DailyTech - Apple Updates MacBook Lineup

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Gadgets Apple Updates MacBook Lineup
Brandon Hill (Blog) - May 15, 2007 9:48 AM

14 comment(s) - last by napolihos.. on May 16 at 3:54 AM

Apple bumps the specs on its MacBook, but Santa Rosa is MIA

With the release of Intel’s Santa Rosa platform last week, we saw a number of new notebooks be announced from the usual suspects like Sony and Dell. Conspicuously missing, however, was Apple. The company is known for operating on its own timetable, but many expected Apple to eventually make the switch to Intel's newest platform.

Today, Apple announced an update to its MacBook lineup, but Santa Rosa is still MIA. Apple has updated the entry-level model to include a 2.0GHz Core 2 Duo processor, 1GB of RAM and an 80GB HDD (up from 1.83GHz, 512MB and 60GB). The range-topping black MacBook now features a 2.16GHz Core 2 Duo processor, 1GB of RAM and a 160GB HDD (up from 2.0GHz, 1GB and 120GB).

All other features remain the same including the 13.3" (WXGA) glossy screen, slot-loading DL DVD burner (CD-RW combo drive on the entry-level model), Intel GMA950, GbE, 802.11n and Bluetooth 2.0+EDR.

The new MacBooks are available now and range in price from $1,099 for the entry-level model to $1,499 for the 2.16GHz black model.

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Why the Macbook?

By DEredita on 5/15/2007 12:24:36 PM , Rating: 2

I find it weird that they updated the Macbook, and not the Mac Mini or iMac. The Macbook was last refreshed in November, and the iMac and Mac Mini haven't been touched since September.

RE: Why the Macbook?

By JazzMang on 5/15/2007 2:00:22 PM , Rating: 2

I would expect 2Gb of RAM on the top MacBook by now, no?

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RE: Why the Macbook?

By tacoburrito on 5/15/07, Rating: -1

RE: Why the Macbook?

By Ralph The Magician on 5/15/2007 3:02:40 PM , Rating: 4

No. The Mac OS has alway been RAM hungry. I wouldn't even consider running OS X nowadays with less than 2GB RAM.

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RE: Why the Macbook?

By psychobriggsy on 5/15/2007 2:15:56 PM , Rating: 2

I would in the MacBook Pro, but not the MacBook.

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RE: Why the Macbook?

By Uarmm on 5/15/2007 2:30:00 PM , Rating: 2

Why have it standard when you can charge 175 bucks to have people upgrade to it? If you threw away all the RAM that came with your new Macbook and bought entirely new memory to upgrade to 2 gigs, you would still save around 75 bucks.

Not that they are the only manufacturer to gouge on memory. Has anyone configured a Dell XPS laptop lately? Hope you like paying 1,700 bucks to upgrade to 4 gigs of RAM when you could pay 300-400 on newegg.

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RE: Why the Macbook?

By tacoburrito on 5/15/2007 2:14:59 PM , Rating: 2

The Mac mini is so overpriced right now that they will have to upgrade several components to make it worthwhile. I remember when the first version of Mac mini was selling for $500.

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Wouldn't really call a refresh then...

By Eurasianman on 5/15/2007 10:48:08 AM , Rating: 5

Perhaps they should rename the topic or something.

I guess I'm the only one that's definition of refresh means newer hardware (Santa Rosa w/ updated integrated graphics).

Are these worth it?

I've used Windows and Intel/AMD since Nintendo 64 came out. =[

A see of blue

By Rotkiv on 5/15/2007 10:57:52 AM , Rating: 2

I wonder if/when Apple will ever change their defult background?

I realize that this is a rather silly comment but it is getting boring.

RE: A see of blue

By fxnick on 5/15/2007 2:51:57 PM , Rating: 2

apple puts out a new background with every OS release 10.1, 10.2, etc...

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Minor specification bump.

By psychobriggsy on 5/15/2007 11:21:19 AM , Rating: 3

Just a standard specifications bump. It's not as if Apple had a keynote for it.

Prices have gone down in the UK and Europe though, due to the exchange rate changes. £699 instead of £749 for example. Base MacBook's lack of DVD-RW is laughable, especially as there isn't an option to have one on that specification.

Seriously consider getting one

By tacoburrito on 5/15/2007 12:17:58 PM , Rating: 2

I was thinking of getting the 2ghz model for a while now, and now I'm leaning heavily towards buying it (instead of a Dell) now that the price has come down by about $200. I can now use the $200 for upgrade to a bigger HD and other fancier specs.
Well done, Apple!

Wtf Mr. Jobs

By MKct on 5/16/2007 12:19:24 AM , Rating: 2

I was hoping the latest update to the Macbooks would include an update to the chipset, mainly the integrated graphics. I would have liked to see them use a chipset from ATI or Nvidia that support the HD video formats, but i guess you have to buy a Macbook Pro for that. Even an update for the Intel 950 would have been a welcomed changed, maybe even a catalyst for me to buy one, but it looks like I have to keep waiting. I enjoy the small size of the Macbook series, but will probably hold out until the real updates come (Santa Rose, LED backlit dislay, etc.) hopefully later this year.

A "speed/spec bump" NOT a true update

By napolihos on 5/16/2007 3:54:34 AM , Rating: 2

I think some are missing the point. This is merely a standard processor speed bump for the MB along with welcome spec increases in either ram or HD size. Everyone should welcome these. I have no doubt that Apple has plans for a true MB update, including an LED backlit display and possibly the intel santa rosa platform. The new graphics will be most welcome as is the increase to 800 Mhz FSB. However, I'm sure it's going to take Apple and Intel a bit to figure out how to integrate the Robson NAND flash into OSX since it appears to have a mostly Vista-centric initial implementation (based on what I've read). I'm gonna buy whatever MB is available in August for my daughter, who'se off to her freshman year in college. For her, the speed/spec bumbs are most welcome. I'm willing to wait for the display, graphics, FSB upgrades for myself. Cheers