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MacBook and MacBook Pro Unpacking, Disassembly and First Impressions

the $999 "macbook white" has a 2.1 ghz processor with a 667mhz FSB. the $1299 entry level aluminum macbook has a 2.0ghz processor with a 1066mhz FSB. The Ghz of a processor is how powerful the processor is, the FSB is how fast data can be transferred to the northbridge, or basically, just how fast data can be transferred. so, which is faster, 2.1ghz x 667mhz or 2.0ghz x 1066mhz?
The new $1299 aluminum macbook's processor is much faster. That plus the 1066mhz DDR3 ram as compared to the old 667mhz DDR2 ram will probably make a very noticeable difference. plus for the bomb-proof construction and energy saving LED screen i think it could definitely be worth the extra $300. unless of course you absolutely need FW, in which case you can get refurb macbooks or macbook pros for very cheap right now.
 
DMMatt said:
I seriously sometimes don't understand how Apple works. Does the functionality of a backlit keyboard require that much additional space that it couldn't fit into a MacBook, or is it purely a "professional" feature?
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It's to help convince you to pony up for the $1600 MacBook.
 
EW0000 said:
Hey

Is there no remote control? Is there an IR sensor for old ones? If not - whats that mean? I thought this was handy for presentations and with the new monitor, having a MB hooked up to it and then using the remote would be pretty nice...
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Remote control is an extra option when buying online (don't know about retail stores), it's an add-on for $19... the last generation of macbooks was the exact same, no change
 
Oh No, No firewire

As much as I love the new MacBook designs. I'd never be able to use it, I use firewire all of the time on mine for backing up files, target disk mode to transfer account settings & most importantly use firewire for my camcorder in final cut & iMovie. Is there anyway to get firewire like maybe through the ethernet port or something
 
AKstudentMT said:
the $999 "macbook white" has a 2.1 ghz processor with a 667mhz FSB. the $1299 entry level aluminum macbook has a 2.0ghz processor with a 1066mhz FSB. The Ghz of a processor is how powerful the processor is, the FSB is how fast data can be transferred to the northbridge, or basically, just how fast data can be transferred. so, which is faster, 2.1ghz x 667mhz or 2.0ghz x 1066mhz?
The new $1299 aluminum macbook's processor is much faster. That plus the 1066mhz DDR3 ram as compared to the old 667mhz DDR2 ram will probably make a very noticeable difference. plus for the bomb-proof construction and energy saving LED screen i think it could definitely be worth the extra $300. unless of course you absolutely need FW, in which case you can get refurb macbooks or macbook pros for very cheap right now.
Click to expand...

your point might have settled my anger a little...thanks. when the new ones hit refurb. im all over it
 
So from the sound of it, the trackpad is an actual physical button rather than just tap-to-click? If so, I have GOT to get one of these :eek:
 
Here's news for you MBP users who are aghast at the loss of matte screens. I use both the iMac and MBP, and have been railing at the loss of the matte screen in the iMac. I have both a matte and gloss iMac. The gloss iMac is good, IF the gloss iMac is oriented such that it is not against a window light. Otherwise, when the gloss iMac has a window in its background, it is terrible. TERRIBLE. I hate it. It's not something that goes away after a while. It is a constant nagging irritation, because you're starring at it all the time. It hurts my eyes after many hours of work.

Another thing. Apple is not going to listen. They've had a year or more to listen to the gripes of iMac users. In the macworld article, the Apple VP gives some glib excuse that a notebook user can shift the orientation to get rid of reflections. RUBBISH. What if you're in a room with windows on all sides, and lights everywhere. C'mon. Apple VP, just because you can justify, in your own mind, that the gloss is ok, we users have situations where we CANNOT USE a glossy screen. It totally sucks.

I am willing to pay MORE, i.e. more profit to Apple, for a matte screen. But I will not buy a glossy screen MBP.
 
xDYLANx said:
ALL OF THAT DOESN'T MATTER BECAUSE THE OG ENTRY LEVEL MB HAS A FASTER PROCESSOR THAN THE ENTRY LEVEL NEW ONE!!!
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It is an amazing 5% higher clock part in the (old) white MacBook then the new low end MacBook... of course the white MB has an 800MHz FSB and DDR2 memory while the new one has a 1066MHz bus and DDR3 memory.

xDYLANx said:
why would i spend more? cause its a little thinner, and has an alum. casing?
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...and has a much better graphics subsystem, double the base RAM, LED backlight, larger hard drive, improved trackpad with multi-touch, ambient light sensor, etc.

