New Apple MacBooks demystified

By Dan Ackerman on 09 June 2009

Amid all the buzz about Apple's new iPhone 3G S, MacBook fans were also treated to an impressive set of component upgrades and price drops across Apple's laptop lines. With select systems changing names, others changing specs, or sometimes both, it can be a little confusing to get a clear picture of the current MacBook family. To that end, we've rounded up the key spec, price and feature changes in one handy spot.

The 13-inch MacBook (Credit: Apple)

MacBook, 13-inch
AU$1599

Core 2 Duo 2.13GHz, 2GB RAM, 160GB HDD, Nvidia GeForce 9400M

This is Apple's basic white plastic MacBook, and the last one left to carry the stand-alone MacBook name.

Until today, it was the only 13-inch model with FireWire, and it remains the only one with a removable battery and a non-LED display.

The 13-inch MacBook Pro (Credit: Apple)

MacBook Pro, 13-inch
AU$1899
Core 2 Duo 2.26GHz, 2GB RAM, 160GB HDD, Nvidia GeForce 9400M

AU$2399
Core 2 Duo 2.53GHz, 4GB RAM, 250GB HDD, Nvidia GeForce 9400M

Previously known as the MacBook, the basic 13-inch aluminium unibody laptop has been promoted to the "Pro" series, and with good cause — the line between these and the 15-inch Pro models has been very thin since they moved to the all-metal construction and added GeForce 9400M graphics.

More importantly, the 13-inch unibody systems have regained their FireWire ports, and have added (drum roll, please...) an SD card slot. We've been bugging Apple for years to add this basic feature, and digital photographers everywhere are no doubt celebrating.

The battery on the 13-inch Pro is of the non-removable type, which promises up to seven hours of life, a purported 40 per cent bump over previous 13-inch models.

The 15-inch MacBook Pro (Credit: Apple)

MacBook Pro 15-inch

AU$2699
Core 2 Duo 2.53GHz, 4GB RAM, 250GB HDD, Nvidia GeForce 9400M

AU$3199
Core 2 Duo 2.66GHz, 4GB RAM, 320GB HDD, Nvidia GeForce 9400M+ 256MB 9600M GT

AU$3699
Core 2 Duo 2.8GHz, 4GB RAM, 500GB HDD, Nvidia GeForce 9400M+ 512MB 9600M GT

The standard 15-inch MacBook Pro remains largely unchanged. The ExpressCard slot is being replaced with an SD card slot, also featured on the new 13-inch Pro. It also has the same non-removable battery, which promises up to seven hours of use.

The least expensive Pro has the same GeForce 9400 integrated graphics as the 13-inch models, and the 2.66GHz and 2.8GHz versions add an additional GeForce 9600M GPU — but that's no different from the existing 15-inch Pro line-up.

What is new is an optional 3.06GHz CPU, available for an extra $480 on top of the $3699 configuration. That makes this Apple's fastest laptop ever.

The 17-inch MacBook Pro (Credit: Apple)

MacBook Pro 17-inch

AU$3999
Core 2 Duo 2.8GHz, 4GB RAM, 500GB HDD, Nvidia GeForce 9400M+ 512MB 9600M GT

Not much new here, but the price cut to $3999 is nice for video editors, designers and photographers.

If you're looking for the new SD card slot, be warned, the 17-inch model is keeping the ExpressCard, and won't be adding an SD card support. The new 3.06GHz Intel Core 2 Duo CPU, however, is available as a $480 add-on.

The 13-inch MacBook Air (Credit: Apple)

MacBook Air, 13-inch
AU$2399
Core 2 Duo 1.86GHz, 2GB RAM, 120GB HDD, Nvidia GeForce 9400M

AU$2,798
Core 2 Duo 2.13GHz, 2GB RAM, 128GB SSD, Nvidia GeForce 9400M

Thanks perhaps to the new flood of thin 13-inch laptops, including the MSI X340 and Dell's Adamo, the thin, sexy MacBook Air is slimming down its starting price to a more reasonable $2399. These have had the GeForce 9400M graphics and built-in battery for a while, and the system is still restricted to a single USB port.

Topics: macbook, 13-inch, 15-inch, 17-inch, laptop, notebook, macbook pro

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Comments (7)

  • Lupita commented on 31/12/2009 12:01

    how can i recive one for free like on t.v.

  • Arty commented on 20/06/2009 19:21

    OMG! Worst. News. Ever. Apple is getting a little too close to mainstreamland, I might have to convert to Linux. Seriously, this might bring the number of people at my arts school up to like, more than 50%. Well, if I make the transition now, I can be first.

  • ant commented on 18/06/2009 11:52

    oops i was supposed to put my rant in another thread. no worries, firewire 800 is a worthy addition to the 13". Apple, you're smart. This is the way to drive your sales; take out a feature (MacBook FW; 2008)and put it back as a feature!

  • ant commented on 18/06/2009 11:50

    Okay so let's say there are 20 million macbook pro users with ExpressCard slot. If 10% of them are using peripherals then Apple just screwed over 200,000 potential new MacBook Pro owners.
    And SD card slot is hardly a step forward, in fact what I don't understand is why they didn't even give that slot much love to then raise that percentage. If they're in for the business this was clearly NOT the way to make money, just insults actual pro customers.

  • Reagan commented on 11/06/2009 19:52

    Even more reason to buy one!!

  • jonny commented on 09/06/2009 19:21

    farrkkk i wish i had a spare $2.4k

    the top end 13 inch model is just awesome!

  • NickK commented on 09/06/2009 13:51

    SD card slots on the 13" and their now under the Pro name?
    Time to get one!

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