Tag: Media

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Backlit Keyboard on Any Unibody MacBook?

UPDATE (2008.10.15):
Apple has corrected the BTO options on their Online Store.

Steve Jobs introduced the new Unibody Aluminum MacBook in two basic configurations. The 2.0 GHz and the 2.4 GHz model.

According to the announcement and the tech specs, the 2.4 GHz model has one feature the other doesn’t. It is the backlit keyboard.

Contrary to the announcement and the tech specs, Apple Store Online offers backlit keyboards on all Unibody Aluminum MacBook. Most likely this is a typo.

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Apple: Unibody MacBook and MacBook Pro

Apple has released the first software update for the newly anounced MacBook and MacBook Pro. It seems that we can now call the Late 2008 MacBook and MacBook Pro as “Unibody MacBook and MacBook Pro.”

MacBook, MacBook Pro Software Update 1.2 | 45MB (October 14, 2008)

About MacBook, MacBook Pro Software Update 1.2
This update contains software bug fixes for precision aluminum unibody enclosure MacBook and MacBook Pro notebook computers introduced in October 2008.

The update improves compatibility with external displays and includes a variety of software fixes. This update is recommended for all users of these systems.

It seems that Apple has finaly released the upgrade to 12-inch PowerBook G4 sans the FireWire port, and call it MacBook. The 13-inch Unibody MacBook is more of a smaller version of the 15-inch MacBook Pro. Apple should have just called it MacBook Pro, and sell the Polycarbonate MacBook as MacBook as sub-$1,000 notebook.

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MacBook Pro Late 2008, The Story So Far.

MacBook Pro (Late 2008) $2,499 model

  • 15.4-inch Aluminum MacBook Pro
  • 2.53 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo with 6MB L2 Cache (Where’s the Quad-Core version?)
  • LED-backlit display, Glossy (and with glare) only
  • 4 GB 1066 MHz DDR3 RAM
  • nVidia GeForce 9400M (Integrated)
  • nVidia GeForce 9600M GT with 512 MB
  • 320 GB Hard Drive (Easily Accessible, as we’ve called it for months.)
  • Slot Loading SuperDrive

MacBook Pro (Late 2008) $1,999 model

  • 15.4-inch Aluminum MacBook Pro
  • 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo with 3MB L2 Cache
  • LED-backlit display, Glossy (and with glare) only
  • 2 GB 1066 MHz DDR3 RAM
  • nVidia GeForce 9400M (Integrated)
  • nVidia GeForce 9600M GT with 256 MB
  • 250 GB Hard Drive (Easily Accessible, as we’ve called it for months.)
  • Slot Loading SuperDrive

Image is Courtesy of Apple

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“Thanks to the spoilers, I hate the soon to be released MacBook Pro already.”

Apple has yet to officially reveal the new notebook line on “The spotlights turns to notebooks” event, but the leaks and spoilers are ruining everything I’d ever hope for. Well, at least for the design of the MacBook Pro. The Mac news/rumors sites seems to think that John Gruber has already nailed it.

According to Gruber there’s only one display for the MacBook and MacBook Pro from now on. That display is a shiny and glaring one. Yeah, apparently no more matte-finish display. On the other hand, we get to use the screen as an emergency mirror now.

Personally, I am not really liking the black keyboard on a silver aluminum casing. But that’s not really a huge issue. The biggest issue for me right now would be the rumored pricing. I have been paying a lot for PowerBook G4’s and MacBook Pro (yeah, I only bought one Macbook Pro from January 2006) and hoping at least that Apple would reduce the price. I still remember when Apple introduced Aluminum PowerBook G4 at lower prices.

One thing that has not really been discussed in the leaks/spoliers/rumors so far is the CPU of the MacBook Pro. I have been hearing that somehow Apple would utilize Intel’s mobile Quad-Core CPU (here and here) into the MacBook Pro. The real question is “when?”

I know that I am complaining about products that have not been officially announced yet. It is only two hours away from this posting.

In spite of all the bitching and complaining based on the leaks and rumors, there are a few things that I am looking forward to find out. As I’ve been saying before, according to a super stealthy secret source the new MacBook Pro line would have an easily accessible hard-drive bay. That would be a huge advantage for the consumer. All you would have to do is removing the battery and a few screws. No more cracking open the casing by removing 14 screws just to get to the hard-drive bay. A few more screws to actually replace the hard-drive. I have done so many hard-drive upgrades on MacBook Pros, my best record is about 15 minutes to actually open the case, take out the hard-drive, install the new hard-drive, and putting it back together.

Apparently I am rambling too much for now. We’ll see in exactly two hours from this post if I’m going to buy a new MacBook Pro today. The sad thing is that I am still on the fence. Should I wait for the Quad-Core MacBook Pro to arrive?

Disclaimer, this is a poor attempt at sarcasm and irony.

I have compiled an extensive list of sites that would be covering the event live on this post. So, click this link. Yes, this link. CLICK.

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Anodized Black Aluminum MacBook Pro

Editorial

No, this is not some kind of rumor or leak from Apple’s Tuesday “The spotlight turns to notebooks” event. Long before, Apple has been anodizing aluminum with colors and they look great. Wouldn’t it be worth spending an extra $150 for an anodized black MacBook Pro?

Well, I love the anodized black MacBook Pro, but $150 extra? Apparently the matte black MacBook was worth $150 extra. Come on Apple, $25 is enough for the anodized color.

On Tuesday, Apple will unveil their new line of notebooks. The new MacBook Pro is unlikely to have tapered sides, because it would be to hard to access the port without compromising the aesthetics.

(MacBook Pro Late 2008)

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Apple: “The spotlight turns to notebooks.” Live Coverage Links

UPDATE:
The keynote stream to is now available. It is also available through iTunes Store, subscribe to “Apple Keynotes” podcast and iTunes will download it.

Apple sent out select invitations for notebooks related event with the tag-line “The spotlight turns to notebooks.” The event is set to take place at Apple’s Town Hall in Cupertino on Tuesday October 14h, 2008 at 10:00 AM Pacific Time.

You can find live coverage at the followings:

All images are Courtesy of Apple.