All New iMac - Image courtesy of Apple Inc.

Headlining the updates are the new iMacs. Now available in two sizes. A 21.5″ version as well as a massive 27″ model. Both models feature a 16:9 aspect ratio LED-backlit display that gives it stunning images. The new displays also feature a technology called in-plane switching or IPS that makes for great viewing at a wider angle. So even if you’re looking at the screen skewed it’s still manages to give a superb image.

The iMac isn’t just for show. While it’s sleek outside it also gained more muscle. The basic model now sports a 3.06 Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo processors while the top end models feature quad-core Intel Core i5 or Core i7 “Nehalem” processors.

Another surprising but great thing that Apple did is to do away with the wired keyboard and mouse. Now every iMac comes with a wireless keyboard and the new Magic Mouse (more about the mouse in another article). It’s surprising because those two peripherals aren’t exactly cheap.

All in all the new iMac is a stunning evolution to a great line of computers.

Apple MacBook Unibody - Image courtesy of Apple Inc.

Apple also introduced a completely redesigned MacBook. The Macbook now is clad with a unibody plastic casing that looks similar to the MacBook Pro 13″ only it’s in white plastic. Still it looks really sexy. It’s now only 1.08 inches thin and lighter at 4.7 pounds.

Apple took out the rubber feet found in the old MacBook and replaced the lower surface of the MacBook with a durable non-slip material that ensures that your computer stays put.

Same as the previous MacBook, it only now comes in one variant. A 2.26GHz Intel Core 2 Duo model with 2GB DDR3 RAM. It has a 250GB hard drive and an 8x Super drive. Apple also applied its new battery technology to the MacBook giving it a reported 7 hour batter life.

Mac Mini - Image courtesy of Apple Inc.

Rounding up the computer updates is the new line of Mac Minis. Apple is touting it as a “Mightier Mini” with processors running of up to 2.53Ghz and RAM now upgradeable to 4GB it’s certainly a more powerful machine. It’s also still very energy efficient.

Apple added another variant to the Mini. Now there’s a Mac Mini Snow Leopard Server. It’s basically a Mac Mini without the optical drive and now packed with twin hard drives. It also comes with the Snow Leopard Server software that makes it easy for small groups/businesses to run a server in-house. Apple says it’s amazingly easy to setup and manage.

For more information regarding Apple’s new line of Mac computers. It’s best to checkout the links below.

iMac Page
MacBook Page
Mac Mini Page

Apple iMac Press release
Apple MacBook Press release

Post from: EveryJoe

All New iMacs, MacBooks and Mac Minis

The biggest news is the Magic Mouse. Apple has always struggled when it comes to making a really useful mouse, but initial impressions of this one is that it could be the winner Mac users have been waiting for. It uses the patented multi-touch technology Apple has used to great success on the iPhone and last-generation MacBooks.

The device has a low-profile top shell that’s all one piece — no buttons or scroll wheels in sight. Instead, all of those functions and more are done using gestures on the touch-sensitive shell. Like old Mac mice, the entire Magic Mouse is one big button, though PC-style right-clicking is made easier now by simply clicking the top right corner of the shell. To scroll up, down, side to side, or even in circles, just brush your Magic Mouse in the direction you want to scroll. A two-finger swipe function allows you to easily browse iPhoto pics or go back or forward in your web browser.

The Magic Mouse comes standard on all new iMacs (see below) but can be added to any Bluetooth-friendly Mac desktop for $69.

Another big — but expected — announcement was the upgraded white plastic MacBook. Though the price hasn’t changed from the standard $999, Apple boasts that it’s been completely redesigned. The sleek “unibody” design that Apple has successfully used to minimize the thickness of the aluminum MacBook Air and MacBook Pro has finally made it to the plastic MacBook, as has the glass multitouch trackpad. Apple claims that the new MacBook runs more energy-efficient than its predecessor, lasting up to seven hours on a single charge. The laptop also has a brighter, more brilliant screen, thanks to its 13″ LED display. You can expect all of the usual upgrades in power and storage space as well, along with a greener, more environmentally friendly profile.

The iMac got a small overhaul, going up in display size to 21.5″ and 27″ LEDs. The 21.5″ has a 1920×1080 pixel resolution, but the 27″ displays at a mind-boggling 2560×1440 pixels, which is well beyond HD standards. Included standard are a wireless keyboard and the new Magic Mouse. Storage is now available up to 2 terabytes, memory goes up to 16GB, and for the first time ever, the iMac has an SD card slot nestled right beside the DVD-ROM drive. There are several other little aesthetic enhancements, but most of them are the kind of thing that improve the experience without drawing attention to themselves.

