Apple updates MacBook, MacBook Pro and Air

Posted by Al Warmington on Tue 14 Oct 2008

Apple won't be taking on the Eee PC this time though

After last month's grand unveiling of the new line of iPods, Apple has given its fleet of MacBooks a welcome overhaul. All three models have had an external makeover and a serious power boost on the inside.

Their graphics processors have enjoyed the biggest upgrade - each of the machines comes with an NVIDA GeForce 9400M GPU. It is reckoned to be five times more powerful than the previous MacBook offerings. MacBook Pro users can also choose to upgrade their chi[pset to the 9400M GT for a extra graphical boost.

The displays have been updated too. LED backlighting ensures brighter, more vibrant colours as well as requiring less power to operate.

The more exciting change is that the traditional trackpad has been ousted in favour of a special new glass design. El Jobso said that it took months for the designers to perfect, and it features multitouch gesture support capable of tracking four fingers at the same time.

Externally, each model is rocking a slick, polished aluminium style - built from a single piece of aluminium - while the screen sports a stylish black surround to match the keys. Yep, Apple has once again come up with something decidedly drool-worthy.

If you're not loving it though, a plain old white MacBook is still going to be on offer at a lower price, but if you use it like we do, the extra couple of hundred quid is worth it just to prevent the keys getting smeared with unsightly grime.

The MacBook and MacBook Pro have been made a a fraction slimmer and are now only 0.95" thick.

The MacBook Air meanwhile, enjoys the same absurdly skinny design and the light weight, as before. But is now armed with an upgraded storage - 120GB as standard - and there's 2GB of RAM inside, with the option of 1.6 GHz or 1.86 GHz processors. Gunning for this latter model nets you a 128GB SSD too but will set you back an extra £500.

Prices start from £939 for the MacBook, £1,399 for the Pro and £1,299 for the Air.