MacBook

The MacBook was a notebook from Apple. It was presented on 16 May 2006 and was the successor of the two PowerPC-based iBooks and 12 " PowerBooks. The MacBook was equipped with an Intel Core Duo and later an Intel Core 2 Duo processor and had a 13 -inch display. On July 20, 2011, the sale of the MacBook has been largely discontinued (not valid for the MacBook Pro), until February 2012, it was still available for educational institutions. The MacBook was gradually replaced by the MacBook Air.

  • 6.1 Innovations November 2007
  • 6.2 What's New in February 2008
  • 6.3 What's New in October 2008
  • 6.4 What's New in May 2009
  • 6.5 What's New in October 2009
  • 6.6 What's New in April 2010
  • 6.7 setting in July 2011

Specifications

The standard version of the MacBook was last:

  • 2.4 GHz CPU with 2 GB of RAM (2 x 1 GB) in white with SuperDrive 250 GB hard disk

MacBooks the first revision included an Intel Core Duo, those of the second and third revision ( since 8 November 2006 and 15 May 2007) a Core 2 Duo processor. In the fourth revision from 1 November 2007 CPUs have been built with up to 2.2 GHz and the graphics chip Intel GMA X3100 with 144 MB of shared memory. The last change to the equipment ( revision 5 ) on 26 February 2008. The clock rates have been increased and improved the facilities of RAM and disk space.

All MacBooks had the built-in iSight camera, a power supply with MagSafe Connector, a new magnetic closure system and AirPort Extreme and Bluetooth. The discrete graphics processor ( GPU) in the iBook / PowerBook 12 " was replaced first by the integrated graphics chipset Intel GMA 950 with 64 MB DDR2 SDRAM (shared memory ), and later the much more powerful Intel GMA X 3100 has been installed (144 MB RAM). The MacBook was, various other programs and the operating system Mac OS X Snow Leopard comes with the iLife software, Front Row, Photo Booth. The integrated TFT screen had a diagonal of 13.3 " and was high-gloss, 79 % lighter and had a 30 % greater resolution than the old iBooks.

To use the full power of CPU and GPU, Apple recommends the placement of the RAM slots with pairs of equal modules (2 x 1 GB factory ). Independent tests have shown for the Core 2 Duo models that use unequal RAM chips is hardly associated with significant limitations.

The black version of the MacBook was fitted with a larger hard drive ( in the third revision 160 GB instead of 120 GB). The equipment adjusted purchase price is about 120 € or 200 CHF than that of a technically identical MacBooks in white. Since November 1, 2007 as the largest capacity, a 250 - GB hard drive ( 5400/min ) also could be selected.

Connections

Left side of the case:

  • 2 x USB 2.0 port
  • 1 × 10/100/1000-LAN-Anschluss
  • 1 x FireWire 400 port (not for Unibody models)
  • 1 x Mini -DVI port (model end of 2008: Mini DisplayPort connector )
  • 1 × 3.5 mm audio input and output as a combo with S / PDIF connector
  • 1 x Kensington Lock
  • 1 × MagSafe

Model Overview

Remarks: 1Some of the first MacBooks had problems from sudden shutdown. According to Apple software and firmware updates have eliminated this problem. 2Festplattenkonfigurationen that are possible from Apple or were. Since the hard drive is a replaceable part, here ( eg faster 7200/min-Laufwerke ) are different configurations are possible. 3To the wireless N feature to activate, is an 802.11n -ready ' AirPort Extreme Base Station " is necessary, which contains the necessary software for older MacBooks in delivery. Alternatively, this software can be purchased separately from Apple. 4The specified writing and reading speeds are the respective maximum possible. 5Ab the spring 2008 edition of the Apple Remote became an optional accessory. By the fall of 2008, the base model was also available with Combo Drive SuperDrive instead. 6 The operating system Mac OS X 10.7 ( "Lion" ) is on the 1st generation MacBook no longer run because it requires a 64- bit processor. 7 The operating system OS X 10.8 ( " Lion Mountain " ) is no longer capable of running on the MacBooks of the first five generations.

Quality problems

Some early MacBook models with polycarbonate housing transferred to the so-called " random shutdown syndrome ", which thus expressed itself that the affected models simply ran out independently and without warning. The problem was fixed by replacing the heat sink inside - inside as well as firmware updates. Furthermore, there was a relatively common common problem with MacBook cases that developed hairline cracks even under normal conditions of use and broke. Therefore, Apple initiated a corresponding warranty extension, which extended to the affected devices. Even with the newer polycarbonate unibody version, there are now complaints from users on the Internet, is where hairline cracks reported in the MacBook enclosures. Often these hairline cracks occur in the display hinges. In February 2010, Apple announced a further exchange program for many affected by hard drive failure MacBooks; these defects were caused by, among other things, due to excessive heat generation of the devices.

Design

The MacBook replaced in addition to the 12 " PowerBook primarily the two iBook models, with the exception of the white color and the materials used, the design of the 13" MacBook is largely new. It appears generally simpler, since some elements have been removed from the field of view of the user. For example, the speaker holes were moved to the rear side, and the new magnetic locking mechanism is now hidden in the interior of the housing.

Compared with its predecessors, the MacBook is again become thinner with a height of 2.75 cm and has obtained with the wide-format 13 "screen a new format. The keyboard has been extensively revised and is now completely integrated into the housing.

The forcibly glossy screen makes some negative feedback. On the one hand it offers a higher brightness, brilliant colors and a sharper display, but on the other hand leads in use in the open air or in office environments with flat ceiling lights to unwanted reflections.

Integrated graphics

The integrated GPU Intel GMA X3100 reduces the manufacturing cost of the MacBook. Also the graphics chip consumes less power than most ATI and Nvidia chipsets, so the battery life is higher. Due to the fact it produces less heat, so that the graphics unit fanless.

