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Apple Quietly Updates Entry-Level White MacBook

Eric S. said:
Too bad there's no black version @ 2.4 GHz. That's basically what I was hoping for before I bought the aluminum MB.
Click to expand...

There is. Check out the Refurbished section on the Apple site:
Canadian site - http://store.apple.com/ca/browse/home/specialdeals/mac?mco=MTE3NjY

US site - http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/specialdeals/mac?mco=MTE3NjY

They come and go quickly so you may have to keep checking throughout the day (had one there this morning).

I just bought the BMB 2.4GHz with 2GB RAM for $1149 CDN (the last BMB released). Seemed like a pretty good deal. Just got shipped today. Am seriously considering not accepting it and re-ordering the refurbished AMB in either the 2.0GHz or the 2.4GHz for the extra $.

Decisions, decisions....:confused:

Unless you meant a BMB with the NVIDIA graphics...in which case go fish.
 
Toe said:
I haven't studied it and have no idea if it would work, but... have you seen this? Firewire to USB 2.0 DV Transfer Cable It may just be for DV, and it does only say it supports XP, but... seems interesting nonetheless.
Click to expand...

Thanks for pointing that out. At first glance I have a feeling that won't work though for a few reasons, those being that it comes in PAL or NTSC versions, which leads me to believe it's somehow video specific, and also because of how there's simply no wiggle room when it comes to a Digidesign Firewire-based setup. I can only imagine, even if it technically worked, the errors I'd get with that thing between a Mac and an 003.

If I currently *needed* a new Mac laptop I realize there are plenty of choices, new and used, with Firewire, but it still annoys the heck out of me that Apple would leave so many of us who do Firewire based recording - and have invested thousands in our gear - out in the cold.
 
diamond.g said:
There is no roadblock. Intel doesn't sell 3+Ghz Mobile Quads because they don't have to. AMD doesn't have anything fast enough to keep up at current speeds, why waste time binning the CPU's for a higher speed (which we all know they can run at just fine)?

The real trick is adding more cores. That is where the "Ghz myth" has gone.

Apple isn't using faster chips due to thermal design issues. Maybe when people stop feeling warm in the pants over thin notebooks we will get systems that can use all the latest and greatest in CPU designs. (Same goes for the iMac...)
Click to expand...
Completely agreed. Microarchitecture also plays a big part, Core 2's at 2.xx GHz were faster than Pentium 4's at 3.xx GHz. The Pentium 4's longer pipeline also helped it reach higher clocks (but at the cost of IPC).

And it's not that speeds can't go up high (Harpertowns are now at 3.4 GHz), it's that Intel finds it better to go the multi-core and microarchitecture route.

Looking at Intel's released mobile CPUs and roadmap, it looks like dual-cores are replaced by quad-cores when the dual-cores' GHz reaches about 3.0 GHz. Note that the last time it happened (single-core to dual-core), the "cutoff" was about 2.2 GHz.
 
Lol, they downgraded the CPU, it was 2.1GHZ before, oh NVM they upgraded the GPU too :] so i guess better deal
2jc7srb.jpg
 
LED-Backlit Screen in new White MacBook?

I was curious to see if the new MacBook had the new LED screen as in the Unibody model, and started a Chat with the online representative. While I was chatting with the representative I was able to find the White MacBook Specs page I was looking for and went ahead and asked the question just to verify that it had the TFT Panel. The representative said that the newly updated models have the LED-backlit panels. Here is what she said:

They key part of the conversation:

Deborah L: It is a 13.3 inch glossy widescreen display. LED Backlit display feature instant full screen brightness. they help to conserve power and extend battery life. The display is also mercury free and made of arsenic free glass.
*

Deborah L: Are you shopping for a new MacBook today?
*

You: Okay, so the screen on the White Macbook is an LED Backlit display?
*

Deborah L: The latest release yes.
*
Click to expand...

