Apple released some nice speed bumps on both the MacBook and MacBook Pro lines. Can't remember the last time both versions of the laptops got updates on the same day.
MacBook:
2.1Ghz, 1GB RAM, 120GB HD $1099
2.4Ghz, 2GB RAM, 160GB HD, SuperDrive White $1299
2.4Ghz Black, 2GB RAM, 250GB HD, SuperDrive $1499 (larger harddrive)
MacBook Pro: (all have SuperDrive with the spiffy new multi-touch pad)
2.4Ghz, 2GB RAM, 200GB HD $1999
2.5Ghz 15", 2GB RAM, 250GB HD $2499
2.5Ghz 17", 2GB RAM, 250GB HD $2799
Nice update all around, but if you have a one year old or less MacBook Pro, don't really see any reason to run out and purchase a new one. But if you're still on a PowerBook G4 or older laptop, certainly some nice new machines out there.
These updates really separate the MacBook Air from the rest of the machines even more and really seem to position that machine as a very very "niche market overpriced, underpowered machine." All 6 of the other laptops are much much better values than the Air and much better suited to any and all tasks.
MacBook Air
1.6Ghz, 2GB RAM, 80GB HD, No CD/DVD Drive $1799
1.8Ghz, 2GB RAM, 64GB SS HD, No CD/DVD Drive: $3098
The top of the line MacBook Air has less power, smaller hard drive, no CD/DVD drive than the bottom of the line MacBook, yet costs $2,000 more. Only Apple fanatics could look at that math and say "yeah, I can see that, it makes sense."
If you want a light laptop, get a MacBook. If you want more power to run something like the Final Cut Studio suite, get the MacBook Pro. Both are money much better spent than the Air.
If you really need a "super light" laptop, pick up the iPhone, now available in a 16GB flavor. I will actually be picking up the phone as I want to have a much lighter "laptop" for some extensive travel coming up. I like the idea of the iPhone much more than getting yet another 13" laptop.
Digg it
Honestly...
I really don't understand the MacBook Air... yes, I know that it's sleek and sexy looking, but it just doesn't fit with what Apple has done in the past. Yes, Apple does "sleek and sexy" often, but it's accompanied with functionality ("oh... it can do that, too?")....
In an unrelated note, I've been abusing my G4 PowerBook as much as possible in an effort to justify a new MacBook Pro... but it just won't break! I have the last of the G4 PowerBooks - I know its time is past, but it's really been an amazing machine for me... super-solid, capable, and it still looks cool. I still love busting it out on the airplane among all the ugly black plastic PC machines....
"Pain is temporary... film is forever"
Christian Glawe
editor/compositor
www.ChristianGlawe.com
Honestly, I agree
Maybe it's something Apple figured out with the iPhone. They made the super sleek, super cool phone, but then only allowed it to operate on the much slower EDGE network with at&t rather than on a 3G network which phones have been doing for years.
It's selling well and I'll probably pick up one in late May before I go off on an extended trip instead of bringing the laptop with me, but I'm trying to hold out until they release a 3G phone or at least announce whether the new 16GB model will be upgradable to 3G via a Firmware update.
So maybe they figure they can sell enough Airs to pay for more R&D and in about 2 years we'll be able to have something comparable to today's MacBook Pros?
Walter Biscardi, Jr. www.biscardicreative.com