Apple's MacBook gets a fresh face, NVIDIA graphics, original drops to $999

Apple's taking all that new MacBook Pro love and shrinking it down to size for the all-new MacBook. The laptop includes those same NVIDIA 9400M graphics, Mini DisplayPort plug, new manufacturing method, backlit keyboard and fancy glass trackpad of its big sibling, but does it with a 13.3-inch LED-backlit screen and typically friendly MacBook pricepoints. The laptop is 0.5 pounds lighter than its plastic predecessor, 0.95-inches thick, and Apple's also claiming 5 hours of battery life here, but we'll have to wait and see how realistic that number is. The base model weighs in at $1299 with a 2GHz Core 2 Duo processor, while $1599 gets you 4GB of RAM and a 320GB HDD. There's also an SSD option if you're really looking to splurge. If none of the new speed or style appeals to you, Apple's also slashing its existing low-end MacBook to $999, which is still a bit steep if you ask us. Hit the jump for a breakdown of the configurations.

Apple's new LED-backlit MacBook

LED MacBook Official Pictures

2.0GHz MacBook (MB466LL/A) - $1,299

• 2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 3MB L2 cache, 1066MHz System Bus
• 160GB 5400 rpm HDD

2.4GHz MacBook (MB467LL/A) - $1,599

• 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 3MB L2 cache, 1066MHz System Bus
• 250GB 5400 rpm HDD
• Backlit Keyboard

Shared Specs:

• Precision aluminum unibody enclosure, 12.78 x 8.94 x .95-inches, 4.5 pounds
  
• 13.3-inches LED-backlit display, 1280 x 800 resolution
  
• 8x Slot-loading SuperDrive
• 2GB 1066 MHz DDR3 memory
• Multi-Touch glass trackpad
• NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics processor
• Mini Display Port connector
• Built-in iSight camera, stereo speakers, microphone
• Optical digital input / analog line in/out
• Built-in AirPort Extreme WiFi
• 2 USB 2.0 ports
• Gigabit Ethernet Port
• Mac OS X v10.5 Leopard & iLife '08
• 5 Hour Battery life

In The Box:

• MacBook
• Display Cleaning cloth
• 60W MagSafe Power Adapter, AC wall plug, and power cord
• Lithium-polymer battery
• Install / restore DVDs
• Printed and electronic documentation

[tnkgrl Posted Oct 14th 2008 2:31PM]

No FireWire. Is there a USB Target Disk Mode?

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 14th 2008 2:46PM]

I think they need a calculator to help with the currency conversion. In the US the 3 Macbooks cost $999, $1299 and $1599. In the Uk they cost the equivalent of $1258, $1660 and $2010. What a bargain! The cheapest one has actually increased in price.

I don't think I'll bother

[chaboud Posted Oct 14th 2008 2:47PM]

Um, no 1394? Seriously? Well, I could always use an express-card.... wait.. what?!

There goes the pro-audio 13.3inch book.

I can't believe that I have to choose between the old plastic white-book or an old school MBP ('cause I'll be ding-dong-damned if I'm going to spend $2.5k on a book with a glossy screen).

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 14th 2008 3:00PM]

Oh, wow.

No firewire? Are you kidding me?

I've been waiting for this release to upgrade my old HP laptop to one of the new Macbook Pros. I use my laptop for live music performance and mobile recording.

Without a firewire port this laptop is completely useless to me.

Way to drop the ball, Apple.

Hopefully 2.0 will have adequate ports for modern computing.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 14th 2008 3:17PM]

uh, the macbook pro you've been looking to upgrade to DOES have firewire. the macbooks don't.

personally, i think this is really stupid. so much for imovie, most consumers won't be able to get their video onto the computer anymore. i guess everyone can't be creative anymore, just the pros who can afford the mbp.

it wouldn't be so bad if you could use a firewire expresscard...but, wait, no options there either. really dumb.

and still 1280x800? this is probably the biggest gripe with my macbook. I certainly won't be upgrading in order to lose the ability to grab my dv footage.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 14th 2008 3:45PM]

Sorry, typed that in wrong.

