‘Is MacBook world’s best laptop?’ – MSNBC.com

"Quite frankly, this notebook computer is the best I’ve ever used."

Gary Krakow, MSNBC columnist, is rediscovering the joys of Mac:

"Before I came to work at MSNBC, all the computers in my house were Macs. But at MSNBC, I was forced to work on a PC and have been doing so ever since. Had to. All the software needed to run our site is PC-based.

"But now, Macs are able to run Windows XP as well as OS X. And Macs run both very well. That means I could be very happy using the new MacBook that I’ve been testing as my only computer."

In an otherwise glowing review of the MacBook...

"...the new Intel-based Macs run Windows really well — as well or better than any laptop I’ve ever tested."

...Gary has only one criticism:

"I have no problem recommending a MacBook to any OS X or Windows user. My only caution is that Macs use a one-button mouse and PC users are used to two-button devices. Windows fans will have to learn a keyboard shortcut or two to simulate a right-click. Or, you could always plug in an external USB mouse.

"The issue with the Windows mouse really is my only complaint, which is pretty amazing when you come to think of it. The MacBook is a jewel of a notebook computer that acts like two separate computers, has lots of terrific built-in features — both software and hardware — and is only one inch thick.

"I like the new MacBook and can heartily recommend it to anyone who needs a modern, new portable."

Read Gary's full review here.

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Travels with a MacBook Air

"If you're single and looking for love, here's a tip: Buy an Apple MacBook Air and start hanging out at Internet cafés."

Thus starts an excellent article by James A. Martin at PCWorld.com about "What it's like to take Apple's sexy new ultraportable on a cross-country business trip."

It goes into some detail about the MacBook Air's practicality and it's well worth a read,

Part One is here and Part Two is here.

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The MacBook Tablet – the ModBook

At last - the MacBook Tablet! Other World Computing (OWC) and Axiotron have announced the Axiotron ModBook, a MacBook-based tablet computer.

The companies start by taking a stock Apple MacBook and remove the screen and the top part of the MacBook’s case, including the keyboard. A new 13.3-inch widescreen LCD is installed as part of a chrome-plated magnesium top shell, turning the MacBook into a pen tablet-based computer.

The ModBook leverages Inkwell, handwriting recognition software built in to Mac OS X Tiger. That’s complemented by Wacom’s “Penabled” hardware, which enables users to utilize gesture recognition and direct painting and drawing. A stylus is included, which is held within the case using a magnetic lock.

Because the stylus incorporates radio-based digitizer technology, it has considerably higher resolution than the ModBook’s screen itself, and can even be used by hovering the stylus slightly above the computer. It’s not a touch-sensitive display, however—a stylus is needed, you can’t use your finger.

The screen is covered with a layer of chemically treated glass that’s resistant to scratches and breaking, and is said to be “coffee-proof”.

• Write and draw directly on screen!
• True pen & handwriting recognition
• Optional built-in GPS
• Aircraft grade magnesium alloy for all terrain use

The ModBook retains the original iSight camera, which has been pivoted slightly so it’s pointed at the ModBook user’s face rather than up in the air. The ModBook also offers an optional Global Positioning System (GPS) antenna.

Prices start from USD$2,279.00

Order your ModBook from OWC here. Mini-review at Macworld here.

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‘My first Mac’ : MacBook Core 2 Duo Review

Buddy Sun, a Computer Science student at Imperial College, London, has written a thorough review of his new MacBook Core 2 Duo on notebookreview.com. It's his first Mac ever so it makes for interesting reading.

Buddy's conclusions:

'As some of you might have noticed from earlier paragraphs, this is my first Mac. Therefore, having been a hardcore PC user for the past 13 years, I think I have the right to conclude that at this time of writing, Mac OS totally sweeps the floor with Windows, or any other desktop Operating System for that matter.

'I have never before experienced such a simple to use, efficient, bug free and secure user interface. The most frustrating part during this review was when I had to Boot Camp into Windows and run the few benchmark tests. The driver installations, restarts and overall slowness of XP compared to OS 10.4 were utterly unbearable. The longing for OS X during that time was even more painful than these sharp uncut edges digging their way slowly into my wrists.'

Read Buddy's excellent review in full, with photos, here.

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Benchmarking the new MacBook Core 2 Duos

James Galbraith at macworld.com has put the new MacBook Core 2 Duos to the test.

Although clock speeds remained the same - the MacBook’s three configurations include a 1.83GHz system and two 2GHz models available in black or white cases - the white 2GHz configuration turned out to be the fastest Core 2 Duo model, with a Speedmark 4.5 score of 178. That’s a 7 percent improvement on the overall system test suite score turned in by the fastest Core Duo MacBook.

Read James's full article, with benchmarks, here.

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