What do you hope for in the next Macbook update?

[tkiss]

The main thing that I hope for is a LED screen. If that comes, with it will probably be a case redesign.

[psychofreak]

I won't be getting it, but I'd be highly surprised if it didn't have LED backlighting, and I'm guessing it will be aluminium.

[jeremy.king]

LED screen
Backlit keyboard

[David G.]

In order
1. Aluminium casing
2. LED backlit screen
3. Multitouch mousepad
Distant 4th Backlit keyboard

[krye]

LED display, backlit keyboard, aluminum enclosure, basically, a macbook pro with a 13" display and integrated graphics.

[David G.]

LED display, backlit keyboard, aluminum enclosure, basically, a macbook pro with a 13" display and integrated graphics.

It seems like what we want is pretty popular, in the Mac enthusiast community anyway.

[Elven]

I expect this in June, basically what everyone has said Aluminum chassis, perhaps a speed boost, integrated GFX upgrade to a newer chip or possibly a base end mobile gfx chip put in, backlit keyboard, L.E.D screen and perhaps the option for gloss or matt screens.

[timestoby]

i guess it will look like the air with led backlighting and backlite keyboard.

[vendettabass]

In order
1. Aluminium casing
2. LED backlit screen
3. Multitouch mousepad
4. Montevina - X4500 GPU & 2.26Ghz C2D / 2.53Ghz C2D
5. A little lighter?
6. DDR2 800
7. Lose that Combo Drive

[illidian]

LED screen
Multi-Touch
x4500 Graphics Chip
DDR2 800 RAM - stay away from DDR3
Backlighting
Aluminum redesign
Bigger L2 cache
Slightly faster chips

Listed in importance to me.

[nidserz]

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8310/4.2.2 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/107)

Just 2 things:
1. LED screen - the current MB screen is horrible (esp side by side a MBA). My current HP has a better screen. I just find the colors off and it just seems dull.
2. Aluminum casing - I love the whitebook because it just screams apple, I love white accessories, its pretty, but in reality keeping that thing clean is just a nightmare, or so I've heard. The blackbook is a beauty but still the grease and fingerprints are a bit much (my HP keys are balck and shining after 2 years...not a fan). However, I love the blackbook so if they don't get aluminum casing it would do, esp with a nice LED screen!

[mixmacface]

. . .
2. Aluminum casing - I love the whitebook because it just screams apple, I love white accessories, its pretty, but in reality keeping that thing clean is just a nightmare, or so I've heard. The blackbook is a beauty but still the grease and fingerprints are a bit much (my HP keys are balck and shining after 2 years...not a fan). However, I love the blackbook so if they don't get aluminum casing it would do, esp with a nice LED screen!

a nice LED screen would be fantastic. .but i don't like the idea of having it look like a MBP with the aluminum. . i much prefer the white and black. the whitebook does scream apple. . . very loudly. after all, apple did ditch the aluminum casing on the iphone and made it black and white. . soo who knows? but the LED screen is what i hope for the most. .

[alexlovesmacs]

aluminum!
backlit keyboard
decent graphics card
thats all!:)

[vendettabass]

the macbook's won't have backlit keyboards. Thats a pro feature.

[oc2pus]

This question is an absolute no-brainer for me. An aluminium shell would be just perfect for me. Apart from that, possibly multitouch would be fine. I'm really happy with it as it is now, but babying a laptop can become quite frustrating when just anything happens to it's plastic cover, even if it is covered by an InvisibleShield.

[Shackler]

Aluminum
Multi-touch
1 inch thick
LED screens
Faster is always good!
backlit keyboard is ambitious but what the hell, throw it in there

[Vanilla]

Drop the macbook range and instead beef up the macbook Air
Just a thought...
Vanilla

[cthomet]

thinner screen bezel
aluminum
backlit keyboard (i can dream)

yes i realize i basically just described a mbp but i like the price tag of the mb better so i would love for some features to trickle down. its ambitious but maybe apple will move to the point where its really more whats in the computer instead of simply what it looks like that defines pro or non pro

[Rangers30]

I love the black and white. Maybe they could maybe just make it matte instead of glossy so it's not such a fingerprint magnet. I can't wait to get mine but I'll be spending another good chunk of change just for cases and stuff to keep it from getting grungy.

