cavemonkey50 Posted July 11, 2006 Share Posted July 11, 2006 With all the problems that MacBook owners have been reporting, I thought it would be a good idea to give you the complete scoop on my new MacBook. Since I've had my MacBook for about two weeks, I think I can finally say that I've given my MacBook enough time to show any trouble spots. For the most part I've been fairly lucky. Since I went to an Apple store the day after they received a new shipment (I called ahead of time to make sure), I received the latest build at the time (week 24), thus receiving the latest fixes for the numerous problems which have arisen. Black and Blue MacBooks One of the biggest issues which MacBook owners have reported are the heat issues. While my MacBook certainly does get hot, in my opinion it's nothing out of the ordinary. My MacBook will idle around 55C and get up to 80C depending on how much processor power I require at the time. While the temperatures certainly are a little toasty, it hasn't stopped me from using my MacBook on my lap in shorts. Sure, the first day I used it I thought it was a little uncomfortable, but since then I've either gotten used to the heat, or the first day damaged my skin cells so I can no longer feel pain. Either way, it works out in the end for me. One of the other major problems with the MacBook in white has been discoloration. Derek Punsalan has been raising awareness of the issue ever since it happened to him. In his unfortunate case, he went out of his way to cover up his MacBook to prevent discoloration, and was only rewarded with an ugly yellow finish. Due to his campaign against discoloration and the hundreds of bloggers who supported him, I can say that I don't have the issue at all. Since Apple was made aware of the issue, they have changed the plastic to a much smoother material; one which doesn't change with time. Since I have a later MacBook build, I have been lucky to get the new plastic and avoid the issue completely. For the unlucky MacBook owners with an ugly top case, Apple is replacing the affected portion with no questions asked, so be sure to get that done. Out of the other well known issues, I have experienced none of them. I have yet to hear the mooing of a cow coming from the back of my MacBook, so I'm safe on that front. As far as AirPort reception goes, it couldn't be better for me. I've taken my MacBook to previously thought WiFi dead zone in my house, and have been surfing with ease. I've also avoided power adapter humming and the ever so popular melted MagSafe. So, on the well known fronts, I've been good so far. Other Concerns I'd wish that I could say I haven't had any issues at all, but I can't do that - I have experienced some very minor issues which aren't that well known. One of the first is crappy sleep times. While most of Apple's laptop fleet can stay days in sleep while only loosing a few percentage points, my MacBook looses about 10% of its battery every eight hours. While it's nothing that will greatly affect my battery life, since I'll either be plugged in or shut off, it's a minor inconvenience. Unfortunately there isn't much I can do, as I've been told by the people over at Broadband Reports that the extra 2GB of RAM installed is drawing more power than normal. Oh well. Another minor issue which I have experienced has been insanely long Lead-Out times when burning a DVD. When burning a 2-3 minute DVD, my Lead-Out step can take as long as 6-10 minutes. That's roughly 4x longer than it takes to burn the DVD. Luckily I've gotten some help from the Apple support forums and so far my burning times have been normal. If for some reason the problem reoccurs, it's nothing I'm going to worry about since I don't burn DVDs that often. In the "that affects every manufacture" category, my screen developed a stuck pixel about a week ago. Within minutes of noticing it I was able to successfully rub it out, only for it to reappear later that night. After seeing it a second time, I rubbed it out again, this time while playing one of the stuck pixel videos. Since then I haven't seen it again, but if it decides to come back I feel confident that I'll be able to take it down once again. In the "that's freaking weird" category, I've on occasion smelled some sort of burning chemical coming the MacBook. I initially thought it was just the MacBook's "new car smell," but since I don't smell it all the time, and I still smell it two weeks after my purchase, I have a feeling that it's not normal. Apparently a few other people have noticed this problem, claiming it irritates their nose and throat. It hasn't irritated me at all; in fact, I think it smells quite good. Maybe I'm just a druggie at heart. All in all, my MacBook has been wonderful. I've avoided all the well known major and minor issues, but have experience a few issues of my own. Luckily none of my issues have dramatically affected my MacBook, so it's nothing which makes me doubt the MacBook and Apple's quality control. If I can never find a solution to my problems, I will still love my MacBook for years to come. So, if you've been reading all the issues about the MacBook Pro and the MacBook, and are thinking to yourself that every unit is broken, think again. Apple has at least one customer with a working MacBook with no complaints to file. I just think what we've been reading about these laptops is only the opinion of a small minority, much like Microsoft's issues with its 360. Sure, a few people have units which are complete {censored}, but the majority of people's MacBooks are working perfectly fine, giving them no reason to tell anyone about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asap18 Posted July 11, 2006 Share Posted July 11, 2006 Same here no issues with macbook!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuXb Posted July 11, 2006 Share Posted July 11, 2006 I am happily running Mac OS x86 on my Toshiba 17'' Notebook @ 1490 x 900 + CD/DVD burning + Network + USB 2.0 + Firewire. The Laptop was rather cheap, and has a two button trackpad (I NEED the right button, without having to click control @ the same time - no kidding!!). Mac OS x86 never crashes. Since I mainly run Windows because I need some Windows programs which simply do not exist on the Mac platform and don't have a worthy equivalent either, I would NEVER have bought a MacBook anyway - because I consider it really cheesy to buy a Mac and MAINLY run Windoze on it .. . So choosing Toshiba + this great forum here was the perfect choice for me ! Anyway, thanks for supporting Apple, 'cause without you guys we wouldn't be here, right .. ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray-t Posted July 11, 2006 Share Posted July 11, 2006 A bit OT BugsBunny.... BTW, no problems here as well, bought my MacBook a month ago, doesn't get hotter than 80° and I use it for 3D stuff o both win and osx. I do hear the moooo sometimes...the first time it did happen I laughed (as it really reminds me of a cow), is so silent that I can't really consider it a problem, can't believe some people complained about this. So, generally happy, the best pc I've ever had and definitely the best mac I've ever had. Andrea Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colonel Posted July 11, 2006 Share Posted July 11, 2006 All of you that have problem-free MacBooks are very fortunate. My MacBook moos, whines, and overheats. Should I take it to the Apple store and have them look at it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cavemonkey50 Posted July 12, 2006 Author Share Posted July 12, 2006 All of you that have problem-free MacBooks are very fortunate. My MacBook moos, whines, and overheats. Should I take it to the Apple store and have them look at it? Yes, of course! Unless the genius is generous and gets you a swap, you'll most likely have to go MacBook-less for a week, but in the end you should get a perfectly working MacBook. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ALLYOURBASE-1337 Posted July 12, 2006 Share Posted July 12, 2006 I've had mine since they came out love it 2.0 white I installed 2gb ram - ez much faster than my old mac mini g4 1.5 have noticed the smell when it gets hot but so far no melt down Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poofyhairguy Posted July 12, 2006 Share Posted July 12, 2006 I too love my Macbook. I bought it the day after they were released (it was my birthday) and its easily my favorite computer of all time. The heat caught me off guard at first, but then I just got used to it I guess- like everyone. The trick is to NEVER download Coreduotemp. For anyone that has built systems before seeing your new computer sit in the 60's (degree wise) with just Firefox open will drive you crazy (if my X2 got up to 60 I would faint). So since this program can not make it cooler, it better to do without. Ignorance is bliss. I will say that at now point has it ever been hot enough to burn me (like my sister's G4 Powerbook one did). I do have two problems with my Macbook though. One is that near where the Magisafe adaptor is the inside plastic (the grey part) became warped by the heat comming off the adaptor and it now seperates a little from the case. The second problem is that two days ago when I was using it the entire thing shutoff and would no longer run on a battery. It works fine on a power cord though (on it right now) and Apple is already sending me a box to send this thing off to fix both problems...so....its alright with me! I didn't even buy Applecare... Overall I love this computer. I have a cool laptop, a Snes machine, a portable Firefox and a reason to feel less guilty about hacking OSX86 onto my Dell all in one package. It also runs Linux like a champ (I can even do the highest end XGL trick- the water waves- with the Intel GPU with no problems). I would not trade my Macbook for anything.....well except maybe itself fixed. I really hope I get the same Macbook back I sent off. I don't want to get a whinner back in the mail! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuXb Posted July 12, 2006 Share Posted July 12, 2006 I hope for you guys that the overall high heat - which most likely spreads in the entire book - does not affect the livespan of your HDs (and other parts which lose it after a year or so). To have a cool Laptop is one of the most important things for having a lasting fun and success experience (even though things might work fine in the beginning) .. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lord_muad_dib Posted July 12, 2006 Share Posted July 12, 2006 My MacBook will idle around 55C and get up to 80C depending on how much processor power I require at the time. well.. it's not that exciting... considering that a processor melts at about 90°..... also, the idle temp is definitely too high imo I hope for you guys that the overall high heat - which most likely spreads in the entire book - does not affect the livespan of your HDs (and other parts which lose it after a year or so). To have a cool Laptop is one of the most important things for having a lasting fun and success experience (even though things might work fine in the beginning) .. agreed... i wonder what's the hdd temperature.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buglamp Posted July 12, 2006 Share Posted July 12, 2006 Oh No!, Looks like it Doesnt Just Work Now Does It! hahahahahahhahahahahahahahahhahaha (consider that a slap in the face apple) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bwhsh8r Posted July 12, 2006 Share Posted July 12, 2006 After reading that it made me question why i would ever buy an apple product... OH WATE, I WONT!!!!!!!!!!! ahahahhaha, and they deny that that {censored} is their fault??? what happened, did the thermal paste faries jump into mac book pros and start jizzing out thermal paste everywhere??????? max Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myosx86 Posted August 2, 2006 Share Posted August 2, 2006 no prefcet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jesse steffen Posted August 9, 2006 Share Posted August 9, 2006 well ive had my macbook pro for about 2 months now with not a single problem. no whine, doesnt get nearly as hot as my imac g5, battery isnt expanding...my only complaint is the battery life but most laptops have bad battery life so i cant really be mad about that(my friends pentium 4 laptop has a 1 hour battery life and is like four times as big!). three of my friends recently bought white macbooks(spanning from 3 months to 1 week ago) and can safely say they have not had one problem. all of them are extremely happy with their machines and would try to convince you to buy one. between my g5 imac and 2.16ghz macbook pro i am an extremely happy camper...just have to wait for leopard now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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