Unless you’re living under a rock, you’ve probably heard that Apple announced several new models and refreshes of their popular line of MacBook, MacBook Pro and MacBook Air computers. The MacBook seems the most changed with new aluminum casing and beefier video and storage specifications. Turns out all the hype about “carving a laptop from a brick of aluminum” was interesting speculation. Apple is indeed using the manufacturing process that they used to make the MacBook Air so slim – but there doesn’t seem to be any magic aluminum carving potion beyond sharing the same manufacturing process. So far as I’ve seen, these laptops are not Apple’s much ballyhooed margin buster as evidenced by the chorus of complaints about the lack of an expected sub $800 model.

New MacBook’s Announced:
$1299. 13.3″ Glossy Display, 2.0GHz, 2GB RAM, NVIDIA GeForce 9400M, 160GB HD
$1599. 13.3″ Glossy Display, 2.4GHz, 2GB RAM, NVIDIA GeForce 9400M, 250GB HD.

New MacBook Pros Announced:
$1999. 15.4″ Glossy Display, 2.4GHz, 2GB RAM, NVIDIA 9400M + 9600M, 250GB HD.
$2499. 15.4″ Glossy Display, 2.53GHz, 4GB RAM, NVIDIA 9400M + 9600M, 320GB HD.

Visit Slashgear for one of the first unboxing videos of the new MacBook and MacBook Pro

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2. MacBook Air update fixes processor shutdown during video playback – reportedly by cutting CPU speed by half
3. Introducing Blackboard Pro – aka How To Completely Ruin a MacBook Resale Value In One Evening
4. SlashGear puts the latest MacBook Air to the test – pronounces it primary laptop capable
5. Orbino’s Aria premium aluminum and leather slimcase for the MacBook Air