Comments on: jkOnTheRun video- 13-inch MacBook (aluminum)

By: Jerry

Jerry — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 21:15:46 +0000

James I am thinking of going from PC to Macbook. Couple of questions. I read in the forums that there is an issue with the wifi range on the alum. macbooks to be less because of the interference of the alum body. Have you noticed a difference? Also it did look like you were struggling with the glossy screen even though you said you like them. Still okay with it?

By: Rick Huizinga

Rick Huizinga — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 16:01:47 +0000

Daniel, I have not noticed no graphics issues either.

I am currently waiting for a package to arrive, containing 4GB of RAM, and a 360GB hard disk. I plan to install these today so I can install VMWare Fusion, and begin transferring all of my files.

Now I just need to figure out how to get Time Machine to work with my Windows Home Server for automated backups. Plus, I need to figure out how to keep my computers in sync. When all of my computers were Windows based, LiveMesh kept all computers perfectly in sync (iTunes, documents, pictures & Lightroom catalog, etc.). I doubt I will be able to continue to keep iTunes in sync as I am guessing the iTunes library files will have differences between the Mac & PC (i.e. path names, etc.). I am also worried that I will not be able to keep my Adobe Lightroom catalog synced for the same reasons.

By: James Kendrick

James Kendrick — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 14:46:41 +0000

bruno, since you asked so nicely. I stated clearly I had only had the MacBook for a couple of hours when shooting that video. No way then to report exact battery life figures. I did state and having used the MB for a day now that I can expect about 4 hours of battery life.

I also stated that I thought the easier to access hard drive bay would make memory upgrades more difficult. I have indeed removed the hatch and confirmed that you can not access the memory from there.

By: bruno

bruno — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 14:27:56 +0000

Please stop guessing and check the facts before reporting about battery life, memory upgrades and more. Why not open that bay to the battery and harddisk?

By: James Kendrick

James Kendrick — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 10:38:05 +0000

Daniel, I’ve noticed no graphics artifacts of any kind so far.

By: Daniel Seiden

Daniel Seiden — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 10:35:36 +0000

Do you see any graphical issues at all with the macbook? I picked up the pro and have noticed a few issues when scrolling on web pages. It seems like a refresh issue or tearing. I took it into the apple store and unfortunatly the display models also had this same issue. I am wondering if the macbook shows this same issue or if it is only with the pro.

By: James Kendrick

James Kendrick — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 07:42:10 +0000

Phil, yes that’s correct. I hadn’t realized at the time that I had closed windows I had opened prior to shooting the video. I realized that’s what happened right after finishing the video. I am really liking the 4 finger salute with Expose. :)

By: Phil Lee

Phil Lee — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 07:35:56 +0000

The 4 finger down gesture brings up Expose which needs some open windows to work. You had no visible windows when you tried it in the video so got an error beep.

By: James Kendrick

James Kendrick — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 06:20:57 +0000

Rick, I also think it’s to help make dragging things around easier. Try this: “grab” a window by clicking your thumb on the bottom of the trackpad, hold the thumb click down, and drag the window with the index finger. It makes dragging windows around much easier than with a button.

By: James Kendrick

James Kendrick — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 06:06:12 +0000

Since you have to push it to click the button it doesn’t interfere at all, even less than traditional trackpads.

Rick, I see the same thing and think it is by design to provide an area of the trackpad that is not part of the button.