A new cinema display and the cheapest MacBook to date
24in LED Cinema Display
Joining the Mini DisplayPort-equipped machines is a new 24in LED-backlit widescreen display designed specifically for the new range of MacBook systems.
The display features a built-in iSight video camera, microphone and speakers, as well as integrated MagSafe charger, three USB 2.0 ports and the Mini DisplayPort socket. Unfortunately, an additional adaptor will be required for users looking to connect via VGA, DVI or HDMI.
It provides a full-HD resolution of 1,920x1,200 and will be available in November a retail price of $899 in the US and £649 in the UK.
MacBook
Last but not least, there's a new MacBook - adding to Apple's best-selling range of notebooks. The new system will feature many of the MacBook Pro's key features, including a metal enclosure, NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics and a multi-touch trackpad. It is, essentially, more of a miniature MacBook Pro than it is a MacBook.
The new MacBook will live alongside existing white-plastic models at a premium price-tag, and the previous generation will now retail at a lowest-ever MacBook price point of $999. Despite creeping under the one-thousand mark, the price-drop, we feel, isn't significant enough.
Pricing and specification for the two new MacBook models is as follows:
| MacBook (2.0GHz) | MacBook (2.4GHz) | |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 13.3in LED-backlit | 13.3in LED-backlit and backlit keyboard |
| Processor | 2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo (3MB L2 cache) | 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo (3MB L2 cache) |
| Memory | 2GB DDR3 1066 | 2GB DDR3 1066 |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce 9400M | NVIDIA GeForce 9400M |
| Storage | 160GB hard-disk drive | 250GB hard-disk drive |
| Price (US) | $1,299 | $1,599 |
| Price (UK) | £949 | £1,149 |
Summary
Apple has improved its already-impressive range of MacBook systems with a handful of useful upgrades. The all-new construction should deliver build-quality that many competitors won't be able to match, and new features such as improved graphics and multi-touch trackpads will only help attract more first-time customers.
There is, however, a significant problem, and it's UK pricing. With the current exchange rate of 1.746 dollars per pound, UK customers will find themselves paying literally hundreds of pounds more than their US counterparts. Still, high-cost systems haven't stopped Apple's continued growth so far, and we see little reason for that to change.
Official product page: Apple.com
Official press releases:
New MacBook Family Redefines Notebook Design
Apple Unveils 24-inch LED Cinema Display for New MacBook Family
