By Aaron Hintgen | aaron@fndtn.com
A few weeks ago, Apple announced all-new MacBook and MacBook Pro laptops. Both models have similar striking looks and feature new unibody aluminum construction, where parts are machined from single blocks of aluminum. This gives the MacBook family incredible rigidity and low weight.
Both models now have a larger multi-touch trackpad, which no longer has a physical button but the trackpad itself is clickable. New options such as 3- and 4- finger gestures make the trackpad more powerful than ever before.
The new features go deeper than looks, however. The MacBook no longer has integrated graphics, where graphics memory is taken from system memory, but now feature the brand-new NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics processor. The MacBook Pro not only has the 9400M but also features a second, more powerful graphics processor: the NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT. Users can switch between the graphics cards as needed, depending on if performance or battery life is the priority at the moment. Switching between the graphics processors does require a logout.
A few items to note: the new MacBooks no longer feature a Firewire port, and the MacBook Pros are now down to a single Firewire port. Also, matte finish screens are no longer an option. The glossy screens offer deeper blacks and richer colors, but some prefer the less-reflective option.
The new MacBooks start at $1299 and the MacBook Pros at $1999. As before, the MacBooks feature a 13.3” screen and the MacBook Pros are available in 15” or 17” screen. The previous plastic finish white MacBook is still available at the new low price of $999.
