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Apple unveils major Mac upgrades

Today, followng the announcement of a cracking quarter yesterday, Apple unveils some major Mac upgrades.
Written by Adrian Kingsley-Hughes, Contributing Writer

Today, followng the announcement of a cracking quarter yesterday, Apple unveils some major Mac upgrades.

First, we have new iMacs with LED-backlit 21.5 and 27-inch edge-to-edge glass widescreen displays, all housed in a seamless all aluminum enclosure. The new iMacs, starting at $1,199, represent the fastest ever with Intel Core 2 Duo processors starting at 3.06 GHz, and Core i5 and i7 quad-core processors for up to twice the performance.

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Every new iMac ships with a wireless keyboard and the all new wireless Magic Mouse, the world’s first mouse with Multi-Touch technology.

The new iMac range also feature improved graphics with NVIDIA GeForce 9400M integrated graphics or ATI Radeon HD 4670 discrete graphics in the 21.5-inch model, and ATI Radeon HD 4670 discrete graphics or ATI Radeon HD 4850 discrete graphics in the 27-inch model.

The new iMac line now also features 4GB of 1066 MHz DDR3 memory and capacity up to 16GB across four SO-DIMM slots.

The new 21.5-inch 3.06 GHz iMac, for a suggested retail price of $1,199 includes:

  • 21.5-inch 1920 x 1080 LED-backlit display;
  • 3.06 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor with 3MB shared L2 cache;
  • 4GB 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM expandable to 16GB;
  • NVIDIA GeForce 9400M integrated graphics;
  • 500GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 7200 rpm;
  • a slot-load 8x SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW);
  • Mini DisplayPort for video output (adapters sold separately);
  • built-in AirPort Extreme 802.11n wireless networking and Bluetooth 2.1+EDR;
  • built-in iSight video camera;
  • Gigabit Ethernet port;
  • four USB 2.0 ports;
  • one FireWire 800 port;
  • SD card slot;
  • built-in stereo speakers and microphone; and
  • Wireless Apple Keyboard, Magic Mouse.

The new 21.5-inch 3.06 GHz iMac, for a suggested retail price of $1,499 includes:

  • 21.5-inch 1920 x 1080 LED-backlit display;
  • 3.06 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor with 3MB shared L2 cache;
  • 4GB 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM expandable to 16GB;
  • ATI Radeon HD 4670 discrete graphics; with 256MB GDDR3;
  • 1TB Serial ATA hard drive running at 7200 rpm;
  • a slot-load 8x SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW);
  • Mini DisplayPort for video output (adapters sold separately);
  • built-in AirPort Extreme 802.11n wireless networking and Bluetooth .1+EDR;
  • built-in iSight video camera;
  • Gigabit Ethernet port;
  • four USB 2.0 ports;
  • one FireWire 800 port;
  • SD card slot;
  • built-in stereo speakers and microphone; and
  • Wireless Apple Keyboard, Magic Mouse.

The new 27-inch 3.06 GHz iMac, for a suggested retail price of $1,699 includes:

  • 27-inch 2560 x 1440 LED-backlit display; 3.06 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor with 3MB shared L2 cache;
  • 4GB 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM expandable to 16GB;
  • ATI Radeon HD 4670 discrete graphics; with 256MB GDDR3;
  • 1TB Serial ATA hard drive running at 7200 rpm;
  • a slot-load 8x SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW);
  • Mini DisplayPort for video input and output (adapters sold separately);
  • built-in AirPort Extreme 802.11n wireless networking and Bluetooth 2.1+EDR;
  • built-in iSight video camera;
  • Gigabit Ethernet port;
  • four USB 2.0 ports;
  • one FireWire 800 port;
  • SD card slot;
  • built-in stereo speakers and microphone; and
  • Wireless Apple Keyboard, Magic Mouse.

