Macbook Released

[Dr_Maybe]

The black color $200 extra is not expensive, compared to getting it from colorwarepc.

It is more expensive for Apple to sell different colors. Of course they plan to make money on the black color. But it is no loss to those buying the white ones.

So if you don't want to pay extra, get the white one. It's the same with cars. Some paint jobs are extra.

 

[4np]

...nice but where is that new iPod?

 

[flaire]

Local price drops

There's no price drops, just upgrades.

I guess the exhange rate has been adjusted (for Canadian buyers) - $ 100 CAD price drop on the low-end MacBook Pro.

 

[Ryan T.]

X1600 ...

backlight keyboard
bigger, higher res screen
availability of 7200RPM disk
full DVI, no adapter needed
nicer case

now whether this is all worth ~$500 to you is unknown.

 

[steve_hill4]

I hope the family is not really complete. No 13" mac book pro? I know some people who will be very disappointed. The graphics capabilities of the macbook are just a little weak for many professionals...

I think that they will initially claim the Black 13" model is the replacement. However, 2x256MB, Intel graphics and poly casing isn't an exact replacement. They may bring out another model, or even a sub-notebook and say new addition to the family. You know what Apple are like.

One thing does confuse me with the UK store though:
Low White: £749
High White: £899
Black: £1029

Whereas on apple.com/uk/macbook:
Low White: £799
High White: £929
Black: £1099

 

[Eluon]

the $2,500 macbook pro was upgraded to 2.16ghz standard from the 2.0.

 

[knicks20]

Anyone think it'll be available at the retail stores today?

 

[odedia]

Asus

I Have to add this point: The Macbooks are built by Asus (or so it is rumored). I've had the pleasure of using ASUS products for almost 7 years now. They are a truly remarkable company, with excellent RELIABLE products.

In that respect, I believe that the Macbook will have less problems that the Macbook Pro itself, which is amazing. Asus knows how to build computers!

Oded S.

 

[Scartissue]

Right, doesn't look like I can count on getting the price I was hoping for for my iBook 12" 1.25... I'm still going for a Macbook Pro. These things look sweet, but the features I want are available on the Macbook, and then some, and a part of me wants to go the way of the glutton and get a 17" screen to play with.

 

[Harryc]

It will be interesting to see how the Macbooks with a plastic case handle the furnace heat that eminates out of a 2.0Ghz core duo. The Pro's have Aluminum cases to disipate heat and are hot as it is. More to come I'm sure...larger and potentially noisy fans maybe?

 

[jaxstate]

Just saw this, but wth is a glossy screen?

 

[emotion]

I rely heavily on my Vodafone Mobile Connect Card so that rules out all Apple laptops for me

Its a PCMCIA card, and I dont beleive they have plans to make them any different soon as most laptops still have PCMCIA slots

PCMCIA slots are all being phased out in favour of the new expresscard standard as seen on the MBP.

 

[Peace]

am I missing something, or is there nothing drastic that seperates the macbook from the macbook pro?

you are correct..
The laptop line is now the "MacBook Family"

 

[Warbrain]

This computer is a bit of a let-down. But not totally.

I don't really see the point of having a glossy display. Sure, it might mean that you don't puncture the LCD, but it means that you'll constantly see your reflection and then see all the smudges and everything on the screen. Blech.

I don't like the fact that it has Integrated Graphics. I don't know if they did this because of size or weight (can't be for weight, it gained!) but it's not a good move. If it's meant to replace the 12-inch Powerbook, it didn't. It's heavier and has limited graphics.

And to pay a premium for a black MacBook? It's not worth it. The white is just fine.

And speaking of working fine, my iBook will serve me well for the next 5 years. I have no reason to move to a MacBook. There's really nothing that could entice me.

And the fact that none of these computers have modems anymore really irks me. I don't want to pay extra for something that I pretty much use every day because of how my family doesn't have the money for high-speed and doesn't understand how much it would really cost to get DSL. But whatever.

 

[gekko513]

backlight keyboard
bigger, higher res screen
availability of 7200RPM disk
full DVI, no adapter needed
nicer case

now whether this is all worth ~$500 to you is unknown.

Express Card slot.

 

[emotion]

Just saw this, but wth is a glossy screen?

Like the Sony laptops. Most PC laptops sport them now. Not sure I dig them really.

 

[Platform]

X1600 ...

Yes and more

Just Pro vs Consumers...

X1600 (support for the 30"), Option of 7200rpm HDD's, bigger screens, Express card slot, backlit KB and the 17" has got FW 800

 

[Multimedia]

Black Keys Will Be More Visible In Low Light

Watch out before blind-buying. The new iBooks have a different keyboard technology. I'd try before buying....

Also note that Black Keys Will Be More Visible In Low Light due to WHITE characters on black. White model black characters will not be visible at all in low light. Tricky since this model will never have backlights. An additional reason for wanting a BLACK one.

 

[jaxstate]

Wow, the Macbook Pro's got a speed bump! Man o man what a tough decision.

 

[phatspider]

PCMCIA slots are all being phased out in favour of the new expresscard standard as seen on the MBP.

Any idea when?

I work for Vodafone - and as far as I know there are no short term plans for their Mobile Connect Card to be anything but PCMCIA

 

[thejadedmonkey]

I just don't know...

this time last week I was all giddy for one, but now that I see it...I just don't know. I guess I'll just keep this XP laptop for now, until it breaks or something...

 

[mark88]

I don't quite understand....

What can professionals do on a 12" powerbook that they can't do on a 13.3" Macbook?

I have a 12" and the 1024x768 res sucks balls, the screen is garbage compared to my ACD. It's slow as a snail too.

The only thing I would say is that the casing is bullet proof. It is, I agree dissapointing that the macbook casing won't be up to the same standard.

 

[Ryan T.]

Like the Sony laptops. Most PC laptops sport them now. Not sure I dig them really.

<3 Thinkpads

I really dislike the glossy screens.

 

[ImAlwaysRight]

Have to say, I'm dissapointed. I was waiting for a PowerBook 12" replacement, but these macbooks dont seem to (quite) fit the bill... Especially the integrated graphics and plastic case (no Aluminium?! liked that)

You've got to be kidding me. I wanted dedicated graphics, too, but integrated means longer battery life and less heat. Plus the X1600 in the MBP is down clocked anyway, I imagine just because of the heat. Put 2GB memory in the MacBook and integrated graphics really isn't that big of a deal, especially when you can get a 2.0GHz processor instead of a 1.66 that most folks thought.

Look at all the other features this retained of the PB line - screen spanning, DVI out, operate with book closed, digital audio capabilities -- IMHO this is a great step up from the iBook AND much better than the previous 1.5GHz PowerBook 12".

Case may be important to some. But have you ever used an iBook? I have, and actually thought it to be quite a nice little machine, white color and all. I'm pretty stoked over these new MacBooks.

OK, time to get some work done until I leave to go buy my new MacBook!!!

 

[emotion]

Any idea when?

I work for Vodafone - and as far as I know there are no short term plans for their Mobile Connect Card to be anything but PCMCIA

I know no further details. I know it's not just apple that have moved to the new slot standard though. I'm fairly sure I've seen a Dell equipped this way too.