Apple's latest 2008 MacBooks
 Jobs takes the stage. (Credit: James Martin/CNET News) Molded from a single block of aluminum, the new MacBook Pro is distinct from its predecessors with a black bezel and glass LED-backlit display. However, the biggest change is definitely in the trackpad. 39 percent larger than the original, the entire surface is made from glass. But the real surprise is that there are no buttons to be found. Turns out that the touchpad has virtual buttons mapped via software. In addition, the multitouch feature has been updated to detect four digits simultaneously, allowing for greater control and functionality over the previous two-finger trackpad. Unlike most laptops, where ports are located on both flanks, the new MacBook Pro's connectors are all found on the left, with only the slot-in Super Drive gracing the starboard side. However, one particular port caught our attention. Instead of offering the standard VGA or HDMI outputs, a mini DisplayPort was found instead. Since almost no display has native mini DisplayPort ports, you'll need to fork out extra for adapters if you wish to hook up to a larger screen. But the new machines are not just about looks. Under the hood, Apple is putting in an integrated graphics processor based on the Nvidia GeForce 9400M chipset. This provides five times more graphics performance compared with Intel's integrated solution, while still offering significant power savings and a claimed 5-hour battery life. But what if you need more rendering oomph? No worries as the MacBook Pro can also switch to the discrete Nvidia GeForce 9600M GT chip with its own video memory, sacrificing only an hour of uptime. At this point, we are not sure if the new laptops use these GPUs in a hybrid fashion (which is switched automatically without requiring a reboot) or manually selected with a restart. However, our bets are on it using hybrid graphics. Also for the first time, solid-state drives are an option for MacBook Pros. The MacBook Air has also been given a refresh. It now sports the new Nvidia GeForce 9400M graphics engine as well as a mini DisplayPort. The higher-end model is equipped with a generous 128GB SSD as well. But what about the entry-level MacBook range? Well, the starting price of the low-end model has been dropped from US$1,099 to US$999. Not too exciting until Steve Jobs unveiled the new look for the mid and high-end range. Resembling a smaller 13.3-inch version of the MacBook Pro, they have the same design and features as the larger sibling. The only caveat is that the new MacBooks sport only the Nvidia GeForce 9400M integrated chipset without the GeForce 9600M GT video card. The high-end version also comes with a backlit keyboard. Tags: Apple MacBook, Laptop Computer, NVidia Corp., GPU, Apple MacBook Pro |
- Talkback
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12retards says...
"ZOMG! Best notebooks evaaaar!" screams the Apple fanatic.
Kidding aside, the new line up looks promising. Weirdly enough, the thing that I'm most happy about is all the improvements under the Air's hood. Also, I checked the Apple Store website and it seems like they're also offering a 128Gb SSD upgrade option for the 13.3" Macbooks...
Oct 15, 2008 08:38
"ZOMG! Best notebooks evaaaar!" screams the Apple fanatic.
Kidding aside, the new line up looks promising. Weirdly enough, the thing that I'm most happy about is all the improvements under the Air's hood. Also, I checked the Apple Store website and it seems like they're also offering a 128Gb SSD upgrade option for the 13.3" Macbooks...
Oct 15, 2008 08:38
leegc says...
The new MacPros are nice but I still prefer the old, all-silver, designs better. The bigger button-less touchpad is nicer though. The upgraded graphics chips are great but how many actually play Racing or FPS games on a Mac? Overall the new MacPros are just evolutionary updates that are not worth upgrading to if you've already got an old MacPro.
Oct 15, 2008 09:05
The new MacPros are nice but I still prefer the old, all-silver, designs better. The bigger button-less touchpad is nicer though. The upgraded graphics chips are great but how many actually play Racing or FPS games on a Mac? Overall the new MacPros are just evolutionary updates that are not worth upgrading to if you've already got an old MacPro.
Oct 15, 2008 09:05
Devlin says...
I was actually worried how the new MacBook Pros would turn out but overall the only letdown for me would have to be the black bezel around the display. I even like how it is now easier to upgrade the HDD, RAM, and replace the battery.
@ leegc:
The graphics card updates, particularly for the MacBook Pro, aren't exactly aimed at gamers but creative professionals that use the notebooks at work.
@ Darius Chang:
If I am not mistaken, the dual graphics cards found on the MacBook Pros don't operate on a hybrid configuration. They're there to be used independently of each other for the purpose of using less power when you don't need as much processing power.
Based on the initial impressions of Macworld, there doesn't seem to be a way to configure the notebook to switch between GPUs on-the-fly.
Oct 15, 2008 09:52
I was actually worried how the new MacBook Pros would turn out but overall the only letdown for me would have to be the black bezel around the display. I even like how it is now easier to upgrade the HDD, RAM, and replace the battery.
