Apple Announces New MacBooks and LED Cinema Display
Apple did not disappoint with its rollout of the new MacBooks, and it also didn't offer too many surprises after all the leaks that made their way to the gadgetosphere over the last few days. Yes, the new MacBooks (Pro and regular) are made from a single block of aluminum, which makes it both thinner and stronger. Yes, they now include a glass multi-touch trackpad that eschews a clicking button, which gives it a 40 percent larger area than before. And as the presser notes:
The entire trackpad surface is also a button, allowing users to both track and click virtually anywhere on the trackpad. Users can easily enable multiple virtual buttons in software, such as right-clicking.And yes, the $899 model part found on some price lists floating about before the event that many thought would be an entry-level MacBook turned out to be the 24-inch Cinema Display that started making the rumor rounds yesterday. So, let's get down to the nitty gritty, starting with the MacBooks (image below via Engadget's live blogging of the event).
Both entry-level MacBooks and MacBook Pros now feature unibody construction of their shells that is precision machined from a single block of aluminum (the "brick" that Apple has been teasing us with the past few weeks). You really need to check out the video of the manufacturing process over at Apple (from which the image below comes):
Additionally, they both replace the traditional LCD screen with an LED-backlit glass display--which goes right to the edge of the laptop (no framing aluminum bezel). And the LED backlight is instantly on (no warm-up time) and it's energy efficient (taking 30 percent less power). And both the MacBook and the MacBook Pro get increased video processing power thanks to the new NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics chip. which should improve 3D gameplay without dampening battery life too much.
So, now that the designs and video engines are more in sync, is there any difference between a MacBook and a MacBook Pro other than size of screen (13- and 15-inch respectively) and top processor speed? Truth be told, there isn't much, but the MacBook Pro does kick things up a notch with the inclusion of a second installed NVIDIA graphics chip. In addition to the 9400M integrated into the logic board, the MB Pro also offers discrete graphics processing via the NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT, which can be used for intensive video or imaging work as well as 3D gaming. Apple claims you'll get up to 4 hours of battery life when using the 9600M and up to 5 hours using the 9400M.
The new 13-inch MacBooks and 15-inch MacBook Pros will be available this week. They're joined by a white MacBook (which retails for $999) and a 17-inch MacBook Pro that utilize the previous designs (and thusly don't include the glass multi-touch trackpad).
Somewhat surprising is Apple's focus on its new LED-powered 24-inch Cinema Display, which comes in at the much bandied-about $899 price point. Where the old 23-inch Cinema Display was just that--a display--the new model incorporates an iSight video camera, three self-powered USB 2.0 ports, and a MagSafe charger. And it also includes the new Mini DisplayPort connector, which connects to a MacBook's power, USB, and display output (via the new MacBooks' MiniDisplay port). It also features a glossy LCD display, 1920-by-1200, integrated speakers
Some other tidbits from the morning:
- The MacBook Air also got a bit of an update with the addition of the NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics set and larger hard drive capacities (120 GB hard disk and 128 GB solid state).
- In a nod to Greenpeace and other environmental groups, all the new products received Energy Star certification as well as EPEAT Gold ratings.
- The new MacBooks drop the old FireWire 400 port and include only FireWire 800.
- In the Q&A session at the end, the expected question about Steve Jobs' health came up rather quickly, and was dispensed with just as quickly with a report on his blood pressure and then a move onto the next question.
That's it for now, but once we get the new models uploaded to the Amazon site, we'll update this post with pointers.
[UPDATE] Here's a page that collects the new MacBooks.
