Apple updates MacBook, MacBook Pro lineups
Apple updated its MacBook and MacBook Pro lineups today with Intel's Penryn processors, while bringing multitouch trackpads to MacBook Pros.
The MacBook Pro is available with Core 2 Duo (Penryn) processors at up to 2.6GHz and up to 6MB of cache memory. Storage options have been revised to include up to a 300GB hard drive. In addition, Apple has added Nvidia's GeForce 8600M GT graphics processor with up to 512MB of video memory. The 17-inch model now gives you the option to upgrade the LCD to an LED-backlit unit for $100. That feature is still standard on the smaller 15-inch model.
The MacBook Pro will also now include the multitouch trackpad, first introduced with the MacBook Air. The trackpad lets users rotate photos and browse Web pages using gestures such as pinch, rotate, and swipe.
A MacBook Pro with a 15-inch display, 2.4GHz processor, 3MB of L2 cache, and a 200GB hard disk lists for $1,999. The 17-inch model, with a 2.5GHz Core 2 Duo chip, 6MB of L2 cache, and a 250GB hard drive is priced at $2,799, Apple said.
The MacBook misses out on the multitouch trackpad, but the prices of the three baseline models stay the same while the configurations get CPU and hard-drive bumps. The $1,299 and $1,499 models now come standard with 2GB of RAM. Previously, doubling the standard 1GB of RAM set you back an additional $150. The $1,099 MacBook includes a 2.1GHz Core 2 Duo (Penryn) processor, 1GB of memory, and a 120GB hard drive (up from 80GB). The $1,299 model gives you a 2.4GHz chip, 2GB of memory, and a 160GB drive (up from 120GB). The $1,499 black model now comes with a 250GB drive (up from 160GB).
One thing Apple did not announce Tuesday--at least not yet--is an iPhone software developer kit that it had promised for sometime in February.
CNET Reviews' Matthew Elliott contributed to this report.
Mike Ricciuti joined CNET in 1996. He is now CNET News' Boston-based executive editor and east coast bureau chief, serving as department editor for business technology and software covered by CNET News, Reviews, and Download.com. E-mail Mike. 
I've been a Windows guy since high-school, and I'm certainly interested in switching over to a Mac (at least for mobile purposes), but this "we're too Mac to use a 10-key" business is keeping me from being sold on getting a MacBook.
Come ON!
Are you by any chance referring to a separate numeric keypad? If so, then why not call it that.
2,l-3,u-4,i-5,o-6,7-7,8-8,9-9,;--,/-+) Happier? BTW that fn
feature is in most laptops out there.
I use the term numeric keypad for the device, and 10 key for the act of entering data by the numeric keypad.
MacBook Pro today. But my biggest complaint about this
machine is the placement of the keyboard, shoved all the way
back to the screen, an ergonomic horror. and no keypad.. you
have to push the function key and do a little finger dance. The
best form factor they ever produced was the plastic Pismo
machines with the rubberized and gently curved palm rests. A
genuine JOY to work on. I'll give you full points on the
argument. It's valid.. yet I still bought a new one. How dumb an
I? (Don't answer that Windows guys)
Other than being able to run Mac OS, what justifies the high price of a Mac Book Pro?
It is all in the small little details. For twenty-five years I used
nothing but IBM, HP, & Dells = never again. Randys2cents
about $350.
they both do the same things.
after using windows forever i was ready for something different.
comparable XPS for $500 less than a MBP. I did the specs and if
you get the same processor, RAM, graphics with the top Vista
with internet security and spyware protection (not needed on
Mac) the price comes out to $1962. That does not include video
and photo editing software, garageband or multi-touch (not
available on Dell).
Now you can use different specs to get a lower price on your
Dell but you can also go to the Apple Refurbished and get
yesterday's MPB (2.2Ghz processor, no multi-touch) for $1449.
But you'd better hurry. That price was cut $250 from what it was
yesterday.
So the MPB doesn't really cost more but it's WORTH more.
There's also that resale value thing, too. And chicks dig the
creative, artistic type who use Macs. And that's worth it's weight
in gold. ;-)
new computer, but you'll get a lot of your money back when it
comes time to upgrade or otherwise sell your Mac. For whatever
reason, Macs tend to hold their value whereas "generic" PCs tend
to depreciate quite badly.
Other than this, I buy Macs because I love the software and the
way that it works as I expect it to. It's hard to quantify but the
ways to interact with applications seem better thought out so
things are more intuitive; Drag 'n' Drop rules and it all makes
sense. OS X is a better mobile OS than certainly XP (not sure
about Vista since I switched long before it was released) with
intelligent handling of different network locations, for example.
And finally they're just less hassle - fewer annoying error
messages and no maintenance tasks to run (defrag, for example,
happens automatically).
