It’s here: the MacBook (the iBook’s replacement)

Posted by Dennis Sellers May 16, 2006 at 3:59am

It’s’ here at last: the iBook replacement, that is. And just as the PowerBook gave way to the MacBook Pro title, the iBook line has evolved into, simply, the MacBook. The new consumer portable sports the Intel Core Duo processor and a 13-inch glossy widescreen display. They also come in white and black versions.

Apple says the MacBook is up to five times faster than the iBook and up to four times faster than the 12-inch PowerBook—but, based on the figures touted for the other Intel-based Macs, those specs are for ideal conditions running Universal Binary software.

Together with the 15-and 17-inch MacBook Pros, the new MacBook completes Apple’s Intel-based portables lineup and replaces both the iBook and the 12-inch PowerBook. Apple’s entire portables lineup now offers Intel Core Duo processors, a built-in iSight video camera, the Front Row multimedia software with an Apple Remote, and advanced features such as DVI with dual display support, optical digital audio input and output, Gigabit Ethernet, Sudden Motion Sensor, Scrolling TrackPad and MagSafe Power Adapter.

With prices starting at US$1,099, the MacBook lineup includes three models: a 1.83GHz and 2.0GHz MacBook in a white enclosure and a 2.0GHz MacBook in a black enclosure. The portables tout a new system architecture including a 667MHz front-side bus and 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM memory expandable to 2GB. At about one-inch thin, the new MacBook is 20 percent thinner than the iBook and has a display that Apple says is 79 percent brighter than the iBook and the 12-inch PowerBook. The display, with a resolution of 1280×800, provides 30 percent more viewing area than the iBook and the 12-inch PowerBook.

The MagSafe Power Adapter connects magnetically to the laptop and disconnects from the notebook when there’s strain on the power cord, helping to prevent the notebook from falling off its work surface. Every MacBook also includes Apple’s Sudden Motion Sensor that is designed to protect the hard drive in case of a fall, and all MacBooks include a Scrolling TrackPad.

Every new MacBook also includes built-in 10/100/1000 BASE-T Gigabit Ethernet for high-speed networking, built-in AirPort Extreme 802.11g WiFi for up to 54 Mbps wireless networking, built-in Bluetooth 2.0+EDR (Enhanced Data Rate), two USB 2.0 ports, combination analog and optical digital audio input and output ports, and a mini-DVI video output to connect up to a 23-inch Apple Cinema HD Display. Naturally, they all come with iLife ‘06 and Mac OS X 10.4.6.

The new MacBook is available immediately through the Apple Store, Apple’s retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers.

The 1.83 GHz, 13-inch white MacBook, for a suggested retail price of $1,099, includes:

•13.3-inch glossy widescreen 1280×800 display with 250 cd/m2 brightness;
•1.83 GHz Intel Core Duo processor;
•667 MHz front-side bus;
•512MB of 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM, expandable to 2GB;
•60GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 5400 rpm, with Sudden Motion Sensor;
•a slot-load Combo (DVD-ROM/CD-RW) optical drive;
•Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950;
•Mini-DVI out (adapters for DVI, VGA and Composite/S-Video sold separately);
•built-in iSight video camera;
•Gigabit Ethernet port;
•built-in AirPort Extreme wireless networking and Bluetooth 2.0+EDR;
•two USB 2.0 ports and one FireWire® 400 port;
•one audio line in and one audio line out port, each supporting both optical digital and analog;
•Scrolling TrackPad;
•the infrared Apple Remote; and
•60 Watt MagSafe Power Adapter.

The 2.0 GHz, 13-inch white MacBook, for a suggested retail price of $1,299 (US), includes:

•13.3-inch glossy widescreen 1280×800 display with 250 cd/m2 brightness;
•2.0 GHz Intel Core Duo processor;
•667 MHz front-side bus;
•512MB of 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM, expandable to 2GB;
•60GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 5400 rpm, with Sudden Motion Sensor;
•a slot-load SuperDrive™ (DVD±RW/CD-RW) optical drive;
•Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950;
•Mini-DVI out (adapters for DVI, VGA and Composite/S-Video sold separately);
•built-in iSight video camera;
•Gigabit Ethernet port;
•built-in AirPort Extreme wireless networking and Bluetooth 2.0+EDR;
•two USB 2.0 ports and one FireWire 400 port;
•one audio line in and one audio line out port, each supporting both optical digital and analog;
•Scrolling TrackPad;
•the infrared Apple Remote; and
•60 Watt MagSafe Power Adapter.

The 2.0 GHz, 13-inch black MacBook, for a suggested retail price of $1,499 (US), includes:

•13.3-inch glossy widescreen 1280×800 display with 250 cd/m2 brightness;
•2.0GHz Intel Core Duo processor;
•667 MHz front-side bus;
•512MB of 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM, expandable to 2GB;
•80GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 5400 rpm, with Sudden Motion Sensor;
•a slot-load SuperDrive (DVD±RW/CD-RW) optical drive;
•Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950;
•Mini-DVI out (adapters for DVI, VGA and Composite/S-Video sold separately);
•built-in iSight video camera;
•Gigabit Ethernet port;
•built-in AirPort Extreme wireless networking and Bluetooth 2.0+EDR;
•two USB 2.0 ports and one FireWire 400 port;
•one audio line in and one audio line out port, each supporting both optical digital and analog;
•Scrolling TrackPad;
•the infrared Apple Remote; and
•60 Watt MagSafe Power Adapter.

Additional build-to-order options for the MacBook include the ability to upgrade to 80GB, 100GB or 120GB 5400 rpm hard drive, up to 2GB DDR2 SDRAM, Apple USB Modem, Apple Mini-DVI to DVI adapter, Apple Mini-DVI to VGA adapter, and the AppleCare Protection Plan.

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