Apple Quietly Updates Entry-Level White MacBook

[Mactagonist]

What is your alternative? Cry about how everything Apple does is to make money (the horror) and suggest that they should be more like Dell?

If I hated Apple's direction as much as some people here seem to I know I would leave. Life is too short to use something you dont love.

 

[firestarter]

You have a real victim complex, Apple is making decisions based on their goals. They arnt out to get you. If you dont like the direction they are heading you should buy elsewhere. Clearly the majority of consumers are very happy with Apple and their direction.

That's fine if you see Apple as a purveyor of lifestyle fashion accessories, which you can 'take or leave'.

If however the Mac is just a platform for your software investment and somewhere to run OSX, then Apple's nickle-n-diming and lack of coverage in certain hardware categories is an exercise in frustration.

I would dearly like an Apple netbook and a small desktop computer. I'd like a good range of non-glossy screened products for photo editing. I own a few Macs - but my software investment and (much more importantly) my investment in time to get used to them it is worth far more than the cost of the machines.

 

[Mactagonist]

That's fine if you see Apple as a purveyor of lifestyle fashion accessories, which you can 'take or leave'.

If however the Mac is just a platform for your software investment and somewhere to run OSX, then Apple's nickle-n-diming and lack of coverage in certain hardware categories is an exercise in frustration.

I would dearly like an Apple netbook and a small desktop computer. I'd like a good range of non-glossy screened products for photo editing. I own a few Macs - but my software investment and (much more importantly) my investment in time to get used to them it is worth far more than the cost of the machines.

And I think that is a much more reasonable complaint. But I also think that Apple's intention have been pretty clear for years, anyone who made an investment in software or time expecting Apple to move into the netbook or mini tower space failed to see the writing on the wall.

Ever since Apple killed the Cube it has been clear that there wouldnt be a non 'pro workstation' tower. Even since Apple released their SDK for OSX Mobile it has been clear that the iPhone/Touch is their netbook.

 

[MagnusVonMagnum]

You have a real victim complex, Apple is making decisions based on their goals. They arnt out to get you. If you dont like the direction they are heading you should buy elsewhere. Clearly the majority of consumers are very happy with Apple and their direction.

And you have a real fanboy complex. I can't stand people who seem to think that complaining about Apple hardware equates to "go buy a Dell" when Dell can't run OS X (because Apple won't allow competition to its monopoly on OS X hardware). You need to learn to separate operating system from hardware and so does Apple, apparently. Your comment about the 3-button thing alone shows how far out in left field you are. In case you hadn't noticed, OS X uses 3-button mice just fine. It's Apple that refuses to acknowledge their one-button mistake for the past 20 years on their mice so much as to even try and cosmetically hide the fact their current models DO have 3 buttons. My current mice (used both on my two Macs and PC have 5 buttons and yes OS X can use those extra buttons too).

Basically, if no one complains about Apple's hardware decisions then Apple will continue to think everyone is happy with their direction and keep heading that way instead of listening to their consumers. They don't do enough of that as it is and your attitude would push them to live in la-la land even that much more so. Most of your other opinions (stated inside a quote for some reason) are just opinions and fanboy type ones at that and don't need to be addressed. Comparing things like workstations to workstations when the point is that Apple doesn't even OFFER anything between Toy (iMac and Mac-Mini) and workstation (Mac Pro) is the REAL point. There is no consumer towers what-so-ever in their lineup and yet they feel threatened by companies like Psystar? They wouldn't need to feel threatened if they'd just offer what consumers wanted in the first place which is desktop hardware that actually competes with PC desktop hardware, namely mini-towers with expansion room, actual desktop CPUs and GPUs (instead of slower laptop ones) and things like SLI support in both hardware and the OS (OpenCL is nice, but how about supporting existing technology too?). Apple users should EMBRACE competition on that end because it means Apple would finally be forced to reckon with real hardware choices instead of just dishing out whatever they feel like because they know people don't just change entire platforms (and negate all their purchased software) on a whim, especially when you cannot take it with you without major hacking (i.e. Windows users can run Windows on Mac hardware, but they're not allowed to run OS X on PC hardware because Apple says so).

Meanwhile, I really do like the update to the white plastic Macbook (as I said earlier in the thread). It has everything the new uni-body Macbook does not have (firewire, less glare screen, lower more consumer friendly pricing) and all the things that the new one has that was better (i.e. vastly improved GPU). Hey, buy what YOU want, but if I hadn't bought this MBP for a such a good deal (i.e. $1440 for one with 2 firewire ports, 2 USB and a nice matte screen), that's the Mac I would buy and simply add a few upgrades to it and be far better off, IMO than the new uni-body model.