[souldawg]

A redesign to make the casing sturdier!

[rtmadden]

I just want an update prior to the end of the Back to School promo. I really want to cash in on the free iPod.

[Beric]

A dedicated graphics card. Some people (like me) don't want a powerful CPU or even a ton of memory or nice sound. But they do need a graphics card. And unfortunately, I would have to buy a $1800 MBP just to get the equivalence of a bottom-of-the-line MB + graphics card.

[wickedawesome31]

1. Released in august or prior
2. LED backlit screen
3. Multitouch trackpad
4. Aluminiun case

[MacBooksRock]

#1 - Dedicated Graphics Card (At least 128MB).
#2 - LED Screens

I hope they keep a white MacBook, I mean, for 6 or 7 years, they've had a white notebook, and they should keep making a white notebook. Maybe they'll have Black, White, and Aluminum? :confused:

[Savage]

I bought my MacBook on the last day of December so any new features or redesign for the next one will just make me extremely jealous.

[viperguy]

I only hope they keep it white :D
White is sexy!

[mixmacface]

I only hope they keep it white :D
White is sexy!

Ooh yes. i love the black and white of the macbooks. . it sets them apart from the mbps. . appearance-wise.

[pressreset]

am i the only one looking for a bluray drive?

i could care less if it's aluminum or not, but i want a backlit keyboard and a bluray drive option.

and for it to be released soon, because my PC's so infected that clean-restoring it doesn't fix anything.

[airlights]

I would love a backlit keyboard, but I have to pass on an Aluminum case! I just do not like Aluminum at all. I mean, yes, it is stronger than plastic etc etc; nevertheless, it isn't attractive to me. Maybe I just love the classic white notebook that the current MacBooks gives me. (:

[illidian]

am i the only one looking for a bluray drive?

i could care less if it's aluminum or not, but i want a backlit keyboard and a bluray drive option.

and for it to be released soon, because my PC's so infected that clean-restoring it doesn't fix anything.

Blu-Ray is not an option on any computer manufactured by Mac. What makes you think they would introduce it first to the MacBook?

Blu-Ray may never come to the MacBooks. I wouldn't be surprised if Apple made it a "Pro" option.

Besides, Apple isn't on the Blu-Ray bandwagon. Keeping Blu-Ray down, while playing up digital downloads (see: iTunes) seems to be Apple's strategy.

[aethelbert]

Blu-Ray is not an option on any computer manufactured by Mac. What makes you think they would introduce it first to the MacBook?

Blu-Ray may never come to the MacBooks. I wouldn't be surprised if Apple made it a "Pro" option.

Besides, Apple isn't on the Blu-Ray bandwagon. Keeping Blu-Ray down, while playing up digital downloads (see: iTunes) seems to be Apple's strategy.
Saying that is just like people in the 90's who said that DVD drives had no business being in computers. They'll come: eventually.

[Tallest Skil]

Saying that is just like people in the 90's who said that DVD drives had no business being in computers. They'll come: eventually.

In the '90s we were cruising on 28.8k. Apple believes HD downloads are the way to go. I doubt if we'll ever see Blu-ray MOVIE support (read: HDCP, since you can already use Blu-ray in OS X) on any Mac.

[aethelbert]

In the '90s we were cruising on 28.8k. Apple believes HD downloads are the way to go. I doubt if we'll ever see Blu-ray MOVIE support (read: HDCP, since you can already use Blu-ray in OS X) on any Mac.
When the competition puts them on their computers, Apple won't be in a position to just talk about downloads. Also remember that they will also probably be available in the future for data storage, as DVDs are today.

[andiwm2003]

montevina,
4500 GPU,
7200 rpm
250GB HD,
DDR2 800MHz,
new design maybe alu,
LED backlit,
1-2 pounds less weight,
slightly smaller footprint,
2.5GHz Penryn,
long battery life,
good WiFi reception
matte/glossy option

edu discount,
ipod nano,
well, $1399 seems realistic

not so important but nice:
FW800
Express card slot
SATA
Multitouch trackpad,
backlit keyboard,
4GB standard


i would already be happy if half of that came true

[Shackler]

montevina,
4500 GPU,
7200 rpm
250GB HD,
DDR2 800MHz,
new design maybe alu,
LED backlit,
1-2 pounds less weight,
slightly smaller footprint,
2.5GHz Penryn,
long battery life,
good WiFi reception
matte/glossy option

edu discount,
ipod nano,
well, $1399 seems realistic

i would already be happy if half of that came true

id say all except hard drive is realistic. everything else is exactly what i want as well.

