Mac Rumors says we may see an updated MacBook tomorrow.
Apple’s Leopard update, however, has revealed drivers for the newer Intel GMA X3100 integrated graphics chip. This is the successor to the Intel GMA 950 which currently resides in the existing MacBooks. This would suggest that the next MacBook will see an upgrade to the Santa Rosa chipset. This, however, remains speculative. The driver, however, appears functional and works when used on a PC laptop with the X3100 chipset.
October 31st, 2007 at 5:05 pm
So I guess no update means last month’s purchase of a MacBook remains a good investment for myself. Especially in the light of my iMac finally having a melt down. Otherwise, my newest Mac would have been a Power Mac 7600. Yikes, that’s old! I do have a couple Beige G3 towers I aim to get out of storage, but they’re circa 1998 Macs themselves.
Even still, I remain curious as to what the next revision of the MacBook will bring. Will it feature a radically redesign as often rumored or simple a video chipset and speed bump. Either would be much appreciated, but both would make for a compelling reason for current MacBook users to consider the upgrade.
Nathan
October 31st, 2007 at 5:20 pm
Darn typos. I suppose there are probably many in my comment, but the most egregious would be this:
Nathan said:
That should have read:
Will it feature a radically redesigned form factor, as often rumored, or simply a video chipset and processor bump?
Also should add, I hope they make the Superdrive standard on the entry model.
Nathan
November 1st, 2007 at 1:53 pm
Looks like the MacBook upgrade came a couple days later than rumored and while the Santa Rosa architecture and X3100 video chipset make for nice speedbumps, what’s up with the entry level MacBook only sporting a combo drive? Oh and no radical aluminum case design either, not that I think the MacBooks need a new look anyway.
Also, $200 more for a black MacBook and the only difference seems to be 40GB of hard drive space. Lame. I don’t like the black tax. $100 more expensive and I’d consider it. Otherwise, looks like the sweetspot in MacBook pricing remains the mid level $1299 MacBook.
Still too rich for my blood of course and my late 2006 MacBook still seems like a good buy.
Nathan
November 1st, 2007 at 2:26 pm
You’re not alone, I don’t see many black MacBooks. I think the value for money just hasn’t been there since day 1.
As for graphics speed boost, that’s very welcome in my mind. My dual G5 (dedicated ATI video card) has always felt snappier and more responsive than my MacBook (Intel 950 integrated graphics), although the MacBook is the faster of the two.
Exposé is the best example of this. Smooth as silk on the G5. MacBook stutters.
Anyway, this is a nice bump for these machines for the holiday season. And as always, the pre-this-rev MacBook machines will now be found for perhaps $799 or lower as closeouts or refurbs, which is a steal.
November 28th, 2007 at 12:09 pm
I’d like to know if anybody knows if Apple will release new Macbooks in December 07 or sometime soon?
November 28th, 2007 at 2:30 pm
I’d like to know if anybody knows if Apple will release new Macbooks in December 07 or sometime soon?
Dec 07, unlikely. Jan 08, very likely.
1. Apple doesn’t mess with product lineups in December. Meddling can cause buyer havoc with the holiday season. Let sleeping dogs lie.
2. MacBooks have been out since Spring 06, and they’re due. MacWorld, which happen 2nd week every January, are THE place where Apple introduces new hardware.