New MacBook models

In article <invalid-052778.23363801112007.TakeThisOut@news-50.dca.giganews.com>,
Madwen <invalid.TakeThisOut@nospam.com> wrote:

> In article <1i6xe4e.1td98cl2cd51tN%dempson@actrix.gen.nz>,
> dempson.TakeThisOut@actrix.gen.nz (David Empson) wrote:
>
> > http://www.apple.com/macbook/specs.html
> >
> > Obvious changes: Intel GMA X3100 video chipset (much better than the old
> > GMA 950, but it uses more system memory), Santa Rosa, 800 MHz front side
> > bus, 4 GB maximum memory, faster models are now 2.2 GHz instead of 2.16.
> >
> > I can't see any evidence that they have introduced LED backlighting. It
> > is touted as a feature for the MacBook Pro 15" model but nothing similar
> > for the updated MacBook.
> >
> > At the same time, Apple have introduced a 2.6 GHz option for the 17" and
> > high-end 15" MacBook Pro, and revised the hard drive selections.
> >
> > You can now get a 250 GB 5400 rpm drive, or a 200 GB 7200 rpm drive.
> >
> > I didn't notice any other model changes. In particular, the Mac Mini is
> > still only using the Intel GMA 950 chipset.
>
> I wonder what's in the pipeline for the iMacs. My Quicksilver is
> starting to show its age and the Mac Pros are now probably more computer
> than I really need.

Apple released a new line of iMacs only about two months ago.

in article 1i6xe4e.1td98cl2cd51tN%dempson@actrix.gen.nz, David Empson at
dempson.DeleteThis@actrix.gen.nz wrote on 1/11/07 9:52 PM:

> http://www.apple.com/macbook/specs.html
>
> Obvious changes: Intel GMA X3100 video chipset (much better than the old
> GMA 950, but it uses more system memory), Santa Rosa, 800 MHz front side
> bus, 4 GB maximum memory, faster models are now 2.2 GHz instead of 2.16.
>
> I can't see any evidence that they have introduced LED backlighting. It
> is touted as a feature for the MacBook Pro 15" model but nothing similar
> for the updated MacBook.
>
> At the same time, Apple have introduced a 2.6 GHz option for the 17" and
> high-end 15" MacBook Pro, and revised the hard drive selections.
>
> You can now get a 250 GB 5400 rpm drive, or a 200 GB 7200 rpm drive.
>
> I didn't notice any other model changes. In particular, the Mac Mini is
> still only using the Intel GMA 950 chipset.

Overall a nice little spec. bump but overall hardly a reason rush out a buy
a new one is it?

Nigel

In article <C3509A02.28BC7%noone@nowhere.com>,
Nigel <noone RemoveThis @nowhere.com> wrote:

> in article 1i6xe4e.1td98cl2cd51tN%dempson@actrix.gen.nz, David Empson at
> dempson RemoveThis @actrix.gen.nz wrote on 1/11/07 9:52 PM:
>
> > http://www.apple.com/macbook/specs.html
> >
> > Obvious changes: Intel GMA X3100 video chipset (much better than the old
> > GMA 950, but it uses more system memory), Santa Rosa, 800 MHz front side
> > bus, 4 GB maximum memory, faster models are now 2.2 GHz instead of 2.16.
> >
> > I can't see any evidence that they have introduced LED backlighting. It
> > is touted as a feature for the MacBook Pro 15" model but nothing similar
> > for the updated MacBook.
> >
> > At the same time, Apple have introduced a 2.6 GHz option for the 17" and
> > high-end 15" MacBook Pro, and revised the hard drive selections.
> >
> > You can now get a 250 GB 5400 rpm drive, or a 200 GB 7200 rpm drive.
> >
> > I didn't notice any other model changes. In particular, the Mac Mini is
> > still only using the Intel GMA 950 chipset.
>
> Overall a nice little spec. bump but overall hardly a reason rush out a buy
> a new one is it?
>
> Nigel

Not that Apple seems to have made much effort to tout the changes.

