Apple redesigns iMac and 13-inch MacBook, revamps Mac Mini
Update (2:30pm PT): We've obtained review samples of the new iMac, MacBook, and Magic Mouse released today. Follow-up coverage--including hands-on impressions and videos--is included below.
First impressions of Apple's new 27-inch iMac [includes video]
Hands-on with the new Apple MacBook [includes video]
Hands-off analysis of Apple's new Mac Minis
First Look: Apple conjures up Magic Mouse with a dose of multi-touch
Apple Time Capsule, Airport Extreme receive small (possibly significant) upgrades
Original story follows.
Apple revamped its desktop and laptop lines Tuesday, dramatically redesigning the iMac all-in-one and MacBook laptop, and also adding a few updates to its Mac Mini line of small-scale desktops. It also introduced a handful of updated peripherals, with a multitouch mouse bringing the most thorough changes.
Apple's redesigned iMac echoes the MacBook Pro.
(Credit: Apple)New iMacs
The biggest news Tuesday will be the new iMacs, which move from aluminum and polycarbon design to aluminum and edge-to-edge glass, mirroring the look of Apple's line of MacBook Pro laptops. The new iMac will come in 21.5 (1,920x1,080) and 27-inch (2,560x1,440) models, each with a 16:9 aspect ratio.
Starting price for the 21.5-inch model is $1,199, with the 27-incher beginning at $1,699. Apple will also offer step-up models for each screen size, coming in at $1,499 for the beefier 21.5-inch model, and $1,999 for the higher-end 27-inch iMac.
As for specs, Apple has mostly opted for raw speed over adding more processing cores. All but the $1,999 iMac come with Intel Core 2 Duo chips, but the CPU speed in the lowest model now starts at 3.06GHz. That used to be the fastest chip available in Apple's previous highest-end iMac. The one exception is the $1,999 iMac, which starts with Intel's most recent quad-core chip, the core i5 at 2.66GHz, and upgrade options for that model go all the way to the even faster Core i7 at 2.8GHz.
Other new iMac features are relatively straightforward for the systems themselves. There's no Blu-ray option, as was rumored, but you do get an SD Card slot on all new iMacs. The 27-inch version also lets you use its mini-Display Port input as a video input (via a dongle from Belkin), which means you can use the larger iMac as a second monitor. The GeForce 9400M remains the standard graphics chip, with upgrades available to Radeon HD 4670 and Radeon HD 4870 chips. Storage options go as high as 2TB on the 27-inchers.
13-inch Unibody Polycarbonate MacBook
Apple has also revamped its best-selling laptop, the 13-inch MacBook. The new version retains the white polycarbonate look, as well as the $999 price.
The new polycarbon MacBook laptop.
(Credit: Apple)With every other laptop in Apple's current lineup using the "Pro" moniker, the single non-Pro MacBook was starting to look a bit dated. While many industry watchers expected Apple to lower prices on the white polycarbonate version, the company has given the system an upscale makeover, keeping the price the same.
Like the aluminum MacBook Pro models, the MacBook now has a unibody chassis, although in this case, it's still made of polycarbonate. A separate bottom panel has a matte non-slip feel, as opposed to the glossy white upper body. The unibody construction means the battery is no longer removable--also like the current Pro lineup.
We got a chance to get our hands on one of the new MacBooks this morning. While still recognizably a MacBook, the new version has more gently rounded edges on the lid, making it look slightly thinner from a side angle. The touch pad is the same large glass multitouch version found on the MacBook Pros, and is dominated by the wrist rest. Also like the Pro versions, the 13.3-inch display is now LED backlit, which is better for both power consumption and environmental concerns.
Internal components, including the Nvidia GeForce 9400, are either the same, or very similar to, current models. Some features found in the 13-inch MacBook Pro that you won't find in this new MacBook include the SD card slot and backlit keyboard.
While consumers have long called for lower entry prices for Mac laptops, Apple has always been reluctant to stray into the lower-margin sub-$1,000 market. With this new upscale version of the MacBook, Apple is giving a slight recessionary nod to buyers, without having to dive into the Netbook price wars.
The new touch capacitive Magic Mouse.
