My Apple notebook history is as follows: PowerBook 190, 2400c, Pismo, G4 Titanium, 12-inch iBook and now shipped all the way from Shanghai (in four days) to the UK, an Intel Core Duo 1.83GHz lovely whiter-than-white MacBook (80GB/1GB).

First up that Apple design look and feel. The MacBook is very solid and chic, and with the thinner look everything is tighter more slim and solid (though I think that many reviewers will swoon over any fresh-out-of-the-box Mac.)

Everything except the screen width has been shrunken - even the dinky manual (you've all seen the svelte boxes by now). I really dig the much more manageable MagSafe power adapter, it really feels like the MacBook is that a rethink of the whole consumer notebook philosophy, sorry Pro users.

The feature packed MacBook blurs the line considerably between the consumer and pro models, unless you are a hardcore gamer that is. Ever since I "downgraded" when I swapped my PBG4 Titanium for a 12-inch iBook I've been quite happy with Apple's consumer-level notebooks.

And here is why: the MacBook's case closes flush to the keyboard and the very satisfying dull thud of closing the computer really makes it feel like a solid, well put together slap of fun. Furthermore the addition of a little ridge on the top of screen, together with the new flush and flat keyboard does away with the need for the rather annoying and expensive keyboard covers.

The keyboard is one of those "Oh my God" changes Apple made with the MacBook, but my initial reaction is positive. I am not great typist but the keys seem to be more springy but have a slightly shallower amount of key travel when compared to my previous notebooks. It's too bad that the MacBook didn't inherit it's big brother's backlit keyboard, but perhaps Apple may add it as a CTO option for users that are willing to pay for it.

Other stuff to add to the MacBook mill.

- The frame is ice white as are keys but the inner section is light silvery gray plastic.

- The screen has rich lovely colors, it's really bright and glossy. I can’t see what all the fuss is about

- The MagSafe power adapter is tiny, but read the user manual carefully. If your iPod gets too close it'll wipe it clean (it's that strong) ditto for the credit cards in your wallet.

- Whoa, the super-fast Intel chipped machine starts up so fast you can hardly see the blue bar - 15 seconds tops.

- Apple has a whole page in the manual dedicated to first day battery calibration which means not really using the computer for the first 20 to 24 hours.

- I've experienced no whining, dead/stuck pixels, excessive heat or fan and no plastic on the vents. The only one funny thing to make front row work you have to double click the Apple remote.

I think Apple has nailed it, I still would like something lighter and thinner but for now this is one very cool laptop which is a revolution in a long line of evolutions in consumer notebook choice. It will probably be a long while before the MacBook Pro line inherits some of this princess' very good looks.