The Macbook Tablet
So, a Macbook Tablet does exist! Well, if you don’t mind paying some extra dough for a modded Macbook, that is.
The modded Macbook Tablet PC costs $2,279, with no word on the exact features/specifications (although the Macbook Tablet probably has features similar to a Macbook, but with an added touchscreen for the cool factor).
Ultraportable Macbooks Rumour
Rumours are that the newest Macbooks will be thinner, more portable, and hotter than before. The new specifications, according to Mac OS Rumours, for the new versions of the macbooks are as follows:
- 12-inch widescreen display(1280×800 resolution)
- 2.16 or 2.33GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processors
- 1GB of DDR2-667 memory standard. Max. capacity 3GB
- Firewire 400&800, Gigabit Ethernet, Digital/Analog Audio minijack I/O ports
- ExpressCard expansion slot (believed to be /34 type)
- 2.5in SATA HDDs at 120GB & up, ‘Combo’ or ‘Super’ optical drive
- 256MB of ATi Radeon Mobility X1600 or nVIDIA GeForce GO 7600
- Mini-DVI display connector with full second display capabilities
- Built-in iSight, stereo microphone, Airport Extreme and Bluetooth 2.0+EDR
- Battery life is expected to be “best in class” at about 8 hours is possible
Macbook Battery Problem
Recently, my four month old Macbook has been experiencing battery problems. Basically, whenever my Macbook is not plugged into a power source via the AC/DC connector, my Macbook would not turn on, or if it was already on, it would crash. After trying all the online solutions, including resetting the PRAM and the Power manager, I phoned Applecare.
Time Spent on Phone: 31 minutes.
After being forced to listen to obscure music for about 15 minutes, I was helped by a very nice man named Robert. I explained to him the problem, and how I had already tried everything online. Regardless, he still had me reset the PRAM. When that didn’t work, he authorized a shipment of a brand new battery. I’m pretty happy with Applecare; even though the phone wait was longer than I desired, it was still fairly short for a help-line.
End Result: Awesome New Battery.
Cook Breakfast with Apple’s Macbooks
In an attempt to prove the old age saying, “It’s hot enough to fry an egg on it!”, true, one Macbook owner did just that– he fried an egg on the back of his Macbook.
While the egg in question did take considerably longer to fry than it would on a proper frying pan, the fact remains that this Macbook owner actually suceeded in frying an egg using the extraordinary heat generated by his Macbook. He even states that the his Macbook’s processor can create up to 153 degrees (Farenheit) of heat. However, according to this one, unscientific study, Macbooks are not significantly more hot than other notebooks, such as Dell.
While I was browsing the web, I saw this picture, of a Macbook Pro that an owner claims he can cook bacon on . Apple should really take advantage of this marketing scheme– afterall, who wouldn’t want a sweet core duo notebook, with optional cooking options?
10 Reasons to Get a Macbook
10. Widgets! Widgets are helpful little programs that tell you the time and weather, track your stocks, list the top headlines from a news source (like NYT), show the scores from the World Soccer Cup, play the radio, tell you the battery life and RAM usage of your laptop, and much more. You can even play games like Hangman with them or grow a Chi pet. They pop up when you press F12.
9. They won’t explode. Appe computers are well made– and there are no reports of serious explosions or meltdowns yet!
8. Free iPod deal/ educational discounts. With apple, all teachers and college students get educational discounts (about 10% off the list price). Also, right now there is a promotion (until September 16th) that when you buy a Macbook and an iPod at the same time, you can send in a rebate and get $179 back (thus, a free iPod nano, or $90 Video iPod). Sure, not everyone is a college student, but I’m sure everyone knows a college student, right? *wink*
6. For all you Microsoft Junkies, Macbooks now run Windows through free beta software, Boot Camp (or you can use Parallel Desktops if you don’t mind buying it for $50).
5. Macbooks have OS X software, which is an innovative operating system (if you don’t like OS X, however, see reason #6).
4. There are very little to no viruses for Macs. Even if you contest that there are indeed a few viruses, the fact still remains that Macs have significantly less viruses than other computers.
3. Appecare. Applecare is by far the best warranty for computers. Their customer care is simply superb! They have FAQs online, Message Boards, 24 hour Phone Service, and Apple Stores with Genius Bars, who are always ready to help a confused customer.
2. The Macbook’s design is amazing: its about an inch thick with a 13.3″ widescreen LCD. This is also known as the “cute factor”, which is bound to get you lots of compliments. The Macbook is super ultraportable.
1. The cost. Most Laptop shoppers have a budget, and the Macbook is by far the best deal when you consider quality and cost together. Sure, some other laptops *cough Dell* cost less, but they substitute quality in order to deliver very cheap prices, and in doing so create very cheap laptops. Macbooks are quality built, and yet start at $1099. (This price is even less when you have the educational discount).
**Some Final Notes: There have been some complaints about the Macbooks “running hot”. While it is true they are a bit toasty, it’s nothing too severe. The heat is mainly towards the back of the keyboard, not at the palmrests. [If it really bothers you, buy a laptop cooler for about $20]. Also, about the infamous staining on the White Macbooks: firstly, this only affects a very small percentage of Macbook owners. Secondly, it is now covered under the magnificent Applecare (reason #3).
So there you have it! 10 good reasons to buy a Macbook, if you’re currently looking at buying a new notebook. By the way, CNET gave the Macbook a 7.2/10 (”Very good”), stating “With the MacBook, Apple has corrected a handful of the iBook’s shortcomings, hit a reasonable price point, and delivered a laptop that makes a great compromise between size and portability.”