The new 27-inch 2.66 GHz Core i5 iMac, for a suggested retail price of $1,999 includes:

  • 27-inch 2560 x 1440 LED-backlit display;
  • 2.66 GHz Intel Core i5 quad-core processor with 8MB shared L3 cache;
  • 4GB 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM expandable to 16GB;
  • ATI Radeon HD 4850 discrete graphics; with 512MB GDDR3;
  • 1TB Serial ATA hard drive running at 7200 rpm;
  • a slot-load 8x SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW);
  • Mini DisplayPort for video input and output (adapters sold separately);
  • built-in AirPort Extreme 802.11n wireless networking and Bluetooth 2.1+EDR;
  • built-in iSight video camera;
  • Gigabit Ethernet port;
  • four USB 2.0 ports;
  • one FireWire 800 port;
  • SD card slot;
  • built-in stereo speakers and microphone; and
  • Wireless Apple Keyboard, Magic Mouse.

Build-to-order options for the 27-inch Core i5 quad-core iMac include a 2.8 GHz Intel Core i7 quad-core processor.

MacBook -->

The MacBook range has also seen a revamp.

The new MacBook features a new, durable polycarbonate unibody with an LED-backlit display, a glass Multi-Touch trackpad and a new built-in battery power pack for up to seven hours of battery life.

Note: Dead batteries can be repalced by Apple for $129.

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The new MacBook, for a suggested retail price of $999, includes:
  • 13.3-inch widescreen LED-backlit 1280 x 800 glossy display;
  • 2.26 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo with 3MB shared L2 cache;
  • 1066 MHz front-side bus;
  • 2GB 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM, expandable to 4GB;
  • NVIDIA GeForce 9400M integrated graphics;
  • 250 GB serial ATA hard drive running at 5400 rpm, with Sudden Motion Sensor;
  • a slot-load 8X SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW);
  • Mini DisplayPort for video output (adapters sold separately);
  • built-in AirPort Extreme 802.11n wireless networking and Bluetooth 2.1+EDR;
  • Gigabit Ethernet port;
  • built-in iSight video camera;
  • two USB 2.0 ports;
  • one audio line in/out port, supporting optical digital out and analog in/out;
  • glass Multi-Touch trackpad;
  • built-in, 60WHr lithium polymer battery; and
  • 60 Watt MagSafe Power Adapter.

Build-to-order options for the MacBook include the ability to upgrade to 4GB 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM, or 320GB 5400 rpm, 500GB 5400 rpm hard drive, Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter, Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI Adapter (for 30-inch DVI display), Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adapter and an Apple MagSafe Airline Adapter.

Magic Mouse -->

There's also a new mouse - the Magic Mouse.

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The new wireless mouse, callled the Magic Mouse, is the first mouse to use Apple’s revolutionary Multi-Touch technology which allows customers to navigate using intuitive finger gestures. Instead of mechanical buttons, scroll wheels or scroll balls, the entire top of the Magic Mouse is a seamless Multi-Touch surface.

The Magic Mouse incorporates a laser tracking system to provide a smooth user experience across more surfaces than a traditional optical tracking system. Magic Mouse uses Bluetooth wireless capabilitiesand the connection works from up to 10 meters away. To extend battery performance, Magic Mouse includes an advanced power management system that works with Mac OS X to automatically switch to low power modes during periods of inactivity.

Magic Mouse features a seamless touch-sensitive shell that allows it to be a single or multi-button mouse that comes complete with advanced gesture supportwhich supports scrolling, panning and swipe. Magic Mouse works for left or right handed users.

The wireless Magic Mouse is powered by two AA batteries which are included.

Magic Mouse comes standard with the new iMac and will be available as a Mac accessory at just $69.

Mac mini -->

The humble Mac mini gets an upgrade too. The $599 entry level Mac mini is kitted out with a 2.26 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor and comes with 2GB of DDR3 1066 MHz memory, and a 160GB hard drive, as well as an NVIDIA GeForce 9400M integrated graphics and a SuperDrive.

The $799 Mac mini offers a little more grunt, and is fitted with a 2.53 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 4GB of memory and a spacious 320GB hard drive.

Also new is a $999 Mac mini which has Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard Server loaded onto it. This beast features two 500GB hard drives.

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