Apple Releases Penryn-Based MacBooks

[MacRumors]

http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif (http://www.macrumors.com)

In a not entirely (http://www.macrumors.com/2008/02/25/macbooks-and-macbook-pros/) surprise release, Apple has updated the MacBooks based on Intel's Penryn processors. The update arrives alongside the long anticipated MacBook Pro updates.

$1099. Macbook 13" 2.1GHz / 1GB / 120GB / Combo / White
$1299. Macbook 13" 2.4GHz / 2GB / 160GB / Super / White
$1499. Macbook 13" 2.4GHz / 2GB / 250GB / Super / Black

The new MacBooks are available on the Apple Store (http://store.apple.com).

Article Link (http://www.macrumors.com/2008/02/26/apple-releases-penryn-based-macbooks/)

[Zacbookpro]

no multitouch. Sigh.

[elcid]

Very nice. Surprised they came at the same time as the MBP, and now it is really just the graphics card that is separating them.

[Ace25]

Combo-drive again....seriously??

[squeeks]

i think the biggest update is the fact that it no longer costs 700 dollars for 4gb ram..now only $400:D

[Buschmaster]

No multitouch and still has a combo drive in the base version. I won't bitch and moan since this thing wasn't supposed to be updated anyway...

[berkleeboy210]

I'll be ordering myself a Blackbook once my WhiteBook Sells! Specs are very comparable to MBP minus the Graphics Chipset.

[Zacbookpro]

Very nice. Surprised they came at the same time as the MBP, and now it is really just the graphics card that is separating them.

and the backlit keyboard, multi-touch and speed. Seems like they increased the gap between, no lessened it.

[squeeks]

NO multi touch on macbooks

[s.hoz]

No Muliti-touch is upsetting.
Awhh well.

[slybeans]

MBP has multitouch but MB doesnt!

[airjuggernaut]

Phew, just a speed bump :D
My 3 month old 2.2 ghz SR MB dosen't feel old anymore :D

[phalewhale]

Combo-drive again....seriously??

Was just thinking the same thing - I cannot believe they are still shipping these things! Totally pathetic.

[teamdelfano]

No Muliti-touch is upsetting.
Awhh well.

yes it is, i was hoping for multitouch on mb :(

[jasonh1234]

Yay!
Ok what's changed here?. (I'm half asleep and just woke up to check the store.) + I'm not a stat expert on the MBPs.
Increased processor speed,
multitouch,
is the video card different?

[teamdelfano]

Was just thinking the same thing - I cannot believe they are still shipping these things! Totally pathetic.

its just a way for them to get people to jump up to the next price point. and yes, pathetic being that dvd writers are so cheap these days

[BoyBach]

Combo-drive again....seriously??


Why not? Some of us don't want to burn DVD's, and I appreciate the fact that I didn't have to pay extra for a feature that I wouldn't use.

[Paix247]

Apple Remote sold separately.

[DHUK]

..and no LED backlitscreen. C'mon Apple, didn't you say you'd replace your screens with LED backlit ones early last year. The technology is there - your competitors are using it and offer cheaper alternatives.

[priller]

Changes aint big to make me regret buying mine 4 days ago.

Why not? Some of us don't want to burn DVD's, and I appreciate the fact that I didn't have to pay extra for a feature that I wouldn't use.

Same here, I don't want to pay extra for something I won't use.

[shimmer11]

This is just a speed bump guys, nothing more...move along.

I was hoping for a LED backlit display. Oh well, here's to waiting until summer for a better update i guess.

-Andy

[FF_productions]

Wow, Combo drives still. What the hell Apple.

[squeeks]

This is just a speed bump guys, nothing more...move along.

I was hoping for a LED backlit display. Oh well, here's to waiting until summer for a better update i guess.

-Andy

plus bigger HDs

[amanda kathryn]

Was just thinking the same thing - I cannot believe they are still shipping these things! Totally pathetic.

i almost got a combo, i couldn't justify the need for a super drive. i've lived without it until now and never once thought, "wow i really wish i could burn a DVD."

i can basically guaranty you i will never use it.

[shov]

L2 cache down from 4mb to 3mb?

[teamdelfano]

Why not? Some of us don't want to burn DVD's, and I appreciate the fact that I didn't have to pay extra for a feature that I wouldn't use.

whenever ive gone to local computer stores, ive seen cd writers for about the same price as dvd writers...so why would they NOT put a dvd burner in there?

[QCassidy352]

Phew, just a speed bump :D
My 3 month old 2.2 ghz SR MB dosen't feel old anymore :D

well, it's new chips. These are penryn, not just merom at higher clocks.

Why not? Some of us don't want to burn DVD's, and I appreciate the fact that I didn't have to pay extra for a feature that I wouldn't use.

I bet superdrives cost less than combo drives at this point. It's only done to differentiate the line.

[avigalante]

Anyone else notice that apple is now charging for the remote across both platforms- $19!

[bignumbers]

Apple Remote sold separately.

I caught that too. Very odd. The remote actually makes sense for laptop users who give presentations.

[BoyBach]

...so why would they NOT put a dvd burner in there?


It's perfectly simple: if you want a Superdrive then you have to pay extra for it.

[MacTO]

Any lighter than before? :rolleyes:

Cheers! :apple:

[RedTomato]

Thank you Steve Jobs for responding to my MOAR RAM thread of 2 weeks ago.

See, I was right! Leopard really does need 2GB to run your apps smoothly. Steve Jobs agrees!

[wPod]

why no multi-touch on the macbooks, only the MBPs???? i guess apple didnt want the lower-priced macbook to have too many features better or equal to the macbook air!

[dmelgar]

Bleah. No updates for the Mini! Not even 802.11n. Maybe its really on the way out.

[happydude]

not sure what to think. mostly just a speed bump, sure combo drive seems weird (i know, many won't use the super drive, but apple was the first to do away with the then not-entirely-yet floppy drive to be ahead of the curve, i kinda expected them to do away with the combo drive), no multi touch, and WTF is with charging for the remote now?

[davidjearly]

It's perfectly simple: if you want a Superdrive then you have to pay extra for it.

Sorry, I have to agree with the others here. It is simply ridiculous that Apple are not putting Superdrives in all models. There is no excuse for it other than to differentiate the cheaper MacBook from the other models, in an attempt to force users up to the next price point.

[Evangelion]

The euro-price istarts at 999e :)

[Cyroceon]

I just bought my refurb MacBook discounted from Apple at $950 and it arrived Saturday. I threw in a 2GB stick making total memory 2.5GB for $60. So basically, after tax and shipping, I got my new MacBook with almost the same specs for $1010. Should I return everything and spend $190 more for 200Mhz difference, and 40GB additional HD space? I mean for less than $120 I can get a 200-250GB HD, and use the one in my MB now as a backup with an enclosure. What do you guys think?

[jnc]

Combo-drive again....seriously??

I never get the bitching about combo drive. I sure don't want a DVD burner, if you do, you pay more and get the SD model.

It's not like if they suddenly dropped the Combo model the SuperDrive option would take the Combo model's pricepoint, so what's the issue, exactly??

[PowerMike G5]

Hmmm ... a good friend of mine just bought the entry level Macbook this past weekend. Dunno how happy he'd be finding this out.

Does Apple have some sort of grace period for exchanging in the event of a new release like this?

[thefnshow]

you may not burn dvds now but you don't know what the future may bring...besides dvd burners should be the standard like cd-rom/burners were back in the day

[NICU420YEM]

If i bought my blackbook yesterday and opened it should i take it back and pay the restocking fee for the new blackbook?

[lasuther]

People need to stop complaining about the combo drive. No one is forcing you to buy that model. The middle model is the version I would buy, but there are people who would like to save a couple hundred dollars and get the combo drive, slower processor, less ram, and smaller hard drive. I'm don't know many people who would, but its nice that apple is giving some people that option. Personally, I think the middle model is the best value.

[Coconutsport]

WTF? no metal case and no multitouch on the MB? and why are the ridiculous lid clips still on the MBP? my 12" Powerbook clip has crapped out on me way too many times to know that stuff needs to go. You figure they would have put a maglatch on there. What's up with the old school keyboard on the MBP? LED LCDs? for cryin' out loud!!! Where's the technology "trickledown" from the MacBook Air innovations? I'd have expected a thinner MBP. This was one lame update. Anyway... where's my credit card....

[phanboyjohn]

Hey folks,

I'm glad to see the refresh done with, as minor as it is (the graphics card bump is nice, I do have to say). Does anyone know how long it usually takes Amazon to catch up with these kind of refreshes? I'm hoping it'll be up there by tomorrow.

[teamdelfano]

I just bought my refurb MacBook discounted from Apple at $950 and it arrived Saturday. I threw in a 2GB stick making total memory 2.5GB for $60. So basically, after tax and shipping, I got my new MacBook with almost the same specs for $1010. Should I return everything and spend $190 more for 200Mhz difference, and 40GB additional HD space? I mean for less than $120 I can get a 200-250GB HD, and use the one in my MB now as a backup with an enclosure. What do you guys think?

if you're happy with what you got, stick with it. is a bump of 200mhz and 40gb hd space worth the trouble?

i cant lie, i'd probably return it :)

[beg_ne]

Wow second lame MB update in a row.

Where is the LED Screen?
Multi-touch Trackpad?

Couldn't we have waited until the usual April/May update and atleast get these? It's not like they don't already have the 13.3" LED's...

And still Combo Drive? WTF sooner or later its got to be costing them more to have it than to put a Superdrive in.
Also no remote? Beyond lame.

[aznkid25]

and the apple homepage has changed.
http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2008/02/26mbp.html

[afd]

Have apple got a warehouse full of combo drives that they need to use up or something? Can't think of any other reason they would put one in a laptop these days.

[teamdelfano]

Hmmm ... a good friend of mine just bought the entry level Macbook this past weekend. Dunno how happy he'd be finding this out.

Does Apple have some sort of grace period for exchanging in the event of a new release like this?

14 days

[BoyBach]

There is no excuse for it other than to differentiate the cheaper MacBook from the other models, in an attempt to force users up to the next price point.


Which is exactly what I said (typed!) - if the Combo drive didn't exist Apple wouldn't be able to charge extra for the Superdrive models.

(It is the same reason that Starbucks offers soy milk and extra shots in their coffee at an extra cost - some customers will pay extra for the privilege.)

[robalan]

I just bought my refurb MacBook discounted from Apple at $950 and it arrived Saturday. I threw in a 2GB stick making total memory 2.5GB for $60. So basically, after tax and shipping, I got my new MacBook with almost the same specs for $1010. Should I return everything and spend $190 more for 200Mhz difference, and 40GB additional HD space? I mean for less than $120 I can get a 200-250GB HD, and use the one in my MB now as a backup with an enclosure. What do you guys think?

