TIME's Best Inventions of 2008

Gadget of the Year

MacBook

By JEREMY CAPLAN
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The new MacBook is the most powerful, user-friendly and portable computer in its price range hands-down. It's faster than previous MacBooks, has sharper graphics, rarely crashes and has a sturdier aluminum shell. Apple has also made this improved laptop environmentally friendlier than any previous Mac offering by eliminating toxins from its construction materials. Best of all, the new MacBook is simple to figure out, right out of the box, and it's easier to connect to an external monitor. But if you still can't do without your PC-based programs, you can always run Mac's Boot Camp program, which allows you to toggle into Windows mode.
Price: from $1,299
More Info: apple.com/macbook

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