Apple Announces New Aluminum MacBooks

[smooth]

Apple needs to wake up and build at least one type of laptop that is comparable to what other manufacturers are selling. I like that they're concerned with quality and design, but even Mercedes has a "C" class (and even an "A" class in some parts of the world).
No firewire makes it useless for video-editing. Glossy screen again -- don't know why this keeps cropping up... everyone I know hates it. Otherwise, not a bad offering. It just needs to be a lot cheaper... make a configuration that can be sold for $799 and it will sell like gangbusters!
Of course do that, and the Mac faithful will complain that their current systems will have been unfairly depreciated .

I think a lot of people forget that for the industry standard, the 15" laptop is the consumer model. 13" models are more expensive for any other brand (at least they were a year ago when I was shopping for a laptop). It's these differences that really confuse me. I really wanted a Mac but I really wanted at least a 15" inch screen. Comparing specs, I had to compare the MBP to the other companies' consumer models and Apple was way too expensive. Then I compared 13" models and Apple was very comparative when the specs were matched up.

While I'm not sure why this is the case, but if Apple truly wanted to gain new customers they would have more choices - meaning cheaper, lower-end 15" models and a 13" model that is part of the Pro line-up.

While I've only been following this update casually as I am quite happy with current MacBook, I must say that these revisions show that getting ahead in the marketshare or adapting to the economy are not Apple's top priorities.

 

[joemama]

Teacher's point of view

Many people here are commenting about how all of these things affect them (and rightfully so), but we should also look at this from a teacher's point of view, and it may irritate you even more.

Most students now-a-days are buying laptops, and at that Macs. Most students are also doing a lot of video editing at home. More and more teachers are incorporating project-based assignments. It's the way education is headed.

Students do not buy MBPros because (generally) their parents purchase the cheaper computer (which makes sense). So now, Apple has raised prices, cut educational discounts, and removed the firewire ports from MacBooks.

Parents are certainly NOT going to spend even more to buy a MacBook Pro. Expect to see a decrease in laptop sales.

So how will students edit video? And the bigger question is, will Apple bother to bundle iMovie with the new MacBooks if you can't even connect a camera to it?

 

[condor]

If the Apple Store has them in stock tomorrow after work I will be getting one. No Firewire is a big deal, guess I can't use my DV camcorder anymore

Anyhow...does the new MacBook use the same type of hard drive and RAM as the old MacBook? Specifically, will these two upgrades work?

4 GB RAM


500 GB hard drive

 

[137489]

I didn'****ch the keynote, just went to the product page. backlit keyboard - cool. Other than that Yawn....

My bet, more people by the $999 one and the new one sits on shelves.

Well, waiting till macworld for something more exciting.

 

[alecapple]

I love the new design, the led screen, the graphics processor, and the new trackpad.
I don't like the new price, and it seems completely illogical in economic times like these. However i think that they know this, and that is why they dropped the price of the new one. I don't know how well it will work though because i can imagine people will see the new one compared to the old one and say, "oh, what's another $300"
Overall i think that they hype that surrounds this is not needed, and i think it will be short lived. Bleh.

 

[NT1440]

9400 is an integrated chipset. Don't let the 9 and 4 fool you. I may actually prefer Intel because it is proven reliable.

so integrated automatically means its garbage?

Have you used these GPUs yet?

 

[jegbook]

sorry if this is a dumb question but in the past ive always done an initial migration from my old mac to my new mac using firewire. maybe stupidly ive just ordered a new macbook but dont know how im supposed to transfer everything in one go as the new macbook doesnt have firewire. i have my music/photos and files on a usb hard drive but if i want to replicate my current macbook pro to the new macbook how do i do this?

sorry if this isnt relevant in this forum.

rob

I searched on Apple's support and found this:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1291

With respect to migration, treat the new MacBook as a MacBook Air.
Though with gigabit Ethernet, one could argue it's faster than Firewire.

As for Target Mode it is unfortunate. You could always get a SATA to USB external adapter and just pop out the HD if you needed to mount it as an external drive.

Overall, I, too, am very sad to see it go. I think 13" is already too big, so I would never consider an MBP to get FW. I would just have to work around it.

 

[Yr Blues]

Honestly, nothing is a must have feature in this economy. Long live the white MacBook.

 

[t22design]

I ordered from the online Apple store and once more.

The NEW aluminum Macbooks come with the backlit keyboard standard. Both the 2.0 and the 2.4

The UK Apple site AND Apple store both say different. (Screenshots: UK Apple site, UK Apple Store - MacBook 2.0GHz, and UK Apple Store - MacBook 2.4GHz)

 

[samanthas]

2.0 MacBook is still showing backlit keyboard on the US order page.

 

[50548]

Absolutely stunning! Going to combine a November birthday,and Christmas wrapped up in a sweet 2.4 GHZ MB for the Love of my life

Apart from the loss of FW, the new MBs are AWESOME and address ALL complaints from past customers.

As for the new MBPs, I am less sure about the added value...but apart from the glossy debate, they also look absolutely great.

All in all, congrats Apple! The new MBs are gonna sell like hotcakes, and I am definitely buying one to replace my old iBook G3...GO APPLE!

 

[d_and_n5000]

Am I insane, or is Apple selling a seven-or-so month old MacBook that is actually faster than a brand new one, for three hundred dollars less?

Hate to break it to Apple, but that is absolutely ridiculous.