Frankly, until some of the Mac community start to realize there are more computer users out there than just Steve fans who actually care about functionality instead of 'pretty', the Mac will continue to be a niche market and Windows will always maintain 85-90% of the overall OS market, even with horrible blunders like Vista. Meanwhile, they're not sitting on their laurels. Apple could have used this time to really push for market share. Instead, they seem content with short term profits, gadgets and shiny reflective screens and pushing propriety connectors that require $99 adapters that don't even work right for half the people out there that have bought it. But oh BTW, there's an overpriced Apple Cinema display that has that connector (wink wink).

 

[firestarter]

And I think that is a much more reasonable complaint. But I also think that Apple's intention have been pretty clear for years, anyone who made an investment in software or time expecting Apple to move into the netbook or mini tower space failed to see the writing on the wall.

Ever since Apple killed the Cube it has been clear that there wouldnt be a non 'pro workstation' tower. Even since Apple released their SDK for OSX Mobile it has been clear that the iPhone/Touch is their netbook.

I do think this is a tactical error for them though. Their strategy is superb when it comes to maximising profit, keeping research and inventory costs under control and very precisely targeting the demographic they're after.

Problem is that Apple still gets a lot of kudos from it's image as 'creative's friend'. At a certain point those wishing to do something serious with a computer will find that they can't cover all their computing needs by going with Apple alone. I think there's a real danger that the holes in their lineup will start to damage their top end/pro/serious user appeal and therefore erode the 'perceived value' of the brand to regular users.

I don't see that the iPhone SDK necessarily precludes a netbook. The Mac Air is netbook-ish, apart from being too big and too expensive.

Personally, I bought a Dell Mini Inspiron netbook. I have £500 waiting to give to Apple if they decide to release a product in that area - the Dell would go on eBay.

 

[Mactagonist]

I do think this is a tactical error for them though. Their strategy is superb when it comes to maximising profit, keeping research and inventory costs under control and very precisely targeting the demographic they're after.

Problem is that Apple still gets a lot of kudos from it's image as 'creative's friend'. At a certain point those wishing to do something serious with a computer will find that they can't cover all their computing needs by going with Apple alone. I think there's a real danger that the holes in their lineup will start to damage their top end/pro/serious user appeal and therefore erode the 'perceived value' of the brand to regular users.

I don't see that the iPhone SDK necessarily precludes a netbook. The Mac Air is netbook-ish, apart from being too big and too expensive.

Personally, I bought a Dell Mini Inspiron netbook. I have £500 waiting to give to Apple if they decide to release a product in that area - the Dell would go on eBay.

I think some of the holes we see in their lineup might be there for reasons other then profit. Resources, in terms of talented people and just time, are finite. Unless Apple can make a perfect product (in their eyes if not in MagnusVonMagnum's) and has a perfect opportunity to enter the market (IE ipod, iphone) they wont do it.

 

[Eric S.]

Life is too short to use something you dont love.

Really? You love everything you use?

 

[firestarter]

I think some of the holes we see in their lineup might be there for reasons other then profit. Resources, in terms of talented people and just time, are finite. Unless Apple can make a perfect product (in their eyes if not in MagnusVonMagnum's) and has a perfect opportunity to enter the market (IE ipod, iphone) they wont do it.

I'm sure there's some truth in that.

In the meantime (and back onto topic) the new (alu) MacBook isn't appealing to photographers and musicians. Following Apple's lead (and some great plug and play standards setting) most of the better external audio interfaces have now migrated to Firewire - only to find that this is to be an evolutionary dead end.

If Apple only has resources to concentrate on a few lines, they need to ensure that these lines aren't arbitrarily crippled.

 

[Mactagonist]

Really? You love everything you use?

Almost, there are a few thing I would change about my current pocket knife and I cant afford a wardrobe composed entirely of things that I love at the moment. But otherwise, yes.

 

[sal]

So the exclusion of firewire for insignificant cost savings on a computer that starts @ $1299 is not a wise choice and for no apparent reason removes consumers from that target market. Why limit your target market for what, $10, especially on a very expensive laptop.

good point. There is no excuse for removing firewire. Okay, for the sake of argument, lets agree that firewire is on it's way out and justify apple's decision to package it in...

but, WHY in the world would apple not give consumers the option to add it on later on? an expressCard slot or even an outdated pcmcia slot should have avoided this mess. Those who still have use for a firewire port, could buy a firewire card for $20 and be done with it.

