Apple has updated their MacBook line without so much as a press release:
Apple’s MacBooks yesterday featured:
• 2.0GHz or 2.16GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor
• 667MHz frontside bus
• 1GB (two 512MB SO-DIMMs) of 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM (PC2-5300); two SO-DIMM slots support up to 2GB
• Intel GMA 950 graphics processor with 64MB of DDR2 SDRAM shared with main memory
• 80GB, 120GB, or 160GB 5400-rpm Serial ATA hard disk drive; optional 120GB or 160GB 5400-rpm drive or 200GB 4200-rpm drive
• Weight: 5.1 pounds
Apple’s MacBooks today feature:
• 2.0GHz or 2.2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor
• 800MHz frontside bus
• 1GB (two 512MB SO-DIMMs) of 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM (PC2-5300); two SO-DIMM slots support up to 4GB
• Intel GMA X3100 graphics processor with 144MB of DDR2 SDRAM shared with main memory
• 80GB, 120GB, or 160GB 5400-rpm Serial ATA hard disk drive; optional 120GB, 160GB, or 250GB 5400-rpm drive
• Weight: 5.0 pounds
Apple MacBooks are available in three basic configurations that users can customize:
13-inch White
• 2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
• 1GB memory
• 80GB hard drive
• Combo drive
– $1,099
13-inch White
• 2.2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
• 1GB memory
• 120GB hard drive
• Double-layer SuperDrive
– $1,299
13-inch Black
• 2.2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
• 1GB memory
• 160GB hard drive
• Double-layer SuperDrive
– $1,499
See the updated MacBooks here.
MacDailyNews Note: Also of note are Apple’s stealth additions of customization options to their MacBook Pro line which now include a 2.6GHz Core 2 Duo for US$250 and the 250GB 5400-rpm drive for $150.
“I don’t get the anti-glossy screen people out there. How did you function back in the days of tube monitors that were all glossy?”
I had monitors with anti-glare coating.
Go ahead, then, and get your MacBook Pro. But you’re going to pay a lot more than you would for the MacBook.
@Money Talks, BS Walks
“Your a idiot. Read the polls. 86% prefer matte.”
Are you using the contraction for “you are”… you’re? Funny that you are calling someone an idiot when you cannot even spell properly.
Maybe “you’re” the idiot.
Typing this on a MBP w/ glossy screen. No problems, ever!
But since I’m pro-choice, Apple should offer the black MacBook with an option of matte screen. I would so enjoy the whining: “What? 200 $ extra for a matte screen?”
@BustingTheSkullsOfIdiots: for once, I agree.
“Your a idiot.”
I just love the smell of irony in the morning.
I don’t get the anti-glossy screen people out there. How did you function back in the days of tube monitors that were all glossy? Did you choose not to compute?
Glossy screens were unfortunately what we had to work with for many years. Overtime with a lot of use we realized it caused intensive eyestrain, headaches and vision problems. It’s caused Computer Vision Syndrome, you can research it yourself.
We tried anti-glare screens, computer glasses, you name it. When LCD screens with matte finish came out, we computer users got relief.
Now things are going back ass-wards.
I have a 24″ glossy imac that is absolutely stunning and in no way affects anything I do…no glare when on, nothing.
Sure you can tailor the environment to eliminate reflections in your computer screen. But this is always possible, like at work, schools, outside with laptops etc.
I have nothing against the minority of people who prefer glossy, but the option for matte should be available for the majority who do need it, those who work with computers days on end.
I have to wear glasses now because of the failed muscles in my eyes due to the constant eye focusing between the actual image and the reflections all these years.
I would sue a company or two, but they are all out of business now.
Ed Stephan:
In the days of CRT monitors with glossy glass screens, the difference, I think, is that the monitors were not perfectly FLAT as they are with LCDs. The round-ish CRTs diffused the reflections somewhat. You could get anti-glare screens, but those were pretty awful.
Careful monitor placement was the only real solution.
With a laptop, it’s pretty much impossible to control reflections adequately, unless it never leaves your desk… kind of beside the point of having a portable computer, i’d say.
I STILL use a 20″ Mitsubishi CRT as my second monitor, so I’m LOOKING at a big shiny CRT this instant! I’m WAITING for Apple to release new goddam monitors,with decent refresh rates. C’mon Apple… we’re waaaaaaaaaaaiting!
Correction:
“Sure you can tailor the environment to eliminate reflections in your computer screen. But this isn’t always possible, like at work, schools, outside with laptops etc.”
I’m only trying to inform people of the danger. Apple can make mistakes like any other company.
I wish they would uncouple the GPU memory from the CPU memory. I would write the check for a MacBook today.
Just my $0.02
At the time of writing, while the USA Apple Store is showing the updated models, the UK Apple Store is still showing the old models for sale.
