New MacBook / MacBook Pro unboxing and first impressions
By Joshua Topolsky 
posted October 14th 2008 11:00PM
posted October 14th 2008 11:00PM
If you're wondering why the color temperature seems to vary in the photos, we shot it at the Revision3 studios while filming a segment for Tekzilla and they kept changing the lights (lovely folks, lighting changes notwithstanding).
While much of what you see on the outside here is the same as the MacBook Pros that you're used to, the construction is totally new, and you can feel it. Both the MacBooks and the MacBook Pros feel almost exactly like what they're made out of: solid slabs of high-grade aluminum. The overall construction feels amazingly tight and secure, and they've smoothed some of those hard edges, making them seem sleeker than before. While the MacBook has shaved off nearly a half-pound of weight from the previous iteration, the Pro has fattened up two-tenths of a pound over the earlier model.
Of course, the other big news is that Apple has traded up from the displays we've come to know and love in previous models for an iMac-esque super glossy, matted (but not matte -- we'll get to that) LCD screen. The company has also seen fit to remove the button from the trackpad altogether, making the entire surface a Storm-like single button, albeit one that can be tweaked via software for multi-finger gestures. But let's just get it out right here -- four finger gestures may be pushing it a little far.
The screen presents a particularly vexing problem; Steve Jobs has stated that this is the direction which Apple is going in for all new models (ostensibly based on the outpouring of love from consumers Phil Schiller mentioned at the event), and there aren't plans for non-glossy versions. Unfortunately, that doesn't work for everyone. In particular, users who take their work outdoors, or don't have full control of every lighting situation they're in will be left hanging -- to say nothing of people who just don't want to look at their reflection all day. It's not quite a deal-breaker, but it does annoy to know Apple isn't concerned with users who would prefer a less reflective surface.
The trackpad, on the other hand, is surprisingly usable. The click feels similar to the traditional button -- though slightly more resistive -- and you're able to right-click with either a two-finger gesture or by assigning one of the bottom corners. We prefer the latter technique, we just hope someone hacks that to expand the corner size. They tell us it's made of glass now, but it feels pretty much the way it always has. All-in-all, not a bad execution on something we were fairly worried about. You can see a video of it in action below.
Besides the big cosmetic changes, Apple has killed the Firewire 400 slot (there's an 800 present on the Pro), swapped the DVI port for a mini Display Port jack (adapter definitely required), and moved all the rest of the ports to the left side of the machines. They've also mercifully put that battery level on the side now, thus alleviating the need for flipping your computer over.
And speaking of the battery, Apple now puts it in an easy to access covered section along the bottom / back which also allows access to your hard drive. This definitely makes it easier to pop out your drive, but the RAM is actually a little harder to get at (you'll need a screwdriver). It works, though we wish they'd made changing the memory as easy as changing the disk. And in case you're wondering, the batteries aren't transferrable between the two systems. As before, MacBooks with MacBooks, and Pros with Pros.
Under the hood, there's been spec bumps galore, including faster CPUs for both (up to 2.8GHz for the MacBook Pros, up to 2.4GHz for the MacBooks), DDR3 RAM is now in play with both systems, and on the Pro you'll get that pair of NVIDIA graphics chips, the GeForce 9400M and 9600M GT. You can switch those up depending on your needs, but you'll have to logout to make the changes stick. The MacBooks just sport the 9400M, but if you're looking for a powerhouse, you're probably looking towards the Pro anyhow.
The software obviously remains the same besides new trackpad options, graphics chip switching, and other minor changes (that we've seen so far), though there are some odd tweaks. According to Jason Snell from Macworld, you can use your iPhone earbud button to control iTunes (pause / play, back and forward), and the microphone can be used as a... microphone. It's a strange but nice touch.
Overall, this is evolution, not revolution, but there are some very welcome updates here. We're still wishing for a few things, like EV-DO or HSDPA built-in, but we're not at all let down by what Apple is showing off. We'll tackle these in a longer review later, but for now you can enjoy these pics and the details we scraped together.
