I'm curious. Does it run the same version of OSX as the previous generation of g5 based Macs, or is a different version required to run on the Intel chip?

Dave

In this case it seems they did such a seemless conversion to the Intel that there is no need for a different version.It's probably just preloaded on the harddrive but I don't see why they couldn't incorporate the OS into the chip. Anyways, just a few seconds research at apple.com and I learned with their new version coming out,"Leopard" you will be able to install Windows XP on an Intel based Mac.
That would be sweet... Running Mac OSX & Windows XP. Talk about an "all around" machine?!?

*oops* I think I answered my own question... Seeing how you are going to be able to use Windows XP then OSX "Tiger" must be software driven...

very interesting and informative Raoul, thanks and welcome!

It's the same version of OS X as the G5's, albeit a slightly different sub-version. Apparently Apple's beein working on putting OS X on Intel chips for years, and has been developing OS X for Intel in parallel with OS X for PowerPC chips. When they rolled out the Intel chips, they issued a new 10.4.x version of OS X, and that was that. As far as individual applications are concerned, they need to be re-done, but from what I've heard, it's not too much work. That's why they've also issued Rosetta, which is a code translation app that allows PowerPC apps to run on the Intel Macs.

About running Windows XP on a Mac, you can do it right now, even on the PowerPC Macs. On the latter, you can do it with apps like Virtual PC or other hardware emulation software, and on the Intel Macs, you can do it with either hardware emulation, or natively, using Boot Camp, the beta software that Apple has released for this purpose.

Thanks, Eric!

Yeah...I was pysched because it isn't going to be emulation or Beta when Leopard is released. I don't necessarily enjoy Beta releases...

Why would anyone want to run Windows XP on anything?

Dave

It should be noted that there are three levels available, differentiated by memory, processing speed and of course, price. And only the high-end one is available in black. Further, the only difference between level two (white)and three (black) is 20G of memory on the hard drive. But if you're stuck on white, buy the mid-level version for $1299 on-line and upgrade to 80G hard drive for only $50, rather than another $200 for black.

does the new macbook have GarageBand and photoshop?

Thanks for the clarification, Greg! Yes, I agree with you, I have no idea why the white and black MacBooks with the exact same specs are priced differently. Does the black plastic cost more? Does Apple think it's more stylish, and charges more for it? I don't know.

Jon, the MacBook, as any Apple computer, comes with GarageBand. Photoshop is made by Adobe, and will cost extra - quite a bit extra, to be exact.

You make me want to buy my first MacBook. I've just ordered a Dell Precision 17" WUXGA because I got tired using the scrollbars in my MVC 8.0 environment. It may not look as good as the Mac but I can't wait to put my hands on the dual core 2.0 GHz, 2GB RAM, and NVIDIA® Quadro FX 2500M.:)

Nicole, I had a Dell Inspiron 8500 with 1,256MB of RAM for a little over two years. I also purchased plenty of Dell laptops, including newer models, in my job as an IT Director.

I speak from personal experience when I say Dell design stinks. Their laptops look like they were slapped together, and the newer XPS looks like a souped-up Honda Civic, South American-style - you know, with the loud exhaust pipes and all the trimmings. Yuck!

I also found the Dell laptops unreliable. The lid has a tendency to crack at the joint, and the laptops get annoyingly hot. The exhaust fans also tend to run ridiculously high, in particular on my Inspiron, to the point of drowning out the sound of a normal desktop.

Hope I haven't offended you - again, this is just my personal opinion. Did you take a look at the specs for the new MacBook Pro 17"? I think the specs and the design leave the Dell XPS in the dust.

I totally agree with you Raoul, in my job (a pc tech) Dell laptops followed by the budget compaq/hp laptops seem to have the most problems. We always get inspiron 1100 series or 5100series with overheating problems, and it seems like every other dell notebook has some type of cracked plastic casing. (including my inspiron 8200s hinge) To me the little things apple does like the sudden motion sensor, and magsafe really do help in the real world. Our company just loves repairing and replacing broken power connectors on the motherboard since it's so common. Also i can't tell you guys how many times i see damaged or dead harddrives from potential shock damage. Plus it's made by Asus; a company known for good mobos and solid laptops my boss has an asus w5n and that things a freakin hoss btw.
Not being a total apple snobb; but seriously, you can't buy a better quality notebook with the specs for the money. unless of course, you can fork over a few grand on something like a loaded toughbook.

