Filed under: Portables, MacBook
Apple updates entry-level MacBook
Apple announced an update to the entry-level MacBook computer today. This is the only true "MacBook" now that the rest of the models have been promoted to the MacBook Pro.As of today, $999 will get you a MacBook with faster RAM (2x1GB SO-DIMM of 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM, up from DDR2), a slightly faster processor (2.26GHz, up from 2.13Ghz), and a significantly larger hard drive (250GB, up from 160GB).
But those technical specs are just the beginning. There's a new built-in battery which Apple claims will take 7 hours per charge. This follows the trend of having batteries integrated instead of removable, which Apple has said allows them to make the laptops smaller and lighter. The battery is rated for "up to" 1,000 charges.
The MacBook also now has the glass Multi-Touch trackpad, previously seen on the MacBook Air and Pro models, the LED-backlit display. It is still "rugged polycarbonate" (marketing speak for "plastic") but now a unibody construction, like the Air and Pro models, except they use aluminum enclosures.
The outer shell may be the most notable difference between the MacBook and MacBook Pro models now. For $999, it's no longer an underpowered little sibling to the MacBook Pro line; it is a very respectable portable Mac. Students can save $50 using the education pricing.
If you're looking for an even lower price, there are a few refurbished MacBook models currently available for as low as $849, but with the new features available in today's model, I'd be tempted to spend the extra $150.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Ben K. said 12:52PM on 10-20-2009
I'd also bring to your attention the new, updated Apple Remote. I just found it by going to spec out an iMac.
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kevin.weber said 12:55PM on 10-20-2009
the store's not actually down!! go to the regular imac page and configure one then go to the main page through there! going straight to store.apple.com still doesn't work.
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superberg said 12:59PM on 10-20-2009
Anyone else notice the new MagSafe adapter?
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NateF said 1:03PM on 10-20-2009
Yeah. Looks to be identical to the MacBook Air's MagSafe adapter.
wsurc51 said 8:47PM on 10-21-2009
it also looks to be the same as the magsafe on the 24" cinema display
richm said 1:01PM on 10-20-2009
I am a mac user, but I was hoping we'd see a $799 macbook. I guess I'm dreaming
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iGO said 1:36PM on 10-20-2009
I, for one, am glad they are still $999.00ea and up.
Keeps out the rift-raft.
Besides, there are tons of Windows choices for you and all for way less than $999.00, so your complaints will only fall on deaf ears.
I'm getting the Quad Core i7 27" iMac. Interest free for one year direct from Apple. NICE!
puhsitch said 8:38PM on 10-20-2009
Dude...iGo...this is why Mac users get stereotyped as being elitist.
brian said 1:01PM on 10-20-2009
Still no light-up keyboard?
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NateF said 1:01PM on 10-20-2009
That's the old, non-unibody MacBook.
Here's the new one:
http://a248.e.akamai.net/7/248/2041/1596/store.apple.com/Catalog/US/Images/macbook/img/product-white-hero.jpg
Or:
http://www.apple.com/macbook/
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oakie said 1:02PM on 10-20-2009
they dropped the firewire port.
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ChillyWilly said 1:29PM on 10-20-2009
Even if you don't need it for video, the Firewire port is important for backup and recovery (Firewire Target Mode).
Until Apple figures out a way to have a USB version of Firewire Target Mode, bare bones recovery and backup will be limited.
gib said 1:44PM on 10-20-2009
I know it is pointless, but I'm going to go ahead and be THAT guy...
"USB version of Firewire Target Mode" just sounds funny.
David E said 1:07PM on 10-20-2009
The new MacBook doesn't have firewire (again). Evil!
Even the Mac Mini has a firewire port.
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Joanna D said 1:04PM on 10-20-2009
I was about to say that this is the best looking computer Apple currently sells, but then I saw the bottom:
http://bit.ly/2hzXU8
WTF! There is no reason whatsoever for it to be a different colour to the top, and the giant indented Apple looks ridiculous. I've heard countless people criticising Microsoft for exposed screws on their Zune HD but this looks far, far worse.
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CyBeR said 1:08PM on 10-20-2009
If you read the text you can find out why: it's a giant non-slip surface. They took the previous macbook's feet (which were the same colour as this is) and made them spread over the entire surface.
Alex said 1:18PM on 10-20-2009
Looks like a rubberized base, instead of using 4 rubber feet. Good idea, really, gives it extra traction and no feet to fall off in a years time.
Also, PowerBooks and MacBooks have always had exposed screws in the base. Never looked on the bottom of one before?
Galley said 1:22PM on 10-20-2009
The non-slip bottom looks to be the same as Apple TV.
CyBeR said 1:22PM on 10-20-2009
Ah, I just remembered what it reminded me of: flip over a Time Capsule or square-model Airport Extreme. It appears to be the same as that.
jacjustjac said 5:10PM on 10-20-2009
Let's hope the bottom of these new MacBooks doesn't get as discolored as the four rubber feet of my first-gen MacBook. They're practically "green" with envy.