Concerning the glossy finish! Actually a glossy screen on a laptop is a better option, I would never buy a matte display again... Now before you low rank me let me explain why! The thing is when you take a matte display in a very bright environment (i.e. to the park), the colors get washed up by some sort of white shadow on the screen. When you use a glossy finish like the one on the new MB or MBP, you get crisp colors and you get a very well define reflection in a bright environment... The good thing with this type of display is its easy to just move the screen to remove the reflection completely which you can't really achieve with a matte display. I used to be sold on matte display but now that I've used the new iMac right next to a window (which is a pain with my 22 inch matte Samsung LCD display) I will buy a glossy display on my next laptop that's for sure!
That thing is soo glooossssssy!
Look forward to the MBP review...
I'm still disappointed there are only 2 usb ports. I have 3 on my Acer Aspire One, and one of those is permanently hogged for my Logitech Nano mouse. (and if a little runt like that can have 3, why not a Macbook?)
Most of my USB devices are wide, so it would end up being cable city to attach everything. The price isn't so cheap in Aussie dollars either.
get a bluetooth mouse, sissy.
It's sill better than a MacBook Air with it's super secret hidden drop-down USB port... I personally hate having the ports on both sides of my current MacBook Pro, the one side of ports on my PowerBook G4 12" was my favourite design ever! (plus moving the optical drive out from under the palm rest and back to the side will eliminate the high rate of failure that their current models' optical derives experience)
user replaceable battery and hdd! OMG APPLE JUST INVENTED THE INTERNET!
RTFP
i agree with you there, apple gets no cred in my books for doing something that EVERY other manufacturer has being doing forever, in fact, they should be bagged out for taking so long. This is exactly wat happened with the iphone, reviewers seem to glance over the negatives because theyve all got the heads so far up job's ass
@Ten:
Please name another consumer notebook with a user replaceable hard drive. The Macbooks and Macbook Pros have always had user replaceable batteries. The only notebook they've made without one is the Macbook Air. Please be more informed the next time you comment.
Bootareen, thinkpads (t and r series I know for sure) have user-replaceable hard drives. One screw to take it out. Literally takes less than a minute.
Not knocking apple for bringing it to a more consumer grade laptop, though - I am probably going to get one because lenovo system update killed my t60!
Dell Vostro 1500, the HDD is on a little box on the side, just two screws.
@ Ten
No...maybe its because the minor negatives of the iPhone are GREATLY overshadowed by the many many positives of the iPhone? I swear some people are just born to hate on things with any sort of success or good reception.
ThinkPad 390E. From like 1998 or so. One screw and you can replace the hard drive. Some 2006 or so HP consumer notebook: 2 screws? My Dell Vostro too. Nice that Apple has that now too.
Can't wait to get one for my freshman year of college dual boot with vista oh yea
you mean windows 7?
Vista... Windows 7... same thing?
Microsoft needs to put a Min-Win based windows out there!
oh yeah, the New Macbooks look like crap.
um, windows 7 is not vista. windows 7 is the post-vista version of windows. windows is still in v6, which is why it's not as stable as mac os x—yes, 10 versions in.
the edge looks pretty big to me... any way, fan based over priced product is never for me kinda cheap ass...
Wasnt this thing to cost ~$800
lol, clearly some 5 legged animal whispered to macrumors.com
The $800 rumor to MacRumors ended up being the LED Display and not the Macbook. They got the new price sheet and did not expect the new display. However, there was a $100 price drop on the entry-level Macbook so they met you halfway.
they need to put faster CPU's in these and/or lower the price.
If they don't they should have a netbook (NOT the Air) that could be priced in the sub $800 level
I was just a *bit* dissapointed with this. I was really hoping
for a Macbook under $900, lets hope as components get cheaper and
cheaper this will happen. I do like the look of the new Macbook's but
am not to impressed with the glass screen. I'm happy they introduced
Multi-Touch to the Macbooks, also am quite excited about the graphics
card in it, hopefully that will make a big improvement in gaming.
Overall they did pretty good, could have been better though.
Let's just hope APPLE reduces their PROFIT MARGIN from outrageous to slightly less outrageous.
It's still fugly
do not low rank this guy in real life
you will be murdered
I typically dislike Macs, but I like to keep an open mind.
Either way, I don't think Apple has ever released an ugly product for a while now.
Don't worry, I didn't low rank you Shelbz, for fear of being murdered.
You do realize it is possible for people to just like the way Apple products look and that this liking of the Apple aesthete is completely independent of being "stuck on Steve's dick." Your opinion, for lack of wanting a more PC phrasing, is wrong and was ranked accordingly.
