Black or white macbook?

7476 Views 33 Replies 14 Participants Last post by JAGflyer, Jul 20, 2007

jaline

Discussion Starter · Jul 7, 2007

Hi, I'm a macbook n00b

I've used Apple systems before, but this is first time I'm actually going to own a laptop of theirs, after being a PC user for my entire (albeit, short) life.

I know there aren't huge differences between the black and white macbooks, but I'm interested in knowing if the wear is significantly more noticeable on the white laptops compared to the black. I'm guessing the black ones are more sleek? I do plan on using the notebook all the time.

I have already purchased a sleeve, keyboard cover and will get some covers for the wrist area soon, depending on the colour of the macbook I get (yes...I have these before I have even bought the machine...can you tell that I'm excited?)

Also, I'm guessing that Apple Canada or The Mac Group are the best bets to purchase the machine if I live in Ottawa?

1 - 20 of 34 Posts

Felixtrio

· #2 · Jul 7, 2007

I would go with the white. My wife has a black laptop. I find that it is difficult to see the letters in lower light. If you are an accomplished typist, then it makes no difference.

Felix

HowEver

· #3 · Jul 7, 2007 (Edited)

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jaline

Discussion Starter · #4 · Jul 7, 2007

HowEver said:
Welcome to ehMac.

I don't think finding the keys will be a problem for most.

The black ones show fingerprints, but are easily wiped. The white ones show everything else.

I chose black but it's so much a matter of personal preference. Have you tried each model in a store?

Thanks,

No, I haven't tried any in a store, but I plan to. I like the black one more, but it all depends on the price and if it's on sale.

genuineadvantage

· #5 · Jul 7, 2007

Well if you are concerned about scratches and other unwanted things showing up on the enclosure then you are better off with the black. I agree with however, with regards to the finger prints, it can be cleaned off very easily. Also the black MacBook has a few extra features that the ohters dont have. I hope this helps

Oh and welcome to ehMac!

gizmo321

· #6 · Jul 7, 2007

I have a black one. I thought it was sleek and nice at first. But after awhile the grease marks all over the laptop get pretty annoying. If I were to get the MacBook again, I'd get the white one.

jaline

Discussion Starter · #7 · Jul 7, 2007

Hmmm...interesting. I suppose I'll have to figure out which one would bother me more.

fyrefly

· #8 · Jul 7, 2007

Ya -- I'd say the black one shows dirt/wear MUCH more than the white one.

That being said, I still like my BlackBook

Aero

· #9 · Jul 7, 2007

You should go to an apple store or a store that sells macbooks, Im pretty sure the floor model would've been raped by now. It will show a wear of at least a year or two.

eggman

· #10 · Jul 7, 2007

You mentioned that you're young (student discount?) and in Ottawa (Many gov't employees belong to groups which have volume discounts with Apple - equivilent to the education pricing, the same as some large corporations). If you're able to take advantage of either of those then your only choice is Apple directly. "The Mac Group" or "iService Depot" or any of the other authorized resellers in town can't equal the discount you could get direct from Apple as far as I know.

%8 might be worth waiting for the shipping, from what I know of the margin that Apple allows its resellers they probably can't equal that discount on the computer, though sometimes they can throw in accessories that might make a purchase decision easier.

SoyMac

· #11 · Jul 7, 2007

I don't own any white clothes because I get them dirty before I even put them on. If I walk on the opposite side of the street and I pass an Italian restaurant while I'm wearing a white shirt, I'll have tomato sauce stains on my shirt before I get to the end of the block.

But I bought a used, white iBook a few months ago and even though I'm careful around it, I haven't cleaned it in any special way, and this white iBook looks great! No dirt flagrantly shows.

I don't have a black MacBook to compare it to, but I'm amazed at how clean the white iBook remains.

jaline

Discussion Starter · #12 · Jul 7, 2007

I emailed The Mac Group about the student discount, so we'll see what they say. I'm guessing they won't give it to me (although...they are an authorized reseller). Then I will most likely be buying it through the Apple store, although the black one is quite pricey that way. So, if buying through the Apple store, I would most likely get the white macbook.

There is a trusted person on eBay who is selling them for around $1400 (and has replied to every email I have sent him promptly), but I'm not sure I'm comfortable with making large purchases there.

jaline

Discussion Starter · #13 · Jul 7, 2007

SoyMac said:
I don't own any white clothes because I get them dirty before I even put them on. If I walk on the opposite side of the street and I pass an Italian restaurant while I'm wearing a white shirt, I'll have tomato sauce stains on my shirt before I get to the end of the block.

But I bought a used, white iBook a few months ago and even though I'm careful around it, I haven't cleaned it in any special way, and this white iBook looks great! No dirt flagrantly shows.

Haha, good to know. I'm the exact same way, actually, which is why I was worried about purchasing a white macbook. However, I think if I just take care of it (and possibly get those wristpads I was mentioned before) then my system should be okay.

CubaMark

· #14 · Jul 7, 2007

Jaline, be sure to check out the Refurbished section of the Apple Canada Store. I just picked up a laptop for a present - got the Black Core 2 Duo 2.0 ghz model for $1126 - that's much better than the education discount.

fyrefly

· #15 · Jul 7, 2007

Aero said:
You should go to an apple store or a store that sells macbooks, Im pretty sure the floor model would've been raped by now. It will show a wear of at least a year or two.

Well new MacBooks came out in May, so maybe a month or so of wear.

I know in the official Apple Stores they clean the laptops each and every night (if not more frequently) 'cause they want them looking their best for the customers.

If you want Beat Up -- Try Best Buy. The Demo models there are always dirty and crashing constantly.

Aero

· #16 · Jul 7, 2007

fyrefly said:
Well new MacBooks came out in May, so maybe a month or so of wear.

I know in the official Apple Stores they clean the laptops each and every night (if not more frequently) 'cause they want them looking their best for the customers.

If you want Beat Up -- Try Best Buy. The Demo models there are always dirty and crashing constantly.

Well, a couple of days on the floor could mean a couple of weeks (or more) in the real world. The apple store do look better but still kinda dirty compared to the one at best buy.

IronMac

· #17 · Jul 7, 2007

gizmo321 said:
I have a black one. I thought it was sleek and nice at first. But after awhile the grease marks all over the laptop get pretty annoying. If I were to get the MacBook again, I'd get the white one.

This is probably one of the biggest issues I've heard with regards to the black model on this and other forums. The solution seems to be either buy a white one or get a Speck hardshell case.

csonni

· #18 · Jul 7, 2007

I'm real happy with my white MacBook. It's stays very clean. I've only wiped it down once in the last month, and that was only for a few fingerprints which I could hardly see.

jaline

Discussion Starter · #19 · Jul 7, 2007

CubaMark said:
Jaline, be sure to check out the Refurbished section of the Apple Canada Store. I just picked up a laptop for a present - got the Black Core 2 Duo 2.0 ghz model for $1126 - that's much better than the education discount.

I am definitely going to do this...if I can find one soon. The problem is that the Apple Canada refurbished section has a smaller amount of refurbished models available and sometimes it takes weeks for them to have a good one up. There hasn't even been a white macbook with at least a 120 GB HD for the past week or two.

HowEver

· #20 · Jul 7, 2007 (Edited)

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