New MacBook - Hands-off review

Just got in from the Apple store and while they do have the notebooks in stock, they are currently being put on the system and therefore not yet on display.

I walked in at about 10:20am, took a quick glance at the notebook benches to see the old line-up still on sale. After spending a few minutes at an iMac - thinking of buying one in the near(ish) future - I saw a group of staff gathered round the manager who had a shiny new-out-the-box MacBook in his hands. I immediately walked over to have a better look.

After first seeing the black screen yesterday I was left undecided but seeing the product in person has changed my mind and now I quite like it. What I do really like is the sturdy-looking case and the flush finish thanks to the new manufacturing technique. The aluminium and glass give it a much more 'pro' look than the slightly childish white plastic of the base-model and while I haven't yet seen the new Pro in person, I'm sure that they look very similar indeed. Despite asking I was not able to have a go, due to the system not yet being activated (we had just finished watching the Leopard intro movie).

The track pad looks to be the same size as that found on the Air, minus the button. I really wanted to try the clicking feature of the button-less 'pad but a member of staff was able to say the (glass) texture was "very usable" and the pressure needed to make a click is "just right". Personally, I'm not convinced he has actually had a go...

What struck me was the reactions of the staff when the notebook was brought onto the shop floor, they were gathered around the manager, talking loudly and grinning from ear to ear. After the MacBook was taken away one female member of staff came back to her colleagues claiming "its just amazing!" with a similar expression to that of a child who has just seen Santa Clause.

I'm unable to return today due to other commitments so I'll be back tomorrow to get a proper hands-on review of both models.
A member of staff informed me that the new cinema display and updated Air will, as expected, not be on sale until mid November.

So will I be tempted to trade in the Air for something with more power and ports, while keeping the aluminum design? Not until I've felt the weight, that's for sure.

Alistair