White? Or Aluminum?

I'll be needing to get a new 'book soon - the one I have now - an iBook G4 PPC 1.33 Ghz (Mid 2005 model) though already past the 3 year mark - works well - but I know it's only a matter of time before it croaks. I've been noticing slower performance overall. My boyfriend has suggested getting more memory for it to increase the performance in the interim (before buying a new 'book).
Recently while inquiring about a replacement battery - someone mentioned to me the Aluminum Macbooks have been having some problems - with the body. What kinds of structural/body issues have occurred? Is this an issue happening with most MacBooks? I don't mind getting either Aluminum OR White - both will be good and even the white one will be a vast improvement to the machine I have now. I WANT to wait until Snow Leopard comes out, but I guess it's still no definite date yet as to when it will be released (although I've heard sometime this year). I don't see the point of getting a new one now if SL is going to be released in the near future. I also know that the Fire Wire will be phased out completely because USB 3.0 will be added (which is also compatible with 2.0). So I'm not sure if the machines (structurally) will change once Snow Leopard is released (with regards to the USB thing) or if they'll remain the same for a while.
So I guess what I'm trying to ask is - if I wanted to get the aluminum one, will it start falling apart on me? Would I be better off getting the white one? Does it really make any difference (aside from performance) - I'm JUST talking about durability, battery and so forth.

I also know that the Fire Wire will be phased out completely
Most new computers, never mind Mac, have Firewire.
All good analog to digital video converters use Firewire. Firewire converters give much higher quality and better results. Look at the Canopus ADVC300. Audio and Video go in, ONLY FireWire comes out.
Note also, that there is no tape based video camera (DV, HDV, or DVCPRO) which can transfer video over USB 2: the asynchronous nature of it's bus mastering will cause dropouts.
Thousands of computer peripherals use Firewire, with more coming out all the time.
Firewire is continuing to improve and gain in popularity. (Firewire 3200 will be out soon.) Firewire is more relevant than it ever has been.
Firewire is "isochronous", basically meaning that you can pump "clocked" data though it in real time. USB works more like TCPIP, with the data chopped up into packets and later reassembled. (Thus, at a minimum, you have latency, that is, the wait for the data to be "put back together".) Second, the Firewire protocol allows more direct address to memory (including mass storage) with minimal intervention of the CPU.
http://www.1394ta.org/products/ComputerProducts.html
http://blog.wired.com/gadgets/2008/10/it-pros-find-la.html
The NEW (early 2009) white Macbook has Firewire. (and the new NVIDIA graphics.)
http://www.apple.com/macbook/white/

Similar Messages

My RAM is broken

My ram has decided not to work. The Ram has decided to only work by using 1GB while my Imac is a 2GB. Whats happening ?

Hi Jack
1. It would help considerably if we knew exactly which iMac you have?
Example: (white or aluminum) (2006, 2007 or 2008) (1.83 2.0 2.4 2.66 2.8 or 3.06GHz processor)
2. Was the ram upgraded or did it come from the factory with 2 1GB modules?
There are a few reasons why it might not be seeing 2GB of ram.
1. A module has become dislodged and needs to be reseated in the slot.
2. A module is bad and has failed.
3. There is only 1GB installed in it.
Dennis

Wireless Keyboard Mapping Question

I have one of the previous generation white (not aluminum) AWKs that I use with my MacBook Pro when I have it hooked up to an external display, and I was wondering if there was a way to map the some of the function keys (i.e. F7, F8, F9) to invoke the Play/Pause and Skip commands that they are mapped to on the Pro's keyboard. Mapping them in the PrefPane seems to make them work, but only application specifically when iTunes is open. Is there a way to do this such that the invoke the command across any app/in Finder like the ones on the laptop keyboard do?

