Tech Blog

[#1]

We got word here that there would be an announcement from Apple this week. With WWDC still a couple weeks away, speculation over what Apple could announce with the day of "big announcements" looming was puzzling. This morning word came down from Apple, drum roll please...

The 13" white MacBooks have gotten a nice speed and hard drive boosts that make the "old school" white MacBook something to consider for Mac buyers on a budget. The white MacBook now sports a 2.13 GHz processor (compared to the 2.0 GHz of the base aluminum 13" MacBook), a larger 160 GB hard drive (which puts it on par with the base model aluminum), and the included 2 GB of RAM is now faster (now 800 MHz DDR2). Price? The same as before. So from a price point the white MacBook doesn't look as sexy, doesn't have the multitouch trackpad, but does sport a little more oomph under the hood than the aluminum model. You save about $250 for having the last generation style on your desk.

This makes it a tough choice. The newer MacBook has faster DDR3 RAM for both the OS and the graphics card. Faster RAM means data can move faster through the computer. Question is, would you notice the difference? That, I can't answer for you right now (I'm sensing a field trip to a local Future Shop in the near future). I do know that unless I see some large and important reason to the contrary if I were buying my fiancé a MacBook, I would look at that white version first (much to her chagrin, I'm sure). You save a decent amount of money for what is a perfectly good machine. Lots of people have the white MacBooks and love them.

Will the same model get another bump later? Doubtful. The aluminum MacBooks are the new standard, even the 15" version that I bought in November has been bumped up slightly (from 2.53 GHz processor to 2.66 GHz), I expect the aluminum 13" versions to get a boost in the near future as well.

So if aluminum is the new hotness, why does Apple keep the white plastic model still around: price point. The white plastic model is supposed to be the "low end" MacBook where you are sacrificing style and a little power for a less expensive machine. These machines are typically a good choice for people who are looking for a basic Mac that is pretty much just for surfing, email, and few other things.  If you're thinking more long term, to be ready for Snow Leopard OS 10.6 later this year for example, the newer models should be designed with that in mind.

Bottom line: as a bargain Mac, the now bumped up 13" white MacBook is now a better value. Might not be as sexy, but a lot of people who would be getting the lower end aluminum version anyway, might not even notice the difference.

Hat tip to my friends at TUAW for getting this on my radar, and my handy, dandy Netvibes page that let me skim it so fast (that is another post entirely).

Message Edited by Laura on 05-29-2009 02:52 PM

Message Edited by MikeLee on 07-28-2009 10:26 AM

Message Edited by Laura on 08-21-2009 04:56 PM

Message Edited by ElizabethS on 09-10-2009 07:24 PM

[#2]

Funny you should do a post on the MacBook getting an upgrade.  My little white buddy got an upgrade this weekend too - a little personal surgery to which I'll be posting about soon as well.

[#3]

Yeah I read your tweets on that. I gather the patient has recovered nicely.

[#4]

...ah, and that's the further I'd be checking it out...and waiting until the new version of the hardware is released with the new OS 3.

[#5]

Umm, looks like my comment was deleted...ya'll can guess some context.

[#6]

I currently have the white macbook, the 2Ghz model, picked it up a couple of months ago and I tell ya it does more than just check email or surf the web!!! I run CS3, And about 10 other intensive programs on this machine, and not even a hickup here. It flies!! I did consider the alluminum version, but asside from the fact I've always loved the white macbook I did not see a huge difference between them. My white macbook even has firewire whereas the alluminum did not which I found strange. Needless to say seeing Apple ramp up this model makes sense to me, at that price I'll pick one up for my daughter who's in her first year in University and who wants to chuck her vista dell machine. I may just do the old bait and switch and I pick up the slightly newer version for myself. *evil Grin* Anyways just wanted to clear up the air in terms of this laptop being a fantastic computer, take it from me. You won't go wrong.

[#7]

You can now pre-order the new MacBook on futureshop.ca

[#8]

@silentblast Now I just have to convince my fiancé that the white MacBook is great for her ... . This is great feedback, thank yo.

@Thierry Awesome! I want to put the two lower end 13" MacBooks head to head. Okay and play with the new Flips too... 

[#9]

Hey trishussey, not much to convince her with, let her test drive it.

Now, does anyone know when the stores will the new white macs in? 

I'd love to see the results of your head to head combat between the two books. Let us know! I have a feeling the it will be almost not noticiable.  

Cheers.

[#10]

You know it just occured to me, will Apple do something about the netbook space? I've read a ton of stuff recently that says they will most likely bring out some form of tablet. I'm thinking what about the price point? I mean wouldn't it be great if I can get my daughter an Apple Netbook? Hmmmm. And Say if it were $699...that would be even better.

[#11]

I agree with silentblast ! My little white Macbook that is now officially 2 months old rocks! Its got the horsepower to do what I need and I am running Parallels with an image load of WinXP Pro SP3 and it works great! The faster processor and 2 Gb ram really help. I also compared against Apple's other "silver" offerings. As much as  I wanted to purchase a pro version my budget said no and I have yet to be disappointed with what my white Macbook. I use it everyday and for work and it runs perfectly. What would be nice if Apple had firewire available on all their macbooks, regardless of model. The one thing Apple has for the most part been good is offering a standard baseline for practical options on their machines, and the latest OSX is a testament to Apple's commitment to provide a great user experience. One thing I should note. I am a converted MAC user. I have used Windows since its inception and I love the MAC ! Looking forward to better and bigger experiences with this great product! One last thing... I just completed a MAC OSX Leopard 101 training in Toronto with WITZ training. These guys are top notch and if there is anyone out there that wants to get a comprehensive understanding of the Mac OSX should consider taking the course.

Message Edited by JSH on 05-29-2009 09:07 AM

[#12]

@silentblast I've been told that the new models may be in as early as today or next week (depending on where you are). Lots of rumours around potential Mac netbooks, I'm thinking if we're going to see something it will be around WWDC June 8.

@Gizmodude  Well that's two ringing endorsements. Yes, I agree though if she could try one for a while I think she would be fine. Hmm, there's an interesting Mac promotion...