@ leegc:
The graphics card updates, particularly for the MacBook Pro, aren't exactly aimed at gamers but creative professionals that use the notebooks at work.
@ Darius Chang:
If I am not mistaken, the dual graphics cards found on the MacBook Pros don't operate on a hybrid configuration. They're there to be used independently of each other for the purpose of using less power when you don't need as much processing power.
Based on the initial impressions of Macworld, there doesn't seem to be a way to configure the notebook to switch between GPUs on-the-fly.
Oct 15, 2008 09:52
iwantamacbk says...
Guys,
I wonder what happen to the previous macbooks except the basic white one? I wanted the black one but it's no longer available.
Anyone can provide info on this.
Thanks!
Oct 15, 2008 09:11
Guys,
I wonder what happen to the previous macbooks except the basic white one? I wanted the black one but it's no longer available.
Anyone can provide info on this.
Thanks!
Oct 15, 2008 09:11
Devlin says...
To get a better deal try some online retailers or eBay. MacConnection.com has a great selection and pretty decent prices.
Oct 15, 2008 09:53
To get a better deal try some online retailers or eBay. MacConnection.com has a great selection and pretty decent prices.
Oct 15, 2008 09:53
leegc says...
The new MacBooks will replace the old black ones, but you may still get one at your local store if you run now!! =)
Oct 15, 2008 09:21
The new MacBooks will replace the old black ones, but you may still get one at your local store if you run now!! =)
Oct 15, 2008 09:21
leegc says...
@Devlin:
I don't particularly like the black rims either and the fact that apple abandoned the matte screen for a glossy ones. Macs now look more like run-of-the-mill HP notebooks with their black and silver trims.
Yes it's good that the HDD can be changed easily but that's not something that you would do on a regular basis. Batteries and RAM can be changed by the user on the old MacPros anyway, so that's no big deal.
I would have liked a much thinner and lighter MacPro, though.
Oct 15, 2008 10:24
@Devlin:
I don't particularly like the black rims either and the fact that apple abandoned the matte screen for a glossy ones. Macs now look more like run-of-the-mill HP notebooks with their black and silver trims.
Yes it's good that the HDD can be changed easily but that's not something that you would do on a regular basis. Batteries and RAM can be changed by the user on the old MacPros anyway, so that's no big deal.
I would have liked a much thinner and lighter MacPro, though.
Oct 15, 2008 10:24
Devlin says...
You're right, those upgrades aren't your typical stuff but when people keep their notebooks for a while it's nice to be able to easily swap stuff out.
As for the color scheme and changes, well the one thing I'm going to miss the most is the current keyboard of my now-obsolete 15.4" MacBook Pro. Just upgraded a couple of months ago from a 12" G4 PowerBook so they might actually have a redesign by the time I'm ready for something new.
I think the MacBook Pros are at the thinnest they can be comfortable. Any thinner and I'm not too sure how that's going to work out who use their notebooks for extended periods of time. Lighter is a whole different story. We could use more of that.
Oct 15, 2008 11:05
You're right, those upgrades aren't your typical stuff but when people keep their notebooks for a while it's nice to be able to easily swap stuff out.
As for the color scheme and changes, well the one thing I'm going to miss the most is the current keyboard of my now-obsolete 15.4" MacBook Pro. Just upgraded a couple of months ago from a 12" G4 PowerBook so they might actually have a redesign by the time I'm ready for something new.
I think the MacBook Pros are at the thinnest they can be comfortable. Any thinner and I'm not too sure how that's going to work out who use their notebooks for extended periods of time. Lighter is a whole different story. We could use more of that.
Oct 15, 2008 11:05
dariusctc says...
Hi Devlin,
When in hybrid configuration, the laptop uses the integrated or discrete graphics based on the user profile and whether if the unit is plugged into an outlet. This the new feature of the Centrino 2 platform. Previously in units like the VAIO SZ, one had to toggle a switch and restart the system to change between integrated and discrete. Hybrid graphics do not require a restart.
To use both integrate and discrete graphics at the same time, you would have to look to AMD's Puma platform. When both are in use, the integrated video processor handles less intensive tasks like the Aero interface which frees the discrete GPU for stuff like gaming.
Oct 15, 2008 14:50
Hi Devlin,
When in hybrid configuration, the laptop uses the integrated or discrete graphics based on the user profile and whether if the unit is plugged into an outlet. This the new feature of the Centrino 2 platform. Previously in units like the VAIO SZ, one had to toggle a switch and restart the system to change between integrated and discrete. Hybrid graphics do not require a restart.
