[hldan]

Originally Posted by Icruise

I don't really think that's true. The Pismo might have showed some grease on the rubberized middle section, but I don't ever recall it being an issue (and I still have one that I use almost every day). It's not just that the black MacBook is black, it's that it has a different finish than any earlier Mac, and that seems to make hand oils show up more.

Sorry, I stand corrected about the Pismo. I checked out a few pics on the web and while it shows signs of being shiny due to wear there weren't any grease marks. I don't think this fingerprint thing is really an issue with the MacBooks anyway. I have seen many of them at various stores and it wasn't like someone just ate a whole bucket of chicken and then used the MacBook to wipe their hands clean.
I would never have a problem with this if I had a MacBook as I have to clean my screen on my PowerBook 17" quite often, it's not a big deal to clean the computer.
I have the Logitech MX 1000 laser mouse and the grips are rubberized and they get greasy from my fingerprints, I just wipe it clean, no biggy.

I certainly wish people here would just enjoy their new toy and don't sweat such small stuff. If their MacBooks are problematic then that's something worth talking about.

[Frans]

Hi there,

Working on my Black MacBook for more than 2 weeks now. Very happy with it. Yes you do see fingerprints on it, but if you take a screen cloth like the one's that come with the 20 and 23" they're gone in a second.

F

[Gamoe]

Originally Posted by hldan

it wasn't like someone just ate a whole bucket of chicken and then used the MacBook to wipe their hands clean.

LOL!

Originally Posted by hldan

I certainly wish people here would just enjoy their new toy and don't sweat such small stuff.

Grease, rather than sweat, seems to be the primary issue.

[ARK]

Did you have the desktop picture of the angled apple logo?

Originally Posted by Star-Fire

Well guess I changed my mind. My MacBook started randomly shutting down, so went into the Apple store to see a "Genius" and he couldn't even get it to start with out turning off it's self, so he said he would swap it but they were out of white 2.0s. I was thinking about the black and finally saw one that wasn't used by a thousand people and was "Wow!" So now I'm the proud owner of a BlackBook, only had to pay the differance. Much better machine anyhow, screen isn't pink and the battery fits perfect (Other one didn't fit quite right), it really is sleek, if you have seen a clean one that hasn't been handled by hundreds if not thousands of people try to find one, you will be impressed!

So in honor of my new BlackBook and since some like my beauty pictures for desktops here are 4 of my BlackBook.

http://home.comcast.net/~jasonn/BlackBook1.jpg
http://home.comcast.net/~jasonn/BlackBook3.jpg
http://home.comcast.net/~jasonn/BlackBook6.jpg
http://home.comcast.net/~jasonn/BlackBook7.jpg

[Star-Fire]

You mean this one: http://home.comcast.net/~jasonn/MBPDesktop.jpg

[ARK]

Yep, thats it. Thanks!

Originally Posted by Star-Fire

You mean this one: http://home.comcast.net/~jasonn/MBPDesktop.jpg

[Ann Mix]

after waiting for my mail ordered cheaper white macbook for 3 weeks i got impatient, especially with the unsatisfactory responses to me enquiries... so, i cancelled the order and started looking for one locally, which i could actually purchase and take home. the only one available was black (i had played with one in a store the night before). in principle i was opposed to the extra money but it does look great- maybe a little more solid that white. because it was the only one available the decision was simplified for me. often, choices in general drive me (us) nuts (slower and cheaper, vs more money, faster, bigger drive combined with color difference, and so on). in the end, i am sure i would be happy with either color. they are both very attractive to me, and i'm hoping the apple logo will be the hook that gets me laid (more often, of course)...

i took it to the first soccer world championship party last night and was ichatting with a friend in chicago (i was near ulm, germany), introducing him to the work crowd and showing him the game on tv... this morning i noticed that several fingerprints from the grilled meat and snacks did end up on the housing. what is the easiest method of removing greasy fingerprints? sandpaper or mr. clean and a brillo pad?