That's "BacK" in Hungarian, correct?
That keyboard shortcut is already written, meaning it is already part of the standard suite of shortcuts.
If you mean how to enter it on the keyboard...
The ⌘ character represents the Command key, the one immediately next to the Spacebar at both ends. Press and hold that key down while entering the [ key once. The [ character on the Hungarian keyboard layout is Option-8 so the full keyboard shortcut for "Back" would be Command-Option-8
The paired shortcut, Forward, using the Hungarian keyboard layout would be Command-Option-9

Now you can upgrade your internal iMac hard drive to 1.5 TB!

It is now possible to upgrade iMac white, iMac aluminum models 2007 and 2008 with internal 1.5 TB hard drive!

Most Macs and PC's built before 2003 were limited on their stock internal HD capacity to a maximum 128GB HD per IDE/ATA HD. This used to be an issue that affected your internal HD options. However, due to recent advents in Mac OSX and hardware, SATA HD's can be used up to 1.5 TB for desktop towers. Remember one other thing, Make sure you have an equal capacity HD to backup your HD if you do so. Mega HD upgrades also mean MEGA data loss in the event of failure.

Keyboard completely unresponsive in single user mode

Since upgrading to v10.5.1 I have been unable to get both my Apple USB and Apple Bluetooth keyboards to work in single user mode. I can get into single user mode using the command-s keys but once there the keyboard dies. This is the only time the keyboard fails. I have no other USB device attatched. I am using the white (non-aluminum) Apple keyboards. I'm curious to see if anyone else has this issue.

It appears to have been a Bluetooth only issue. I got the USB keyboard to work in single user mode. However I had to first turn off Bluetooth before rebooting into single user mode. Originally I kept Bluetooth on before rebooting using my USB keyboard. This for some reason prevented the USB keyboard from functioning in single user mode. When I have some time I'll further troubleshoot the Bluetooth keyboard issue and report back.

Refurbished Mac Pros (2007 models)?

On average, about how old are the refurbished Mac Pro's on Apple's web site? Also, for those folks that have purchased refurbished systems, are you happy with your purchase? Cosmetically, was it obvious that what you purchased was refurbished or did it look like a new Mac?

On average, about how old are the refurbished Mac Pro's on Apple's web site?
Most often, you see the previous generation models in the refurb listings, but it depends on which model. iMacs, for example, usually have listings for both the white and aluminum versions. And what's listed solely depends on what Apple has processed through on customer returns, warranty replacements, etc. It's a safe bet that you won't see systems that are more than a year old, though.
Also, for those folks that have purchased refurbished systems, are you happy with your purchase? Cosmetically, was it obvious that what you purchased was refurbished or did it look like a new Mac?
I'm pleased with mine. Apart from the packaging, it looked like a new machine. There may have been a few smudges on the aluminum, but I'll overlook that as part of the deal.
-Douggo

Macbook shutting down when not touching any keys

Help! I am having an issue on an old MacBook (white, not aluminum). The computer shuts down if I don't keep touching the mouse/trackpad or press keys. If updater is running, movies are playing, anything at all, it doesn't matter, the computer shuts down unless keys are being pressed or the trackpad is being twiddled.
Sometimes I get the dialog window asking "Do I really want to shutdown?" with the options to shutdown, restart, etc. Even if this pops up, the computer may still shut itself down.
This happens within the minute of not touching the inputs, usually within ten seconds.
Things I have done that didn't help:
Resetting the SMC
Zeroed drive and reinstalled OS
Updated OS
Booted from other OS versions
Booted from externals and DVDs
Zapped PRAM
Ran Fsck -f
Ran virus scans
Ran Disk utilities and repaired permissions
Ran Hardware test, no problems found
None of the above found anything (some permissions fixed, but didn't help)
PLEASE HELP!!!
I still have my applecare protection for a few more weeks but im out of the country and by the time i get back it will be expired and there is no apple here where i can take it to them for help!!! i just need to know how to fix my laptop!!! PLEASE HELP ME!!

