Apple's bumper crop of fall hardware, reviewed
Apple yesterday released a cornucopia of new consumer hardware and the reviews are starting to roll in. No firm benchmarks have been conducted but several outlets have posted preliminary reviews of Apple's Fall 2009 hardware.
Macworld likes the LED-backlit displays in the new iMac.
Apple says that the iMac screens are LED-backlit widescreen TFT active-matrix LCDs with in-plane switching technology, and can display millions of colors at all resolutions. In the past, Apple has used 6-bit displays on its 20-inch iMacs and 8-bit displays on its larger-sized iMacs.
CNet's Dan Ackerman reviewed the Fall 2009 polycarbonate MacBook and takes issue with Apple's nomenclature:
Unibody, Apple's preferred term, is a bit of a misnomer, as the bottom panel is separate, as are the multiple parts that make up the lid and display.
Ackerman also notes that Apple unceremoniously removed FireWire from the new MacBook – and didn't add an SD card slot:
FireWire fans should note that port has finally left the building. We would have thought this would be a good opportunity to add the same SD card slot found on the Pro 13-inch, but it was not to be. While we're not regular FireWire users, this does leave Apple open to accusations of removing functionality from the system.
Macworld notes that the new Mac mini is really a wolf in sheep's clothing:
a quick glance at the back of the new Mac mini makes it clear this is an updated machine. Instead of the FireWire 400 and four USB ports of the 2007 mini, the new model sports five USB 2.0 ports and replaces the FireWire 400 port with a faster FireWire 800 connection...
Also gone is the previous model’s DVI video port, replaced by two video ports: a mini-DVI port and a Mini DisplayPort connector like those found on the current MacBooks.
Finally, Gizmodo calls the Magic Mouse "the best mouse Apple's made in years"
It has both right and left clicks, like the Mighty Mouse, but differentiates itself from other mice with its touch-sensitive scrolling and two-fingered gestures.
What's your early review of the new crop of Apple hardware?