[PJJames]

Originally Posted by davidosteedski

after waiting for my mail ordered cheaper white macbook for 3 weeks i got impatient, especially with the unsatisfactory responses to me enquiries... so, i cancelled the order and started looking for one locally, which i could actually purchase and take home. the only one available was black (i had played with one in a store the night before). in principle i was opposed to the extra money but it does look great- maybe a little more solid that white. because it was the only one available the decision was simplified for me. often, choices in general drive me (us) nuts (slower and cheaper, vs more money, faster, bigger drive combined with color difference, and so on). in the end, i am sure i would be happy with either color. they are both very attractive to me, and i'm hoping the apple logo will be the hook that gets me laid (more often, of course)...

i took it to the first soccer world championship party last night and was ichatting with a friend in chicago (i was near ulm, germany), introducing him to the work crowd and showing him the game on tv... this morning i noticed that several fingerprints from the grilled meat and snacks did end up on the housing. what is the easiest method of removing greasy fingerprints? sandpaper or mr. clean and a brillo pad?

Mr. Clean Magic Eraser will take the finger prints and any goop right off the computer.

[houstonmacbro]

Originally Posted by Simon

Black.

The white is glossy which makes it look like a toilet bowl.

Since money wasn't really such an issue, I got the black one.

i'm not too style conscious, but i just can't see toting around a white macbook. still on the fence thought because i am:

1. waiting for a merom macbook
2. still trying to decide if the white looks too kiddyish

[houstonmacbro]

Originally Posted by Gabriel Morales

LOL!



Grease, rather than sweat, seems to be the primary issue.

i thought the grease, spotting issues on the black ones had been corrected?

what about the heat issues?

[neverskatewsandles]

Originally Posted by michaelb

I don't know why people are bitching about the premium for black! The premium is very deliberate.

First, car manufacturers often charge more for certain colors, especially metallic ones.

Second, it looks sexier, and will probably get you laid more often. Isn't extra sex worth the bucks!

Third, it's designed as a status symbol. Get a black one and people know you're capable of paying $150-200 bucks for no other reason than to look cool. That's what a status symbol is.

Let me guess your the kind of guy that goes into starbucks and gets an 8 dollar latte and sits at a table with your pretty black macbook showing it off to everyone who comes in. Not an insult but an observation.

[houstonmacbro]

let me say this ... the black looks pretty ... sleek ... modern ... stylish. the same can be said for the white, but i did notice this. the black still has a white power adapter, and a white remote ...which could look kinda silly.

i am not meaning to put the white model down, but it just doesn't have the same serious 'look' as the black model. the white seems (from my initial observation) very plastic, student-ish ... and just not all too professional.

[MattJeff]

Originally Posted by Star-Fire

That black does look sexy, but i could see it getting smeared up all the time, and the extra charge for a color really puts me back what about all the colored iMacs and iBooks, no charge there. I'd rather have a glossy black, I take extra care of my laptops, if it was gloss I'd be sold. Which ever these things will sell like hotcakes.

Glossy black would be Pimpin'. and why dont they offer black or colors any more. i loved my blue imac
-------------------------

[neverskatewsandles]

<img src="http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/41849000/jpg/_41849968_41769296_macbook_getty.jpg">

[neverskatewsandles]

OOps!!!
no html forgot

[neverskatewsandles]

put this on a whitebook

[p0stman]

Gosh, I guess perhaps this is an old post, and I'd hate to shed new light on it but I'd like to talk about my decision on choosing a white Macbook over the black counterpart. I have also noted some points made by owners of both models and hopefully this will help someone out. This post is about what MY thoughts and experiences are. It's currently very late in the pm so hopefully everything will come out right.

Since I am planning to use this machine for the next three years (until I am finished my undergrad,) the difference in price did not affect my decision. I am considering all other aspects of the machine to be equal (as I will be maxing out either one) so the ONLY thing I'm considering is the black finish or the white finish. I guess this is what made it so difficult, it might seem like a mundane decision but a decision nonetheless.

So I went out and bought both models, seeking to return one and keeping the other after a few days to see which I would have preferred. I suggest you do the same.

