Apple MacBook, MacBook Pro get refreshed with faster CPUs, multi-touch

Aw snap. It finally, really happened... kind of. Apple has just dropped a nasty refresh on its MacBook and MacBook Pro lines, knocking the processor speeds up, and giving the Pros that tasty multi-touch the MacBook Air has been sporting. Still, they couldn't break off an even slightly new form-factor for us? Both lines are sporting Intel's downsized new Penryn chips, which should make your lap and / or battery quite happy. Right now we're seeing updates to the GPU memory, an LED backlight (option!) for 17-inchers, as well as LEDs on all the rest of the Pros (sorry again MacBookers). New specs on the MBPs include a CPU boost to a base speed of 2.4GHz all the way up to 2.6GHz, that suspiciously new 3MB or 6MB L2 cache on the CPUs, added RAM to the graphics cards (up to 512MB for the higher-end 15-inch, and all 17-inch models), and of course the new trackpad. On the MacBook front, things look even more familiar, with only minor bumps to speed (2.1GHz up to 2.4GHz) and CPUs. Both new lines get hard drive increases, with the MBPs rocking 200GB or 250GB options, while the MBs range from 120GB all the way up to 250GB. Ports, weight, and size all appear to be just the same for both lines, undoubtedly to the chagrin of many readers, and Apple is skimping on the Apple Remote across the line; it's now a $19 add-on. Full SKU rundown after the break.

Update: Just to make it totally clear, Apple confirmed to us that the processors are indeed Penryn, as noted above. As for future updates and notable omissions in this round, they had little to say.

MacBook

• $1,099 - (White) 2.1GHz, 1GB memory, 120GB HDD, Combo drive
• $1,299 - (White) 2.4GHz, 2GB memory, 160GB HDD, Double-layer SuperDrive
• $1,499 - (Black) 2.4GHz, 2GB memory, 250GB HDD, Double-layer SuperDrive

MacBook Pro

• $1,999 - (15-inch) 2.4GHz, 2GB memory, 200GB HDD, Double-layer SuperDrive, NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT with 256MB
• $2,499 - (15-inch) 2.5GHz, 2GB memory, 250GB HDD, Double-layer SuperDrive, NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT with 512MB
• $2,799 - (17-inch) 2.5GHz, 2GB memory, 250GB HDD, Double-layer SuperDrive, NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT with 512MB

Hi-res LED screen for 17-inch is $100 extra, 2.6GHz processor is another $250.

[BollockChops @ Feb 26th 2008 8:41AM]

oh .. is that it.

[Fred @ Feb 26th 2008 8:46AM]

Um, ok.

This is like.....wow and junk.

Well worth the spam post yesterday, and the "Apple store is down" stick note post.
/sarcasm

Seriously, Engadget. Can you stop acting like a cog in Apple's marketing machine for once?

[Gavin @ Feb 26th 2008 9:03AM]

i know, they totally overlooked the fact that the shuffle is out at 2GB now...

that's where the real story is at

[Fred @ Feb 26th 2008 9:05AM]

Going around Low Ranking posts because you are PO'd that another Apple iHype ramp up didn't result in your wildest dreams coming true isn't going to make the hurt go away.

Maybe you need to Low Rank Apple and the hype posts from Engadget.

[Sam @ Feb 26th 2008 9:08AM]

ok i just did this to get to the top but,
is there no bundled apple remote for the macbook pros?

[Nick @ Feb 26th 2008 9:25AM]

@sam

correct.. or Mac Pros for that matter (even though they come with front row now).

If you want that cheap remote you gotta buy the non-Pro line of their computers. Kinda funny really... drop more money and you dont get the 5 dollar remote.

I remember back in the day when I got a 4th gen iPod the AC adapter free and packaged with my iPod, now they sell it as a $30 accessory. Buy an appleTV and you dont get any video/audio cables so "you can't do it all right out of the box".

I like apple for the most part, but sometimes they piss me off with how stingy they can be.