(Credit: Apple)The new Magic Mouse and wireless keyboard
You'll also find new peripherals in the box with a new iMac. Apple has made a wireless mouse and keyboard the default options, and both have received redesigns. The keyboard now has an all aluminum body, but the new mouse, dubbed the Magic Mouse, is far more interesting. The sleek, touch capacitive design behaves similarly to the track pad on Apple's laptops. Of course the standard two-button usage model works as you'd expect, but you can also simply drag your finger down the middle of the mouse to scroll up and down. It also supports accelerated scrolling, like the
iPhone, along with a few gestures for lateral and 360-degree movement, depending on the application. A new aluminum body Apple Remote is also available as a $16 extra
New Mac Mini
Finally, Apple gave a nod to the Mac Mini. The core design remains the same for the most part, with a few minor tweaks to its CPU, memory, and hard-drive capacity. Prices remain the same at $599 and $799. Far more interesting is the new server iteration of the Mac Mini. This model starts at $999, and instead of a DVD burner, you get the Snow Leopard version of OS X Server, along with two 500GB hard drives.
All of these new products are available today, except for the Core i5-based iMac, which goes on sale in November. We'll also be posting hands-on slideshows and videos of the new MacBook and the new 27-inch iMac shortly, so stay tuned.
On Sale Now: $1,969.95 - $1,999.00
View the latest prices for Apple iMac (27-inch, 2.66Hz Intel Core i5, ATI Radeon HD 4850, Fall 2009)
On Sale Now: $1,449.00 - $1,499.00
View the latest prices for Apple iMac (21.5-inch, 3.06Hz Intel Core 2 Duo, ATI Radeon HD 4670, Fall 2009)
On Sale Now: $1,149.00 - $1,199.00
View the latest prices for Apple iMac (21.5-inch, 3.06Hz Intel Core 2 Duo, Nvidia GeForce 9400M, Fall 2009)
Kind of remind me of the old SCSI ports on the first gen of Macs.
If you really need FireWire connections, all three MacBook Pros (13", 15", 17") have the faster FireWire 800 port. The port is also there on the iMac and Mac mini.
Apple needs to make some design compromises on the consumer-grade MacBook and losing FireWire is a reasonable concession to make in late 2009.
"The average consumer is just wants to plug their FlipHD into the USB 2.0 port and call it a day."
True, but Apple has never really marketed towards the average consumer; they usually pride themselves on making high end computers. If I'm going to pay thousands of dollars on a computer, I would at least like the connections I want. That's one of the things I don't like about Apple: they don't let the consumer have much say in the hardware department. I say they should open Mac OS to work on non-Appleware, which will be able to make better use of the OS. That will of course never happen.
Sad to say, but I won't be refreshing my 3+ year old MacBook with a new one -- they just haven't delivered a compelling new model.
Making hardware prices more inline with the competition is no race to the bottom. Racing to the bottom would be Celeron processors and integrated graphics. If they sold their $1699 Mac Book Pro at $1199 (still a lot more expensive than comparable PC hardware), I bet they would still have healthy profit margins, and increased sales would more than make up for per unit losses.
@Synthmeister
I would hardly say the vast majority who are buying PCs instead of Mac is the rest of the world. Record sales for Apple still pales in comparison to PC laptop sales. That would still be the case even if the MacBook were the single best selling laptop. (With the number of PC models, I would not be surprised if that is the case.) I have to believe it is a pricing issue, because I doubt most of those PC users are having a better computing experience.
Personally I'm glad Macs are more expensive. I'd rather have quality I can depend on at a higher price than crap that transports my tech support calls to India. As my mother is fond of saying, "cheap isn't cheap and expensive isn't expensive!"
Personally, I don't care about the PC world anymore. I know that my Macs are reliable, the tech support is second to none and my software works as described.
And yes, it is a race to the bottom for PC manufacturers. They can't really touch the $1,000+ market and that's fine by me. I always thought buying a PC was akin to going out and buying a brand new car only to have to go to another dealer and buy the engine (OS). Kinda silly when you consider that every great car is engineered from the inside out, and not the other way around.
The battle is over in my mind. I'll never own a PC ever again. I can't recall the last time I had to do maintenance on my Mac aside from the occasional two clicks to download updates and even that process (for the most part) is highly automated.
And, Jimmy, whilst I'm glad you enjoy your choice you are kind of fibbing a bit - I've had to shut down my Macbook half a dozen times after being prompted for my password and being told twice that my computer isn't connected to a power source (you think it would have got it the first time) for updates in the last few months.