First of all, it needs to be noted that the majority of people who made an opinionated post in this thread already owns one machine or the other, and naturally each owner will ultimately defend their own purchase. So it is already biased - few will badmouth their own - and those with genuine dissatisfaction are also unlikely to address their true thoughts. It also does not help when people are addressing something that is not universal (AKA opinion,) for example when black Macbook buyers say that the white Macbook is "childish" or the black Macbook is "sexy." Such things are only based on preference - some like white and some like black. As always with thing associated with this, some people will buy the black Macbook just because it's more expensive. They might believe they are acctually preferring the color while subconciously they're just trying to stay in the safe haven of having the most expensive model. Hence when people like this see someone with a white Macbook they get a smirk on their face and mentally ridicules them while self gratifying that they have a superior machine. This however as most Macbook users know is rediculous, since the white Macbook is pretty much on par with performance. Shelling out $150 more for color does not make you better.

Besides the color, there is the finish material, which ultimately made the difference for me.

It seems as if all the black Macbook owners have never tried a white model and vice versa... because most of the descriptions are under-exagerrated, over-exagerrated or nonexistant. Having owned them both for a week, I'll be as accurate and judgemental as I can be.

First of all, the black material is highly polished (acctually kinda has a metallic feel like a Powerbook surface) and is slightly reflective. It is not similar to the material used with an IBM ThinkPad and might be porous. Most black Macbook owners avoid talking about this but the fact is that the black Macbook is VERY (VERY) prone to fingerprints and smudges. If you have ANY moisture on your hands it will stain it and require cleaning. This does not just happen on the outside cover but also inside, on the touchpad as well as the keyboard. I highly recommend you spend 5 minutes working around with the machine. Although it does clean off in most cases, it is pretty unacceptable because it makes it look kinda nasty after being handled lightly. After a few minutes of use or carrying the different shades are not pleasant at all. Dont even bother thinking about totting it around in the hot weather during the summer. Especially bad is the touchpad. After 10 minutes of use the black blotch will drive you crazy. Black Macbook users say that they constantly carry cleaning cloth, clean it and wash their hands obssessively when using the computer but those are not rituals I would like to be stuck with.

The white model is made of a slippery reflective white material and seems to have a transparent plastic coating over it (outside.) However, small scratches will barely show as the background to the transparency is white (as opposed to a black iPod Nano with a black background, which is probably why apple did not gloss the black Macbook the same way they did for the white.) Inside it is made of the same reinforced polycarbonate as the black models, but it is perhaps... 10 times better at not showing fingerprints or smudges. In fact, they're practically invisible.. even if your fingers a wet. If you do not believe me go try the ones in the store. Some people are saying that white shows dirt more, but because the black Macbook is pretty black... dirt is noticeable to pretty much the same degree. Things like lint especially stand out. However, with a white Macbook, you can just wipe off dirt and grime with your hand... whereas in the black one you'll have to pull out your massive supply of cleaning fluid (not recommended in public.)

The funny thing is that people are saying that the black Macbook is a lot more resistant to scratches. The answer to that is no. If you do not believe me try running a nail with moderate pressure on the back of a black and you get a mark. Try doing it on a white Macbook? It slips right off. Slippery objects have less friction if I remember correctly. Try this if you would like. .

I guess I am kinda of bashing but I am really opposed to people's ignorant arguements and especially those who are misinformed and would believe everything someone else says. Simply go to the store and stop reading up on forums now. That's the only place you should be making the choice.

And please don't bring up discoloration again... I've had enough laughs for one day.

[houstonmacbro]

it's funny that apple, who wants to unite the world through better hardware and software, would intentionally upset the 'racial' balance of it's products by pitting black against white. :-)

i have looked at both machines and while leaning towards the black, still cannot make up my mind ... and that is because of pure aesthetics. nothing else. you are right, the black does smudge and smear, BUT the white also looks cutish (perhaps even a bit feminine IMHO) ...

thanks for shedding some light and perspective on this.

[azt33]

Originally Posted by houstonmacbro

you are right, the black does smudge and smear, BUT the white also looks cutish (perhaps even a bit feminine IMHO) ...

