Just when the week is starting to feel like it might never end, Apple throws us a curve ball to spice things up a tad. 
It seems the company has updated the older version of the MacBook; the specs for the white MacBook are now a little more like what customers are getting with the newer, unibody version. Looks like the white MacBook is here to stay.
Engadget reports that Apple updated site sometime in the last three days and the new page details a MacBook packing integrated Nvidia GeForce 9400M graphics, a 2.0GHz Core 2 Duo processor and comes with 2GB of DDR2 (not DDR3) as standard -- still all for $999. And get this, it has FireWire.
It’ll be interesting to see people’s response to this update. For those who aren’t interested in aesthetics or cosmetic changes like the glass trackpad, this might be enough change their mind about getting one of the newer MacBooks. Why drop $300 more on one of the news ones when you can get almost the same specs in the white version?
That said, there’s been numerous complaints about staining and cracking with the white MacBook casing so maybe the aluminum is the way to go, even if it is more expensive. Either way, who’s going to be the first member of the “shoot-I-just-ordered-my-unibody-yesterday” crowd? Have to say, nearly fell into that trap myself.
Check out the full story on Engadget.
I run two schools as a computer resource teacher/tech. ALL of our laptops are Macbooks(some older g4Ibooks) for a few reasons, first of all, yes the OS is absolutely easy to use. It helps keep us focused on the topic, and not getting the laptop to work. Second, Apple offers a great deal to most school districts, this allows for even some of the more poor districts to keep up to date technology in the classroom. Third, here is a big part of your ignorance, Macbooks do support XP. I use a program that comes with Leopard called Boot camp. It allows for both OS-X and XP/Vista/Win7 to run in a native environment. The drivers offered by apple for xp and vista are flawless in my experience so far. I have run a dual boot system since the release of Leopard, and have no complaints yet.
Please, before you open your mouth, ensure that your foot is not waiting to take the place of your tongue. If you are unsure of a product cause you have never tried it, then do not knock it. I used to be one of you, until I took up this role in the school systems. I still prefer my Frankenstein home grown PC over the Macs, but the Apple brand has a lot to offer, even to those of us who like our PCs.
Naw, as long as you learn from your mistakes.
@zuesacuatl
I dont think I've ever had driver issues with my current laptop, even while running hackintosh. But it has hardware that outperforms apple's most expensive 15" macbook pro, and only cost me 900 dollars. (Granted I used an exclusive distro that only sells to trusted buisness customers, and it was a barebones system config)
I have had 3 friends have relatively new Macbooks either die (dead mobo, replaced under warranty) outright in 2008 or have OS corruption after installing system updates that required a full system wipe and reimage. In that time I've had 2 friends have PC laptop issues. I only know 3 mac users but dozens of pc users.
flame! the cost of apple computers are High and they are Proprietary why bother with a dual boot when you can just go xp unless you have specif task that I am sure apple os is better than xp other wise it is just more money gone to waste. apple is only good for specif tasks that it excels in such as color acuracy and (?video editing?).
I dunno, that is about when Mac's started to go downhill so it's close.
My arguement is where is the fun in buying something for $1000+ that you can't really upgrade/modify. Mac's aren't technically bettter or worse than any PC. You just pay (out the nose) for the person who put it together for you.
And sorry guys, I went Mac about two weeks ago. It's slowly sweeping our news team. That said, I still keep my PC machines with Windows XP, Vista and 7 around and they get regular use as well. There are things that I prefer in Windows (things that make me sad aren't easily done in OS X), but the parts that are good about Leopard are very good. I'm happy to be using both.
We're soon going to be running a two-part article about a hardcore Windows and Unix/Linux user (Alan Dang) getting his first Mac and the experiences that go along with it. It'll be an interesting read, I promise.
Also, welcome to the discussion, Marcus (read: bandwagoner).
Even if Macs support Windows XP, is it a simple one-click installation? As far as I know, its like a regular Windows installation, which means you still have to hunt-down drivers and get the system setup correctly. Something that isn't necessary when the machine just comes with XP in the first place. You also have to have a license for Windows, which means you have to buy it in addition to the overpriced hardware.
In all, if you have a use for Windows, you are probably best just to stick with Windows as your primary OS. There's just too much stuff Macs can't do. Sure, you can run Windows on a desktop and have a Mac laptop, but then you have to make sure you won't be doing anything on the go that requires that Windows-only software you left at home.
Also not sure what Apple is doing with firewire. First they introduce it as their big thing, trademarking Firewire. Then they all but abandon it on their consumer laptops (until they apparently added it back to this one). "Thanks for buying into our hype, but we're going to screw you over now". Just wait till Apple gets pissy and shuts down their iTunes DRM servers.
Apple's notebooks rank at the top in terms of customer satisfaction, and it's easy to see why. As for your bandwagoner comment, Jane, I just had to wait until there was a compelling hardware reason for me to pay the "Apple tax." Leopard is very nice, but it was the unibody and the swank Nvidia chipset that made me finally feel it was worth paying the premium. No regrets, happy on the bandwagon now. But I didn't really "make the switch," I just decided to expand my horizons.
As nice as the new MacBook (and old MBP) hardware is, it's not worth paying the extra premium to just use it as a Windows machine. I have a Dell Studio 15 as my Windows notebook and I'm really satisfied with its T9300 CPU, FOUR USB ports, 1394, HDMI and VGA out, and the SD card reader for around $1000 less than an equivalent MBP at the time. One of the main reasons I went Mac was that I wanted a 13" notebook, and the new MacBook is the best one in that category.
But about the "There's just too much stuff Macs can't do" comment, I disagree. Macs are just as capable, but there definitely strengths and weaknesses to each OS. That said, stick with what works.
I will give you the fact that I run twin 9800s on my PC, and could not think of doing that with a Mac, but the support and stability of the OS and closed platform combination make the Mac a great buy if you are looking for those key features. Sure, you can buy a nettop for 400 bills, or a cheap dell desktop from 300-600. But here at the schools, we have Dell for our limited PCs, and service from them blows. Most of the shelf PC manufacturers can not offer the support that Apple does cause it cuts into their profit margin. Apple covers that with its higher cost per system. I have not had any issues in dealing with Apple thus far, granted, that is personal experience, and maybe others have, but the support I have received thus far from Apple is a good reason for the higher dollar.
Macs and PCs are the same thing, the only diff is the company behind the OS. Anything you can do on a PC is doable on a Mac as well, and visa verse. Both have strong points and downfalls. If you have not tried one or the other, you should reserve your uninformed opinions until you actually have the chance to run them through their paces.
Considering the quality of articles lately (improving after Chris' reform), I wouldn't be surprised if the whole Tom's team switched to apple and started reviewing web based Java games so they would have more time admiring the shinny casing on their Macs.
Yes, I know, Tom's Games' new direction is web based Java games. I guess Macs are here to stay and dedicated video card are on the way out.