Обзор ноутбука Apple MacBook Aluminium
PowerBook 12″ Successor
В настоящее время Apple представляет 13.3″ MacBook Pro с новым Aluminium MacBook. В отличие от своего большого брата в этот более маленький лэптоп не встроены ни узкоспециализированная видео карта, ни FireWire, слот ExpressCard. В данном обзоре вы узнаете можно ли порекомендовать этот новый дизайнерский ноутбук.
Корпус
Новый Aluminium MacBook – это наследник 12″ Powerbook, которого все ждали с нетерпением. Дизайн повторяет MacBook Pro и другие лидирующие модели серии MacBook. На самом деле, Aluminium MacBook — это скорее 13.3 дюймовый MacBook Pro. Основа дизайна — MacBook Air.
Особое сходство с MacBook Air придают закругленные края корпуса, дизайн кнопки выключения питания и клавиатуры. Контрастирует с алюминиевым корпусом лишь черная окантовка дисплея (со стеклянным покрытием) и черный пластик, покрывающий крепление двух частей ноутбука (для гарантированного приема сигналов WLAN и Bluetoth).
Полностью алюминиевый корпус высокого качества обладает превосходной хептикой, приятен на ощупь. Крышка дисплея была модернизирована и теперь, благодаря новому механизму закрывания, заимствованному у MacBook Air, закрывается плотно, без смещений и зазоров (в отличие от предыдущих моделей MacBook Pro). Магнитный замок работает безотказно и при закрытии достаточно плотно прижимает крышку. Отверстия между частями ноутбука точно выверены.
Вот только «старый» разъем адаптера Magsafe (так же как и у предыдущих моделей) совершенно не подходит обновленному образу ноутбука.
Суммируя вышесказанное, в новом MacBook более совершенный дизайн, при производстве применяется новая технология с использованием только одного алюминиевого блока. Новая модель выглядит значительно лучше, чем предыдущая модель (выполненная в черно-белом варианте).
Возможности соединения
Большая часть интерфейсов расположена на левой стороне корпуса. Apple сокращает и без того малое количество интерфейсов, которые присутствовали в черных и белых пластиковых MacBook, в новой модели вы не найдете порт FireWire. Если сравнивать с MacBook Pro, то отсутствует также и ExpressCard слот.
На смену mini DVI port, которым оснащались предыдущие модели, приходит новый mini DisplayPort с максимальным поддерживаемым разрешением 2560×1600. К сожалению, придется потратиться на адаптер дисплея (VGA, Video, DVI), потому что он не входит в комплект поставки.
Так же как и в случае с MacBook Pro, особенно не хватает dock порта, который позволяет легко подсоединять дополнительные устройства.
Поставляемое в комплекте программное обеспечение включает новую версию операционной системы Mac OS — Mac OS 10.5 Leopard, а также пакет приложений iLife 2008, что вполне достаточно для начинающего пользователя.
Apple дает гарантию 12 месяцев на ноутбуки. Можно увеличить срок гарантии до 36 месяцев, заплатив дополнительно 349 Евро (в эту сумму входит поддержка). Это на 50 Евро меньше чем для предыдущих моделей MacBook. По всей вероятности Apple делают ставку на новые модели, либо это реакция на критику высокой стоимости гарантии. Австрийская компания McShark предлагает более дешевое решение. Для держателей geniuscard гарантия стоит 149 евро (99 евро для студентов). Однако эта гарантия действительна только в Австрии (то есть ноутбук должен быть куплен у McShark).
Устройства ввода
При разработке клавиатуры MacBook Pro использовались результаты исследований, проведенных для MacBook Air. Кнопки клавиатуры помещены прямо в корпус и имеют мягкую едва уловимую отдачу. Так же как и в моделях MacBook Pro в новом MacBook кнопки подсвечены снизу. Поскольку клавиатура помещена как бы внутри корпуса, клавиши утоплены и не стучат. Они также не проваливаются, поскольку каркас алюминиевый. По сравнению с внешне такой же клавиатурой MacBook Air, отдача кнопок MacBook Pro показалась более мягкой.
Раскладка клавиатуры от Apple очень удобна для Mac OS X. Слепая печать не вызывает проблем. Клавиши со стрелками остались такими же маленькими (что очень неудобно для геймеров), клавиша ввода – также мала.
Как обычно мы спешим предупредить приверженцев Windows, о том, что раскладка клавиатуры оптимизирована для Mac OS X, не все клавиши обозначены (например, отсутствуют наклейки для символов: ‘[]|<>‘). Так что их расположение придется искать методом проб и ошибок.