[Phantom @ Feb 26th 2008 10:02AM]

@Nick

I agree. My 3rd gen iPod came with ac adaptor, dock, firewire cable, & black fabric bag. My iPod Touch on the other hand only has a short USB cable, a polishing cloth, & a cheap plastic stand. If I want ac adaptor & dock for my iPod Touch, I'll need to shell out another $80. For a $400 device, I should be able to at least charge it right out of the box without another device. I think Apple is beyond stingy in this case. However, I do love my iPod Touch. I guess I just have to open my wallet wider for Jobs & crew.

[Slug @ Feb 26th 2008 10:24AM]

Man, I hate it when this kind of stuff gets posted!
All that sexyness and no money for me to spend on it!

[Dale @ Feb 26th 2008 10:45AM]

@Fred: New gadgets are new gadgets. Whether you like the manufacturer or not, a blog about gadgets kinda has to report on them.

[mike @ Feb 26th 2008 3:40PM]

@Dale

They don't need to over report on them either like Engadget does...

[superfresh @ Feb 26th 2008 11:03AM]

"Still, they couldn't break off an even slightly new form-factor for us?"

...and take away the only thing MacBook Air has going for it? Don't think so.

[Blaktornado @ Feb 26th 2008 11:51AM]

well they're hardly going to try and steal the limelight away from the Macbook Air, are they?

The UK site still has the Macbook Air on the front page...

[Johan S @ Feb 26th 2008 11:51AM]

They should have added a bevelled edge to it so they can falsely claim it's the world's thinnest laptop. Thinner than my old Toshiba R100 (0.65 inches thick).

[Eric M. @ Feb 26th 2008 12:45PM]

@ Nick & Phantom

I was under the impression that the old iPods were like $300 when they included the AC adapter and stuff, but then after they removed it they dropped the price to $250 to even their costs out.

I know this because I bought my Creative Vision M at $300 a few years back and then they removed the AC adapter and dropped the price $50.

[Pacos @ Feb 26th 2008 2:54PM]

I hear you on that! It would be nice to get a few more accessories included when you buy an ipod, but lets get back to topic.

I've got to say, I'm a little disappointed with this release. No Blu Ray drives...seriously?

[Little Buddha @ Feb 26th 2008 8:12PM]

Blu-Ray better be standard pretty soon for a $2500+ computer. Apple better step up.

[Cycomachead @ Feb 26th 2008 8:23PM]

Yeah - I'm kind of bummed at how stingy apple is getting. Though I guess I don't use my remote too much, but I would want to pay $20 for it. Hey I still have it if I get an upgrade though. On the opposite side: what was essentially yesterday's MBP 15" (high end) is now today's low end 15" and for $500 cheaper w/ a bigger drive and a multi-touch pad minus $20 :-/


-------------Sorry, but I want this at the top....

So many are complaining about how Engadget loves apple and how it's pointless and all... BUT if you don't like Apple - don't comment or say anything. If Engadget looks at their stats then the Apple pages would have the most clicks and the most comments. Don't click and ignore it. You are just giving Apple recognition - and that's what any company wants.

[Cycomachead @ Feb 26th 2008 8:23PM]

Yeah - I'm kind of bummed at how stingy apple is getting. Though I guess I don't use my remote too much, but I would want to pay $20 for it. Hey I still have it if I get an upgrade though. On the opposite side: what was essentially yesterday's MBP 15" (high end) is now today's low end 15" and for $500 cheaper w/ a bigger drive and a multi-touch pad minus $20 :-/


-------------Sorry, but I want this at the top....

So many are complaining about how Engadget loves apple and how it's pointless and all... BUT if you don't like Apple - don't comment or say anything. If Engadget looks at their stats then the Apple pages would have the most clicks and the most comments. Don't click and ignore it. You are just giving Apple recognition - and that's what any company wants.

[Eminemdrdre00 @ Feb 26th 2008 8:41AM]

The MacBook has multi-touch now?

[Frederik @ Feb 26th 2008 9:11AM]

Nope. Only the Pro. So, where is the 12" MBP? Darn it. I forgot that the PowerBook no longer exists.

[Danny @ Feb 26th 2008 8:41AM]

It looks like the multi-touch trackpad is only available on the Air and the Pro, not the regular Macbook.