The entire conversation:

*
* You are chatting with Deborah L, an Apple Expert

*

Hi, my name is Deborah L. Welcome to Apple!
*

You: Hi, I have a question about the newly updated MacBook on the Store page.
*

Deborah L: Good afternoon.
*

Deborah L: I'm happy to assist with that.
*

You: It is the white one with the older design that just got updated today.
*

You: I am curious if you could share with me some detailed specifications about the screen?
*

You: Or where I could go to look for them - I was unable to find them on the MacBook tech specs page.
*

Deborah L: On the White MacBook.
*

You: Yes, that's the one I'm questioning about.
*

You: Am I just missing the detailed specifications page somewhere or is it not listed?
*

Deborah L: One moment while I research that for you.
*

You: Cool, thanks.
*

Deborah L: You're welcome.
*

You: If it helps any, I am currently looking at http://www.apple.com/macbook/specs.html
*

Deborah L: One moment while I research that for you.
*

You: Alright.
*

Deborah L: Thank you.
*

Deborah L: It is a 13.3 inch glossy widescreen display. LED Backlit display feature instant full screen brightness. they help to conserve power and extend battery life. The display is also mercury free and made of arsenic free glass.
*

Deborah L: Are you shopping for a new MacBook today?
*

You: Okay, so the screen on the White Macbook is an LED Backlit display?
*

Deborah L: The latest release yes.
*

Deborah L: Are you purchasing one today?
*

You: I won't be purchasing one today, but I might be in the next few days because of the LED display.
*

You: I just want to verify with you, because I just found the "White Macbook" Specifications page and it says that it uses the "13.3-inch golssy widescreen TFT display"
*

You: On this page: http://www.apple.com/macbook/white/specs.html
*

Deborah L: We just changed the screen specs today.
*

Deborah L: Those are the correct specs I gave to you.
*

You: Okay, and the page just hasn't been updated yet?
*

Deborah L: Not yet. probably by tomorrow.
*

You: Cool, thanks. I was just wanting to double check after I found the page.
*

Deborah L: May I help with any other product or order questions before you proceed?
*

You: That should be all I need today.
*

Deborah L: You're welcome.
*

Deborah L: Thank you for visiting the Apple Store. We appreciate your business. If you would like more help, please chat with us again.
*

Thank you for choosing the Apple Store. If you have any additional questions, please chat us again.

Type your response here and press Return to send it...
web browser selector
Click to expand...

Thoughts? I'm confused as to the actual specs now! :confused::apple:
 
A lot of stuff on refurbished, and now a Macbook update, I wonder if it means we'll see an iMac update soon?
 
I just bought a new White Macbook a few days ago and received it today in the mail. Called Apple to ask them what was up with the sneak attack update and the guy didn't even know until a few hours prior. He said he could offer me a $50 rebate or I could return the old white macbook and get a new one. I decided to "upgrade."
 
Yamcha said:
A lot of stuff on refurbished, and now a Macbook update, I wonder if it means we'll see an iMac update soon?
Click to expand...

IMO, and I only base this on speculations/rumors read, new Mac Minis are next, within 30 days, iMacs probably the same day but almost certainly within 50 days from now.
A 20ish" ACLD could be out with the Minis, but who knows. I think the 30ish" would be out with the Mac Pros, around June, as I read in the Mac Pro enthusiasts' thread:)
Aluminum Macbooks updated in a couple of months(within April, one can hope) and Pros would follow in a month or two, June at the latest.
I understand some of these feelings could sound(and be) stupid/foolish.
 
akbc said:
Are you serious? PPC vs. Intel chips are like, totally different story.

And it's not only 1GHz behind.. It's more of 3GHz behind since this MB is dual core.. and considering Cache size, Bus speed and the overall efficiency, comparing a PPC chip to Intel chip is just ignorant and stupid.

So stop bringing ignorant opinions that's starting arguments in the thread... jeez.
Click to expand...

Holy crap people, I am not directly comparing Intel and PPC chips. I am simply making a point in that clock speed is not everything.
diamond.g said:
There is no roadblock. Intel doesn't sell 3+Ghz Mobile Quads because they don't have to. AMD doesn't have anything fast enough to keep up at current speeds, why waste time binning the CPU's for a higher speed (which we all know they can run at just fine)?

The real trick is adding more cores. That is where the "Ghz myth" has gone.

