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Apple adds more RAM, better CPU and NVIDIA graphics to white MacBook on the sly

When Apple updates its products or even sets a date for a press conference, the tech world and fans of Apple hardware around the world listen up. For a long time if you wanted an aluminum notebook from Apple, you had to pony up for the larger MacBook Pro.

That changed in October of 2008 when Apple unveiled a refreshed line of MacBook computers that used the unibody aluminum design that the MacBook Pro featured. Along with the new aluminum MacBooks, Apple continued to field a low-end MacBook using the familiar white polycarbonate chassis.

Other than not having the slick looking aluminum chassis, the white MacBook also labored on with the same specifications previous MacBooks featured. Apple has unceremoniously gone back and updated the lowly white MacBook with specifications found on the new aluminum units.

The white MacBook now offers a faster Intel Core 2 Duo 2GHz CPU with a 1,066MHz FSB, 2GB of 667MHz DDR2 RAM and the sweet NVIDIA 9400M GPU that ousted Intel from the MacBook line for graphics. Another minor update is a move from Bluetooth 2.0 to 2.1 specifications.

The disk drives and other specifications like Firewire 400 remain the same. Perhaps the best news is that despite the updates to the system the white MacBook retains its $999 price tag. By sticking with Apple's entry-level system, you lose out on the lighter aluminum casing, multi-touch trackpad, LED-backlit display, and the unibody unit's DDR3 RAM.

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Apple is something else
By joey2264 on 1/21/2009 10:12:23 AM , Rating: 2
So you have to pay $300 for an aluminum body, inferior screen (because of the added reflection), and slightly faster and slightly lower power RAM. Wow. Apple is arrogant, but this is a new low.




RE: Apple is something else
By nowayout99 on 1/21/2009 10:22:19 AM , Rating: 1
The white model has a glossy screen also, so it's the same. It also still has the firewire port, which the alu model lacks.

But yeah, $300 more gets you the alu case, a little more HDD space, some faster RAM, and no firewire.

Hmm, decisions.


RE: Apple is something else
By nowayout99 on 1/21/2009 10:23:54 AM , Rating: 2
(btw, "hmm decisions" was sarcasm... the white model is the better pick.)


RE: Apple is something else
By sliderule on 1/21/2009 10:31:58 AM , Rating: 2
Makes me wonder if they're going to add firewire to the unibody macbook.

Sucks to be an early adopter I guess.


RE: Apple is something else
By quiksilvr on 1/21/2009 10:51:26 AM , Rating: 4
You just NOW realized that it sucks to be an early adopter for Apple? This is what the ALUMINUM Macbook should be priced at in the first place. They kept boasting about how much more economic the unibody thing was and yet they released it for $1300 bucks?

It gets better too. You can upgrade the older Macbook to 4 GB of ram and a 250GB HDD to equal to the price to the new Macbook. It may not be LED backlit but so what? From what I've seen the screen on the new Macbooks are ass. I've never seen such a horrible viewing angle before.

I'm glad that Apple finally released an affordable laptop that packs a punch.


RE: Apple is something else
By quiksilvr on 1/21/2009 10:58:15 AM , Rating: 2
I just realized something else about the BS Aluminum Macbook. The lower end model DOESN'T HAVE A BACKLIT KEYBOARD. You have to get the higher end model for that amazing feature...WHAT THE HELL, MAN?!


RE: Apple is something else
By sliderule on 1/21/2009 10:59:56 AM , Rating: 2
Who would've thought Apple would update the white Macbook? I figured they would phase it out, but with this new chipset I guess not.

I agree with what your saying, and NO I didn't just realize it sucks to be an early adopter for Apple...lol


RE: Apple is something else
By kelmon on 1/21/2009 12:13:31 PM , Rating: 2
My bet is that, yes, Firewire will make a return given the outcry. Firewire 800 disappeared from the PowerBook when the first generation MacBook Pro appeared but that came back as well later.


RE: Apple is something else
By Scott66 on 1/21/2009 11:49:34 AM , Rating: 2
Yay Firewire, my external devices will be happy. I use an older version of the plastic macbook and can use the quicker FSB speeds converting video and audio files. The enhanced bluetooth will also improve the machhine's usefulness for presentations.

I might be able to play some games when I bootcamp the machine or use Microsoft 7 with parallels.


RE: Apple is something else
By kelmon on 1/21/2009 12:11:35 PM , Rating: 2
I believe you also get the new trackpad and, if you go for the higher-end version, the illuminated keyboard.


RE: Apple is something else
By mmntech on 1/21/2009 10:38:32 AM , Rating: 2
Well, this makes me angry. I bought the Aluminum model for the better GPU because it was on sale Black Friday. Now they release it for $999 and the only difference is a plastic chassis?! This is as asinine as the iPhone price drop was a couple of years ago. I agree, this is a new low. I should get money back like the iPhone early adopters did after that fiasco.


RE: Apple is something else
By Omega215D on 1/21/2009 10:51:44 AM , Rating: 2
well no, you'd lose out on the LED backlight and somewhat lighter weight and thinner body.