Funny you should say that I am staring at three MacBooks at a table across me, two white and one black. Guess which one the girl is using? And the other two are used by guys

Great first post, P0stman, really informative. Thanks

[rmansfield]

All I can say is, when did Mac users get so obsessive-compulsive about fingerprints on their computers?

Unlike p0stman, I was unable to go out and BUY both the black and white MacBooks, but I did go and look at both of them at the local CompUSA before I placed my order online.

Look, I don't care how anyone frames this issue, it still comes down to subjectivity. I've had a white iBook in the past (which is essentially cased in the same material as the white MacBook) and in the late nineties I had a Wallstreet II PowerBook (which had a nice black matte exterior).

Using both of those laptops for a considerable amount of time is my primary factor in choosing between black and white. While the white iBook really was prone to scratches, in the end, I just really liked having that black PowerBook, and I've been disappointed that Apple hasn't released a black laptop since the Pismo.

However, I was really excited when I saw the black MacBook. Again, I went to look at it in person and compare it to the white MacBook. Personally, I prefer the matte finish of the casing on the black model over the shiny casing on the white model. I don't care the least about the fingerprints.

Currently I have a 17" PowerBook, and I have decided to downsize to the MacBook primarily because I'd like to carry around something a bit smaller. Guess what? My PowerBook has fingerprints and smudges all over it! SO WHAT? I'll clean it up before I give it to the guy I'm selling it to.

The only thing that ever really bugs me is fingerprints or dust on the screen. For that, I grab a dishtowel out of the kitchen and wipe the screen once every week or two. That's about it. I'm buying the MacBook to use it in my daily work, not to turn it into a showpiece at the state fair.

And in the end, I simply like the black matte over the white glossy. Fingerprints--who cares?

[p0stman]

I mean, the black looks good as well, but I have to say I'm just disappointed with the fingerprint issue. To me it is unacceptable, so I got the white. I just realized how much I acctually like the glossy finish.

Also, the effeminate thing is kind of silly. White is a universal color, and nowhere in the world is white categorized as feminine and black as masculin. A man could look good in both a black or white tuxedo for example. And does having a white car or a white fridge make you more feminine? Come on. I mean... if it were pink it would be another story. Apple has been making white computers for years now, and for someone to start stereotyping after Apple's first black release (in many years) is just ridiculous.

White is just... Apple. And to me a more optimistic and unique color.

I guess that entire previous post was basically me trying to convince myself I made a good decision... and in the end it feels definite. ^^

[houstonmacbro]

Originally Posted by azt33

Funny you should say that I am staring at three MacBooks at a table across me, two white and one black. Guess which one the girl is using? And the other two are used by guys

Great first post, P0stman, really informative. Thanks

and that's not to say that a guy cannot (or should not) use the white, it's just my personal opinion and like you said, it boils down to preference.

[houstonmacbro]

Originally Posted by p0stman

I mean, the black looks good as well, but I have to say I'm just disappointed with the fingerprint issue. To me it is unacceptable, so I got the white. I just realized how much I acctually like the glossy finish.

Also, the effeminate thing is kind of silly. White is a universal color, and nowhere in the world is white categorized as feminine and black as masculin. A man could look good in both a black or white tuxedo for example. And does having a white car or a white fridge make you more feminine? Come on. I mean... if it were pink it would be another story. Apple has been making white computers for years now, and for someone to start stereotyping after Apple's first black release (in many years) is just ridiculous.

White is just... Apple. And to me a more optimistic and unique color.

I guess that entire previous post was basically me trying to convince myself I made a good decision... and in the end it feels definite. ^^

you know, that is all that matters. i did not mean to frame it as definitively feminine or masculine, it is just my opinion. not a persuasive argument one way or the other.

in the end for me it is gonna be what i can live with.

i am replacing my powerbook soon and am looking at the white macbook, the blackbook AND a refurbished 15" mbp. what it is boiling down to me is can i live with the screen size, the keyboard, and the fact that it's in many ways NOT a powerbook (macbook) ...

... those are my issues more than black or white.

