Apple intros 13-inch MacBook

Apple’s latest MacBook was introduced today, featuring the Intel Core Duo processor and a new 13-inch glossy widescreen display. The 13-inch version joins the 15-and 17-inch MacBook Pros, completing Apple’s Intel-based portables lineup and replaces both the iBook and the 12-inch PowerBook.

“Apple began the transition to Intel Core Duo-based notebooks in February with the 15-inch MacBook Pro, and now just 90 days later we have completed the transition with the release of the all new MacBook,” said Philip Schiller,
Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. “The complete MacBook lineup leads the industry with Apple’s trademark innovative design and advanced mobile features — from top to bottom it is the best notebook line that we have ever offered.”

Prices start at just $1,099, the MacBook lineup includes three models: a 1.83 GHz and 2.0 GHz MacBook in a white enclosure and a 2.0 GHz MacBook in a black enclosure.

The new MacBook offers performance up to five times faster than the iBook and up to four times faster than the 12-inch PowerBook with a completely new system architecture including a 667 MHz front-side bus and 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM memory expandable to 2GB. At about one-inch thin, the new MacBook is 20 percent thinner than the iBook and has a 13-inch display hat is 79 percent brighter than the iBook and the 12-inch PowerBook. Resolution is 1280×800, the MacBook display provides 30 percent more viewing area than the iBook and the 12-inch PowerBook.

Connections include built-in 10/100/1000 BASE-T Gigabit Ethernet for high-speed networking, built-in AirPort(R) Extreme 802.11g WiFi for up to 54 Mbps fast wireless networking**, built-in Bluetooth 2.0+EDR (Enhanced Data Rate), two USB 2.0 ports, combination analog and optical digital audio input and output ports, and a mini-DVI video output to connect up to a 23-inch Apple Cinema HD Display.