Apple tweaks MacBook specs
802.11n now a feature not an upgrade
Apple has updated its MacBook line of consumer computers, upping the processor specifications, setting the base-line memory configuration to 1GB and making 802.11n wireless networking a feature rather than an upgrade.
As before, there are three models: two white and one black. All three sport a 13.3in, 1280 x 800 glossy widescreen display; 1GB of 667MHz DDR 2 memory; Gigabit Ethernet; 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi; in integrated webcam; one Firewire and two USB ports; and Bluetooth 2.0. All of them use the on-chipset Intel GMA 950 graphics engine.
The first white MacBook has a 2GHz Core 2 Duo processor, an 80GB hard drive and a DVD-ROM/CD-RW optical unit. The second white MacBook has a 2.16GHz processor, 120GB hard drive and 8x DVD writer. The black machine has the same spec but for a 160GB hard drive.
There's no reference in the specs to LED-backlit displays suggesting this promised feature is indeed being reserved for a MacBook Pro update.
Prices for the three models are £699/$1099, £829/$1299 and £949/$1499, so no substantial change there. All three MacBooks are available immediately, Apple said.
COMMENTS
Price tags
I'm sure it's me not understanding Apple's pricing policy but would someone care to explain the logic of the new prices?
The 2.16GHz white MacBook costs £829. The black MacBook costs £949. According to the spec details, the only difference between the two is the hard disk: 120Gb 5400rpm on one and 160Gb 5400rpm on the other. However, you can configure the white MacBook with the larger HDD for an extra £50, thus getting a computer with the same specs as the black MacBook for £879, i.e. £70 cheaper.
Does this mean that the nice black shiny plastic costs £70 more than the nice white shiny plastic? Or is there something else in the black MacBook that Apple is not telling us and that would really justify the difference in price?
Trackpad and Keyboard
So, just because you don't like the trackpad and/or the keyboard it's wrong is it?
I much prefer the Mighty Mouse to any other as it's ergonomically far more comfortable for me to hold, the trackpad is fine, i don't see an issue with the size of it, as for one button why do you need two? I don't and i see very few people complaining about it, apart from some self confessed "qualified" expert.
As for the keyboard, both the USb and the built in one on my MBP are some of the nicest and most comfortable keyboards i've typed on...
But it's good to see that because you think they're wrong, they clearly are....
Love the large trackpad; hate the wintel ones...
The extra real estate is brilliant as is the superior precision and two-finger scrolling which beats hands-down any crappy wintel laptop I've ever had the misfortune to use in Windows land.
The Track Pad
While its nice to see that Apple finally has reasonably advanced tapping support on its touch pads (had that in Linux on my laptop over 4 years ago,) there is really no excuse for the touchpads that they have been using on the Macbook(Pro)?s. The thing is too large to use without lifting your hand from rest, and the button is ridiculously large. Apple has some lingering one button fetish (Even their '4 button' mouse looks like a one button - I've had to explain that it wasn't to about 60% of the users to whom we've deployed them.) It simply doesn't make sense to not put more than one button on a laptop - Especially since they (Apple or their fanboys, can't remember which) constantly brag that you can run Windows on the things. That'd be a whole lot of fun without two buttons. Don't even get me started on the keyboards.
As to what Apple are actually guilty of, thats for a whole seperate volume of articles.
Just incase anyone is worried that I'm not qualified to complain, I use a Mac every weekday at work, where I am one of 3 people that provides user support for about 300 Apple machines - I have had ample opportunity to see where they went right and wrong.
Obviously the "priorities" comment from a non mac user
The track pads on the mac books can identify more than one press so to "right" click on the track pad you use two fingers simultaneously use one finger and you "left" click.
Apple current mouse has four buttons - left, right, squeeze the sides and press the track ball which also scrolls left - right and up and down.
For Pete's sake get with the programme. At least try and criticise Apple for something they are actually guity of rather than 5 year old knee jerk reactions...
Andrew Orlowski is that you?
