$6.59 .com Sale at GoDaddy.com
MacHits
TUAW

Related tags

MacBook (6) Charger (3) Accessories (3) MacBook Pro (3) Intel (2) MacBook Air (2) Multitouch (2)

The new MacBook (Pros): the fine print

February 27, 2008

Filed under: , ,


We finally got the new MacBooks and MacBook Pros we've all been waiting for and now it time to dig into the fine print a little bit. As we noted earlier the new machines are shipping without the $19 Apple remote, but there are also some other subtle changes worth noting:
  • The processors are confirmed to be Intel's Penryn technology.
  • Only the MacBook Pro is getting the multi-touch trackpad functionality of the MacBook Air. Apparently Apple is doing this deliberately to differentiate the higher-end portables from the MacBook line.
  • Only the Pros are getting LED backlights, and that's standard only on the 15". LED backlighting is a $100 BTO option on the 17" and simply not available on the MacBook. This despite Uncle Steve's assurance that the entire Mac line would transition to LED backlighting "when technically and economically feasible." I suppose that Apple would say that it's not yet economically feasible in the MacBook line.
  • The Pros feature a slightly new keyboard layout missing the virtual number pad.
  • The Pros also have 3 USB ports now, instead of 2.
  • Perhaps most disturbing is that the official battery life estimates have dropped noticeably. MacNN notes that "Apple's revised projections falls to a maximum of 4.5 hours versus six [on the MacBook]... from six hours to five [on the 15" MBP and]... from 5.75 hours of use to 4.5" [on the 17" MBP].
Now none of these things is that big of a deal (hence the fine print), but there is some cause for concern, especially with the reduced battery life estimates. We may hope that perhaps Apple is being more realistic in their projections and that accounts for the reductions. It's particularly confusing given that one of the supposed advantages of the Penryn processor is energy efficiency. We won't know for sure until third-party benchmarks are available.

Thanks to everyone who sent in tips!
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Read the article on TUAW
Apple Hot News

Apple Introduces New MacBook and MacBook Pro Models

CUPERTINO, California—February 26, 2008—Apple® today updated its popular MacBook® and MacBook Pro notebook lines with the latest Intel Core 2 Duo processors, larger hard drives and 2GB of memory standard in most models. In addition, MacBook Pro includes the latest NVIDIA graphics processors, now with up to 512MB of video memory, and Apple’s innovative Multi-Touch™ trackpad, first introduced in MacBook Air™. All Mac® notebooks include a built-in iSight® video camera for video conferencing on-the-go*, Apple’s MagSafe® Power Adapter that safely disconnects when under strain and built-in 802.11n wireless networking for up to five times the performance and twice the range of 802.11g.**
Similar news about MacBook Pro
AppleInsider

Apple introduces Penryn-based MacBooks and MacBook Pros

Apple today updated its popular MacBook and MacBook Pro notebook lines with the latest Intel Core 2 Duo processors, larger hard drives and 2GB of memory standard in most models. MacBook In addition, MacBook Pro includes the latest NVIDIA graphi...
Similar news about MacBook Pro

Yahoo! News Axiotron converts MacBook into tablet...

USATODAY.com - Start-up Axiotron took an off-the-shelf MacBook notebook, deep-sixed the keyboard and display and slapped on its own converter kit. The result is a modified...
05/01/08
Similar news about MacBook

Macworld - From the Lab: MacBooks get a boost...

Like their high-end counterparts, the MacBook Pro, the MacBook also has seen its processor replaced with a next-generation version of the Core 2 Duo chip. And that’s meant...
03/05/08
Similar news about MacBook

TUAW MacBook and MacBookPro get keyboard...

Today Apple released a keyboard update for both the MacBook and the MacBook Pro notebooks. In regular Apple style, their release notes are not extremely profuse, "This MacBook...
02/19/08
Similar news about MacBook

AppleTell FastMac wants to charge your spare...

