Handy Computer Guide

PC Advisor have published their review of the Apple iMac 24in 2.8GHz system. 'We tested the 24in Apple iMac with 2.8GHz CPU, second-to-top model, featuring a 24in expanse of glossy screen framed by a bezel of satin silver metal. All ports are discreetly hidden behind, and with the new low profile keyboard, even the qwerty interface seem to take up less space than ever. Overall finish is staggeringly good. We could find no fault with the fit and finish of the entire Apple iMac package. Already loaded is Apple's OS X, a mature and stable operating system based on Unix, now up to version 10.5 ('Leopard'). But for the sake of testing the Apple iMac, we used Apple's Boot Camp program to partition the drive and install Windows Vista as a second boot volume.'

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PC Magazine have published a review of the Apple iMac (24-inch Penryn) desktop configuration. 'The Apple iMac (24-inch Penryn) ($1,799 direct) is the iconic all-in-one desktop that others try emulate. Its aluminum-and-glass face evokes the iPhone and iPod Touch, a look that works well. A successor to the aluminum 20-inch iMac, the last model I reviewed, it upgrades the screen to 1,920 by 1,200 pixels—big enough to view true HD video content. This newest iteration of iMac is powered by the new IntelPenryn (45nm) Core 2 Duo E8235 processor, which allows lower energy usage and offers greater computing power than the Merom chips in older iMacs. The extra power helps the iMac maintain its place in the vanguard of all-in-one PCs.

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A review of the MacBook Air computer has been posted over at PaulStamatiou.com. 'I’ve had my MacBook Air for 15 days now. It has been serving as my primary computer and I have used it to do everything I usually do with my MacBook Pro. I’ll cover how it has stacked up to the MBP in this review in addition to how the MacBook Air’s smaller size has changed the way I do things.As a reminder, I picked up the lower model MacBook Air with the 1.6GHz dual-core processor and the 80GB 1.8-inch 4200RPM hard drive. The MacBook Air has finally allowed me to use it how laptops should be used - on the go.'

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CNET have published a review of the new Apple MacBook Air (1.8GHz) Notebook. 'The MacBook Air includes the usual iSight camera, an LED backlit display, an ambient light sensor, and a big touchpad that works with multitouch gestures, such as rotating a photo by twisting your fingers on the touchpad. As for what's inside this slim laptop, we're looking at a 1.6GHz or 1.8GHz Intel Core 2 Duo CPU, custom-made by Intel to fit into the slim chassis, 2GB of RAM, and a choice of either an 80GB standard 1.8-inch hard drive or a 64GB SSD drive (which really should be standard for something so forward-looking). Moving up to the SSD drive and faster CPU drives the price up from $1,799 to a whopping $3,098.

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Laptop Magazine have published a review of the Apple MacBook Black (Santa Rosa) Notebook. 'Still just one inch thick and weighing just 4.8 pounds, the eye-catching MacBook Black is as sleek and easy to carry as ever. Popping the lid reveals a 13.3-inch (1280 x 800-pixel resolution) display that offered a smooth blend of colors and wide viewing angles when we watched our Superbad DVD. The Function keys have been retooled to include new dedicated multimedia keys (which we used to navigate chapters), and clearly labeled Dashboard and Expose keys make identifying button functions at a glance simple. The low-profile keyboard remains one of our favorites, as it’s quite conducive to swift touch typing.'

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A review of the upgraded 13-inch Apple MacBook has been posted over at ZDNet. ‘Inside, you'll find Apple's typically minimalist setup, including a power button, a full-size keyboard, a sizable touch pad with a single mouse button, and a built-in iSight camera that sits above the display. If you miss the scroll bar found on almost every Windows laptops, the two-finger scroll option works well (run two fingers down the touch pad, and it scrolls like a mouse wheel). We remain fans of Apple's flat-key keyboard, although Windows users will have to get used to a Delete key that functions like a PC Backspace key, and no standalone equivalent key for what PCs call Delete. Compared with previous MacBooks, the main visual difference is that a few of the alternate functions on the F keys have been juggled around.’

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Computeractive have published their review of the new Apple iMac desktop computer. 'Apple's habit of giving its new products the same names as its old ones makes it hard to identify the new ones, but this is the fourth new design the company has come up with for its flagship computer. This one has a very sleek aluminium body, and it's thinner than the old white plastic version, to boot. Like previous iMacs, this is an all-in-one computer, in that it includes processing unit, DVD writer, webcam, microphone and screen in the main unit. The keyboard is now also made of aluminium, and is very similar to that on the Macbook notebooks. That makes it ergonomically sound as, being flat, it puts the user's wrists close to the desk.'