[kabunaru]

The main thing that I hope for is a LED screen. If that comes, with it will probably be a case redesign.

1. Aluminium case
2. LED screen
3. At least better integrated graphics (ex: http://shyamkol.blogspot.com/2008/01/intel-gma-x4500hdx4500-and-4500-quick.html)
4. Matte screen but that could be wishful thinking. ;)

[pressreset]

Blu-Ray is not an option on any computer manufactured by Mac. What makes you think they would introduce it first to the MacBook?

Blu-Ray may never come to the MacBooks. I wouldn't be surprised if Apple made it a "Pro" option.

Besides, Apple isn't on the Blu-Ray bandwagon. Keeping Blu-Ray down, while playing up digital downloads (see: iTunes) seems to be Apple's strategy.

you do realize that disney is part of the bluray association, and that steve jobs is the biggest shareholder for disney, right? it would only be logical for jobs to include bluray drives in their systems, and seeing as bluray will be mainstream in a couple of years, they'll be included with the macbook eventually.

true, it might not be available immediately, but again, this is a wish list so i can include whatever i wish the macbook update will include.

[mosx]

Dedicated graphics!

Did you hear me Apple?

DEDICATED GRAPHICS!

MacBooks should at least have something on-par with what the almost 3 year old iBook has! Not this Intel junk they keep shoving down customers throats.

And to the post above mine, blu-ray won't happen on OS X until OS X has full hardware GPU acceleration for video playback. It currently has none.

[arctic]

I am not really looking forward to aluminium. Tons of Macbook Pro owners are complaining about the heat on their laps. And I've also read that plastic has better wi-fi signals hence the iPhone transition to plastic. I'd hope Apple would change the plastic material though to resolve the crack problems. More scratch resistant (white) and lesser smudges (black) wouldn't hurt.

wishes:
LED screen
backlight keys
thinner screen bezel
dedicated graphics would rock (perhaps this would be on Nehalem though as well as blu-ray)
I'm also having this strange feeling that we'd be Mac'd and blu-ray drives would only be available as notebook externals (separate purchases) but would be in high-end Pros, iMacs and Mac Pros:D

I'm pretty sure we'd see the Multitouch trackpad though.

[DaBrain]

The main thing that I hope for is a LED screen. If that comes, with it will probably be a case redesign.

I hope for a case that doesn't crack nor does it inhibit wireless signals. Also, an LED back lit screen and a little less weight along with a back lit keybd would do the trick for me! ;)

[snorkeller1]

More prevalent than cracks in MBs are dings/dents in MBPs, from what I've been reading. So...

1) Black MB in carbon-fibre
2) USB 3.0-ready, or at least eSATA port.
3) BTO option for the largest FLASH & disk drives (currently 250 & 500GB)
4) New-gen battery (nano-phosphate?)
5) Polished-ceramic keys (backlit?)
6) LED display (solar-cell sub-layer?), faster CPU/GPU etc.

....... please ;)

[jnc]

LED backlighting
Illuminated keyborad
Aluminium enclosure
Multi-touch trackpad
FireWire 800
ExpressCard
Dedicated GPU
:rolleyes:


7. Lose that Combo Drive

I never get when people say that - the Combo Drive option doesn't affect the other model's pricepoints. The SuperDrive models won't magically become cheaper.

[andiwm2003]

how about a dock connector and a dock?

[efil]

Seems like what most people want in the upgrade seems pretty reasonable. I'm mainly looking forward to the multitouch pad, led, the sd slot, and possibly longer lasting battery.

[Aztec]

I'd be happy to see a case redesign, Multi-touch Pad, LED Backlit screen, and a little speed bump. I think that seems pretty reasonable, right?

[illidian]

Saying that is just like people in the 90's who said that DVD drives had no business being in computers. They'll come: eventually.

