Apple October '08 Macbook Refresh Hands-On

Even if the tired-but-true formula has started to gather some moss, this may have been Apple's most exciting product release of this year. The aluminum case design that replaced the TiBook in 2003 had undergone some small changes, but its age was starting to show. Folks had been calling for the reincarnation of the 12-inch Powerbook since it was discontinued. It was time. I slogged through the Stevenote live-blogs, gazing doe-eyed at the pretty pictures, and decided I would take off for my local Apple Store the next day to get my mitts on the new hotness that are the Macbook and Macbook Pro. Too bad they didn't come in until Thursday. Calling ahead is always a good idea.