Apple unveils Intel-based MacBook notebooks

[AppleInsider]

Apple Computer on Tuesday unveiled its newly designed MacBook consumer notebook, which features Intel Core Duo processors and a new 13-inch glossy widescreen display, all in a sleek design that the company says is up to five times faster than the iBook and up to four times faster than the 12-inch PowerBook.

Together with the 15-and 17-inch MacBook Pros, the new MacBook completes Apple's Intel-based portables lineup and replaces both the iBook and the 12-inch PowerBook. Apple's entire portables lineup now offers Intel Core Duo processors; a built-in iSight video camera for video conferencing on-the-go; breakthrough Front Row media experience with Apple Remote; and several advanced features including DVI with dual display support, optical digital audio input and output, Gigabit Ethernet, Sudden Motion Sensor, Scrolling TrackPad and MagSafe Power Adapter.

"Apple began the transition to Intel Core Duo-based notebooks in February with the 15-inch MacBook Pro, and now just 90 days later we have completed the transition with the release of the all new MacBook," said Philip Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. "The complete MacBook lineup leads the industry with Apple's trademark innovative design and advanced mobile features -- from top to bottom it is the best notebook line that we have ever offered."

With prices starting at just $1,099, the MacBook lineup includes three models: a 1.83 GHz and 2.0 GHz MacBook in a newly designed, sleek white enclosure and a 2.0 GHz MacBook in a new black enclosure.

The new MacBook offers performance up to five times faster than the iBook and up to four times faster than the 12-inch PowerBook with a completely new system architecture including a 667 MHz front-side bus and 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM memory expandable to 2GB.



At about one-inch thin, the new MacBook is 20 percent thinner than the iBook and features a new 13-inch glossy widescreen display that is 79 percent brighter than the iBook and the 12-inch PowerBook. It provides incredibly crisp images with richer colors, deeper blacks and significantly greater contrast. At a resolution of 1280 x 800, the MacBook display also provides 30 percent more viewing area than the iBook and the 12-inch PowerBook.

Every new MacBook comes with a built-in iSight video camera for video conferencing on-the-go using Apple's iChat AV software, or recording a video Podcast or iMovie using iLife '06. MacBook also includes Photo Booth, Apple's fun-to-use application that lets users take quick snapshots with the built-in iSight video camera, add entertaining visual effects and share their pictures with the touch of a button.

Additionally, new MacBook gives customers a simple way to enjoy their digital lifestyle content wherever they go -- including music, photos and videos from across the room using the Apple Remote. With Front Row, users can effortlessly access shared iTunes playlists, iPhoto libraries and video throughout their home via Bonjour, Apple's zero configuration wireless networking built into Mac OS X.

Designed to withstand the rigors of life on the go, every MacBook comes with Apple's MagSafe Power Adapter, created especially for mobile users that makes charging the notebook's battery easier than ever by magnetically coupling the power cord to the MacBook. The MagSafe Power Adapter safely disconnects from the notebook when there is strain on the power cord, helping to prevent the notebook from falling off its work surface. Every MacBook also includes Apple's Sudden Motion Sensor that is designed to protect the hard drive in case of a fall, and all MacBooks include a Scrolling TrackPad to easily scroll through long web pages or pan across large photographs.



With the latest high-performance connectivity options, every new MacBook includes built-in 10/100/1000 BASE-T Gigabit Ethernet for high-speed networking, built-in AirPort Extreme 802.11g WiFi for up to 54 Mbps fast wireless networking, built-in Bluetooth 2.0+EDR (Enhanced Data Rate), two USB 2.0 ports, combination analog and optical digital audio input and output ports, and a mini-DVI video output to connect up to a 23-inch Apple Cinema HD Display.

Every MacBook includes iLife '06, the next generation of Apple's suite of digital lifestyle applications featuring iPhoto, iMovie HD, iDVD, GarageBand and iWeb, a new iLife application that makes it super-easy to create amazing websites with photos, blogs and Podcasts and publish them on .Mac for viewing by anyone on the Internet with just a single click. All the iLife '06 applications run natively on the new Intel-based MacBooks for maximum performance.

