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Apple updates MacBook line with Core 2 Duo processors

Apple Computer on Wednesday unveiled its new line of MacBook consumer notebooks that now include Intel Core 2 Duo processors.

At just one-inch thin, the new MacBooks are up to 25 percent faster than the previous generation and feature a built-in iSight video camera for on-the-go video conferencing, Apple's MagSafe Power Adapter that safely disconnects when under strain, and the iLife '06 award-winning suite of digital lifestyle applications.

"MacBook has helped drive Apple's notebook market share to over 10 percent in US retail, and the new MacBooks will be among this holiday season's most exciting new products," said Philip Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. "With Intel Core 2 Duo processors across the entire line, these new MacBooks are up to 25 percent faster than their predecessors."

With prices starting at just $1,099, the new MacBook lineup includes three models: sleek white 1.83 GHz and 2.0 GHz MacBook models, and a high-end black 2.0 GHz MacBook model.

Helped by Intel's latest Core 2 Duo processors, the new MacBooks are up to 25 percent faster than the previous models and up to six times faster than the iBook, making it even easier for consumers to manage and enjoy their digital content with iLife '06.

Consumers will also benefit from the added power in the new 2.0 GHz models, including double the memory and greater storage capacity than the previous generation, as well as a double-layer SuperDrive for burning professional-quality DVDs.

Each new MacBook features a 13-inch glossy widescreen display, ideal for viewing high-quality videos, DVDs and photos with Apple's Front Row media experience software. MacBooks also includes a built-in iSight video camera for video conferencing on-the-go with friends or family using iChat AV, recording a video podcast or iMovie using iLife '06, or taking fun snapshots with Photo Booth.

For those users frequently on the road, the MacBook includes Apple's MagSafe Power Adapter that magnetically connects the power cord to the MacBook and safely disconnects under strain, preventing the notebook from falling off its work surface. Apple now also offers a MagSafe Airline Adapter that makes using a MacBook on an airplane even more convenient by connecting the notebook to in-seat power ports for continued productivity throughout the duration of a flight.

Apple's Core 2 Duo MacBooks also includes Apple's Sudden Motion Sensor, designed to protect the hard drive in case of a fall, and a simple and intuitive Scrolling TrackPad for scrolling through long web pages or panning across large photographs.

The lightweight MacBook design packs built-in AirPort Extreme and Bluetooth 2.0+EDR (Enhanced Data Rate), built-in 10/100/1000 BASE-T Gigabit Ethernet, two USB 2.0 ports, a FireWire 400 port, combination analog and optical digital audio input and output ports and a mini-DVI video output to connect up to a 23-inch Apple Cinema HD Display.

Each MacBook comes with iLife '06, the next generation of Apple's award-winning suite of digital lifestyle applications featuring iPhoto, iMovie HD, iDVD, GarageBand and iWeb, the latest iLife application that makes turns web publishing and blogging into a trivial task. The notebooks also include the latest release of Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger (version 10.4.8 ), including Safari, Mail, iCal, iChat AV, Front Row and Photo Booth, running natively on the Intel-based notebook.

MacBook Family of Notebooks

Pricing & Availability

The new MacBook is available immediately through the Apple Store, Apple's retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers. The Apple MagSafe Airline Adapter is available for a suggested retail price of $59 (US).

The 1.83 GHz, 13-inch white MacBook, for a suggested retail price of $1,099 (US), includes:

  • 13.3-inch glossy widescreen 1280 x 800 display with 250 cd/m2 brightness
  • 1.83 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor
  • 667 MHz front-side bus
  • 512MB of 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM, expandable to 2GB
  • 60GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 5400 rpm, with Sudden Motion Sensor
  • a slot-load Combo (DVD-ROM/CD-RW) optical drive
  • Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950
  • Mini-DVI out (adapters for DVI, VGA and Composite/S-Video sold separately)
  • built-in iSight video camera
  • Gigabit Ethernet port
  • built-in AirPort Extreme wireless networking and Bluetooth 2.0+EDR
  • two USB 2.0 ports and one FireWire 400 port
  • one audio line in and one audio line out port, each supporting both optical digital and analog
  • Scrolling TrackPad
  • the infrared Apple Remote; and
  • 60 Watt MagSafe Power Adapter.
  • The 2.0 GHz, 13-inch white MacBook, for a suggested retail price of $1,299 (US), includes:

  • 13.3-inch glossy widescreen 1280 x 800 display with 250 cd/m2 brightness
  • 2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor
  • 667 MHz front-side bus
  • 1GB of 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM, expandable to 2GB
  • 80GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 5400 rpm, with Sudden Motion Sensor
  • a slot-load 6x SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD+R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW) optical drive
  • Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950
  • Mini-DVI out (adapters for DVI, VGA and Composite/S-Video sold separately)
  • built-in iSight video camera
  • Gigabit Ethernet port
  • built-in AirPort Extreme wireless networking and Bluetooth 2.0+EDR
  • two USB 2.0 ports and one FireWire 400 port
  • one audio line in and one audio line out port, each supporting both optical digital and analog
  • Scrolling TrackPad
  • the infrared Apple Remote; and
  • 60 Watt MagSafe Power Adapter.
  • The 2.0 GHz, 13-inch black MacBook, for a suggested retail price of $1,499 (US), includes:

  • 13.3-inch glossy widescreen 1280 x 800 display with 250 cd/m2 brightness
  • 2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor
  • 667 MHz front-side bus
  • 1GB of 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM, expandable to 2GB
  • 120GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 5400 rpm, with Sudden Motion Sensor
  • a slot-load 6x SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD+R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW) optical drive
  • Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950
  • Mini-DVI out (adapters for DVI, VGA and Composite/S-Video sold separately)
  • built-in iSight video camera
  • Gigabit Ethernet port
  • built-in AirPort Extreme wireless networking and Bluetooth 2.0+EDR
  • two USB 2.0 ports and one FireWire 400 port
  • one audio line in and one audio line out port, each supporting both optical digital and analog
  • Scrolling TrackPad
  • the infrared Apple Remote; and
  • 60 Watt MagSafe Power Adapter.
  • Additional build-to-order options for the MacBook include the ability to upgrade to 80GB, 120GB or 160GB (5400 rpm) or a 200GB (4200 rpm) hard drive, up to 2GB DDR2 SDRAM, Apple USB Modem, Apple Mini-DVI to DVI adapter, Apple Mini-DVI to VGA adapter, Apple MagSafe Airline Adapter and the AppleCare Protection Plan. Additional build-to-order options also include: pre-installed copies of iWork '06, Logic Express 7, Final Cut Express HD 3.5 and Aperture 1.5.