Perhaps. The sheer size of data available on a Blu-Ray Drive is astonishing.

you do realize that disney is part of the bluray association, and that steve jobs is the biggest shareholder for disney, right? it would only be logical for jobs to include bluray drives in their systems, and seeing as bluray will be mainstream in a couple of years, they'll be included with the macbook eventually.

true, it might not be available immediately, but again, this is a wish list so i can include whatever i wish the macbook update will include.

Blu-Ray isn't mainstream now, and until its current problems are fixed (price and the need for a good television) I don't see it being any more than a niche market for aficionados.

Dedicated graphics!

Did you hear me Apple?

DEDICATED GRAPHICS!

MacBooks should at least have something on-par with what the almost 3 year old iBook has! Not this Intel junk they keep shoving down customers throats.

The x4500 is actually a good chip. If we were still in the stone ages with the x3100, I would completely agree. But the x4500 is a massive improvement, and every dedicated graphics card is cost-prohibitive to put in over it.

[mosx]

The x4500 is actually a good chip. If we were still in the stone ages with the x3100, I would completely agree. But the x4500 is a massive improvement, and every dedicated graphics card is cost-prohibitive to put in over it.

Thats what everyone said about the X3100. "Oh it's a MASSIVE improvement over the GMA 950! You'll be able to play games on it!"

Then it comes out and what happens? In all but a few real world situations, the GMA 950 actually performs better than the X3100.

Cost prohibitive? How? The former $999 iBook released in mid-2005 had a Radeon 9550.

More often than not, the GeForce 8400M GS 128MB is offered as a $50 upgrade on Windows notebooks.

I remember reading not too long ago that Apple only sells roughly 6% of the total computers in the market but accounts for something like 25% of the profits.

If thats the case, then I'm 100% certain that putting a $30 GPU in the MacBook and Mac mini would have very little negative affect on their profit margins. Especially considering all of the people who would finally make the switch. Not to mention those (like me) who are extremely disappointed with Apple hardware as it is but would like to have a reasonably priced Apple notebook with dedicated graphics.

If $1318 at HP can get me a 14" notebook with a blu-ray drive, T8300, 160GB HDD, 2GB of RAM, 12 cell battery, GeForce 8400M GS, theres absolutely no reason a MacBook can't at least have the GeForce 8400M GS and 2GB of RAM standard across the line.

[caktusaurus]

Thats what everyone said about the X3100. "Oh it's a MASSIVE improvement over the GMA 950! You'll be able to play games on it!"

Then it comes out and what happens? In all but a few real world situations, the GMA 950 actually performs better than the X3100.

Cost prohibitive? How? The former $999 iBook released in mid-2005 had a Radeon 9550.

More often than not, the GeForce 8400M GS 128MB is offered as a $50 upgrade on Windows notebooks.

I remember reading not too long ago that Apple only sells roughly 6% of the total computers in the market but accounts for something like 25% of the profits.

If thats the case, then I'm 100% certain that putting a $30 GPU in the MacBook and Mac mini would have very little negative affect on their profit margins. Especially considering all of the people who would finally make the switch. Not to mention those (like me) who are extremely disappointed with Apple hardware as it is but would like to have a reasonably priced Apple notebook with dedicated graphics.

If $1318 at HP can get me a 14" notebook with a blu-ray drive, T8300, 160GB HDD, 2GB of RAM, 12 cell battery, GeForce 8400M GS, theres absolutely no reason a MacBook can't at least have the GeForce 8400M GS and 2GB of RAM standard across the line.

Agreed.

What I want to see (in order of priority):
1. Much (and I really mean MUCH) better displays, preferably LED backlit. The current ones are subpar.
2. Loose the ComboDrive in the base model, make 2GB RAM standard across all models.
3. Aluminum case (although less important than 1 and 2, it's a shame seeing case discoloring and plastic chipping off on the front and around the ports)

To sum up my experience of Apple so far: it's really a shame that their hardware is so poor, when their software is so excellent. :(

[jnc]

montevina,
4500 GPU,
7200 rpm
250GB HD,
DDR2 800MHz,
new design maybe alu,
LED backlit,
1-2 pounds less weight,
slightly smaller footprint,
2.5GHz Penryn,
long battery life,
good WiFi reception
matte/glossy option

edu discount,
ipod nano,
well, $1399 seems realistic

not so important but nice:
FW800
Express card slot
SATA
Multitouch trackpad,
backlit keyboard,
4GB standard


i would already be happy if half of that came true

Oh, so you just want a MacBook Pro then.