If you're happy with the machine, I don't thinks it's worth it. Most, possibly all, of the time you wouldn't notice any performance difference.

[mckyvlle]

So, a speed bump and more disk space... Well, I sleep easy knowing that my three-month old SR MacBook isn't hopelessly outclassed (yet).

Of course now I shall wait for a real update to the MacBook with the backlit keyboard, multitouch, LED lighting, etc :rolleyes:

[dagamer34]

Apple is now citing battery life in "hours with wireless productivity". I always felt gipped because my 2nd gen macbook pro could never get 5 hrs even at min brightness unless I turned the wireless off.

[TUD]

If the MB had received the LED backlight and multi-touch I would be sold. I may purchase a MBP, but the 15" is really larger than I need, especially when traveling.

[bluefido]

well, it's new chips. These are penryn, not just merom at higher clocks.


I bought a new MacBook about a month ago and have no regrets because I didn't buy the MacBook because of the processor class. If I really wanted a prosumer machine, I would have just spent the extra money on a MacBook Pro. In the end, I can't think of why the new, new MacBook would have anything more than marginal value versus the joy of owning my laptop for the past month.

[vert]

In the gallery I noticed that they changed the function-key lay-out on the MBP to match the lay-out of the slim apple keyboards..

[bking1000]

Well, I bought a white MB a month ago and updated the hard drive myself. There is nothing in the latest rev that makes me regret my decision. If only I had waited, I could have gotten 10% faster processor, and 25% less L2 cache! :rolleyes: Of course, it's a different chip set but, honestly, I don't think it will be material at the MB level. And, I didn't spend the last 6 weeks wringing my hands, waiting for the new ones :p

But, if I was in the market for a MBP, that 15"MBP is nice. I'd go for the middle one -- 1/2 GB on the video card, 2.5GHZ proc. 250GB HDD 6MB L2. That's a nice machine.

[Proji]

just saw the updates on apple's website, but when i had a look in the configuration part of the shop, the apple remote is now an optional extra it seems :confused:

i dont get that myself. granted i wouldn't need one but still, am confused about that :eek:

[mstroud]

Well.... thats just depressed me, i baught my mb just 15 days ago. 15 DAYS!!!! :mad:.

Hmmmm time to find out the returns polocys of the place i baught it from :p

[mckyvlle]

I bought a new MacBook about a month ago and have no regrets because I didn't buy the MacBook because of the processor class. If I really wanted a prosumer machine, I would have just spent the extra money on a MacBook Pro. In the end, I can't think of why the new, new MacBook would have anything more than marginal value versus the joy of owning my laptop for the past month.

Well said!

My SR BlackBook is my first Mac, and the last three months with it has brought the joy back computing again.

[amac4me]

Nice to see a total revamp of the portable line. Way to go Apple!

[swingerofbirch]

Whoa! Big price drop!

I just recently paid 1401 (edu) for CTO MB (white, 2.2 ghz, 2 GB RAM, 160 GB HDD), which happens to be exactly what they made the standard config now for 1199 (edu). $202 price drop, plus faster processor.

That's just the world of technology I guess.

[mac821]

oo has multitouch

no multitouch

[Stella]

Wow second lame MB update in a row.

Where is the LED Screen?
Multi-touch Trackpad?

Couldn't we have waited until the usual April/May update and atleast get these? It's not like they don't already have the 13.3" LED's...

And still Combo Drive? WTF sooner or later its got to be costing them more to have it than to put a Superdrive in.
Also no remote? Beyond lame.

There has to be enough difference between the MB and Pro lines.

These MB are very good - Penryn processor ( it says on the Apple front page - *latest* mobile processor ), 2GB ram, larger hard disc.

How many people use track pads over a mouse? Are you really going to miss multi-touch?

[NICU420YEM]

If i bought my blackbook yesterday and opened it should i take it back and pay the restocking fee for the new blackbook?

[Stella]

If i bought my blackbook yesterday and opened it should i take it back and pay the restocking fee for the new blackbook?

If I were in your shoes, yes. In the past some people have returned and pay no restocking fee because of the close purchase and new release of machine. You could try asking nicely if they could forego the fee.

[NICU420YEM]

spank you very much for your input

[razorianfly]

just saw the updates on apple's website, but when i had a look in the configuration part of the shop, the apple remote is now an optional extra it seems :confused:

i dont get that myself. granted i wouldn't need one but still, am confused about that :eek:

I agree, I don't like the way Apple are turning into 'You can have THIS - but THIS, well this, is $20 extra - cough it up!'

People will pay it, sure, but it doesn't make it right.

[glennyboiwpg]

I am so upset that apple didn't release new mac book pros. WOW... they are ignoring my needs and i'm upset. This is awful. OMG blah blah blah.

[JSchwage]

When in the heck is Apple going to get rid of the SuperDrive in the base model?!

[tstarks33]

People need to stop complaining about the combo drive. No one is forcing you to buy that model. The middle model is the version I would buy, but there are people who would like to save a couple hundred dollars and get the combo drive, slower processor, less ram, and smaller hard drive. I'm don't know many people who would, but its nice that apple is giving some people that option. Personally, I think the middle model is the best value.

But the cost to apple is probably negligible.... $10 for combo drive or $15 for superdrive (my made up numbers)...including old tech is not okay just because you have the option of paying more to get new tech instead. I can't believe people would justify it like that. Apple can do no wrong for some people.

[Udinpetot]

so...
no multitouch trackpad on the new macbook?
hmph..
is it worth refunding my 2 week old blacbook for a new one?, is the new penryn chip any good?

so i still have some question regarding the return policy
i bought my macbook overseas, and if i want to return.., do i get money back?, or i can only exchange with another product? or what?
has any1 ever dones this before?
and also i left my box in the country where i bought, is this ok?

[zorinlynx]

What's with the lack of 7200RPM drives? They're not that much more expensive and offer a very noticeable performance boost.

They should at LEAST be available BTO. The thermal design specs of today's 7200RPM laptop drives aren't much, if at all hotter than their 5400RPM bretheren.

[aznkid25]

If we complain enough and wait a couple weeks, Apple might listen and add multi-touch to the macbook too. Just a thought.

[CommodityFetish]

:(

no multi-touch? and still plastic? I was hoping for aluminum.

Why you wanna be like that Apple? Why you wanna hold the MacBook back?

(I know, can't cannibalize the thinnest notebook ever built... poor thing...)

[thechef]

Apple UK kindly agreed to replace my 6 day old MacBook with the updated model . I wont have to pay a restocking fee either which is nice of them. :D

[jasonh1234]

Can someone tell me what videocard was in the MBPs yesterday vs now?

[driftingaway]

I am so upset that apple didn't release new mac book pros. WOW... they are ignoring my needs and i'm upset. This is awful. OMG blah blah blah.

With the best will in the world, you're a little bit silly.

[Habitat31]

Thank You Apple Gods!!!!:d
You Have Made My Dreams Come True!!!!!!

Here Goes My 2000!

[glennyboiwpg]

With the best will in the world, you're a little bit silly.

No Just very happy that I don't have to see those "MBP Whiners" posts anymore.


Ahhh it feels good.

[OneMike]

I'm still happy with my current black macbook. Usually when the updates come out I'm like arrrrrrgh. In this case no big deal.

[Proji]

the combo drive in the base model doesn't hugely bother me. i like these updates in general, more power and storage is never a bad thing. i just don't get why the apple remote which was standard with all macbooks yesterday now appears to be an optional extra :eek:

just doesn't make sense to me

[dmelgar]

How many people use track pads over a mouse? Are you really going to miss multi-touch?
How about... everyone! The trackpad is awesome on the MB. Multi-touch would have been a great addition.

Maybe they were trying to protect the Macbook Air. You get slightly lower price, multi touch, but still with the smaller but perfectly sized screen, LED backlight, backlit keyboard.

[NICU420YEM]

Apple UK kindly agreed to replace my 6 day old MacBook with the updated model . I wont have to pay a restocking fee either which is nice of them. :D

How did you get that to happen did u talk to support or go into the store you bought it at

[s.hoz]

Apple should just make it available to upgrade to a Super Drive for free from the Combo drive on the 1,099 Macbook. Then everyone would be happy.

[SirWells]

Changes aint big to make me regret buying mine 4 days ago.



Same here, I don't want to pay extra for something I won't use.

I feel the same way. I just purchased my MacBook a few days ago as well. At first I felt terrible but returning it and paying $119 for an opened box just for a little speed bump isn't worth it. If they went LED, multi-touch, etc, then I'd feel pretty bad...

[diamond.g]

L2 cache down from 4mb to 3mb?

Yup, and once Intel goes to integrated memory controller expect L2 to basically drop further.

[pete-01]

the base model MBP L2 cache actually decreased from 4 to 3 MB. and you can't configure with just 1GB of ram and go get your ram elsewhere on the cheap, 2 GB is the least you can get.

otherwise, i like.

also, it looks like they have slightly reduced the add-on ram prices to 100 and 300 respectively for 1gb and 2gb chips.

[Dustman]

Why not? Some of us don't want to burn DVD's, and I appreciate the fact that I didn't have to pay extra for a feature that I wouldn't use.

Because it wouldn't cost Apple anything extra to put in a SuperDrive; and for $1099 it should be included as a standard? Its 2008 for heaven sake!

[thechef]

How did you get that to happen did u talk to support or go into the store you bought it at

I called them on the Educational Store number as that's where I originally ordered from. Im sure they will swap them if you literally just bought one like me.

[thies]

still no 13" laptop with a dedicated GPU. makes the upgrade rather uninteresting to me. surprised they *still* sell machine with combo drives. do they have a few shipping containers full of them in the backyard and desperately need to use them up or something?

[NICU420YEM]

I called them on the Educational Store number as that's where I originally ordered from. Im sure they will swap them if you literally just bought one like me.

I bought it in the store with my education discount you think i have to go into the store

[thechef]

I bought it in the store with my education discount you think i have to go into the store

If it was me i'd take it to the store in the box with all the stuff and see if they would let you swap it there and then. If it less than 14 days then they will definitely give you a full refund at least.

[qm1pooh]

Bought the girlfriend the 2.0 Combo Drive MB on Saturday. It would be an hour drive to return it to the Apple Store where I bought it (the nearest one).

First, the bigger hard drive is tempting, I was going to replace it in a couple of weeks anyway. Is the Penryn 2.1GHz really that much better than the Merom 2.0GHz? Also, what's with the decrease in the L2 cache? Will I notice the difference?

Also, the gf fell in love with the remote. When I return it, will they check to make sure it's in the box? In other words, would you spend the extra $20 for the remote, and the $15 in gas to replace the MB? This of course assumes they wouldn't charge the restocking fee.

Decisions, decisions.

