Apple Notebook Media Event October 14th.

[PyX]

I'm not sure that I understand... which keybaords are backlit exactly? The high-end MB and the high-end MBP or just the MBP or just the high-end MBP or...?

how does 9400M compare to a 7600GT? Probably not as good, but I'd like benchmarks, I don't want to take a huge drop either!

[sn00pie]

We haven't seen the educational pricing yet. It might be a bit less.

We've been shafted when it comes to the discount on the new notebooks. From what I've heard instead of $100 off its now $50 off.

I'm 98% sure that the backlit keyboard is only on the higher model for the new Macbooks (the $1599 model). To be honest, these Macbooks are way to expensive, there not overpriced, its just Apple isn't giving the consumer alot of choices. $999 for the cheapest Macbook that is no question about it overpriced, is not going to be enough. The older Macbook model should've sold for around $799 to make sense.

From a dollars perspective, I'm much happier with my Macbook then I would be with one of the new ones. I paid $1049 or the Macbook with education discount, free iPod Touch (which I sold for $180). So roughly I paid $800 for mine. If I want a new shiny Macbook, I'm paying $1399 CAD (ok subtract $50 for educational discount, big deal!), when all I need is something for school.

Like most students, a performance-oriented GPU makes no difference to me. For all I care I would rather have the old Macbook specs in the new shell and pay $1049 for that.

giga, I do agree that your getting a huge performance boost in the new Macbooks. But to be honest I don't think the consumer market wants that extra performance, especially when you have to pay a hefty tag for that performance. People always complained that with Apple products, you have to pay a premium, and this is the first time I would agree with those people. I was hoping that we would see a price drop, or atleast the prices would stay the same for the new Macbooks. But instead the pricing went up... :/

[Quillz]

I'm not sure that I understand... which keybaords are backlit exactly? The high-end MB and the high-end MBP or just the MBP or just the high-end MBP or...?

how does 9400M compare to a 7600GT? Probably not as good, but I'd like benchmarks, I don't want to take a huge drop either!

Looking over all the models now, only the high-end model ($1,599) has the backlit keyboard.

[sanctified Veteran]

Apple just screwed my plans :s they are charging down here in Mexico $2,600 for the $1,999 model :s

[TruckWEB]

+backlit keyboard

+led display

+much better gpu

+faster ddr3 ram

+larger hard drive

+stronger durable chassis which is also lighter and thinner

+longer battery life

+multi touch trackpad

You honestly didn't expect all that at the same price did you?

A better GPU is not just tailored to gaming--Snow Leopard, Photoshop CS4, Aperture all take advantage of a more powerful GPU.

Granted, it seems like other countries are paying a higher price compared to the US. The second tier Macbook only costs $100 more now in the US. (while you're saying it's a $400 difference for Canada)

Backlit keyboard only on the Top Macbook (and MBP).

LED display, yes it's good, but almost everybody is doing it now, so it's nothing new. Even my Aspire One is a LED display!

Much better GPU, yes, nothing could be worst than X3100 from Intel.... But on a "low end" Macbook, will it really help?

Faster DDR3 Ram, well, that all depends on what they put inside.... Low-end DDR3 can be slower than Hi-End DDR2 memory...

Anyway, have it your way. I still think that a $400 price hike for all this is too much when you look at the others (HP, Toshiba, Sony, ....).

More Hackintosh on the way....

[PricklyPoo]

Wow, still really expensive, they look good, but not that good.

[crazzyyfool]

Software update for the new notebooks already. :o

[giga Veteran]

Backlit keyboard only on the Top Macbook (and MBP).

LED display, yes it's good, but almost everybody is doing it now, so it's nothing new. Even my Aspire One is a LED display!

Much better GPU, yes, nothing could be worst than X3100 from Intel.... But on a "low end" Macbook, will it really help?

Faster DDR3 Ram, well, that all depends on what they put inside.... Low-end DDR3 can be slower than Hi-End DDR2 memory...

Anyway, have it your way. I still think that a $400 price hike for all this is too much when you look at the others (HP, Toshiba, Sony, ....).

More Hackintosh on the way....

If you click buy it now, it shows that the low end model has a backlit keyboard as well. You say that almost everyone is doing it now--but your Macbook that you purchased obviously didn't have it--so it's definitely an improvement.

As for gpu, try driving a 23" monitor running Lightroom and Photoshop extended from an X3100--it isn't pretty.

