What's new: Specs, prices for Apple's latest Macbook, Pro, Air

Before all the hullabaloo about Apple's new iPhone 3GS, the company announced a refresh of the entire Macbook lineup, with added features and cheaper price tags. That's big news in this economy.

So here's the breakdown of what Apple's offering in the laptop category, starting today:

Apple Macbook

The 13-in. white Macbook, which I presumptively said was a "legacy" model, is now the new standard Macbook. That is to say that the aluminum unibody models have gained a "Pro" and left the unadorned Macbook name to their shinier polycarbonate sibling.

So what's inside? A 2.13GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, for one, with 2GB DDR2 memory (can be upgraded to 4GB for an extra $100), a 160GB hard drive (several upgrades to 500GB) and NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics. Outside, a standard keyboard and the classic white polycarbonate shell. All this for $999, which is to say that it's a very affordable Apple laptop.

Apple Macbook Pro

The 13-in. unibody Macbook has graduated to "Pro," now sporting an SD card slot, a non-replaceable 7-hour battery and much lower prices.

The following two flavors are available:

• 2.26 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
• 2GB 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM (upgradeable to 8GB)
• 160GB hard drive (upgradeable to 500GB HDD or 256GB SSD for lower prices than before)
• SD card slot
• Built-in 7-hour battery
• NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics
• $1,199

and

• 2.53 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
• 4GB 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM (upgradeable to 8GB)
• 250GB hard drive (upgradeable to 500GB HDD or 256GB SSD)
• SD card slot
• Built-in 7-hour battery
• NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics
• $1,499

Meanwhile, the 15-inch Macbook Pros get a refresh, too, with the same SD card slot and 7-hour non-replaceable battery.

Three flavors:

• 2.53 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
• 4GB 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM (upgradeable to 8GB)
• 250GB hard drive (upgradeable to 500GB HDD or 256GB SSD)
• SD card slot
• Built-in 7-hour battery
• NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics
• $1,699

and

• 2.66 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
• 4GB 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM (upgradeable to 8GB)
• 320GB hard drive (upgradeable to 500GB HDD or 256GB SSD)
• SD card slot
• Built-in 7-hour battery
• NVIDIA GeForce 9400M + 9600M GT with 256MB
• $1,999

and

• 2.8 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
• 4GB 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM (upgradeable to 8GB)
• 500GB hard drive (upgradeable to 256GB SSD)
• SD card slot
• Built-in 7-hour battery
• NVIDIA GeForce 9400M + 9600M GT with 512MB
• $2,299

Finally, the 17-inch Macbook Pro now stands alone as the be-all, end-all of Apple portable power. No surprises here -- it's the best of everything Apple's got:

• 2.8 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
• 4GB 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM (upgradeable to 8GB)
• 500GB hard drive (upgradeable to 256GB SSD)
• ExpressCard/34 slot
• Built-in 8-hour battery
• NVIDIA GeForce 9400M + 9600M GT with 512MB
• $2,499

Finally, the Macbook Air got a refresh (note the solid-state drive in the second configuration) and a lower price point.

Two flavors:

• 1.86 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
• 2GB RAM
• 120GB SATA hard drive
• NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics
• $1,499

and

• 2.13 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
• 2GB 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM (upgradeable to 8GB)
• 128GB SSD
• NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics
• $1,799

Simply, it's cheaper than ever to buy a Mac. And with Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard announced as a $29 upgrade in September, a compelling one, too.