[hajime]

I just bought my refurb MacBook discounted from Apple at $950 and it arrived Saturday. I threw in a 2GB stick making total memory 2.5GB for $60. So basically, after tax and shipping, I got my new MacBook with almost the same specs for $1010. Should I return everything and spend $190 more for 200Mhz difference, and 40GB additional HD space? I mean for less than $120 I can get a 200-250GB HD, and use the one in my MB now as a backup with an enclosure. What do you guys think?

I would if I were you. The more HD space the better.

[MrCrowbar]

I'm still happy with my current black macbook. Usually when the updates come out I'm like arrrrrrgh. In this case no big deal.

Same here. It still performs nicely if it wasn't for the intermittant backlight when I cold-start it and the replacement battery holding 43% charge after 125 cycles. Sadly my hardware protection doesn't cover batteries. I got one of the first Macbooks. Pretty much every part has been replaced at least once except the frame and the bottom case and screen case. :rolleyes:

[tremendous]

Well.... thats just depressed me, i baught my mb just 15 days ago. 15 DAYS!!!! :mad:.

Hmmmm time to find out the returns polocys of the place i baught it from :p

why? you'll never notice the difference.

[methodmano]

Multi-touch, as others noted, would have been nice. Why is the combo model still available? Apple should just drop that option.

[afd]

I think the lack of superdrive in the base model is a bad idea. Being able to burn DVDs is pretty much what people expect these days. I think it must put off a lot of switchers when a base model windows laptop will be faster, (on paper) have more RAM, a DVD writer and cost half as much as the cheapest MacBook.
I'd rather Apple had merely upgraded last year's macbook with a DVD writer than the processor and bigger HD. If they'd done that Apple would have got my £700.

[netdog]

I'm surprised. This is a major update for the MacBook. Well done Apple.

Honestly, with the exception of the Mini and iMac which are aching for Penryn, the remade Mac lineup, starting with the Early 2008 Mac Pro launch, is just awesome from top to bottom.

Mac Pro - octos by default
MBP - state of the art
MB - no slouch
MBA - the coolest little portable on the planet
iMac - soon to join the MBP as in absolutely astounding all-in-one
Mini - Penryn would make this an incredible entry level machine

Macs aren't cheap, but it's hard to argue that the 2008 Mac lineup is awe-inspiring.

[tremendous]

Also, the gf fell in love with the remote. When I return it, will they check to make sure it's in the box? In other words, would you spend the extra $20 for the remote, and the $15 in gas to replace the MB? This of course assumes they wouldn't charge the restocking fee.

Decisions, decisions.

Yeah, I think they might check you're not stealing things.

[EgbertAttrick]

Called my local Apple Store... Said they won't know whether or not they will be selling the new units TODAY until they OPEN at 10am. DAMN.

[bluesky1787]

Why do we have to pay for the remote now when it was included before?

[Le Big Mac]

its just a way for them to get people to jump up to the next price point.

Or really to advertise at a lower price point. "Starting at $1099" will draw more people than "starting at $1299"

[SirWells]

I called up my local Apple store... I can return this MacBook for the new one but will ahve to pay a 10% restocking fee. I'm wondering if this is worth it. I could use the extra 40GB of hard drive space, Penryn does seem nice for a slight bump in speed and better battery life... Any suggestions on what I should do here?

[weizilla]

so when are these actually going to be available in retail stores???

[Udinpetot]

I called up my local Apple store... I can return this MacBook for the new one but will ahve to pay a 10% restocking fee. I'm wondering if this is worth it. I could use the extra 40GB of hard drive space, Penryn does seem nice for a slight bump in speed and better battery life... Any suggestions on what I should do here?

how long have you had yours?
do you still have the boxes?, coz i left mine in the country where i bought :S
whats the return policy like?, is the return policy only for exchange?

[macenforcer]

People need to stop complaining about the combo drive. No one is forcing you to buy that model. The middle model is the version I would buy, but there are people who would like to save a couple hundred dollars and get the combo drive, slower processor, less ram, and smaller hard drive. I'm don't know many people who would, but its nice that apple is giving some people that option. Personally, I think the middle model is the best value.

Its posts like this that make me sick. We are NOT going to pay extra for a superdrive. Superdrives are the Norm. NOBODY uses cd-rws any more. They cost the same exact price. So paying $200 more to get one is a pure RIPOFF.

I guess some people just like getting robbed I guess.

[tremendous]

so...
no multitouch trackpad on the new macbook?
hmph..
is it worth refunding my 2 week old blacbook for a new one?, is the new penryn chip any good?

so i still have some question regarding the return policy
i bought my macbook overseas, and if i want to return.., do i get money back?, or i can only exchange with another product? or what?
has any1 ever dones this before?
and also i left my box in the country where i bought, is this ok?

They'll probably want to see everything. I can't see why you'd bother. Save yourself the hassle unless you really have got to be one of those people who need to have the newest possible stuff, regardless of whether it's actually any better or a benefit to you.

[teamdelfano]

I called up my local Apple store... I can return this MacBook for the new one but will ahve to pay a 10% restocking fee. I'm wondering if this is worth it. I could use the extra 40GB of hard drive space, Penryn does seem nice for a slight bump in speed and better battery life... Any suggestions on what I should do here?


if you really want to do it, see if you can talk them out of the restocking fee...

[gotohamish]

I caught that too. Very odd. The remote actually makes sense for laptop users who give presentations.

Very true, but not the DVI and VGA adapters are also sold separately, you've a nice little pile of additions.

[tremendous]

Its posts like this that make me sick. We are NOT going to pay extra for a superdrive. Superdrives are the Norm. NOBODY uses cd-rws any more. They cost the same exact price. So paying $200 more to get one is a pure RIPOFF.

I guess some people just like getting robbed I guess.

well, it's $200 for a faster processor, more hard drive space, more memory AND a superdrive. Big difference.

[teamdelfano]

I guess some people just like getting robbed I guess.

being robbed by apple is "cool" though, dont you get it? :D

[Eidorian]

i think the biggest update is the fact that it no longer costs 700 dollars for 4gb ram..now only $400:DThat was the first option I looked at as well.

Good work on getting Penryn out the door on both laptops Apple.

[SirWells]

how long have you had yours?
do you still have the boxes?, coz i left mine in the country where i bought :S
whats the return policy like?, is the return policy only for exchange?

Just 10% restocking fee. It might be a pain because I have AppleCare already registered on it, so they'd have to return the AppleCare and give me a new one or change the serial number of the machine. I'm wondering if $119 is worth this "upgrade." Considering I just got this machine, I feel it is. I don't know though...

[jkaz]

has anyone pointed out the typo on the 17" MBP store page?

2.5GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
2GB memory
250GB hard drive1
Douple-layer SuperDrive
NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT with 512MB

note: douPle-layer

maybe it's just my comp

[CalmEnvy]

I'm happy with the update. I'm going to get the Base Model MacBook for College, now that it's only $1049 with the Student Discount in Canada makes me very happy. Not to mention 40GB of more space.

[NICU420YEM]

If it was me i'd take it to the store in the box with all the stuff and see if they would let you swap it there and then. If it less than 14 days then they will definitely give you a full refund at least.

its open though think its ok. I'm there now on my iPhone I'll let everyone know how it goes

[hhaeschen]

Wow, it appears Apple has decided to drop the prices by € 30,- in the German store. It was about time - I didn't expect it to happen, though! :)

[teamdelfano]

its open though think its ok. I'm there now on my iPhone I'll let everyone know how it goes



posting on macrumors from an iphone while at an apple store, can it get much better?

[jnc]

Multi-touch, as others noted, would have been nice. Why is the combo model still available?

Because some people would rather not pay for a DVD burner they won't use. Is it that hard?

Apple should just drop that option.

Why? All you have to do is NOT buy it! $200 more gets you the DVD burner, .3GHz more speed and 40GB more HD space, you're not exactly being robbed. If you mean the SuperDrive option should cost what the Combo model costs, that's a different argument

[nja247]

Overall, a nice update, but not enough to entice me to rid myself of my 2.16 Black MacBook. The difference in performance would be negligible. I'm definitely waiting for summer once Intel drops all the better Penryns (more FSB, less voltage) plus the monteniva chipset (can we say much better on-board graphics for us non-Pro buyers???)

Looks like the next round will be a winner for everyone (MacBooks, Airs and Pros). Aside from the possibility of new chipsets and chips, we're likely to see LED's all around since 2008 is supposedly the year that Apple is supposed to move away from mercury containing CFL's. Thus, I'm quite excited for the mid-2008 MacBook personally. Also interested in rev. B of the Air. Looking at the new penryn's in mid-2008 I could see them getting at or better than 2 GHz in the Air. Of course I'd need more than 80GB drive space too.

Most likely though I'll be wasting my money on the next MacBook update with (hopefully) new on-board graphics, the 1066 FSB chips, LED, and maybe multi-touch? Hell, why not a redesign as well? :)

Nick

[qm1pooh]

Yeah, I think they might check you're not stealing things.

I have no problem paying the extra $20. My question is, would the $20 and $15 in gas be worth it? I wouldn't pay the restocking fee, if I could talk them out of it.

Constructive comments appreciated about the 2.0 GHz Penryn vs. 2.1 GHz Merom.

[i.maverick]

Combo-drive again....seriously??

yea.. what are they smokin for the last year...drop the combo model altogether and bring down the price a lil bit.
o.w m happy to see 2GB mem as standard.!
combo drive in 2008 is as obsolete as HD-DVD would be in 2010.
nuff said.
:p

[KindredMAC]

These updates were a waste of time.

If Apple feels compelled to still put a Combo Drive in any of their models in today's world, then it should NOT be priced over $1000. That low end MacBook should be priced at $799 realistically, $899 in Apple's RDF.

The MBP at least added real value without adding to the cost. With the laptops options out now for Apple, I would never buy a MacBook ever again. I don't care for the integrated graphics, or the fact that it starts spinning like a turbine engine if I am playing a Flash based game online.

If the Air came down to $1599 I would get that in a heartbeat but I would most likely get the MBP for $1999.

[goosnarrggh]

has anyone pointed out the typo on the 17" MBP store page?

2.5GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
2GB memory
250GB hard drive1
Douple-layer SuperDrive
NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT with 512MB

note: douPle-layer

maybe it's just my comp

Nah, it's just the new top-secret double-triple hybrid format that Apple is quietly inventing to overtake Blu-ray. ;)

Because some people would rather not pay for a DVD burner they won't use. Is it that hard?
I'm not convinced that the component cost of a super drive is actually all that different compared to a combo drive at this point. Some people have guessed that the component price for the combo drive might actually be increasing relative to the super drive by this point due to ramping down of quantity production in older technology - in fact, I don't think that's too far-fetched.