I meant Macbook.
Barely able to afford a Macbook, I am in no way capable of buying a Macbook Pro.

I also just noticed that they significantly decreased the education store discount!
You only get 50 bucks off now- this is very lame.

[substance90 Posted Oct 14th 2008 3:05PM]

2500 $ for these specs... are you kidding me?! Apple is soo overrating itself and it`s products! ****ing speculators!

[sullivan504 Posted Oct 14th 2008 3:23PM]

Wow... three pages of comments and not one goes on about the hot girl on the screen image! Methinks engadget readers are growing up.

Oh, wait... scratch that. Sorry.

[Downpour Posted Oct 14th 2008 3:25PM]

Apple hate English people:

US Macbook = $999 / £571
UK Macbook = $1,257 / £719

So that's a $258 / £148 shipping charge then.

They must be coming over via Steves private Jet.

...Or they hired someone from Adobe to set the price.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 14th 2008 3:46PM]

Apple.jp have the 2.0ghz model at 148800YEN... that mean 1650$ with the week dollar... thanks apple! That one should be 99900YEN here...

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 15th 2008 4:17AM]

That's why I'll never buy Apple in Japan. I'm in the same boat. Gonna have my dad send a new computer over. Probably Lenovo now! These specs are just stupid.

[Anderfrank Posted Oct 14th 2008 3:47PM]

I was browsing the new macbooks on the apple website and if you click on the $1299 macbook it shows

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 14th 2008 3:48PM]

Glossy=reflections and false colors

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 14th 2008 3:58PM]

Are these not coming in black? No color choice at the Apple Store...

[CJ Posted Oct 14th 2008 4:01PM]

I think it's still a shame that they still can't fit as many USB ports into these than a bog-standard netbook.

[CJ Posted Oct 14th 2008 4:07PM]

Sigh, just took a look at the Apple Store (Australia).

Still not cheap enough to ge my money, for the price. Fifty dollars off isn't a great deal, Apple. Especially for old tech, and not even top-line stuff either.

Mabye when I'm rich and overly-trendy, but if I ever become that, I'm killing myself anyway.

[Anderfrank Posted Oct 14th 2008 4:25PM]

I was browsing the new macbooks on the apple website and if you click on the $1299 macbook it shows that you can get a backlit keyboard. What's up with that? Typo?

[Tokyo Yuri Posted Oct 14th 2008 4:51PM]

The $1299 Macbook has a backlit keyboard =\

In the little configuration page, it says backlit, at least in the US store.

I'm sad the student discount only counts for $50 now though. That's a rip-off considering tax is more than that.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 14th 2008 4:59PM]

Yeah the downgrade of the student discount is a borderline dealbreaker :(

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 14th 2008 5:51PM]

I'm very disappointed. A friend of mine has been waiting to buy a Macbook. I told him the rumors I have been reading about a lower price (even as low as $800), an aluminum case, and a more powerful NVidia graphics chip. I also read about how people have been complaining that the price of Macs is still staying high, whereas PCs have been falling in price. So now the wait is over and all that I can tell my friend is, "Hey you waited a few months to save $100 on the same Macbook you could have gotten over the summer." That sucks. Apple dropped the ball on this one. Major disappointment. I will not recommend them again unless someone has a lot of money to spend. Linux doesn't play games like this.

[Eternal Density Posted Oct 14th 2008 6:06PM]

This post was brought to you by the letter B and the colour Orange.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 14th 2008 10:12PM]

@wootman

Read my entire post, go on now.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 15th 2008 3:07AM]

The $50 student discount is a serious deal breaker. Apple is really shafting us students that they claim to support. I was holding off on upgrading my Core Duo Macbook and am unsure now. They are clearancing off the old base MBP for $1400, now that is a good deal.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 15th 2008 10:24AM]

NO FIREWIRE ??? I'LL HAVE TO CHANGE MY VIDEO CAMERA TO BUY A NEW MACBOOK ??

[vvtopkar Posted Oct 15th 2008 11:15PM]

Consider it a mild "Apple Tax" :P

[nikult626 Posted Oct 15th 2008 9:39PM]

What happened to the FW400 port? Did that get tossed out or did I miss something?