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Thread: The "Mod your MacBook" thread
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05-16-2006, 09:50 PM #1
- Member Since
- Jan 18, 2006
- Posts
- 1,868
- Specs:
- G4 Cube
The "Mod your MacBook" threadI ran out of room in this post. Please visit the new version on my website here:
http://macbook.wiredby.com/
MacBook:
MacBook @ Apple ($1099, $1299, $1499)
* Student discount base prices: $1049, $1199, $1399; select school online at Apple or bring in proof of enrollment into an Apple store to obtain the discount
MacBook @ Macmall (After rebates: $1044, $1219, $1349, all with free printer)
* Free printer is an HP Deskjet 5740; requires a mail-in rebate with purchase of laptop
Ram upgrades: The MacBook can take a maximum of 2 gigs of ram (2 x 1gb). They are user-replaceable; both slots are located under the laptop. You have to remove the battery to gain access, see this article: Memory installation tutorial. Here are a couple good aftermarket ram upgrades: (for much cheaper than Apple's $500 upgrade offering)
$160 for 2 gigs of Patriot (sold as a pair) @ Outpost
$166 for 2 gigs ($83 per gig) of Transcend @ Newegg (good stuff)
$166 for 2 gigs ($83 per gig) @ Newegg (generic stuff with good ratings)
$226 for 2 gigs ($113 per gig) @ OWC (good quality)
Ram list on Newegg
Hard drive upgrades: The MacBooks use a 2.5" SATA hard drive. It is user replaceable ; it is located under the laptop. See here for pictures. Seagate and Hitachi are the two primary sources of 2.5" SATA hard drives. 7200rpm drives are available in 60, 80, and 100gb capacities while 5400rpm drives are available in up to 120gb capacities. The Seagate is the quieter drive while the Hitachi is the better-performing drive.
Update: I just called Apple and spoke to a rep, who said that the 7200rpm SATA drives will NOT fit into the MacBook. This is why the faster drives are not offered with the MacBook; it's a size issue, not a heat issue. However, OWC says these drives are compatible, according to their website . I guess we'll find out when they release their MacBook installation videos...
Seagate 80gb 7200rpm @ eWiz for $155
Seagate 100gb 7200rpm @ eWiz for $188 (quietest)
Seagate 120gb 5400rpm @ eWiz for $191
Hitachi 60gb 7200rpm @ eWiz for $111
Hitachi 80gb 7200rpm @ eWiz for $147
Hitachi 100gb 7200rpm @ eWiz for $165 (best performance)
Bags/cases:
Case Logic (briefcase/carry-case style, 5 models)
Vertical shoulder bag from Booq (MacBook-specific)
Laptop bag from Booq (Fits 13" MacBooks)
Accessories:
8x dual-layer DVD burner @ Newegg for $80 (Pioneer DVR-K06)
* According to Accelerate Your Mac, , the 10.4.6 update makes Pioneer DVR-K06 drive Apple Supported
** Apple stores will not install this for you, I just checked. I'm sure you can kiss your warranty goodbye if want to install a faster DVDr.
Bluetooth mouse (non-Apple)
Logitech wireless laser notebook mouse
Arctic Silver 5 thermal paste @ eWiz for $5 (small tube)
* Big tube is available for $10
MacBook cloth screen protector (cleaning kit also available)
*******************************
Photos:
Black MacBook
Closer photos of the black MacBook
More black MacBook (scroll down)
Even more black MacBook @ Flickr
All photos with the 'MacBook' tag @ Flickr
Badgers, mushroom, snake
White MacBook
White MacBook & Guts (only a few)
Apple PR photos
Apple's MacBook Gallery (with QVTR 360)
White MacBook disassembly photos
More white MacBook @ C|NET (click #'d links @ top)
White MacBook next to a 15.4" MacBook Pro
White MacBook next to a 12" PowerBook
White MacBook gutted
More white MacBook disassembly
Reviews:
First look @ MacWorld (white)
Hands on @ PC World (black)
Hands on @ Engadget (black and white)
Gaming on the Intel GMA950 (actually a Mac Mini article, but the MacBook has the same video card)
Benchmarks @ Geek Patrol
Glossy screen review @ ARS' FatBits
C|NET video review (white)
Stuff Magazine review (black)
MacInTouch reader reviews
Bad news:
Black skin flakes off (closeup)
MacBook whine reported @ Something Awful forums
Software:
Temperature monitoring software (free)
Faronic's Power Save Mac ($10, controls startup/shutdown/restart/logout)
Miscellaneous links:
MacBook at Apple
Tech specs
Support page from Apple
User Guide (PDF)
MacBook Discussion Forum at Apple
600+ MacBook widescreen wallpapers
Wikipedia MacBook entry
MacBookResQ (upgrade & repair services)
MacBook vs. MacBook Pro comparison chart
Notes:
-Glossy screen
-Available in black or white
-64mb GMA950 integrated graphics
-iSight built-in (wifi, bluetooth, etc. too)
-Max 6 hour battery life (3.5 with wifi on, 2.5 watching a DVD)
-No keyboard backlight (small thing)
-No expansion ports (ExpressCard or PCMCIA)
-2-button feature: Activate in mouse prefs; enables 2 fingers on the trackpad plus a click to equal a right-click (not tested by me yet)
-AppleCare is a good thing for laptops. You can purchase AppleCare anytime during the first year of owning your laptop; many people wait until the last month of the first year to purchase it, thus extending their warranty coverage by an extra year (1st year + 3 years vs. 1st year including 3 years)
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05-17-2006, 12:44 AM #2
- Member Since
- Mar 09, 2004
- Location
- Munich
- Posts
- 9,073
- Specs:
- Aluminium Macbook 2.4 Ghz 4GB RAM, SSD 24" Samsung Display, iPhone 4, iPad 2
Nice roundup...