RE: Apple is something else
By sliderule on 1/21/2009 10:55:07 AM , Rating: 2
Well I like aluminum better than plastic, and I was ready to buy one last year(despite lack of firewire) until I found out they were painted...I'm mean wtf!?

I had a ti powerbook that paint chipped off of, and from then on, no painted laptops for me.


Isn't the cpu a downgrade?
By sri2000 on 1/21/2009 10:19:42 AM , Rating: 2
The old white macbook (part# MB402LL/B) had a 2.1GHz Core 2 Duo... the new one is 2.0GHz... in reality, that .1GHz difference isn't much, but it's still a downgrade & the article says "a faster Intel Core 2 Duo".




RE: Isn't the cpu a downgrade?
By Brandon Hill (blog) on 1/21/2009 10:31:29 AM , Rating: 2
FSB went from 800MHz to 1066MHz. I could be wrong, but I do believe that the 2.0GHz on the 1066MHz bus is faster than the 2.1 on the 800MHz FSB.


RE: Isn't the cpu a downgrade?
By quiksilvr on 1/21/2009 10:56:12 AM , Rating: 2
Either way the difference is minimal and you get much better power savings anyways.


RE: Isn't the cpu a downgrade?
By dj LiTh on 1/21/2009 10:38:55 AM , Rating: 4
I'll take my dell xps ihack anyday of the week!


White Macbook Differences
By TerminalVelocity on 1/21/2009 11:00:02 AM , Rating: 2
This is not being an apologist. However, there ARE other differences between the alu and polycarbonate models.

1. Alu model has a LED backlight. Better uniformity, higher brightness, less power. In addition, the Alu model's screen has GLASS facia, which is a visual improvement over the plastic cover on the poly model screen, albeit at an additional cost.

2. The alu enclosure is MUCH more durable. Does anyone here remember all of the complaints about cracks and discolouration on the polycarbonate cases?

3. The alu model has the new multi-touch trackpad. The poly model does not. It supports "some" multitouch, but is not the fancy single-button model.

4. The alu model has a vastly improved set of speakers and microphone.

5. There is some indication that the alu model uses a higher quality LCD panel (i.e. true 10-bit colorspace vs 8-bit colorspace)

Are all these (plus the aforementioned DDR3, mini-displayport, battery changes and case design) worth $300? Possibly, but that is entirely up to the individual purchaser. Remember, the change in materials for the case does not represent the full cost. The machining and construction is also a significant factor. This is more akin to the differences between the iBook and the 12" powerbook. Very similar internals - different external case, $300 difference in price. Nothing new here, and nothing to scream about either.




RE: White Macbook Differences
By sliderule on 1/21/2009 11:10:49 AM , Rating: 2
2. They're painted, which chips and scratches exposing the shiny metal underneath, but that's aesthetics.

Aluminum should be better, but then again plastic is fine if it's done right.


RE: White Macbook Differences
By Pneumothorax on 1/21/2009 11:30:41 AM , Rating: 2
From "upgrading" from the 2.1 macbook to both a alu macbook and new macbook pro, you can see that apple puts a much better panel in the pro model with a much wider color gamut and brightness. The alu macbook LED only gives better brightness without much improvement in gamut. Also the multitouch pad is much worse in vista than the older trackpad when it comes to usability. Even with the improved drivers it's still too sensitive compared to the old pad.
Moral of the story, unless you "must" have the alu body, get the white one
BTW the alu body scratches quite easily, almost as easily as the plastic one.


By TerminalVelocity on 1/21/2009 11:48:06 AM , Rating: 2
If you're after the alu model - look at the refurb. units at apple.com. There was an alu 2.0 model for the same price as a new polycarbonate one this morning, with the same warranty!

Otherwise, I concur with the folks here and recommend the polycarbonate version - particularly as it has the Firewire port.


RE: White Macbook Differences
By kelmon on 1/21/2009 12:19:14 PM , Rating: 2
Personally, I'd go with the Aluminium version for the new trackpad. It sounds daft but the much bigger area doesn't half make a difference if you can't attach a mouse. Such a simple idea to "remove" the button but it works so well.


Other upgrades too
By slashbinslashbash on 1/21/2009 10:44:13 AM , Rating: 2
There are other upgrades to the aluminum MB than just the body shell. Multi-Touch trackpad, LED backlit LCD, DisplayPort video out, and being about half a pound lighter.




First time mac user
By corduroygt on 1/21/2009 4:35:24 PM , Rating: 2
I got my aluminum macbook in december, and I don't regret it. I saw the white book at my friends before and it didn't make me want to go out and buy one. The aluminum one did however. I didn't like the plastic quality, thickness, and weight of the white macbook, but I like the aluminum book, especially at $1160 with no tax.

Never having owned a mac or ipod before, I never had any firewire devices, so I don't care about that either.




CLEVER INSULT
By icanhascpu on 1/21/09, Rating: 0
"We can't expect users to use common sense. That would eliminate the need for all sorts of legislation, committees, oversight and lawyers." -- Christopher Jennings

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