Tuesday, July 26, 2005

New Macs

Apple just released updates for the Mac mini and iBook today.

Mac mini

The new mini comes in three stock configurations. The specs are:

Feature Small model Medium model Large model
Price $500 $600 $700
Processor 1.25GHz G4 1.42GHz G4
Disk 40G 80G
Optical drive Combo SuperDrive
AirPort Extreme Optional Standard
BlueTooth Optional Standard
Modem Standard Optional

All models include:

  • 512M RAM (upgradeable to 1G)
  • Radeon 9200 video with 32M
  • DVI or VGA output
  • One FireWire 400 port
  • Two USB 2.0 ports
  • 10/100 Ethernet

The changes from the previous Mac mini are extremely minor:

  • The bundled memory is larger (up from 256M)
  • BlueTooth and AirPort Extreme are now standard on the 1.42GHz model
  • Modem is now optional on the 1.42GHz model
  • You can now get a SuperDrive without ordering it from Apple's web site

iBook

The new iBook comes in two stock configurations. The specs are:

Feature 12" model 14" model
Price $1000 $1300
Processor 1.33GHz G4 1.42GHz G4
Disk 40G 60G
Optical drive Combo SuperDrive

All models include:

  • 512M memory (expandable to 1.5GB)
  • ATI Mobility Radeon 9550 (32M)
  • AirPort Extreme (WiFi)
  • BlueTooth
  • One FireWire-400 port
  • Two USB 2.0 ports
  • Modem

Compared with the previous generation iBook:

  • The processors are faster (up from 1.25 and 1.33GHz)
  • The default hard drive for the 12" is larger
  • The built-in memory is larger (up from 256M)
  • Improved video (up from Mobility Radeon 9200)
  • BlueTooth is now standard

My comments

The new models look good. The mini is a great deal now - the memory upgrade and bundled wireless (on the two higher-end models) means that the unit is now completely useful without any upgrades.

Unfortunately, it appears that none of today's upgrades include a video card that supports CoreImage, which is a shame. This is the one feature I'd been hoping Apple would release, especially in the iBook.

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