--Agen G.N. Schmitz
Michael Dell on October 15, 2008 at 06:24 AM
Yikes. I want one.
gb506 on October 15, 2008 at 06:59 AM
Manufacturing process aside, this is just another disappointingly evolutionary offering - unless you're very familiar with Apple products, if you saw this machine closed you'd be hard pressed to distinguish it from any other Apple business laptop released during this century. I was expecting quite a bit more innovation from Apple with this product announcement, there doesn't appear to be a compelling reason for me to ditch my 1.5 year old Macbook Pro for one of these.
lesliet on October 15, 2008 at 07:08 AM
Another difference is the Pro has a Firewire port and the MacBook does not. It's a pity. If not for this, I'd buy a MacBook today. Now I'm not sure. I don't want the heavier weight of the Pro, not to mention the steeply higher price point.
I wonder if these prices will come down before Christmas. They seem to have been set without consideration for the economic slowdown.
Ron on October 15, 2008 at 07:23 AM
I don't understand one thing. They keep making these with CD/DVD drives. I long ago stopped needing that drive. I desperately need a Compact Flash or SD card attachment for the device. Maybe someday. This is what's really prevented me from extending from iMac to Macbook.
Ron on October 15, 2008 at 07:24 AM
I don't understand one thing. They keep making these with CD/DVD drives. I long ago stopped needing that drive. I desperately need a Compact Flash or SD card attachment for the device. Maybe someday. This is what's really prevented me from extending from iMac to Macbook.
paul on October 15, 2008 at 08:55 AM
gb506- what in the world are you talking about? Who cares what it looks like closed; were you paying attention to the upgrades at all? New multitouch glass trackpad, new graphics card (the Pro gets *two* Nvidia chips), an LED backlight display that goes all the way to the edge- all this is the reason to buy a new one, not because on the outside it *looks* the same as the older ones.
Tom Billings on October 15, 2008 at 09:04 AM
NVIDIA graphics cards, .... Hmmmm!
In the wee hours of this morning a friend of mine just toasted another of the NVIDIA cards that have had a recent history of that. As bad, the ability to build concept demos of our research team's ideas is at risk with NVIDIA, because the virtual world Second Life software and NVIDIA don't play nice together. Not at all!
No, switching out of SL is not nearly as good an option as getting a different machine.
So, does Apple have a good answer to those who need this machine for work in virtual worlds where NVIDIA keeps tripping up the user?
Regards,
Tom Billings
Tom Betz on October 15, 2008 at 11:14 AM
Amusing:
"The entire trackpad surface is also a button, allowing users to both track and click virtually anywhere on the trackpad."
Apple has finally fixed one of the most annoying things about its notebooks since their inception, giving to Mac users the same capability Windows and Linux users have had since the first Synaptics I ever touched.
Existenz on October 15, 2008 at 11:15 AM
I wouldn't mind having a Blu-Ray burner option in these laptops. Some sort of super-SuperDrive that burns CDs, DVDs and Blu-Ray.
Otherwise, the laptops sound great. I'm still using my 1999 PowerBook G3, so it's getting time to upgrade....as soon as I have the dough.
Ross on October 15, 2008 at 02:02 PM
This may just get me to abandone Microsoft and it's crappy windows OS.
Boy George on October 15, 2008 at 03:26 PM
Only sissies take the time to post on gay threads like this.
QQ Boss on October 15, 2008 at 04:25 PM
The only thing (besides having a notoriously difficult wallet to open) keeping me from buying a new Mac notebook to replace my original 12" aluminum is Blu-Ray support internal- a writer (no more DVD-ROM experiences for me).
Looks like I have some time to wait, since 1920x1200 is a requirement, as well, so maybe by the time they update the 17" they will have Blu-Ray support. I won't hold my breath, though.
Apple has bombed badly this time on October 16, 2008 at 02:56 AM
Pure ugly two toned monstrosity. The previous Macbook Pros looked great and were a winning formula. Why changed it to this huge blingy, toyishshiny black bezel that looks like something out of Sony Vaio? Maybe Apple is catering to the lowest denominator but as someone who far prefers its minimalist aesthetic, this is a bicolour horror. The colour scheme = fail.
LED Cinema Display by Apple on November 05, 2008 at 04:02 AM
apple is bringing lot of new thing simply apple is rocking