 

[polaris20]

I'm sitting here just laughing at the prices. Seriously. $1299 for a 2GHz Core 2 Duo? What happened to all of those arguments that Apple never skimps on the processor speed? rofl $1299 for INTEGRATED GRAPHICS STILL!? And its a "system on a chip" so on top of the usual northbridge functionality the IGP has, it has to deal with all of the other functions WHILE dealing with graphics! Hilarious!

Awesome!! Can we count on you to not post here anymore then, since Apple still hasn't redeemed themselves in your eyes!? That would be super.

My now 1 year old and $500 cheaper after taxes HP is not only STILL faster than the current MacBook, but it includes Firewire! And more connectivity options.

Too bad HP are absolute crap. Of course you wouldn't know that yet, with your whole 4 laptops of experience. Gee, I wonder what's better; an aluminum MacBook or cheap POS HP from Best Buy?

The MacBooks and MacBook Pros look like they took HP's LCDs they've had for over a year now and glued them on to their systems.

I'm sure that's exactly what it is.

Seriously, I'm disappointed with the lack of ports too. But why you would continually come here when you haven't been happy with Apple in a long time is beyond me. Could it be because you're a troll? I honestly don't think Apple can do anything right in your eyes.

 

[dolphin842]

Echoing untold others here... lack of FireWire is a serious misstep. I have two external drives, a DV bridge, and a camcorder that rely on FireWire exclusively. I guess this means I'll be sticking with my 1st gen Intel iMac a while longer.

Wasn't the IEEE1394 consortium working on a reimplementation of FireWire 800 that would rival eSATA speeds? It's so strange to see Apple abandon one of it's most iconic, and reliable, innovations.

 

[TheNorthWaves]

Huge disappointment.

Apple has always neglected the low end. In a decent economy they could get away with it, but with the current situation, having nothing under $999 (and that one is still last year's leftovers) is incredibly dumb.

But to be honest, last year's leftovers DOES have firewire. I mean, at least if you absolutely need it in a low-end machine, they didn't pull the old model yet. I agree, lack of firewire will keep me from buying this machine in its current configuration

 

[iEdd]

I did a google search and found This. Anyone know if it works as a true firewire replacement?

So no comments on whether or not this would work? I'd really like to get a MacBook but FireWire (400 at full speed) is a must. Obviously no-one has used this adaptor with the MacBook, but maybe with another notebook?

 

[jegbook]

If the Apple Store has them in stock tomorrow after work I will be getting one. No Firewire is a big deal, guess I can't use my DV camcorder anymore

Anyhow...does the new MacBook use the same type of hard drive and RAM as the old MacBook? Specifically, will these two upgrades work?

4 GB RAM


500 GB hard drive

The hard drive should be fine. Nothing has changed with SATA drive.

Memory is totally different. This should work for the new MacBooks:

http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Other World Computing/8566DDR3S4GP/

 

[NT1440]

If the Apple Store has them in stock tomorrow after work I will be getting one. No Firewire is a big deal, guess I can't use my DV camcorder anymore

Anyhow...does the new MacBook use the same type of hard drive and RAM as the old MacBook? Specifically, will these two upgrades work?

4 GB RAM



500 GB hard drive

The new macbooks use DDR3 RAM

 

[tjanuranus]

Think of the clinetele. People who buy Macbooks today don't use the old technology Apple used to use. Firewire is no longer compatible with iPods, and only external HDDs seem to support it. It just isn't important to have one. I'd take an extra USB port any day.

I am a DJ. My external audio device is firewire only. How am i supposed to dj with no firewire? It's just stupid. They force you to buy the most expensive thing just for one port. I am an apple FAn but this is kind of a slap in the face. If there is not going to be firewire they price should be way cheaper.

 

[PMR]

-Hello, I want a new 2.4Ghz MacBook with no extras to go.
-That will be 1500€ ($2050 US) sir.
-1500 only? I'll take two of them.
-Ok.
-Thank you.

I'm really hoping Apple suffers from the Lehman Brothers' syndrome and Steve takes his head off his ass.

 

[Royale w/cheese]

Well, at least the lowend no longer has a combo drive.

 

[xVeinx]

For all of those concerned about the "drop" in processor speed, it's not what you think. They are using DDR3, a faster bus, and more processor cache. In the end, the computer will be faster, more responsive, and more efficient then the current Macbook.

 

[brop52]

If the Apple Store has them in stock tomorrow after work I will be getting one. No Firewire is a big deal, guess I can't use my DV camcorder anymore

Anyhow...does the new MacBook use the same type of hard drive and RAM as the old MacBook? Specifically, will these two upgrades work?

4 GB RAM


500 GB hard drive

No. You would need DDR3 like this from Crucial. They are expensive chips unfortunately.
and
Yes. I'd assume the HDD would work just fine. Though it is $149.99 from Newegg rather than $187.99 at OWC.

 

[Andrew K.]

Both new Macbooks come with backlit keyboard standard.

Thats what I keep seeing maybe its only in the US

 

[cube]

Wasn't the IEEE1394 consortium working on a reimplementation of FireWire 800 that would rival eSATA speeds? It's so strange to see Apple abandon one of it's most iconic, and reliable, innovations.

It's not a reimplementation. FW800 was designed from the get-go to for an upgrade to 3200 speed. Products should be coming out anytime now, about a year before USB 3.0 is finished.