Apple Mac HQ

Unless you were hiding in a secret underground lair, you probably know Apple released some new laptops and other goodies last week. Here is a quick recap of all the changes (all that I could find):

Macbook

• There are now two different designs for the Macbook and three different price points ($999, $1299, $1599). The white plastic design of before, and a brand new aluminum design
• The white Macbook remains unchanged, except for a new price of $999 (down from $1099)
• The new Macbook received a radical design change. Gone are the days when you could easily spot the difference between a Macbook and Macbook Pro
• The new Macbook has been updated with a new precision aluminum unibody look
• The new Macbook sports a GeForce 9400M video chipset; way more powerful than the previous Intel chipset
• The new $1299 Macbook now has a slower processor; 2.0GHz C2D instead of a 2.4GHz C2D processor available in the previous $1299 white Macbook
• The $1599 Macbook has a 2.4GHz processor and 250GB HDD
• The new Macbook is without Firewire ports
• The new Macbook is sporting a new video port; the Mini DisplayPort
• The new Macbook has a glass trackpad that acts as both the trackpad and trackpad button
• The new glass trackpad supports multi-touch gestures ala the Macbook Air
• You now have a 128GB SSD option on the new Macbook
• The new Macbook has the same keyboard as the Macbook Air
• The new Macbook has a backlit keyboard; but only on the $1599 model
• The new Macbook supports the 30″ Apple Cinema Display
• The new Macbook has an LED Screen
• The new Macbook is lighter, thinner, and slightly deeper
• The new Macbook is rated for 5hrs vs. 4.5hrs in the older white model
• The battery indicator is on the side of the case instead of on the battery itself in the new Macbook

Macbook Air

• The MBA sports a GeForce 9400M video chipset; way more powerful than the previous Intel chipset
• The MBA comes standard with a 120GB HDD and also has a 128GB SSD option
• The MBA is sporting a new video port; the Mini DisplayPort
• The MBA now supports the 30″ Apple Cinema Display
• Battery life is rated at 4.5hrs vs. 5 in previous documentation (ed: Could be change in the calculation methods)
• Not shipping until “Early November”

Macbook Pro

• All models have a 128GB SSD HDD option
• The 17″ MBP remains unchanged design wise
• The 17″ MBP and the $2499 15″ comes standard with 4GB RAM and a 320GB HDD; both increases
• The 17″ MBP now comes standard with a LED display (matte or glossy)
• The 17″ MBP has a standard resolution of 1920 x 1200 (previously was a BTO option)
• The 15″ MBP was updated with the new precision aluminum unibody look
• The 15″ MBP now contains two NVIDIA chipsets; the GeForce 9400M and 9600M GT
• On the 15″ MBP, the DVI port is gone. Now you have the mini DisplayPort
• On the 15″ MBP, the ports are now on one side
• All 15″ MBP are glossy screens. You cannot get a 15″ MBP with a matte screen
• On the 15″ MBP, gone are both the FireWire 400 and FireWire 800 ports. Now you have one FireWire 800 (backwards compatible with FW 400)
• The 15″ MBP has a glass trackpad that acts as both the trackpad and trackpad button
• The new glass trackpad supports multi-touch gestures ala the Macbook Air
• The $2499 MBP received a very slight speed bump, up to 2.53GHz from 2.5GHz
• The RAM and HDD are now vastly easier to replace in the 15″ MBP via a compartment on the bottom of the laptop
• The 15″ MBP has the same keyboard as the Macbook Air
• The new 15″ MBP is slightly thinner, yet heavier, wider, and deeper
• The battery indicator is on the side of the case instead of on the battery itself in the 15″ MBP
• The 15″ MBP now has a magnetic latch similar to the Macbook

Cinema Displays

• Introduced a 24″ LED display for $899
• Built in iSight, mic, speakers, and three USB ports
• The new display contains a MagSafe connector to charge your notebook
• The new display uses the new Mini DisplayPort
• No adapter available for DVI to Mini DisplayPort available
• The previous 20″, 23″, and 30″ displays are still available; unchanged
• Not currently available for sale; “Coming Soon”

Other

• Apple talked a lot about their new products and how environmentally friendly they are. You can read the Apple 2008 Environmental Update for more information.
• Apple is now the # 1 notebook seller in education