Every MacBook also comes with the latest release of the world's most advanced operating system, Mac OS X version 10.4.6 "Tiger" including Safari, Mail, iCal, iChat AV, Front Row and Photo Booth, running natively on Apple's Intel-based notebook line. Mac OS X Tiger includes software translation technology called Rosetta that lets customers run most Mac OS X PowerPC applications seamlessly. Intel-based Mac customers have more than 1,700 Universal applications to choose from and the list is growing each day with hundreds of developers including Adobe, Quark and IBM's Lotus division announcing support for Mac OS X Intel-based applications. An updated list of Universal applications for Mac OS X is available on Apple's Web site.



Pricing & Availability

The new MacBook is available immediately through the Apple Store, Apple's retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers. Apple today also increased processor speeds on both models of the 15-inch MacBook Pro, delivering even greater performance at no additional cost. The $2,499 model now includes a 2.16 GHz Intel Core Duo processor, up from 2.0 GHz, and the $1,999 model now includes a 2.0 GHz Intel Core Duo processor, up from 1.83 GHz.

Beginning today, the MacBook Pro also offers the new glossy widescreen display as a CTO option on both the 15-and 17-inch models at no additional cost.

The 1.83 GHz, 13-inch white MacBook, for a suggested retail price of $1,099 (US), includes:

13.3-inch glossy widescreen 1280 x 800 display with 250 cd/m2 brightness1.83 GHz Intel Core Duo processor667 MHz front-side bus512MB of 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM, expandable to 2GB60GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 5400 rpm, with Sudden Motion Sensora slot-load Combo (DVD-ROM/CD-RW) optical driveIntel Graphics Media Accelerator 950Mini-DVI out (adapters for DVI, VGA and Composite/S-Video sold separately)built-in iSight video cameraGigabit Ethernet portbuilt-in AirPort Extreme wireless networking and Bluetooth 2.0+EDRtwo USB 2.0 ports and one FireWire® 400 portone audio line in and one audio line out port, each supporting both optical digital and analogScrolling TrackPadthe infrared Apple Remote and
60 Watt MagSafe Power Adapter.

The 2.0 GHz, 13-inch white MacBook, for a suggested retail price of $1,299 (US), includes:

13.3-inch glossy widescreen 1280 x 800 display with 250 cd/m2 brightness2.0 GHz Intel Core Duo processor667 MHz front-side bus512MB of 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM, expandable to 2GB60GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 5400 rpm, with Sudden Motion Sensora slot-load SuperDrive(TM) (DVD±RW/CD-RW) optical driveIntel Graphics Media Accelerator 950Mini-DVI out (adapters for DVI, VGA and Composite/S-Video sold separately)built-in iSight video cameraGigabit Ethernet portbuilt-in AirPort Extreme wireless networking and Bluetooth 2.0+EDRtwo USB 2.0 ports and one FireWire 400 portone audio line in and one audio line out port, each supporting both optical digital and analogScrolling TrackPadthe infrared Apple Remote and
60 Watt MagSafe Power Adapter.

The 2.0 GHz, 13-inch black MacBook, for a suggested retail price of $1,499 (US), includes:

13.3-inch glossy widescreen 1280 x 800 display with 250 cd/m2 brightness2.0GHz Intel Core Duo processor667 MHz front-side bus512MB of 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM, expandable to 2GB80GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 5400 rpm, with Sudden Motion Sensora slot-load SuperDrive (DVD±RW/CD-RW) optical driveIntel Graphics Media Accelerator 950Mini-DVI out (adapters for DVI, VGA and Composite/S-Video sold separately)built-in iSight video cameraGigabit Ethernet portbuilt-in AirPort Extreme wireless networking and Bluetooth 2.0+EDRtwo USB 2.0 ports and one FireWire 400 portone audio line in and one audio line out port, each supporting both optical digital and analogScrolling TrackPadthe infrared Apple Remote and
60 Watt MagSafe Power Adapter.

