[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 of GDDR3 memory, a high-performance graphics card with nearly three times greater performance when compared to the previous generation system.*** An optional ATI Radeon HD 4870 is available for even more performance. With both a Mini DisplayPort and DVI port, the new Mac Pro provides out-of-the-box support for the 24-inch Apple LED Cinema Display, the 30-inch Apple Cinema HD Display, or other DVI based displays.

The Mac Pro has 2 standard models with BTO options also available to configure to your heart’s delight. The models are:

The new quad-core Mac Pro, with a suggested retail price of $2,499 (US), includes:

* one 2.66 GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon 3500 series processor with 8MB of shared L3 cache;
* 3GB of 1066 MHz DDR3 ECC SDRAM memory, expandable up to 8GB;
* NVIDIA GeForce GT 120 graphics with 512MB of GDDR3 memory;
* 640GB Serial ATA 3Gb/s hard drive running at 7200 rpm;
* 18x SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW);
* Mini DisplayPort and DVI (dual-link) for video output (adapters sold separately);
* four PCI Express 2.0 slots;
* five USB 2.0 ports and four FireWire® 800 ports;
* Bluetooth 2.1+EDR; and
* ships with Apple Keyboard with numerical keypad and Mighty Mouse.

The new 8-core Mac Pro, with a suggested retail price of $3,299 (US), includes:

* two 2.26 GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon 5500 series processors with 8MB of shared L3 cache per processor;
* 6GB of 1066 MHz DDR3 ECC SDRAM memory, expandable up to 32GB;
* NVIDIA GeForce GT 120 graphics with 512MB of GDDR3 memory;
* 640GB Serial ATA 3Gb/s hard drive running at 7200 rpm;
* 18x SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW);
* Mini DisplayPort and DVI (dual-link) for video output (adapters sold separately);
* four PCI Express 2.0 slots;
* five USB 2.0 ports and four FireWire 800 ports;
* Bluetooth 2.1+EDR; and
* ships with Apple Keyboard with numerical keypad and Mighty Mouse.

Read the complete press release here.

Post from: EveryJoe

Apple Updates The Mac Pro: Beauty and A Beast

[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 for up to five times better graphics performance than before* and now with dual display support can drive two Apple or third-party displays with Mini DisplayPort or DVI connections. Using less than 13 watts of power at idle, up to 10 times less power than a typical desktop PC, the new Mac mini is the most energy efficient desktop in the world.**

Apple is offering two standard models for the Mac Mini.

The new 2.0 GHz Mac mini, for a suggested retail price of $599 (US), includes:

* 2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor with 3MB shared L2 cache;
* 1GB of 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM expandable up to 4GB;
* NVIDIA GeForce 9400M integrated graphics;
* 120GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 5400 rpm;
* a slot-load 8x SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW);
* Mini DisplayPort and mini-DVI for video output (adapters sold separately);
* built-in AirPort Extreme wireless networking & Bluetooth 2.1+EDR;
* Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000 BASE-T);
* five USB 2.0 ports;
* one FireWire 800 port; and
* one audio line in and one audio line out port, each supporting both optical digital and analog.

The new 2.0 GHz Mac mini, for a suggested retail price of $799 (US), includes:

* 2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor with 3MB shared L2 cache;
* 2GB of 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM expandable up to 4GB;
* NVIDIA GeForce 9400M integrated graphics;
* 320GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 5400 rpm;
* a slot-load 8x SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW);
* Mini DisplayPort and mini-DVI for video output (adapters sold separately);
* built-in AirPort Extreme wireless networking & Bluetooth 2.1+EDR;
* Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000 BASE-T);
* five USB 2.0 ports;
* one FireWire 800 port; and
* one audio line in and one audio line out port, each supporting both optical digital and analog.

As with its other computers, BTO options are available.

Read the complete press release here.

Post from: EveryJoe

Apple Updates Mac Mini: Little Green Machine

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 web standards that enables the next generation of interactive web applications.”

As a person who works in the web design business, I can appreciate Apple’s wanting to adhere to web standards. It makes the world wide web that more accessible and easier to build for.

Read the complete press release here.

Post from: EveryJoe

Apple Announces The World’s Fastest Browser: Safari 4

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 as more of an enterprise company. Focusing more on businesses than regular consumers.

In any case I’m curious to see how this will pan out. For the complete store, read it here.

Post from: EveryJoe

Coming Soon: Microsoft Retail Stores

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 personally who got Macs. That’s excluding myself who just got a new MacBook Pro recently. That goes to show that Apple’s sales are still showing good figures.

The iTunes ecosystem is unlike any other available today. It has not only dominated the market, it is the market. I just don’t see a meaningful competitor that can offer all what iTunes can. iTunes has music, videos and applications for the iPhone/iPod Touch. It makes it easy for people to buy these items.

As what the article says, with Steve Job’s leave, the focus on his health has been put on the side. Apple is showing that even without Steve Apple will get by. It has a strong management team, great people on board and a long product pipeline that will ensure it comes up with innovative products that people will want to buy.

Apple’s stock is trading at $98.86 as of this writing and in my opinion it’s still a good deal. In a market wherein companies are falling here and there, Apple is one of the strong companies that I’m willing to keep my money in. Oh, wait, I do have money with Apple…

Read the entire article here.

Post from: EveryJoe

Apple Stock Poised for a Strong Comeback?

[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 great deal. Now if it only came in black too…

Post from: EveryJoe

Apple Updates White MacBook

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 are more complex than I originally thought.

Tim Cook, Apple’s COO will be taking the helm until Steve’s return. If he ever does return. There have been speculations that Apple might not see it’s captain.

This bit of news sent Apple stocks tumbling. As of this writing, Apple shares are down 4.7% and is trading at the $81 area.

My prayers go out to Steve and his family. I sincerely hope that this is not a recurrence of the big C. Having several people close to me suffer from cancer, I know it’s a terrible, terrible thing.

Whatever it is, my sincerest well wishes for a speedy recovery. See you in June Steve!

Post from: EveryJoe

Steve Jobs To Take A Break Till June

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 top so to speak.

Whatever it is, it’s a sad day. I guess I won’t be staying up till 3 a.m. during MacWorld.

Read the post here.

Post from: EveryJoe

Apple’s Final MacWorld

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.

Post from: EveryJoe

2 New Apple Holiday Ads

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 by being a premium brand and I think dragging down the price too much will go against their strategy. Sure times are tough but Apple is still enjoying good sales and I think people are really willing to pay value for money. However I don’t mind being wrong. Not when Apple stuff on the cheap will be available. Let’s wait and see.

Post from: EveryJoe

Black Friday Bonanza?