What a difference a month makes .
In April , I reviewed the new 13 - in MacBook Pro models , terminate the review with this :
And the new models make a broad opening between the 13 - in MacBook Pros and the similar - sized , $ 999 MacBook . Starting at $ 200 more than the MacBook , you get a faster processor , an aluminium enclosure , a FireWire port ( of the 800 variety ) , twice the standard RAM , Nvidia GeForce 320 M graphics , a built - in SD card proofreader , a backlit keyboard , a longer - hold out battery , and a trackpad that support inertial scrolling .
And then on Tuesday , Apple go ahead andquietly updated the MacBook . Although much of what I write in my recap still holds true , of the nine differences I call out , almost one-half of them are no longer issues .
The young MacBook now come with the same 2.4GHz Core 2 duet processor with 3 Bachelor of Medicine on - microchip shared L2 hoard as the $ 1199 MacBook Pro . It include the same improved Nvidia GeForce 320 M graphics processor ; the same longer - endure 63.5 - James Watt - minute battery ; and the same glass trackpad with sustenance for inertial scrolling . In other words , that wide gap has just become much promiscuous to step across .
I find it interesting that Apple has chosen to bring its consumer laptop model back into such proximity to the small - remnant pro role model . To me , one of the things that made the 13 - inch MacBook Pro update so good was that it really made you feel good about stepping up to the pro model . You vex engineering differences that translated to measurable improvements . Now , the only MacBook Pro technological feature that you ca n’t copy on the MacBook — so not the inclosure — is a FireWire port .
I was actually believe bribe the MacBook to replace my original ( Core Duo ) mannequin , and decided to get the 2.4GHz 13 - column inch MacBook Pro after it was denote instead . If I had to make that decision today ? I ’d probably still go with the MacBook Pro , but I ’d have to think about more cautiously .
To be fair , there are still divergence that I think make the additional $ 200 for the entry - level MacBook Pro deserving it : 4 GB of stock RAM versus 2 GB ( although both support 8 GB total Aries , contrary to Apple ’s published specs , but Apple Care may not continue a MacBook that goes beyond Apple ’s recommendations ) , a FireWire 800 port ( versus no FireWire at all ) , a backlit keyboard , an SD placard slot , and a sleeker , aluminium - fit out design . And you have the option of a faster processor if you prefer for the $ 1499 13 - inch MacBook Pro .
So what do you call back ? Should Apple hold back more on the MacBook to make the MacBook Pro a honorable value , or should the troupe offer the most computer it can for $ 999 ?