There might be an excuse for apple removing FW but there is not an excuse for making it impossible to add FW(if someone wishes to do so)

 

[MagnusVonMagnum]

I think some of the holes we see in their lineup might be there for reasons other then profit. Resources, in terms of talented people and just time, are finite. Unless Apple can make a perfect product (in their eyes if not in MagnusVonMagnum's) and has a perfect opportunity to enter the market (IE ipod, iphone) they wont do it.

How hard do you think it is to produce a mini-tower clone that can run OS X that it's sapping all of Apple's development team's time to the point where they consider it totally impractical? When a user like myself can buy a Dell or Lenovo or HP or whatever off the shelf and carefully choose its internal parts for ones that have Mac drivers and easily shove OS X on it with either some Hackintosh tools or one of those USB EFI simulator dongles that completely fools OS X into thinking it's dealing with Apple hardware and EFI, well, let's just say I'm not inclined to perceive resources as a real problem.

In fact, how hard would it be for them to simply re-use the MacPro case and outfit with a couple of 2.8GHz Core2Duo CPUs, a 9800GT, 2GB of ram and a 500GB Sata hard drive and offer it for $1800? Not hard at all is the answer. The REASON they don't is that they know that someone who wants OS X will likely shovel out the $2400 for the base line Mac Pro (which means way more profit for Apple) than jump ship and buy a Windows PC instead or even build a Hackintosh. Thus, they rip you off and you grumble, but in the end they have your money and continue on their merry way, knowing full well you have no legal alternative (at least until some sensible judge rules Mac clones legal).

 

[jegbook]

shove new WhiteBook guts into an old BlackBook?

Has anyone else wondered if the internals (physically speaking) of the new WhiteBook are the same as the old?

Meaning, buy a new WhiteBook, take out the guts, and swap them with the guts of your BlackBook.

Voila!

BlackBook with a good a graphics card!!

That was the first thing that went through my head. Generally, I still like the BlackBook over the aluminum (though, if the new unibody doesn't dent like the old aluminum, I could be persuaded).

In a couple weeks iFixit (or someone) should have the take apart and we'll know. Woohoo!

 

[gkarris]

^^^^ oooooooh, must see how much a new board costs....

 

[Eric S.]

there are a few thing I would change about my current pocket knife

And yet you chide us for saying there are a few things we would change about Apple's product line. That's cold, man.

 

[cheesymogul]

The aluminum notebooks are likely to be updated in the spring.

That's the only thing that keeps me from ordering the new Whitebook right now.
I think this could indeed happen and possibly will include either FW800 or PC express.

Apple has a history of fixing their mistakes.
- The first Macbook Pro came without FW800. The Powerbook G4 owners went ballistic over the downgraded port and FW800 was back in the 2nd generation.

- The Mirror Door G4 tower was the first desktop no longer OS9 bootable. At time of introduction there were still tons of old hardware around in prepress production houses working with OS9 only. Audio was another problem during the early OSX era. Not many OSX drivers were available, and hardware often did not work well in Classic.
Therefore the flagship tower was useless to them. Apple soon updated it with a OS9 bootable version. They kept this model even during the early G5 era to make the professionals happy!

- Against their own trend Apple offers now a matte display option for the new MBP 17. They know exactly otherwise they wouldn't sell many to the creative Pros...

At this moment the Whitebook is without doubt the better choice.
Same processor, same graphics card, widely compatible DVI, no DRM, and most importantly Firewire.
The only negative thing about the white Macbook is its cheap plastic body that cracks easily.

The only thing that speaks for the Alubook is the fantastic more durable lightweight body.
IMHO touchpad is highly overrated. Display quality is quite a lottery and depends on the vendor you'll get. Only if you are lucky you'll get one better than the Whitebook. I have seen Unibodies with unbelievably horrible displays with insanely limited vertical viewing angle!
Display Port is not an advantage, as long it still has issues with many display brands. And DRM is nothing but a bag of hurt.

A revision with FW800 or PCexpress port could easily change my mind though.
While I probably could live with DRM and Display Port, there is no workaround for the missing FW port.

 

[leighonigar]

- The Mirror Door G4 tower was the first desktop no longer OS9 bootable. At time of introduction there were still tons of old hardware around in prepress production houses working with OS9 only. Audio was another problem during the early OSX era. Not many OSX drivers were available, and hardware often did not work well in Classic.
Therefore the flagship tower was useless to them. Apple soon updated it with a OS9 bootable version. They kept this model even during the early G5 era to make the professionals happy!

On a technicality, iIrc, the original MDD G4 towers, the ones with no firewire 800 were bootable into OS 9. They then released the firewire 800 ones. These were OS X only. When they launched the G5 (perhaps earlier, I do not recall exactly) they sold a version of the original, non-fw800 MDD with single or dual 1.25GHz G4s. It wasn't an update, it was a band-aid release of an old product.