[illidian]

Thats what everyone said about the X3100. "Oh it's a MASSIVE improvement over the GMA 950! You'll be able to play games on it!"

Then it comes out and what happens? In all but a few real world situations, the GMA 950 actually performs better than the X3100.

The x4500 is benching as good as you could ask for and more. I'm not sure what more you want from an integrated graphics chip.

Cost prohibitive? How? The former $999 iBook released in mid-2005 had a Radeon 9550.

Adding price without adding to the cost of a product eats into profit margins.

More often than not, the GeForce 8400M GS 128MB is offered as a $50 upgrade on Windows notebooks.

Which is not the solution. The 8400 barely outbenches the x4500, even while having plenty of updated drivers and a finished product. Oh, and it only supports DX9 - the x4500 supports DX10, so you're going to need a 9xxxx series from nVidia to compare in that category.

I remember reading not too long ago that Apple only sells roughly 6% of the total computers in the market but accounts for something like 25% of the profits.

If thats the case, then I'm 100% certain that putting a $30 GPU in the MacBook and Mac mini would have very little negative affect on their profit margins. Especially considering all of the people who would finally make the switch. Not to mention those (like me) who are extremely disappointed with Apple hardware as it is but would like to have a reasonably priced Apple notebook with dedicated graphics.

There's not a $30 GPU that is significantly better than the x4500.

If $1318 at HP can get me a 14" notebook with a blu-ray drive, T8300, 160GB HDD, 2GB of RAM, 12 cell battery, GeForce 8400M GS, theres absolutely no reason a MacBook can't at least have the GeForce 8400M GS and 2GB of RAM standard across the line.

Sony sells a 13.3" screen notebook for $1,500 with the following stats: cd/dvd burner, T8300, 120GB HDD, 2GB of RAM, GeForce 8400M GS. If you want a larger screen, the 14.1" version sells for $1,129. There is a premium attached to 13.3" laptops, whereas 14.1" are competitive with 15.4" versions.

If Apple put in an 8400 and 2GB of RAM across the line, prices would increase. The reason for many people not buying an Apple computer is because they are too expensive - Apple is combating that with lesser specs for those who want a cheaper notebook.

[NightFlight]

My hopes:

1. 15" screen option. I hate the small screen on the current MB.
2. Aluminum case.
3. LED backlit screen.
4. Multitouch.

[jnc]

My hopes:

1. 15" screen option. I hate the small screen on the current MB.
2. Aluminum case.
3. LED backlit screen.
4. Multitouch.

Someone else who just doesn't want to shell out for a MacBook pro :p

[Woot1289]

This is from CNET. This would mean that at first, there will be no Macbook update, and probably a Macbook Pro update!

"Instead, on July 14, Intel will offer a "PM" version for discrete (stand-alone) graphics chips only, Brown said. The July 14 version of the chipset can be used with discrete graphics chips from Nvidia and AMD-ATI, for example, but will not have Intel integrated graphics."

[Shackler]

My hopes:

1. 15" screen option. I hate the small screen on the current MB.
2. Aluminum case.
3. LED backlit screen.
4. Multitouch.

you relize they have made this computer already. its called a Macbook Pro.

[Yr Blues]

A circular iSight like the Air and USB ports, either spaced farther apart or one on both sides.

Anything else would be outside of its class, although an option for the backlit keyboard would be awesome.

[28monkeys]

a matte screen?


i know u can buy anti-glare film to cover up the glossy looks..but..make matte as default pls, thx.

[kabunaru]

a matte screen?


i know u can buy anti-glare film to cover up the glossy looks..but..make matte as default pls, thx.

Did you buy this anti-glare film?:
http://www.powersupportusa.com/products/ef.php?category=pb

[CalmEnvy]

Just two things:

1. Aluminum
2. Superdrive for all models.

Obviously they will end up bumping the hard drives and possibly the ram on the lower end but who knows.

