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Apple MacBook 13-inch 1.83GHz

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Anthony Fiti
Kurtis
N/A
Aug. 1, 2006

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Introduction

About ten weeks ago, Apple finally announced an affordable Intel-based notebook, the MacBook 13-inch. There was a lot of buzz leading up to this product launch. In fact, many prognosticated (incorrectly) that it would be released many times before it truly launched; first in January when Apple released their Intel-based iMac and MacBook Pro. Then in February when Apple released their Mac Mini and their iPod HiFi boombox, there was speculation that the MacBook was also scheduled to be released. Every few weeks rumors would surface that pointed to a May launch. Finally, without a major event (which is atypical for Apple), the MacBooks showed up on their website for purchase on Tuesday morning May 16, 2006. At last!

The Apple MacBook 13-inch comes in three varieties. The first (and the one I purchased) is a white MacBook, running an Intel Core Duo Processor at 1.83Ghz, and it comes with a 60GB hard drive and a Combo Drive (DVD-ROM, CD-RW), with a base price of $1099. The next model up is also a white MacBook, running an Intel Core Duo Processor at 2.0GHz, featuring a 60GB hard drive and a SuperDrive (DVD±RW, CD-RW), priced at $1299. Finally, the black MacBook also has a 2.0GHz Intel Core Duo Processor and a SuperDrive, but it has an 80GB hard drive, and it is priced at $1499. You'll notice that the black MacBook is priced $200 more than the white MacBook with basically identical specs. All you get is an extra 20GB of hard drive space and a pretty black color for the extra $200; essentially Apple is selling the black model at a price premium. This is a change from their iPod line, where the black and white models sell for the same price.

Since this is my first Mac, I will not be simply reviewing the MacBook 13-inch as a product, but rather I will also evaluate the whole process of buying an Apple MacBook from the very beginning as well as discuss what using a Mac is like, including my experience with tech support.

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Page 1: Introduction
Page 2: Ordering the MacBook
Page 3: First Looks
Page 4: Taking a Closer Look
Page 5: Setup & Packaged Software
Page 6: Testing - Hardware
Page 7: Testing - Software
Page 8: Testing - Interfacing with and Running Windows
Page 9: Testing - Temperature
Page 10: Testing - Performance
Page 11: Testing - Battery Life & MagSafe Adapter
Page 12: Tech Support Experience #1
Page 13: Tech Support Experience #2
Page 14: Conclusion

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