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Whether you think this is a good value or not, it is interesting to see the reaction from the street:

http://www.google.com/finance?q=AAPL

Yep, The street even thinks the pricing sucks!

Okay, I, for one, am hugely excited. When I can justify replacing my lovely little 800 mHz 12" iBook I'll be upgrading to this. If it wasn't still chugging along happily and with no problems, I'd be ordering one. As it is, hopefully I'll be able to buy one about a year from now, when problems will have been ironed out and the price will have dropped.

Big Boy,

AAPL generally always takes a dive when new products are released. This is typical and nothing new. It will rebound to a higher level by weeks end.

Oh my God, my partner just configured a Sony with the same specs and it was 2K with no extra software like iLife. The 14" Dell mentioned above for a grand does not include a webcam the new magnetic technology, dual touchpad, the anti fall gizmo, etc... AND is forced to used XP and no ilife or other bundled apps. This bottom end Mac may be there BEST deal in the Apple lineup, there isnt as cheap a deal in the PC world today!!! Way to go Apple. They will sell zillions of them. (go look at the price points on the HP version, and even the Assus who makes them has a similar model for almost 2K!!!)

I am concerned about the glossy screeen however. My partners new Dell 17" glossy screen is anoying. Hopefully these are nicer to live with. I use mine for DVD playback/Ichat/Safari/itunes mostly, so not too worried.

Seriously gang, those of you complaining about price should look at the bargain basement PC's, this is an amazing value IMHO.

Big Boy,

Get your Turion. Who the hell cares what you do? Does the Turion have exactly everything the Macbook has? I doubt it. Match up the specs exactly and let us know what the price is. I get what Apples doing, you don't. They are including all of the best options on their computers. You get them even if you don't think you need them. You may end up using them and realize that they are great and you do like them. That's Apple's game plan. If you don't like it don't buy one. Get lost. Scram.

Forgive my ranting everyone, but i just configured my new machine and am ready to buy:

Bottom of the line unit upgraded with 1 gig RAM, upped to an 80 gig internal, and an extra mini-DVI addaptor and my total is $1268.

Thats a nice config for that pricepoint.

i think the price is totally fine and im buying one.

one thing though i would like to be able to upgrade to a superdrive on the lowest priced model and you cant do that, you have to go the next model up, which may or may not work out to the same price.

thats the only thing that bugs me.

for everyone that winging about price try and get a dell or anything pc with those specs for less.

cmon try instead of whinging.

It's two inches wider than the 12 inch Powerbook, and half a pound heavier. It's too big for me to carry in my briefcase.

Looks good to me -- the black one will go nicely with my iPod video.

Only one thing... I'll have to inspect one in a store to make sure which screen to go for...

But... I want it NOW!!

I really don't understand the issues people have with pricing. It's a hundred more. Big deal. The iSight alone is like, what?, 130 or 150. Plus a Core Duo chip (which I think was kind of unexpected) and all sorts of stuff that is now standard that used to be totally optional. Man, when did Mac fans turn into such whiners??

To the people asking about battery life, the "wireless" page states this:

"MacBook offers up to 6 hours of battery life. (2.5 hours of DVD playback, 3.5 hours with wireless turned on.)"

DAMN!!! Intel integrated gfx. iGuess I'm not getting 1 now. iReally need a new computer too. Oh well, guess I'll wait until the end of the yr to c what else develops.

Big Momma says "I really don't understand the issues people have with pricing. It's a hundred more. Big deal. The iSight alone is like, what?, 130 or 150. Plus a Core Duo chip (which I think was kind of unexpected) and all sorts of stuff that is now standard that used to be totally optional. Man, when did Mac fans turn into such whiners??"

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Agreed! And don't forget the $999 iBook was a 12", the $1099 is a 13.3" widescreen! No complaints here.

Big Boy, there are trolls and there are trolls ... one kind talks trash while the other waits under a bridge to mug you. The latter is not known for its 'smarts' or manners.

My opinion on this:
=> I think Apple messed up when they priced it over $1,000! They should have found a way to hit that magic number.
=> $150 for the glory of 'black'? That suggests:
-=> a) they want to be seen offering it
-=> b) they don't really want many of these out there
-=> c) they want it to be a status symbol - Hi, I'm Rich and Stupid
=> 'glossy' screen the only option? WHY?!?!?

Nice package, overall ... I'll be saving my pennies for a base model with extra RAM and a bigger HD ... ~$1,300 to replace my 12" iBook with a nice wide screen and four times the horses.

One question guys.

whats your intepretation of how the integrated graphics will effect the battery life?

would you expect it to increase the life or decrease it?

STILL NO PCMCIA SLOT!!! Good luck adding your Verizon or Sprint Broadband cards to these things. And yes, $1100 is to high a price point for this krap! Apple just doesn't listen to its costumer's.

iReally need a new computer too. Oh well, guess I'll wait until the end of the yr to c what else develops.

So you NEED a new one, but can wait until the end of the year ?
That means you don't NEED one, you just WANT one.