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Personal Computer World have published a review of the upgraded Apple Mac Mini desktop computer. 'The Mac Mini was originally designed to lure owners of old PCs into switching over to Apple products for the first time, saving money by allowing them to use the monitor and other peripherals that came with their old PC (the Mini is sold on its own, without even a mouse). That's not a bad idea, but the problem from Apple's point of view is that the low-cost Mini could also end up cannibalising sales of the flagship iMac. So the company has always tended to limit the Mini's potential by intentionally giving it a relatively modest specification. That obviously doesn't do much for sales and explains all the rumours about its imminent demise.'

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A review of the new Apple iMac desktop PC has been posted over at Pocket Lint. 'Shiny is probably the best way to describe the new iMac launched earlier this month and in the flesh it doesn't disappoint. But does delving deeper open up a chasm of problems? We get playing to find out. Coming in two sizes; 20-inch and 24-inch you can see that the person in the design department who likes metal has finally got their way. Shaking off the iconic white, the Desktop computer comes in aluminium with a black framing around the glossy glass screen.'

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PC Magazine have published a review of the Apple MacBook Pro 15-inch (LED) laptop. ‘The Apple MacBook Pro 15-inch (LED) embeds a new display technology called LED backlighting, not to mention an array of processing parts that range from a new Intel Core 2 Duo processor to a new graphics core from nVidia. You won't notice much of a visual difference with the LED screen, but the performance enhancements may be enough to make MacBook Pro owners out of some who had been undecided. Upgrading from a current MacBook Pro is probably not worth the expense, but Apple put enough into the MacBook Pro 15-inch (LED) for the line to retain the Editors' Choice for mainstream laptops.’

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CNET have published a review of the Apple MacBook Pro 2007 Edition (Core 2 Duo 2.4GHz, 2GB RAM, 160GB HDD). ‘Apple's recent update of its 13-inch MacBook line was a modest one, with an incremental processor upgrade and updated default components, but the 15- and 17-inch MacBook Pro laptops have gotten a much more radical overhauling, even if they, like the MacBooks, look the same on the outside as previous-generation models. Moving to Intel's latest 2.4GHz mobile Core 2 Duo CPU (part of the new Centrino Duo platform) means the MacBook Pro's performance can stand up to that of the latest Windows Vista laptops, and the new LED-backlit display on the 15-inch model is more power-efficient than traditional LCD displays, resulting in better battery life. While $2,499 is still a lot to spend on a laptop (the entry-level model starts at $1,999; we reviewed the middle child in the MacBook Pro family), the MacBook Pro makes a strong case by keeping its components on the cutting edge, especially because Apple has bumped up the specs without raising the price.’

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Laptop Magazine have published a review of the MacBook Notebook from Apple. 'Sporting the same glossy white finish and one-inch-thick design as its predecessor, the 5.1-pound MacBook revamp also retains Apple's attractive, minimalist aesthetic. Popping the lid reveals a gorgeous 13.3-inch (1280 x 800-pixel resolution) widescreen LCD that displayed robust color when we loaded Finding Nemo into the slot-loading drive. The LCD kicked back some reflections but nothing too detrimental to the viewing experience. The built-in speakers offer adequate sound but lack volume and a strong bottom end (view photo gallery).'

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CNET have reviewed the new MacBook notebook which has been updated to Intel's Core 2 Duo CPU. 'Now that the high-end MacBook Pro has Intel's Core 2 Duo CPU, it's high time the latest processor technology filtered down to Apple's more consumer-friendly MacBook line. There are three MacBook models, one with a 1.83GHz CPU and two with 2.0GHz CPUs. The MacBook starts at a mere $1,099, but our review unit is the most tricked-out of the three, offering the faster CPU and a larger hard drive for a still palatable $1,499.

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CNET has reviewed the sleek 15-inch Apple MacBook Pro notebook which incudes Intel's Core 2 Duo processors. 'The sleek, aluminum MacBook Pro is the same size and shape as its predecessor, and it clearly stands out from the white plastic look of iPods, iMacs, MacBooks, and other more consumer-oriented Apple products. The MacBook Pro feels lighter than the aluminum casing makes it look, but at 5.6 pounds (6.4 pounds with the AC adapter), it's at the upper end of the weight scale for a laptop you'd want to carry around every day. The dimensions remain as slim as the previous model's, at 14 inches wide by 9.5 inches deep by 1 inch thick.

Continue reading "Review: Apple MacBook Pro (15.4-inch 2.33GHz Intel Core 2 Duo) - CNET" »

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A review of the budget priced Mac Mini desktop has been posted over at ZDNet. 'Lost among the news of the emergence of the Intel-based Mac Pro and the iMac getting a boost with new Intel Core 2 Duo CPUs was the Mac Mini receiving a CPU jolt of its own. The low-end $599 model tossed aside its Core Solo processor for a Core Duo, and the $799 Mac Mini now ships with a faster 1.83GHz Core Duo processor. While the slight tick up in clock speed is appreciated, we wish the baseline configuration included 1GB of memory. The other two weak spots for the $799 Mac Mini are its relatively small hard drive and the integrated Intel GMA 950 graphics that borrows resources from the already limited main memory.'

