Does no one realize that the "new" macbook is the same as last years...

[bluesTank]

The naming ordeal is my whole point. They basically are just trying to fool the consumer into thinking they are getting a revolutionary and amazing computer, when all they did was slap last years macbook into a plastic casing, and sell it at a lower price.

Sure you could say that they "upgraded" the old white book, but I could also say they upgraded it from an iphone, or a shoe or something and it would be even MORE impressive!

 

[fluffyx]

The Unibody machines ARE amazing new computers. The fact that one is being offered for $999 is FANTASTIC. For the year that the Unibody machines were being sold along side the plastic, non-unibody MacBooks, the $999 MacBook wasn't such a great choice if you could afford the difference.

Now, the $999 computer is a first-class Mac notebook. If someone doesn't need the few extra features that the MacBook Pro offers, there's no reason not to get the $999 MacBook. It has ALL of the build quality that the unibody machines offer. In my mind, the build quality and the component quality is the #1 difference between those two kinds of computers.

This situation reminds me of when the iBook G4 came out. Its specs were similar to those of the 12" PowerBook, and it was a few hundred dollars cheaper. That iBook was built the same as the 12" PowerBook, and it came with almost all of its benefits at a lower price.

It is not a revolutionary new machine. It is, in effect, a white MacBook Pro offered at a lower price.

 

[clyde2801]

The Unibody machines ARE amazing new computers. The fact that one is being offered for $999 is FANTASTIC. For the year that the Unibody machines were being sold along side the plastic, non-unibody MacBooks, the $999 MacBook wasn't such a great choice if you could afford the difference.

Now, the $999 computer is a first-class Mac notebook. If someone doesn't need the few extra features that the MacBook Pro offers, there's no reason not to get the $999 MacBook. It has ALL of the build quality that the unibody machines offer. In my mind, the build quality and the component quality is the #1 difference between those two kinds of computers.

This situation reminds me of when the iBook G4 came out. Its specs were similar to those of the 12" PowerBook, and it was a few hundred dollars cheaper. That iBook was built the same as the 12" PowerBook, and it came with almost all of its benefits at a lower price.

It is not a revolutionary new machine. It is, in effect, a white MacBook Pro offered at a lower price.

The powerbook had a better video card with twice the ram, but otherwise, yeah.

 

[bluesTank]

Never said it wasn't a good computer. I have been pretty pleased with my aluminum macbook from last year.

It's just that apple got just what they wanted...everyone to be going all crazy about this machine as being "new" and what not. Its almost like apple is trying to trick everyone to make an extra buck.

 

[JRoDDz]

I was talking about the aluminum macbook. My macbook says "macbook" on the bottom, and this is trying to pass as a a new "macbook" which is exactly like the aluminum macbook, except in plastic. Completely redesigned?

Yes it's exactly like the macbook pro except for being heavier, larger dimensions, lack of infrared port, lack of SD card slot, plastic vs aluminum, lack of firewire.. yeah it's exactly identical

 

[Capt Underpants]

How were this many people confused by the OP?

Apple once had an aluminum unibody macbook. Not a macbook pro. A macbook.

He is comparing the current plastic unibody macbook to the previous unibody aluminum macbook.

And it seems like a pretty valid comparison.

 

[bluesTank]

I didn't get it either. It's like a 2009 Ford Mustang and the redesigned 2010 Ford Mustang, they look different, but both have motors, wheels, seats, and etc.. so that makes the 2009 Mustang and the 2010 Mustang the same then.

No...using this analogy would go something like this:

Apple RENAMES and upgrades the 2009 mustang to the 2009 mustang "pro". Then a year later, they turn the 2009 mustang frame into plastic, repaint it, and CALL it the new and improved, completely re-engineered 2010 ford FOCUS, even though its just the old 2009 mustang.

So then you go out looking for a car to buy, and you are like "wow thats a sweet ass ford focus, its so much different then the old ford focus" even though you are buying the same car as last year

 

[chromabyte]

It's just that apple got just what they wanted...everyone to be going all crazy about this machine as being "new" and what not. Its almost like apple is trying to trick everyone to make an extra buck.

Welcome to the world of marketing.

In my opinion Apple's branding went a little mixed up with the Aluminium Macbook. Aesthetics wise, it was just a smaller, lower end Macbook Pro. 8 months later they release an updated version of the Aluminium Macbook and rebrand it as Macbook Pro.
Now we have the newest model Macbook, which feels more like an upgrade of the White Macbook before it went Aluminium. And the way they describe the new model on their page certainly feels like they're comparing it to the White model.

"It features a new seamless, more durable unibody enclosure..."
Hang on, the Aluminium case was seamless, durable and unibody.

"The new MacBook Multi-Touch trackpad has no button because it is the button. That means there’s plenty of room to move..."
Yep, Aluminium Macbook already had that too.

The point I'm trying to make is that it is an updated, newly-designed laptop compared to the White Macbook. Is it completely different? No it is not, because how much variance can you have in laptop design? I don't think anyone ordered their "completely redesigned" Macbook and was disappointed because it still uses RAM and a built-in keyboard but doesn't have powerful lasers built-in standard.

"Completely Redesigned" is nothing more than a marketing tool. If you asked Apple what was redesigned, they would list all the things they already have on the website. New unibody enclosure, trackpad and a longer life battery. Not everyone would consider that completely redesigned, but hey, if it serves its purpose, it serves its purpose.

 

[Zombie Acorn]

CE alum unibody macbook > new polycarb macbook

 

[tkermit]

Never said it wasn't a good computer. I have been pretty pleased with my aluminum macbook from last year.

It's just that apple got just what they wanted...everyone to be going all crazy about this machine as being "new" and what not. Its almost like apple is trying to trick everyone to make an extra buck.

Now why would you think that? Wouldn't it be kinda funny though if the temporarily changed naming scheme had been part of a long-term plan, instead of them inadvertently screwing up their product mix for a while there... ?

 

[fluffyx]

Now why would you think that? Wouldn't it be kinda funny though if the temporarily changed naming scheme had been part of a long-term plan, instead of them inadvertently screwing up their product mix for a while there... ?

Yes. The MacBook/MacBook Pro discrepancies have been embarrassing/ridiculous for the past year. Someone got their act together, and realized that the Unibody MacBooks were really MacBook Pros. Then, someone realized that it was unacceptable to keep selling the plastic, non-unibody MacBook.

Here's to a 100% unibody Apple Portable line!

Now we just need a unibody iPhone…

 

[cryingrobot]

Yes. The MacBook/MacBook Pro discrepancies have been embarrassing/ridiculous for the past year. Someone got their act together, and realized that the Unibody MacBooks were really MacBook Pros. Then, someone realized that it was unacceptable to keep selling the plastic, non-unibody MacBook.

Here's to a 100% unibody Apple Portable line!

Now we just need a unibody iPhone…

I picked up the high end unibody macbook a few months ago and feel like I somehow beat the system since it was basically a 13 inch mbp. Unfortunately, I need to take it in for service. The video freezes horribly once in a while. Logic board issues maybe.