At this time I wouldn't go back to Windows but if Apple
continues this trend of charging for "extras" that should have
been in the box (i.e. the remote control, in this case) then I'll
consider Linux next time. I have no issue with paying a
premium price for many years of good service from what I buy
but I object to being taken for a ride.
With DELL, you get crap with Microsoft Vista UltimateCrap. But with Apple, you get solid cool looking and cool MacBook!
Get your facts right first...
goes, you get what you pay for. For that $500 bucks, you can
run OS X, which is largely virus-free, top-notch build quality
and aesthetic design, a computer that will run both operating
systems, including Vista, and in case you missed it, Windows
runs faster on the Powerbook than on other Windows-specific
systems.
Buy what you want, and enjoy the product.
I love the Apple pro applications. I own Final Cut Studio, Logic
Studio, and Aperture. They are all fine products (though I prefer
Lightroom on the photo side). I also love the iPod.
I work faster on the Mac because I'm not hunting for the latest
driver, stopping to run virus software, it automatically backs
itself up, can preview documents without opening the big
program they were created on, I now work almost exclusively in
.pdf, because the OS does such amazing work on them.
Don't know about your Dell, I'm sure it's a fine machine, but I
like the new multi touch trackpad, built in camera, native apps
with the OS, does Dell run FireWire 800 yet? I live and die by my
Firewire 800 drives and accessories because they're so fast. It
also has built in wireless system that just WORKS.
All of those features are worth $500 bucks, in my opinion, and
its why I ordered my new MacBook Pro today. As a bonus, my
wife now inherits my old MacBook Pro, moving away from her HP
laptop, and I can now actually fix her problems!
And Dell's TOP laptop is $3999. Now you get a WHOMPIN'
STOMPIN' video card with it and a SATA drive, so is that worth it?
It's up to you. I'd rather get the MacBook Pro.
"Since this is new technology, we cannot guarantee the future compatibility of this product as technology advances"
That is basically saying "Do not expect us to support all new blu-ray advancements/profiles as and when they are available"
The PS3 seems to be the only blu-ray device capable of this. instead of paying a $250-$500 premium depending on if its a ROM or RW drive, i'd rather go the PS3 route for the value it has to offer in terms of blu-ray.
Also, look at the price tag. this is the price WITHOUT a blu-ray device. could you imagine the price of one with a blu-ray drive? until apple does not bring its prices down, mass adoption seems unlikely, even for guys with such interest in cool technology as myself.
announces a new product or an improved product, several
yahoos rush to comment about how its behind the times, or that
PC's have had these features for years, or that the iPhone isn't as
good as the Trio, or that Windows Vista has everything you
need, blah blah, blah. Meanwhile, the rest of us continue to be
impressed by the elegance, simplicity and design strength
behind most of Apple's products, and they continue to gain
share, and most professional reviewers continue to agree.
2nd, Blu-Ray is still overhyped over priced garbage designed to coerce people to replace their hardware and drive sales.
I'm not spending 500 dollars on a DVD player and 30 dollars on a DVD so it looks "more real". It looks fine the way it is.
both the Macbook and the Macbook Pro boxes. I think it's subtle,
but I think it's poor form.
they've dropped this to being an "optional extra". I can't think of
anything where subsequent models don't incorporate more
standard features without there being a good reason (e.g.
dropping dial-up modem and replacing with wireless). This is a
nasty way to try and generate some additional cash on what is
already an expensive product.
What I am glad about is that every article on the release that I
have seen that allows readers comments has highlighted this so
at least this one isn't slipping under the radar.
you would now have two remotes.
It does seem cheap that they don't include the remote any more,
but I didn't use mine for the first year that I had my mac, most
people lose them or never use them, front row really isn't to
great, you can get by without it and atleast they lowered the
price from $30. Apple always has a reason for doing things and
it usually makes since to them.
And again, if you'd bought your apple t.v., you'd have a remote.
Maybe two!
Gateway, and the other PC manufacturers have updated models
every couple weeks. They report on those when something
substantial actually shows up.
They also know all the trolls will come out from under their
bridges at the scent of a Mac news story and discredit it and
give them hits.
BTW, not calling you a troll.
In the last two months, we've covered:
Alienware and Gateway take new Intel chips:
http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9875274-7.html
Dell takes new Intel chips:
http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9875004-7.html
Another Dell laptop gets the Intel chips:
http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9873040-7.html
Toshiba gets the Intel chips:
http://ces.cnet.com/8301-13855_1-9844280-67.html
HP adopts the Intel chips:
http://ces.cnet.com/8301-13855_1-9841224-67.html
Sony and Intel:
http://ces.cnet.com/8301-13855_1-9841474-67.html
That's pretty much the entire PC industry. If you're interested in those kinds of stories, we cover them.
