Unlimited long distance $24.99/mo
- Average user rating: 4.5 stars out of 9 reviews
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Product summary
This configuration of the Apple MacBook 2008 is a 5.1-pound, mainstream notebook computer.Compared to other consumer level notebooks on the market, it is midpriced at around $1,285.Has Wi-Fi (wireless connectivity) built-in.Features Intel GMA X3100 graphics with 144MB of video memory.
Specifications: Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo (2.4 GHz); RAM installed: 2 GB DDR2 SDRAM; Weight: 5.1 lbs; See full specs
Price range: $1,029.00 - $1,299.00
CNET product brief
Description: This configuration of the Apple MacBook 2008 is a 5.1-pound, mainstream notebook computer.Compared to other consumer level notebooks on the market, it is midpriced at around $1,285.Has Wi-Fi (wireless connectivity) built-in.Features Intel GMA X3100 graphics with 144MB of video memory.
Pros: Has only a 5.1-pound weight, which is lighter than some similarly priced notebooks.Also, this notebook comes with Apple MacOS X 10.5 OS.This is more favorable than the average notebook on the market today, but is to be expected for a notebook of this price.
Cons: Has only a 13.3-inch screen size, which is somewhat smaller than some similarly priced notebooks.For example, the Dell Studio 17, a -pound notebook at around $1, 230, has a 17.0 screen size.The Apple MacBook 2008 comes with no-frills word processing software -- serious business or academic writers probably will want to upgrade to a full-fledged office suite.Graphics-intensive applications (such as texture-rich games, DVD playback, and video editing) will hinder performance on a system that relies on shared video RAM.
Suitability: A mainstream consumer notebook, suited for general mobile computing.Preserve favorite home movies for future generations by saving them onto DVD with this computer's DVD writer.With 144MB of dedicated video RAM, this machine will do OK with some games and multimedia applications, but will fall short of satisfying the serious gaming enthusiast.Clean up your digital photographs with the photo editing software included with this computer.If you have a wireless network at home, wirelessly browse the Web from any room in your house with this Wi-Fi enabled laptop.
Value: In general, this notebook has great features for the money.For example, when it comes to screen size, the average price of mainstream consumer products with a comparable screen size is quite a bit more -- right around $1,535.
Suggestions: (1) Given this device's Wi-Fi capability, you may want to get a wireless access point for your home, so that you can browse the Web more conveniently from any room.(2) To get the most out of this laptop's Bluetooth capability, you could have a Bluetooth-enabled headset, PDA or other device, and be able to link it wirelessly to your computer within a range of 20-or-so feet inside the same room.
CNET's Product Briefs are generated by a software tool that combines product specifications with knowledge of our editorial experts. They do not reflect hands-on assessment or labs testing. For more information about how we create Product Briefs, contact us.
CNET editors' buying advice
We have not reviewed this product but here is CNET's buying advice on Laptops. This content was chosen based on the features included with this model of laptop.
Thin-and-light laptop computer
A thin-and-light laptop computer offers the optimal combination of portability, performance, features, and cost. Power-tuned mobile processors deliver enough power to keep you working smoothly, and unlike ultraportables, most thin-and-light laptops have a more reasonably sized keyboard and display, a larger hard drive, and a built-in optical drive. Yes, they're more expensive than slightly larger, heavier mid-size laptops, but if you need maximum productivity in a portable package, this is the best choice.
Read more in the Laptop Buying Guide
See more Thin-and-light laptop computer products
EPA Energy Star compliant notebook computer
The EPA's Energy Star program helps buyers easily identify the products with efficient energy consumption among a broad range of electronics and appliances.
See more EPA Energy Star compliant notebook computer products
Laptop computer wireless capabilities
| Wireless capability | Description | |
| WiMAX | WiMax is a new wide area wireless Internet service. Think of it like 3G but with enough bandwidth to make it efficient for use at home or a coffee shop across town. If WiMax comes to your area and works as intended, you may be able to consolidate your home and mobile broadband service. | |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth is still optional in most laptops, and so far, it isn't used to its potential. Expect this short-range wireless protocol to become a standard as electronics increasingly interface with each other. | |
| Wi-Fi 802.11 | Pre-N or Draft N is the newest protocol for Wi-Fi home networking. 802.11g is currently the most common protocol and is sufficient for most Web activities, but don't expect it to stream movie files from networked storage. Wi-Fi is backward-compatible so the new, faster protocols will work with older protocols like 802.11a. | |
| Mobile broadband | Like WiMax, mobile broadband is a paid service and the built-in connectivity hardware is carrier specific. |
See more Laptop computer wireless capabilities products
Home user laptop computer
Home users are increasingly turning to notebook computers as their primary PCs, as they like that laptops can offer similar performance and features to those of a desktop PC, and can be easily moved from room to room. Though of course almost any notebook computer will do for typical home use, there are two types of laptops most suitable for home users: mid-size notebooks, which tend to be budget-friendly, and desktop replacements, which are usually packed with features.
Read more in the Laptop Buying Guide
Student laptop computer
Students and others on a tight budget should look for a cheap laptop computer that delivers the most bang for the buck. In particular, students need a notebook that is small and light enough to lug back and forth across campus but rugged enough to withstand bouncing around in a backpack.
Read more in the Laptop Buying Guide
User reviews
- Average user rating: 4.5 stars out of 9 reviews
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Where to buy
Apple MacBook 2008 Edition - white (Core 2 Duo 2.4GHz, 2GB RAM, 160GB HDD):
$1,029.00 - $1,299.00
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