[svndmvn]

does anybody else think Apple can still give us an update around May as they have, in the past years? Possibly giving "us" (or whoever is waiting for LED, multi-touch, why not, and a more ergonomic encloser, aluminium??)what we want..
I don't wanna be one of those moaning about this update, I was back in November though, if they gave me LED I was happy and bought a MB, as I had sold my 1st Gen MB in MAY, waiting for something better as I was going back to the US for the summer, the update was not in September, therefore I did not buy.I guess i'm waiting May to buy whatever there is, probably a BlackBook this time

[MacSA]

oh sweet jesus... that combodrive just will not die lol. :mad::mad::mad::mad:

[theonly]

But the cost to apple is probably negligible.... $10 for combo drive or $15 for superdrive (my made up numbers)...including old tech is not okay just because you have the option of paying more to get new tech instead. I can't believe people would justify it like that. Apple can do no wrong for some people.

I still use the combo drive in my G4 Mac mini for one very important reason -- the SuperDrive in my MacBook (late 2006) is quite picky about the DVDs it chooses to read. (This is the second SuperDrive in this MacBook, by the way.) The SuperDrives seem quite temperamental, if the anecdotal evidence means anything: http://www.google.com/search?q=+site:discussions.apple.com+superdrive+rejecting+dvds

That's not to say that I don't prefer having the ability to burn DVDs, but it's nice to have more than one kind of optical drive in the house. When I replace the mini, I'll probably purchase the low-end model just to keep a Combo drive available on the network.

[glennp]

I feel the same way. I just purchased my MacBook a few days ago as well. At first I felt terrible but returning it and paying $119 for an opened box just for a little speed bump isn't worth it. If they went LED, multi-touch, etc, then I'd feel pretty bad...

You're overlooking the other option -- if you bought it from an Apple Store. The MacBook you bought was reduced in price the instant the new ones were announced. The Apple Store offers price guarantees:

Should Apple reduce its price on any shipped product within 14 calendar days of shipment, you may contact Apple Sales Support at 1-800-676-2775 to request a refund or credit of the difference between the price you were charged and the current selling price. To receive the refund or credit you must contact Apple within 14 calendar days of the price change.

You don't have to return yours and upgrade, but you should call about a refund.

[macintel4me]

Hmmm...no backlit keyboard, no LED screen and no multi-touch support. It seems that Apple wants to make sure the difference between the MacBook Air and the MacBook clear.

It's only a matter of time before ALL macs have multi-touch support. My guess is that Apple will add a backlit keyboard, LED screen and mutli-touch support to the MacBook after the Air has more time on the market. The Air is all about being the best mobile laptop in the world. The MacBook is all about being the best cost-effective value laptop in the world. The MacBook Pro is all bout being the most powerful laptop in the world. I'd expect to see the MacBook to add some features and reduce price in the future, while I expect the MacBook Air to add leading-edge features and stay at the same price. For example, when the MacBook Air has built-in 3G or WiMAX support you could then see multi-touch added to the MacBook.

[EgbertAttrick]

posting on macrumors from an iphone while at an apple store, can it get much better?

You should be inside by now. Are they available in-store TODAY?

[IFailedShapes]

What I wanted:
-17" LED
- Multi-touch
- New Keyboard from MBA
- Penryn Procs
- Blu-Ray
- Magnetic Latching

[qm1pooh]

The Charlotte NC Apple Store said they will charge the restocking fee for an opened box, so I'll keep the one I bought Saturday.

[teamdelfano]

The Charlotte NC Apple Store said they will charge the restocking fee for an opened box, so I'll keep the one I bought Saturday.

see if you can go in there and haggle with them about getting them to waive it!

[teamdelfano]

You should be inside by now. Are they available in-store TODAY?

that wasnt me, that's the poster i was quoting

[compoxid]

Does anybody have a good explanation for why they have decreased the L2-Cache with 1mb?

I mean, the L2 is very important these days and they decreased it? Seriously?

[qm1pooh]

see if you can go in there and haggle with them about getting them to waive it!

I don't want to make the hour drive each way and burn the gas. And buy the remote the gf loves.

Oh well. I hope new iMacs are out before I'm ready to buy one in May.

[Nabooly]

Lol they still have the combo drive? My god, do we still have people in this country living under a rock? haha...

[teamdelfano]

Lol they still have the combo drive? My god, do we still have people in this country living under a rock? haha...

its apple that's putting these out , ask them :p

[nja247]

Does anybody have a good explanation for why they have decreased the L2-Cache with 1mb?

I mean, the L2 is very important these days and they decreased it? Seriously?

There are newer penryns out in a few months which have a faster FSB (1066 vs current 800) and more cache.

[kevd00d]

yea...too bad Multitouch is only on the MBP

[EgbertAttrick]

Called the store... available "in a couple of hours" as they are still unpacking them. Here comes another wait, LOL.

[andiwm2003]

$1299 for a complete notebook. 2.4GHz Penryn, 160GB HD, 2GB ram, wifi, bluetooth, dual layer superdrive, x3100.

that's an amazing deal!

4 times as fast as my old powerbook that i bought for $3000 (and then i had to upgrade ram and install a larger HD). i'm planning to buy end of 2008. by then there is probably no reason for me to buy a MBP. the MB's are fast enough for everthing i do.


btw: if you're lucky enough to be european with the ability to buy in the US then it's 900 Euro. Wow......

[Kar98]

So is the mini turning into Apple's aircooled bug or what?

[deadkenny]

btw: if you're lucky enough to be european with the ability to buy in the US then it's 900 Euro. Wow......

The prices came down in Europe though. Black and white are only 100€ apart whilst the black one hast 250GB which costs 90€ for the white one. And all models are 100€ cheaper than before. So the gap is not that big now specially if you can get students discount plus the price in the store is net and those Euro prices are inkl. VAT.

Prices of the MBP came down as well.

[Clive At Five]

The good:

Smaller "Black Tax" (only $100 this time!)
PENRYN! (I could've sworn it would've been another Merom)
Yay for not axing white. Am I the only one who still likes the "white look?"


The bad:

Combo Drive??? Really Apple? It's 2008. DVD writers were standard three years ago.
No multi-touch, though I have to say that I'm not surprized (or even upset) about its non-inclusion. There has to be some differentiation amongst the lines. Still, if Multi-Touch is the Next Big Thing, you'd think Apple would want to get it into as many hands as possible.


Overall, I'd be pretty pleased about these updates, especially if I was itching to upgrade. The only question now on my mind is how long it will be before the aching MacMini will see an update... and when it does, will it, too, climb to the frosty peaks of Penryn? Or languish in Merom-y neglect?

Damn, I could be a poet. ;)

-Clive

[fastbite]

I also wanted a case design change on the pro. Anything! Make it of grass or whatever, just bloody change it!

[Kar98]

posting on macrumors from an iphone while at an apple store, can it get much better?

Well, you could still lay in bed fondling your girlfriend. :D
And yeah, post from your iPhone, if you must. :rolleyes:

[diamond.g]

Does anybody have a good explanation for why they have decreased the L2-Cache with 1mb?

I mean, the L2 is very important these days and they decreased it? Seriously?

Intel must feel that the smaller L2 isn't detremental to the CPU's performance in respects to a certain price range. L2 cache will deminish in importance once the onboard memory controller hits. Plus I would figure yeilds are better for the 3mb chips versus the 6mb ones (hence lower street price). I would also think that (from a OC guy perspective) the 3mb chips are also more overclockable than the 6mb chips.

[Bubbasteve]

I would have loved to see a brighter LED screen and perhaps a backlit keyboard but that's no big deal. I really could careless about the multi-touch trackpad because I don't think I would discipline myself to use its features.

My roommate just bought a compaq notebook for $700 and the screen is night and day better than the current Macbook line -- I really wish Apple would have tackled this issue in their update.

[BoyBach]

The only question now on my mind is how long it will be before the aching MacMini will see an update...


With Apple's new policy of updating /releasing something new every week there is always next Tuesday...

[savar]

NO multi touch on macbooks

Weird...I wonder why.

What does multitouch even DO on the laptops that have it. Is application support already in place?

[shimmer11]

I would have loved to see a brighter LED screen and perhaps a backlit keyboard but that's no big deal. I really could careless about the multi-touch trackpad because I don't think I would discipline myself to use its features.

My roommate just bought a compaq notebook for $700 and the screen is night and day better than the current Macbook line -- I really wish Apple would have tackled this issue in their update.

Completely agree. I returned a black Macbook last month due to the screen quality. Very poor in my mind. I will wait for a LED backlit screen or until the MBA comes down in price (I think it may soon!)

-Andy

[savar]

The good:
Yay for not axing white. Am I the only one who still likes the "white look?"


I love white. I'm miffed that the black costs more. Who's paying more for the generic color?? Every Dell made in the last 8 years was black. I'll keep white, thanks very much.

[Andrmgic]

This gets a "negative" from me because they left the combo drive in the base model. Shame on you, apple.

[NICU420YEM]

You should be inside by now. Are they available in-store TODAY?

success, I don't have to pay restocking fee....however not available at the moment maybe later today he said

[Kazr]

Why not? Some of us don't want to burn DVD's, and I appreciate the fact that I didn't have to pay extra for a feature that I wouldn't use.

DVD burner drives are so widely available that the price difference compared to DVD-ROM when building these Macs is tiny. It's Apple that's placing an artificial premium on the burner.

That's what makes it so annoying to the majority of people - regardless of whether you need the burner or not. Especially as you can buy a cheap £400 laptop that does come with a DVD burner as standard.

(Yes, I know, A.N.Other laptop isn't a Mac, doesn't have OS X, etc, etc, etc.) :rolleyes:

If the base Macbook had a DVD burner, I'd probably get one. :)

[shigzeo]

Why not? Some of us don't want to burn DVD's, and I appreciate the fact that I didn't have to pay extra for a feature that I wouldn't use.

oh you are paying extra mate. if apple sell macbook with all the regular spec they have or even good processor and make you pay over 100$ usd more for the next machine up to get a dvd burner (dvd burners cost just a few hundred pennies more) you are paying much more than you need. they define the low end which i think you are paying way too much for.

for instance, what if you just had to burn a dvd or found out that you needed to even once... trust me, those extra 10 dollars would go a long way in the end. buying bare minimum in computers is never a good idea. neither is bleeding edge unless you are funded or really need it.

i would be very upset that it does not have dvd burner. when i had my ibook g4 (basic model) in 2004, i was upset that it had only a combo drive : 4 years ago!

apple are pathetic

[BigPana]

Wow, I never post anything negative, but I think it's really sucks ass that the Macboooks don't have multi-touch and an LED screen.Those are the two things I want!

I'm just glad I'm not in a hurry to get a new laptop...

