More Apple Notebook Details: Clickable Glass Trackpad, GPUs, Pricing
Daring Fireball confirms the leaked MacBook Pro photos from earlier this evening and adds some intriguing details about the new notebook.
Specifically, Gruber confirms that the new MacBook Pros will have "buttonless" trackpad which is made of glass. However, it appears the entire trackpad is one large button:
Gruber also confirms that regular MacBooks will be revised and that Engadget's footnote is wrong. The MacBook will contain the same buttonless trackpad and similar case design as the new MacBook Pros. MacBook Airs will be updated with a larger 120GB hard drive and larger 128GB SSD option. He also confirms our report about an $899 24" LED Apple Cinema Display.
CPU speeds are expected to remain about the same across all models, however, the MacBooks will benefit from improved graphics performance with built in NVIDIA 9400M GPUs. MacBook Pros will also contain a dedicated 9600M GT GPU, which should provide a large performance benefit as we've previously detailed.
Finally, Gruber addresses the pricing confusion from today. Apple apparently will only be offering two new MacBook configurations
- $1299: 2.0 GHz, 2 GB memory, 160 GB disk
- $1499: 2.4 GHz, 2 GB memory, 250 GB disk
The existing $1099 2.1GHz MacBook model will apparently remain to fill a $999 price slot but will not have the advantages of the new machines. Gruber was the first to accurately predict the October 14th announcement date for the new Apple notebooks.
Specifically, Gruber confirms that the new MacBook Pros will have "buttonless" trackpad which is made of glass. However, it appears the entire trackpad is one large button:
The new trackpad is similar to the Airs, in that it is bigger and supports additional multi-touch gestures. But unlike the Airs, the MacBook Pros new trackpad is made of glass, and is a button itself. You just press and it clicks.
In addition, he confirms what some have suspected -- that the new MacBook Pro is not available in matte-finish, only glossy. There will be no new 17" MacBook Pro immediately available, and it's unclear when/if it will be revised. The existing 17" model will still remain on sale but with increased storage/RAM options.Gruber also confirms that regular MacBooks will be revised and that Engadget's footnote is wrong. The MacBook will contain the same buttonless trackpad and similar case design as the new MacBook Pros. MacBook Airs will be updated with a larger 120GB hard drive and larger 128GB SSD option. He also confirms our report about an $899 24" LED Apple Cinema Display.
CPU speeds are expected to remain about the same across all models, however, the MacBooks will benefit from improved graphics performance with built in NVIDIA 9400M GPUs. MacBook Pros will also contain a dedicated 9600M GT GPU, which should provide a large performance benefit as we've previously detailed.
Finally, Gruber addresses the pricing confusion from today. Apple apparently will only be offering two new MacBook configurations
- $1299: 2.0 GHz, 2 GB memory, 160 GB disk
- $1499: 2.4 GHz, 2 GB memory, 250 GB disk
The existing $1099 2.1GHz MacBook model will apparently remain to fill a $999 price slot but will not have the advantages of the new machines. Gruber was the first to accurately predict the October 14th announcement date for the new Apple notebooks.
Top Rated Comments
(View all)
44 months ago
If this is true , what a sloppy update. Apple will have a lot of loose ends out there.
44 months ago
What a let down! Pro with glossy display only, questionable want factor. I need to see and try it in person, of course, but as it stands my money stays put.
44 months ago
Macbooks more expensive than before and with a weaker processor ??? hahaha, and with no firewire ports. YAY . No Matte for "Pro" users. YAY Awesome work Apple
44 months ago
I agree! This will be a lousy update... at least less than what I was expecting.. I really want to get a new 17'' but if its not good tomorrow... forget it!
44 months ago
$999 2.1 GHz
vs.
$1299 2.0 Ghz?
I guess the other extras are cool, but this seems kind of lame.
vs.
$1299 2.0 Ghz?
I guess the other extras are cool, but this seems kind of lame.
44 months ago
lol, this must be crazy for you arn, thanks for doing this
Meh, im still buying the MBP
To be HONEST
I'd prefer the older one by a 2% margin (mainly bbecause of matte) but id rather have the new one so i can be super cool and show it off
whos with me?
Meh, im still buying the MBP
To be HONEST
I'd prefer the older one by a 2% margin (mainly bbecause of matte) but id rather have the new one so i can be super cool and show it off
whos with me?
44 months ago
I can't believe they're keeping the old white MBs and that they still cost a grand. Who will buy that? Boooooo!
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