Apple hit the reset button on its line of notebooks today, introducing the new MacBook, MacBook Pro and MacBook Air (and 24-inch Cinema Displays, too). Not only are they cheaper than their predecessors (which is to be expected) but they’re also borne of a completely new construction philosophy. Whoever said progress was a slow process?

MacBook

The MacBook, which Apple said is its best-selling Mac ever, will still be the laptop of choice for the typical consumer, only now it looks a hell of a lot like a shrunken down iMac, if that makes any sense at all.

Apple is using its so-called Brick construction method to create the MacBook out of a solid, um, brick of aluminum. Gone is the traditional “mouse” button; now the trackpad, which is made out of glass, is the button. In order to click, you merely click the trackpad like you would any other button.

The 13.3-inch display is LED-backlit this time around, which is not only better on the environment (since it requires less energy to use), but as Jobs said, colors will “pop” more. Oh, and since its LED-backlit, it turns on in a flash.

Gamers will appreciate the fact that Apple has gone with an Nvidia-based graphics solution for the MacBook. No more running your games on the lowest possible settings now.

MacBook Pro

Everything we just said about the MacBook applies to the MacBook Pro, only plus plus: the display, which is also LED-backlit, is 15 inches and not 13; the Nvidia graphics card is actually a discreet GPU and not an integrated solution; and, naturally, the processor is a little faster, topping out at 2.8GHz to the MacBook’s 2.4GHz.

You’ll want this if editing lots of video is your thing, or you feel the need to be conspicuously consumptive, ie, flashy.

MacBook Air

Lastly, the Air, which looks a hell of a lot less compelling all of a sudden. Yeah, she’s light, coming in at only 3 pounds, but what do you get? The same 13.3-inch display you find in the MacBook and the same Nvidia graphics solution. That, and a slower processor, one that tops out at 1.86GHz.

She’s probably only for those of you constantly on the road. Otherwise…

Granted, it’s literally been seconds since these things were announced, but our money’s on the MacBook. The average person really isn’t going to benefit too much by paying an extra $700 for the Pro, especially now that the MacBook is rocking that Nvidia solution.

The New Family

Apple