Считать ли новую клавиатуру лучше, чем у предыдущих моделей MacBook, зависит от индивидуальных предпочтений.
Стеклянная сенсорная панель
Одним из наиболее значимых нововведений является новая стеклянная сенсорная панель без выделенных кнопок. Компании Apple в очередной раз удалось усовершенствовать и без того очень хорошее скольжение. Стеклянная поверхность оправдывает свое название, хотя она едва напоминает стекло. Интерфейс Multitouch также прост в использовании и интуитивно понятен. По сравнению с предшественниками, функциональность была расширена с помощью функций, при использовании которых используется 4 пальца, что требует определенного опыта.
Дизайнерам Apple удалось создать сенсорную панель, активную по всей площади (фактически активно только 4/5 площади панели, так как присутствует кулисный переключатель), благодаря отказу от кнопок, что увеличило площади сенсорной панели. Верхняя часть панели, шириной примерно с палец, может использоваться как кнопка. Получается, что новая сенсорная панель может использоваться так же как и старая (как если бы кнопки располагались в нижней части панели).
В итоге, сенсорную панель можно назвать одной из лучших на сегодняшний день. Идентичный тачпад используется в новой модели MacBook.
Источник
Review Apple MacBook Aluminium Notebook
PowerBook 12″ Successor
Apple actually introduces a 13.3″ MacBook Pro with the new Aluminium MacBook. In contrast to its bigger brother this smaller consumer laptop does neither have a dedicated graphics card nor FireWire nor ExpressCard slot. In this review you’ll find out whether this new design notebook is to be recommended.
The new Aluminium MacBook is the eagerly awaited successor of the 12″ Powerbook. Its design follows the design of the bigger MacBook Pro and the top models of the Apple MacBook series create a new quality category. Actually the Aluminium MacBook is rather a 13.3″ MacBook Pro. The design is based on the MacBook Air’s and sets standards in design and workmanship.
Especially the rounded display lid reminds very much on the MacBook Air. Also the power button and the keyboard are the same. The only contrasts to the aluminium case are the black bordered display (with glass pane in front of it) and the black plastic cover of the hinge (in order to guarantee WLAN and Bluetooth reception).
The full-body aluminium case has an excellent haptics and appears to be of very high quality. The display lid was improved and closes absolutely flush (a point of critique of the former MacBook Pro model), because it utilizes the same closing mechanism which was new in the MacBook Air. The magnetic lock works excellent and holds the display sufficiently tight if closed. Also the gaps between the parts are precise and even.
Only the look of the ‘old’ Magsafe socket (I know like in former times) does not match the new look of this Apple laptop.
Summarizing the above, the MacBook was clearly improved by the new design and the new production process, which uses only one aluminium block and is therewith clearly better than the already good predecessor model (in black and white).
Connectivity
As so far Apple locates all interfaces on the left side of the case. Apple further reduced the already rather low number of interfaces of the black and white plastic MacBooks. It’s in vain to look for a FireWire port on the new model. Compared to the MacBook Pro also an ExpressCard slot is missing.
The new mini DisplayPort replaces the mini DVI port of the former model and is due to the a higher maximum resolution of 2560×1600 cleary advantageous. However, you also need to add further costs for a display adapter (VGA, Video, DVI), because Apple does not provide any.
Alike in the MacBook Pro you’ll especially miss the dockingstation port, which would help connecting all peripherals in an easy way at home or in the office.
The provided software consists of the newest version of the Mac OS operating system, that is Mac OS 10.5 Leopard, and the application suite iLife 2008. Therewith the beginner is actually prepared for all standard applications.
By default Apple extends a warranty of 12 months. This can be directly enhanced to 36 months for a surcharge of 349.- Euro (including support) at Apple. This is 50.- Euro less than for the old MacBook models. Apparently Apple relies more on the new construction than on the old one or Apple reacted to the animadversion on the high warranty prices. In Austria the speciality retailer, McShark offers a cheaper solution with the geniuscard, which costs 149 Euro (99 Euro for students). However, this warranty is only valid in Austria (i.e., the notebook has to be brought to a McShark retailer).
Input Devices
The new keyboard of the MacBook Pro is also based on the research done for the MacBook Air and is the same as the new MacBook Pro aluminium keyboard. The keys are now directly embedded in the case and have a soft yet clear feedback. Similar to the MacBook Pro also the MacBook has the keys lighted from below. Because the keyboard unit is screwed to the full body the keys are tightly embedded in the case an do not clatter. It also does not give, because of the aluminium shell. Compared to the similarly looking keyboard of the MacBook Air, the key feedback appeared to be somewhat softer in our test.
