[frankthetank966]

I am getting a new macbook soon and have no idea which to get. I really never thought about getting a black Macbook. If I were to be receiving the same laptop (spec wise) is there any difference with the black vs. the white? Has anybody experienced any issues with the black macbok scratching or discoloration with it?

[adster]

Well coming from an artists standpoint, the color black can't discolor. Black isn't really a color per say, black is just the "lack of color".

Back to reality...

I haven't herd anything about black Macbooks discoloring. As a matter of fact, I bought a black Macbook today! The only difference is the larger harddrive and the color. Plus, the resale value holds a bit better with the black model.

[frankthetank966]

Interesting, it may be worth the 200 bucks more.

[uicandrew]

i'd like to point out that the blacbook is more matte and the scratches show up more readily than the glossy white of the macbook. however, putting a bestskinsever on it makes it look glossy.

[walkerjs]

I got my wife a black Macbook. It seems to be fine from a fingerprint standpoint, but then she meticulously cleans it all the time.

My white one has more of a cat-hair problem (two black cats in the house.)

Also the black one came standard with a 120GB disk, as opposed to my white w/80GB disk.

[jokell82]

Oils from your hands will work their way into the trackpad, wrist rests, and keyboard. The black macbook will show these much more than the white one will. It will appear shiny and no longer matte in these areas.

[frankthetank966]

It seems as if the black ones shows oil. Which is somewhat gross.

[brschetgen]

I keep my Whitebook fairly clean (I wipe it down often, but don't carry my microfiber cloths and compressed air around with me) and it hasn't shown any major discoloration that I can tell. It is a week 30 and I use the built in keyboard, and I haven't seen any of the top case yellowing that alot of people have. I've seen Blackbooks that look gross from skin oils on the trackpad and wrist area... but I have also seen Whitebooks become Yellowbooks in some spots... so I guess it comes down to what you think is the lesser of two evils and how much a chance you want to take.

[ursus]

My BlackBook shows some oiliness on each side of the space bar on the handrests, as well as where I put my hands when I close the lid. Nothing major, but it shows. So far, it's easy to wipe it clean with a micro-fiber cloth.

[frankthetank966]

Which color makes the LCD look better? I personally think that the black ipod is better for watching video's than white one.

[Stingrey]

Another vote for black... I have the BlackBook and I love it. After using it for a few weeks, I think it is just as cool as white... But in a more sinister way >:)

[walkerjs]

Originally Posted by frankthetank966 

Which color makes the LCD look better? I personally think that the black ipod is better for watching video's than white one.

My wife thinks that the black makes the screen look better, and possibly a little bigger. I think the screen on either of them looks fantastic so I don't have a problem with the white border on mine. I'd have to agree with her though, the black border does visually 'enhance' the screen.

[frankthetank966]

Thats why I like it on my ipod. The final question is it really8 worth the extra 200?!?!!? NO

[brokenjago]

Originally Posted by franthetake966

The final question is it really8 worth the extra 200?!?!!? NO

To be fair, they're only charging a $50 premium for the black, as the 120GB HD is a $150 upgrade. I don't find that too bad at all, really.

[legacyb4]

I had a chance to take a look at a white MacBook that a user brought into my office which was a "few months" old; already, it had some noticeable scraches in the glossy coating that would definitely not be as apparent on matte black.

My black mousepad is a bit smudged but I think it looks a lot better than the grimy white trackpad that the white one has.

And yes, the black frame really brings out the vividness of the screen much more so than the white.

[frankthetank966]

I agree about the hd and the black one. But I do not really need a 120

[DigitalEl]

But I do not really need a 120

Yet. You do not really need a 120, yet.

[jough]

You can always replace the hard drive later. Get a $20 enclosure and you can mirror your old drive to the new one, shut down, swap them out, and double your capacity for about $150 (or less).

[frankthetank966]

Originally Posted by jough 

You can always replace the hard drive later. Get a $20 enclosure and you can mirror your old drive to the new one, shut down, swap them out, and double your capacity for about $150 (or less).

that is somewhat true. I do imagine prices of hd will drop in the future.

[dn15]

I'll affirm what others have said about the black MacBook -- it shows wear and/or oils on the wrist rest area, and somewhat on the keys themselves, much worse than the white versions. The white ones do discolor, but only some of them, and it seems that newer units and those that have had the topcase replaced don't have that problem anymore.

[frankthetank966]

From what I have heard, the black one does not show scratches on the lid/monitor as much as the white one would. However, it displays oil/grease on the keyboard and wristpad area.

The white one may display scratches on the lid/monitor but I have not heard anything that it shows grease/oil substance on the keyboard area. If you have a white MB I suggest getting a InvisibleShield from Shield Zone.

[mrgaskell]

I'm a teacher and use white boards in my classroom. I now have to wash my hands as the ink "powder" from the dry erase markers stain the MacBook. I found that 70% isoproponol takes the ink off, but it's a pain and I wonder about the long term effects on the plastic.