Section: Apple, Mac + Computers, LaptopsBatteries are essential for your MacBook or MacBook Pro, most of us charge them whenever near a power outlet by simply plugging them in....
05/28/08
Similar news about Charger

macNN New MacBooks show reduced battery life

Apple's new MacBook systems actually have lower battery lives than the previous generation, official Apple specifications show. setteB.IT notes that despite the fact that the...
02/26/08
Similar news about Charger

Macworld - Make the MacBook better for gaming

When it comes to playing games on the MacBook, the laptop’s integrated graphics is only part of the issue. Improving the way integrated graphics are implemented on the MacBook...
03/14/08
Similar news about MacBook
Your Ad Here
123macmini

Apple Updates MacBook and MacBook Pro

Apple today updated its MacBook and MacBook Pro notebook lines with the latest Intel Core 2 Duo processors, larger hard drives and 2GB of memory standard in most models.
Similar news about MacBook
Macworld

Review: MacBook Core 2 Duo/2.1GHz and 2.4GHz

Macworld Lab has been putting the new MacBooks to the test. Benchmarks show that the new MacBooks, based on Intel's new Penryn processor, offer a modest speed increase over the previous MacBooks.
Similar news about MacBook

AppleInsider Aluminum MacBook, iMac-like MacBook...

An unusual .Mac website believed to belong to an Apple employee has been revealed to include promotional images depicting an all aluminum 13-inch MacBook design in addition to a...
04/17/08
Similar news about MacBook

macNN Review: MacBook (Early 2008)

While it came as no surprise to close followers of Intel's technological shifts -- the company is rumored to be switching quickly to 45nm chips -- Apple's MacBook and MacBook...
03/07/08
Similar news about MacBook

TUAW New MacBook and MacBook Pros now...

Well, the rumors were right on target -- new MacBook and MacBook Pros are finally here! Unlike the very minor updates in November, this refresh features across the board speed...
02/26/08
Similar news about MacBook

macculture.com Apple posts Aluminium Keyboard iMac...

Apple has released Firmware updates for its Aluminium Keyboard, iMac and MacBooks. read more
04/08/08
Similar news about Accessories

Yahoo! News One-On-One With The Makers Of The...

TechWeb - Andreas Haas, CEO of Axiotron, tells InformationWeek how the company turns the dowdy MacBook into its sexy Modbook Mac tablet, and why its not afraid of competition...
01/30/08
Similar news about MacBook

Macrumors MacBook, MacBook Pro Keyboard...

Apple has posted MacBook, MacBook Pro Keyboard Firmware Update 1.0, which aims to address some keyboard issues some users may have been experiencing.This MacBook and MacBook Pro...
02/20/08
Similar news about Accessories
AppleInsider

More MacBook details: battery life claims, enviro push, more

When Apple revamped its MacBook and MacBook Pro lineups on Tuesday, the company also quietly changed its methods of reporting battery life and also made clear the eco-friendliness of the notebooks, among other changes. Although first hinted at in ...
Similar news about Charger
Macrumors

MacBook and MacBook Pro: Penryn, Battery Life, Updates Sooner than Later?

Apple released new MacBooks and MacBook Pros today which incorporate the new 45nm Penryn processors, an upgrade from the older 65nm Merom processors. The jump from Merom to Penryn is not a dramatic one as previous benchmarks demonstrate.
Similar news about MacBook

123macmini Apple Updates MacBook and MacBook Pro

Apple today quietly updated the MacBook and MacBook Pro. The MacBook has been moved to the Santa Rosa platform and Intel GMA X3100 graphics.
11/01/07
Similar news about MacBook

Macworld - Apple unveils new MacBook and MacBook...

Apple introduced new MacBook and MacBook Pros with fastest processors and higher capacity hard drives.
02/26/08
Similar news about MacBook

123macmini Apple Releases Firmware Updates for...

Apple has released EFI Firmware Updates for the MacBook, MacBook Pro and MacBook Air via Mac OS X's Software Update utility and on the Web.
04/09/08
Similar news about MacBook

Yahoo! News Mac Buyer's Guide: Which Apple Should...

TechWeb - We've tested the Mac Pro, MacBook, MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, the iMac, the Mac Mini, and the XServe. There's not a bad Apple among the bunch, and some are truly...
03/22/08
Similar news about MacBook Pro

macNN Primate Labs: new MacBooks are slower

Primate Labs has taken a close look at the performance of Apple's lastest MacBook, and claims that the newest base model is slower than the previous generation. A performance...
03/06/08
Similar news about MacBook

AppleInsider MacBook Air demand trails that of...

Interest in Apple Inc.'s new ultra-thin and lightweight MacBook Air is running high, but demand for the new sub-notebook is noticeably less than that of the first Intel-based...
02/12/08
Similar news about MacBook

Webmaster