So what does everybody think of the MacBook? I'm not buying until 10.5 and the new processors come out, so it isn't THAT big of a deal to me (regardless, I never buy rev a of anything). By then there will be a lot of changes.

Anyways, my comments thus far:

• Black is not worth the extra money in any way, shape or form. I also imagine it'll scratch VERY easily
• Integrated GPU sucks for the price.
• 2 X 256?! What? Are we in 2002 now?
• Glossy screen: to remember the old days when reflections were cool!
• Price is just too high for the options

personally, I'm glad they killed the 12" powerbook. New MB looks like a smaller version of the pro, so I have high hopes for it. I'm downloading the take apart manual at the moment (perk of being an apple tech) so once I read through that, I'll post opinions and thoughts.

What surprises me is the lack of a solo option. Apple has the ability to make a lower end laptop (which would be in high demand) but is passing it up. Why?

okay, I've read the take apart manual. I love this computer. Everything is easy on it. ram access is in the battery well, and the slots are side by side, with ejectors, like the new imacs. Hard drives are SATA, and are in a carrier. it just slides out, through the battery well.

Logic board, keyboard, top case, optical drive, they're all easy repairs.the unit is built into the polycarbonate bottom pan, with an emi shield. It has the standard magnesium sub-frame for stiffening, and for bolting everything onto. Its a solid design like the mbp.

Of note, the DC in board is very plug and play in terms of replacement. If you manage to kill your mag-safe port, its easy to fix.

Likewise, the heatsink and blower assembly are well designed too. No obscure mounting screws, etc. This machine will be a dream to work on and uprade. Nooch!

I would share pictures, but I cant. My NDA deprives me of the ability to screenshot the manual. Once we get one in, I'll take it apart and photograph the living daylights out of it.

That would be much appreciated!

Crap... i just had to order one, so now all i have to do is wait

Haha! I know the feeling. Despite my objections, I would get it if I had the money. But no, I have an excuse fortified by the release of 10.5 and the new intel line backing me down.

yay for excuses!

i think this new machines sucks. It has no video power and takes its vram from the main ram. the screen is smaller than previous ibooks.

I don't know, the more I look at it the more I back away from my initial reaction.

• No video power: do you actually think the previous iBooks had video power? Or any power at all? Up your RAM (which you'll do anyway) and you'll be fine. It's a LOW END laptop. If you want real vid power, go pro. Most people don't use it.

• Screen is smaller: ironically, people want smaller screens for the most part. That's why they get a portable. It's likely screen sizes could change too.

• Despite Apple's drivel of a "complete" family, this is not the complete lineup, IMHO. There will either be a lower end release for solo (likely) or a higher end release (less likely, considering the gaps Apple likes to keep).

• This is why, again IMHO, you never buy a rev a. It's too much of an experiment and the next revisions are always better.

Consider the equivalent on Dell:

Latitude D620:
Intel® Core(TM) Duo T2400 (1.83GHz) 667Mhz Dual Core
Operating Systems:
Genuine Windows® XP Home Edition, SP2, with media
LCDs:
14.1 inch Wide Screen WXGA LCD Panel
Graphics:
Intel® Integrated Graphics Media Accelerator 950
Memory:
512MB, DDR2-533 SDRAM, 1 DIMM
Hard Drives:
60GB Hard Drive, 9.5MM, 5400RPM
Optical Drive - Modular:
24X CD-RW/DVD w/ Cyberlink PowerDVD(TM)
Wireless LAN (802.11):
Dell Wireless(TM) 1390 802.11g Mini Card
Bluetooth:
Dell Wireless® 350 Bluetooth Module

(I assume that a "mini card" with regards to wireless is a plug in thing? I'm pretty sure it would say internal if it was built in, but some one who knows more about Dell can correct me.)

Total Price: $1466.00 or 1216.00 after instant rebate.

This is without a built in hi-res webcam, slot loading optical, 1.08 inch wide "my 5 year old just stepped on it" resistant case, scrollpad, iLife and OS X.

This is actually a very good deal. I can't wait to get one later this year!

Hehe yea, i tried to convince myself of just that, but had no luck. So now i have an excuse to buy a new imac when they ship with 10.5 rofl.

And yes my first thought was that the video was crappy, but as shadowboxer said, it has always been crippeled on the ibooks. And well im not gonna use it for gaming, i guess my imac still beats the macbooks a.. when it comes to games.

And small screen? Well i want a laptop, i have my imac for desk duty, so no problem there.

If you want faster graphics and bigger screen go for the macbookpro .

Btw. it really competes with dells prices (taken from a danish mac forum, so prices are in dkr, but still might give an idea):

Dell Inspiron 640M:
1.83 GHz Intel Core Duo CPU
Windows XP Media Center
512 MB ram
60 GB hd
1280*800 secreen
DVD/RW burner
10,665 dkr

MacBook
2.0 GHz Intel Core Duo
Mac OS X with iLife etc.
512 MB ram
60 GB hd
DVD/RW burner
Build in webcam.
10,299 dkr

Not bad imho, compared to what you get in the macbook. Don't know if prices are different in the US though... (i think the dell price is with some extra service, don't know what they call it).

edit. ohh you beat me to it shadowboxer, didn't see your dell comparison there