DMMatt said:
I seriously sometimes don't understand how Apple works. Does the functionality of a backlit keyboard require that much additional space that it couldn't fit into a MacBook, or is it purely a "professional" feature?
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The 2.4GHz model of the new MB has a backlit keyboard.

...also the Apple Remote is supported you just need to purchase the remote (doesn't ship with one).
 

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I love the new notebooks.

That video of how they made them is pretty interesting.
 
Backlit keyboard on both models.

Apple has confirmed a backlit keyboard is available on both models regardless of model. If you go to the Store, and start the purchase process, you'll see a backlit keyboard is standard, regardless of which model or options you get. There's a whole subject of discussion on it in the Apple MacBook forums.

Hope this helps clear this up.
 
Alan-in-NC said:
Apple has confirmed a backlit keyboard is available on both models regardless of model. If you go to the Store, and start the purchase process, you'll see a backlit keyboard is standard, regardless of which model or options you get.

Hope this helps clear this up.
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so what the hell was steve talking about?
 
ditto

iconsumer said:
That's not what the apple store check out is telling me. :confused:
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apple is gonna be the ones ending up "ponying" up the upgrade or some custom laptops because i pay for what i see, and on their site i will have ordered a


1299 "ILLUMINATED KEYBOARD" macbook so thats what ill get when i do.



im just saying,


its REDICULOUS they dont have that feature for both models so its the least i can do as far as justice goes.


I HOPE whoever says that steve made a boo-boo is right and that both macbook models do come with illuminated keyboardsssss
 
Alan-in-NC said:
Apple has confirmed a backlit keyboard is available on both models regardless of model. If you go to the Store, and start the purchase process, you'll see a backlit keyboard is standard, regardless of which model or options you get.
Click to expand...
Actually Apple (Steve) stated it is only available in the higher end model of the MB in todays presentation. Additionally both the main and store technical specification sections for the MB list the following... so I think it is a glitch in the store listing the illuminated keyboard when it shouldn't be. Of course the MBP always has it.

2.0GHz MacBook
Built-in full-size keyboard with 78 (U.S.) or 79 (ISO) keys, including 12 function keys and 4 arrow keys (inverted “T” arrangement)

2.4GHz MacBook
Built-in full-size illuminated keyboard with 78 (U.S.) or 79 (ISO) keys, including 12 function keys and 4 arrow keys (inverted “T” arrangement)

...

Full-size keyboard (illuminated keyboard standard on $1,599.00 model)
 
Remote Control?

Thanks Months! Appreciate that and do see it in the options. Always thought they just threw it in...

That would suggest all is still in order for the remote though I don't see an IR interface in the specs... anyone try to pare a remote to it and give it a whirl?

Thanks!
 
I was hyped up about the new macbook, even though I wasn't too impressed on the silver & black look as I prefer mono color look on the old macbook.

However, after seeing that the price of a macbook increased (IN canada it is $1700!!) and considering that the countires around the world are in recession I will not be getting a new macbook as the only improvement i see that will have some usefullness is the new video card.

I don't see a reason why Apple has increased the price, CPU and other components are old and the price has droped for them, so the new video card and DDR3 RAM don't justify the huge price jump. Also DDR3 ram is expensive and doesn't bring any real life noticable speed.

I am willing to bet that Apple stocks will plung due to this as now Macbook is considered a luxury due to its high price, and luxury items are not in high demand during recession.
 
Back Light

I don't think you're right about there not being a backlight on the 1299 one...

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valdore said:
I'm holding on to the hope that they release at least an anti-glare screen along the lines of the 17 inch MacBook Pro for the fifteen inchers... glossy is a no-go as far as I'm concerned if I'm going to be doing photography editing.
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photo editing on a six bit display? Valdore, I expected more of you ;)
 
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