Apple MacBook MB881LL/A 13.3-Inch Laptop Review

Apple MacBook MB881LL/A 13.3-Inch Laptop
Apple MacBook MB881LL/A 13.3-Inch Laptop
Brand : Apple Model : MB881LL/A

Overall Rating :
From : 40 Reviews
Color : / Size :


Technical Details
  • 2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Processor
  • 2GB of DDR2 memory
  • 120GB 5400-rpm hard drive, 8x double-layer slot loading SuperDrive
  • Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard Operating System
  • NVIDIA GeForce 9400MGgraphics
Product Description

MacBook has everything you need to do everything you need. Advanced NVIDIA graphics provide outstanding performance for 3D games and graphics-intensive applications. The fast Intel Core 2 Duo processor and 2GB of memory standard give you more than enough horsepower to get the job done. MacBook includes a 13-inch glossy widescreen display that makes images come alive and offers a slew of innovative features, including a built-in iSight camera,4 AirPort Extreme 802.11n Wi-Fi,2 a 120GB hard drive,3 and a SuperDrive for burning CDs and DVDs. And since MacBook is sure to become your constant companion, a durable white polycarbonate shell keeps it ready for the rough and tumble of everyday life. (2)Based on an IEEE 802.11n draft specification. Wireless Internet access requires a base station or other wireless access point and Internet access; fees may apply. Some ISPs are not currently compatible with AirPort Extreme. (3)GB = 1 billion bytes; actual formatted capacity less. (4)Video chatting requires a broadband Internet connection; fees may apply. (5)Weight varies by configuration and manufacturing process.

Stylishly and intelligently designed for your on-the-go digital lifestyle, Apple's MacBook is the perfect confluence of affordability, innovation, and powerful computing. This latest iteration of the affordable "white" MacBook line (model MB881LL/A) gets a boost in video processing power from the NVIDIA GeForce 9400M integrated graphics chip and doubles the RAM to 2 GB (with a 4 GB maximum capacity). You'll enjoy quick and nimble multitasking thanks to the 2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor--which bumps the frontside bus speed from 866 MHz to 1066 MHz--and the 13.3-inch glossy widescreen display provides the perfect combination of pixels and portability. This MacBook also features a 120 GB hard drive and an integrated 802.11n Wi-Fi LAN that provides compatibility with older 802.11b/g routers as well as the faster throughput of Apple's Airport Extreme.



Measuring 1.08 inches thin and weighing only 5.0 pounds, the MacBook cuts a slim profile on any desk (or in any backpack or briefcase). See a larger version of this image
Measuring a mere 1.08 inches thin and weighing in at only 5.0 pounds, the MacBook cuts a slim profile on any desk (or in any backpack or briefcase). A durable polycarbonate shell in white keeps it ready for the rough and tumble of everyday life. It also offers a unique keyboard design that sits flush against the bed for a sleeker, lower profile--which means you experience a firm, responsive touch when typing. Other standard Apple "extras" includes a built-in iSight video camera and Apple's magnetically connected MagSafe power adapter, which safely disconnects when under strain.

It's pre-loaded with Apple's Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard operating system, which enables easy backup of your most important data via Time Machine, a redesigned desktop that helps eliminate clutter. It also comes with the iLife '09 suite of applications--including iPhoto, iMovie, Garageband, and iTunes--and the newest version of the fast-loading Safari web browser.

Other hardware features include a 24x combo DVD-ROM/CD-RW drive, built-in Gigabit Ethernet for high-speed networking, Bluetooth 2.0+EDR (Enhanced Data Rate), a FireWire 400 port, DVI video output, and Intel GMA X3100 graphics processor with 144 MB of shared memory.

Apple Innovations
One of Apple's most celebrated innovations is the MagSafe power adapter connector with offers a magnetic connection instead of a physical one. So, if you happen to trip over a power cord, you won't send MacBook flying off a table or desk--the cord simply disconnects, without damage to either the cord or the system. As an added nicety, this means less wear on the connectors.

Cleverly integrated above your MacBook display is an iSight camera, providing easy video chat capability when using iChat. You can also snap photos in Photo Booth to send via email, as well as record videos and then edit them in iMovie before uploading them to web sites.



The magnetically connected MagSafe power adapter breaks cleanly away, without damage to either the cord or the MacBook, if you trip over the cord.


With two-finger scrolling, the trackpad becomes a fast track to wherever you want to go.
The trackpad can tell if you've got one finger on the pedal, or two. With two, you can easily scroll around your documents or open contextual menus. When you need right-click functionality, simply open "Keyboard and Mouse" in System Preferences and enable the secondary click preference. Opening and closing your MacBook is also a pleasure, thanks to a magnetic latch that catches without a catch. And because it's a magnet, there are no moving parts to snag, jam, or break.

