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Apple Unveils New Macbook
Several readers have written in to mention that Apple has released the new Macbook on their site. Yahoo! has details from the press release: "With prices starting at just $1,099, the MacBook lineup includes three models: a 1.83 GHz and 2.0 GHz MacBook in a newly designed, sleek white enclosure and a 2.0 GHz MacBook in a stunning new black enclosure. The new MacBook offers performance up to five times faster than the iBook and up to four times faster than the 12-inch PowerBook with a completely new system architecture including a 667 MHz front-side bus and 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM memory expandable to 2GB."
and a 2.0 GHz MacBook in a stunning new black enclosure.
;-)
What the article doesn't mention is that the new black enclosure is made from the same patented finish as the ipod nano
Seriously, $1099 for the low end one is making these look pretty tempting, but I'm going to have to wait for the fourth gen (instead of usual second gen) for mactel stuff.
There are shills on slashdot. Apparently, I'm one of them.
Just built me a Dell online and matched up the specs as closely as possible. Here's what I made:
Latitude D620:
Intel® Core(TM) Duo T2400 (1.83GHz) 667Mhz Dual Core
Operating Systems:
Genuine Windows® XP Home Edition, SP2, with media
LCDs:
14.1 inch Wide Screen WXGA LCD Panel
Graphics:
Intel® Integrated Graphics Media Accelerator 950
Memory:
512MB, DDR2-533 SDRAM, 1 DIMM
Hard Drives:
60GB Hard Drive, 9.5MM, 5400RPM
Optical Drive - Modular:
24X CD-RW/DVD w/ Cyberlink PowerDVD(TM)
Wireless LAN (802.11):
Dell Wireless(TM) 1390 802.11g Mini Card
Bluetooth:
Dell Wireless® 350 Bluetooth Module
I assume that a "mini card" with regards to wireless is a plug in thing? I'm pretty sure it would say internal if it was built in, but some one who knows more about Dell can correct me.
Total Price: $1466.00 or 1216.00 after instant rebate.
Except, of course, that the UK price includes VAT, making the actual price differential 7% or so.
Apple's pages list this a replacement for the 12" Powerbook as well as the iBook.
Mod point free since 2001
is the addition of screen spanning, mirroring, and lid closed operation with a external monitor. Integrated graphics are a bummer, but are expected given their appearence in the mac mini. The new screen is long overdue (a 1024x768 screen doesn't cut it in 2006). Now the only thing we still are waiting on is a replacement for the powermac, but seeing as how few of the major pro apps are universal binaries, that release may be a ways down the road.
The use of RAM in pairs is due to the inclusion of an Intel Integrated Graphics.
If you put the RAM in pairs the amount of bandwith is double compared to the use of one single module (dual channel vs single channel)
The new system is availabe in three specs.
It also looks like Apple put together a spec comparison chart, for those who are interested.
I beleive with certin types of DDR ram, pairing yeilds better proformance than a single bigger DIM, so I would probably match both slots with new ram anyway if I were upgrading; hell, for ~$200 from a 3rd party, why not upgrade to 2GB
According to the comparison chart http://store.apple.com/Catalog/US/Images/compariso n_chart.html , both the MacBook and the MacBook Pro have a built in omnidirectional microphone. Why it's not listed on the technical specs, I don't know.
Donald Roeber
Generating 2048 Bits of Randomness...
"1 GB RAM (can't get 512)"
Then why not just upgrade the iBook to 1GB? It then costs $1,249.
Thus the price difference is $1540 - $1249 = $291.
Your price difference is wrong, and you have not included the cost of the 80GB HD upgrade.
I still think that is an amazing deal, even though you get a slightly smaller screen.
Dell gives you multiple options and ability to custom configure, plus there are a variety of discounts.
Dell Inspiron E1405
WXGA screen(as opposed to the WXGA+ upgrade)
Core Duo 1.83
512 Megs RAM
60 Gig HD (The MacBook comes with a 60 gig, not 80)
Intel 3945 802.11/a/b/g card
Bluetooth
1 Year Warranty
$1037
- $300 coupon
= $737