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Apple Gets Touchy With New MacBooks |
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Written by Adam Gosling
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Thursday, 28 February 2008 |
Apple's love of the multi-touch user interface has extended to its MacBook range with new models featuring Intel Core 2 Duo processors, larger hard drives and 2GB of memory standard and the latest NVIDIA graphics processors, with up to 512MB of video memory.
Actually not all of the new MacBook Pro and MacBook models feature 2GB
of RAM, the low end of the MacBook line, 13.3-inch Core 2 Duo device
retailing at US$1,099 comes standard with only 1GB, but it's still
expandable to 4GB.
Like the super thin MacBook Air, all the models feature the Multi-Touch
trackpad that innovates the user interface in much the way users of the
iPhone and iPod touch have come to love. The trackpad allows you to
pinch, rotate and swipe you way through your notebook content, making
it more intuitive than ever to zoom and rotate photos in iPhoto or
Aperture 2 or browse web pages in Safari, says the Cupertino-based
company.
Other neat features, apart from the built-in 802.11n wireless
networking across the range, is an illuminated keyboard that makes it
easier to use your MacBook in dimly lit environments such as airplanes,
studios or conference halls. The system includes a built-in ambient
light sensor, which automatically adjusts the brightness of the keys at
the same time it adjusts the brightness of the display to give you the
best visibility.
At the top of the range is a MacBook Pro with a 2.6 GHz Intel Core 2
Duo processor that has 6MB of shared L2 cache. Team that with up to 4GB
of 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM memory, a 300GB hard drive, and the NVIDIA
GeForce 8600M GT graphics with 512MB of RAM and you have a pretty beefy
notebook for a Mac. It will set you back US$2,799 rec retail.
There are 13-inch MacBook widescreens and a choice of 15- or 17-inch
widescreens in the MacBook Pro line. You get a choice of white or black
depending on your model which will also determin how far you can push
the Build-to-Order options for larger disc, RAM and so on.
The lappies have all the goodies you expect in an Apple notebook,
built-in iSight video camera, the very nifty MagSafe Power Adapter that
magnetically connects the power cord and safely disconnects if you give
it a tug, the latest and greatest in networking standards, including
Bluetooth and Firewire as standard across the range.
Every Mac in the Apple lineup comes with the iLife ‘08 digital
lifestyle applications that incorporate a new version of iPhoto and a
"completely reinvented" iMovie. The operating system is of course
Leopard so you get the Time Machine backup system, a redesigned Finder,
Quick Look and other goodies. Things like pre-installed copies of iWork
‘08, Logic Express 8, Final Cut Express 4 and Aperture 2 are available
as options using the Build to Order program.
Also build-to-order options allow upgrades to 4GB 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM, a
2.6 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 200GB (7200 rpm), 250GB (5400 rpm)
or a 300GB (4200 rpm) hard drive, Apple Remote, Apple MagSafe Airline
Adapter, Apple USB Modem, glossy widescreen display, 17-inch
LED-backlit 1920 x 1200 high-resolution display and the AppleCare
Protection Plan.
You can check it out online or at your local Apple dealer, but for a
brief overview see below for the new models including US pricing. First
the photo's though.
MacBook
  
MacBook Pro
  
The 2.1 GHz, 13-inch white MacBook, for a suggested retail price of $1,099 (US), includes:
* 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, for a suggested retail price of $1,299 (US), includes:
* 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, for a suggested retail price of $1,499 (US), includes:
* 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, for a suggested retail price of $1,999 (US), includes:
* 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, for a suggested retail price of $2,499 (US), includes:
* 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, for a suggested retail price of $2,799 (US), includes:
* 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.
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