To answer the thread title, though, it should be pointed out that the Intel Macbooks first came out in the summer of 2006.
So by that measure you don't absolutely have to have the "latest Macbook." One from the last 2 years will work just fine.
That being said, might as well get the latest and greatest that's available. But if you should have the chance to get a 2007 Macbook, that'd be just fine.