Additional build-to-order options for the MacBook include the ability to upgrade to 80GB, 100GB or 120GB 5400 rpm hard drive, up to 2GB DDR2 SDRAM, Apple USB Modem, Apple Mini-DVI to DVI adapter, Apple Mini-DVI to VGA adapter, and the AppleCare Protection Plan.

[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]

[backtomac]

Looks excellent. Waiting for Merom is getting harder every day. With the black model hopes for a 12 in MBP are fading fast. Why no 1.6ghz model for 999? That's my only gripe.

[othello]

is the video out just mirroring or will it do extended desktop like the MBP?

[BrunoBruin]

Originally posted by othello
is the video out just mirroring or will it do extended desktop like the MBP?

Extended desktop and mini-DVI. Tech specs.

[Relic]

Originally posted by othello
is the video out just mirroring or will it do extended desktop like the MBP?

It's just mirroring. Intel graphics, oh yay!

[kim kap sol]

Looks like Apple is planning to rake in the cash with the black MacBook for...$200 MORE!!! (ok...so it's got 20 extra gigs of storage space...that's not worth 200 more. )

[fuyutsuki]

YAY MACBOOK!

Originally posted by othello
is the video out just mirroring or will it do extended desktop like the MBP?

It's uncrippled now, which is excellent news ... *almost* enough to make me not want to sigh about the GMA950 graphics.

Actually all considered it looks a superb little machine and I'm itching to see one face to face to play with that magnetic screen latch we all heard so much about, not to mention try out its keyboard in comparison to the old model.

A MacBook with PowerBook quality keys would be enough to sway me at last. My 867MHz PBG4 12" has endured well.

[WebFlits]

Originally posted by othello
is the video out just mirroring or will it do extended desktop like the MBP?

http://www.apple.com/macbook/specs.html

Extended desktop and video mirroring: Simultaneously supports full native resolution on the built-in display and up to 1920 x 1200 pixels on an external display, both at millions of colors

[BrunoBruin]

Originally posted by AppleInsider
The new MacBook offers performance up to five times faster than the iBook and up to four times faster than the 12-inch PowerBook...

I'd say that was the official death-knell for the 12-inch "pro" model. The MacBook is being positioned as a replacement for the iBook and 12-inch PowerBook.

[BenRoethig]

I'm happy. It solidifies the Macbook as an affoardable premium laptop. Upgrading the the CPU on the 15" books twice, you'd never see that still using the PPC.

[fuyutsuki]

Here's a couple of thoughts:

1. Glossy display? Apple decided to go in for those? I didn't expect it actually, as in my experience a glossy one certainly NEEDS the extra brightness in daylight sitations because of the extra glare. The resolution is good though, I want to see this close up.

2. Black premium. I can see this being the story coming out of the MacBook's launch. I wasn't around for the old multicoloured iMac and iBook days, so is this a new move? As in were colours used to differentiate new models from eachother (and therefore price) or were they used to make new stand out from old?

[scavanger]

I'm glad to see they gimped the graphics card on the high end, so unless you want a 15 inch which I don't there is no way to get non intergrated graphics. Thanks Apple you've wasted my time.

[Relic]

Originally posted by BrunoBruin
I'd say that was the official death-knell for the 12-inch "pro" model. The MacBook is being positioned as a replacement for the iBook and 12-inch PowerBook.

I'm really upset about the 12-inch, I hate that scratch prone case on the MacBook. Give me a Alu please, 12-inch or smaller.

[umijin]

WTF - 5.2 pounds??! What are they thinking?!

This is a pound heavier than the G4 12" PowerBook. I thought the whole idea behind switching to Intel was to conserve size and power.

This is a major disappointment, and won't sell so well here in Japan where people predominantly use public transportation and actually have to CARRY their laptops.

[Baron von Smiley]

2. Black premium. I can see this being the story coming out of the MacBook's launch. I wasn't around for the old multicoloured iMac and iBook days, so is this a new move? As in were colours used to differentiate new models from eachother (and therefore price) or were they used to make new stand out from old? [/B][/QUOTE]

I remember back in the days of the five fruit iMacs, you had to shell out extra cash to get the only non-gay one which was in graphite. It was their DV or Special Edition iMac. More powerful, more money, but what you were really paying for was the color. With the macbook, what are you getting for the xtra $200? 20 gigs of harddrive and black. The harddrive is a $50 feature, so that's $150 premium just for the color. What a rip off. Wait six months and they'll all probably sold in black.