Thanks, chexican! :-)

I went to the applestore to check out this MacBook and I have to say, I never owned a Mac, but I think this will be my first one.

The Webcam is AMAZING, the remote is amazing, the display is amazing, the outputs and inputs are just what I need. The Video output accessories are well priced. And it can boot in Windows or Mac OS. I'm in love.

Who wants to load up in XP? People who want to run the latest Skype, DVD shrink, Trillian, Folder Match, Klite Codec packs, CAD, and other silly stuff.


But a worry is that running two operating systems will eat up space on the Hard drive. Especially due to that damn XP that seems to grow and grow on its own.

Thankfully the laptop hard drives are getting bigger these days. Hitachi has just come out with a hard drive where the bits are stored vertically, and this will allow for 10x their current capacity. That means instead of a 100GB hard drive, we'll soon have 1,000GB hard drives in laptops. Now that's pretty cool!

Plus, if you're just doing a standard installation of Windows on a MacBook, as long as you don't duplicate the files between them, it should only take about 7-12GB of storage, depending on usage. That's not too bad.

Just confuse.. which one i should choose? the black/white one? any suggest??

i would recomend the black...thats the one im getting...i currently have a white ibook G4 and it gets so dirty, the top cover also scratches VERY easily...i love to keep my expensive electronics looking like-new so when it scratches so easily i get frustrated =(

Just wanted to comment on what you said about the observation that you made on the what the flexibility might do to the screen. I want to say I think that it is causing them to crack, I have one that is less than a month old and the screen has already cracked we didn't drop it or anything and we don't know what has happened to it. After doing some research online I have found out that I am not the only person that this has happened to and so far apple is not doing anything about it and they say it isn't covered under any warranties.

Thanks

I'm sorry to hear that. I suspected something might be amiss with the screens, and that's why I suggested in the article that people get the AppleCare plan. Apple unfortunately has a history of trying to brush defects under the rug, and until lots of people press them on something, they'll do nothing. The recent "random shutdown" and case yellowing issues with the MacBooks are typical examples of their behavior. It took months of exposure on blogs for them to recognize those problems, and a few months more for them to fix them.

My MacBook is only 6 months old and today, out of the blue, I noticed a tremendously, crooked, large crack on the screen. I didn't drop it, nothing happened to it, nobody used it and now there's this. I'm going to the Genius bar tomorrow as this is still under warranty, but I'm guessing it's their defect and I hope they will take responsibility for it.

I'm typing right now on a MacBook screen covered in those bizarre fractures as well. I can't imagine anything that caused the cracks. It has never been dropped and nothing impacted the screen. It was working fine; then, I put it to sleep, and upon reopening it two or three hours later, I had black hairlines all over the screen. I haven't even taken it to an Apple Store yet because even though I have Applecare I don't think it would be a great use of my time.

My LCD on my Macbook spontaneously cracked, too. I have always used Apples and trusted their product; however, now I will no longer purchase anymore Apple products. I spent over $1600 on the Macbook and Apple Care, and they still won't replace the screen because they deem it "accidental damage." What B.S. The computer was NEVER dropped; however, they're basically accusing me of doing just that. It was fine in the morning and fine in the afternoon; however, I opened it a few hours later, and it was ruined. Now Apple's saying I have to pay $1295 to fix the screen! I'm going to the MA attorney general's office to file a complaint, and I need as many people as possible on board with the complaint. So I'm going to print some of these out to take with me. Thanks for making me feel that I'm not alone in crappy, crappy Apple Macbook customer care.

I have exactly the same problem with spontaneous cracking of a MacBook screen after 2 months' gentle usage. Apple in France, Ireland and England have no interest in fixing the screen - they say such a problem is "cosmetic" and therefore not covered. I am going to continue to press them to take responsibility, however. And I'm not going to buy another Apple product EVER unless they do

I purchased my Macbook 4 months ago and last week as I opened it as I normally do, and I saw this huge crack on the screen resembling a hair line. It keeps getting bigger. I've spoken to Apple Care and they've told me to walk into an authorized dealer here in Israel. Has anyone had any luck with this or is it going to be a complete waste of my time? I'm just really frustrated. Thanks a lot.