The specs won't change much this year. The processors will get faster maybe, as new models are released. That's about it.

so many stupid apple fan boi here.
fan boi who never admit themselves fanboi.
stupid fanboi.

i've been using mac for years and love my mac a lot, but i'm not blind and above all, i'm not fan boi.

compared to the macbook pro i mean

Am I the only one who misses the latch? How does this thing close? Magnetic?

Given that Apple will not be able to produce enough MacBooks in the foreseeable future (and because coolness is a big selling point) I perfectly understand why the black one costs more. When sales will slow they will lower the price. ("Now 200$ less" sounds good too

These books sure are cool, the price point is extremely competitive, you won't find a comparable Windows laptop (OK, a laptop capable of running *only" windows…).

For $1100 bux you can get a great computer. My last laptop cost over $2000 and it lasted 5 years. The specs are better than the iBook and it only costs $100 more.

from the way some people are going on they wanted apple to give them away. oh noes...Apple is charging a fair price and probably making a profit...why can't they be commodity priced like HP and Dell???

the price is fine. now I have to decide on iMac or MacBook.

magic word = growth as in market share needs some growth

C

2 gigs max- yay! up to 224 megs for video, dvi out, up to 2046x1536 on an external display. 1080p capable. TELL me that doesn't kick ass! Knee jerk to integrated is that it sucks, but it doesn't. You fools.

You don't know the history of things that are 13" and black. I do.

Lets get one thing straight:

MacBook Pro = Pro user computer
MacBook = Consumer user computer

If you use your comp for just email, web browsing, writing letters, dowloading songs etc, GET A MACBOOK!

You do not need a high definition screen to do this or 2gb RAM or a faster harddrive.

I have my own design company and bought a MacBook Pro because I need as much power as possible and as high a definition screen as possible for me to do my day to day work with.

I would get a MacBook for my wife, who would be extremely happy with it's power and looks.

Not good enough for professional use, but then THAT IS WHAT THE MACBOOK PRO IS NOT DESIGNED FOR.

Regarding the price, you pay for what you get!

I upgrade my macs once every 6 years, and buy the most highly specced ones available at the time because they are an investment in the future.

Price may be a deal breaker for some, but think about how long you are gonna keep your mac... pound for poun it works out a hell of alot cheaper!

Apple must be the only computer manufacturer whose prices have been consistently going UP. (Yes, you get more each time, but the price-to-play has been rising on Macs.) And with the diminishing education discounts, the effective price for students and teachers has been rising even faster. It's possible Apple is sacrificing long-term customer base for short-term profits.

My 12" G4 powerbook is the best and most compact laptop computer I have ever owned. I almost sold it recently, thinking that a new 12" MacBook Pro was just around the corner! But now...

Doesn't it figure that the most nearly perfect model in the lineup would be the one to be discontinued?????????????????????

I agree with most everyone here that I'm also a bit disappointed. Integrated graphics suck, they always have sucked, and always will suck in the forseeable future. The GMA950 is no better than it's predecessors, regardless of pixel engines, pipelines, etc. The simple fact that video's number one bottleneck is RAM, and RAM alone, means that as long as you share memory you're going to have a huge underperformer.

While the Radeo 9600 on the iBook wasn't awesome - it was truckloads better than the GMA950. At least I could play WoW on my iBook.

Damn.

Just like the Mac Mini. Apple's going to mainstream consumerism on their products. I also agree that $999 would have been a more effective price point - they could have ditched the built-in iSight and saved the $100.

If you don't think people will pay an extra $200 for a Black Mac, then you just don't understand Apple. This is not Dell.

Big Boy, you don't know the history of Microjunk.... I do.

nonarKitten -

And why won't you be able to play WoW on a MacBook? It easily satisfies the system requirements.

I love the new MacBook. Better than expected. The price is fine. I think they're awesome. My order is in already!!

I'm Partyin' !!!!!!!!

I'm amazed that Apple would not want to get the price of the entry-level MacBook under $1000.

Here's my challenge:

Try writing a comment without using third grade level adjectives such as "stupid," "idiot," and "crap." I know it will be challenging, but the exercise of your brain will do you good.

Just try it for a day and see if you don't regain the use of dormant intelligence, and, feeling invigorated, even impress yourself.

Have at it.

By the way, anybody who gets a black one is friggin' stupid, 'cause it's a piece of crap only an idiot would like. I'm gonna get me a white one 'cause it's kewel! (Kidding!)

alansky: My 12" G4 powerbook is the best and most compact laptop computer I have ever owned.

I couldn't agree more. I think today made me love my 12" PB even more. From what it stands at now, I don't even want a mac book. Maybe in a year or two I'll look into whatever macbook pro is the hot ticket item. Until then I'll be happy with my 12" PB with apple care.

PS awesome name.

There is much, much more intelligent and useful discussion of the new MacBooks at Slashdot http://apple.slashdot.org/apple/06/05/16/1258213.shtml

Not just a bunch of ads like this site. This whole page is just an ad, and man, I hate those green ads. What a slap in the face.

Am I the only one here who thinks Tom Cruise is hillarious?

"You don't know the history of _________. I do."

Ok, so, it's not funny on it's own but when you find it in every story it gets to be pretty damn funny.