Intel Core 2 Duo Processor
Experience improved energy efficiency, expanded wireless connectivity, and amazing battery life with the 45nm Penryn series Intel Core 2 Duo processor, which has a 2.0 GHz processor speed, ultra-fast 1066 MHz front-side bus (FSB), and a large 3 MB L2 cache. (An L2, or secondary, cache temporarily stores data; and a larger L2 cache can help speed up your system's performance. The FSB carries data between the CPU and RAM, and a faster front-side bus will deliver better overall performance.)
The new hafnium-infused circuitry--which reduces electrical current leakage in transistors--conserves even more energy, giving you more time away from the wall outlet. With a substantial 3 MB of shared L2 cache, data and instructions can be kept close to the two processor cores, greatly increasing performance and allowing the entire system to work more efficiently. And, because the processor cores share the L2 cache, either can use the entire amount if the other happens to be idle.

Hard Drive and Memory
The 120 GB Serial-ATA (SATA) hard drive (5400 RPM) quickens the pace with a higher speed transfer of data--akin to FireWire and USB 2.0. The 2 GB of PC5300 DDR2 RAM (two SO-DIMMs of 512 MB) have 667 MHz speed, and the RAM capacity can be increased to 4 GB.

Wireless Connectivity
The built-in 802.11n wireless networking provides up to five times the performance and twice the range of 802.11g, but it's also backward-compatible with 802.11a/b/g routers, enabling you to communicate with the a wide variety of Wi-Fi resources. It works seamlessly with the new AirPort Extreme with 802.11n. Use the built-in Bluetooth wireless technology to connect to your PDA or cell phone, synchronize addresses, or download pictures from your cell phone. You can also use a wireless headset for iChat audio chats and VoIP calls as well as quickly share files with a colleague.

Display and Graphics
Whether you're working on a Keynote presentation or watching a movie before you catch a flight, every document, video, and photo on your MacBook will look sharp on the glossy 13.3-inch widescreen display. With pixel-perfect 1280-by-800 resolution, it's great for viewing and working with media. Video is powered by the integrated NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics processor, which shares 256 MB of DDR2 SDRAM with main memory. Graphics-intensive features in iPhoto and iMovie are smoother and 3D game play--from Spore to Call of Duty--is faster and more responsive. You'll get extended desktop and video mirroring, with simultaneous support of full native resolution on the built-in display and up to 1920 by 1200 pixels on an external display--both at millions of colors

Video Conferencing with Built-in iSight
Artfully placed in the display bezel is an iSight camera, which enables easy video conferencing as well as allows you to snap pictures of yourself and create video podcasts. Using the iChat AV application, video conferencing is integrated into your iChat buddy list, so initiating a video conference is a breeze. iChat also lets you hold audio chats with up to 10 people and provides high-quality audio compression and full-duplex sound so conversation can flow naturally. For video podcasting, you can record a short clip using the iSight camera, then use iWeb to create a video blog entry or post your GarageBand-recorded podcast.

Other Features



Connect to your network, a desktop monitor and all your peripherals with two USB 2.0, one FireWire, one DVI video output, and one Gigabit Ethernet.
  • 24x slot-loading DVD-ROM/CD-RW super drive (writes 24x CD-R, 16x CD-RW; reads CDs at 24x and DVDs at 8x)
  • Mini-DVI port for video output (VGA adapter and mini-DVI to DVI adapter sold separately)
  • Built-in stereo speakers and omnidirectional microphone
  • Combined optical digital audio input/audio line in
  • Combined optical digital audio output/headphone out
  • Two USB 2.0 ports, one FireWire 400 port
  • Built-in full-size keyboard with 78 (U.S.) or 79 (ISO) keys, including 12 function keys, 4 arrow keys (inverted "T" arrangement), and embedded numeric keypad
  • Solid-state scrolling trackpad for precise cursor control; supports two-finger scrolling, tap, double-tap, and drag capabilities
  • Kensington cable lock slot
  • Meets ENERGY STAR requirements
  • Measures 12.78 x 8.92 x 1.08 inches (WxDxH) and weighs 5 pounds



Preloaded with Leopard, you'll enjoy enhanced productivity and a clutter-free desktop (thanks to the the redesigned 3D Dock with Stacks).
Preloaded with Leopard and iLife '09
The biggest Mac OS X upgrade ever, the Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard operating system features over 300 new features, including:
  • Time Machine, an effortless way to automatically back up everything on a Mac
  • A redesigned Finder that lets users quickly browse and share files between multiple Macs
  • Quick Look, a new way to instantly see files without opening an application
  • Spaces, an intuitive new feature used to create groups of applications and instantly switch between them
  • A brand new desktop with Stacks, a new way to easily access files from the Dock
  • Major enhancements to Mail and iChat
Leopard's new desktop includes the redesigned 3D Dock with Stacks, a new way to organize files for quick and easy access with just one click. Leopard automatically places web, email and other downloads in a Downloads stack to maintain a clutter-free desktop, and you can instantly fan the contents of this and other Stacks into an elegant arc right from the Dock. The updated Finder includes Cover Flow and a new sidebar with a dramatically simplified way to search for, browse and copy content from any PC or Mac on a local network.

