This week, Apple introduced upgrades to their consumer-focused MacBook line of notebook computers. The systems now feature the Santa Rosa chip set from Intel, with a faster 800 MHz frontside bus. All of the MacBook models have been upgraded to Intel GMA X3100 integrated graphics, and the more expensive 2.16 GHz models now include 2.20 GHz chips.

The upgrades to the product line were very quietly introduced, with no formal announcement from Apple. The changes were made outside of Apple’s normal upgrade cycle.

This announcement is of significance to me because I plan on buying a MacBook in the coming months. Until now, pushing off the purchase has promised that I’ll get a copy of Leopard preinstalled, and now it’ll get me a machine with better graphics.