More Apple Notebook Details: Clickable Glass Trackpad, GPUs, Pricing

[MacRumors]

Daring Fireball confirms the leaked MacBook Pro photos from earlier this evening and adds some intriguing details about the new notebook.

Specifically, Gruber confirms that the new MacBook Pros will have "buttonless" trackpad which is made of glass. However, it appears the entire trackpad is one large button:

The new trackpad is similar to the Air’s, in that it is bigger and supports additional multi-touch gestures. But unlike the Air’s, the MacBook Pro’s new trackpad is made of glass, and is a button itself. You just press and it clicks.

In addition, he confirms what some have suspected -- that the new MacBook Pro is not available in matte-finish, only glossy. There will be no new 17" MacBook Pro immediately available, and it's unclear when/if it will be revised. The existing 17" model will still remain on sale.

Gruber also confirms that regular MacBooks will be revised and that Engadget's footnote is wrong. The MacBook will contain the same buttonless trackpad and similar case design as the new MacBook Pros. MacBook Airs will be updated with a larger 120GB hard drive and larger 128GB SSD option.

CPU speeds are expected to remain about he same, however, the MacBooks will benefit improved graphics performance with built in NVIDIA 9400M GPUs. MacBook Pros will also contain a dedicated 9600M GT GPU, which should provide a large performance benefit as we've previously detailed.

Finally, Gruber addresses the pricing confusion from today. Apple apparently will only be offering two new MacBook configurations

- $1299: 2.0 GHz, 2 GB memory, 160 GB disk
- $1499: 2.4 GHz, 2 GB memory, 250 GB disk

The existing $1099 2.1GHz MacBook model will apparently remain to fill a $999 price slot but will not have the advantages of the new machines. Gruber was the first to accurately predict the October 14th announcement date for the new Apple notebooks.

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[shoulin333]

If this is true , what a sloppy update. Apple will have a lot of loose ends out there.

[SAMTATSICPRO]

I agree! This will be a lousy update... at least less than what I was expecting.. I really want to get a new 17'' but if its not good tomorrow... forget it!

[Flowbee]

Originally Posted by shoulin333

If this is true , what a sloppy update. Apple will have a lot of loose ends out there.

Agreed. The notebook line will look unusually messy if all of this pans out. And then there's that 24" display...

Interested to see where apple is going with all this.

[strikeinsilence]

Eek about the glossy screens. I'm into everything but the gloss and the bezel. I'm gonna end up buying it anyways though, I need the power!

[mdntcallr]

Originally Posted by strikeinsilence

Eek about the glossy screens. I'm into everything but the gloss and the bezel. I'm gonna end up buying it anyways though, I need the power!

Eck also! i can't stand glossy screens, make it hard to read in many environments, i cant stand the reflective glare.

Give me matte, give me Blu-Ray reading, or nothing, i won't upgrade from my current MBP.

[angemon89]

WORST. UPDATE. EVER. If all this is true I will be so disappointed. This seems very unlike Apple to do.

No button trackpad, matte finish, or firewire on the MB is very disappointing. Oh and 2.0 GHz for $1299?

[jazzcrime]

now we watch people frantically neg this for glossy only screens...

[Tosser]

Originally Posted by jazzcrime

now we watch people frantically neg this for glossy only screens...

I did. It's a consumer feature, only wanted for an end user watching movies, not exactly a pro feature for people using their computer to actually create contents.

[grue]

Glossy screens suck harder than a drunken sorority girl. I guess if this is true, it'll be official: Mac Pro becomes the only Mac worth owning for people who want more than a well-marketed toy.

[ptsube]

Originally Posted by Tosser

I did. It's a consumer feature, only wanted for an end user watching movies, not exactly a pro feature for people using their computer to actually create contents.

Creative people, they think the world stops when they think.

[DesignerOnMac]

Originally Posted by Tosser

I did. It's a consumer feature, only wanted for an end user watching movies, not exactly a pro feature for people using their computer to actually create contents.

As a graphic Designer and owning an Alum iMac, first version, I totally disagree! The matt screen just works, and what I see on the screen I get in print!

My studio has 5 windows and the only time there is extreme reflections is @ 8 AM in the morning in the Spring months.

I never read any blogs online when all us designers had CRT screens either....
but I guess most have forgotten that!

[Drinahn]

Originally Posted by Tosser

I did. It's a consumer feature, only wanted for an end user watching movies, not exactly a pro feature for people using their computer to actually create contents.

I was under the impression that colour reproduction etc was a lot better on the glossy screens. The main reason you'd not want a glossy screen is if you were intending to use it with a very bright window behind you, or outside in the sunshine.

Frankly if you're using it outside in the sunlight or with a bright window behind you, then you weren't serious about your image editing etc or whatever you were being a "pro" editing.

I'm very happy with my glossy screen for when I'm editing my photos in Aperture.

[dAlen]

Originally Posted by jazzcrime

now we watch people frantically neg this for glossy only screens...

No, Ill tell you what they will neg it for - and what I would if the voting system worked on my mac...which it never does.

They will neg it for no 17 inch.
Why is this an issue? People must recall all the articles, including Apples recent admission to BAD NVIDIA cards in the CURRENT laptops.

Meaning, if you want a 17 inch, your stuck. You buy it and got to ship it back.
But wait, it mentioned this extended warranty was more than likely US only.