I have the exact same problem ! Anyone knows what to do? Started about 1 week ago and I have no idea why.. osx 10.6.8 Macbook , ca 1 year old..
Thanks,
Oskar

Is .Mac necessary for screensharing?

i have .mac and i have successfully screenshared with another user that has .mac.
it wasnt successful with someone that only has the .mac trial...
any one have any experiences with the issue?

we are both in japan, about an hour and a half away from each other by train. we are both on leopard of course, 10.5.1. he has a new macbook and i have a Powerbook G4.
i have tried to send him an invite to share my screen and to share his screen.
he has tried to send me an invite to share his screen and to share my screen. all attempts have failed.
i dont think it is a port issue because we successfully use video chatting with ichat.
could it be a setting that i need to change? i have noticed posts about the sharing panel, and i made sure that he and i have the same things checked, but screensharing still didnt work...
one variable that i just now considered is that i have chax 2 installed and he does not. i may have to have him install it or uninstall mine so see if that is a variable....
my afore mentioned friend that i have had success with is also in japan about the same distance and he also has chax 2 installed... he has an intel imac (white not aluminum).
thanks for elimnating that one variable.
i wonder if it is the fact that both people have to have the same .Mac status... to clarify, neither you or your friends use .Mac?
i am marking this as solved because my question was answered, but i still cannot yet connect with my friend. i will post again when i make connection....

Bluetooth keyboard glitches

I purchased an Apple bluetooth keyboard a week or ro back and have been using it with no problems until yesterday, when I get a message that the computer could not locate the keyboard. I swapped out batteries but no dice. Same thing today. So I connected my standard keyboard to do some work, and when I accidentally touched a key on the wireless keyboard I got tones, now it is working again! Any idea what's going on?

same problem here. having the issue with a white and aluminum bluetooth keyboard. it's been an issue for a couple years now and there never seems to be any solution. i've even tried a bluetooth dongle as well as the built in bluetooth on my G5...so sick of this...

Aluminum Macbook compared to white Macbook

Ive been looking to buy a 2.0 Aluminum macbook but the white macbook now has a little bit faster processor and its 300 dollars cheaper. So could anyone tell me what makes the aluminum macbook worth that extra 300 dollars if there is any reason at all? Thank you very much for your answers.

Hi there Oscar,
In addition to what has been said above, the Aluminum Macbook now has DDR3 memory, whereas the white one has DDR2. This theoretically means the Aluminum one should handle having many windows open at a time better, etc.
To tell you the truth, you won't see much of a difference. If you are on a budget the white Macbook would make lots more sense. However, I recently upgraded from my old black Macbook to the Aluminum one, and the Aluminum one seems much sturdier. I was constantly having to take my old polycarbonate Macbook in for repairs and other things. It may be that the white Macbook has been improved, but it may not. I had to get my whole front casing replaced for my old Macbook ($400). It may be that though the Aluminum one's initial cost is much more, the cost of maintaining it for several years will be less.
Hope this helped,
Sasha

IPhone 5 getting white spots on the aluminum back what can I do?

my iphone 5 is getting white spots of decoloration on the aluminum back
does the warranty cover this?
if not what can i do?
have this happened to you?
why is this happening to my iphone?

COntact apple and ask them.

Aluminum vs White

Sorry in advance for this question as it probably has been asked already. So if you have a link to a thread just post it thanks.
Is there any AMAZING differences between the $999 White Macbook and the $1299 Aluminum Macbook?
Thanks again for your help guys.

JE13 wrote:
whats with the backlighting effect anyways? is it really worth that 300 dollars extra coupled with a few extras? Or are both pictures about the same or noticeably different?
As said, that's not the only difference. But a lot of MacBooks are used by students and/or business men and a lot of the time they're in classrooms or conferences where the lights are dimmed for a showing of some lesson or pie chart. A backlit keyboard is very useful in such circumstances, especially if it's a black keyboard. And yes, I'm a touch typist, and yes, I still feel it useful as touch typing doesn't always help if you're trying to hit the delete key, or brightness key or sound key. Touch typing was created for typewriters which didn't have such extra high keys to reach and remember where they are.
As for the rest of that $300, the body of the AL is, well, significantly different to my thinking. You can really feel the different. It feels less likely to break, certainly less likely to scratch or smudge. It's a little lighter than the white as well.
In the end, however, Mac laptops are really well made and either one will do right by you.
$300 more doesn't get the lit keyboard. That would require the $1599 MacBook, which would come with the higher capacity drive and faster processor.
It's just a matter of price points. For $999 Apple hasn't reduced practical functionality like they have in the past. That $999 gets a full SuperDrive when previous entry-level MacBooks had DVD-ROM/CD-R combo drives. It's a good machine even if it doesn't have all the latest features.

