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Technology Lifestyle New MacBook Pros launch at last, but where are the MacBooks?
Technology Lifestyle New MacBook Pros launch at last, but where are the MacBooks? | New MacBook Pros launch at last, but where are the MacBooks? |
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| by Alex Zaharov-Reutt | |
| Wednesday, 25 October 2006 | |
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As I and others have predicted, Apple have finally launched Core 2 Duo based MacBook Pros onto the world market. Already for sale from all major Apple websites including Australia, Apple’s greatest chance at gaining new Mac converts has arrived. Of course, that already happened with the launch of Core 2 Duo based desktop iMacs a few months ago, but the lack of similarly equipped notebook models was becoming more and more obvious, especially as competitors already had Core 2 Duo equipped notebooks on sale. Now the disparity has ended, with the MacBook Pro range available with either a 2.16Ghz or 2.33Ghz processor that Apple says is 39% faster than its predecessor. Intel says 40%, so we’re not sure where that last 1% went. Perhaps Apple wanted to be the tiniest bit more conservative, or maybe 39% sticks in your head more readily as an unusual number. Now with the added power, running OS X 10.4 (and soon 10.5), alongside XP and Vista will be smoother, more seamless and more enjoyable than ever. Buying a new Mac has never been more compelling than it is today, even with the extra cost of buying the Parallels virtualisation software and Windows XP or Vista on top. To get performance, you’ll still want 2Gb of memory as standard, with the maximum of 3Gb RAM being the best option for power users. What’s missing from this line-up are the 13.3-inch MacBook models. Smaller and even more portable, they suit users that just don’t want to lug a 15.4-inch or 17-inch model around. Nevertheless, they are no doubt coming, and both the MacBook and MacBook Pro, with Core 2 Duo, are Apple's greatest chance in a generation to gain more new users and converts than ever before. My own notebook has a 12-inch screen, and while a 15.4-inch screen is certainly bigger and nicer to look at, the more portable 13.3-inch size is personally much more appealing, although this is clearly a matter of choice. Many waiting for a Core 2 Duo portable from Apple at the larger screen sizes have their wish granted at last, with no more waiting to buy. |
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