To use both integrate and discrete graphics at the same time, you would have to look to AMD's Puma platform. When both are in use, the integrated video processor handles less intensive tasks like the Aero interface which frees the discrete GPU for stuff like gaming.
Oct 15, 2008 14:50
ferdiei says...
aside from the inner hardware upgrade/s which or may be copied by other notebook manufacturers (and other cosmetic changes), what i found worth noticing are a)the revolutionary manufacturing concept being introduced to produced the "brick" like structure of the chassis, while it undergoes tedious machining processes, the residual material is recyclable (re-melted+extruded) not like the usual polycarbonate molding which in turn changes the properties of excess materials b)the bigger trackpad thats now integrated with improved mutli-touch functionality, coupled with virtual buttons. the only challenge to be tested is the use of their proprietary 'DisplayPort' instead of an HDMI port. also, their focus on specific form factors positions their product/s (along with ipods+touch+soon-to-be-pda) for mass-market appeal.
Oct 15, 2008 22:14
aside from the inner hardware upgrade/s which or may be copied by other notebook manufacturers (and other cosmetic changes), what i found worth noticing are a)the revolutionary manufacturing concept being introduced to produced the "brick" like structure of the chassis, while it undergoes tedious machining processes, the residual material is recyclable (re-melted+extruded) not like the usual polycarbonate molding which in turn changes the properties of excess materials b)the bigger trackpad thats now integrated with improved mutli-touch functionality, coupled with virtual buttons. the only challenge to be tested is the use of their proprietary 'DisplayPort' instead of an HDMI port. also, their focus on specific form factors positions their product/s (along with ipods+touch+soon-to-be-pda) for mass-market appeal.
Oct 15, 2008 22:14
shashanktripathi says...
Design is subjective; I, like many pro users, prefer the all silver design of Mar 08 MPBs. The sad truth that this article has missed completely is that apart from some fluffy "upgrades" such as the video card the pro series is a grossly underwhelming one. One firewire port, still just 2 USB slots, no matte option on screen, no eSata hard disk (even Vaios and HPs have them already!), etc. Looks like the focus was entirely on some design snazz. This is a clear christmas consumerist update. Hope the next round of upgrades at MacWorld will be something worth talking about.
Oct 16, 2008 13:56
Design is subjective; I, like many pro users, prefer the all silver design of Mar 08 MPBs. The sad truth that this article has missed completely is that apart from some fluffy "upgrades" such as the video card the pro series is a grossly underwhelming one. One firewire port, still just 2 USB slots, no matte option on screen, no eSata hard disk (even Vaios and HPs have them already!), etc. Looks like the focus was entirely on some design snazz. This is a clear christmas consumerist update. Hope the next round of upgrades at MacWorld will be something worth talking about.
Oct 16, 2008 13:56
dariusctc says...
Hi shashanktripathi,
I feel differently. The move to an integrated Nvidia GeForce 9400M processor is a great move, giving the power savings of an integrated GPU while offering performance previously available only to discrete video cards. I would not call this a fluffy upgrade. In fact, this move is likely to be copied by other vendors must like how the MacBook Air's low-profile processor started popping up after Apple's launch.
As for the harddisk, it is based on the SATA standard in use by almost all current laptops, with options for a high-speed 7,200rpm HDD or even SSD. If you mean the eSATA port, I guess that is because Apple feels that its FireWire 800 port is superior to the eSATA standard.
Though Apple has given much focus to its new design and manufacturing process, the new models does have increased functionality (like four-finger gestures and excellent grpahics performance) that makes it a worthy upgrade even if you already own a MacBook Pro.
But for the same price you can get a Windows laptop with more features and a higher resolution screen so I guess many of us will be sticking to windows-based notebooks.
Oct 16, 2008 16:15
Hi shashanktripathi,
I feel differently. The move to an integrated Nvidia GeForce 9400M processor is a great move, giving the power savings of an integrated GPU while offering performance previously available only to discrete video cards. I would not call this a fluffy upgrade. In fact, this move is likely to be copied by other vendors must like how the MacBook Air's low-profile processor started popping up after Apple's launch.
As for the harddisk, it is based on the SATA standard in use by almost all current laptops, with options for a high-speed 7,200rpm HDD or even SSD. If you mean the eSATA port, I guess that is because Apple feels that its FireWire 800 port is superior to the eSATA standard.
Though Apple has given much focus to its new design and manufacturing process, the new models does have increased functionality (like four-finger gestures and excellent grpahics performance) that makes it a worthy upgrade even if you already own a MacBook Pro.
But for the same price you can get a Windows laptop with more features and a higher resolution screen so I guess many of us will be sticking to windows-based notebooks.
Oct 16, 2008 16:15
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