February 26, 2008
Enter faster MacBooks and Multi-Touch enabled MacBook Pros
Posted Feb. 26, ’08, 6:16 AM PT by Aayush Arya
Category | Hardware » Intel Macs
Apple launched updated MacBooks and MacBook Pros today with faster processors and larger hard drives across the board. The new MacBooks come in 2.1 GHz and 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo configurations, up to 250GB of hard drive space and 2GB of RAM standard (except for the lowest configuration). The price remains the same and so does the screen, trackpad, design and, quite unfortunately, the combo drive in the cheapest MacBook.
The new MacBook Pros boast of an even meatier upgrade. The standard configurations include 2.4 and 2.5 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processors, 2GB of RAM, 200GB and 250GB hard drives, dual-layer SuperDrives and the NVIDIA GeForce 8600GT with 256 and 512 MB of onboard memory. Most importantly, these shiny new babies come with a Multi-Touch trackpad, à la the MacBook Air. We know a lot of people had been eagerly waiting for this, so they now have the chance to plunk $2000 or more for one of these.
Optionally, the MacBook Pros can be configured to have a 2.6GHz processor, 300GB hard drive (which is much slower than the 250GB and 200GB variants) and a 17-inch 1920 x 1200 high-resolution display (the standard model ships with a 1680 x 1050 one). All Mac notebooks also include the standard features we’ve come to expect such as the iSight camera, MagSafe power connector, the works.
Now, is it just me or is this a disappointing upgrade? Faster processors and more capable graphics cards are cool and we love them. We want more storage and power and all the other stuff that comes along with it. But we also want a new design. The current MacBooks and MacBook Pros have been around for the last seventeen years (just a little exaggeration, folks; no need to be uptight about it) and frankly, we’re starting to lose our patience now. The MacBook Pros, at least, have a very good design already, so I guess it makes sense to stick with it for as long as they can, but the MacBooks sure could use a little bit of all that aluminum love.
Anyway, for those of you who were holding on to that credit card hoping for an update, the new MacBooks are here. It’s time to use some of that money you’ve got stashed up. Go easy on it though—you never know what the next Tuesday might bring.
Update: Eagle-eyed reader Preshit informs us that neither of the MacBooks ships with the Apple Remote now, which means that you’ll have to shell out an extra $19 for it. This officially sucks. Thanks for the tip!
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I don't want the desigsn to change. They look great. They are a "signature".
The Apple Remote is no longer included in the package and costs an additional $19.
Preshit, I believe this is because you can now control Front Row with the keyboard, which is the main thing I use my remote for. Also, the new MacBook Pros include three USB ports on all models, instead of just two on the 15" models. I wish I had multi-touch trackpad!! There should be an easier way to upgrade if there are only small enhancements. Apple should be better about giving people options about upgrading for less than $2000. There should at least be some way to install it without getting a completely new computer.
I agree with Krye -- if it ain't broke...
Yhe existing MB/MBP design is attractive, contemporary, and just plain works well.
@Conor: I believe you've always been able to control Front Row via the keyboard (or at least I have on my MacBook). As for the multi-touch trackpad, there's unfortunately no upgrade path, as the multi-touch trackpads use entirely different hardware borrowed from the iPhone.
Actually, the 15 inch Macbook Pros still come with only 2 USB slots. From Apple's site:
T"here are three USB 2.0 ports on the 17-inch MacBook Pro and two on the 15-inch models"
I've never managed to use my remote beyond showing it off the first couple days. See, I have a remote!
As to the design. It is terrible in some ways every time Apple releases a new case. The ports all move around. The cases need to be redesigned. The power adapter changes. I have boxes full of accessories for earlier Macintoshes that no longer work in my current MacBook.
When Apple changes case design rapidly it is because their case isn't working as well as they want. The original clamshell iBook was quickly replaced. The swing arm lamp iMac was quickly replaced. The cube was quickly replaced. These machines were basically failures in the marketplace. In contrast, the transition from the sleek black PowerBooks, to the titanium PowerBooks, to the aluminum MacBooks has been relatively smooth since each design has really been a success.
Anyway, always nice to a speed bump not accompanied by a price increase. I'm also pleased to see Apple shipping their machines with reasonable base RAM again. 2 GBs is the minimum I'd want in a MacBook Pro.
I must add that I use my remote on a regular basis. Connecting my MacBook to my 51" TV and watching TV shows with Front Row was a great way to pass the time. No new MacBook for me for a while now!
I like the new MBP spec but I wish they got rid of the latch with the button and replaced it with the magnetic latch found on the MB and MB-Air.
Got my credit card out already, but darn I was hoping for multi-touch on the Macbook!
It's never great to lose functionality, and losing the remote is losing functionality. But I understand it as a business move.
Here's a bigger question: why would I want to upgrade to Penryn when Montevina is coming out in early June? I'm still plugging away on my old 1.5 GHz PowerBook and believe me, I'd *love* to have a shiny new MBP... but we're looking at a 4 month turn-around before Penryn is yesterday's chip. Give me a good reason to not wait.