[adobephile]

I think this was a clever move for Apple: blow away the previous generation iBooks with features and power, and provide a smaller screen 'Book to replace the 12" Powerbook, all while bridging the gap between the Mac Book and Mac Book Pro lines. They're closer now in features, and the Mac Books seem less like "toys".
I'm interested in a smaller machine I can use in the field, and the new top-end Mac Book (LOVE black!) looks very interesting. I'll be using it in bright sunlight, so will find or make some kind of shroud for the screen anyway, which makes the glare on the glossy screen probably not an issue. But if the screen is truly brighter, then that will be a distinct plus.
I'd put 2GB of RAM in it and get the 120 GB drive. I like the polycarbonate body, as it might very well get bumped occasionally.
Despite all the whining here, I think this new line will sell well.
It's also very heartening to me that Apple just keeps on cranking out the innovation and new products. Can't wait for WWDC and the new announcements!

[drdreric]

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No USB port on the right side. As I'm not too good with trackpads, I plug a travel mouse in the right ...
Front loading orientation of the optical drive would've been more practical for cramped spaces.

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I don't recall ever seeing a right side USB port on an Apple laptop. But you are right that it would be great to have even just one.
I disagree on front-loading optical media, though. My most common cramped space is an airline seat. Front-loading would be awful there.

[macreader]

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If, however, you want to play graphics intensive games or do high end graphics or video, the MacBook Pro would be better.

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I'm sure that's true for games. But for graphics and video, it would have to be pretty high end. I've been using my old PowerBook 667 DVI for years to run PhotoShop, iMovie, iPhoto and GoLive, and it's still keeping up. (I am so overdue for a new machine).
I think these fancy video cards are all about frame rates, and that doesn't apply to compositing video or applying a PhotoShop filter. I know a certain amount of stuff is handed off to the video card for routine graphics work, but I bet this new MacBook would be indistinguishable from the MacBook Pro for most tasks.

[heisetax]

I have to fax all of the time. Right now I can fax from either my PowerBook or DeskTop Mac. The lack of an internal faxing modem is a step backwards. Unlike many I still have a few old external modems that I can use. most are serial, which now requires an USB to Serial Adapter. I do have one USB modem that should also work. Remeber these things have an external power supply which further adds to my load.
I'll keep using my 17" PowerBook for a few years more. Maybe by then the whole of the US will be Wireless. Then either companies or most of the individuals will know how & accept email attachments. This would solve the fax problem. I'm sure that this should only take another couple of months out here in Nebraska. There's no talk of this happening here in Omaha, yet alone in the many small towns, farms or ranches. The modem will still be needed for compter communications for many more years here.
Steve likes being the dictator. Many of his ideas is a little before its time. Other things like the removal of the internal modem from the MacBook/MacBookPro is just another example of Steve Jobs sticking his tongue out at the Mac User & saying I am the boss. This is where having only one source of hardware does not help us. Normally we could show our displeasure by not purchasing a new Apple Mac, but instead purchace some Generic Mac. Because of this lack of a second Mac hardware source about all we can do is to put our purchase off as long as we can. We somehow need to communicate this to Apple. But in the end Steve wins again as eventually we will need to purchase a new Mac. For most of us Windows units can only fill -in small gaps not replace our main computer.

[MacTechAspen]

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If I'm not mistaken the dongle doesn't work for faxing.

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The USB modem (dongle) I have on my Quad works fine for faxing, it is the only thing it is used for.

[schoonerman]

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This leaves the Power Mac G5 as the only remaining PowerPC machine. I wonder when that makes the transition???

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[/indent]
The chip for the G5 tower replacement isn't available--in production quantities--yet. This is no change from the situation months ago. One doesn't need the Apple rumor sites to tell one this: it's clear from the Intel website roadmap.
Let me rephrase that: one doesn't need the Apple rumor sites.
--John

[MacGod]

There are a few reasons the PowerMac G5 is waiting to be replaced:
1) There is still a dearth of professional Universal Binary software. Without a native PhotoShop, Final Cut Pro, Logic etc, the sales will never be much. At least with the MacBook, there are enough other advantages to justify it.
2) The Core Duos are not 64-bit. The G5s are, and it's owners of PowerMacs (or their successors-Mac Pro? God I hope not!) who need 64-Bit.
3) As stated earlier in the comments, 4 G5 cores outdoes anything that can be done right now with the Core Duos.
So, when will it go? Soon. Intel's next-gen architecture is being released soon-June, July and August of this year for the Woodcrest (Server), Conroe (desktop) and Merom (laptop) chips. I wouldn't be shocked to see the Conroe chips appear in an Apple high-end tower shortly after their introduction.
However, I suspect Apple will keep the PowerMac G5 in circulation for awhile, until all the professional apps go Universal. Just like they kept a G4 tower in circulation for awhile, as it was the last one that could natively boot Classic.

[alfriedman]

Well, I just placed an order for my Son's high school graduation present; a 2.0 GHz white MacBook w/1GB RAM. He sure would have loved that black one, but as everyone else has already noted, I'm not going to pay $150 just for the color . With that integrated graphics chipset, I'm thinking that 1GB RAM is going to be a minimum to do any serious graphics-related work.
The Apple Store Web site claims that this computer will be shipped in 1-5 days. That will be impressive for such a new highly-anticipated product IF it actually happens! Also, they are offering a $100 rebate on selected printers with the purchase of a MacBook.

[OM_user]

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I'll be using it in bright sunlight

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If that's the case, I'm not sure why you'd get the black model. A black laptop sitting in the sun will heat up tremendously more than a white one.

[TheBum]

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I don't recall ever seeing a right side USB port on an Apple laptop.

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The MacBook Pro has one on the left and one on the right.

[eatapc]

I agree with all those who hate glossy screens. (I hate 'em on high def TVs, too.) Unless you're in a dark room, the glossy screens function as mirrors instead of contrast boosters. That alone eliminates these new laptops from consideration for me.
But damn -- the price on the white one is incredibly good! I just wish Apple offered the normal, anti-glare screen as an option.

[pcharles]

My aluminum powerbook has USB on both sides and fire wire on the right.

[lemmas]

Am I the only one disappointed that the Macbook only comes with a 13 inch screen? I find it ridiculous that I have to pay $2000 just to get a 15 inch screen.