[jmorrison0722]

I own a MacBook and for the most part love it. But there is one issue that plagues it, and Apple apparently refuses to fix it...the graphics card/chipset. It a pretty sad state of affairs when you buy a brand new Mac, only to find out there is Apple-Branded software that is won't run very well (Aperture) or in some cases won't run at all (Motion). I know what you're thinking...it's not a pro machine and those are pro apps. Explain games to me then...there's almost no games you can run on the MacBook because it doesn't have a true graphics card. Are games only for pros too?

I'm not suggesting they need to put it on par with the MacBook Pro...hell, put an older graphics card in there, with only a third of the VRAM of the MacBook Pro. Besides, there are lots of other things that distinguish the Pro...such as larger displays, backlit keyboards, now multi touch, firewire 800, much cooler enclosure, express card slot for expansion.

Come on Apple...stop selling us a crippled MacBook. You've never taken the "Cheap" route before...why do it now?

[Iso79]

Disappointing update although I would love to have 512 of video memory.

[teamdelfano]

Completely agree. I returned a black Macbook last month due to the screen quality. Very poor in my mind. I will wait for a LED backlit screen or until the MBA comes down in price (I think it may soon!)

-Andy

can someone tell me about the led backlit screens, how much better are they in terms of the picture than an lcd? is it really worth it to buy a mbp over a mb because of this feature alone?

[saxman]

Although I'm not in the market for a new laptop (my 12" PB still does what I need it to do) I think it's interesting that they updated the MB and MBP on the same day. Has Apple done this recently? I hope they continue this trend then it would be clearer which laptop you should buy instead of having only one line updated every 3-4 months. Unless they've done this before, but I can't remember when

[addicted44]

If you are moving to a new chip completely, then the smaller L2 cache means nothing. Often, smaller is better, as far as chip design is concerned. Having a larger L2 cache could possibly have slowed things down. It all depends on the design of the chip, and the optimizations that Intel has made.

Dont worry, the sky is not falling. These chips are most probably going to be significantly faster. Also, the larger HD is pretty cool.

I dont get the gripes about the Combo Drive either. Yes it would be nice if Apple included a SuperDrive. And it would be nice if they included a backlit keyboard. It would be nice if they basically sold the Macbook Pros at that price point, but Apple has to create some differentiation. The point of the lowest Macbook is to provide a low featured device (so it doesnt steal sales from the upper models) yet at the same time give those who are not willing to spend more than 1100 an opportunity to run OS X. Hence the differentiations.

Besides, what does one do with a DVD Burner nowadays? The only thing I can foresee is burning Suse Linux DVDs (instead of the CDs) or burning movies, the second of which is illegal. You would be silly not to be backing up to a hard drive instead, what with Time Machine and all.

[Clive At Five]

Come on Apple...stop selling us a crippled MacBook. You've never taken the "Cheap" route before...why do it now?

Apple has (sadly) always taken the "cheap" route when it comes to graphics support. Steve Jobs finds gaming personally irrelevent and that attitude rains down upon Apple as well. Plust they want to make sure that their pro Apps only work on Pro machines, so technically while Apeture should at least "work" on a MacBook, allegedly it doesn't for some reason... I'm not going to point fingers, but it sounds like there's some crippling going on... I'll reserve judgement until I've tried it myself though.

-Clive

[BoyBach]

oh you are paying extra mate.


No, I'm not. But thanks for your concern! ;)

Have a guess why I bought the 'bottom' spec MacBook in December of last year? It's because it does exactly what I want at a price point that I was willing to pay. Therefore, both Apple and myself were happy with the specs and price which resulted in a sale. It's basic economics.

Why do you think aeroplanes and trains have an 'Economy Class'? Or why do supermarkets sell both 'Value' and 'Premium' food ranges? Or why do Starbucks allow customers to add soy milk or an extra shot to their coffee?

[twoodcc]

not quite as big as the mbp update, but still a nice one indeed.

[serpico]

Apple, just kill that combo drive! WTF?! How can this drive still be around in order to cut costs? Oh please. :eek:

[shigzeo]

i understand the illustration you gave, funny. at least in a plane, you still can go to the toilet in the same section as the non-cattle sections. with a macbook using 5 or 6 year old technology, you may well be paying for scare components as well. the difference really is nothing more than 10$. they charge premium for the low end.

there should be no way that a 1099$ and in uk even more expensive for a computer that still has not only a combo drive but only 1gb ram. i think apple charge competitive for their higher end machines considering construction and everything but always, the low end seems to be quite expensive to the compeittion.

i understand the argument, they are sound. what is not sound is apple's dire conviction to stab the people who want a cheaper machine. the attitude is a basic, piss off if you want something that ain't gonna be more than 1500$. take this chewed on shoe string and we will call it a yo-yo.

[jhsfosho]

i don't mind apple putting a combo drive in the base model. if you want to burn dvd's, upgrade it. not that big of a deal. i am surprised that multi-touch is not included.

[nagromme]

Re the apparent 14-day grace period for people who just bought the previous one:

* Does it start when you received it (I assume so) or when you ordered it?

* Is it only an exchange, or can you choose money back? (Price protection--although I don't see old ones at Apple.com for clearance pricing anyway.)

TIA - I know someone who ordered one from the Apple.com edu store and took delivery recently, after some order delay.

(And I know Apple will sometimes bend rules--but I'm wondering what the official rule is.)

[DHUK]

I wonder if multitouch is there in the new Macbooks, just not enabled for now. Seems crazy not to put it in the hardware considering there is OS support for it.

[BoyBach]

piss off...take this chewed on shoe string and we will call it a yo-yo.


I like it! Can I nick this and quote it forever more? :)

[krye]

MBP has multitouch but MB doesnt!

Yeh, so the high end MacBook doesn't cannibalize sales from the low-end MacBook Pro.

[jmorrison0722]

Re the apparent 14-day grace period for people who just bought the previous one:

* Does it start when you received it (I assume so) or when you ordered it?

* Is it only an exchange, or can you choose money back? (Price protection--although I don't see old ones at Apple.com for clearance pricing anyway.)

TIA - I know someone who ordered one from the Apple.com edu store and took delivery recently, after some order delay.

(And I know Apple will sometimes bend rules--but I'm wondering what the official rule is.)

It starts when the order is placed.
It is only exchange if you want full value...otherwise you can return and get your money back minus 10% restocking fee.

If you are able to go to an Apple Store, you'll get more sympathy. My manager used to say that if they are within 14 days, swap it out no questions asked. If they are outside of 14 days, swap or return minus 10%.

[krye]

Why not? Some of us don't want to burn DVD's, and I appreciate the fact that I didn't have to pay extra for a feature that I wouldn't use.

The point is it shouldn't be extra. The point is in the year 2008, DVD burning should be standard. Silly that the Macbook comes with iDVD, and you won't be able to use it.

[apple101]

when is the case going to be re-designed?!?!? they had this one since day one of the macbook, i'm kinda sick of it!

[diamond.g]

Or why do Starbucks allow customers to add soy milk or an extra shot to their coffee?

Hey! Some of us are lactose intolerant :mad:, it was in Starbucks best interest to provide an alternative. Plus soy is all the rage amongst people who don't really need it.

[apple101]

they should have an option at least for the macbook, cause it probley would bring the price yp

[starman0147]

Wow, I never post anything negative, but I think it's really sucks ass that the Macboooks don't have multi-touch and an LED screen.Those are the two things I want!

I'm just glad I'm not in a hurry to get a new laptop...


Buy a MBP then.
I cant honestly understand how people could be upset with these updates and why it has got such a negative response as the Macbook was never in line to be updated in the first place.
The only problem i can see is the base model still has a combo drive and the black tax is still there other then that these updates are pretty solid and have rekindled my interest in purchasing a Macbook....

[mrgreen4242]

Combo-drive again....seriously??

I'm glad I'm not the only one who was pissed by that. They really need to quit this forced-upsell-by-leaving-off-basic-features crap. EVERY Mac should have a DVD-RW and you shouldn't be forced to pay $200 for a CPU and HDD upgrade you probably don't want to get it.

They'd probably SAVE money by simplifying the parts inventory and dropping the Combo drive all together; the parts cost is within a couple bucks at most, and the overhead of stocking an additional part and buying smaller quantities of two parts rather than a single one probably adds any savings right back in.

Point being is that MOST people want the SuperDrive, but DON'T want the faster CPU. The added HDD space probably falls in the middle. The people who DON'T want the SD would end up getting it for free*. It's just a ploy to make you buy the expensive CPU upgrade (the HDD upgrade doesn't add much to the bottom line either).

They did this with the mini, too, and the old iMac, and it's getting lamer every time. This is 2008, FFS; Walmart barebones PCs come with DVD-RW's now.

*Anyone who says they don't want a DVD-RW because "they wouldn't use it" is really not thinking very far forward. Aside from the obvious burning DVDs from iDVD/iMovie to share movies and photos with people, the shear usefulness of backing data up on DVD-R is worth the $2 it MIGHT cost them. Backing up purchased iTMS content, audio and video, photos from digital cameras, etc etc is so much easier when you can put 4gb+ on a single disc as compared to 800mb on a CD.

[joemama]

I'm surprised more people aren't upset over the lack of a backlite keyboard. I sure am. I don't need the power of a MBP, nor multitouch, but I like seeing the keyboard in the dark.

I thought for sure Apple would FINALLY add this to the MB. If it had it, it would be the perfect laptop for many.

shame.

[HackBook]

when is the case going to be re-designed?!?!? they had this one since day one of the macbook, i'm kinda sick of it!

IIRC The MacBook Pro hasn't had a major case redesign for over 5 years - since the Powerbook G4 Aluminium was released.

[xy14]

Dude this could be the ganja speaking but I never noticed how much notebook hard drives went up in space man. I got my iBook in '03 with 20gb and even my iMac from 1yr ago has only 120gb.. Now the macbook has 250gb.. Maybe ill get one when I start at school for graphic design

[apple101]

IIRC The MacBook Pro hasn't had a major case redesign for over 5 years - since the Powerbook G4 Aluminium was released.

5 yrs?!?!?! thats a long time.
im getting a new mac this year for my high school graduation, and i really want a new case design for the new macbooks!

[kamm]

It starts when the order is placed.
It is only exchange if you want full value...otherwise you can return and get your money back minus 10% restocking fee.

If you are able to go to an Apple Store, you'll get more sympathy. My manager used to say that if they are within 14 days, swap it out no questions asked. If they are outside of 14 days, swap or return minus 10%.

Hi,

I bought my wife's black MB unopened from a guy who bought it two days earlier, on Feb 12nd and I have the copy of the original receipt. If I understood your post correctly despite using it for 14 days - today is the 14th day - I can just walk in to any Apple Store and swap it for the latest MB Black - am I correct?

[xy14]

I'm surprised more people aren't upset over the lack of a backlite keyboard. I sure am. I don't need the power of a MBP, nor multitouch, but I like seeing the keyboard in the dark.

