Apple “is offering three versions of the new MacBook, all of which contain a 13-inch display. A white version is available with either a 1.83 gigahertz (GHz) processor or a 2.0 GHz processor, while another 2.0 GHz version is available in black. The new MacBooks are about one-inch thin, which Apple said is 20 percent thinner than its previous versions. The company claims the MacBooks are up to five times faster than the iBook,” Amanda Cantrell reports for CNNMoney.
“Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster noted that the new MacBook costs 10 percent more than its predecessor, the iBook, a change he had not anticipated. ‘Apple’s view on pricing is to gain the most market share at optimal profitability,’ Munster wrote in a note to clients. Munster said it appears the MacBook will sell strongly in the June quarter, as it appears Apple built up a supply before announcing the new computer,” Cantrell reports. “He said the New York City Apple store said it had ‘a fair amount’ of MacBooks for sale Tuesday, and that another store had “a few” that came in Monday night — about eight weeks earlier in the product cycle than when stores received the MacBook Pro, Munster noted.”
Cantrell reports, “Apple also announced it has increased processor speeds on both models of the 15-inch MacBook Pro, which it launched in February, at no additional cost. The $2,499 model now includes a 2.16 GHz Intel Core Duo processor, up from 2.0 GHz, and the $1,999 model now includes a 2.0 GHz Intel Core Duo processor, up from 1.83 GHz.”
Full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: We think that some people will be surprised at how well Apple does with the new MacBook, especially the black MacBooks that retails for US$150 more than an identically configured white MacBook. We believe that many will choose pay that extra $150 for the black MacBook.
Advertisements:
• Get the new iMac with Intel Core Duo for as low as $31 A MONTH with Free shipping!
• Get the MacBook Pro with Intel Core Duo for as low as $47 A MONTH with Free Shipping!
• Apple’s new Mac mini. Intel Core, up to 4 times faster. Starting at just $599. Free shipping.
• Apple’s brand new iPod Hi-Fi speaker system. Home stereo. Reinvented. Available now for $349 with free shipping.
• iPod. 15,000 songs. 25,000 photos. 150 hours of video. The new iPod. 30GB and 60GB models start at just $299. Free shipping.
• Connect iPod to your television set with the iPod AV Cable. Just $19.
• iPod Radio Remote. Listen to FM radio on your iPod and control everything with a convenient wired remote. Just $49.
Related articles:
Close-up Apple MacBook photos (keyboard, glossy screen, and more) – May 16, 2006
Apple debuts new 13.3-inch widescreen MacBook; replaces both iBook and 12-inch PowerBook – May 16, 2006
Analyst: Apple Macs cost less than most people think – May 16, 2006
Apple quietly boosts MacBook Pro speeds – May 16, 2006
Although I’m a total fanboi, I still think that anyone who pays extra just for the black model sucks.
Initially, i got all excited about the BlackBook, until I realized a) it’s more expensive just for the color; b) just about every other laptop on the market is black.
i’d pay the extra dough for black, but alas, the screen is too small for my work needs.
i really dont understand charging 150 more for the black macbook, this is a really unacceptable move from apple, boycott it – until its sensibly priced (maybe they plan to discontinue it – making it one of those collectable macs.
Is anyone trying to explain or at least asking why the black cost $150 more?
Message threads don’t count.
Did they fix the blistering overheating problem they are having with the Pro version. If they didn’t, sales are likely to disappoint until this very fundamental problem is solved.
Again, Apple launches something that is not ready. Won’t they ever learn?
Oh, maybe the extra heater feature is why is cost too much. Only thing… it’s almost summertime, you nutsos!
$20 or $40 more I can see if it really cost more to manufacture, but $150?!?!?!
I just bought the high-end white Macbook. I couldn’t justify paying $150 for a black Macbook with just a slightly larger hard drive. For nearly the same price I got the white Macbook with the 80GB hard drive plus 1GB of RAM.
With “We’ll See” that is.
If the thing overheats like the Pro version, instead of blistering your lap, the plastic “consumer” version of Apple’s laptop will simply melt.
inferno10:
Does it run hot like these guys are saying? Have you tried it with anything graphic – iPhoto, iMovie, etc?
Quick, I’m looking for a parking place now at the local Apple Store.
I seriously doubt that the black costs any more to produce than the white ones. Its just a way to make up some profit from the existing R&D.
In the realm of pianos – polished white costs more than polished ebony (polyester finish).
Why more for black? Remember the nano? Black, would outsell the white model at the same price point. This balances demand with supply, while keeping black exclusive, and allows Apple to make more profits.
Personally I’d prefer other colours.
black dissipates heat better, so the whole computer gives off heat, reducing the amount concentrated on the bottom of a normal white computer. this reduces pain and having to buy one of those serving pads that your mom uses at thanksgiving under hot dishes. this is worth $150.
my mw was “a”. just “a”. i think i win the minimalist prize unless some one else has had “i” for a mw.
hmm, that was interesting. i think there is a bug in the mw code. it wouldn’t accept just “a” as a magic word, tried it several times. now my mw is “control”, as in we are out of that stuff right now!
Elscir, please check the tech specs of the 3 models before saying something stupid, like “anyone who pays extra JUST FOR THE BLACK MODEL sucks.”. Because, there is another difference between the white and the black model, namely the size of the hard-disk, 60 vs. 80 Gb. I’m not really sure if that justifies the difference of about 150$, but at least the color is not the only issue!!! and I just love the black model… but I do not think of me as a sucker, looser, or whatever… THINK DIFFERENCE!
my MW is “letters” as if your letters aren’t working right..
ABQ Peter:
heh. good one. that’s about as good an explanation as any ($150 for 20GB? yeah, right) rationalization others try to make.
I agree. I mean, who would buy iPod mini when you can buy iPod with 5 times the storage for just $50 more.
Give me $150 and I will gladly paint your MacBook black for you.
Hell, make it $100. I’m such a nice guy.
ABQ Peter. Doesn’t black hold heat better? White should dissipate it.
Regardless, I’m sure the difference in this case is minimal.
Hmmmmm
[I agree. I mean, who would buy iPod mini when you can buy iPod with 5 times the storage for just $50 more.]
I would and did because I didn’t need the 5x storage but really needed a smaller and lighter device when running or working out. The 5x storage also didn’t appeal to me since I wasn’t trying to put my whole collection on the iPod(500gb of music). I probably would have bought the shuffle had it been available at that time for the same reasons; i rarely look at the screen even when working out.
I don’t know. I liked the black model until a guy from IT at work, said it looked like a Dell. If that’s the case, I want it to cost $150 less than the white one.
ill just get the white one and send it off to be painted paisley at colorware
or red or blue or purple or,,,,,,
black is hot, but what about standing out? everything is black these days! I guess this is what is best, because apple is always about giving the customer what they want, and I know black will sell well, especially with the idea of status.