If $400 is a lot, just cross the border and buy it cheap in the US. Albany, NY is about a 4 hour drive from Montreal.

[sn00pie]

giga, if you watch the keynote, when the $1599 model is shown it shows the backlit keyboard as a key feature... this is not shown on the $1299 model. So I'd imagine that there is an error on the Apple store website.

Speaking of keynote, its available on the Apple website. :) I'm happy with my Macbook, even though the new ones are drop dead gorgeous.

[BoJo]

Perfect. Absolute perfection.

Maybe I'm just a fanboy, but this new line is the best yet. Not sure about their decision to continue to sell the 17" MBP (the white MB, understandably, is being kept to fill the low(er) price bracket). Hmmm.

The LED display too, is finally something that I could see on my desk. The cinema displays were good, but they were genuinely for people who a) had a limitless budget, or b) actually needed a monitor of such quality. I fitted neither of these categories.

[giga Veteran]

giga, I do agree that your getting a huge performance boost in the new Macbooks. But to be honest I don't think the consumer market wants that extra performance, especially when you have to pay a hefty tag for that performance. People always complained that with Apple products, you have to pay a premium, and this is the first time I would agree with those people. I was hoping that we would see a price drop, or atleast the prices would stay the same for the new Macbooks. But instead the pricing went up... :/

If they don't want extra performance, there is a $999 Macbook.

[PyX]

giga, if you watch the keynote, when the $1599 model is shown it shows the backlit keyboard as a key feature... this is not shown on the $1299 model. So I'd imagine that there is an error on the Apple store website.

Speaking of keynote, its available on the Apple website. :) I'm happy with my Macbook, even though the new ones are drop dead gorgeous.

This is why I'm wondering... If I buy it and it's not there, can I get a special rebate or something ? It's false advertising somehow

[sn00pie]

If they don't want extra performance, there is a $999 Macbook.

I don't know anyone who would opt to go for that $999 Macbook when the new one is sitting beside it. The new one is easily the best looking laptop I've ever seen. But I'm just saying, from an honest perspective that a new model should've filled the market spot in the $800-$1100 notebook range, but Apple has it's own strategy, so we'll have to see how well they do.

PsykX, I'm not sure what to say. There's a thread on MacRumors regarding that... give that a check.

[sn00pie]

Good news, the $1299 model does have backlit keyboard displays.

Originally Posted by asphyxiafeeling

hey guys, i just chatted with an apple store rep. apparently the low end 1299 macbook DOES have a backlit keybaord. here's the convo:

You are chatting with Tomeca F, an Apple Expert

Hi, my name is Tomeca F. Welcome to Apple!

Tomeca F: Good evening.

Tomeca F: Would you like help with your shopping?

You: yes, i have a question

You: hello

You: umm, well i am considering buying the new macbook. at the page where you can select BTO options it says that the keyboard is backlit. if this is true, that's wonderful. but everywhere else on your site it specifies that the low end macbook is NOT backlit. what can i believe?

Tomeca F: It now has a backlit keyboard.

Tomeca F: We are in the process of updating everything,sorry.

You: it's ok. so. to clarify. if i purchase the $1,299 macbook, it will ship with a backlit keyboard?

Tomeca F: Yes.

You: ok, thank you very much. this clears things up

im saving this! if my new macbook doesn't have a backlit keyboard, i'm going to call apple up to complain! either i'm getting a backlit keyboard, or unfortunately Tomeca F will have some explaining to do!

Source: http://forums.macrumors.com/showpost.php?p...mp;postcount=10

Edit: Maybe not, this is weird.

[VGVL]

I'm furious at the forced glossy screen for the MBP. The black bezel looks somewhat tacky. I was really looking forward to buying a second MBP but a matte screen is non-negotiable. Same with the 24" display, I guess I'll be buying the old matte Cinema Displays.

I'm curious about the tactile feel and functionality of the glass trackpad. If the whole trackpad is the button does it mean that the clicking is done with the index finger, or that it is possible to point with the index finger and click with the thumb.

I'm not too happy that the Macbook and Macbook Pro look essentially the same. Where's the product differentiation? It used to be that the consumer line got plastic, and the pro line got aluminum. Now everyone gets aluminum, what gives? If they were going to move aluminum to the Macbook they should have used a better metal for the Pro.

