MacBook range revamp snippets slip out
As if by magic, pics and part numbers appear ahead of tonight's launch
Apple fans anticipating a cheap MacBook may be disappointed by the company's notebook launch tonight: possible part-number and price data suggest they won't get one.
In the run up to tonight's unveiling, the rumour mill has been spinning with stomach unsettling speed. The key items flying off are a set of part numbers and prices, as follows:
- M97, MB466LL/A $1299 - MacBook
- M97, MB467LL/A $1599 - MacBook
- M96, MB543LL/A $1799 - MacBook Air
- M96, MB940LL/A $2499 - MacBook Air
- M98, MB470LL/A $1999 - 15in MacBook Pro
- M98, MB471LL/A $2499 - 15in MacBook Pro
- M88, MB766LL/A $2799 - 17in MacBook Pro
There are also some BestBuy database entries doing the rounds, but the Apple part numbers they contain don't match these and, as the Mac Rumours website notes, these are often added speculatively by BestBuy staffers so shouldn't be taken as gospel.
Apple's new MacBook Pro?
The prices match, not only the above numbers but also prices listed by a variety of sites citing different sources.
Given Apple's usual approach to model numbers, it's a fair bet that the above list correctly covers they key pre-configured specs: two MacBooks, two 15in MacBook Pros and a 17in model, and HDD- and SSD-fitted MacBook Airs.
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The list also contains an $899 product listed as "K29, MB382LL/A", which some pundits had proposed was the anticipated low-cost MacBook. However, others have since claimed that moles have told them it's an LED-backlit display.
We hope it's one into which the MacBook will dock, as per past Apple patent filings. Why else announced a basic monitor at a notebook-centric product launch? We shall see later today.
The new MacBook Pro in the flesh?
Image courtesy Engadget
Finally, dozens of blurry cameraphone snaps are appearing online showing the new machines. Interestingly, one shows a MacBook Pro with a black MacBook Air-like keyboard and big touchpad plus a black-bordered glossy display exactly like the one that popped up on the T-Mobile website last month but was dismissed by pundits.
Interestingly, the machine's touchpad has no button - it's said the pad itself acts as a button, though whether a physical one or the usual tap-to-click job we can't say.
Other sites have claimed the touchpad is made of glass, the implication being it's a iPod Touch/iPhone-style pad, but this seems unlikely though not impossible.
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COMMENTS
@ darkmooink
Are you joking?? Please tell me you are joking. Apple can be a pain in the arse, but they don't stop you from putting none apple approved hardware/software on the systems... first thing I did with my macbook pro was replace the ram in the system with 4gb of low latency stuff from a 3rd party manufacturer. My headphones are zenhiesser (or however you spell it), my bluetooth mouse is Logitech, my timemachine device is a generic 2.5inch USB2 disk caddy, I use several none apple products in osx too. I also dual boot windows/ubuntu too.
Stop making shit up, if you haven't ever used one, don't spout crap about it. You are as bad as the apple fanatics who think Apple can do no wrong and believe every bit of hype apple whip up about their products. I didn't buy a macbook pro because it was "pretty", it had the smallest form factor of a high end intel system I could find... my only other option at the time was an Alienware system for about the same price, and they have more issues with support and hardware faults, plus it weighed a ton - oh, and its top end features were only enabled in Vista, which sucked..
I boycotted Apple up until I got this laptop, and that's all I've bought - I've traditionally built my own PC's, and generally don't have any loyalties to any brands, except maybe Creative & Logitech... I seem to buy their speakers, mp3 players and mice exclusively. Not all Apple owners are fanatics.
Go and hang out with Webster... I'm sure you guys have alot to talk about!!
@darkmooink
"if you want apple hardware (usually "cos it looks cool") you can only use it with other apple hardware (exclusion of ipod and iphone) and only with apple software."
What hardware is that? Mouses work with other PCs, keyboards work with other PCs - I cant actually think of one bit of apple hardware that only works with other hardware of software - care to explain?
"if you want to use osx then you MUST use a mac and only use apple approved software on it."
Yes and no. You can run OS X on most x86 based computers now - you just need to know how do. Although it may not be legal* - it IS possible. Heck, I do it on a £99 Dell, works just fine and I have no intention of paying for a Mac Pro* (but I do own a 'proper' macbook pro for portable use).
M
No fanboi but
@ AC "I do prefer apple, for mostly sensible reasons..."
you can add my sanity to that!
@ Greg - made me laugh, so you are not exactly straining at the temple gates for the front seats to receive such blessings, along with random showers of Jobs DNA?
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