[Nick @ Feb 26th 2008 9:16AM]

Yeah the title of the story said "macbook, macbook pro get..." so i had my hopes up... http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wa/RSLID?nnmm=browse&mco=7B723646&node=home/shop_mac/family/macbook

[Nick @ Feb 26th 2008 9:20AM]

Crap that link didn't work :P
I went to apple story -> macbook -> compare specs and then in the spec chart there's a "complete specs" chart that says scrolling trackpad on the normal macbooks

[Lein @ Feb 26th 2008 8:42AM]

Only one mouse button still?

[Bob Newhart @ Feb 26th 2008 8:45AM]

It's called "two fingers and click". How do people not get this? There will never be a split track button on an Apple laptop.

[Kizorblade @ Feb 26th 2008 8:46AM]

Fail.

[sdh @ Feb 26th 2008 9:01AM]

Don't you start..

[Aprime @ Feb 26th 2008 9:38AM]

DID ANYONE SAY FAIL?

[sdh @ Feb 26th 2008 10:23AM]

Uh, well.. mkay. I can't say no to you, never could. It's just that I don't feel all that comfortable with all these people around us talking Apple hardware..

[sdh @ Feb 26th 2008 10:28AM]

Okay.. *sob* Don't get me wrong, these are tears of joy. I love you Aprime.

[Ellianth @ Feb 26th 2008 11:48AM]

Get a (chat) room.

[sdh @ Feb 26th 2008 11:56AM]

Welcome to the social.

[Brendan Sheehan @ Feb 26th 2008 12:50PM]

Grow up and shut up the two of you.

[sdh @ Feb 26th 2008 12:53PM]

Sorry Brendan, I prefer males. Nice meeting you though.

[Riddham @ Feb 26th 2008 8:43AM]

where's blue ray??

[Kelmon @ Feb 26th 2008 9:26AM]

Who cares? It's not like people make that much use of the existing SuperDrive so adding Blu-ray is unlikely to generate much more demand.

[Yokabi @ Feb 26th 2008 8:42AM]

well...it's something

[Jordan @ Feb 26th 2008 11:08AM]

But can it play Doom?

[Scott @ Feb 26th 2008 8:43AM]

That's got to be one of the biggest duds of an update ever.

[Aprime @ Feb 26th 2008 8:45AM]

All the updates since 06 have been duds.

Except Leopard and the new iMac, of course.

[Bob Newhart @ Feb 26th 2008 8:48AM]

You call that a dud? Were you expecting a BJ port? The combined CPU, GPU, HD size and multitouch upgrades weren't enough? Jeez... I guess you wanted it in red...

[RyanTV @ Feb 26th 2008 9:52AM]

I think it's a dud. They still haven't gotten a proper 1680x1050 LCD in their 15" model, and this really should have come with HDMI connectivity.

Once Dell updates the 1530 with Penryn chips, that will be the notebook to get. If only it ran OSX...

[ben @ Feb 26th 2008 10:30AM]

Something about Mac OS X made me want to kill myself every time I saw a stupid little jumping icons or the pinwheel of death.

[Aprime @ Feb 26th 2008 8:43AM]

I'm wondering when they're going to redesign them, honestly.

But the spec. bumps are more than welcome, especially on the GPU side of things.

[Fred @ Feb 26th 2008 8:57AM]

"Were you expecting a BJ port?"

Based on the level of hype from the Apple guys, wouldn't you?

[Aprime @ Feb 26th 2008 8:59AM]

hurr inferior mac superior custom pc hurrrr

[RyanTV @ Feb 26th 2008 9:57AM]

How many ridiculous comments does one person really need to make? I'm marking you low on all of them just for the sheer volume and making me look at that stupid icon of yours.

[RyanTV @ Feb 26th 2008 10:14AM]

You need to lay off the meth, dude.

[sdh @ Feb 26th 2008 11:04AM]

An avatar of a girl being raped from behind is much soothing for my eyes thanks.

[iRobot @ Feb 26th 2008 4:28PM]

@Aprime - You're weird