Duper says "I'm amazed that Apple would not want to get the price of the entry-level MacBook under $1000."

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With the specs on the new MacBook there was no way they could have done it. The components used make the MacBook considerably more expensive to manufacture than the iBook.. Even at $1099 I'd be willing to bet that Apple has cut it's profit margin compared to the iBook.

-The 13' widescreen costs significantly more than the 12" screen on the $999 iBook ($143 is Apple's cost.)

-The core-duo chip is considerably more expensive than the 5 year old g4 chip.

-iSight Cam

-MagSafe connector and latch

-Remote control

-Gigabit ethernet

-Digital audio in/out connectors

All of these upgrades boil down to one thing, A more expensive machine to manufacture.

Of course, Apple probably could have offered a stripped down single core processor without all of the extra features and got down to below $1000, but Apple is not about selling the cheapest products available.. They are about selling the best products available.

You will always be able to buy a cheaper Dell, but you get what you pay for.

"It's two inches wider than the 12 inch Powerbook, and half a pound heavier. It's too big for me to carry in my briefcase."

Buy a new briefcase......

Bill asks "Am I the only one here who thinks Tom Cruise is hillarious?"

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Yes.

If everyone hates the new Macbook this much, it's going to make it a much shorter wait for me to get one - was worried that there would be a shortage

You know...I click on MDN everyday to read these blogs. Not only are they hilarious, but it really makes me appreciate the fact that I DO have a life! So my ex-wife was wrong! Woo hoo!

Up close pics of the black MacBook here:

http://www.appleinsider.com/article.php?id=1748

Notice the letters on the keyboard are centered within each key instead of being placed on the lower left-corner of each key.

Mike K, I am all for a core solo. That would fit me fine and thousands would agree with me I would bet.

Big Boy says "Mike K, I am all for a core solo. That would fit me fine and thousands would agree with me I would bet."

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Maybe.. I agree that psychologically, $999 sounds better than $1099.. BUT, when it boils down to consumers actually making a purchase, I believe that few people would actually choose a single-core machine without the bells and whistles when they could get a dual-core machine with twice the performance and many extra features for a measly hundred bucks.

I just wish they would make 1GB RAM standard across the line, show people what OS X and iLife can really do.

Mike K, $899 ($200) not $999 ($100)

You pay a premium for a Mac. Why is this so surprising to everyone? Apple is not looking to compete with Dell and Gateway on pricing anymore than BMW wants to compete with Hyundai. You're shocked that you can configure a Dell with "similar" hardware specs for less money than a MacBook? No surprise there. Inferior products generally cost less than superior ones. Macs simply have much more to offer than PCs out of the box.

Let's look at what you get on a Mac that you don't get with a Windows XP laptop:

1. OSX. As a life-long Windows user until 1 year ago, the OSX experience alone is worth an extra $200 to me.

2. iLife. PC users, you don't know what you're missing. iPhoto and iMovie alone are life-changing software applications for anyone with a digital camera and/or camcorder. And they come bundled on a Mac.

3. Style. If you don't think style and design matter than you're not a Mac person. Move on.

And what you don't get on a Mac:

1. Viruses
2. Spyware
3. Worms
4. Etc.

That's a lot to pay for black v.s. white.

6 words for all of you. Total cost of long-term ownership!

My 333 Lombard was a screamer way back then and is still running Tiger now. I paid 2,600 with an additional battery. No camera, no bluetooth, no firewire, no wireless, and no DVD burner.

If this Macbook holds up the same way, the total cost of long-term ownership will be pennies.

I just wish they had a red one.

Oh, I do. I have every setting maxed on my MBP, and it still runs like silk. The MacBook was a candidate for a second LAPTOP to be used for more portability where the MacBookPro is more of a NOTEBOOK (and dangerous to keep on your lap).

And to RicMac - I've gone through half a dozen laptops over the last year. I've thouroughly tested a Sony Vaio Centrino/GMA, Gateway Centrino/GMA, Acer Duo/x1400, Toshiba Duo/x1600, as well as my MBP Duo/x1600. I can say, without a doubt, that just within Windows - not running any 3D apps, I can tell the difference between them. Even running Word and Internet Explorer on the GMA is frustrating. It's not childish to expect a $1000 modern machine to be able to redraw windows near-instantly.

"To put it mildly, it's no contest. To put it more bluntly, it's a complete and total rout for the GMA950, with the possible exception of the CPU-intensive Flight Simulator 2004. Even then, what you get is playable frame rates, but the GeForce 6800TC still crushes the GMA950. The verdict is even worse when you realize the GMA950 wouldn't even run Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory or Painkiller, even though the specs of the GPU suggests they should. Intel has acknowledged a driver bug with regards to Chaos Theory. But if this is any indication of the potential compatibility issues users may encounter, running games on the new core is a dubious prospect."

In otherwords, POS. The GMA950, is at best, half the speed of the slowest most usless grahpics chip nVidia can produce. Or, more precisely, about 1/8th a basic x1300 with Hypermemory, and 1/20th the speed of the x1600 in my MBP.

Junk. Garbage. What more can you say?