MacBook little extras

Wed, 17 May 2006

Early this morning (Australian time) Apple released long awaited MacBook computer, a replacement for the iBook and 12″ PowerBook line.

MacBook

While I’m pretty impressed with specs and features, I’m a little puzzled why Apple hasn’t released Core Solo version, same as Mac Mini earlier this year. While performance surely would be down comparing to Core Duo model, the price certainly would be attractive to many people on the edge, potential switchers who couldn’t justify the price of Apple computers to do the final step of getting one.
In Australia the price of 2.0 GHz white model is $2099 and the lower end MacBook is $1749. These prices are reasonable for their specs, but if Core Solo model could have been offered for some $1399, that would be a great opportunity to target people who need portability without high performance.

A few things I am not entirely delighted with are keyboard, price of the black MacBook and the glossy screen. I’m not absolutely sure that I dislike glossy screen but from using other laptops with the same reflective display I don’t have any warm memories. One of these days I’ll pop to the Apple shop and have a look, I might even like it, who knows.

The keyboard. The fact is - people will either love it or hate it. Esthetically, I think it’s plainly ugly. It may be that using it is quite alright but for sure I can’t enjoy the view when I see it. Couple of bloggers already posted some reports that the touch is pretty un-natural, the travel is short and that there is no click at all.

And finally the price of the black model. Let’s face it, the difference between 2.0 GHz white and black model is in hard drive size (60 vs. 80 GB) and of course the colour. OK, the black one has matte finish but the price difference of $300 is just ridiculous. The white model costs $2099 but the black one is $2399 which is about 15% of the price. I think this is a rip-off. But you decide with your wallet.

Stumble it!