[rmansfield]

I would suggest that the black MacBooks do look more professional. That's why the original black PowerBooks were codenamed "Wallstreet" in 1998.

In my work, this is one of the appeals of having a black MacBook, but ultimately, it just comes down to my preference.

[houstonmacbro]

what's you line of work if you do not mind me (us) asking.

[rmansfield]

Primarily teaching, although I'm down to doing that as an adjunct prof these days as I've gone back to school myself to finish my final degree.

[zivee]

Doing the black vs. white debate. My roommate has a white macbook, although I question how old it is. She is a nice normal clean girl and still her macbook has spaces where wrists rest (and fingers) that are grey and semi dirty. One bump from a dark colored object and there's a new scratch on the white inside next to the touchpad.

For me both the white and black look clean, although I wish they had offered black with a finish like the white book...in bright light, that would defeat the matte black purpose, but in the end, it would give the black one more design durability.

I know that a macbook for me = a posession I'll guard for the next three years (finishing an undergrad too...slowly, heh.) and will likely treat it with pretty good care. I plan on buying one of those stretchy, squishy neoprene? cases for it, like my roommate has...and maybe a foofbag for style while just lounging around.

The "scratches" and "fingerprints" I am concerned about confuse me. Are we talking bumping your laptop lightly against the corner of a desk (like a dodo) and scratching it, or are we talking like, tapping fingernails on it to the beat of music. Normally, I doubt my computer would come in contact with those conditions...so maybe it would be safe? I am curious about what it takes to scratch it - those who have scratched it..what happened!?

Fingerprints...were they due to plain old moisture on your fingers, say, at work, or were they from food? From the looks of it..it sounds like food stains are worse.....and if you do get them...what gets them off? I'm in college and always have a bottled drink on my desk and sometimes pull some that are ice cold out of the fridge. The covering of the black one reminds me of that slaty textured stone used behind some more recent kitchen stove areas - one grease spash and you're screwed with spots. It is a problem of the matte absorbing the grease? (eew...)

easily dirtied white finish (on the inside) vs. easily scratched black finish (which maybe can be easily cleaned?)

They both look professional to me...only bonus to white is that it matches my ipod (bought over the summertime of '06)

Not really needing the Pro model...just taking notes and typing. The desktop is for gaming.

[amazing]

Go for the white MB. Grease and skin oil smudges look really gross on the black.

There are various films that you can put on the wristrests to protect from discoloration. The cheapest are probably the films that you put on a pda display, and they peel off and can be replaced when and if they get too gross.

The white backside of the screen is a very effective canvas and frame for whatever type of sticker you put on it. Am I correct in assuming that there are transparent decal films out there that can be run thru an inkjet--with whatever sort of photos or artwork suits your taste? Or just buy the above mentioned clear film and put your photos underneath them. Or flames, pinstriping, whatever.

So, save yourself the $200 and invest it in the most RAM or biggest HD. You're gonna need it.

[zivee]

Hmm, if I ever need it, I DID get approved for an Apple MC to help pay for it, but I would not be utilizing that until I save up about 775 dollars - the added splurges came out to 1517 total for the white macbook (2.0) version.

HD up to 80g because I'm a pack rat when it comes to music and pictures...

Upped the RAM because I cannot FLIPPING stand when my computer runs slow...I get impatient. I am having trouble adjusting to my boyfriend' laptop he lent me (my desktop is loaded with a full gig and a not-too-bad nvidia 6600, so I actually downgraded) and would never purchase a computer without at least a gig of juice to make everything flow nicely.

And like most people...the graphic card seems a little dinky to me...some interesting pros to putting it in (no fan on it) but then again, it seems like the laptop COULD use an extra tiny fan or too to regulate some of the reports of heat....

I WILL be hunting for some of those "peel off" films you suggest...Amazing, you really ARE amazing! /hug I just know that no matter how many times people wash their hands...dirt still collects...etc.

