iMac
Apple updated its product line-up yesterday, launching revised versions of three of its Mac models and a mouse with a difference. Let’s take a look at the new toys in turn and discuss what their releases mean for musicians.
Topping the bill is the new iMac – in particular, the fabulous-looking 27-inch version. This comes with either a 3.06GHz Intel Core 2 Duo or 2.66GHz Intel Core i5 (quad-core) processor and 4GB of RAM as standard. A 1TB hard drive sweetens the deal further – prices start at £1,349. There’s also a 21.5-inch model which can be picked up from £949, but it’s the big daddy that music makers will crave.
NEXT: The new white MacBook
MacBook
For laptop fans, there’s a revised white MacBook. Like its Pro sibling, this now has a unibody case (though it’s made of plastic rather than aluminium), a glass Multi-Touch trackpad and a built-in battery that promises a lifespan of up to seven hours per charge. On the downside, musicians will mourn the loss of a FireWire port (boo!) and there’s only one audio socket (switchable between input and output). £799 gets you a 2.26GHz processor, 2GB RAM and a 250GB hard drive.
NEXT: The new Mac mini
Mac mini
What do you mean it looks just like the old one? OK, the improvements made to Apple’s smallest Mac may all be under the hood, but they’re notable, nonetheless. It has the triple whammy of faster processor, more memory and increased hard drive space – all features that will help you out if you’re using a Mac mini to make music. Prices start at £499 for the 2.26GHz version and £649 for the 2.53GHz model. There’s also a Snow Leopard Server iteration: this loses the optical drive but comes with a 500GB hard disk and costs £799.
NEXT: the Magic Mouse
Magic Mouse
Apple’s mice have been criticised in the past, but the company seems very proud of its new Magic Mouse. Billed as the world’s first Multi-Touch mouse, this enables you to navigate your Mac using finger gestures rather than by pressing buttons and scrolling a wheel. It comes as standard with the new iMac, and you can buy it on its own for £55. All very interesting, but what Apple’s most avid fans are really waiting for is a Multi-Touch computer…