Knowledgeable, objective people might say that you can get more bang for your buck with another manufacturer - and power to you all. I get all the bang that I need, and as for my buck - it is well spent to have an OS that was actually designed and tested on my exact hardware configuration. But I agree with baisa that if you have a working mac, there is little reason to get very excited about their new entry-level.
@AaronMK
I don't think you'll be happy with Apple's execs until OSX beats out Windows, which will never happen. Bet they are glad you're not the majority shareholder. It's like someone saying that something is wrong in the mango market because people are still buying cheap bananas, apples, and oranges.
@jimmyhoops
Good tech support? What kind exactly? They've always been bad, and their support ratings were steadily dropping for more than 3 years. Did they suddenly get better? The only consolation is that everyone has terrible tech support - and overcharges people to extend it too. I'm just glad that I live where 3rd party companies can take care of my occasional repair needs.
Anyway, keep on with your blind loyalty...it gives us all something funny to read and someone to feel sorry for...
On another note, however, Mac stuff is usually expensive because of a lot of bundled software that comes with it, that is specifically designed for it. You're not just buying hardware, like you do with netbooks or other laptops. I agree, the price is a bit steep though.
Although, if you think about it, I can install Windows 7 on my mac and have just as many programs as a Windows PC has, plus all my mac programs as well. So, ummm... Macs win at apps?
It's like saying I like this super market because of the huge meat counter. Except all you eat is chicken.
Keep drinking as much kool-aid as you want. Though I think ywkhgqo and MacDellMan are pretty arrogant with their comments. What they're saying is.
"We know everything and you know nothing, because you don't agree with us!" That's the nature of the internet. Everyone is an expert.
The only regret I've had since buying my first mac is not doing it sooner. I'm lucky. I can do my work on a mac. Which is Sweet so the only time I have to see a windows box is when one of my friends needs me to fix it.
Talk about feeling sorry for someone. Please, I'm begging you, point me to a laptop that has the same specs as the $999 macbook, that sells for $599. You can't because there isn't any.
Either you have some disgruntled feelings toward Apple, or you are just plain ignorant when it comes to technology. Either way, I feel sorry for you.
Most cheap laptops use DDR2 800MHz RAM. RAM that is 3-4 years old. They also only have 1MB L2 cache. The macbook uses DDR3 1066MHz RAM with 3MB L2 cache. If you find a Windows machine with that type of RAM, you're going to pay much more than $599. That's a fact.
So keep up with your Apple is over priced theory and enjoy your cheap crap.
Were you born that stupid and bigoted or did it just develop over adolescence?
You really are Apple's ideal customer. Blind and unquestioning.
In any case, Apple products aren't significantly more expensive than comparable PCs.
We like the production system better -- for design, for coding, for software engineering, for wire framing -- than we do on our PC's.
Our PC's make great machines for testing the content we build. We are grateful we have them to test our work on.
Most of the "World" can afford Apple products. They just just choose shoddy PCs over quality Macs, or quality PCs for that matter.
We create a lot of server-side software and the Mac OS, being Unix, makes it a breeze. You have a professional, enterprise-grand computer in a laptop that can edit and compile Java as well as shell scripts for our enterprise (Linux) servers.
his specs are good enough for 6 years let alone 5.
Put them on a desk next to each other and get back to me.
Having an all in one with a brilliant display, tiny footprint, and no cables has its benefits....
It's even more ridiculous that even after factoring in the price of my 42" HDTV, my build comes out cheaper than the 27" inch Apple iMac. With my wireless keyboard, I can enjoy my computer sitting on my couch on my TV without ever needing to touch the actual casing.
And a tower has its advantages. Instead of buying an army of externals once HD digital media becomes the defacto standard, I can pop 2TB drives into the 6 empty drive bays I'll have waiting.
There's no argument that you're paying a premium to buy an iMac. That's the way Apple want it. When you're buying an iMac you're not just buying a computer, you're buying into being an owner of an Apple product, if that makes any sense. You can bring up non-tangibles over and over again, but the bottom line is that Apple overprices their products.
I personally prefer choice. I like to choose to change monitors later if I want a smaller or larger one, or if I want to have a matching pair. The iMac line does not make this possible.
