Filed under: Hardware, Portables, MacBook
New MacBooks add metal cases, power to burn but no FireWire
You heard the rumors, now get the details. Apple has just released a major update to the MacBook line, leaving the original white plastic model in the mix but lowering the price to $999; the two new models are priced at $1299 and $1599. You can see a video overview of the new beasties at Apple's site.
The new models feature the same unibody aluminum construction process as the MacBook Pro; video chores are handled by the NVIDIA GeForce 9400M display subsystem with 256 MB of shared video RAM, a dramatic performance boost from the older Intel integrated graphics -- Apple claims 2.5x-6x better 3D performance on gaming tests.
Both new models support up to 2560x1600 pixels on an external display (via the new Mini DisplayPort connector) and sport a native 1280x800 13.3" glossy LED screen. The design of these laptops is so radical, Apple has two full pages of sweet geeky detail posted on apple.com.
Both models include the new all-glass trackpad, built-in iSight, 8x Superdrive and 2 GB of RAM. They are under one inch high (2.41 cm), 12.78 inches (32.5 cm) wide, and they both weigh 4.5 lbs (2.04 kg). Neither MacBook model includes a FireWire port (unlike the big boys, which have a single FireWire 800 port) -- this is a definite drawback for anyone thinking of one as a mobile video workstation. Note that, contrary to some of the comments below, I see no evidence that the USB ports on the new MacBook will support target disk mode.
Lower-end model:
- Price: $1299
- Main Specs: 2.0 GHz Core 2 Duo, 3MB L2 cache, 2GB of RAM expandable to 4 GB, 160GB HD
- Display & Other: 13.3" screen, 8x Superdrive, 2 USB
- BTO: Add RAM (up to 4 GB), up to 320 GB HD or 128 GB SSD
High-end model:
- Price: $1599
- Main Specs: 2.4 GHz Core 2 Duo, 3MB L2 cache, 2GB of RAM expandable to 4 GB, 250GB HD
- Display & Other: 13.3" screen, 8x Superdrive, 2 USB
- BTO: Add RAM (up to 4 GB), up to 320 GB HD or 128 GB SSD
More details on features, graphics, tech specs and environmental compliance are up at Apple's site.
![TUAW [Cafepress]](http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.tuaw.com/media/tuaw-cafepress-promo.png)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 8)
Paul said 2:51PM on 10-14-2008
With no Firewire, how does one get movies from their video camera into iMovie?
Or is this another admission that the current iMovie sucks so bad that no one would want to?
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Michael Rose said 3:22PM on 10-14-2008
Depends on your camera. Some have USB, some are solid-state.
Cycomachead said 2:24AM on 10-15-2008
I agree with all the FW comments!!! We need it back.
Everyone remember to post whereever you can. Send an email to sjobs@apple.com
If you can create a petition and open it up on all the macs in the apple store (yeah go crack ARD haha, that's hard!)
Bazzama said 2:53PM on 10-14-2008
According to Apple's site, the 15 inch model has one FW 800 port. And how good is the new mini-video socket?
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boriscleto said 2:58PM on 10-14-2008
No Firewire on MacBook.
15inch is MacBook Pro.
Sebastian said 2:54PM on 10-14-2008
A MacBook without firewire? No way! How will I be able to use my camera and external firewire hdd on trips or vacation? And instead of replacing it with another usb port, they just killed it?
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tnkgrl said 2:57PM on 10-14-2008
No FireWire. Is there a USB Target Disk Mode?
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Logica4d said 5:09PM on 10-14-2008
That is exactly what I was thinking. Target Disk mode has saved me multiple times when I need to transfer files or even work with another problem system. Maybe the thinking is that we can do all of that through wireless?????? I will miss it if it is gone.
Pete Wann said 3:16PM on 10-14-2008
USB target disk mode has been supported since the switch to Intel.
shanderson said 3:18PM on 10-14-2008
Look at the Mac Air tech support on how to move/migrate to the Air. It should give you a good idea, wired or wireless.
Michael Rose said 3:26PM on 10-14-2008
No, I believe Pete is incorrect -- there is no USB target disk mode support at this time as far as I know.
tnkgrl said 4:18PM on 10-14-2008
@Pete There's no USB Target Disk Mode, at least not on my MacBook Air.
tnkgrl said 4:21PM on 10-14-2008
@shanderson I have a MacBook Air, and migrating over the network is painfully slow (even wired, which is limited to 100BaseT).
rg said 3:00PM on 10-14-2008
So, Apple was lying when they said that they include FireWire? Maybe you ought to double check your notes!
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Michael Rose said 3:28PM on 10-14-2008
don't know how often I will have to say this... the MacBooks have no FireWire. The MacBook PROs have FireWire. Despite the fact that they now look exactly alike except for size, they ARE NOT THE SAME LAPTOPS.
Ahem.
Thank you.
KA said 2:10PM on 10-15-2008
Thank you for exposing a problem in the new TUAW design.
Richard Testani said 3:35PM on 10-14-2008
Does anyone else feel Intel put some pressure on Apple to not play up FireWire, but push USB 2.0 and we'll work on getting CPU chips for you?
I don't know why I feel that way.
Eitherway, FireWire is such a great technology, I don't see why they would drop it altogether. And after they finally got just about all the camera manufacturers to use it. weird.
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SubGenius said 3:47PM on 10-14-2008
The new MacBooks are better in many respects than the Pro machines they sold not that long ago. But FireWire is being included on fewer and fewer digital video cameras. Many cameras are replacing FireWire with HDMI output.
This has nothing to do with intel and everything to do with keeping the consumer level machines unattractive to prosumers and professionals.
Face it, the target market is PC switchers... and they don't even know what FireWire is and wouldn't be expecting it on a consumer laptop.
Ashwin said 7:46PM on 10-14-2008
@SubGenius
Every PC laptop made in the last four years or so includes a FireWire port. Apple includes neither on the MacBook. Granted, they are only 4-pin ports, but if I had a camcorder with miniDV, I would rather have a 4-pin FireWire port than nothing. Most miniDV camcorders compress video (and badly) when downloading over USB.
dan said 3:01PM on 10-14-2008
Is it just me or have the old macbooks actually gone up in price in the UK? 949 seems rather expensive for the new ones too...?
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