Filed under: Hardware, iBook, Apple, MacBook
MacBook vs. iBook

Everyone has gone MacBook crazy (or is it just me?)! However, let us not forget the honorable iBook that the MacBook has replaced in Apple's product matrix. System Shootouts hasn't forgotten. They have, in fact, pitted the MacBook against the iBook in a point by point comparison. Who comes out on top? I'm not telling, but I think you might be a little surprised.

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
neil said 3:41PM on 5-18-2006
They show the Intel graphics card as better? Isn't that not the case. Dedicated vs Shared?
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jason mark said 3:42PM on 5-18-2006
What a crap comparison this is. Who really cares if one system has Apple Works or not?
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Herman said 3:51PM on 5-18-2006
Well I'm working on one of those 12" iBooks right now and looking at the specs I can only say the MacBook looks better. The ONLY disadvantage of the new MacBook is the lack of the faxmodem. Just once in a while a build-in fax and/or modem is REALLY handy and most of those times you most definately need it - I sure am happy to have it.
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Mehdi Aminian said 3:52PM on 5-18-2006
Yeah I'm MacBook crazy too! My friend are totally tired of me, but isn't just amazing that today's Apple entry level notebook is roughly as powerful as 2 years ago Apple's top of the line PowerMac G5!
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JClark said 3:56PM on 5-18-2006
That whole integrated vs. non-integrated graphics thing has been repeated so much people take it as fact, but it's WAY over-simplified. The Intel integrated solution is by most accounts a big improvement. I does have twice the memory available to it, after all.
By the way, what exactly is surprising about those results?
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TimStalin said 4:03PM on 5-18-2006
OK,
What am I missing? Where is the surprise?
The MacBook is pretty much yellow, and the iBook has a smattering of yellow (pretty much just weight, AppleWorks, VGA adapter, modem and cheaper).
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LinkinJoe said 4:11PM on 5-18-2006
Surpice inside :) i hate yellow... it would be nice if company produce deep black models
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elliot Hosch said 4:15PM on 5-18-2006
Im macbook crazy to! its the best mac I have ever had. Myfirst mac was an old ibook g4, its what started my love with macs, and now the succesor to the ipod still shows how great apple is!
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elliot Hosch said 4:17PM on 5-18-2006
macbook* sorry
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Bart Vandezande said 4:21PM on 5-18-2006
I was one of those lucky guys to get that top-of-the-line Power Mac G5 two and a half years ago. Now I'm actually in love with the MacBook! It's actually a little bit weird to know you could get the same power on the road for that lovely price!
And if you only look at the excitement on the web, you know Apple did it again!
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Peter Kirn said 6:18PM on 5-18-2006
I don't think the graphics card issue has been *entirely* oversimplified. In general, it is better to have a dedicated graphics card. Now, that doesn't mean ALL dedicated graphics cards are better. I was reasonably pleased with the iBook G4's graphics card's performance, for the price, so since this is so close, I'd want to see a real benchmark there as opposed to a broad judgment here.
There's nothing surprising. The MacBook is better by virtually any measure, unless you count AppleWorks and Quicken -- and, really, come on. ;)
If anything, this points out some specs that are better on the MacBook that you might otherwise have missed, beyond just the display and CPU.
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Eric said 6:41PM on 5-18-2006
#2,
Well, actually, hundreds of educational customers do. I have a fleet of 1000 iBooks, and a lot of 3rd graders who can't quite handle Microsoft Word. AppleWorks isn't an amazing application by any stretch, but its simple and friendly, and on an iBook, its free! Now, we are going to have to pay for a copy of iWork for each computer when we upgrade the fleet. Oh well. Progress!
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Jona said 6:51PM on 5-18-2006
The Intel integrated graphics totally screws my purchase up. I just came from the Pioneer Place Apple Store here in Portland, Oregon where they told me that I won't be able to run Final Cut Pro or Motion on the MacBook. WHAT!? My current iBook can run FCP well enough to get by (making movies on the road, little edits here and there, etc.)
Does anyone know more details?
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Mr Lizard said 7:42PM on 5-18-2006
#13 Seriously?!! I've got FCE and I was thinking of buying one of these
So I wont be able to run Final Cut Express then, is that true?
What it is about the MacBook that prevents it from running?
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Tim said 7:59PM on 5-18-2006
Yeah I was at the Apple store last night and the rep there said that since the graphics card is integrated FCP doesn't know what's up and won't run. No sale for me!
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Thorn said 8:38PM on 5-18-2006
I wouldn't be surprised if the following answer was the same for FCP:
"Aperture does run on the new MacBooks, but it is NOT officially supported, due to limitations with the graphics card. This means if you call AppleCare, you'll simply be told that you're running Aperture on an unsupported configuration. It's an "at-your-own-risk" experience.
That being said, Aperture will install and run on a MacBook...at least you're not disallowed from using it. No hacks needed!
And of course, Aperture is fully supported on all MacBook PRO models.
Joe Schorr
Sr. Product Manager, Aperture
Apple"
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Victor Agreda, Jr. said 10:23PM on 5-18-2006
Not many iBooks have the 6 hour battery or scrolling trackpad... And the video on the MacBook should, in theory, be superior. I wonder if FCP will get an update to recognize the GMA? And I really wonder if Final Cut Express is supported. You'd think it'd be ideal for the "prosumer" black model... Motion and Aperture are hogs though, I see how the MacBook might not like 'em.
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Marc said 11:41PM on 5-18-2006
I love my iBook G4 but my 24 hours old MacBook is rapidly taking over. The only drawback I find so far is the heat generated by the MacBook. The left bottom side is as hot as the MBP I use at work. The heat even works it way up through the keys on that side. The new keyboard is very nice. Best one since my old ThinkPad. Finally, the right mouse button functionality with a two finger click is oh so good!
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Ryan said 12:09AM on 5-19-2006
ok...so i'm a little confused.... does the macbook have internal speakers, or not? surely it has to. it is not listed in the audio out section...but it's listed for the ibook.
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Brendan said 12:16AM on 5-19-2006
"Ryan" Do you know where the hinge is when the MacBook is open? Well the speakers are hidden along there, and when there 's a sound it bounces off the screen up in to your face! Round of applause for the Johnathan Ive ;)
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