[leekohler]

Hopefully, they still make them out of plastic. Aluminum just isn't sturdy enough for us more mobile folks.

[tdhurst]

Better battery life
Different case material
Redesign to get rid of the sharp bezel where you rest your hands

[n1ght]

I would want the same as most other people:
- Aluminum casing
- Multi-touch trackpad (The EEE PC 900/901/1000 have this at ~$600!)
- LED-backlit display

Lighter weight would be nice, too.

[kabunaru]

Hopefully, they still make them out of plastic. Aluminum just isn't sturdy enough for us more mobile folks.

And not to mention aluminium has worse wireless reception than plastic.

[jkimbro0316]

I just want Aluminum, that way I don't have to deal with these fingerprints on my BlackBook.

[jnc]

Just two things:

1. Aluminum
2. Superdrive for all models.

Obviously they will end up bumping the hard drives and possibly the ram on the lower end but who knows.

There won't be any point in the three-tier setup if there's no Combo Drive. It'lll just be "white or black" and you'll lose the $1099 introductory pricepoint. Apple wouldn't do that.


And not to mention aluminium has worse wireless reception than plastic.

There's nothing in it.

[Chozo]

Am I the only one who doesn't want aluminum enclosure for the next release?

I don't like how the aluminum interferes with the wireless internet signal reducing my speed.

[tgildred]

Two words: lasers.

[Shackler]

Two words: lasers.

one word.

and i also hope for the next macbook to be in my hand.

[Fonzijr1964]

to the people who want aluminum like me:

how about aluminum like the iPod Classic and nano so it is kinda matte feeling
could be black silver blue pink green whatever

my list (in order of preference):
1. Alu shell (the bottom or pal rest part of it would be plastic because of (wi-fi)
2. Processor power 2.6Ghz max with pro at 3ghz
3. LED
4. batt life
5. multi touch
6. Round iSight

how it will proboly Happen:
1. Batt
2. LED
3. Round iSight
4. multi Touch
5. processor

[Joe Hill]

* LED-backlight
* X4500
* Abolition of the "ComboDrive"

I think those are pretty realistic wishes, and I don't really care much for a case redesign. I think the current design is pretty perfect. Maybe a thinner bezel, but that's about it.

[kabunaru]

I think those are pretty realistic wishes, and I don't really care much for a case redesign. I think the current design is pretty perfect. Maybe a thinner bezel, but that's about it.

Or they could make a black aluminium MacBook as the high-end model and aluminium MacBook as standard. Two models only.
This is what I see:
Low-end MacBook:
13" Aluminium MacBook
2.4GHz processor
X4500 integrated graphics
LED Display
2GB RAM
160GB HDD
Double-layer SuperDrive
Multi-touch trackpad
$1099

High-end MacBook:
13" Black Aluminium MacBook
2.5GHz processor
X4500 integrated graphics
LED Display
2GB HDD
250HDD
Double-layer SuperDrive
Multi-touch trackpad
$1299

[brendanspah764]

Actually, I just hope it looks like this:
(I did not make it)

http://att.macrumors.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=111277&d=1207627400

But this all the specs that you guys have been listing, this would be the God of all Laptops

[Chandler Adaway]

Actually, I just hope it looks like this:
(I did not make it)

http://att.macrumors.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=111277&d=1207627400

But this all the specs that you guys have been listing, this would be the God of all Laptops
That's sexy. :cool:

[David G.]

Actually, I just hope it looks like this:
(I did not make it)
"snip"
But this all the specs that you guys have been listing, this would be the God of all Laptops

Where are all of the ports?:eek:

[ZiggyPastorius]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPod; U; CPU like Mac OS X; en) AppleWebKit/420.1 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/3.0 Mobile/4A102 Safari/419.3)

I just hope these people are wrong and It isn't aluminum. Better plastic, though, certainly.

[mosx]

The x4500 is benching as good as you could ask for and more. I'm not sure what more you want from an integrated graphics chip.

Well, as someone over at notebookreview put it:

Games on the X3100 are basically unplayable. Even if the X4500 is 3x faster, 3x faster than unplayable is still unplayable.

