateway. Macs aren't as good as Windows, so if thats what you want, you got it.

Answer 5

no. It is second only to macbook pro.

Answer 6

it depend on what you are doing with your laptop, it may not be, I have one, and I love it.

Answer 7

i dont think so but it depends on what u plan on doing with it ...

Answer 8

Yes it is for sure.