Apple Expands MacBook Retail Configurations

It looks like the demand for MacBooks and the customer preference for Apple Stores has pushed Apple into adding two new configurations to the MacBook line.

A new 2.0GHz white MacBook configuration packs an additional 512MB of RAM and 20GB of extra hard disk space, for a total of 1GB of RAM (via two 512MB SODIMMs) and 80GB of storage. The new model retails for $1449, or $150 more than the 2.0GHz white MacBook with 512MB of RAM and a 60GB hard disk.

Apple has also introduced a new configuration of its black 2.0GHz MacBook, dubbed the "MacBook Ultimate." The $1599 model includes 1GB of RAM (also via two 512MB SODIMMs), but otherwise is identical to the company's $1499 MacBook, which includes 512MB of RAM, an 80GB hard disk and SuperDrive.

While misleadingly reported by some sites as being 'new models', these are simply new retail configurations, which can be identically reproduced using the 'build to order' option of Apple's Online Store. While this move is lost on Internet shoppers it is in fact geared towards Apple Store customers who seem to have manifested a desire for greater choice when purchasing their computer.

Beside the implication of strong demand for the MacBook models, and the success of the Apple Stores, this move also points to the fact that Apple has a better supply line than before, allowing it to just add three new retail configurations.