Go to the Apple Dealer as instructed, Moshe. You may get lucky and they'll fix the screen for you. But be prepared to be told that you dropped the unit, etc. Be prepared to bang on the table. If worse come to worse, open the Book up in front of them, come here and type the complaint at BC - as they watch. If they don't give a damn when they see that, they're fools - and you know never top buy another piece of whatever from Apple again...

I just purchased a 15" powerbook pro for a christmas gift. I put the computer to sleep, and when it was revived the screen was cracked. Since the commuter was less than 2 weeks old I called apple asking them to replace it. They told me I need to see a Mac genius to get the computer replaced. At the store I was told this is
accentental damage and it was not covered. I was basically called a lier. This is a issue they need to address. Luckily I had purchased my computer from another authorized dealer and they replace the computer with no issues. I will never purchase anything from the Apple store and the Genius are morons.

I recommend switching to an IBM Thinkpad T40 series computer running a 10gb XP partition and a linux 30gb partition in a GRUB dualboot, with the remainder of an 80gb HDD for "/home" and, perhaps, a 5gb partition for swapping data (like a DVD) between XP and linux. After many years of buying, operating, fixing, programming and cursing just-about every computer known to man, this is what I've settled on as the ideal system. You can get the T40 for about $400 used on eBay, or, better yet, on craigslist where you get a chance to personally examine the system before paying, and discuss it with the seller.

The Thinkpad (at least when IBM was responsible) were tough and reliable, and if they needed repair IBM had an excellent warranty. One time the IBM repair guy came to my home and replaced the Mobo at no cost to me and within a couple of days. I don't know how service will be under Lenovo, but now I have a private repairman and don't need warranties.

The IBM travelstar HDD has a shock-resistant system that protects it when you accidentally hook your foot in a cord and dump the computer on the floor. I've done that several times and the computer doesn't miss a beat.

Replacement parts for all generations of the Thinkpad are readily available from many sources, including eBay, at modest prices.

Fans of the Mac OS will find one of the linux variations of GUI that will be familiar and easy to use. Most of them are cheap or free, amazingly reliable, and very versatile.

I have a 2007 MacBook with 2.2Ghz Intel Duo processor and 2GB RAM. It works very well and I would recommend it to everyone. OS X Leopard is an excellent OS, a definite improvement to Tiger.

I'm having similar problems with my macbook. I've only had it for 2 months, I purchased Apple care, and this is what happened to me:
Opened up the laptop one night to use it, everything was fine. Closed the laptop to prevent dust from getting on it while I watched a movie on tv. Opened up the laptop after the movie was over. First thing I noticed was a blue line running down the middle of the screen, then there was some black patches. Over the days it progressively got worse. It looks like it is cracked internally. I brought it to my local apple repair centre, they sent photos of my screen to Apple. Now Apple is refusing to repair the screen, claiming that there was physical damage to the laptop...which there was not! There's no logical reason why this should have happened to my laptop, and I'm extremely disappointed with the lack of understanding or customer service I've received from Apple. Biggest waste of $1900 I've ever spent! I'm now stuck with an unusable laptop that I can't afford to fix (I was quoted $925 to replace the screen). Any ideas on what I should do?
I was considering filing a complaint with Better Buisness Bureau

I am the Systems Administrator at a school and I've got the same problem with two MacBooks. I had a teacher tell me the same story back in November and I just figured she was covering herself. I sent it into Apple and they told me it would cost $755. Then I had the same story yesterday with another MacBook. They simply opened the lid only to reveal a disastrous crack in the screen. I called Applecare today to explain that there was no misuse on either of them and they said they would ship them into the Service Center, but that they probably wouldn't be covered.

If you're a school looking to go to Apple: Don't. I've sent more MacBooks in for different issues than I've ever sent in for any other laptop model. They're also difficult to manage on your network. They say it's simple. I agree. With simplicity you sacrifice usability and manageability.

I`M A kid and i want an apple i am Good on Computers so When i went on de apple site to by one it had all these extras that i could by What do i rEALLy need on an a mac book