[iPickle06]

uh...i wanna switch to Mac so bad now

[Vox Barbara]

Originally posted by fuyutsuki
...
It's uncrippled now, which is excellent news ... *almost* enough to make me not want to sigh about the GMA950 graphics.
...

Well, there is no need to whine about the integrated graphics
anymore. Really, i saw the new mini in action and guess what,
the graphics are pretty fast, faster than former graphic chip
on par at least. Though, i didn't try 3D gaming.
But if you are in 3D gaming, than you shouldn't consider
Macs anyway.

Btw, congrats apple, beautyful job indeed.

[aegisdesign]

The keyboard is kind of retro funky. The black model with the new keyboard reminds me of my old Cambridge Z88.



I'll be buying a white model though. Black is soo 80s.

[solsun]

To Melgross and aplnub:

I hate to say 'I told you so," but, I told you so! I WAS RIGHT, the MacBook starts at $1099.

[Vox Barbara]

Originally posted by iPickle06
uh...i wanna switch to Mac so bad now

Why don't you so?

[lundy]

I just checked all of the iBooks ever made with MacTracker and I do not see any where there was more than one graphics system within a single product release. So there is no precedent for a "high end graphics" MacBook.

The MacBook is the consumer notebook - it's going to have consumer graphics and a consumer price.

Originally posted by scavanger
I'm glad to see they gimped the graphics card on the high end, so unless you want a 15 inch which I don't there is no way to get non intergrated graphics. Thanks Apple you've wasted my time.

[hwaechter]

i just sold my G3 "Lombard" powerbook on ebay. I have to say that i still believe the black powerbook g3 is one of the most beautiful computers Apple ever sold, even after 7 years since its release. I was never too happy with the aluminium look of the more recent powerbooks and was a bit disappointed when the macbooks pro were released, only to find out that they were essentially the same design - i know it's thinner and completely re-rengineered and all, but hey, it looks the same! in the 90's, most consumer products were black (tv's, walkmans, phones, home stereos, etc.) and then after 2000, silver took over. Silver makes everything look cheaper, black makes everything look classy, especially on plastic, in my humble opinion anyway. Of course you can argue about taste, but as a graphic designer i ponder about these things a lot =)

So it is with grea delight that i see Apple bringing out a sexy black machine and i can go from one black apple notebook to another. So when they put a merom processor into a black macbook, add a decent graphics card and load Leopard onto it, then i will be one of the first ones in line to get one. Maybe another 6 months? The wait is almost over

Nice one, Apple!!!

[Splinemodel]

Originally posted by scavanger
I'm glad to see they gimped the graphics card on the high end, so unless you want a 15 inch which I don't there is no way to get non intergrated graphics. Thanks Apple you've wasted my time.

It's $1099.

Let me repeat that: it's $1099.

Yeah, it has its let downs, and I'm not sure why anyone would buy anything but the 1099 model, but for $300 more than a Mac Mini you get more CPU, a screen, a keyboard, and a battery. And it's not much bigger. It's yet another trojan horse, especially for people who might spend $400 on an iPod. I expect it to sell fantastically well.

[Towel]

So we got the price points right (1099/1299/1499) but Apple tricked us by splurging on the CPU and saving elsewhere. No Superdrive on the 1099 model, and integrated graphics throughout. But still... 2.0 GHz Core Duo widescreen laptop for $1299.

[plasmo]

Originally posted by backtomac
Looks excellent. Waiting for Merom is getting harder every day. With the black model hopes for a 12 in MBP are fading fast. Why no 1.6ghz model for 999? That's my only gripe.

Waiting for Merom/Core 2 Duo is getting harder everyday.
So when do you people think Merom/Core 2 Duo will become available in a Macbook?

