Apple intros new unibody plastic MacBook
updated 12:25 pm EDT, Tue October 20, 2009
Borrows tech from recent MacBook Pros
Fulfilling earlier rumors, Apple has introduced a new base-level MacBook. While still made of polycarbonate plastic, the computer sports a new unibody design, borrowing from the manufacturing technique currently used for MacBook Pros. Also carried over from the Pros is LED backlighting, and an integrated seven-hour battery.
The system now uses a glass multi-touch trackpad, and a non-slip bottom surface. Internal specifications include a 2.26GHz Core 2 Duo processor with 2GB of RAM, alongside an integrated GeForce 9400M video chipset from NVIDIA. Storage is presented in the form of a 250GB hard drive. The computer costs $999, and should now be available from Apple and third-party resellers.
What???
10/20, 12:45pm (1 reply) reply
Look at all those screws on the bottom!!! I can't believe Steve allows such things!
testudo
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2001
screws!
10/20, 12:52pm reply
Can't see why Steve would object to screws on a laptop when he has no objection to s******* his customers!
Feathers
Forum Regular
Joined: Oct 1999
asterisk
10/20, 01:10pm reply
Hmmm... an eight letter word that begins with an "s"? Well, censorship is a ten letter word than begins with a "c" but it sounds like it begins with an "s". Um, "scrabble" is an eight letter word that begins with scr*****.
Feathers
Forum Regular
Joined: Oct 1999
Here's an idea
10/20, 01:50pm reply
I'd like to see someone to a structural integrity test on these plastic cases vs. the aluminum ones. Any takers?
danviento
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Dec 2005
Boycott ...
10/21, 08:34am reply
I think they didn't learn their lesson the first time around .... lack of FireWire will significantly reduce sales .... wait for rev. 2. That's just stupid. You had FW in the last one; why not on this one?
shawnde
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Apr 2008
@ Boycott
10/21, 03:35pm reply
Why Boycott? You can get firewire if you really need it in a new machine.
I thought they would come out with this size model but without a DVD drive to save weight, a Mac Book Air LC if.(MBA's don't have firewire either)
Evidently it was probably a better engineering proposition to offer a full up model using the guts from the current base mac book pro (same board, battery and screen, all so should have identical performance), and pair down on some the bells and whistles Like firewire SD slot, and illumnated keyboard. so if anyone of these is important to you ,
By the way according to the Mr. Fixit teardown images and photos, the bottom plate is actually aluminium with a plastic coating. Might help with the rigidity of the machine.
This is Apple's loss leader model If saies need bolstering,this is the one they drop in price. I bet they could go down $200 and still make money on this one. I think it would look cool in Black -Maybe.
Can someone photoshop it to see what a black one would look like? The Screen Bezel maybe all wrong.....
grognard
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Oct 2009
FW, back-lit keyboard, etc
10/21, 07:39pm reply
You want FW and backlit keyboard? Just spend $120 more and you have a MacBook Pro. This thing will drop $100 or $200 before you know it.
Paul Huang
Forum Regular
Joined: Sep 1999
Audio i/o (pick one) and IR remote
10/21, 07:44pm reply
The above two items are also missing.
Call this the NeuteredBook.
Paul Huang
Forum Regular
Joined: Sep 1999
I would but...
10/25, 12:21am reply
I would have bought this system on the spot, but after reading a few reviews (and seeing the pics) I will pass...why?
1. No IR, so no ability to pair it with an Apple remote.
2. Apple choosing to combine the audio out and audio in plugs.
3. The BIG problem...the plastic is very soft and it pits and scratches very easily, more easily than it should.
If Apple were to fix these problems (and give us a black macbook) I would jump on it.
lamewing
Forum Regular
Joined: Aug 2004
@ Paul and @ Lamewing
10/25, 08:09pm reply
Yes the 'Neuteredbook' aptly named.
Lamewing, seems like you are the market for the MB Pro model if you want the IR. As for the audio, that seems to be the circuitry for all macbooks.
Hint: check out the Apple online store for refurbished models. If you time it right, you can save quite a bit, and get the same warranty directly fro the big A.
grognard
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Oct 2009