MacBook (original)

The MacBook is a brand of Macintosh notebook computers by Apple Inc. Introduced in May 2006, it replaced the iBook G4 and 12 in PowerBook series of notebooks as a part of the Apple Intel transition. Part of the MacBook family, the MacBook is aimed at the education and consumer markets. It is the best-selling Macintosh in history, and according to the sales-research organization NPD Group in October 2008, the midrange model of the MacBook has been the single best-selling laptop of any brand in U.S. retail stores for the past five months.[1] There have been two designs of the MacBook: the first uses a polycarbonate casing that was modeled after the iBook G4, while the second uses a unibody aluminum casing. When the aluminum MacBook was announced, the original white MacBook was given an optical drive update and a lower price. The aluminum MacBook was released in October 2008.

Polycarbonate MacBook
The original MacBook was released on May 16, 2006, and used the Intel Core Duo processor and 945GM chipset, with Intel's GMA950 integrated graphics on a 667 MHz front side bus. Later revisions of the MacBook moved to the Core 2 Duo processor and the GM965 chipset, with Intel's X3100 integrated graphics on an 800 MHz system bus. In January 2009 an updated MacBook White was introduced which moves up to a 1066 MHz system bus and makes use of NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics. While thinner than the iBook G4 that it replaced, the MacBook was wider than the 12 inch model due to its widescreen display. In addition, the MacBook adopted Apple's newer MagSafe power connector and replaced the iBook's mini-VGA display port with a mini-DVI display port. The iBook's discrete graphics chip was replaced with an integrated Intel GMA solution. Apple lowered the price of the original MacBook when the aluminum MacBook was announced.

Industrial design
While the MacBook largely followed the industrial design standard set by the PowerBook G4, the MacBook was Apple's first notebook to use features now standard in its notebooks: the glossy display, the sunken keyboard design, and the non-mechanical magnetic latch. With the late 2007 revision, the keyboard received several changes to closely mirror the one that shipped with the iMac: adding the same player-function hot-keys and removing the embedded virtual numeric keypad and the Apple logo from the command keys.

Also offered in a more expensive black model until the introduction of the later aluminum MacBook, the polycarbonate MacBook was the only Macintosh notebook to be offered in more than one color since the iBook G3 (Clamshell).

User serviceability
The polycarbonate Intel MacBook is easier for users to fix or upgrade than its predecessor. Where the iBook required substantial disassembly to access most internal components, users need only remove the polycarbonate MacBook's outer shell to access almost any interior component. Replacing the hard drive and memory requires merely the removal of the battery, and Apple provides do-it-yourself manuals for these tasks.

Quality problems
Some early polycarbonate MacBook models suffered from:
 * random shutdowns: which were resolved through software and firmware updates; and
 * discolored palmrests: where Apple asked affected owners to contact AppleCare.

There have also been ongoing problems with robustness of the plastic case. leading to a cracked palmrest and display bezel, requiring replacement.

Model specifications
''Notes:

1 Enabling Wireless-N functionality may require an 802.11n-capable AirPort Extreme Base Station, which includes wireless-N enabler software to be installed on older MacBooks. Alternatively, the enabler software may be purchased from Apple separately.

2 Hard drives noted are options available from Apple. As the hard drive is a user-replaceable part, there are custom configurations available, including use of 7200-rpm drives.

3 Given optical drive speed is its maximum.

4 Commencing with the Early 2008 revision, the Apple Remote became an optional add-on.

Aluminum MacBook
Apple announced the aluminum MacBook and its new Nvidia chipset on October 14, 2008, at a Cupertino press conference called "The Spotlight Turns To Notebooks". The chipset brought a 1066MHz system bus, use of DDR3 system memory, and integrated NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics that is up to five times faster than the graphics offered on the white MacBook. Other changes include an LED backlit display, a new Mini DisplayPort (replacing the polycarbonate MacBook's mini-DVI port), a multi-touch glass trackpad which also acts as the mouse button, removal of toxins such as mercury, and the removal of the FireWire 400 port (this MacBook does not support Target Disk Mode, used for data transfers or operating system repairs without booting the system).

Industrial design
The aluminum MacBook resembles the MacBook Pro, but with smaller dimensions. It is thinner than earlier MacBooks and has a unibody aluminum case with tapered edges. The keyboard of the high-end model is backlit, like that of the MacBook Pro and MacBook Air.

Reviews
Although Gizmodo concludes that the aluminium Macbook is "our favorite MacBook to date," they do claim that the aluminum MacBook's display is inferior to those found on the MacBook Pro and MacBook Air, alleging a smaller viewing angle, washed-out colors, and dimmer backlighting. Similarly AppleInsider and Engadget conclude that the aluminium Macbook "may well be Apple's best MacBook to date" and "these are terrific choices -- not only from an industrial design standpoint, but in specs as well" respectively, while also drawing attention to a lower quality display as compared with the Macbook Pro and Macbook Air. Peter Cohen wrote an article discussing the loss of the FireWire port for Macworld, said "The absence of FireWire ports is certainly an inconvenience for some users. But it shouldn’t be considered a deal-breaker for most of us, anyway." .

Model specifications
Notes:

1 Hard drives noted are options available from Apple. As the hard drive is a user-replaceable part, there are custom configurations available, including use of 7200-rpm drives and SSDs.

2 Given optical drive speed is its maximum.