[image courtesy of Apple Inc.]
Sporting Intel’s new “Nehalem” processors, Apple has updated it’s pro desktop. The Mac Pro. It’s still a beauty but also a fierce beast able to tear through the most demanding of applications. According to the press release.

The new Mac Pro includes Intel Xeon processors running at speeds up to 2.93 GHz, each with an integrated memory controller with three channels of 1066 MHz DDR3 ECC memory that delivers up to 2.4 times the memory bandwidth while cutting memory latency up to 40 percent.** Every Mac Pro comes standard with the NVIDIA GeForce GT 120 with 512MB …read more

[image courtesy of Apple Inc. ]
Apple updated today it’s entry level consumer desktop model, the Mac Mini. It’s touting it as a faster, greener machine than it’s predecessors. Quoting from the Apple PR release.

Starting at $599, the Mac mini is an innovative, tiny desktop measuring only 6.5 by 6.5 by 2-inches. Available in two models, Mac mini features a 2 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, up to 4GB of DDR3 1066 MHz memory, up to 320GB Serial ATA hard drive, five USB 2.0 ports, FireWire 800 and a SuperDrive®. The Mac mini features NVIDIA GeForce 9400M integrated graphics …read more

Today, Apple released the public beta Safari 4. Apple is touting it as the world’s fastest and most innovative web browser for Mac and Windows. Safari 4 is powered by the Nitro Engine which runs Javascript 4.2 times faster than Safari 3.
Quoting the press release:
“Apple created Safari to bring innovation, speed and open standards back into web browsers, and today it takes another big step forward,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. “Safari 4 is the fastest and most efficient browser for Mac and Windows, with great integration of HTML 5 and CSS 3 …read more

[via Pittsburgh Business Times]
In a bid to match up against Apple in the retail front, Microsoft is set to open retail stores of its own. Microsoft named David Porter as VP of retail stores.
I’m not sure what Microsoft plans to accomplish with this move. Sure they have other products apart from the OS such as the Xbox and some peripherals but will this be enough?
Microsoft will have get more than just retail presence to compete on this front. They might have to change the way they do things and the focus of their business. I’ve always thought of Microsoft …read more

[via CNBC]
Jim Goldman seems to think so. I agree with him. With Apple announcing one of its best quarters ever, it’s showing no signs of weakness.
Apple is in a unique position that it’s got a ton of money locked up in its vaults, it has no debt and a strong product line. All these make for a strong company that’s poised to ride out the recession.
Macs have been selling like hot cakes despite the slow down in the economy. People who are buying new computers are seriously looking at Macs. Just this month alone I’ve had 2 people I know …read more

[image courtesy of Apple]
Apple quietly updates it’s entry level MacBook. The white polycarbonate model got it’s specs bumped up. While the older processor was a 2.1 Ghz the new specs now sports a 2.0 Ghz processor, however this is the newer Intel Core 2 model. Some upgrades include the new GeForce 9400M chipset similar to the aluminum Macbooks.
So for $999, you get a MacBook that’s pretty decent. Giving a better bang for buck. If you don’t mind that the Macbook you’re getting still sports the old body and is still polycarbonate and not as environmentally friendly then this is a …read more

In what can only be taken as a surprising turn of events, Steve Jobs, Apple’s beloved CEO is taking a leave of absence until June to focus on his health. Quoting from an email that he sent out to Apple employees, Steve said:

I am sure all of you saw my letter last week sharing something very personal with the Apple community. Unfortunately, the curiosity over my personal health continues to be a distraction not only for me and my family, but everyone else at Apple as well. In addition, during the past week I have learned that my health-related issues …read more

[via Engadget]
2009 will mark the last year that Apple will participate in the annual MacWorld conference. To add insult to injury Steve Jobs won’t be delivering the keynote.
This marks an end of an era. While the reason they state might be valid such as reaching more customers through their retail stores and online, MacWorld is still an event unlike any other.
The conspiracy theorist inside of me is speculating that Steve Jobs just hasn’t found a suitable replacement to give the keynote. He just doesn’t see himself doing it for a long time so it’s better to quit while you’re on …read more

Apple has to new “Get a Mac” holiday ads. “I Can Do Anything” and “Tree Trimming” are animated versions of the Mac/PC ads that have gained popularity.
Watch the new ads here.

Will Apple step up and offer a better deal during the Black Friday sale? Well, for consumers sake let’s hope so.
Black Friday is one of the biggest sales in the United States. Traditionally retailers offer big discounts on items during his day. People line up very early for the chance to shop for big discounts.
Apple has been traditionally conservative during this day. Offering discounts but nothing spectacular. According to the AppleInsider report, Barclays Capital expects Apple to be more aggressive in its sale. Will this come true? I’m hoping it does but I’m not holding my breath.
Apple distinguishes itself …read more