I thought for sure Apple would FINALLY add this to the MB. If it had it, it would be the perfect laptop for many.

shame.

you could get an air.. you wont get the power of a mbp but you will get the multitouch. you can even carry it in an envelope for only $1799 plus $1 for the envelope at officemax (applicable local sales tax and surcharges not unluded) sorry im bored

[Kar98]

Seriously though. Why isn't the /basic/ optical drive a DVD burner and the new super-duper drive a blu ray burner?

And 5,400rpm drives? Ridiculous. C'mon, Apple, you're supposed to have the most kick-ass machines, not just "well, we've got OSX, oh, and iLife!"

[nagromme]

EVERY Mac should have a DVD-RW and you shouldn't be forced to pay $200 for a CPU and HDD upgrade you probably don't want to get it.

It's not $200 just for the CPU speed and bigger HD, it's $200 for that AND the SuperDrive AND double the RAM pre-installed. All together that's actually not bad--and better than last week :)

I know a lot of people who never burn DVDs from their laptop, and every little upgrade (DVD, backlit keys, multitouch chip etc.) adds a little cost. Everybody has one pet feature they think a laptop HAS to have at the lowest price point, but if you added all those pet features you wouldn't be at $1099.

In fact, I think of all the laptop owners I know, and I can't think of one who has ever burned a DVD--myself included.

I know many do, and I would like to see it as BTO option on the bottom model, but BTO isn't free either: fewer options means less expense to build and stock.

5 yrs?!?!?! thats a long time.
im getting a new mac this year for my high school graduation, and i really want a new case design for the new macbooks!

The MacBooks DID get a new design (and black) when the iBooks went away. Not a total departure from past Apple designs--but then neither is the Air. It's the PRO line that has stayed the same: the 15" PBG4 looked much the same when it came out in late 2003, and the 12" and 17" had this design even sooner. Granted, it's a good design, and it has evolved over the years (wider screen shape, camera, multitouch, ExpressCard slot) but it's also nice when something feels new on looks alone.

[belovedmonster]

This thread is so full of petty whiners who dont understand anything about the difference between the MBP and MB line.

That said, what the hell is with the combo drive??? A DVD burner was a standard feature in a computer what like 3 years ago? If you are going to create artificial differences in product lines you've got to at least do it within the realms of acceptable hardware for 2008. You cant load in hardware from 2005 as something to create a difference.

[milo]

The lack of DVD burning in 2008 is just shameful.

The drives are absolutely dirt cheap at this point - it costs the user $200 to get DVD burning, but the part probably only costs $10 more. And yeah, I know you get more stuff for that $200, but it's just idiotic that something included in PC laptops that cost hundreds less (probably half the price) can only be had in a mac laptop for $1299.

There's really no excuse for it, it's just gouging plain and simple.

Same goes for the mini, that POS is looking absolutely pathetic these days - combo drive AND still the slower wifi.

And what's up with the lack of multitouch? If apple is going to hype this technology, it seems counterproductive to only put it on some models.

[kamm]

Hi,

I bought my wife's black MB unopened from a guy who bought it two days earlier, on Feb 12nd and I have the copy of the original receipt. If I understood your post correctly despite using it for 14 days - today is the 14th day - I can just walk in to any Apple Store and swap it for the latest MB Black - am I correct?

Answering to myself: yes, I can do it but I have to return it today as it's the 14th day, according to the Apple Store CSR I just spoke to. :)
However since they do not have it in stock yet they will issue a credit for me and then I will have to wait until the new one arrives.:rolleyes:
Well, back to sharing my great Vaio with my wife... :cool:

Hmmm, waiting a week or so in return for going 160GB->25GB, Merom 4MB L2 2.2GHz->Penryn 3MB L2 2.4GHz and 1GB->2GB... seems fair enough. :D:apple:

[nomad01]

Well yesterday I was torn between buying a new black MB or an MBP.

Today, the spec I wanted on the Black MB is about 100 quid less than it was yesterday so I'm happy. LED screen would have been nice. Multi touch would have been nice. Not a deal breaker though and with 2GB standard, 250 GB hard drive and a faster CPU, I'm sold. Pretty pleased with the update. Ordered a few minutes ago with edu discount.

[nagromme]

It starts when the order is placed.
It is only exchange if you want full value...otherwise you can return and get your money back minus 10% restocking fee.

If you are able to go to an Apple Store, you'll get more sympathy. My manager used to say that if they are within 14 days, swap it out no questions asked. If they are outside of 14 days, swap or return minus 10%.

Thanks. I called Apple just now though and they said the 14 days starts when you receive your order. (So, when you sign for it I suppose?) Makes sense--since an order could be backordered for more than 14 days.

Also, if anyone's wondering, they said there's no price protection on the MacBooks (which I guessed from the fact that no MacBooks show up in Clearance--so there IS no "new price" on the old models). Price protection WOULD have started back on the 7th, so if Clearance models do show up, that's the refund cutoff. But the guy I talked to said that if clearance pricing wasn't available now, it's not coming. (This is for the non-Pros, I didn't ask about Pros.)

[jmorrison0722]

Hi,

I bought my wife's black MB unopened from a guy who bought it two days earlier, on Feb 12nd and I have the copy of the original receipt. If I understood your post correctly despite using it for 14 days - today is the 14th day - I can just walk in to any Apple Store and swap it for the latest MB Black - am I correct?

In a word...yes. It is 100% manager discretion as to how 'friendly' they want to be. Worst case...you'll pay the restocking fee, but get the newer macbook. Best case, he just swap it out even since you are within the 14 days. This is what our management would do. Now, let's talk about the receipt...if it's in the other guys name...you could run into difficulty there. They may need to return the old machine, then resell the new one to you at the same price. Since your receipt is in someone else's name...not sure how they'll handle it. Again, this will fall under manager discretion.

[jmorrison0722]

Thanks. I called Apple just now though and they said the 14 days starts when you receive your order. (So, when you sign for it I suppose?) Makes sense--since an order could be backordered for more than 14 days.

Nice to hear they've changed that. Use to be it would start when it ships, which is usually same day as order. So online orders would get cheated of a good part of their 14 days.

[kamm]

In a word...yes. It is 100% manager discretion as to how 'friendly' they want to be. Worst case...you'll pay the restocking fee, but get the newer macbook. Best case, he just swap it out even since you are within the 14 days. This is what our management would do. Now, let's talk about the receipt...if it's in the other guys name...you could run into difficulty there. They may need to return the old machine, then resell the new one to you at the same price. Since your receipt is in someone else's name...not sure how they'll handle it. Again, this will fall under manager discretion.

Hi,

thanks for your help. It's a copy of the receipt but there's no name on it, only the serial number and last 4 digits of the card he paid. It should work then, right?

[Luzzio]

Bought my MB a week ago, but nothing much I can do about it anyway. There isn't an Apple Store where im from, only resellers.

And they take about a month to update their stock whenever Apple announces upgrades.

[irun5k]

*Anyone who says they don't want a DVD-RW because "they wouldn't use it" is really not thinking very far forward. Aside from the obvious burning DVDs from iDVD/iMovie to share movies and photos with people, the shear usefulness of backing data up on DVD-R is worth the $2 it MIGHT cost them. Backing up purchased iTMS content, audio and video, photos from digital cameras, etc etc is so much easier when you can put 4gb+ on a single disc as compared to 800mb on a CD.

It sounds like you use your Macbook as a primary machine- many other people do not. My macbook is a second or third computer in the house and mostly an appliance and something used to check email on the road. I'd never think of trying to author a movie on the thing, when I have an iMac with a huge display.

[inkswamp]

Re: Combo drives vs. Superdrive...

Same here, I don't want to pay extra for something I won't use.

Oh come on. If those kinds of choices are so important, why aren't you using a PC laptop then where you can build these things to order? And what if you wanted a 2.4GHz MB? Would you be fine with paying extra for an unneeded Superdrive in that situation or would you be here singing Apple's praises just the same?

Most PC makers offer you a choice of drives in laptops across the board. I think Apple makes great machines, but I get a little tired of people coming up with ridiculous defenses for Apple's inflexibility and limiting the options available. There's no reason for it. They've grown massively in the last few years and they need to start offering more options to buyers. And we as users need to stop patting them on the back for it.

[JG271]

More a price drop on the macbooks, however still a good update. Strange how they didn't include the 2.6ghz as standard on the high end macbook pro, you have to pay £160 more for it.

[ahaley1986]

good update, but not compelling enough to buy. i don't really need a new computer so i'll be waiting for a case update, so i may be using my "gulp" pc for another year or so before that happens.........:(

[hayesk]

I'm not suggesting they need to put it on par with the MacBook Pro...hell, put an older graphics card in there, with only a third of the VRAM of the MacBook Pro. Besides, there are lots of other things that distinguish the Pro...such as larger displays, backlit keyboards, now multi touch, firewire 800, much cooler enclosure, express card slot for expansion.

No, what you are suggesting is that Apple put the features that matter to you in a MacBook, and features that don't matter should be left to the MacBook Pro.

The problem is Apple has millions of customers, not just you. They put what they feel belongs in a consumer laptop, and what belongs in a pro laptop based on the wants and needs of their customers as a whole, not individually.

[TMay]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who was pissed by that. They really need to quit this forced-upsell-by-leaving-off-basic-features crap. EVERY Mac should have a DVD-RW and you shouldn't be forced to pay $200 for a CPU and HDD upgrade you probably don't want to get it.

They'd probably SAVE money by simplifying the parts inventory and dropping the Combo drive all together; the parts cost is within a couple bucks at most, and the overhead of stocking an additional part and buying smaller quantities of two parts rather than a single one probably adds any savings right back in.

Point being is that MOST people want the SuperDrive, but DON'T want the faster CPU. The added HDD space probably falls in the middle. The people who DON'T want the SD would end up getting it for free*. It's just a ploy to make you buy the expensive CPU upgrade (the HDD upgrade doesn't add much to the bottom line either).

They did this with the mini, too, and the old iMac, and it's getting lamer every time. This is 2008, FFS; Walmart barebones PCs come with DVD-RW's now.

*Anyone who says they don't want a DVD-RW because "they wouldn't use it" is really not thinking very far forward. Aside from the obvious burning DVDs from iDVD/iMovie to share movies and photos with people, the shear usefulness of backing data up on DVD-R is worth the $2 it MIGHT cost them. Backing up purchased iTMS content, audio and video, photos from digital cameras, etc etc is so much easier when you can put 4gb+ on a single disc as compared to 800mb on a CD.

Never, ever backed up data on a DVD-R. Too unreliable for me, and harddisk drives are just too cheap to ignore for that purpose. That's probably why there is a Time Capsule coming out to extend networkd backup to wireless, and AppleTV to diminish the need for iDVD.

I would pay extra for a Blu-Ray drive.

