Brier Dudley's Blog

Brier Dudley offers a critical look at technology and business issues affecting the Northwest.

October 14, 2008 10:41 AM

Apple upgrades laptops, but no $800 model

Apple did lower prices on its entry-level MacBooks today, but not as low as rumored last week. Steve Jobs said the price is falling from $1,099 to $999, according to this live report by Engadget and these releases from Apple.

Of course you'll get more for your $1,000 - a new enclosure, faster graphics and a nicer LED display -- but it's still not $800.

Steve Jobs had more to show today:

Also announced were higher-end MacBooks that have features similar to the MacBook Pro, including a $1,299 model that he said was $700 more affordable than a comparably equipped Pro.

The MacBook Pro gets faster graphics, black trim and a unibody construction -- Apple whittles a 2.5 pound block of aluminum down to a quarter-pound shell. Yet it still claims the machines are environmentally friendly -- it recycles the shavings -- sort of like the way you'll save $700 on the new MacBooks.

Also new is a high-def 24-inch Cinema display with connectors for charging Apple laptops, going on sale next month for $899. It looks just like a 24-inch iMac with just the screen. I wonder if they can next shrink the iMacs to make them look more like this beautiful display?