Add to it the fact Im in Hungary, I believe it.

So Yes, I would neg, not the story...good work Arn...but I would neg Apple if this is true.

And keeping a low end macbook without updating it...come on apple, getting sloppy.

Also, those that want matte should have an option...glare can be a problem and depending on your work place, you may not have control. And why should someone buy a glare matte when the computer should already come glare free...it cost enough doesnt it.

Ill add one more thing. Im on a Powerbook G4 667.
I like all my ports in the back. In my current set up it will be really awkward having them shooting out of the left side, or any side for that matter.
I realize people hate reaching in back. But when you take out your laptop, set it up and open the case...cant be to hard. Anyway.

Other than that...look exciting, but a glass track pad, I question that as well...another breakable item. (looking at broken aluminum hinge on this titanium macbook I have)...

Also, you click the trackpad, that will be a pain..."I want to push, doh...it clicked. I want to click...doh it pushed." Or..."I have to push and then click...two finger acrobatic combos...thanks for the finger health workout stevo!" lol

Sorry, a rant from a powerbook user who has been waiting for a decent upgrade..and no, broken Nvidia cards dont cut it...so that was a year wait there.

Peace

dAlen

[squaros]

People will be throwing themselves at the $999 MacBook tomorrow...

[Timichango]

Originally Posted by jazzcrime

now we watch people frantically neg this for glossy only screens...

Now I'm watching myself frantically neg this for taking away a handful of crucial options and features across the line that made these things as useful as they've historically been, only to provide dubious stylistic gains, and overall reduced value in general.

I mean seriously - how in the name of god are these to be considered an improvement, when much has been lost?

[Peace]

Originally Posted by kanon14

This has to be the most rumored Apple Event up to date.

It's one of the most confusing one's I've seen.

I don't understand why all these different sites have all these "reliable sources" that are giving conflicting info.

Like I said. It's a classic Apple set-up.

Watch.

[iBunny]

I almost dont believe this. I defiantly dont think that the MBP's speed will remain the same.

We will defiantly see a 2.8GHz Core 2 Duo Option.... This is a Pro Machine.... Im all on board if these MBPs have a 2.8GHz in there....

[Gerbo]

i sincerely hope it is not glossy only. that would really upset me

[LoveCrusader]

Apple is about as well run a company as Enron. These guys are a joke. lol

$300 more for a Macbook with less specs than a current one and no firewire ? hahaha Crackheads

$900 for a 24" Display ? What a steal.

"Pro" computers with glossy only displays? lol only 1 firewire port ? And they want what, $5000 for these ? I could built a better Pro computer with a cardboard box and 9 volt battery. The old MBPs value just went through the roof. lol

I don't know anybody with a half a brain that would buy these new pieces of garbage for more money than the better old ones.

[hvfsl]

Originally Posted by Gerbo

i sincerely hope it is not glossy only. that would really upset me

Ditto.

I am going to get a new laptop (because my PowerBook recently died), but depending on what other features are announced, I may go for one of the current models.

[phantomsd]

Tempting stuff, Apple. Real tempting...

If it holds true that the new MBPs are glossy screens only, that will be another reason to hold off until January for the updated Mac Pros. I'm a graphic designer.

Hopefully this will all make sense tomorrow.

Currently on a (soon to be previous gen... ) MBP.

[Dreamer2go]

Originally Posted by phantomsd

Tempting stuff, Apple. Real tempting...

If it holds true that the new MBPs are glossy screens only, that will be another reason to hold off until January for the updated Mac Pros. I'm a graphic designer.

Hopefully this will all make sense tomorrow.

Currently on a (soon to be previous gen... ) MBP.

why the sad face?
Matte > Glossy.
-end
{you're a graphic designer too!}

[Fredd-E]

Originally Posted by phantomsd

If it holds true that the new MBPs are glossy screens only, that will be another reason to hold off until January for the updated Mac Pros. I'm a graphic designer.

I'd really love to know why all of you people hate glossy so much? What's the big deal?

My girlfriend is in her third year studies of graphic design and she's using an iMac 24" at home for all her work. It's glossy and she doesn't seem to suffer from it being glossy? What in fact is there to hate about a glossy screen? I just don't seem to get it all.

Besides she's also in the waiting game like all the rest of us to update her iBook with a new MacBook. And I'm looking to buy my first Mac Notebook! A 15" MBP please. One that will also be capable to play Starcraft 2 / Diablo 3 at high quality with decent fps. And for the rest I'll use in combination with my M-Audio musical equipment / dj stuff.

[jbrenn]

This is an idea i had i think it will make everyone happy, so it wont happen
$999 mb 13" 2.0 1 gb ram 120gb superdrive NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT with 128 MB 2 usb 1 firewire
$1199 mb 13" 2.1 2 gb ram 160gb superdrive NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT with 256 MB 2 usb 1 firewire
$1399 mb 13" 2.4 2 gb ram 250gb superdrive NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT with 256 MB 2 usb 1 firewire
$1799 mbp 15 2.5 2 gb ram 250gb superdrive NVIDIA ?? with 512 MB
$2299 mbp 15 2.8 2 gb ram 500gb superdrive NVIDIA ?? with 1Gb
$2599 mbp 17 2.8 2 gb ram 500gb superdrive NVIDIA ?? with 1 GB

all have bto option matte finish pros bto blu-ray