According to this article (http://www.appleinsider.com/article.php?id=1750) the harddrive IS user replaceable.
Just pop out the battery, remove a metal shield and you're at the drive.
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05-17-2006, 03:08 AM #3lilGuest
Hard drive user replaceable, easily replaceable? Hallelujah!
Anyway would post some of the links I have found but I'm running late for work!
Will do so when I get back from work!
Vicky
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05-17-2006, 07:26 AM #4
- Member Since
- Jan 18, 2006
- Posts
- 1,868
- Specs:
- G4 Cube
Originally Posted by Aptmunich
http://feedjeff.com/2006/05/17/13-macbook-taken-apart/
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05-17-2006, 09:08 AM #5iBradGuest
Is the hard drive user replaceable on the MBP???
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05-17-2006, 09:17 AM #6
- Member Since
- Jan 18, 2006
- Posts
- 1,868
- Specs:
- G4 Cube
Originally Posted by iBrad
http://eshop.macsales.com/tech_cente...directory.html
It may void your warranty, based on the video - you really have to take it apart to get to the hard drive in the MBP. The MacBook has a much simpler procedure
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05-17-2006, 09:42 AM #7
I don't like the "chiclet" style keyboard. Reminds me of my very first TRS-80 Color Computer's chiclet keyboard back in 1983. Very annoying to type on for any length of time. That's why Radio Shack came out with a replacement keyboard in 1984. I wouldn't buy the Macbook simply for that reason. Otherwise they are cool.
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05-17-2006, 09:43 AM #8
- Member Since
- Jan 18, 2006
- Posts
- 1,868
- Specs:
- G4 Cube
Originally Posted by rcltrh
http://www.engadget.com/2006/05/17/h...apple-macbook/
"The flat square keys lack side or top ridges, making touch typing a little unusual (and possibly somewhat difficult), being that the only physical key delineation is the space between them. What made up for this, however, was the notably more tactile key feedback when compared to the PowerBook and MacBook Pro, which share the same lame, mushy keyboard."
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05-17-2006, 02:03 PM #9
- Member Since
- May 13, 2005
- Posts
- 2,410
i just listened ta a podcast called "MacCast" and it said the macbook has a 4xdual layer super drive. is this true?
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05-17-2006, 02:11 PM #10
- Member Since
- Jan 18, 2006
- Posts
- 1,868
- Specs:
- G4 Cube
Originally Posted by Fallooza
Slot-loading SuperDrive with double-layer read support (DVD+R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW): writes DVD-R and DVD+R discs at up to 4x speed, writes DVD-RW and DVD+RW discs at up to 4x speed, reads DVDs at up to 8x speed, writes CD-R discs at up to 24x speed, writes CD-RW discs at up to 10x speed, reads CDs at up to 24x speed
http://www.apple.com/macbook/specs.html
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05-17-2006, 04:33 PM #11
this is a great thread, do most of these thing apply for both the macbook and macbook pro or just is it either/or.
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05-17-2006, 04:39 PM #12
- Member Since
- Jan 18, 2006
- Posts
- 1,868
- Specs:
- G4 Cube
Originally Posted by Mace
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05-17-2006, 04:43 PM #13
- Member Since
- Dec 24, 2002
- Location
- Los Angeles, California
- Posts
- 12,584
- Specs:
- 2 x 3.0GHz Quad-Core, 6GB OS X 10.6.8 | 15in MacBook Pro 2.2GHz OS X 10.6.8 | 64GB iPad 2 WiFi
It was stated in another thread that, Apple was asked about the 7200rpm drive fitting into a MacBook. Apple said that the 7200rpm drive are to big to fit into the MacBook.
Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, It's about learning to dance in the rain!
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05-17-2006, 04:54 PM #14
- Member Since
- Jan 18, 2006
- Posts
- 1,868
- Specs:
- G4 Cube
Originally Posted by rman
Keep your eye on OWC and XLR8 for updated news on that, they should find out the "real" story soon.
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05-17-2006, 07:02 PM #15RingoFanGuest
What about changing the case color:
Colorwarepc
http://www.colorwarepc.com/products/default.aspx
This is pricy, If there were a more affordable option I would consider it.
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