There should be NO integrated graphics. None.

The iBook didn't have an integrated GPU. The G4 Mac mini didn't have an integrated GPU. The MacBook should NOT have an integrated GPU.

As I've said many times before, most Windows notebooks over the $800 mark have dedicated graphics. There is absolutely no reason something that starts at $1099 should be without dedicated graphics and at least a DVD writer.

Adding price without adding to the cost of a product eats into profit margins.

Considering that Apple accounts for 25% of money made in the computer industry while only selling 6% of the hardware, I don't think anyone except Apple's shareholders will shed a tear if their profit margins shrink.

But even then, the increased volume of systems sold will more than makeup for the small loss in profit margin.

Seriously, whats worse? Selling a million MacBooks with a $200 (just throwing that number out there) profit margin or selling 4 million MacBooks with a $150 profit margin thanks to dedicated graphics?

Let's keep in mind that the $999 iBook (last generation) shipped with a Radeon 9550.

Which is not the solution. The 8400 barely outbenches the x4500, even while having plenty of updated drivers and a finished product. Oh, and it only supports DX9 - the x4500 supports DX10, so you're going to need a 9xxxx series from nVidia to compare in that category.

You're completely and utterly wrong there.

The entire GeForce 8 line is DirectX10. "The GeForce 8 series arrived with NVIDIA's first unified shader Direct3D 10 Shader Model 4.0 / OpenGL 2.1 architecture. " from wikipedia.

And have you looked at the benchmarks? I mean real benchmarks.

When the X4500 is paired with a C2D T9300 and the 8400M GS is paired with a T8300, the GeForce 8400M GS still outperforms it by more than double the frame-rate.

When paired with an equal CPU, the frame-rate is often 3x better on the GeForce 8400M GS or even better.

There's not a $30 GPU that is significantly better than the x4500.

GeForce 8400M GS is. Aside from having double to triple the game performance of the X4500 (and let's not forget that the recent nvidia beta drivers significantly improved the performance of all of their cards), the GeForce 8400M GS supports full bitstream decoding of MPEG, MPEG-2, VC-1, H.264 (and essentially all MPEG-4 standards). Some specific models, like those in HPs, have additional features like deblocking for MPEG-2 and H.264 and VC-1. You get hardware upscaling, de-interlacing, etc. Where the Intel card generally only supports hardware assisting.

Sony sells a 13.3" screen notebook for $1,500 with the following stats: cd/dvd burner, T8300, 120GB HDD, 2GB of RAM, GeForce 8400M GS. If you want a larger screen, the 14.1" version sells for $1,129. There is a premium attached to 13.3" laptops, whereas 14.1" are competitive with 15.4" versions.

As I said before, people aren't buying the MacBook because of the fact that its a 13.3" notebook. They're buying it because its cheaper than the MacBook Pro and its all they can afford.

If Apple had a 15.4" notebook priced at $1,000 and specs in-line with what you get in a $1,000 Windows notebook (generally 2.4GHz Penryn, dedicated graphics equal to that of the GeForce 8600M GT, 3GB of memory, DVD writer, HDMI output, memory card reader, 3 hours of real world battery life) it would literally fly off the shelves.

However, Apple releases the most poorly spec'ed system for the price and rakes in the profits off unsuspecting customers.

Also, Sony is worse at overpricing their products (computers, TVs, PS3, headphones) than Apple.

If Apple put in an 8400 and 2GB of RAM across the line, prices would increase. The reason for many people not buying an Apple computer is because they are too expensive - Apple is combating that with lesser specs for those who want a cheaper notebook.

Theres no reason for Apple to increase the price by bringing the specs up to standard with what you get with a PC.

Apple's profits would be unaffected because they would actually start to sell respectable numbers of computers.

Look at many PC manufacturers. You get more power than the $1,999 MacBook Pro for half the price, 3x more memory than that of the $1099 MacBook, and they're all still profitable.

This is a simple case of Apple ripping off the customer.

There is no reason the MacBook cannot have at least a GeForce 8400M GS 128, 2GB of RAM, DVD writer, 160GB HDD, 2.4GHz C2D in the $1099 MacBook.

[*Sandy*]

Thats Easy, all of the Above.