Real OS X Mac for $1100

[asiafish]

Apple just introduced a low-priced Core-Duo laptop today, the 13" widescreen MacBook. It suffers with Intel integrated graphics, but still makes a very cheap Intel OS X machine that with Apple's Boot Camp program can easily run Windows as well.

[mfratt]

I actually have a MacBook, but I am still set on getting OSX86 running on my T43. I used the Deadmoo image to install it, but I'm still having a handful of problems.

You can say "Why would you install OSX on a PC when you can get a MacBook for $1099 (Now $994 at Macmall.com)?" But I think it is more the enjoyment and uniqueness of booting up your Thinkpad to OSX. I just finished my install tonight, but Im sure that it will turn some heads once I get it running right.

[asiafish]

Deadmoo is a very old (pre-release) version of 10.4 for Intel that was released with the original developer machines. If you want a decent OS X try 10.4.5 or later, which will give you far better hardware support and speed.

Of course, the cheapest MacBook makes a far better Mac than the most expensive PC. The Intel graphics aren't even that bad.

[pjain]

I've been using a MacBook for a bit more than two months now. I've posted my experiences on my blog below. Short end of it is, if you're a happy ThinkPad user, though the MacBook is a pretty good deal for the price, the ThinkPad, as a computing hardware platform is still superior to the MacBook. If you really want a Mac, wait till Apple comes out with the 2nd or 3rd generation MacBook and fixes the major hardware problems.

http://linosx.nyvisitek.com/category/apple/

Pankaj

[asiafish]

MacBook heat is a real issue, though one that has been fixed with subsequent motherboard revisions. My first MacBook was actually replaced by Apple, and the new one runs a good 10 degrees C cooler, though it, like any CoreDuo laptop, is still quite hot.

For comparison, my X41 with a 1.6GHz Dothan gets as hot as 70 C under maximum load, where the MacBook will reach 82 C. My early production unit got as high as 90 C before suddenly shutting down.

Bottom line is if your MacBook is one of the early ones, it will run way too hot. Later ones are still scorchers, but at least they are within spec and not so hot as to be unstable.

[pjain]

MacBook heat is a real issue, though one that has been fixed with subsequent motherboard revisions. My first MacBook was actually replaced by Apple, and the new one runs a good 10 degrees C cooler, though it, like any CoreDuo laptop, is still quite hot.

For comparison, my X41 with a 1.6GHz Dothan gets as hot as 70 C under maximum load, where the MacBook will reach 82 C. My early production unit got as high as 90 C before suddenly shutting down.

Bottom line is if your MacBook is one of the early ones, it will run way too hot. Later ones are still scorchers, but at least they are within spec and not so hot as to be unstable.

I heard they had fixed, or at least, mitigated the problem with the MacBook Pros. I wasn't aware that they had done so with the MacBooks also. I will have to do some temp measures and call Apple support. Maybe they'll replace my MacBook too. Have you had any issues with the edge ( below the trackpad where your wrists might rest ) being very sharp?

[asiafish]

They'll replace your logic board, not the computer itself. I got a replacement computer because they screwed mine up at the depot and broke things that were fine while fixing what was broken.