/P
upgrade to a 2.6 Penryn MBP... but why on earth should I when the Montevina chips are due for release in 4 months?
Anyone?
- MBP has the better processor. Dell doesn't carry the new Intel processors yet.
- MBP has more video memory. Dell only comes in with 256MB.
- MBP has the LED screen. Dell doesn't.
- MBP has the new touch pad. Dell doesn't.
- MBP has the lights on the keyboard. Dell doesn't.
If all other things equal, the question becomes: Are the above differences worth extra $1100?
Firewire 800 & 400, _and_ USB2 on Dell?
iLife media suite?
iSight camera with Photo Booth, iChat (OS X)?
Mag safe power connector?
Same screen resolution, brightness, contrast and handling via
OS?
Same keyboard feel?
Same weight, size and esthetic?
Same battery life?
Can the DELL run a Mac OS - like Macs can run Windows, and
Linux? (that's two PCs for the price of one!)
Same sleep and power saving (it actually works!)?
Same quiet operation?
Same boot time?
the whole decision to buy a Mac or Windows computer. I'm not
going to buy a Dell XPS laptop because it won't run my software
so you can't just discount that aspect of a purchasing decision.
Saying that the XPS is $1100 cheaper and then not taking into
consideration the expense of changing your software (time &
money) does make a mockery of the whole argument. This
works both ways, of course, for anyone considering a switch to
the Mac or even a Linux system (free software but you still have
to invest time).
Regardless, here's the thing - if you want to switch then the
price isn't really that important once you have made the decision
to change platforms. If you are not interested in switching then
compare the prices of computers of your platform and decide
from there.
With regards to the posed question of whether the MBP, with its
hardware differences (and I'll note that you missed the multi-
touch trackpad) is worth $1100 extra, I'd say "yes". If you are
interested in making the switch and are comparing between the
XPS and MBP then the current disparities are probably worth the
price.
PS. Yes, I do off site backups. Even loosing a days worth of data would be a very bad thing.
comes for $1999. Try to match that configuration using dell customize option. You will see.
I tried to match Lenovo and Dell. Lenovo T61p costs $1750 but it comes with WWAN and card reader. XPS1530 costs more but it comes with 250GB @ 7200 RPM etc.
I can send you the excel spreadsheet if you want!
Long story short, I'd buy MacBookPro by paying little over $200 instead of Lenovo because I wouldnt have to deal with Vista UltimateCrap. However I love Lenovo. They make best laptops after Apple
After t61p I do not look back to Macs...
The numbers I got I just pulled off the websites. I am pretty sure I did it correctly.
migrated to doing these actions online since it makes it quicker
to get the data to people and sending it to additional people
later is simply a case of forwarding them the URL. However, this
process is damned cheap in much the same way as backing up
to tape is incredibly cheap. I am, though, confused as to what
difference Blu-ray would make to all this. Unless a DVD can't
hold all the data that you want to put on one then the only thing
that Blu-ray is going to deliver is more expensive discs that will
be mostly empty.
Regardless, for those who need a Blu-ray burner then options
will exist. For everyone else I hope they don't become a
standard function for the simple reason that they just won't be
used.
BluRay drive?
Solid State Drive?
Multi-colored back-lit keyboard?
Smart Bay Technology?
HDMI output?
Oh, nevermind.
At least these lappers have the proper connectivity the Air lacks.
I'll stick with Alienware. It's the only company that meets my expectations.
there. Colored crap on computers went out when Apple finished
with multi-color plastics.
expectations."
Unless you expect a proper mobile laptop. I'm sorry but
Alienware makes gaming systems that are little more than
portable desktops. I happily concede that they are amazingly
powerful systems but if you want a mobile system then they are
just terrible - absolutely huge, weigh a ton and have a non-
existent battery life.
If those missing functions/features are important to you then,
I'm sorry, but you're just either mad or not a professional user. Multi-colored back-lit keyboard? Hahahahahaha. "The Fast &
The Furious" has a lot to answer for.
increasing the Processor and HD capacity, dropped the amount of
L2 cache from 4mb across the board, to 3mb (and 6mb for the
higher increments). Is there a practical reason for this that I am
missing? Why drop the cache level while upgrading to the Penryn
chips!? Makes no sense to me. Won't hurt my chances of buying a
new one, but frustrating nonetheless.
- Why doesn't Apple use the 8800M GPUs?
- by applehazelnut March 29, 2008 1:28 AM PDT
- I think the 8600M has like a tenth of the processing power of the
- Reply to this comment
-
(104 Comments)8800M. It's something ridiculous like that. Heck, a 20-year-old
desktop probably has more graphics processing power than the
8600M. It's ridiculous. No one who intends to use his laptop for
anything other than a really expensiveinternet browser would get a
Macbook Pro.