[hayesk]

IIRC The MacBook Pro hasn't had a major case redesign for over 5 years - since the Powerbook G4 Aluminium was released.

Probably because it doesn't need one. It's still the best looking laptop on the market. The Aluminum case is timeless. Apple would be stupid to change it now.

I wonder if those who want a case redesign really think it looks bad, or they want something that looks new so people will notice and come up to them and stroke their ego. Get over it people, it's a tool to do work. Go buy a Corvette if you want attention.

[jmorrison0722]

Hi,

thanks for your help. It's a copy of the receipt but there's no name on it, only the serial number and last 4 digits of the card he paid. It should work then, right?

Apple's POS system usually captures the full name of the person when a credit card is used, even if it doesn't print on the receipt. So when they scan the receipt and compare that name your ID, which they may or may not ask for...you might have some trouble.

If it were me, I'd ask to speak to manager when you go in and explain the situation to them. I can't imagine they wouldn't help you...nothing gets voide (that I'm aware of) when a computer is sold again like yours. There's not reason they can't help you and I'd bet they would.

[hayesk]

Wow, I never post anything negative, but I think it's really sucks ass that the Macboooks don't have multi-touch and an LED screen.Those are the two things I want!

I'm just glad I'm not in a hurry to get a new laptop...

New features appear in pro models first. Some of them stay there - like backlit keyboards. One day you'll see multi-touch and LED backlit screens, but don't expect them to debut in the consumer space.

[archer75]

I wish they would have put in a real graphics chip. There are many that would be faster than Intel and still meet he size requirements and keep temps low.

[kamm]

It sounds like you use your Macbook as a primary machine- many other people do not. My macbook is a second or third computer in the house and mostly an appliance and something used to check email on the road. I'd never think of trying to author a movie on the thing, when I have an iMac with a huge display.

While you have a point there it's obvious that the exclusion of the DVD burner from the cheapest model is obviously sheer marketing tactics from Apple, forcing you to buy the middle-tiered one for a higher price if you want to write DVDs.
Not a biggie, I think but let's be honest. :)

[kamm]

Apple's POS system usually captures the full name of the person when a credit card is used, even if it doesn't print on the receipt. So when they scan the receipt and compare that name your ID, which they may or may not ask for...you might have some trouble.

If it were me, I'd ask to speak to manager when you go in and explain the situation to them. I can't imagine they wouldn't help you...nothing gets voide (that I'm aware of) when a computer is sold again like yours. There's not reason they can't help you and I'd bet they would.

Excellent, I'll do this way, thanks for the tip. Last question: will they charge me for the restocking fee or not? It's been opened but there's not a mark or anything on it and the only reason I bring it back is they've suddenly updated it...

[davebarnes]

I just bought my refurb MacBook ...Should I return everything and spend $190 more...I mean for less than $120 I can get a 200-250GB HD,... What do you guys think?

Keep what you have.
Spend the money later on:
1. upgrading disk size
2. upgrading memory to 4GB

You did buy AppleCare, right?

[1984]

I never get the bitching about combo drive. I sure don't want a DVD burner, if you do, you pay more and get the SD model.

It's not like if they suddenly dropped the Combo model the SuperDrive option would take the Combo model's pricepoint, so what's the issue, exactly??

You are missing the point entirely. There is no reason Apple cannot include a SuperDrive for the same price. It's not some exclusive technology available only to Apple. It's just a DVD burner. It's as common as dirt. Once upon a time there was a price difference but that was years ago. I can buy a PC laptop for $600 and it will come with a DVD burner. It's just pathetic that Apple insists on using outdated specs on a $1100 laptop.

[adventurelarry]

I am switching back to MAC! My previous MAC was a Classic II. OS 7 I believe. I look forward to reading your posts, and learning more about the MAC OS.

--Larry

[Shadow]

RE the lack of superdrive:
it doesnt matter if its 'only' $200 more for a superdrive, bigger hd, etc. The fact is that some people cannot afford $200 more! It doesn't matter how good value something is if you can't afford it in the first place!

Otherwise, a meh update really. Veery slightly faster procs, less L2 (!) and bigger HD - oh wait I forgot about the 320GB HD I have in my MB. :rolleyes:

[BoyBach]

(Although the question(s) weren't addressed to me I'd still like to answer them.)

...why aren't you using a PC laptop then where you can build these things to order?


Because I want to use a laptop with Mac OSX?


And what if you wanted a 2.4GHz MB? Would you be fine with paying extra for an unneeded Superdrive...


If I wanted a laptop with 2.4GHz processor then I'd either be happy with the price and purchase one, or I wouldn't be happy with the price and not purchase one. The Superdrive or combo drive would be secondary to my consideration.


...but I get a little tired of people coming up with ridiculous defenses for Apple's inflexibility and limiting the options available. There's no reason for it. They've grown massively in the last few years and they need to start offering more options to buyers. And we as users need to stop patting them on the back for it.


Who's patting Apple on the back? As I said earlier it's a fundamental economic principle.

[vailsy]

Seriously though. Why isn't the /basic/ optical drive a DVD burner and the new super-duper drive a blu ray burner?

And 5,400rpm drives? Ridiculous. C'mon, Apple, you're supposed to have the most kick-ass machines, not just "well, we've got OSX, oh, and iLife!"

I'm pleased that someone got round to mentioning this.. clearly Apple need to keep a distance between MB and MBP specs for business reasons. But a huge opportunity has been missed here by not embracing Blueray at the very moment the format has won the format war..

By including Blueray they could then equip MB's with superdrives and everyone would be happy

I'll now have to wait probably 6 months to a year or more before I can confidently invest in a MBP which is just ridiculous given that these are meant to be designed for creative professionals..

and while we're on that subject, why is Apple not offering their very highest end customers cutting edge technology like Solid State hard drives?. They offer it in their fashionable Mac Air, but not to their 'Pro' line??

I personally think Apple are losing the plot. The MBP is not 'Pro' enough and consumers interested in their lower end machines are suffering. In the middle we have this MB Air thing which is totally out of place with the rest of their product line.

[gnasher729]

I think the lack of superdrive in the base model is a bad idea. Being able to burn DVDs is pretty much what people expect these days.

I think the use of DVDs is actually going down. You can't seriously make a backup on DVDs anymore with a 120GB or larger hard drive; backups need an external hard drive. Sure, there will be people who make movies and will insist on a DVD writer (they will also want a bigger hard drive), but lots of people will not miss it.

[Zoboomafoo]

I caught that too. Very odd. The remote actually makes sense for laptop users who give presentations.

do you want one? I have two I think. And I can honestly say, "New, never been opened."

I'm sure it has its uses, but I'd rather they keep costs down and charge extra for the people who need one and don't already have one.

(And obviously, they're not keeping costs down, just charging extra. But its still a much needed win for me, with my Apple stock going down like madness!)

[1984]

Probably because it doesn't need one. It's still the best looking laptop on the market. The Aluminum case is timeless. Apple would be stupid to change it now.

I wonder if those who want a case redesign really think it looks bad, or they want something that looks new so people will notice and come up to them and stroke their ego. Get over it people, it's a tool to do work. Go buy a Corvette if you want attention.

Uh, perhaps it is because people want the latchless design and ease of upgrading that the MacBook offers? The look would not change much. It would still be aluminum. There simply wouldn't be a latch release button or hooks for the lid. Still, if it's just a tool why not buy a PC for yourself then?

[daneoni]

Pretty underwhelming update but not surprising considering the were updated recently in Nov.

This is good because now i don't feel bad about my SR 2.2 BlackBook. Only changes are 200MHz bump, a few extra GBs of HDD and thats pretty much it. Even the L2 Cache got downgraded, no Apple Remote (which i use) and no LED display nor case redesign

Looks like Montevina will be where i purchase a new comp

[jmorrison0722]

Excellent, I'll do this way, thanks for the tip. Last question: will they charge me for the restocking fee or not? It's been opened but there's not a mark or anything on it and the only reason I bring it back is they've suddenly updated it...

That's totally up to the manager. Their policy is to charge it on any serialized, open box item regardless of when it's returned. When new models come out, they are typically very sensitive to customers and usually do not charge the restocking. At least that's how we did it.

[Hattig]

The low-end MacBook is a waste of space compared to the next one up - which is exactly what Apple want you to think.

2.4GHz CPU, 160GB HD, 2GB RAM, DVD-RW : £706 ex VAT (£829)
2.1GHz CPU, 120GB HD, 1GB RAM, Combi : £595 ex VAT (£699)

So £130 more (inc VAT) for what is actually quite a nice improvement in specifications. The Apple fee to upgrade the low-end to 2GB with 160GB is £90 (to £789 - might as well pay the extra £40).

I guess that the removal of the remote control (boo!) is the saving to keep the price the same, inflation considered. £15 though, bah.

[jnc]

You are missing the point entirely. There is no reason Apple cannot include a SuperDrive for the same price. It's not some exclusive technology available only to Apple. It's just a DVD burner. It's as common as dirt. Once upon a time there was a price difference but that was years ago. I can buy a PC laptop for $600 and it will come with a DVD burner. It's just pathetic that Apple insists on using outdated specs on a $1100 laptop.

I'm not missing the point, you want it cheaper. It's not hard to grasp. Apple however don't appear to be budging on price, whether or not you can get it cheaper elsewhere - just like their RAM, HD upgrades, and whatever other configs they offer.

If, as it appears, they're sticking to a certain price with SuperDrive models, then I'm glad they still offer a cheaper Combo option, as I'd never use the DVD burner. Ok?

[dwd3885]

the real winner is the refurb black macbook. Previously going for $1299 has been lowered to just $1049. I'd highly recommend that macbook over any other!

[kamm]

That's totally up to the manager. Their policy is to charge it on any serialized, open box item regardless of when it's returned. When new models come out, they are typically very sensitive to customers and usually do not charge the restocking. At least that's how we did it.

I see, thanks. I just called another store and they said they will charge regardless of the reason or day - but the first one did not mention any restocking fee... hmmm, I guess I'll give it a try and see how it works out. I also have a written paper about the sale signed by the original buyer, it should convince them I did not steal it and they might drop the restocking fee... :)

[mixel]

I'll also chip in on the side of the anti-combo drive brigade.

It's absolutely ridiculous, and pretty funny. DVD writers are obscenely cheap now. Combo drives just shouldn't exist anymore, let alone be in Macs.

Also "I'll never use it" is flawed. I bet you can find a lot of other bits of your macbook you never use, be they the isight, firewire, mini-DVI, line-in, that weird light up battery indicator on the bottom etc.. You're happy to have THAT stuff, and they're all probably more expensive than the difference between CDRW and DVDRW.. As others said I wouldn't even be surprised if the Combi costs Apple more, as no other manufacturer uses them due to them being obsolete. Doh.

looking on the PC world UK site, the absolute cheapest laptop they sell has DVD-RW.. It costs £300 and comes with Vista home premium. The cheapest Macbook is £700. The Macbook is a much better spec.. Apart from the crippled drive.