Not a bad showing, but the biggest takeaway here might be that neither the MacBook nor the iMac got two long-awaited features: Blu-ray drives and touchscreens.

Last but not least, the Mac Mini got a boost in power and environmental factors, jumping up 200% in memory over the last generation. You get a GeForce 9400M graphics processor, and built-in WiFi. And for the first time, your Mac Mini can function as a server, with Snow Leopard Server in the mix, and the option to expand the device’s memory up to a full terabyte.

Images: Apple Inc.

Post from: EveryJoe

Apple unveils Magic Mouse, new MacBooks

MacBook image Courtesy of Apple

What does this mean? Why did Apple leave it as such? I think Apple has something up it’s sleeve. My guess is that the we’ll be seeing a new MacBook quite soon. It might be the “netbook” people have been clamoring about. A cheap, light mac that can compete with the netbooks being currently offered.

I don’t believe that Apple will just keep the MacBook at a single model. They’re neglecting a significant market if they did. The MacBook is primarily aimed at consumers and the MacBook Pros to well.. pros.

The Pro line-up is currently full and it’s looking great. The MacBook Air while it serves a niche market still has a wider range than the MacBook line that has a broader market. So I don’t think it will stay as is. Plus the white polycarbonate body is getting old and is in need of a refresh as well.

So let’s see what happens in the coming months.

Post from: EveryJoe

What’s Going To Happen To The MacBook line?

Apple took the wraps off some high-profile new products at the WorldWide Developer’s Conference in San Jose. Chief among them was the next upgrade in the iPhone, the iPhone 3Gs. The 3Gs is being touted as up to twice as fast as the iPhone 3G,with longer battery life, a 3 megapixel camera with autofocus, video recording, and hands-free voice control. A ton of new capabilities are built into it. The 16 gigabyte iPhone 3Gs retails for $199, with a 32 GB model for $299.

Also today, the iPhone 3G, the last generation 8 GB model, is available for an incredible $99.

Apple also unveiled updates to the MacBook, a brand new version of the company’s free web browser Safari, and the upcoming latest version of OS X, Snow Leopard, which will be available to Leopard users for just $29.

Images: Copyright 2009 ©Apple Inc.

Post from: EveryJoe

Apple unveils iPhone 3Gs, new MacBooks

[image courtesy of Apple]

This upgrade puts it up the low end Aluminum MacBook who’s processor is still currently 2.0 Ghz. The update polycarbonate MacBook is now a much better value for money notebook for students with it’s price tag of $999.

Post from: EveryJoe

Apple Updates Entry Level MacBook

The office has been a bit desolate for a while. So Colleen is taking over Office Tweaks. Join me in welcoming him.

Jason introduces us to the Super Bowl Single Girl. Pardon the dumb question, but why would anyone want to raise $3M and pay it to some television network? Aren’t Mr. Right’s for sale anymore? The big cynical question is: what if she realizes that she isn’t interested in Mr. Right? This comedienne is funny. So I wish her the best.

Claire wants you to take the Linux Graphics Survey 2008. What’s in it to you? Take these tips for Ubuntu users as a gift.

Jason has a tutorial to easily import table data into Excel from, say, a web page. Could use it some day, but I’m more interested in the reverse process.

How would you feel about a URL that is mysterious about what it can contain? I think it can be one of the types of spam. Jayvee thinks that stripping away those preconceptions can also be a refreshing browsing experience. A debate is slowly brewing up at his post. Come join us.

Juan is excited that Barack uses Mac. I’m more excited about this MacBook X-ray. What a geek!

Post from: EveryJoe

Tech Channel Roundup From Wishes to X-rays

Speaking about hope, for those part of a small startup and already feeling the pinch of the enconomic crisis, don’t lose hope. Check out Jason’s good news about Microsoft’s BizSpark helping startups. Who knows, this could be just perfect for your needs. And we all thought M$ is a selfish giant taking away our $s. Well, many still do.

Milo thinks that Windows 7 may be faster, but wonders whether it is because of the applications that are not installed on the laptop. For the beginners, Windows 7 is the Microsoft Windows successor of Vista.

Juan is impressed with the new sleek Aluminum MacBook, raving about its touch and feel, and how the old MacBook looks like a boy in front of the new all-grown man. :-) Pun orignally unintended and here unexpected.

Claire shares a few features to look forward to in Ubuntu 8.10 and a tool for GNU/Linux that reads your email and e-books aloud for you.

Did you ever use Windows 3.x? Do you still think about it? I do get nostalgic once in a while about some Windows 3.x OS on which I had learned Excel and Foxpro. Jayvee gives us the sad news that Windows 3.1 is no more. Gone. Dead. Puff!

Post from: EveryJoe

Tech Channel Roundup After Election Fever Dies