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CNET has reviewed the Core 2 Duo 17-inch iMac desktop PC. 'The 17-inch iMac may seem inadequate next to Apple's new 24-inch behemoth, but Apple's smallest all-in-one desktop still has a lot going for it. Priced at $999, it's the first iMac to break the $1,000 barrier. Along with the 24-inch iMac, it receives a processor from Intel's new mobile Core 2 Duo line. And it features the same great design that we've detailed before. What's missing that you'll find in the $1,199 model--other than a slightly faster CPU--is a SuperDrive, a full 1GB of memory, discrete graphics, and Apple's Remote. Though a few extra gigahertz, double the system memory, and 128MB of video memory would undoubtedly aid performance, the lack of a DVD burner is what we miss the most--and it's not offered as an upgrade option. If your budget does not allow for a comma in the cost of a desktop, the $999 iMac still makes an excellent home PC.'

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The new iMac while not accommodating Blu-Ray or HD-DVD drives nevertheless offers an excellent desktop experience which should satisfy most users. 'The highlight of the 24-inch iMac really is the size of its screen, but the new Core 2 Duo chip is a close second. Twenty-four inches is a noticeably large amount of screen real estate, much more dramatic-looking than even a 21-inch display. Apple also amped the brightness. We looked at the 24-inch model side by side next to a 17-inch Core 2 Duo iMac (with the old brightness level) and the higher-end screen's image gleams. Considering that Apple's and Dell's 30-inch standalone LCDs are now roughly the same price as this 24-inch all-in-one desktop, it feels like the computer functionality is almost secondary. It's not, of course. Apple has included a powerful collection of parts in the update to its iMac line, especially compared to older iMacs.'

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CNET has reviewed the "exceptional" Apple Mac Pro desktop PC. 'Professional designers, digital media hobbyists, and those simply into great design: meet your new lust object. Apple's new Mac Pro ($2,499 for the base model) is a winner on multiple levels. From the outside, it looks great--far more put together than any Windows-based box. Inside, it boasts powerful specs, including two dual-core Intel Xeon processors, for a total of four processing cores. And to top it off, it's a great value. The only thing that's missing, if anything, is a practical reason for a casual user to justify the purchase; there's more computer here than you'll need for day-to-day tasks.

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Gizmodo reports on the new Mac Pro personal computer which was recently introduced by Apple's executives. 'Apple CEO Steve Jobs and Apple's Senior Vice President of Worldwide Product Marketing Phillip Schiller today introduced the Mac Pro, an upgrade to Apple's highest end personal computers, each now using two Intel Xeon processors with speeds of up to 3GHz. Using the same case as its G5 predecessor, the Mac Pro will contain two optical drives and will run Intel Woodcrest processors that are based on Core technology. Also on board will be a 4MB shared L2 cache running Apple's 128-bit vector engine. Because of the increased efficiency and less heat output of these processors, less cooling is necessary, resulting in space for more drives. In fact, now there's room for four hard drives, with enough room for up to 2TB of internal storage.'

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Digital Tech News reports on Apple's special offer to potential buyers involved in areas related to the education system. 'Apple's new $899 17-inch iMac for education computer is designed specifically for education customers, so if you’re a student, teacher, administrator, or staff member, you can get the new iMac $899 hook-up. This Apple iMac features a 1.83 GHz Intel Core Duo processor, a built-in iSight video camera and iLife ‘06. Built for the digital classroom, the new iMac for education will be available immediately, and features a 17-inch widescreen LCD display, and includes a Combo drive for burning CDs and reading DVDs, 512MB of 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM memory expandable up to 2GB and hard drive storage capacity up to 160GB.'

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While there is little difference between the white and black versions of Macbook 13", you would have to pay more for the latter choice. 'Like the MacBook Pros, introduced back in February, the new MacBooks come with Apple's MagSafe quick-release power adapter to prevent fatal cord snags. All three new models also come with a built-in iSight camera and Apple's now ubiquitous Apple Remote and Front Row media management software. It's also worth noting that the new 13.3-inch display is wide screen, making these midrange laptops as movie-friendly as their MacBook Pro counterparts.'