Also, you're telling us to think for ourselves yet you are "pointing out how fucking ugly that thing is." Your pointing it out means you're thinking for us--I prefer my brain, personally. If this pithy paragraph were to distilled to three words: you're a hypocrite.
And I low ranked you and plan on doing so again after I post my comment.
Difference is I can still think for myself.
There is no issue with "thinking for yourself". There is the issue of taste. Different people have different preferences. Those who like a notebook which looks like it was built by four different manufacturers, will love this Halloween Frankenstein. Those who believe that a scarecrow is not a handsome man, will hate it.
The lamp-style iMac was a truly beautiful computer. It's been downhill ever since.
Am i the only one that think this laptop isn't that pretty? Because it looks really plain... almost boring.
No you're not: your clone does too.
You are not alone. The screen looks nice but the other half look....blah as hell.
I agree with you on the aesthetics. Silver (or aluminum) looks good as the TRIM with black being the primary color OR just going all Silver. However like this, it's just plain ugly and definitely not as elegant as an Apple product should (or expected to).
Maybe I'm just old and cranky, but I vastly prefer the older keyboard of the PowerBook G4 and previous MacBook Pros to this "chicklet" crap. Oh, are they trying to make them look like the iPhone keyboard? Is that it? :P
Am i the only one that thinks this laptop isn't that pretty? Because it looks really plain... almost boring.
i like that it has two graphic chips,maybe they can have a software update where you can run both of them at the same time?Or is that too much to ask?
Why Why Why did they cancel the Firewire400 port......Why...............all my drives are firewire 400.....(althought I can use the fw400-800 connectors )
Seems that it's the time I must start investing in firewire800 equipment....
The lack of FW 400, the all glossy screen, and the hideous black keyboard is a huge deal breaker..not to mention the removal of a DVI port.
I thought this was an evolution Engadget, not a de-evolution.
You do know I hope that DisplayPort is back-compatible with single- and dual-link DVI through a passive adapter... I don't disagree with you on the other two points though. I am surprisingly content with the previous-generation MBP that I have now, given what a total Apple nerd I usually am.
Evolution as in survival of the fittest (aka not fw400) not including everything everyone loves and it being a Frankenstein. Giving the people what they want is not Apple's game. You have to adapt to what Apple gives you. duh
I believe FireWire 800 ports are backwards compatible...
They definitely made some controversial moves, but isn't the adapting of new technology over older technology the opposite of de-evolution?
I'm also gonna miss the FW400 port too, but a least it is backwards compatible with a 6pin to 9pin cable... Ok, maybe I'm not gonna miss it that much... Ok now I'm over it... But I still have a big problem with that stupid black chiclet keyboard!!!
As someone who uses a lot of FW400 gear, I kind of expected this to happen at some point in time. It's an inconvenience pill that I believe, all FW400 users will have to swallow sooner or later. Using an additional adapter for continued support doesn't really disturb me at all either.
Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I do recall that FW3200 shares the same cable interface as FW800? When the new spec gets ratified, I expect nothing less than all FW400 ports to totally disappear from the world of computing.
What am I supposed to do with all my portable FW400 drives?
Is there a FW400 to FW800 cable?
This omission is really mindboggling.
I too am not partial to the black bezel and keyboard.
Jonanthan Ive, I held you in high regard until today...
Now the Lenovo Y510 has a friend ;) haha.
Can i please get a picture of the bottom???? i haven't seen one on here or on apple's site.
Here you go with some pics of the bottom of the case
http://www.engadget.com/photos/new-macbook-pro-official-pictures-1/
i think the cpu's speed bump. aside from the obviously fast 2.8ghz mbp option, all cpu's have gotten a boost to an extra 1MB of cache, and a 1066mhz front side bus (and thus faster RAM as well).
The integrated GPU upgrade is definitely going to satisfy old 12" Powerbook people like myself. While it's still integrated, its a big leap forward from old macbooks plus can use more system RAM if needed.
And they finally killed the combo drive, now its superdrives all around.
I'm not buying though, my first gen blackbook is doing just fine and i'm going to drive it till the wheels come off. So i see myself buying a rev B "new" macbook, refurb'd.
You sir, are an idiot,
The 1066 MHZ FSB is NOTHING.
It means that DDR2 RAM will run at 533 MHZ, which is terrible! My 3 year old dell's RAM runs at more than 600.