If the LCD fails, you're pretty much pooched to having to getting it repaired and that means you're without your computer for an extended period. External monitor means you're only down as long as it takes to go to the store and get another one, possibly bigger.
Proprietary cables means *EXPENSIVE*.
No sir, I like choice. I prefer to, well, 'think different.'
You still miss the point... it's an all-in-one... that's about 3 inches thick.....
If you want more storage... just plug in more drives to your wireless router..
An all-in-one is a workstation.. a giant HD TV is not.
Feel free to plug in whatever wired USB keyboard and pointer device you have. I use a Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 and a Logitech TrackMan Wheel with my MacBook. They work fine.
They could easily have made a wired version of the Magic Mouse and they didn't.
I guess I will go with the Asus UL30A or an Acer Timeline instead
The price thing is a preference... you really do get what you pay for.. however, there are lot's of people who are not concerned about design.. As far as overall hardware specs... that really is like comparing apples to oranges.. Apple has the luxury of tailoring performance around their own hardware configuration. Windows has the daunting task of being everything to everyone.. which is the reason my Dell XPS is less responsive than my iMac.
Blu-Ray: Why would you need a Blu-Ray drive? If you want to watch high-def movies on a 27 inch screen, get a normal DVD. The image is the same on such a small screen.
Compatibility: Boot Camp? VM Fusionware? Virtual Box? Parallels? Those all let you run any PC program.
though apple significantly made the screen so much better,
(credit to Dilbert)
My point? It was that my 6-7 year old computer is still relevant... it runs 10.5 flawlessly with only a RAM upgrade. It has a crappy G4 processor and only 32 mb video ram... and yet.. it runs 10.5 with all of the eye-candy.
Can your old PC(s) run Vista? Win 7?
Yes, I have an old 1.5GHz pentium 4 that runs win7 RC with no problem. Bet you can't say the same with your G4 and the latest OSX
1. Insert disk
2. Drag System Folder to disk
3. Eject disk and put in wallet ;)
welcome to the present.. we've been doing it for as long as I can remember. You can even boot one computer off of another.. for example... you can connect a macbook to an iMac.. and boot the iMac from the macbook... Comes in handy when troubleshooting hardware.
@ ballmerisanape "troubleshooting(overpriced,perfect,last for ever,top of the line etc) hardware"? strange."
@tektaktyks--You really should get over yourself. The fact is that the feature mentioned is very handy. Besides, if it was Win7 feature, you would be proudly touting. Because it is not, you get all bent out of shape about it and criticize others.
you obviously need to read up
http://www.apple.com/imac/
Maybe a refurb - although those go very quick...
LOL!
I built my PC based on the best hardware I can find for as little money as possible. My computer and OS are rock solid and don't need to have something white, shiny and a glowing fruit sticker to feel that I have a "good" computer.
Can money buy happiness? Perhaps in some situations, it can.
Apparently, chic is a factor in every purchase except computers.
No need to drag Apple versus MS into this story. It is just trying to stoke the fire and get some click throughs by adding something to the story that isn't there. It is enough work to wade through the comments from both sides to see if there is anything of value to be added; when the writers and editors start using the rivalry for their own benefit then it just increases the amount of trash we have to wade through and lowers the value of CNet as a brand.
- by gerrrg October 20, 2009 10:34 AM PDT
- Not sure about a $1000 home server. Seems kinda overpriced.
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- by cvaldes1831 October 20, 2009 10:56 AM PDT
- Go look at Apple's webpage on the Mac mini server. It's clearly designed to be a workgroup server, not a home media server, hence the inclusion of Snow Leopard Server.
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- by DrtyDogg October 20, 2009 12:51 PM PDT
- Ubuntu and a 1TB HD is a better deal, and more future proof.
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- by blueshore October 20, 2009 2:34 PM PDT
- It is quite a nice starter server for a small business or for test environments, yet it might move some load (with the exception of the SATA drives). Building a Linux server might be cheaper and somewhat more flexible, but their target are small shops what has little support and basic skills. Kind a catch-22 for use as a home server: you can use it, but if you have the skills and understand how a home server works, why bother to get this one? The main appeal is this is a unpack, plug and use kind of workgroup server, perhaps as a emergency infrastructure solution or for proof of concept.
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Showing 1 of 5 pages (298 Comments)On the other hand, it might be a beachhead approach, the same way the Mac mini was for intro Apple into the low budget market.