 

[Eric S.]

The aluminum notebooks are likely to be updated in the spring.

That's the only thing that keeps me from ordering the new Whitebook right now.
I think this could indeed happen and possibly will include either FW800 or PC express.

Any spring update would only be a speed bump. Apple isn't going to do a case redesign so soon. IMO the next opportunity for a revision like that will be when they go to the Nehalem mobile CPU, around the end of this year at the earliest.

 

[CoreyMac]

That's the only thing that keeps me from ordering the new Whitebook right now.
I think this could indeed happen and possibly will include either FW800 or PC express.

Apple has a history of fixing their mistakes.
- The first Macbook Pro came without FW800. The Powerbook G4 owners went ballistic over the downgraded port and FW800 was back in the 2nd generation.

- The Mirror Door G4 tower was the first desktop no longer OS9 bootable. At time of introduction there were still tons of old hardware around in prepress production houses working with OS9 only. Audio was another problem during the early OSX era. Not many OSX drivers were available, and hardware often did not work well in Classic.
Therefore the flagship tower was useless to them. Apple soon updated it with a OS9 bootable version. They kept this model even during the early G5 era to make the professionals happy!

- Against their own trend Apple offers now a matte display option for the new MBP 17. They know exactly otherwise they wouldn't sell many to the creative Pros...

At this moment the Whitebook is without doubt the better choice.
Same processor, same graphics card, widely compatible DVI, no DRM, and most importantly Firewire.
The only negative thing about the white Macbook is its cheap plastic body that cracks easily.

The only thing that speaks for the Alubook is the fantastic more durable lightweight body.
IMHO touchpad is highly overrated. Display quality is quite a lottery and depends on the vendor you'll get. Only if you are lucky you'll get one better than the Whitebook. I have seen Unibodies with unbelievably horrible displays with insanely limited vertical viewing angle!
Display Port is not an advantage, as long it still has issues with many display brands. And DRM is nothing but a bag of hurt.

A revision with FW800 or PCexpress port could easily change my mind though.
While I probably could live with DRM and Display Port, there is no workaround for the missing FW port.

Keep assuring yourself of all this. The fact is, the AlumBook is superior overall to the whitebook in every way except for price and firewire. If $300 isnt an issue, and firewire is useless for you, its pointless to get the whitebook. AlumBook: Better Built, More Durable, Lighter, Thinner, Better Battery, Better LED Display, Better Trackpad, Runs Cooler / Quieter, Better Speaker, Mini DisplayPort, Easy Access to Battery/HD, DDR3 Ram, iTunes controls from iPhone headset, Battery Indicator lights on the side......

Aside from actual features, the alumbook has alot of design differences / intangibles that make the $300 difference much more worth it if you dont need firewire.

 

[MagnusVonMagnum]

Keep assuring yourself of all this. The fact is, the AlumBook is superior overall to the whitebook in every way except for price and firewire.

I think you should look up the difference between a FACT and an OPINION.

 

[firestarter]

Any spring update would only be a speed bump. Apple isn't going to do a case redesign so soon. IMO the next opportunity for a revision like that will be when they go to the Nehalem mobile CPU, around the end of this year at the earliest.

I seriously doubt that even this revision will see the reinstatement of Firewire.

I'm hoping that Apple become an early adopter of USB 3. The lack of Firewire is annoying, but the inability of the computer to drive an external disk at anything above about 24MB/s is rubbish. USB 3 would at least solve this problem.

 

[Eric S.]

I seriously doubt that even this revision will see the reinstatement of Firewire.

I agree. The basic reason for its removal is unchanged: product differentiation from the MBP.

I'm hoping that Apple become an early adopter of USB 3. The lack of Firewire is annoying, but the inability of the computer to drive an external disk at anything above about 24MB/s is rubbish. USB 3 would at least solve this problem.

Of course the addition of FW 800 instead would solve all the problems, plus the fact that peripheral devices already exist for it, unlike USB 3.0.

 

[firestarter]

Of course the addition of FW 800 instead would solve all the problems, plus the fact that peripheral devices already exist for it, unlike USB 3.0.

True, but Apple are too pigheaded to back down.

 

[AidenShaw]

True, but Apple are too pigheaded to back down.

Now that Steve is no longer in the picture, more rational decisions might happen.

 

[NT1440]

Now that Steve is no longer in the picture, more rational decisions might happen.

Steve is still in charge of major decisions.

 

[MagnusVonMagnum]

Steve is still in charge of major decisions.

And you know this...how?