“You mean all this time you’ve been whining about glossy screens you still haven’t figured out how to solve your problem?”
—————————
@BustingTheSkulls,
At least you are admitting that glossy displays ARE a problem..
Does anyone know/expect how well editing HD movies in iMovie will work on these newly spec’d MacBooks? I need a Mac to edit my soon-to-be born baby videos. Obviously I like the portability and price of a MacBook, but I’m not sure I can get away with anything less than an iMac.
Hey Mossman
You lucky bastard
” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”grin” style=”border:0;” />, look at the European prices….
Cost of Macbooks on US store:
$1099, $1299, $1499
On European (Sweden) online store:
$1539, $1845, $2153
Great, but when is the Tablet coming?
prices quoted for macbooks do not include taxes.
<wiseass>
@ Grammar Police
It is funny that you refer to an idiot as being one who cannot spell when in actual fact is was a grammar mistake and NOT a spelling mistake.
Contrary to popular belief, “your” is an actual word. Sure it was the wrong word but the spelling was correct.
Next time you’re to check with our 9,000 page handbook before inserting your foot into any orifice.
NB. Note the comparative use of both words in the foregoing.
MW: line, as in toe the line
Apple really should do something about the European prices. With the almighty buck tanking, we are now paying almost $ 1600 for the basic MacBook.
(It’s a little ironic that the dollar sign comes from Option+€ on my Scandinavian keyboard.)
Oh, and I love glossy.
WOW, increased specs at the same price, Neat.
” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”grin” style=”border:0;” />
The lady buying a MacBook last night may already have the uprated specs. You never know. Also, she has 14 days to swap it.
” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”grin” style=”border:0;” />
Glossy is the way to go. PERIOD. Here is why.
There are inexpensive filters that fit over the screen to make it Matte, or help hide it from prying eyes. HOWEVER, nothing will take a matte screen and make it glossy. So you have two mac screens in one. Glossy or (add filter ) and Matte.
HEY, what a great company. Making products better with out raising the price, making systems that can be two things vs one with out raising the price, it just keeps on getting better.
” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”grin” style=”border:0;” />
en
Grammar Police = Self Righteous Fool
You don’t add any value to the conversation.
For that matter, neither do I. Let’s both STFU.
hmm, i just got “yesterday’s” $1299 macbook. looks like i’ll have to trade up soon, if only for the x3100 graphics. i don’t play too many new games, but the ones i do want to play (UT2004, WoW) already run pretty well on GMA950… man.
as for the glossy/matte debate, i’ll throw in my two cents. i absolutely adore the macbook’s screen. it’s bright, it has very vivid colors, and the gloss, while sometimes present, has never bothered me because i usually have items on my screen (programs, icons, things like that) that, to my eyes, obscure the glare. for me, it’s not very distracting. i can see where in some environments, people might have difficulty with it, but it’s never been an issue for me. it seems to be a lot easier to use in daylight/outdoor conditions, too.
and to the person who said to read the polls (that show in favor of matte) – that’s pretty select evidence there. people who don’t care either way aren’t going to voice their opinion in the poll… or even know that the poll exists – and THAT is the vast majority of people.
i love my macbook… but now i have to consider upgrading. i knew this day would come!
The Canada – US delta in pricing for new Apple product is very annoying.
I just spent some time configuring an APC power back up system for a client from the apcc.com Canadian web site and it show both US and Canadian prices – and the prices in Canadian dollars are lower than the US prices.
As Apple has recently priced iLife 08, iWork 08 and the new keyboards at parity prices, I would have thought that Apple would adjust the prices for the new MacBooks and MacBook Pro computers to parity as well.
As for those who suggest we simply travel across the border to the US, there are some of us who would rather not have our shadows fall upon US soil. For very many many reasons.. not the least of which are political.
PS: I don’t hate Americans.. I just don’t like the leadership.
“One 800 Mhz frontside bus for two cores?
My Dual 2 Ghz G5 has one 1000 Mhz frontside bus PER processor.”
And the Macbook will run circles around the G5 on applications like “handbrake” and 64 bit apps. These are awesome notebooks for the price.
I dunno. This upgrade is kind of underwhelming. I’m looking for a lightweight, 12″ Macbook Pro, w/ firewire 800. Why did they get rid of the 12″ pro model? Mastards.
I hope all Canadians stop buying Apple products unless they are offered at a fair price. I cancelled my iPod touch when I noticed the extra $50 Apple added on, I cancelled my .Mac subsciption until they lowered the price, I checked the price of Leopard before ordering and now I want to order a new laptop but I refuse to pay extra dollars in Canada when I dollar is trading above the U.S. dollar. Canadians are being hosed and this will continue until we stop buying. Shame on Apple!
But what about the miniPro?