New Apple MacBook review roundup

(Credit: CNET)

Editor's Note: We've updated this post to include the fall 2009 version of Apple's white MacBook.

What better way to choose a new MacBook than to round up our reviews of all the latest models in one handy place? We took a look at the latest 13-inch white polycarbonate version--the last laptop to still carry the standalone "MacBook" name, the aluminum unibody 13-inch, now part of the MacBook Pro family, and the 15-inch MacBook Pro. There were not radical changes in 2009's summer and fall round of updates, but the small tweaks all added up to a decently improved product.

We were especially excited about the SD card slots on the Pro models, a feature we've wanted for a long time, and the new batteries, while non-removable, offered a boost in battery life. In a nod to today's especially price-sensitive consumer (and the growth of low-cost Netbooks), most Pro models are $100-$200 less than their predecessors. The latest version of the $999 non-Pro Macbook now has the same large multitouch touchpad as the other models, an LED display, and a similar unibody design.

Apple MacBook
For $999, it's hard to beat this MacBook's nearly MacBook-Pro-level specs if you're in the market for a budget Apple laptop.
Read the full review of the Apple MacBook.

Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch
Previously known as the MacBook, Apple's basic 13-inch aluminum unibody laptop has been promoted to the "Pro" series, all while adding features and cutting the base price.
Read the full review of the Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch.

Apple MacBook Pro 15-inch
Apple's 15-inch MacBook Pro makes only minor tweaks to the previous version, but cutting prices and swapping the ExpressCard slot for an SD card slot are enough to make it a solid improvement over its predecessor.
Read the full review of the Apple MacBook Pro 15-inch.

[tipoo_]

So close to buying one...But having to pay over 2000 dollars for a laptop just to get the additional graphics power of the Geforce 9600 is unacceptable to me.

[seven7dust]

yes but which other laptop gives you this much power and upto 8 hrs of battery life
thats more than 2 times wat comaprable Pc laptops offer
plus it's thinner and more portable too
the only bummer is the lack of a Express card slot

[jcmark42]

We just picked up a 13" 2.53 GHz MBP. This is our first Apple laptop and so far it's really a nice addition to our 20" iMac. It looks great, much lighter then our 15" ThinkPad and runs great. We were hooked on Apple once we started using the iMac. I don't think PC's are bad, I just prefer Macs.

[LinuxRules]

I like apple better than W$, at this point I will never buy M$, but I do not like apple hardware. I bought the 1gh G4 imac and really there is 'nothing' really wrong with it ... except it is going to die a premature death. Not from hardware failure, but from inablity to upgrade. As soon as I bought it, it was already behind the times, only USB 1.1 not USB 2 as all other computers at the time being sold. Apple failed to mention that when I bought it. Then it was the bluetooth 'card', it did have an apple made plug-in bt card but because it was a proprietary card, apple failed to build a replacement bt card for it so I am stuck with bluetooth 1.0 and nothing wants to connect with it. Oh, I have new thumb-drive bluetooth but no drivers.

The computer maybe 'slow' compare todays computers, but the only reason now is the inadequate built-in video chip that is not replaceable. I thought I paid $2000 for top of the line hardware, I was wrong, the video chip was near the bottom of what was available. If I could have changed out that, my computer would have been adequate for several more years. I hate to say it, but I may be done with apple. I rather do Open Source and do it Linux Style.

[seven7dust]

I somewat feel the same about Apple desktops like the iMac
but when it comes to Laptops they are second to none !
whether it's the build quality, the portability or battery life
macbooks always come out on top

[kooglegm]

you should of done some research before buying it?

[atomicbomb156]

If they weren't so freaking' expensive. There is no way I will spend a $1000 for a laptop that has comparable specs to my own. The OS and the design hardly make up for the price difference. $400 gap between mine and the latest Macbook.

[typicalgamer]

just buy this and then buy a ps3/360:http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4545456&csid=_21

[pqnguyen]

And yet people spend significantly more money cars by Audi, Mercedez, and Infiniti that have "comparable specs" to a Ford. I wonder why?