Nigel <noone.DeleteThis@nowhere.com> wrote:

> in article 1i6xe4e.1td98cl2cd51tN%dempson@actrix.gen.nz, David Empson at
> dempson.DeleteThis@actrix.gen.nz wrote on 1/11/07 9:52 PM:
>
> > http://www.apple.com/macbook/specs.html
> >
> > Obvious changes: Intel GMA X3100 video chipset (much better than the old
> > GMA 950, but it uses more system memory), Santa Rosa, 800 MHz front side
> > bus, 4 GB maximum memory, faster models are now 2.2 GHz instead of 2.16.
[snip]
>
> Overall a nice little spec. bump but overall hardly a reason rush out a buy
> a new one is it?

No, but there have been recent posts from people wanting to buy a new
MacBook soon and wondering whether there would be an update in the near
future. If they hadn't already leapt, this should encourage them that it
is a good time to buy one now.

I had suggested January or maybe late this year, so it is good to see
Apple got in earlier than I expected, though I'm disappointed they
couldn't do LED backlighting as part of it (possibly still too
expensive).

--
David Empson
dempson.DeleteThis@actrix.gen.nz

Madwen <invalid RemoveThis @nospam.com> wrote:

> In article <1i6xe4e.1td98cl2cd51tN%dempson@actrix.gen.nz>,
> dempson RemoveThis @actrix.gen.nz (David Empson) wrote:
>
> > http://www.apple.com/macbook/specs.html
> >
> > Obvious changes: Intel GMA X3100 video chipset (much better than the old
> > GMA 950, but it uses more system memory), Santa Rosa, 800 MHz front side
> > bus, 4 GB maximum memory, faster models are now 2.2 GHz instead of 2.16.
[snip]
>
> I wonder what's in the pipeline for the iMacs.

I wouldn't expect to see any changes until around next January to March,
after Intel releases the laptop-class Penryn processor models. This is
also the likely timeframe for the next MacBook Pro update.

> My Quicksilver is starting to show its age and the Mac Pros are now
> probably more computer than I really need.

There should be new Mac Pro and Xserve models quite soon. Intel are
releasing new Xeons this month.

What I want (along with most of my friends) is a new desktop model which
sits between the Mac Mini and Mac Pro:

Basic logic board architecure the same as the new MacBook: Santa Rosa,
GMA X3100, maximum 4 GB RAM, preferably more options for CPU speed (2.0
GHz to 2.8 GHz).

Support for two internal 3.5" hard drives, one optical drive.

At least one PCI slot.

This would be an ideal desktop workhorse for non-graphical purposes, or
a low-end server.

The Mac Mini is just too small and difficult to expand or service. The
Mac Pro is too big, too noisy and too expensive.

--
David Empson
dempson RemoveThis @actrix.gen.nz

"Nigel" <noone DeleteThis @nowhere.com> wrote in message
news:C3509A02.28BC7%noone@nowhere.com...
> in article 1i6xe4e.1td98cl2cd51tN%dempson@actrix.gen.nz, David Empson at
> dempson DeleteThis @actrix.gen.nz wrote on 1/11/07 9:52 PM:
>
>> http://www.apple.com/macbook/specs.html
>>
>> Obvious changes: Intel GMA X3100 video chipset (much better than the old
>> GMA 950, but it uses more system memory), Santa Rosa, 800 MHz front side
>> bus, 4 GB maximum memory, faster models are now 2.2 GHz instead of 2.16.
>>
>> I can't see any evidence that they have introduced LED backlighting. It
>> is touted as a feature for the MacBook Pro 15" model but nothing similar
>> for the updated MacBook.
>>
>> At the same time, Apple have introduced a 2.6 GHz option for the 17" and
>> high-end 15" MacBook Pro, and revised the hard drive selections.
>>
>> You can now get a 250 GB 5400 rpm drive, or a 200 GB 7200 rpm drive.
>>
>> I didn't notice any other model changes. In particular, the Mac Mini is
>> still only using the Intel GMA 950 chipset.
>
> Overall a nice little spec. bump but overall hardly a reason rush out a
> buy
> a new one is it?
>
> Nigel
>

Probably not unless your Lombard with OS9 is just about dead and you've been
holding out for the new OS and some new hardware it which case this a pretty
cool time to be buying.

ron