New Macbook & Macbook Pro models arrive

Apple has unleashed a new generation of Macbook and Macbook Pro notebook computers. While looking nearly identical to the previous generation, the newer models feature faster processors, larger hard drives, and (on the Macbook Pro) multi-touch track pads.

The biggest improvements seem to be in the Macbook Pro line, with new Pernyn processors, double the previous generations video ram, and the addition of multi-touch track pads.

One thing that surprised me was that Apple kept the “black tax” on the Macbook model. I had figured Apple would have reduced the black tax, or dropped it altogether in an effort to spur sales. I guess sales aren’t hurting that much, since Apple seems content with holding the status quo on the black tax.

Additionally, the new models retain the previous form factor. It’s been five years since Apple updated the Macbook Pro form factor. Of course, many view the current form factor as a thing of beauty, and why mess with beauty when it is clearly still selling well, right?

The new models spec out as:

2.1 GHz, 13-inch white MacBook - $1,099 (USD)

  • 13.3-inch glossy widescreen 1280 x 800 display;
  • 2.1 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor with 3MB shared L2 cache;
  • 800 MHz front-side bus;
  • 1GB of 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM, expandable to 4GB;
  • 120GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 5400 rpm, with Sudden Motion Sensor;
  • a slot-load Combo (DVD-ROM/CD-RW) optical drive;
  • Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100;
  • Mini-DVI out (adapters for DVI, VGA and Composite/S-Video sold separately);
  • built-in iSight video camera;
  • Gigabit Ethernet port;
  • built-in AirPort Extreme 802.11n wireless networking and Bluetooth 2.0+EDR;
  • two USB 2.0 ports and one FireWire 400 port;
  • one audio line in and one audio line out port, each supporting both optical digital and analog;
  • Scrolling trackpad; and
  • 60 Watt MagSafe Power Adapter.

The 2.4 GHz, 13-inch white MacBook - $1,299 (USD):

  • 13.3-inch glossy widescreen 1280 x 800 display;
  • 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor with 3MB shared L2 cache;
  • 800 MHz front-side bus;
  • 2GB of 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM, expandable to 4GB;
  • 160GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 5400 rpm, with Sudden Motion Sensor;
  • a slot-load 8x SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW) optical drive;
  • Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100;
  • Mini-DVI out (adapters for DVI, VGA and Composite/S-Video sold separately);
  • built-in iSight video camera;
  • Gigabit Ethernet port;
  • built-in AirPort Extreme 802.11n wireless networking and Bluetooth 2.0+EDR;
  • two USB 2.0 ports and one FireWire 400 port;
  • one audio line in and one audio line out port, each supporting both optical digital and analog;
  • Scrolling trackpad; and
  • 60 Watt MagSafe Power Adapter.

The 2.4 GHz, 13-inch black MacBook- $1,499 (USD):

  • 13.3-inch glossy widescreen 1280 x 800 display;
  • 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor with 3MB shared L2 cache;
  • 800 MHz front-side bus;
  • 2GB of 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM, expandable to 4GB;
  • 250GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 5400 rpm, with Sudden Motion Sensor;
  • a slot-load 8x SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW) optical drive;
  • Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100;
  • Mini-DVI out (adapters for DVI, VGA and Composite/S-Video sold separately);
  • built-in iSight video camera;
  • Gigabit Ethernet port;
  • built-in AirPort Extreme 802.11n wireless networking and Bluetooth 2.0+EDR;
  • two USB 2.0 ports and one FireWire 400 port;
  • one audio line in and one audio line out port, each supporting both optical digital and analog;
  • Scrolling trackpad; and
  • 60 Watt MagSafe Power Adapter.

The 2.4 GHz, 15-inch MacBook Pro - $1,999 (USD):

  • 15.4-inch widescreen LED-backlit 1440 x 900 LCD display;
  • 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor with 3MB shared L2 cache;
  • 800 MHz front-side bus;
  • 2GB of 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM, expandable to 4GB;
  • 200GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 5400 rpm, with Sudden Motion Sensor;
  • a slot-load 8x SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW) optical drive;
  • NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT with 256MB GDDR3 memory;
  • DVI-out port for external display (VGA-out adapter included, Composite/S-Video adapter sold separately);
  • built-in Dual Link support for driving Apple 30-inch Cinema HD Display;
  • built-in iSight video camera;
  • Gigabit Ethernet port;
  • built-in AirPort Extreme 802.11n wireless networking and Bluetooth 2.1+EDR;
  • ExpressCard/34 expansion card slot;
  • two USB 2.0 ports, one FireWire 800 port and one FireWire 400 port;
  • one audio line in and one audio line out port, each supporting both optical digital and analog;
  • Multi-Touch trackpad and illuminated keyboard; and
  • 85 Watt Apple MagSafe Power Adapter.

The 2.5 GHz, 15-inch MacBook Pro - $2,499 (USD):

  • 15.4-inch widescreen LED-backlit 1440 x 900 LCD display;
  • 2.5 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor with 6MB shared L2 cache;
  • 800 MHz front-side bus;
  • 2GB of 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM, expandable to 4GB;
  • 250GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 5400 rpm, with Sudden Motion Sensor;
  • a slot-load 8x SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW) optical drive;
  • NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT with 512MB GDDR3 memory;
  • DVI-out port for external display (VGA-out adapter included, Composite/S-Video out adapter sold separately);
  • built-in Dual Link support for driving Apple 30-inch Cinema HD Display;
  • built-in iSight video camera;
  • Gigabit Ethernet port;
  • built-in AirPort Extreme 802.11n wireless networking and Bluetooth 2.1+EDR;
  • ExpressCard/34 expansion card slot;
  • two USB 2.0 ports, one FireWire 800 port and one FireWire 400 port;
  • one audio line in and one audio line out port, each supporting both optical digital and analog;
  • Multi-Touch trackpad and illuminated keyboard; and
  • 85 Watt Apple MagSafe Power Adapter.

The 2.5 GHz, 17-inch MacBook Pro - $2,799 (USD):

  • 17-inch widescreen 1680 x 1050 LCD display;
  • 2.5 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor with 6MB shared L2 cache;
  • 800 MHz front-side bus;
  • 2GB of 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM, expandable to 4GB;
  • 250GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 5400 rpm, with Sudden Motion Sensor;
  • a slot-load 8x SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW) optical drive;
  • NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT with 512MB GDDR3 memory;
  • DVI-out port for external display (VGA-out adapter included, Composite/S-Video out adapter sold separately);
  • built-in Dual Link support for driving Apple 30-inch Cinema HD Display;
  • built-in iSight video camera;
  • Gigabit Ethernet port;
  • built-in AirPort Extreme 802.11n wireless networking and Bluetooth 2.1+EDR;
  • ExpressCard/34 expansion card slot;
  • three USB 2.0 ports, one FireWire 800 port and one FireWire 400 port;
  • one audio line in and one audio line out port, each supporting both optical digital and analog;
  • Multi-Touch trackpad and illuminated keyboard; and
  • 85 Watt Apple MagSafe Power Adapter.

Posted: February 26, 2008 / Category: Apple, Hardware, News