Apple releases dual-core Macbooks

Apple has continued the process of switching its Macintosh product line to Intel processors with the release of its dual-core Macbook laptops.

The Macbook replaces the old ibook range and is available in three versions, all designed primarily for the cost-conscious consumer and education markets.

The cheapest model costs £749 and includes a 13.3in widescreen display, 1.83GHz Core Duo processor, 512MB of Ram and a 60GB hard disk.

This model only has a DVD-Rom/CD-RW drive, but for an extra £100 you can step up to a slightly faster version that has a 2GHz processor and dual-layer DVD±RW drive.

Both models include wireless networking and Bluetooth, along with a built-in webcam and a handheld remote control for playing DVDs and music.

Like the old ibooks they come in Apple’s now infamous white chassis, but there’s also a top-of-the-range model that available in black – for an extra £130.

This costs £1,029 but, apart from the black casing the only extra is a mere 80GB hard disk – which doesn’t seem like a particularly good bargain to us.

An Apple spokesman said the black finish was more expensive to apply. Also, there are no black accessories for this version, only white.

Even so, Apple claims that the Core Duo processor used in the new Macbooks is around four times faster than the ageing IBM PowerPC processor used in the old Ibooks.

The Macbook also marks something of a turning point for Apple, as its entire range of consumer products – including the imac, Mac Mini and Macbooks – is now running on Intel processors.

Only its high-end Powermac machines – aimed at professional users in the graphics, design and video markets – are still running the old PowerPC processors.

However, Apple is waiting for Intel’s next generation of Core 2 processors, which are due to be launched later this summer, before it can complete its transition to an all-Intel product line-up.

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