[Vox Barbara]

Originally posted by BrunoBruin
I'd say that was the official death-knell for the 12-inch "pro" model. The MacBook is being positioned as a replacement for the iBook and 12-inch PowerBook.

Well, as a proud 12" owner ( ) i reckon that
apple just leaves a huge gap.
Right now i start feeling sorry for all people
who can not get their hands on a 12" piece
anymore. 12" rocks, it is good for girls too.

[scavanger]

Spline did you see where I said on the high end? I was talking about the 1499 model.

Lundy, you would have a point but the Press Release specifically states this is also replacing the 12 inch Powerbook, and becuase of this I would expect the high end Macbook to have better features then a standard consumer notebook.

[gruth]

Who is Apple marketing the black model to? Gee, I can spend an extra $200 for 20 GB more of storage, and uhh, black? Why on earth would anyone pay this much more for something that's worth maybe $50 more?

[DaveGee]

Originally posted by Vox Barbara
Well, as a proud 12" owner

Vox B, since you're the type who feels the need to hit [return] at the end of every line (instead of at the end of a paragraph) there was really no need to tell us that you had a 12" display....

Normal posts....

blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah.

A 12" Vox B post....

blah blah blah
blah blah blah
blah blah blah
blah blah blah
blah blah blah
blah blah blah
blah blah blah
blah blah blah
blah blah blah



Don't feel bad V... It's just that I have a 30" at work and a 20" at home and your posts REALLY stick out since each line of text only travels a few inches on my screen (followed by a TON of empty space) before it goes to a new line.

Dave

[gloss]

Originally posted by gruth
Who is Apple marketing the black model to? Gee, I can spend an extra $200 for 20 GB more of storage, and uhh, black? Why on earth would anyone pay this much more for something that's worth maybe $50 more?

Because we're image whores.

[Outsider]

The base MBP is 2.0GHz now and the highend is 2.16 standard. So price drops for them as well.

[Ireland]

Cool rip-off Ireland!!

Prices start at:

America = $1,099
Ireland = €1,119

€1,119 = $1435.23

I'm so happy

[backtomac]

Originally posted by plasmo
Waiting for Merom/Core 2 Duo is getting harder everyday.
So when do you people think Merom/Core 2 Duo will become available in a Macbook?

August. I bet Apple will be the first(or among the first) to hit the market witha Merom laptop. By then the prices for their Yonah MBPs will start looking pretty pricy and will be in need of a refresh in order to justify the price.

[BRussell]

Originally posted by Baron von Smiley
With the macbook, what are you getting for the xtra $200? 20 gigs of harddrive and black. The harddrive is a $50 feature, so that's $150 premium just for the color. What a rip off. Wait six months and they'll all probably sold in black.

That is odd isn't it. When I first noticed that, I assumed there was more of a difference - faster processor or something. But no, black has just got a slightly larger hard drive, that you can BTO configure for $50 anyway. Amazing. Why not charge $50 more for the black iPod?

[vinney57]

The Black one is going to fly off the shelves. Why pay $200 more? 'Cos its BLACK! Being one of the kool kids? .... priceless.

[backtomac]

Originally posted by hwaechter
[B]
So when they put a merom processor into a black macbook, add a decent graphics card and load Leopard onto it, then i will be one of the first ones in line to get one. Maybe another 6 months? The wait is almost over
[B]

You may be waiting a while. I don't see ddicated graphics in a Macbook anytime soon. Pro=dedicated graphics, consumer=Intel Integrated graphics. I think this is now an established pattern.

[solsun]

Originally posted by Splinemodel
Yeah, it has its let downs, and I'm not sure why anyone would buy anything but the 1099 model,

Some people need a Superdrive DVD burner.

[blackbird_1.0]

WOOOO!

[cactus]

you can upgrade the 2 ghz white model to an 80 gig hard drive for like $50, why does the black one cost another $150?

[aegisdesign]

Originally posted by Ireland
America = $1,099
Ireland = €1,199

€1,199 = $1537.84

It's €1169 not €1199

Euro price is including tax remember.

Hmmm. UK it's £749. Take off VAT, that's £637 or $1175 so not that far out from the US price.