If I can find some relatively simple films...or hmm...another idea:

Anyone know if "covers" exist in macbook size that fit like a cell phone cover..only looser
to allow the laptop to "breathe"? Possibly only for the bottom portion? A nike-quality "shoe" for your laptop? I looked at those foofbags, and they are ADORABLE! However, you can't exactly open the laptop with the cute little cover on it...which is the point, but...it would be nice to HAVE something that would allow you to open it..nothing too tight..just like a dust jacket for a book. Simple but effective...

I am off to hunt for some and post them here to share...


Cute wrist covers: ShuffleArt Koobniks

[BryanBowie]

I love my BlackBook, the comments regarding the black finish as an afterthought is crap, the black is just perfect, its sleek, and quite frankly, after the iBooks and Powerbooks Ive had, Im glad they brought black back, and they did it much better, after having this for a while now, my iBook G4 looks kinda like a toy, all cute, anyway, this whole thread is just personal opinion anyway, and $150 for asthetics is fine by me, if youre going to buy a Macbook anyway, dont cheap out if you really want the black, youre going to have to look at whatever you buy everyday! Plus, when the white gets dirty, and it will, its ugly, period. Also, no, my BlackBook doesnt get all smudgy, the casing is fine, doesnt attract anything, and no more of those hairline scratches everywhere like the plastic white casing.

[variozin]

(Please note that this thread is meant for only those who really like their gadgets and love to look at it)

I visited an apple store couple of weeks ago and looked at both the MBs. As I had seen many images of both the machines on the web, I had obviously some expectations, with some personal inclinaton towards the black one as it simply looks like a high tech equipment compared to the toy look of white.

Here is what I saw. The black looked exactly as it does in the reall photos posted by the users, but sadly the white was already showing dirt marks and hues on it specially on the round surfaces. Just a glimpse of it gave me a feel that how dirty it could become on regular use as a portabe device. Also the different color of the inside(the part that forms the top surface) give a weak look as it does not flush with the outer case(as per design). whereas in black it looks more integral to the body as there is no difference in color or shade.

So in all black MB looked more sturdy than white. Interestingly they had displayed windows XP on the Black one and OS X on the white. Now, to say how the display looked?, to me the black looked better as it gives more contrast and depth to the colors in the screen. while the screen with the white frame looked dull. but that is just my personal deduction.

After a visit to an apple store and reading through all these threads of black Vs white war, I think desicions of people buying either of these laptops is rarely based on the $150 price difference criteria, but just on the personal likes of black or white. When someone decides to spend more than 1000 bucks on a gadget he is sure to get something that he will be happy to see as long as he have it. Black and white are completely different worlds. People make choices in colors or shades of colors but when it comes to black or white it is just the matter of what people are themselves in their mind. If I like black I am not going to buy white for any price offered and similarly a person who loves white gadgets will never buy black. So eventually its a badluck for those who like black that it costs more.

In my opinion the matt finish on black MB is just wonderfull in the way it is not like that rough and cheap looking finish like that of a thinkpad (although thinkpads are great machines). the black MB is z-black giving it a high quality pro look. And I think APPLE is more noticable by its white logo than by the color of the appliance, and in black MB its looks beautifull with sweet contrast with the black, easily seen from a distance. Glossy often look more plastic and toyish.

Pleople say that black shows finger prints..!! so what? just wipe them off and keep going. Thanks, it doesnt do as the glossy nano that people talked about. But what about white? I think the glossy white MB is destined to get permanently dirty. How? It will recieve plenty of scrathes from typicall character of portable use, which cant be wiped off. Eventually these scratches will have dust and dirt settling in which cant be removed and render permanent marks on white MBs.

I dont say that I dont like white at all. I do like to have a white Imac in my house cos its a desktop in the house. And white goods look good in the house than a big black ones. Rarely people will buy a black Refrigerator or a washing machine. But for a portable its better to have something that wont get easily dirty. Thats why most of the consumer portables are gray or black.

I do agree that pure white looks a bit feminie against black, gray, or silver. Many people buy white apple products also to get the feel of being an apple owner. I hope many of us get out of this white disease and also help apple establish that they are not just all about whites.

[cSurfr]

I love my black macbook, but no matter how clean your hands are, the most frequently used keys, and the trackpad will wear and start to become shiny. . . no amount of cleaning will fix that.