Time Machine lets you easily back up all of the data on your Mac, find lost files and even restore all of the software on their Mac. With just a one-click setup, Time Machine automatically keeps an up-to-date copy of everything on the Mac. In the event a file is lost, you can search back through time to find deleted files, applications, photos and other digital media and then instantly restore the file.

The MacBook also comes with the iLife '09 suite of applications that make it easy to live the digital life. Use iPhoto to share entire high-res photo albums with anyone who's got an email address. Record your own songs and podcasts with GarageBand. Break into indie filmmaking with iMovie and iDVD. Then take all the stuff you made on your MacBook and share it on the web in one click with iWeb.

Included Software
Mac OS X v10.5 Leopard (includes Time Machine, Quick Look, Spaces, Spotlight, Dashboard, Mail, iChat, Safari, Address Book, QuickTime, iCal, DVD Player, Photo Booth, Front Row, Xcode Developer Tools); iLife '08 (includes iTunes, iPhoto, iMovie, iDVD, iWeb, GarageBand); Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac Test Drive; iWork '08 (30-day trial)

What's in the Box
MacBook, 60W MagSafe Power Adapter, AC wall plug, and power cord, lithium-polymer battery, install/restore DVDs, printed and electronic documentation


Customer Reviews (see all-reviews)

Susanmac ( PHILADELPHIA, PA United States )
LCD cracked
This is my 1st and LAST MAC. Only 6 weeks after arriving, the LCD screen cracked. The laptop was kept on my desk. It never even made it outside! The company refused to repair or replace the screen and after less than 2 months I had an expensive repair. The manager at the Genius Bar informed me that the device was dropped (it was not) and the company did not insure the LCD screens. The laptop is very user friendly, (easier than Visa). But had I known the screens cracked so frequently I would have purchased a Dell. It was a $250 nightmare.
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Todd Slavinsky ( Dallas, TX )
Everything I wanted and more...with tiny tweaks
My MacBook is my second Mac - my first was a 20" iMac G4 that lasted me four years and was still working fine when I sold it. My wife also had a iBook G4.

I use a PC all day at work, and after selling my iMac briefly used a work PC at home as my primary computer for about three months. That was enough for me, I needed another Mac for home - I just enjoy the experience much more.

I initially had shopped for PC laptops with larger screens, and was a bit hesitant to get the 13" screen, but it's worked out well for me - I use a DVI to HDMI cable to work at home on a 22" widescreen monitor, and still have a laptop that is small enough to lug around when needed.

I'm not thrilled with the initial specs on the MacBook, but a couple of them were easy to rectify - on the advice of another reviewer here, I immediately upgraded to 4GB of RAM on my own, and replaced the drive with a 360 GB 7200 RPM Seagate drive. The system screams now, and I have plenty of room for everything I need.

I also installed 64-bit Vista using Bootcamp for my occasional work-at-home projects, I can't speak highly enough of this functionality.

Included software is great - out of the whole iLife suite (iPhoto, iDVD, iMovie, GarageBand, iWeb), I've used all of the software short of iWeb, and they've all been very handy and intuitive.

I will be purchasing more Macs in my future.
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Cuyler
Least expensive MacBook, but go Pro
I believe this is a discontinued model and most people would probably order the latest version of this MacBook (unless this one is available for a lower price). But actually, I believe the 2009 13-inch MacBook Pro is worth the higher price for the following reasons:

- it's a little faster
- it's a little lighter
- the aluminum finish is more durable
- the all metal body should dissipate heat better
- the large glass trackpad is more durable
- multi-touch gestures make it easier to navigate
- keyboard lights up at night
- expands up to 8GB of memory (useful for the future)
- longer battery life
- the matte aluminum finish with black keys is beautiful

For me, these features justify the extra cost, which is why I purchased the Pro -- others might not feel they are important. I am writing this review mostly so people thinking about the white MacBook at least consider the Pro version before making a final purchase.

Note -- I got the least expensive of the 13-inch MacBook Pro which has slightly lower processor speed, smaller disk and just 2GB of RAM. The processor speed on the more expensive model is nice, but it's not significantly faster and the disk and memory can be upgraded later when prices drop (I eventually will get a solid-state drive and 8GB).
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White Dove
not great
Disadvantages:
* The lowest back light is too bright to be used with the light off at night
* Can't download PC only software
* Doesn't have the voice transcribing software that Vista does.
* The Mac version of Word doesn't preserve the formatting when copy paste with Web texts.
* MacBook keyboard is not very easy to type compared to Windows computers.
and it's expensive compared to NetBooks that has Vista installed on them.
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Bsmall ( Calif. )
Works great but!!!!!!
Apple MacBook works great however after getting it and turning it on for the first time the mouse didnt work properly. I had to take it back to the the Apple store nearby and they had to change out the key board. That the reason for the four stars and not five....
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