The layout of the Apple keyboard is very good for Mac OS X. In our test we were able to touch type immediately without problems. The cursor keys stayed small (which is especially inconvenient for gamers) and so did the very small enter key.
As usual we have to warn Windows PC switchers. The layout is optimized for Mac OS X and characterized by being only sparsely labelled (e.g., the labels for the following characters are missing: ‘[]|<>‘ ). So, you’ll need to find them by trial and error at the beginning.
Whether you like this keyboard better or the one of the former MacBook depends on your individual preferences.
The new glass — trackpad
One of the biggest innovations is the new trackpad made of glass without dedicated touchpad button. Apple successfully improved the already very good sliding properties once again. The glass surface obviously pays off, even though it does hardly look like glass. Using the multitouch functionality is also easy and intuitive. Compared to the predecessor the functionality was enhanced by some functions requiring four fingers (expose and task switch by default), which certainly need some time to get used to.
The Apple designers created a completely clickable touchpad (actually only 4/5 because it is a rocker switch), because the button was missed out for a bigger touchpad area. About one thumb from the upper edge, the touchpad can be clicked like a button (not only the tab-click, which all touchpads can). It turned out that the new trackpad can even be used in a traditional way (as if the button still were in the bottom part).
Summarizing the above, the already very good touchpad was further improved and can so probably be called today’s best touchpad. An exception is the touchpad of the new MacBook, which is actually identical to the one in the MBP.
An Software liefert Apple dem MacBook das neueste Mac OS 10.5 Leopard Betriebssystem und die Anwendungssuite iLife 2008 mit. Damit ist ein Einsteiger eigentlich für alle üblichen Anwendungen gerüstet.
Standardmäßig bietet Apple eine Garantie über 12 Monate an. Diese kann bei Apple direkt um 249 Euro auf 36 Monate erweitert werden (inklusive Support). Dies ist um 50 Euro billiger als noch bei den alten MacBook Modellen. Anscheinend vertraut Apple der neuen Fertigungsweise mehr als noch der alten oder Apple reagierte auf die Kritik an den hohen Garantiepreisen. Eine günstigere Methode bietet in Österreich der Fachhändler McShark mit der geniuscard um 129 Euro (99 Euro für Studenten) an. Hierbei gilt die Garantie jedoch nur für Österreich (muss zu einem McShark Händler gebracht werden).
Display
In the course of the redesign of the MacBook Apple now also equips the smaller models with LED background lighting. The advantage is that the screen is immediately bright after power on and that the brightness stays the same over the whole life cycle. Furthermore, the maximum brightness clearly improved compared to the former MacBook model (which is still available). (178 cd/m2 vs. 300 cd/m2 in the centre of the screen).
Alike its bigger brother, the MacBook Pro 15″, and the iMac, also the MacBook got a scratch-proof and stable glass pane in front of the display, which extends over the black border. This leads to a seamless look. As in former models, the display is ‘glossy’ and reflects. However, the brightness is sufficient for working in usually bright environments without big problems.
Our measurements show a moderate illumination of 76% and a relatively high black value of 1.67 cd/m². The later gives a clearly worse contrast than the MacBook Pro and therewith less strong colours. Nevertheless, our personal impression was that the colours are rather good. Also skin colours appeared to look like in reality.
Источник
Review Apple MacBook Aluminium Notebook
PowerBook 12″ Successor
Apple actually introduces a 13.3″ MacBook Pro with the new Aluminium MacBook. In contrast to its bigger brother this smaller consumer laptop does neither have a dedicated graphics card nor FireWire nor ExpressCard slot. In this review you’ll find out whether this new design notebook is to be recommended.
Note: The following review is an enhancement of the original test of the new MacBook with unibody aluminium case. Identical parts are marked and can be skipped by those who already read the original article.
Also after handling and working with the test sample for a longer time excellent the first impression persists. Design, haptics, and stability are top.
The new Aluminium MacBook is the eagerly awaited successor of the 12″ Powerbook. Its design follows the design of the bigger MacBook Pro and the top models of the Apple MacBook series create a new quality category. Actually the Aluminium MacBook is rather a 13.3″ MacBook Pro. The design is based on the MacBook Air’s and sets standards in design and workmanship.
Especially the rounded display lid reminds very much on the MacBook Air. Also the power button and the keyboard are the same. The only contrasts to the aluminium case are the black bordered display (with glass pane in front of it) and the black plastic cover of the hinge (in order to guarantee WLAN and Bluetooth reception).
The full-body aluminium case has an excellent haptics and appears to be of very high quality. The display lid was improved and closes absolutely flush (a point of critique of the former MacBook Pro model), because it utilizes the same closing mechanism which was new in the MacBook Air. The magnetic lock works excellent and holds the display sufficiently tight if closed. Also the gaps between the parts are precise and even.