Apple isn't using faster chips due to thermal design issues. Maybe when people stop feeling warm in the pants over thin notebooks we will get systems that can use all the latest and greatest in CPU designs. (Same goes for the iMac...)
Click to expand...
As far as clock speeds go, it's getting harder to push them up. Last I heard, 5 GHz was about as high as you can get with reasonable cooling methods.

But you and I agree, GHz isn't everything.
 
I wonder if they underclocked the 9400M in the White MacBook like in the MBA. The MBA underclocks and undervolts to save power and heat, but nVidia would no doubt offer a discount on lower clocked reject 9400M that couldn't make the higher bin of the other models, and it would definitely help Apple's margins at the $999 price point. With the 9400M in the White MacBook being memory starved with DDR2 667 a reduction in clock speed really wouldn't be noticeable anyways.

On the DDR2-667 issue, I can understand Apple not going with DDR3, but no going with DDR2-800 is a strange choice. The price difference is minimal and DDR2-800 is already used in the iMacs so the supply chain is in place. The only other model that still uses DDR2-667 is the Mac Mini, which really points to any upcoming Mac Mini refreshes having similar specs to the White MacBook, namely a 9400M with DDR2-667. At least they were nice enough to include 2GB of RAM, which is pretty much the minimum nowadays.
 
Glaxx said:
I was curious to see if the new MacBook had the new LED screen as in the Unibody model, and started a Chat with the online representative. While I was chatting with the representative I was able to find the White MacBook Specs page I was looking for and went ahead and asked the question just to verify that it had the TFT Panel. The representative said that the newly updated models have the LED-backlit panels. Here is what she said:

They key part of the conversation:



The entire conversation:



Thoughts? I'm confused as to the actual specs now! :confused::apple:
Click to expand...

Just checked for myself:

You are chatting with Holly S, an Apple Expert
Hi, my name is Holly S. Welcome to Apple!
How may I help you today?

Hi, the new white MacBook that was updated today, does it have a LED screen?

Great question!
One moment while I research that for you.

Okay, thank you.

You're welcome.
Thanks for waiting, one more moment please while I get you the correct details on this.

Okay

Thanks.
It doesn't look like this has an LED screen.
However, our other MacBooks do! Would you be interested in taking a look at these?

Nah, no thank you.

The 2.0 with the aluminum body does have the LED.
Can I assist you with anything else today?

No thanks.
 
Eric S. said:
Updated how? I don't see new versions of these until the Nehalem CPUs, and that won't be until the end of the year.
Click to expand...
The 2.93GHz Core 2 Duo in the new 17" MBP was actually just released which was why the BTO on the 15" Unibody topped out at 2.8GHz when it was released. In Q2, Intel is releasing a 3.06GHz mainstream Core 2 Duo with a 35W TDP replacing the 2.93GHz one and bumping everything down price wise. The current 3.06GHz mobile is a Core 2 Extreme with a 45W TDP which Apple doesn't use.

With mobile Nehalem not due until at least Q3, although it may well fall into Q4, since OEMs have requested Intel hold off to clear inventory, a Q2 refresh of Apple notebooks isn't unlikely. The low-end 15" MBP will probably be bumped to a 2.66GHz 3MB L2 cache model, the high-end 15" MBP and the 17" MBP standardized on a 2.83GHz 6MB L2 cache model, and a unified 3.06GHz BTO option. I would prefer 6MB L2 cache across the board, but I believe Intel isn't cutting the price on the 2.66GHz 6MB L2 cache model introducing a separate 3MB model instead at the same price point as the current 2.4GHz model in the 15" MBP. A 2.53GHz 3MB L2 cache model has already replaced the 2.4GHz model used in the current low-end 15" MBP at the same price point, and the 2.66GHz 6MB L2 cache model in the 17" MBP has actually replaced the 2.53GHz 6MB L2 cache model in the high-end 15" MBP model for the same price so the 15" MBP can already get a processor bump at no cost. But it makes more sense to wait until Q2 and jump directly from 2.4GHz to 2.66GHz and 2.53GHz to 2.83GHz and not bothering with the intermediate steps.
 
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