[xm8]

"And yet people spend significantly more money cars by Audi, Mercedez, and Infiniti that have "comparable specs" to a Ford. I wonder why?"

hahah that by far is the best quote ever. come 2 think of it the new shelby GT500 by ford can output like 500+hp and if u spend like around $51,325, while the Audi R8 goes for $114,200 and only has around 425HP. Why would u wanna do that? buy an audi, its because of the name, the luxury, and excellent care without having to be reminded how crap the Customer service and longevity of the car is.

[HydraliskX]

You can't possibly compare macbooks to luxury cars. Cars last MUCH longer and don't become 'outdated' as easily in terms of hardware.

Luxury Computer brands that come to mind are Alienware, Falcon Northwest, VodooPC, etc. NOT Apple. In which case, those aforementioned retailers actually sell CHEAPER laptops with FAR superior hardware.

[sniperth]

http://cheap-discounts.blogspot.com/2009/08/cheap-laptops-search-tips.html

[jscott418]

Its all in how you want to spend your money I guess. I always wonder why things like hard drive size and memory are always lacking in the lower end MacBook's? I mean even a PC laptop at $500 has a 300 plus GB hard drive. What's with 120GB? RAM is lacking too. I just saw I Asus with 4GB ram 500GB hard drive for under $800. You would think Apple could do better. So the real cost of a Apple could be more if you decide to upgrade those things.

[damnyou83]

Im thinking about getting rid of my laptop and getting the macbook pro. is a Mac better than a laptop?

[wlxfeedpartner2]

Nice review...Its really helpful... Thanks !!!!

[porkneck1]

I just purchased a 17" Macbook pro and have to say it's the best computer in my opinion. Granted they are pricey, but the quality,OS system, and no need to download countless patches,bug fixes etc etc is well worth it to me. If you do have the $$ ro spend you won't regret it.

[gorfmasta]

Now... mac laptops, sleek, portable, over expensive. i don't have anything against macs, when it comes to computer build, they are excellent, all their internals are (usually) up to par and the design and structure of the case are great, but honestly, people shouldn't be allowed to post reviews of mac products for one main reason. Mac Cultists. the people who will find ANY reason to assault windows and linux. The people who prophesize the "Coming of Mac" when every Personal Computer will be a mac ( yes, a mac is a PC). unfortunately, people have to take off their mac-colored glasses and realize not everyone wants to pay the mac tax, not everyone wants to spend $1000 on a computer of equal power, performance and value to its $600 "PC" counterpart. People buy expensive cars like Audi's and Ferrari's because they have money and cant find a way of pending it on anything else... i will conclude this by saying, i would LOVE to have a macbook pro, or even a macbook as long as i didn't have to pay.

[cziggy76]

Over expensive. i suppose, if you are only looking at the bare bones of a system. Don't forget about all of the extra;s such as virus and mall ware. It's quite interesting if you go to a site such as Dell & try & create the same computer, I have found that the price difference is very minimal. Next is how the system runs. I use a Mac at home a PC at the office, both laptops. I use my work laptop roughly double the time I use my Mac (for obvious reasons) & have found that my system freezes or has various issues at least once every two days. i work for a very large company when has a good tech team. When it comes to my Mac, well.....maybe once every two months...maybe. Mac's are simple, insert the disk & the the program is pretty much working. When it comes to a PC, insert the disk, spin on my head three times, drive to the store, take a shower & then call the tech support cause it didn't work the second time. When it comes to my glasses, well I don't need any. I have only ever met one person that switched from PC to Mac and switched back. But when you give change only 1 week, thats bound to happen (she even admitted it). Sorry for the rant, but after being a Mac user for just over a year its frustrating to hear PC "people" (nice commercials by the way....weak) bash something they have never given a chance. If you still question whihc way to go, simply take a look at the share prices over the past few year.

Cheers

[cziggy76]

PS
"Mac Cultists. the people who will find ANY reason to assault windows..."

Then why does Microsoft make it so easy to do so. One word. "Vista"

cheers

[tkessler]

...your reflection adds a nice touch to the image of those laptops. :D