It's all a load of apologetics and silly. Combo drives don't cut it. Apple ditched the floppy for good reasons yet they keep this outdated POS around for no reason other than differentiating models and getting people to buy the next model up. That's *not* good for the consumer at all.

... And even if it is "good business sense", it shows skewed priorities.

Other than that though, a perfectly nice little bump in the spec. :)

[WyoMac]

Combo-drive again....seriously??

Nice upgrades, though my 50% slower core duo Macbook suits me just fine. I agree, though, putting out a machine with a combo drive makes little sense. The wholesale cost difference between a super drive and a combo cannot be too much. Even the $500 laptops at Office Max are coming with a DVD burner now.

[basesloaded190]

so is there anyone happy about this and going to get one asap? all i see is bitching and whining about things not included..it never stops, people complain that its taken this long and when they do come out no one is happy :cool:

[Maccus Aurelius]

I'm not feeling the lack of a Superdrive on the base model, but really, big deal. This is far less silly than the markup on the black color. The price of the Superdrive model is not much more when you consider that it comes with more RAM and a slightly more powerful chip as standard. Overall this is an OK refresh of the line, but I'm sort of peeved that they didn't so much as offer the option for an LED backlight, similarly to the 17" Macbook Pro.

As for the Macbook Pro, I love the Powerbook case design, albeit dated, but I'd like to see a few tweaks in the case to be more like the MB and MBA, particularly the maglatch and the user-replaceable hard drive.

[azentropy]

Fair update.

I have a MacBook that I bought the first day they were released two years ago, mid-range model. I would be tempted to replace it and pass it down the chain, but was really hoping they would go to the LED displays this update. I'll probably wait...

[jmorrison0722]

First of all, I agree that Apple should default to Superdrives in all Macs. This shouldn't be an option anymore. They do save money by using the combo drive though. I read somewhere online that a notebook superdrive costs them around $50, whereas they can aquire the combo drive version for around $29. Obviously doesn't make up for the $200 difference.

I will say this...the $1299 model is far and away their best selling model. Most people look at the $1099 vs $1299 price and then consider they won't be able to burn DVD's. People don't like the idea of not being able to do something, even if they are not sure they ever will do it. The $1299 model was quite as great of an upgrade once they raised the RAM in the $1099 to 1GB. Before that happened, you just had to explain to a customer that for $200 they were getting 3 upgrades...optical drive, RAM and Hard drive.

Back on the DVD. DVD's are still alive and well. Backing up your Movies, burning your home movies, slideshows, etc. Lot's of reasons to have it. I just wish Apple would make it the default. Almost everyone I know who purchased the combo drive version later regrets not getting the superdrive.

[jakealdred]

OMG SO PISSED OF:(
i only bought my macbook in september now theres a 200+ MHz gap and a bigger hard drive which i so need.
Now the base model is catching up hope this is the last update in a long time!.
Anyway getting a mac pro soon:D
-Jake (a very pissed of jake:mad:)

[tremendous]

Probably because it doesn't need one. It's still the best looking laptop on the market. The Aluminum case is timeless. Apple would be stupid to change it now.

I wonder if those who want a case redesign really think it looks bad, or they want something that looks new so people will notice and come up to them and stroke their ego. Get over it people, it's a tool to do work. Go buy a Corvette if you want attention.

Well said. I am rocking a 4 year old powerbook and it still looks great. yeah a bit grubby but that's my fault. were i to give it a wee spit and polish it would look awesome. it was a classic, ahead of its time design and as far as I am concerned, still ahead of it's time. name a better looking laptop.

[Hattig]

I'm not missing the point, you want it cheaper. It's not hard to grasp. Apple however don't appear to be budging on price, whether or not you can get it cheaper elsewhere - just like their RAM, HD upgrades, and whatever other configs they offer.

If, as it appears, they're sticking to a certain price with SuperDrive models, then I'm glad they still offer a cheaper Combo option, as I'd never use the DVD burner. Ok?

It's totally retarded to offer a computer *with a built in optical drive* in this day and age where that optical drive cannot write DVDs.

If you're going to have an optical drive, you put a DVD-RW inside, not a Combi drive.

Differentiate elsewhere - RAM, HD, CPU. They're already doing this. What's the harm in sticking in a DVD-RW. Yes, it's to force people to pay $200 to upgrade to the DVD-RW if they want it, even if they don't want the faster CPU or the larger HD. Now I think the improvements in the midrange are worth the money with or without the DVD-RW capability, but that just goes to prove my point. Why can't they add a $20 option for a DVD-RW drive to the low end? Or let you configure a Combi drive on the other options?

[jmorrison0722]

I see, thanks. I just called another store and they said they will charge regardless of the reason or day - but the first one did not mention any restocking fee... hmmm, I guess I'll give it a try and see how it works out. I also have a written paper about the sale signed by the original buyer, it should convince them I did not steal it and they might drop the restocking fee... :)

Can you still contact the original owner? That might help...offer to get him on the phone.

[chazzonline]

2 bad it did not get the multi touch ............ who cares i bought the new MBP and that 2 for $1599 yeehaw:D

[jmorrison0722]

2 bad it did not get the multi touch ............ who cares i bought the new MBP and that 2 for $1599 yeehaw:D

How did you get the MBP for $1599?

[CommodityFetish]

Well, a mixed update. It's not the MB I was hoping for.

Great: new gen. faster processor, RAM, and more HD.

But no multi-touch, no aluminum case, no LED screen, now charging for the remote, still have to spend $200 more for a Superdrive at $1300, when they come standard on most laptops that cost a third as much.

(Another way to put the criticism of the combo drive, is that if you're going to have an under-featured base model, it can and should be less than $1100.)

Inflexible configuration options are really lame. (Why not an option for a matte screen? across the line?)

And I have to wonder... if there wasn't a MBAir, would they have held back the multi-touch, aluminum case, and LED display from the MB? It seems a very niche-market machine is cannibalizing features from the regular line just so the regular line won't cannibalize sales of the niche-market machine. That's annoying.

So I guess I'll have to live with my G4 PB until the next MB rev for some of these things that I want in my next laptop. And I was hoping to be done waiting...
:(

[jmggs]

Changes aint big to make me regret buying mine 4 days ago.



Same here, I don't want to pay extra for something I won't use.

Today you can't find a single Laptop PC with combo drive including the a $500 Acer..... Shame on you Apple.......:eek:

[kamm]

Can you still contact the original owner? That might help...offer to get him on the phone.

Hmm, not sure... it was a CL ad... might have his number but who knows if it still works... :cool:

Is it possible to get this 'swap' done online, over the phone with apple.com?

[kamm]

First of all, I agree that Apple should default to Superdrives in all Macs. This shouldn't be an option anymore. They do save money by using the combo drive though. I read somewhere online that a notebook superdrive costs them around $50, whereas they can aquire the combo drive version for around $29. Obviously doesn't make up for the $200 difference.

I will say this...the $1299 model is far and away their best selling model. Most people look at the $1099 vs $1299 price and then consider they won't be able to burn DVD's. People don't like the idea of not being able to do something, even if they are not sure they ever will do it. The $1299 model was quite as great of an upgrade once they raised the RAM in the $1099 to 1GB. Before that happened, you just had to explain to a customer that for $200 they were getting 3 upgrades...optical drive, RAM and Hard drive.

Back on the DVD. DVD's are still alive and well. Backing up your Movies, burning your home movies, slideshows, etc. Lot's of reasons to have it. I just wish Apple would make it the default. Almost everyone I know who purchased the combo drive version later regrets not getting the superdrive.

I fully agree.

[tremendous]

and while we're on that subject, why is Apple not offering their very highest end customers cutting edge technology like Solid State hard drives?. They offer it in their fashionable Mac Air, but not to their 'Pro' line??



Sure I read on here that blu-ray drives w/ burning capability weren't ready yet - at least not in the size required for a MBP. Something liek that anyway - i didn't pay much attention as i don't care.

and about SSDs - pro users need HD space - a SSD drive would be too small and also, what's the point? not looking to save weight or size, so why cripple a machine with a tiny amount of HD space for the sake of it being ever so slightly quicker (which would most likely be unnoticeable). (ok, there is the argument about it being safer/more stable but...)

'pro' does not been brand new toys to show off with - it means having some solid gear for the job, a fact that most of the wannabe 'pros' on this messageboard seem to get confused by. Hell, i use a friggin powerbook and make money using it - i guess that makes me a 'pro', right?

[ltldrummerboy]

I'm still happy with my current black macbook. Usually when the updates come out I'm like arrrrrrgh. In this case no big deal.

Same here. 2.2 white w/4gb ram and 250gb HD. Couldn't be happier. I waited a year until they made exactly the computer I wanted, and I bought. A lot of people are complaining about no multitouch in the new MacBook. Does anyone think that it's feasible that they put the MT chip in and it's just not being used yet?

[tremendous]

Hmm, not sure... it was a CL ad... might have his number but who knows if it still works... :cool:

Is it possible to get this 'swap' done online, over the phone with apple.com?

brand new macbook in box sold on CL huh? Just doesn't sound legit...what were the sellers reasons for just not returning it? hope you don't take it in with receipt to find it was..a little hot...

[CommodityFetish]

I read somewhere online that a notebook superdrive costs them around $50, whereas they can aquire the combo drive version for around $29. Obviously doesn't make up for the $200 difference.

Exactly. So why can't we have the option to upgrade the base model to a Superdrive for $20 !

Come on Apple, your business is booming, so give us options and let us pay for what we want. Don't force our hand by limiting and manipulating the options.

[kamm]

brand new macbook in box sold on CL huh? Just doesn't sound legit...what were the sellers reasons for just not returning it? hope you don't take it in with receipt to find it was..a little hot...

What do you mean? :confused: :eek: Plenty of MBs are being sold on CL every day.

[tremendous]

What do you mean? :confused: :eek:

i got to explain this? in case you're not being sarcastic...a guy sells a brand new, boxed macbook - i'm assuming for a loss - rather than just returning it. sounds suspicious. maybe that's just me, but CL is full of dodgy *****.

[kamm]

i got to explain this? in case you're not being sarcastic...a guy sells a brand new, boxed macbook - i'm assuming for a loss - rather than just returning it. sounds suspicious. maybe that's just me, but CL is full of dodgy *****.

I understand that you're implying it's somehow "dodgy" but I don't understand what does that mean for me, a buyer?

The only case I can think of is if those guys bought it with some stolen CC# etc but it's Apple's responsibility to check the seller's ID at the sale, they cannot claim it's mine. Besides I did check his ID when I wrote a proper Contract for Sale of Goods - heck, he's even on our CCTV archive...