Category Archives: Macbook Pro

Recap Of Tuesdays “The spotlight turns to notebooks” Event

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macbook_aluminum.png

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

Frayed MagSafe Power Adapters Being Replaced By Apple

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If you treated your MagSafe power adapter like an egg but the cord has frayed anyways, Apple may replace your adapter for free. Apple posted a Knowledge Base article about the replacement of frayed cords. Even if your product is out of warranty, Apple says you may be eligible for a free replacement if your adapter shows no signs of abuse. Read the KB article for all the details. Free sure beats the $80 it would take to buy a new one.

[Via TUAW]

New Macbook and Macbook Pro Released Today

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Updated MB and MBP

The often rumored Macbook Pro updated came true today on Apple Tuesday (that’s my new name for Tuesdays).  In addition to the new MBP, the Macbook also saw an update.  Of the two updates, the Macbook Pro sees the most significant changes.  So what’s new?

Macbook Pro

  • Base model now features the 2.4GHz Core 2 Duo and 200GB HDD
  • Mid 15″ and 17″ come with 2.5GHz Core 2 Duo and 250GB HDD
  • The base model now has 256MB video RAM and the other two have 512MB RAM
  • 4GB RAM upgrade is now cheaper, but still not worth it ($400)
  • You now have a 300GB HDD option on the 17″ MBP
  • The 17″ now sports an LED display
  • Multi-Touch trackpad added to all models

Macbook

  • Base model now features the 2.1GHz Core 2 Duo and 120GB HDD
  • Other model now features a 2.4GHZ Core 2 Duo, 160GB HDD, and 2GB RAM
  • Price for the Black option now down to $100 (from $125)
  • 4GB RAM upgrade is now cheaper, but still not worth it ($400; $500 if you’re buying the base model)

Both updates are available immediately with the same pricing as previous models.  I’m glad to see Apple is keeping up with the changing hardware, but when will they just make 2GB of RAM standard across their entire notbook line?  The entry model Macbook is the only model that doesn’t come with 2GB of RAM.

Update: I made a few corrections to the earlier post to reflect the 17″ LED display and the wording on the video card update. In addition to that, the Apple Remote is now a $19 paid upgrade. I hardly ever use mine and I suspect Apple is trying to cut cost/waste with the move.

Choose The Perfect Apple Notebook With This Comparison Chart

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Update, August 2009: Apple now has their own laptop comparison chart (scroll down a little on the linked page) with even more data. I’ll no longer be updating the comparison chart linked below.

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Choosing the right Apple notebook is an important decision for first time and seasoned Mac users. While there are only three notebooks to choose from, each product has its own strengths and drawbacks. I thought I would make it easier for you to choose the proper Apple notebook.

I’m compiled a detailed chart listing every possible option I could find or think of based on the current notebook offerings. If you see that I missed something, please lease a comment and I’ll update the chart. I present to you, the Apple Notebook Comparison Chart (pdf).

Update: I’ve updated the chart to reflect the recent Macbook and Macbook Pro updates.

Apple quietly bumps Macbook and Macbook Pro lineups

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Apple quietly made some changes to their notebook lineup today. Between the Macbook and Macbook Pro, changes include processors, graphics cards, and hard drives. Similar to the recent Mac Mini update (if someone hadn’t ask at a press event nothing would have been said), these changes did not accompany any type of press release.

Macbook Changes:
-The Macbook now runs on the Santa Rosa Intel platform. This includes 4GB of RAM support and an 800MHz system bus.
-The Macbook now ships with the Intel GMA X3100 graphics adapter. The previous GMA 950 has 64MB shared RAM, while the new X3100 has 144MB shared RAM.
-HDD options up to 250GB 5400RPM SATA drive.

Macbook Pro Changes:
-Core 2 Duo processor options up to 2.6GHz

When I saw the update, I was about to curse since I just recently upgraded to a new 2.2GHz MBP. Since the only upgrade to the MBP was the 2.6GHz processors (and at $250), I didn’t care too much. The difference between the 2.4GHz and 2.6GHz isn’t really worth $250. The changes to the Macbook though are more significant. Even though the Macbook has been updated to the Santa Rose platform, the MBP is still the only Apple notebook to offer an LED display.