Turn aluminum into white

Anyone Know of an inexpensive way to make the new aluminum imacs white like the 3rd gen iMacs. Have seen a couple of sites who can make them 24K gold, platinum and others virtually any color but the option is around $400. There's a plastic snap on solution for $50 which would be nice and do the trick, but they only make black,red,aqua and pink. Seen some skin decals on Ebay, but they don't offer white either besides it looks like bit of a chinsy solution anyway.
Seem to have run out of options for now and was looking for some fresh ideas. A bit squemish about buying a refurb online and would prefer factory fresh but dissapointed in the then new design and liked the white ones much better.

If you buy a refurb from Apple, it should look new and it has the same warranty. I think they are actually more reliable, because any problems have been fixed and it has been fully retested. I don't think the "new" ones fresh off the assembly line get a full test before they are boxed up and shipped.
I recently bought a refurb 17-inch while iMac (2006 model) from the Apple Store, and it's been perfect. Looked new with no operational issues. I like the smaller size, which is no longer available, yet for $849 I got a 2.0 GHz Core 2 Duo machine with decent dedicated video.
The only minor downside was that it came with iLife 2006, because that's the version on the original disks (check description to see what's included). It also had Tiger, but included the "drop-in" upgrade to Leopard on a separate disk, which I like because I have a choice of running Tiger or Leopard. You also get brown-colored packaging with "certified Refurbished Product" label, but who cares about that...

Aluminum vs. White Macbook

I'm looking to purchase a Mac for my wife and am wondering on your thoughts of an Aluminum unibody or White Macbook. I have the 13 inch aluminum unibody, but the white one is not as expensive.
Is there a real difference? Your thoughts and suggestions.
Thanks

Under the hood, the machines are identical in terms of non-upgradeables like CPU and GPU. Both support up to 8GB of RAM although Apple only officially supports 4GB of the MacBook. The FireWire can be a huge deal breaker, especially if you have multiple Macs, FireWire peripherals or you're a fan of Target Disk Mode. While Apple has offered increased support for other means of replicating some of the functionality of FireWire in the form of Ethernet you still cannot beat the handiness of Target Disk Mode in the event of troubleshooting or transferring data.
I'll ask give the nod to the SD card slot, while I personally don't use it as it was originally intended (rapid access to SD cards from cameras) I've actually found myself using my SD cards for external storage and even installing custom images of OS X for troubleshooting. It's proven to be pretty handy and has basically become like a third USB port for me.
I personally like the fit and finish of the brushed aluminum unibody design, but I will say the unibody adoption on the MacBook (although it's still plastic) is a significant improvement over the previous design which was prone to structural fatigue over the years.
Honestly, you can't go wrong with either decision. If you do end up with the MacBook, I would encourage you to make the 4GB of RAM upgrade one of your first purchases.

Macbook Aluminum vs. New White Macbook?

I just bought a brand new Aluminum Macbook, which is no longer in stores. I spent $1300. I believe I got ripped off. Do you suggest I keep this Macbook or return it and buy the new white Macbook? I do like the aluminum design more then the white though. lol. Suggestions or Recommendations are appreciated =]
Here are the specs:
2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
2GB DDR3 memory
250GB hard drive1
8x double-layer SuperDrive

You can get a NEW Macbook PRO for $1149. It has a FireWire port too.
Do you suggest I keep this Macbook or return it and buy the new white Macbook?
No. Return it and buy the new Macbook Pro.
The white Macbook has no FireWire port.

White? Or Aluminum?

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for