Following the introduction of two updated Macintosh computers during yesterday’s Lion launch, Apple quietly discontinued the last-standing non-Pro MacBook model - the White MacBook.
Remaining largely unchanged since its introduction, the White MacBook has long been Apple’s most popular Mac.
It was still a hot selling piece of Mac hardware even as it got discontinued, but Apple had good reason to do that.
The White MacBook was priced at $999, the same as the MacBook Air which, despite its smaller display, is just as powerful, if not more powerful.
Apple had two choices here - either beef up the White MacBook too and continue selling it, or discontinue it and let everyone flock for the aluminum, unibody-encased MacBook Airs.
Since the MacBook Air is becoming somewhat of a flagship system in Apple’s Macintosh business, the decision was surely an easy one to make.
The MacBook Air, starting at $999, features the latest Intel Core i5 and Core i7 (Sandy Bridge) dual-core processors making it up to twice as fast as the previous-generation model.
The ultra-thin notebook now has Intel HD Graphics (3000 series) and offers up to 4GB of faster 1333 MHz memory.
Apple has also equipped the ultra-portable laptop with Thunderbolt technology, which allows users to connect to high-performance peripherals, as well as the new Apple Thunderbolt Display.
MacBook Air also comes with a full size backlit keyboard.
Had they chosen to keep the White MacBook aboard, all these upgrades would have been necessary without a price drop, hence Cupertino’s decision to axe the hardware.
Those still wishing to purchase the now-discontinued White MacBook can do so via Apple’s Special Deals section.
A refurbished MacBook with a 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo CPU, 2GB of RAM and 250GB of storage currently goes for $849.
“Apple Certified Refurbished Products” are pre-owned products that undergo Apple's stringent refurbishment process prior to being offered for sale.
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