First impressions

The new MacBook is quite something. A brilliantly engineered piece of aluminium has replaced the polycarbonate shell to produce a laptop that looks stunning.

The aluminium housing also makes handling the new MacBook a pleasure. The MacBook has a high quality feel to it that marks it out as an industry leading computer.

The MacBook’s interior doesn’t disappoint, either. The edge-to-edge glass screen, the raised keyboard, and the multi-touch trackpad look impressive.

This praise may seem excessive, but there’s justification for it. With Apple, people expect a redesigned computer to be out of the ordinary. The MacBook is more than that, however. Apple has used its experience with design and manufacturing to create a laptop that could sell on its looks alone.

Technology

Of course, even the most star-struck laptop buyer eventually wants to know what lies beneath the stylish casing.

To begin with, the new aluminium MacBook has a choice of 2.0GHz or 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processors. These are notable not just for their all-round power but for their increased energy efficiency.

The memory for both processors is 2GB supplied by two 1GB SO-DIMMS of 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM. The use of DDR3 technology is significant: the MacBook user now has an increased bandwidth that gives better quality photo and video editing.

While on the topic of photos and video, it’s worth noting that storage for these, plus documents and applications, has increased to 160GB as standard for the 2.0GHz MacBook, and 250GB for the 2.4GHz model.

Another jump forward is one that will interest gaming fans. Apple has introduced the NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics processor into the MacBook. This processor, with its 256MB of DDR3 SDRAM, is up to five times faster than the previous MacBook equivalent. It also produces excellent 3D imagery that puts to rest any concerns gamers may have had about MacBooks in the past.

Hardware

There are three things that stand out among the host of hardware features of the new aluminium MacBook.

The first is the 13.3-inch widescreen. Not only is this screen thin: its aluminium back and glass front make it remarkably robust. This is clearly a screen that Apple has built to last.

The second feature appears only on the 2.4GHz MacBook. This is the illuminated keyboard. In certain lighting conditions, this illumination is a real bonus – and it looks good as well.

The final piece of hardware that demands attention is the Multi-Touch trackpad. For someone new to this technology, the trackpad may seem daunting at first, but it’s surprisingly easy and precise to use.

With certain applications, a user can pinch in and out to control the zoom function; rotate fingers to turn images and documents; and scroll up, down, and sideways.

Three finger swiping allows a user to move swiftly through pages of text or through a library of images. Four finger swiping to one side or the other opens the Application Switcher feature, giving the chance to move through open applications. Swiping four fingers up or down prompts Exposé to open Desktop, or displays your open windows.

Through System Preferences, a user can also activate different click features on the trackpad. A two finger tap can act as a normal right click on a mouse, for instance; or a user can ‘click’ with one finger in the trackpad’s right or left bottom corners.

These three features aside – the screen, keyboard, and trackpad – the MacBook user has an iSight camera, wireless and Bluetooth connectivity, a slot-loading SuperDrive for CDs and DVDs, and a range of ports.

Among the latter is a mini DisplayPort. For any user who wants to link an external screen to the aluminium MacBook, this is ideal. The results on a screen such as the 24-inch Apple LED Cinema Display are first class.

The only item missing from alongside the ports is an ExpressCard slot. This is standard on the MacBook Pro but should perhaps appear on the MacBook. After all, a lot of MacBook users will have digital cameras and SD cards.

Options

Options for the 2.0GHz MacBook include a 250GB or 320GB 5400 rpm hard disc drive. There’s also an energy saving 128GB solid state drive.

For the 2.4GHz model, it’s possible to upgrade to a 320GB 5400 rpm drive, or the 128GB solid state drive.

Upgrading has also become easier with the aluminium MacBook. Removing the cover from underneath reveals not just the battery but also the hard drive disc.

Environment

With the new aluminium MacBook, Apple has enhanced its environmental standing still further. The glass and aluminium are recyclable; the screen is mercury-free; and the internal components and cables are free of BFR and PVC respectively.

It should be some time, though, before any new owner begins to think about recycling.

Conclusion

Pros

• Faultless design
• Sturdiness combined with quality
• Greatly improved graphics performance
• Multi-touch technology that leads the way

Cons

• It’s a small point, but an ExpressCard slot would be useful
• The illuminated keyboard doesn’t appear on the 2.0GHz

Also available with a student discount / as a refurbished product...