Apple has updated its MacBook line of consumer computers, upping the processor specifications, setting the base-line memory configuration to 1GB and making 802.11n wireless networking a feature rather than an upgrade.

As before, there are three models: two white and one black. All three sport a 13.3in, 1280 x 800 glossy widescreen display; 1GB of 667MHz DDR 2 memory; Gigabit Ethernet; 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi; in integrated webcam; one Firewire and two USB ports; and Bluetooth 2.0. All of them use the on-chipset Intel GMA 950 graphics engine.

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The first white MacBook has a 2GHz Core 2 Duo processor, an 80GB hard drive and a DVD-ROM/CD-RW optical unit. The second white MacBook has a 2.16GHz processor, 120GB hard drive and 8x DVD writer. The black machine has the same spec but for a 160GB hard drive.

There's no reference in the specs to LED-backlit displays suggesting this promised feature is indeed being reserved for a MacBook Pro update.

Prices for the three models are £699/$1099, £829/$1299 and £949/$1499, so no substantial change there. All three MacBooks are available immediately, Apple said.

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