Apple recently announced its new Intel-based machines at MacWorld. The absolutely neatest thing about the new laptop, called the MacBook Pro, has nothing to do with the processors.

Nope, the absolutely neatest thing in the entire unit is its power cord. Power jacks have long been the achilles heel of laptops. The ridged jacks are easily broken by sudden tugs in on the cable and most jacks are built straight onto the logic board, so when the jack breaks the entire unit becomes a boat anchor. Apple solved this problem by turning to a tried and true technology.

Fondue pots.

No, really! The jack on Macbook is similar to those found on modern fondue pots, where the cord is held in place by a magnet that comes loose if the jack is yanked too hard. That’s brilliant!

The other neat thing about the Macbook is that it launched a tare of Macbeth puns on a thread over at Slashdot.

Don’t say that word! Say ‘the Scottish Computer’ instead.

You’d better be prepared for the Mac fanboy onslaught of “If it’s not Scottish, it’s CRAP!”

Hot potatoes, Oxford shores, Puck to make amends!

“Be bloody, bold, and resolute! Laugh to scorn the power of man, for none of woman born shall harm MacBook.”

They were going to announce one designed especially for women, called the Lady MacBook, but there were some stains they couldn’t remove from the material they had chosen for the case…