Only the look of the ‘old’ Magsafe socket (I know like in former times) does not match the new look of this Apple laptop.
Summarizing the above, the MacBook was clearly improved by the new design and the new production process, which uses only one aluminium block and is therewith clearly better than the already good predecessor model (in black and white).
Connectivity
Also the connectivity still appears to be meagre. Especially the mini DisplayPort stood out in a negative way, becaus an adapter is missing. Apple could have at least provided an adapter for VGA and DVI. Only two USB ports are also often too few .
As so far Apple locates all interfaces on the left side of the case. Apple further reduced the already rather low number of interfaces of the black and white plastic MacBooks. It’s in vain to look for a FireWire port on the new model. Compared to the MacBook Pro also an ExpressCard slot is missing.
The new mini DisplayPort replaces the mini DVI port of the former model and is due to the a higher maximum resolution of 2560×1600 cleary advantageous. However, you also need to add further costs for a display adapter (VGA, Video, DVI), because Apple does not provide any.
Alike in the MacBook Pro you’ll especially miss the dockingstation port, which would help connecting all peripherals in an easy way at home or in the office.
The provided software consists of the newest version of the Mac OS operating system, that is Mac OS 10.5 Leopard, and the application suite iLife 2008. Therewith the beginner is actually prepared for all standard applications.
By default Apple extends a warranty of 12 months. This can be directly enhanced to 36 months for a surcharge of 349.- Euro (including support) at Apple. This is 50.- Euro less than for the old MacBook models. Apparently Apple relies more on the new construction than on the old one or Apple reacted to the animadversion on the high warranty prices. In Austria the speciality retailer, McShark offers a cheaper solution with the geniuscard, which costs 149 Euro (99 Euro for students). However, this warranty is only valid in Austria (i.e., the notebook has to be brought to a McShark retailer).
Input Devices
The new keyboard of the MacBook Pro is also based on the research done for the MacBook Air and is the same as the new MacBook Pro aluminium keyboard. The keys are now directly embedded in the case and have a soft yet clear feedback. Similar to the MacBook Pro also the MacBook has the keys lighted from below. Because the keyboard unit is screwed to the full body the keys are tightly embedded in the case an do not clatter. It also does not give, because of the aluminium shell. Compared to the similarly looking keyboard of the MacBook Air, the key feedback appeared to be somewhat softer in our test.
The layout of the Apple keyboard is very good for Mac OS X. In our test we were able to touch type immediately without problems. The cursor keys stayed small (which is especially inconvenient for gamers) and so did the very small enter key.
As usual we have to warn Windows PC switchers. The layout is optimized for Mac OS X and characterized by being only sparsely labelled (e.g., the labels for the following characters are missing: ‘[]|<>‘). So, you’ll need to find them by trial and error at the beginning.
Whether you like this keyboard better or the one of the former MacBook depends on your individual preferences.
The new glass — trackpad
One of the biggest innovations is the new trackpad made of glass without dedicated touchpad button. Apple successfully improved the already very good sliding properties once again. The glass surface obviously pays off, even though it does hardly look like glass. Using the multitouch functionality is also easy and intuitive. Compared to the predecessor the functionality was enhanced by some functions requiring four fingers (expose and task switch by default), which certainly need some time to get used to.
The Apple designers created a completely clickable touchpad (actually only 4/5 because it is a rocker switch), because the button was missed out for a bigger touchpad area. About one thumb from the upper edge, the touchpad can be clicked like a button (not only the tab-click, which all touchpads can). It turned out that the new trackpad can even be used in a traditional way (as if the button still were in the bottom part).
Summarizing the above, the already very good touchpad was further improved and can so probably be called today’s best touchpad. An exception is the touchpad of the new MacBook Pro, which is actually identical to the one of the MacBook.
Under Microsoft Windows Vista this touchpad behaved somewhat erratic . The driver support by Apple is unfortunately (still?) immature and so it is sometimes hard to use it (e.g., clicking and dragging). Sometimes, the mouse pointer gets even out of place during clicking. If you activate tipping by mouse click, you can hardly move anything and the scroll function sometimes goes crazy.
Also under Mac OS X we sometimes had the same problem that click by tip did repeatedly refuse to work. The only work-around was to switch this option on and off in the system settings.
To summarize, the touchpad can still be called the best we reviewed so far under MacOS X, first of all because of the first-class gliding characteristics of its glass pane, but also because of the innovative multi-touch technology. Under Vista we recommend using an external mouse.
Источник