When my macbook first arrived, the trackpad had a texture to it. . . now it's worn down in the center. . .

[ElementR]

I bought a white one, couldn't justify spending the extra cash for a black one. The black looks nice but defiantly not worth the price.

[pra9ab0y]

You should go with what you think is best and not with others. I know I plan on getting a white one but thats just because of personal preference and surroundings it will be in.

[notwist]

I could've saved some money and go with a white MacBook, but went with the black model just because I think it looks more sleek and sturdy. I love the matte feel as well. Fingerprints do appear on it but are not incredibly noticeable and are easy to get rid of. Also, the white Apple logo on the lid looks badass against the black finish when lit!

[///Milien]

The pricing difference technically is about $50 more a black MacBook vs. a white MacBook due to the increase in HDD size. If you configure the white MacBook to with the same HDD size as the black, the retail price comes out to be $1,449. So for $50 more, does the price warrant the black colorization?

I still can't make up my mind on which one to get.

[xtal]

Originally Posted by ///Milien 

So for $50 more, does the price warrant the black colorization?

I believe that is a question that the buyer has to answer. In my opinion, I don't care about the colour of the machine, so I'd save the $50 and use it to buy some software or hardware. It really is up to you.

[///Milien]

I was at the Apple Store today looking at both models and I decided to go with black.

[amazing]

Here's something for future buyers to think about:

The MB HD can be taken out and replaced in 5 minutes or so. A 120 Hitachi SATA costs $104 at zipzoomfly.com so you buy an external firewire/usb 2.0 case for the stock drive and now you've got both a large internal HD and a wonderful small external HD for backups, file transfers, music storage, whatever your heart desires.

Pricewise, you're still ahead going with white. And you've now got some $ to plow into maxing out the RAM.

[Revelikus]

You know how old white keyboards go all yellowy well wouldnt that happen to the white macbook over time?

[JonoMarshall]

There was a discolouring issue with WhiteBooks when first released, but that should now be resolved. (Time will tell which colour will age more successfully, I'd guess Black would fair a little better.)

I have a BlackBook as I prefer the way the bezel then sits visually behind the screen (the display is more vivid on black and is more contained/normal on the WhiteBook) but I'd argue that the WhiteBooks are more beautiful, also the WhiteBook's keyboard is easier to see when in dim/dark lighting than it is on the BlackBook.

In the end all Black vs White decisions are fairly subjective, go to a store and decide for yourself. I don't regret buying a BlackBook, but the WhiteBook has a lot of things going for it (price, keyboard visibility, traditional, matches accessories/components, etc).

[MacosNerd]

Originally Posted by JonoMarshall 

I don't regret buying a BlackBook, but the WhiteBook has a lot of things going for it (price, keyboard visibility, traditional, matches accessories/components, etc).

How has the finish held up on the blackbook? There were some reports early on about supposed flaking.

[JonoMarshall]

My BlackBook is only about 6 months old, so can't really comment long-term, we have some heavily used models at work that have the "shiny areas", but they still look the business!

Both models will age/scratch/change in different ways, if you'd like yours to stay pristine then you could buy a protective film?

[tomason]

... nobody saw that the extra 200 bucks where also for 90 GBS in the HD and not only for paint job...???


P.D.: Black rules!!!

[The Placid Casual]

I used to work around both color machines all the time (both for Apple, and in a few tech companies).

In my experience, for the first 2 weeks, the black machines rocked, hugely. looked great, unique, with a slight edge of menace. After 2 weeks they looked greasy, and on some the paint began to chip through on the lids after hard use... the white ones looked *pristine*.

After a year, it was more close, but the black was always prone to finger prints, grease and also wear on the trackpad and keyboard. You could easily see who ate lunch at his desk

I am about to buy a MB myself, saving the cash and going for the top White model...

[0157988944]

In before teh lock.

(Oh, and the black ones are nasty. Feel like rubber and fingerprint like crazy. White one scratch easy, too. SO MacBooks kinda just suck. MBP FTW.)

[Cold Warrior]

Zombie thread.