Son of MacBook, Part II

That’s what it looks like, though the photo shows the predecessor to my current 1.83 GHz MacBook before it was exchanged because of a bad trackpad button. Actually, I was also having the dreaded random shutdown problem, which thankfully hasn’t shown up yet in this second gorgeous computer .

I’m enjoying it immensely, although there were a few hurdles getting to this stage. For the record, it was hell getting the third-party RAM to seat properly: it took me at least six failed attempts, then a re-installation of the original RAM, and finally a seventh successful try with the 2GB kit. I figure reseating the Apple memory may have straightened out the contacts, but who knows. I can tell you that the difference between the RAM slots on this MacBook and the ones on my previous machine is like night and day. On the first machine, pushing the module into place took literally all the strength I could muster with my bare fingers. On the second MacBook, you can almost push them in with a feather and there’s never any “click” to tell you that they’re seated. Interesting that there would be so much variance, but there you go.

Ah, but with two gigs of RAM, this thing flies. With a 1.5 MBps DSL connection, most Web sites all but snap into place. I’m even doing serious work on the MacBook.

But what about the other kinds of things you hardly ever hear about?

1. The keyboard: I hated the keys at first, but then I was comparing them to the glassy-smooth concave keys on my beloved 500 MHz TiBook. I still think the tactile impression from these flat-topped keys is initially off-putting, and the new design is like a cheap substitute for a “real” keyboard. But that’s because of what I’m used to, and in fact, the new keys work very well. For one reason or the other, I can type very rapidly on this keyboard. Surprising fast, even. And after moving briefly to an older Apple USB keyboard to compare, I can safely say don’t worry one bit: the MacBook keyboard is damned good.

2. Heat: my second MacBook may be running a little cooler than the first, but it’s hard to say. I didn’t keep records. It’s never too hot to have on my lap, but bare legs — when is that ever likely? — might be a problem. The same would be true for the TiBook, however. As far as I can tell, this MacBook does NOT have the revised motherboard/heat sink that currently manufactured MacBooks feature. I’m basing this on when it was built (week 30, I believe), but only Apple knows for sure. Bottom line: heat is not an issue with me here.

3. Screen size & resolution: the default resolution of 1280 x 800 on a 13-inch screen makes some things a wee bit hard to read, but I enjoy the sharpness. I also like the glossy screen. When I move back to the TiBook, it feels like I’m losing brightness. That shiny screen is very seductive, and sharp as a needle. But things are smaller than real-life, and you’ll have to get used to that. It won’t be hard, though. You’ll love it.

4. Battery life: I’m not doing so well in that department, running a little over three hours worth now. The battery calibration procedure does help, but I’ve only done it once, because the routine requires you to let the battery rest in a fully discharged state for at least five hours before you charge it up again. This is hard to arrange because it’s hard to imagine not using the MacBook for five hours at a stretch. Seriously: you don’t want to put this thing down.

5. Other physical characteristics: the case is fine, but the glossy surface scratches from a sneeze. Be prepared to grow detached about minor blemishes. On my particular MacBook, the screen hinge allows a tiny but noticeable amount of wiggle — probably no more than a millimeter –when the ‘Book is closed. This is a little disconcerting, as you can feel the looseness when you one-hand the closed machine. But I can’t say this is a problem. It’s a very small disappointment, but not a problem. By way of comparison, the screens on the old TiBook and an original tangerine clamshell iBook are rock-solid. (The iBook in particular feels like you could drive nails with the case, but then it’s a honker compared to the MacBook.)

I hope it’s plain to see that if I’m down to mildly whining about nothing more than a MILLIMETER OR LESS of ooch in a mass-produced plastic screen hinge, there isn’t a thing worth noting wrong with Son of MacBook. At roughly $1,100 for the base configuration (512 MB of RAM), it’s like a Swiss Army scalpel for the Internet.

Seems cheap at the price, considering it blows away all the big old clunky hardware I still have in daily use.