As anticipated, Apple took the wraps off of new hardware early this morning. In a twist on the rumors floating through the Internet, however, the Cupertino Kids updated two product lines – we get new MacBooks, but the Pro line gets a bump, too. Both lines get Penryn hardware, with the consumer line clocking in at 2.1 and 2.4 Ghz, and the pros running from 2.4 to 2.6 Ghz iron. As usual, a major difference between the lines is in graphic acceleration – the pros get some serious NVIDIA hardware, and the consumer line is still bopping around with Intel integrated graphics, in this case the X3100 system. Though history suggests the X3100 will be pretty sad for gaming, I’m excited to see benchmarks.
But there is a new pair of distinctions to the product line – environmental impact. While Apple has extended the availability of mercury-free LED backlit screens to the whole Pro line, the consumer line has the same glossy screen it did yesterday. Additionally, the MacBook Pro has a multi-touch trackpad, while the consumer line trackpad doesn’t do anything new and nifty. Gizmodo already got ahold of an Apple spokesperson about the latter, and received this spectacular explanation:
The multitouch technology is a feature of the Macbook Pro and Air, but not the Macbook. Apple has already committed to transitioning all machines to LED backlights, and will do so when economically and technically feasible.
That pretty much sums up Apple’s product strategy, doesn’t it?
Pete Mortensen is a design strategist for consulting firm Jump Associates and the co-author of Wired to Care: How Companies Prosper When They Create Widespread Empathy, a book and blog that are significantly more interesting than you might initially think. Pete’s particular Apple avocations are both around design–interface and industrial. Follow him on Twitter!
6 responses to “New MacBooks! No, New Pros! Wait, It’s Both!”
Sad this guys didn’t change the design of the macbooks pro… I guess I will wait until the next versions.
I’ll be getting one in the next couple of days, I’ll post a review then.
I was excited to see Apple released a “Keyboard firmware update” this morning for the last generation (was the current generation yesterday) Macbook Pros; my hopes of a Multi-touch update were dashed, however.
Leigh.
Agreed – this is the update I was waiting for to get a Macbook Pro. The updates are mostly internal, and I’m not getting one specifically for multi-touch, but it’s about time what with the LED screens and updated procs and everything.
That being said though, with the release of the Macbook Air, I really don’t see Apple changing the Macbook design anytime soon. I wouldn’t hold my breath on that one…