However, it uses a portion ( up to 144 MB) of RAM of the MacBook (shared memory ). Because of this and because of the general poor performance of the GMA X3100 in comparison with other mobile graphics solutions will result in performance degradation in graphic-intensive applications ( 3D imaging and advanced 3D computer games).

In the graphic output is a mini -DVI port, which provides via various optional adapter VGA output, DVI output and TV-out and S- video output.

Since October 2008, instead of the Intel GMA X3100 with mini -DVI port, a Nvidia Geforce 9400 M fitted with a mini - DisplayPort connector. The graphics chip uses 256 MB of main memory and is, according to Apple offer five times the performance compared to the Intel chip.

As of 21 January 2009, the white MacBook has a Nvidia GeForce 9400M graphics.

In April 2010, the Nvidia GeForce 9400M has been replaced by the more powerful Nvidia GeForce 320M in the new generation.

Extensibility

Unlike previous Apple notebooks, the MacBook was partially easier to extend or adapt to your own needs: on the one hand, the hard drive could be replaced easily, on the other hand, the memory slots were in the newer MacBooks only accessible by unscrewing the bottom cover.

Extensibility via plug-in cards remained the MacBook Pro reserved, this has a ExpressCard/34-Slot. The MacBook was extended by the manufacturer to a maximum of 4 GB of main memory, the version with Intel 965 chipset but theoretically offered the opportunity to be expanded to 8 GB. Memory than 3.3 GB is available, however, only a 64 -bit Firmware and Mac OS X 10.5.

Revision history

Innovations November 2007

  • 40 grams lighter
  • Larger ventilation slots
  • Keyboard without Apple logo instead, with the inscription cmd
  • Revised assignment of the function keys (eg for volume control)
  • The Enter key on the numeric block, also known colloquially shot, was replaced by a second Alt key.
  • Intel GMA X3100 graphics chip (onboard)
  • Max. 4 (previously 3) GB memory expansion possible
  • Faster clock speed of the processors at the top models ( 2.2 GHz instead of 2.16 )

Innovations in February 2008

  • New processors with higher clock speeds ( Core 2 Duo Penryn processors with 2.1 GHz and 2.4 GHz)
  • Apple Remote not included

Innovations October 2008

There are now three versions of the MacBook: the well-known white model made ​​of plastic ( polycarbonate housing) and two variants of aluminum ( as a MacBook, not as a pro ), all three with NVIDIA chipset (white model since January 2009)

  • New processors with 2.0 GHz and 2.4 GHz
  • Precision-cast aluminum housing, machined from a single piece, so-called unibody as the MacBook Pro, the name is reiterating MacBook
  • Black screen and glass front over the entire surface
  • Screen with LED backlight
  • Graphics processor integrated in the chipset: Nvidia GeForce 9400M with 256 MB shared memory (ie, the graphics memory is diverted from the DDR3 SDRAM main memory).
  • New multi-touch glass trackpad. The button at the bottom falls away, the entire trackpad acts as a button now, also new four-finger gestures are evaluated. It is also possible to define a specific area of the trackpad as a second mouse button
  • The RAM works with DDR3 and 1066 MHz front side bus.
  • The keyboard has been moved closer to the MacBook Air and now owns in the 2.4 GHz version also lighting.
  • On the left side of the unit, a digital battery charge indicator, consisting of eight LEDs is (previously at the bottom).
  • The old monitor connection, a mini -DVI port, has now been replaced by the mini-display port, thus is not a TV adapter with S-video and analog video signal longer present.
  • The FireWire 400 port is omitted. Only the white MacBook he stays.
  • Does the iPhone Apple Stereo Headset with microphone.
  • 8x double-layer DVD burner (as in the white entry-level model with polycarbonate housing)
  • Optional 320- GB hard drive with 5400/min- or 128 GB solid- state hard drive
  • Increased environmental friendliness due largely pollution-free components and 42% smaller packaging, however, higher energy costs in the production of aluminum blocks (13-15 kWh / kg raw aluminum )
  • The speaker is on the right side.

Innovations in May 2009

At WWDC, Apple on 9 June 2009, a further updated version of the aluminum MacBooks before. Since then, the unibody MacBook is part of the MacBook Pro line, but it gets a FireWire 800 port again. The only MacBook has since the white of January 2009.

Innovations in October 2009

On October 20, 2009 Apple introduced a completely new version of the white MacBooks. It was a completely new unibody white polycarbonate. Most other specifications are similar to those of the last aluminum unibody MacBooks.

The new specifications in detail:

  • 2.26 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor with 3 MB L2 cache
  • 2GB (two 1GB SO- DIMMs) of 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM
  • 13.3 " display with LED backlight, glossy widescreen display
  • Nvidia GeForce 9400M graphics processor
  • 250 GB Serial ATA hard drive with 5400/Min
  • Integrated battery
  • No Firewire port more
  • White polycarbonate housing
  • Multi-touch glass trackpad
  • No infrared receiver more

Innovations in April 2010

Apple revised the polycarbonate unibody again. details:

  • Processors with higher clock speeds of 2.4 GHz
  • Nvidia GeForce 320M graphics processor
  • Due to reduced power consumption of the Nvidia GeForce 320M graphics processor, the accumulator reaches up to 10 hours

Setting in July 2011

The white MacBook has been the introduction of the new MacBook Air models in July 2011, no longer available for end users. For similar price as before at the entry level MacBook MacBook Air with 11 "display, 1.6 GHz Intel Core i5, 64 GB SSD and 2 GB of memory is available. For educational institutions, however, the device was initially remain available until was finally stopped in February 2012.

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