[Quillz]

I'm furious at the forced glossy screen for the MBP. The black bezel looks somewhat tacky. I was really looking forward to buying a second MBP but a matte screen is non-negotiable. Same with the 24" display, I guess I'll be buying the old matte Cinema Displays.

I'm curious about the tactile feel and functionality of the glass trackpad. If the whole trackpad is the button does it mean that the clicking is done with the index finger, or that it is possible to point with the index finger and click with the thumb.

I'm not too happy that the Macbook and Macbook Pro look essentially the same. Where's the product differentiation? It used to be that the consumer line got plastic, and the pro line got aluminum. Now everyone gets aluminum, what gives? If they were going to move aluminum to the Macbook they should have used a better metal for the Pro.

The product differentiation is that the MacBook Pro costs more, which gives you a better GPU and a faster processor. The differentation you're looking for is that you get to go to bed knowing you paid more for your notebook than the other guy. It's too bad that you don't get to feel special any more for having an aluminum MacBook Pro. It's called sales and marketing. Consumers also wanted an aluminum MacBook, and that's what Apple has given them.

It's amazing how yesterday everyone was in love with the polycarbonate MacBook, now today it's the ugliest thing people have ever seen. I agree that the new MacBook is much nicer in terms of design, though.

However, is the glass trackpad going to be more durable? One of the problems with trackpads in general is that they easily wear out, and turn shiny from all the finger grease. Will glass resist this? If so, that's great! No more trackpad films.

[Cloud Constructors]

Is the blacklit keboard available on the $1299 macbook or not?!

[sn00pie]

Apple Support says yes, Apple's website and the Keynote say no.

[Cloud Constructors]

$1399 for Canada? damn that sucks!! and no backlit keyboard on that version either

I just spoke to Apple Support and they said no backlit keyboard on 2.0GHz

[Quillz]

Apple Support says yes, Apple's website and the Keynote say no.

It's 2-against-1, and consider the website information to be official. Only the high-end MacBook has a backlit keyboard. It would have been in the keynote if this wasn't the case.

[sn00pie]

Yep, it's been confirmed that it is not on the $1299 model. This makes me feel like my Macbook was a bargain. :cool:

[Quillz]

Yep, it's been confirmed that it is not on the $1299 model. This makes me feel like my Macbook was a bargain. :cool:

Strange, it's still on Apple's site, though, when you configure your MacBook.

[giga Veteran]

I'm curious about the tactile feel and functionality of the glass trackpad. If the whole trackpad is the button does it mean that the clicking is done with the index finger, or that it is possible to point with the index finger and click with the thumb.

http://arstechnica.com/journals/apple.ars/...acbook-trackpad

Let me just say first that if you're already used to Apple's trackpads and your thumb knows where to click for the button, things aren't much different.

The entire trackpad gives tactile feedback when clicking, so when you use your thumb to click anywhere in the bottom half of the trackpad, it clicks just like a button would. (In fact, the top part of the trackpad clicks too, but barely). You'll never accidentally click it while moving your fingers around the trackpad to navigate across your computer. It's resistant enough to not click while you're using it for tracking, but easy enough to click while deliberately clicking.

The trackpad also knows when you are holding onto something, like a window or a folder. For example, if you are dragging a file across the desktop with your pointer finger and your thumb is holding down the invisible button on the bottom, you can let go with your pointer finger and still be holding onto the file. Move things around all you want just like you would on a normal trackpad, and it'll figure it out.

Finally, the new trackpad feels almost identical to the old trackpad; an observation that Phil Schiller takes huge issue with. We were told that he insists it's "way smoother" than the old trackpad. Going back and forth between my original MacBook Air (what I am typing this post on) and the new trackpads seems like no difference to me, however, and it certainly doesn't feel like glass.

As expected, the trackpads are nice and huge, just like the MacBook Air, and are a joy to use. The lack of a button can sometimes throw your brain for a loop here and there, but if you choose not to think about it and just go on using the computer as you normally would, it works flawlessly.

We won't be in the briefing area for much longer, but if you have any other questions that can be easily answered, sound off in the comments!

[Denis W. Veteran]

Hmmm, so how would this new trackpad work in Boot Camp under Windows?

[Shetland]

god, the prices here in the UK are immense.

i'd loved the mbp to have been about 1,200 GBP and the macbook to have been 800 GBP at standard configs :/

we're paying much more than you americans :/