Since it first replaced the iBook in 2006, the MacBook narrows the performance gap between Apple's consumer and professional laptop lines with each new update. Apple last updated the MacBooks in November 2007, bringing with it an improved hardware architecture, faster system bus, and more robust graphics. The changes in the MacBooks released last week aren't as significant as the November 2007 updates, but the changes still add extra oomph to Apple's consumer laptop.

Apple Inc.'s latest MacBook Pro laptop offers some compelling reasons for a Windows PC user to switch to a Mac. It's fast, elegantly designed, simple and a pleasure to use.

Apple, based in Cupertino, California, updated its MacBook and MacBook Pro series of laptops with faster and more capable components last week. The $2,799 top-of-the-line MacBook Pro I tested uses some of the most powerful pieces of notebook hardware available. I don't even have to give up using Windows, since I can run both Windows and Mac operating systems on the same Apple notebook.

For the full review click here.






MacBook Air: An Ideal Hybrid Bag

The Apple Core's Jason D. O'Grady says:

MacBook Air fans: what kind of bag are you using these days? Some big, honkin' full-size bag with lots of padding? Backpack? Messenger bag? Just a sleeve?

Previously I reported that my favorite sleeve was the Waterfield 13-2 SleeveCase, and it still is my preferred choice for protecting the MBA while inside another bag. Waterfield has stepped up their game with a new case for minimalists that like to carry just a sleeve or thin case but need a little more protection.

Their new HardCase for the MBA (US$229) is my new everyday bag for the MBA. It's the perfect combination of sleeve case and full shoulder bag that fits the MBA snugly while providing almost an inch of padding on all sides.

For the full review visit here:
http://blogs.zdnet.com/Apple/?p=1381






MacBook Air: Lust And Lingering Doubts

News.com's Ina Fried says:

I was in the Mix '08 press room Thursday chatting with Directions on Microsoft analyst Greg DeMichillie, and somehow the subject came around to the MacBook Air.

It turns out we've had the exact same reaction to Apple's waif-like laptop. Every time we see or touch the MacBook Air we decide it's the perfect laptop for us.

Then, with its seductive thinness more distant, we think about its specifications: its slower processor, small hard drive, and lack of connection ports.....

To read more, click here.






The Black MacBook Is a Gem of a Notebook

Low End Mac's Ben Zalutsky says:

As you may have read in my previous column, I have acquired a black 2.2 GHz MacBook....

To start with, the recent release of the MacBook Air has stolen some of the MacBook's thunder. The truth remains, however, that the plain old MacBook is the Apple notebook of choice for many students.

The black MacBook that I am reviewing is the top-of the-line model, selling for $1,499. I got it used; it's about two months old. As I write this, new models with the Penryn processors are replacing the 2.0 GHz and 2.2 GHz models with 2.1 GHz and 2.4 GHz ones.

For the full review visit here:
http://lowendmac.com/ed/zalutsky/08bz/black-macbook-a-gem.html






The Mac vs. PC Debate

Low End Mac's John Hatchett says:

I hesitate to venture into this morass that is the quagmire of this bone of contention between what would normally be two groups of placid computer users.

This controversy between Macs and PCs started when the personal computer industry was young. Early on, most businesses (used to IBM) "standardized" on the Microsoft operating system. Eccentrics and nonconformists seemed to gravitate to Apple.

Apple has been a big player in the educational market, although lately, this has begun to change. What has also changed is the surge in Apple laptop sales. All of a sudden, due in no small part to the success of the iPod, an Apple laptop is seen as the laptop to own.

It's for hard us Mac cult people to imagine. We've hung on to Apple despite the bad old days. It's hard for me to wrap my mind around it, but in the future, Apple may be a giant player in the computer industry (in terms of market share).

Still, the Mac vs. PC controversy rages....

I want us all to gain a little perspective, so I want to talk about an argument that has been going on since the invention of the automobile. It lives in a large number of high schools across this country, especially in rural areas. Chevy pickup trucks versus Ford pickup trucks.

I happen to work in a rural state, although the mall sprawl and Wal-Mart invasion is creeping towards us. The Chevy vs. Ford arguments are much the same as when I went to high school (during the Stone Age, according to the students). The only time there is any unity is when the subject turns towards Dodge pickup trucks, which are viewed as "junk" (or worse) by both Chevy and Ford fanatics. After a while, you feel like saying - "Dudes (and dudettes), they are both pickup trucks, and they both do pickup truck things."

[Editor's Note: I've lived much of my life in a rural provicne of Canada, and I'm familiar with the pickup wars. Personally, I've owned two Ford pickups, one Chevy (well, actually it was a GMC) pickup, and I've spent a lot of time driving GM pickup company vehicles, and two Dodge pickups. In my estimation, they were all good but the Dodges were the best by a substantial margin. CM]

For the full commentary visit here:
http://lowendmac.com/ed/hatchett/08jh/mac-vs-pc.html






To buy AppleCare or not?

TUAW's Cory Bohon says:

Most people are split on the decision to buy an extended warranty on their electronic devices. Some think it's the best "accessory" that you can buy for your gear, while others think it's a total waste of money. Speaking from my personal experience with AppleCare support - it has been a worthwhile investment.

While I have never experienced a major problem with any of my Macs, iPod, or iPhone, AppleCare has definitely been there to solve those minor glitches. Case in point: this weekend my Mighty Mouse's scroll wheel stopped working (this is the 3rd Mighty Mouse in less than one year). I simply called Apple's support and told them what was going on. "My Mighty Mouse stopped scrolling," I said.....

[Editor's note: I've never bought AppleCare coverage, and never been sorry. Money I've saved in not paying AppleCare premiums over the past 16 years would probably buy me a new MacBook Pro and then some. But that's the nature of "insurance". How much risk are you comfortable with? CM]

For the full commentary visit here:
http://www.tuaw.com/2008/03/06/to-buy-applecare-or-not/






Ask.com: 'We're Not Just a Search Engine for Women'

The search engine takes exception to its portrayal as a search engine for women, but one blogger sees no other way to see it.

To read more, click here.






eWEEK: Ballmer Gets Grilled on Yahoo, Google and Apple at MIX

A Yahoo acquisition would help Microsoft gain critical mass in the search and search-related advertising business, Ballmer says.

To read more, click here.






eWEEK: NowSyncing: Google Calendar and Microsoft Outlook

For users who can't break free of Outlook, Google offers a tool that synchs appointments between Google Calendar and Outlook Calendar.

To read more, click here.






eWEEK: Yahoo's Lesson in Stalling a Corporate Takeover

In extending its board nomination deadline, Yahoo is biding its time as it seeks to find an alternative to Microsoft's purchase offer, analysts say.

To read more, click here.






The Mac Night Owl: Leopard's Spaces - Take a Hike!

Over the years, I've used various utilities to automatically hide the application windows I'm not using at the moment. There's always one around, and my most recent program of choice, HideItControl, a preference panel from Derman Enteprises, once shareware, has since become free. But then so were some of other others, such as AutoHide.

Here's the link to the story:
http://macnightowl.com/2008/03/06/leopards-spaces-take-a-hike/

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