Question:
Considering to buy a Macbook
As the title says, I'm considering to buy a Macbook. However, the more I read review sites and blogs, the more problems I find. Can someone give me some unbiased answers on the following questions?
1) Does the Macbook get too hot to even use on my lap?
2) There are reports of the Combodrive and Superdrive scratching CDs/DVDs when the Macbook is nudged a little or tilted. Do you know if these are just isolated cases or a general faulty design in the machine? (Macbook owners could help!)
3) This is probably hard to answer, but what kind of life expectancy should I expect from a Macbook? I can't afford the extra warranty coverage and I'm getting the cheapest configuration they're offering.
4) Any problems I should be aware of?
5) How come boot times for the Mac take so much longer compared to PCs?
Thanks a lot!
This is going to be my first laptop and possibly my first Mac if I choose to buy it.
Answer:
Re: Considering to buy a Macbook
One thing you'll find is that people's experiences seem to be pretty different, especially in regards to issues like the heat question (i.e. some people have found them too hot to use, while others have had MacBooks running at fairly cool temps).
In terms of life expectancy, it's a little hard to say with the MacBook since it is newer hardware. I can tell you that I know of plenty of people with older G3 and G4-based iBooks who have been using them for a number of years and that are still holding up quite well. The AppleCare extended warranty is still worth considering (you don't need to buy it right away, you can buy it anytime before the regular 1 year warranty expires). You get an extra 2 years of protection out of it, and it can definitely be worth it (this is a good policy for any laptop really).
Regarding boot times, honestly I haven't noticed that particular issue. Even my old iBook seems to boot up in just about the same amount of time as my Sony Vaio, for example. From what I've seen in the store, the current MB's and MBP's seem to boot up even faster.
Answer:
Re: Considering to buy a Macbook
On my macbook, MacOSX starts quicker than XP.
I can easily use my macbook on my lap as long as its not plugged. If its plugged it gets a bit hot. You can use it with something else between you and your lap.
So far I haven't got any cds scratched.
The extra warranty, well, fortunately I haven`t used any warranty or phone support. But it covers a wide variety of problems. If they think its nescesary, they would replace it with a simmilar notebook (well, just in case there is no more MacBook production). There are cases in wich ppl get replaced their g3 for a g4 and their g4 for a macbook. I would strongly recommend it.
Answer:
Re: Considering to buy a Macbook
About the heat thing: Apple recommends that you don't use the MacBook or MacBook Pro in your lap while operating. My friends have said that their MacBooks don't get uncomfortable unless they've been using it on their lap for 45min. or more.
About the Warranty: I strongly recommend the warranty as well - our family had our first iMac G5 (1.8GHz PPC G5 - the first version) fail on us after about a year of usage - without the warranty, Apple wouldn't have given us a new one. I also like Apple's tech support a lot too - they're actually based in the US.
Answer:
Re: Considering to buy a Macbook
I can use my Macbook in my lap perfectly fine for extended period of time, just not computer to skin (make sure to at least wear long enough shorts)
Your lap will get warm, but its not gonna be something thats really uncomfortable. (considering your macbook is under normal load, haven't tested it under full load)
Answer:
Re: Considering to buy a Macbook
1) Does the Macbook get too hot to even use on my lap?
Under heavy load, probably. Some people are affected by it more than others.
About the heat thing: Apple recommends that you don't use the MacBook or MacBook Pro in your lap while operating.
A laptop that you shouldn't use on your lap. SOUNDS GREAT! :confused:
Answer:
Re: Considering to buy a Macbook
A laptop that you shouldn't use on your lap. SOUNDS GREAT! :confused:
I know...You'd think they would try to fix an obvious problem rather than try to rewrite rules. It's all a trade off, though. It could be noisy and cold? Which is better?
Answer:
Re: Considering to buy a Macbook
All of the questions seem to have been answered well. I have not heard or experienced any scratched CD's (I have an MBP, but similar loading drive) and the heat is something you will have to kind of decide for yourself. Some people are a little freaked out by a passive cooling system.
As for OS X booting slower, I have yet to experience that. It takes something like 32 seconds to go from cold to able to use it. My desktop PC takes about 30 seconds to get to the desktop, but then I gotta wait another 15-20 before it is actually usable. With OS X, as soon as the desktop appears it usable.
Answer:
Re: Considering to buy a Macbook
A laptop that you shouldn't use on your lap. SOUNDS GREAT! :confused:
i haven't used a notebook on my lap since that article came out about it killing sperm.
maybe its just me, but i've been thru 7 or 8 laptops and i've never had one that i could say didn't get too hot for me. i'd also have to say that despite the crappy trackpad button on my macbook, its my favorite laptop so far. it was pretty frustrating during the first week of adjusting to osx from windows but now i wouldn't want to be without it.
osx also loads much quicker than any of my computers with windows.