4GB in macbooks ... sweet. I for one am glad they didn't change the macbook design, though I would have liked to have seen LED displays and a Superdrive in the base model. I can't imagine Apple are saving a ton of money by not including a Superdrive - DVD writers cost nothing these days. Will be interesting to see how the new 800Mhz FSB architecture and X3100 performs.
I'll be buying a BlackBook this weekend for sure.
Thanks, Apple. (Now sort out the IMac freezing issues and release the new Mac pro and I'll be very satisfied)
I can't imagine Apple are saving a ton of money by not including a Superdrive - DVD writers cost nothing these days.
I suspect that Apple places huge component orders lives off of the stockpile for a while. That's probably why the displays and optical drives don't get changed all that often. They probably saved a bunch of money in volume when they placed the order in '05 or '06.
In unusual move early Thursday morning, Apple quietly rolled out updates to its 13-inch MacBook notebook line and also began offering customers an option to custom configure new MacBook Pro orders with a 2.6GHz Core 2 Duo chip.
The updates came without a formal announcement and instead began appearing on the company's online store in the early morning hours.
The new 13-inch MacBooks now share the same Santa Rosa-based architecture as their professional cousins, the MacBook Pros, including an 800MHz frontside bus. They also sport Intel's GMA X3100 integrated graphics video chip.
At the same time, Apple also began offering customers the ability to upgrade its 15- and 17-inch MacBook Pro notebooks with a 2.6GHz Core 2 Duo chip (+$250) and 250GB Serial ATA Drive (+ $150/$225)
Pricing & Availability
The new MacBook models are now shipping and will be available through the Apple Store, Apple?s retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers.
2.0GHz 13-inch MacBook (white)
2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo1GB memory80GB hard driveIntel GMA X3100 w/ 144MB of DDR2 SDRAM Combo drive$1,099.00
2.2GHz 13-inch MacBook (white)
2.2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo1GB memory120GB hard driveIntel GMA X3100 w/ 144MB of DDR2 SDRAM Double-layer SuperDrive$1,299.00
2.2GHz 13-inch MacBook (black)
2.2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo1GB memory160GB hard driveIntel GMA X3100 w/ 144MB of DDR2 SDRAM Double-layer SuperDrive$1,499.00
It's a real shame that the base model still has only a combo drive and an 80 GB HDD. Why don't they use a slower and cheaper 1.8 GHz Core 2 and use the money saved to increase the HDD and Optical drive without sacrificing their precious margins?
is there that much difference between GMA950 and GMAx3100?
On paper, yes, dramatically so. However, the Windows drivers for the X3100 have thus far left a lot to be desired. Obviously, it remains to be seen what the OS X ones are like.
Australian Apple store is still showing the old MacBooks for sale even though the new ones are described in the main Apple Australia website. Guess if they keep quiet about the upgrade then it won't alert the suckers who will buy the outdated models clogging the retail channels...
Can't wait for tests to see how good the x3100 is compared to the gma950.
With Intel's new drivers that unlocks more of the 3D functionality, it will be much better. As much as 100% in some areas where it had to be done in the cpu...but still...
Comments
4GB in macbooks ... sweet. I for one am glad they didn't change the macbook design, though I would have liked to have seen LED displays and a Superdrive in the base model. I can't imagine Apple are saving a ton of money by not including a Superdrive - DVD writers cost nothing these days. Will be interesting to see how the new 800Mhz FSB architecture and X3100 performs.
I'll be buying a BlackBook this weekend for sure.
Thanks, Apple. (Now sort out the IMac freezing issues and release the new Mac pro and I'll be very satisfied)
I can't imagine Apple are saving a ton of money by not including a Superdrive - DVD writers cost nothing these days.
I suspect that Apple places huge component orders lives off of the stockpile for a while. That's probably why the displays and optical drives don't get changed all that often. They probably saved a bunch of money in volume when they placed the order in '05 or '06.
The updates came without a formal announcement and instead began appearing on the company's online store in the early morning hours.
The new 13-inch MacBooks now share the same Santa Rosa-based architecture as their professional cousins, the MacBook Pros, including an 800MHz frontside bus. They also sport Intel's GMA X3100 integrated graphics video chip.
At the same time, Apple also began offering customers the ability to upgrade its 15- and 17-inch MacBook Pro notebooks with a 2.6GHz Core 2 Duo chip (+$250) and 250GB Serial ATA Drive (+ $150/$225)
Pricing & Availability
The new MacBook models are now shipping and will be available through the Apple Store, Apple?s retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers.
2.0GHz 13-inch MacBook (white)
2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo1GB memory80GB hard driveIntel GMA X3100 w/ 144MB of DDR2 SDRAM Combo drive$1,099.00
2.2GHz 13-inch MacBook (white)
2.2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo1GB memory120GB hard driveIntel GMA X3100 w/ 144MB of DDR2 SDRAM Double-layer SuperDrive$1,299.00
2.2GHz 13-inch MacBook (black)
2.2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo1GB memory160GB hard driveIntel GMA X3100 w/ 144MB of DDR2 SDRAM Double-layer SuperDrive$1,499.00
[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]
I'm sure that most people would choose
1.8 GHz
Double-layer DVD burner
120 GB HDD
at $1099
over
2.0 GHz
Combo drive
80 GB HDD
at $1099.
But... when is a compact and sturdy macbook coming?
I refuse to buy a plastic notebook with a glass screen... feel like it's gonna break.
But... when is a compact and sturdy macbook coming?
I refuse to buy a plastic notebook with a glass screen... feel like it's gonna break.
The MacBook is extremely sturdy - lots of internal metal plates and bracing.
All LCDs have glass in them so you're SOL on that one.
is there that much difference between GMA950 and GMAx3100?
On paper, yes, dramatically so. However, the Windows drivers for the X3100 have thus far left a lot to be desired. Obviously, it remains to be seen what the OS X ones are like.
Can't wait for tests to see how good the x3100 is compared to the gma950.
With Intel's new drivers that unlocks more of the 3D functionality, it will be much better. As much as 100% in some areas where it had to be done in the cpu...but still...
I'm sure that most people would choose
1.8 GHz
Double-layer DVD burner
120 GB HDD
at $1099
over
2.0 GHz
Combo drive
80 GB HDD
at $1099.
I agree, they should have DVD burners across the board by now even if it means sacrificing a small amount of CPU that people wouldn't even notice.
No redesign I notice like some rumor sites had pointed to.
US Store: $1099
Canadian Store: $1249
I thought the refresh would have brought about price parity on the MacBook. Guess not.
At today's (noon) nominal exhange rate of 1.0527, it should be $1044. Heh.
(Of course, the nominal rate is always a few points higher than what is offered to the consumer. So, an even price would be fair.)
Canadians screwed on price:
US Store: $1099
Canadian Store: $1249
I thought the refresh would have brought about price parity on the MacBook. Guess not.
At today's (noon) nominal exhange rate of 1.0527, it should be $1044. Heh.
(Of course, the nominal rate is always a few points higher than what is offered to the consumer. So, an even price would be fair.)
What's the sales tax situation in Canada? Is there any? Is it included in the $1249 price?