MacBook is Here!

Written by: Adam Christianson

Categories: News

macbookglossy.jpgOK. I am working on getting all the details so hold on. The quick specs are as predicted: 13.3″ widescreen “glossy” display, Intel Core Duo up to 2.0 GHz, 512MB of 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM, upgradable to 2GB, built in iSight, remote and FrontRow, built in Airport Extreme and Bluetooth, optical digital audio input/audio line in, optical digital audio output/headphone out, hard drive options up to 120 GB, pricing starts at $1,099.00 USD and is available in white or black. They continue the integrated graphics and shared memory trend for their entry level models using the Intel GMA 950 graphics chip. It also has Apple’s new MagSafe power connector. For now go to http://www.apple.com/macbook/ for all the juicy details. My first impression is these look sweet.

Dang. Looks like these things are already flying off the shelves. (Thanks to Colm for the link).

There are 10 comments on MacBook is Here!:

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  1. cfsporn | May 16 2006 - 09:57

    They look all good except for the graphics card. Not to start another war like the one over the Mac Minis, but intergrated graphics are just not exceptable for a Macintosh. For the crappy dells from hell intergrated graphics is okay, but for a Mac, no.

  2. qwerty69 | May 16 2006 - 11:46

    I’m new to all things Macintosh but I have to say that the Integrated Graphics in my Mac Mini do the job admirably and as such I’ve got no issue with the same being included in the Macbook.

    Why however does the Black Macbook cost more than a similarly specified model decked out in White?

    I noticed that the hard disk in the Black model is slightly larger but is this enough to merit £130.00 extra? Or am I missing something?

    Does anybody else think that Apple is trying to make the Black model apear more prestigious by charging a premium?

  3. Chuck | May 16 2006 - 11:29

    What do they mean by ‘Glossy’?

  4. Chuck | May 16 2006 - 11:26

    Disregard my last.

  5. Chuck | May 16 2006 - 11:28

    I still dont understand what a ‘glossy’ screen is.

  6. maccast | May 16 2006 - 12:08

    Chuck,
    Take a look at just about any new PC laptop on the market today and you will see what “glossy” means. It is a high gloss coating that is added over the LCD with the intention of artifically increasing the brightness of the display. It works, but the downside is bad reflections and bad color accuracy.

  7. Craig Patchett | May 16 2006 - 12:28

    Given the glare and reflections it would cause, why would anybody in their right mind want a glossy screen???

  8. Chuck | May 16 2006 - 02:15

    Thanks I will do that. I usually try to avoid any pc and or pc laptop like the plague, but I will cover my head in tin foil and have a look.

  9. Jim F | May 19 2006 - 12:42

    Hi all. Regarding comparable PC laptops, Apple packs a lot of features in the Mac Book. However, here are things that I would say Dell has an edge over Apple. This includes 22% sale for a Dell Inspiron E1505:

    – Larger display 15″ vs 13″ (WSXGA+ 1680×1050)
    – 1G memory
    – Intel PRO 3945 + blutooth ($38 upgrade)

    All this for $888 (free shipping). There is option to upgrade to ATI Radeon 1400 for $101 and 1.8Ghz duo for $78 which brings the total to $1067. This is lower than what Adam had quoted (not that I’m promoting Dell).

    I really love FrontRow, iSight, iLife, MagSafe and Mac OSX. I’m even willing to spend extra for these, but I can’t live with a one button mouse. I was sort of hoping that Apple would lure more Windows crowd by providing a two button mouse/trackpad. I suspect I’m not alone here. I can live with the integrated graphics, but I need at least two buttons. My reason: I use Unix/X windows and one
    button just doesn’t cut it. Well, I waited long enough. I guess it is another Mini for me.

    – Jim

  10. Aquarium Dude | Sep 06 2008 - 12:05

    Did you check out the mac book air yet it weighs like one pound and its super super thing