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While the price tag of $2,800 may be a bit out of reach for some folks, there can be no denying the Apple MacBook Pro (17-inch) is an excellent device and one that offers a superb computing experience. ‘Following on the heels of the 15.4-inch MacBook Pro and replacing the 17-inch PowerBook G4, the 17-inch MacBook Pro delivers many of the same beloved features as its little sibling, such as a scrolling track pad, the Sudden Motion Sensor, and an excellent software package, and adds a huge, bright 17-inch display that's great for graphics work. Better yet, our fully loaded test configuration powered through most of CNET Labs' performance tests, exhibiting only a few of the growing pains encountered by other Intel-based Apple laptops and desktops, such as the iMac Core Duo. Of course, such performance doesn't come cheap: the 17-inch MacBook Pro's default configuration costs $2,799 (upgrades on our review unit brought the price up to $3,099). But for graphics professionals and other Mac users who have money to spare, the 17-inch MacBook Pro is a dream.’

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CNET has reviewed the Apple MacBook which comes equipped with Intel's dual ore processors. ' Billed as a replacement to both the iBook and the 12-inch PowerBook, the 13.3-inch MacBook offers a great compromise between size and portability for a reasonable price (the baseline white model costs $1,099). Even better, that low cost gets you a number of features also found on the more expensive MacBook Pro--notably, Core Duo processors, digital audio in/out, and the groovy MagSafe power adapter. Its performance doesn't match that of the MacBook Pro, which is outfitted with discrete graphics and more memory, but the MacBook's combination of design, features, and software significantly narrows the value gap between Apple laptops and the PC competition.'

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PC World reports on the launch on the new MacBook from Apple. 'Apple today announced immediate availability of its consumer Intel-based laptop, well in time for the back-to-school shopping season. Called the MacBook, this model equipped with a 13.3-inch wide screen and running on a Core Duo processor replaces the 12-inch G4 PowerBook and all iBooks. The notebook also complements Apple's recently released MacBook Pro laptops, which reportedly have experienced overheating and other technical problems. (Some Mac enthusiast sites are posting links to software that monitors the temperature of MacBook Pros.)'

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The twenty four standard colors of the MacBook Pro notebooks from Colorware definitely add a tinge of variety to the already pleasing designs of Apple's computing devices. Of course the "fire red" version is not for the faint hearted as you are bound to be forever fending off wise cracks on such a conspicuous feature. The pretty notebooks from ColorWare are priced from $2,649 and the configurations are similar to that of the MacBook Pro. ' The MacBook is powered by a dual-core Intel engine up to four times the speed of the PowerBook G4. The notebook has eight times the graphics bandwidth with built-in iSight for instant video conferencing on the move. The MacBook Pro comes with iLife '06, a suite of easy-to-use applications that make it easy for anyone to make postcards, calendars, DVDs, websites and podcasts.'

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Apple Computer Inc. on Monday said a new 17-inch version of its MacBook Pro laptop computer would begin shipping to stores next week. The MacBook Pro, first introduced in January with a 15-inch display, replaces Apple's PowerBook line of laptops and uses Intel Corp.'s (INTC.O) Core Duo computer chip for a processing speed three to four times faster than the PowerBook. 'The 17-inch MacBook Pro weighs 6.8 pounds and is expected to carry a retail price of $2,799, according to Apple. Its features will be similar to those found in the 15-inch MacBook Pro, such as a built-in iSight video camera for mobile video conferencing and iChat AV for recording a video podcast or iMovie. Apple notes that its 17-inch MacBook Pro will feature a 2.16- gigahertz Intel Duo processor, allowing it to run up to five times faster than its PowerBook G4. The notebook will also offer 1 gigabyte of the speedier memory, 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM, which can be expanded up to 2GB. '

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A new chapter opens up with the advent of an Apple notebook with "Intel inside". ' Apple's first new laptop since the company switched to Intel processors, the 15.4-inch MacBook Pro features a Centrino Core Duo processor and, in doing so, ushers in a new era of Apple computing. Replacing the 15-inch PowerBook in the company's lineup, the MacBook Pro delivers many familiar, beloved features (a scrolling track pad, the Sudden Motion Sensor, an excellent software package), along with a few new ones.'

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Cisco Cheng from PC Mag reviews the Apple PowerBook 17-inch and opines favorably on the device's specs. 'There's always been much to like about the Apple PowerBook 17-inch ($2,499 direct), and the latest version is no different. In fact, it's even better. The entire PowerBook line (including the 12- and 15-inch models) has gotten a boost, with brighter displays, lighter weights, and improved features. And perhaps the best part: Prices have dropped.'

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ZDNET blogger, George Ou, compares the specifications of the Dell Inspiron E1705 with the Mac 1.83 GHz Core Duo from Apple and comes down firmly on the side of the cheaper offering. 'Apple lovers will always feel that the extra money is well spent and they will always believe they have the superior product. PC shoppers with more realistic budgets will always prefer the cheaper product (with mostly superior specifications) that can run all of their existing software. The difference is that the latter will always outnumber the former by more than 10 to 1.'

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