Tag Archives: notebook

Apple boosts MacBook Air with faster CPUs and Thunderbolt port

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Coinciding with the Mac OS X 10.7 Lion release, Apple has updated its like of MacBook Air ultra-thin notebooks.

Ranging in base price from, $999.00 for a 1.6 GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 CPU, 2 Gb RAM, 64 Gb solid state drive, and 11-inch display to $1699.00* for a 1.8GHz Dual-Core Intel Core i7 CPU with 4Gb RAM, 256 GB  solid state drive, and 13-inch display, the faster line also adds the new Thunderbolt high-speed port as well as a backlit keyboard.

Apple MacBook Air

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In addition to the Thunderbolt port, the new line also includes a built-in FaceTime camera, stereo speakers, two USB 2.0 ports, an SD card slot, plus headphone and mic jacks. 802.11n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0 wireless technology is also included. Battery life is rated at five hours on a single charge for the 11-inch models, seven hours on the 13-inch display units.

All models are available immediately .. shipped with the new Apple Mac OS X 10.7 Lion operating system.

With the release of the new line of MacBook Air notebooks, Apple has removed the original white MacBook from its product line.

Apple Updates MacBook Pros: Faster CPUs and Thunderbolt

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Apple MacBook Pro Line - February 2011Apple has updated its MacBook Pro notebook computer line with faster “Sandy Bridge” CPUs and Intel’s new Light Peak high-speed dual-purpose connector which Apple is calling Thunderbolt.

15 and 17-inch display models feature quad-core i7 processors – 2.0 or 2.2 GHz on the 15-inch units with the larger display model available with either a 2.2 or 2.3 quad-core GHz CPU. 13-inch units are shipped with either 2.3 dual-core i5 or 2.7 dual-core i7 chips.

The major addition of the Thunderbolt port adds the ability to daisy chain up to six high-speed drives and/or disk arrays as well as external displays. The single port takes the place of the Mini DisplayPort and serves both DisplayPort and PCI Express needs with dual-channel 10 Gb/sec throughput. This compares to 480 Mb/sec of USB 2.0 and 800 Mb/sec of Firewire 800 connections.

Like the external display connector it replaces, the Thunderbolt port also allows for the following hookups to larger monitors:

  • Native Mini DisplayPort output
  • DVI output using Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter
  • VGA output using Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adapter
  • Dual-link DVI output using Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI Adapter supports 30-inch Apple Cinema HD Display
  • HDMI audio and video output using a third-party Mini DisplayPort to HDMI Adapter

Adapters sold separately.

All new MacBook Pros also include a gigabit ethernet port, a Firewire 800 port, three USB 2.0 ports (two on 13-inch models) as well as 802.11n wifi and 802.11a/b/g Bluetooth wireless connectivity. 13-inch models include an SDXC card slot and a single audio in/out port while the larger display units feature the ExpressCard/34 slot and separate audio in and out ports.

4 Gb of RAM (upgradable to 8 Gb) comes on all models as does the internal CD/DVD SuperDrive. Hard drive options include 500 or 700 Gb 5200 rpm SATA drives, a 500 Gb 7200 rpm SATA drive (not available on 13-inch models), or a choice of 128/256/512 solid state drives.

The entire line of new MacBook Pros are shipping immediately in standard configuration prices ranging from $1199.00 (2.3 GHz dual-core i5, 13-inch) to $2499.00 (2.2 GHz quad-core i7, 17-inch – add $250 for the 2.3 quad-core i7) with a number of build-to-order options available.

New 17-inch MacBook Pro – unibody, unibattery

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The Apple 17-inch MacBook Pro notebook computerToday, Apple announced an updated version of its 17-inch MacBook Pro notebook computer. The new model uses the unibody construction of the recently shipped MacBook and 15-inch MacBook Pro notebooks.

A major change is that this notebook incorporates a non-removable battery – rated at 8 hours (integrated graphics), 7 hours (discrete), and it’s rated at 1000 recharges – approximately five years, according to Apple. Replacement batteries will be handled with an exchange program ($179.00), similar to the iPod. It is scheduled to ship in 3-4 weeks with a list price of $2799.00. Basic specs are:

  • 2.66 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo / 6MB L2 cache
  • 4 Gb 1066 MHz DDR3 memory (expandable to 8 Gb)
  • 1920 x 1200 (2.3 million pixels) LED-backlit display – (glossy)
  • Dual Nvidia GeForce 9400M/Nvidia GeForce 9600M GT graphics processors
  • 320 Gb hard drive (5400 rpm)
  • Slot-loading SuperDrive

Build to order options include a 2.93 GHz processor, matte/anti-glare display, 7200 rpm 320 Gb hard drive, as well as either a 128 Gb or 256 Gb solid state hard drive.

The Apple 17-inch MacBook Pro notebook computer also features Apple’s Multi-Touch trackpad, a built-in iSight video camera for video conferencing; Apple’s MagSafe Power Adapter; 802.11n wireless networking; built-in 10/100/1000 BASE-T Gigabit Ethernet; Bluetooth; three USB 2.0 ports; one Firewire 800 port, built-in SuperDrive, and a DVI video output to connect up to a 30-inch Apple Cinema HD Display. NOTE: no Firewire 400 port.

Apple overhauls MacBook line

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Apple unveiled an all new line of consumer-level Intel MacBook laptop computers featuring its new “unibody” aluminum construction. Machined from a solid piece of aluminum, the new MacBook line is thinner (0.95-inch) and lighter (4.5 pounds).

Powered by 2.0GHz or 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processors now include 2 Gb RAM and can be expanded to 4 Gb. The 2.0 GHz model comes standard with a 160 Gb hard drive. A 250 Gb hard drive is included with the 2.4 GHz model.

The new MacBooks also feature built-in iSight video camera; Apple’s MagSafe Power Adapter; 802.11n wireless networking; built-in 10/100/1000 BASE-T Gigabit Ethernet; Bluetooth; two USB 2.0 ports; and a built-in SuperDrive. Note: a Firewire port is no longer included.

The new MacBooks are available immediately.

2.0GHz MacBook
($1299.00)		 2.4GHz MacBook
($1599.00)
Enclosure Precision aluminum unibody
Processor 2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
L2 cache 3MB shared
System bus 1066MHz
Memory 2GB (two 1GB SO-DIMMs) of 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM (PC3-8500); supports up to 4GB
Hard drive 160GB Serial ATA; 5400 rpm 250GB Serial ATA; 5400 rpm
Slot-loading optical drive 8x SuperDrive (DVD?R DL/DVD?RW/CD-RW)
Graphics NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics processor with 256MB of DDR3 SDRAM shared with main memory
Video Built-in iSight camera; Mini DisplayPort output port with support for DVI, VGA, and dual-link DVI (requires adapters, sold separately)
Display 13.3-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit glossy widescreen display, 1280-by-800 resolution
USB Two USB 2.0 ports (up to 480 Mbps)
Audio Built-in stereo speakers, built-in omnidirectional microphone, combined optical digital input/analog line in, combined optical digital output/analog line out
Networking Built-in 10/100/1000BASE-T (Gigabit) Ethernet
Wireless Built-in AirPort Extreme Wi-Fi (based on IEEE 802.11n draft specification); built-in Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR (Enhanced Data Rate) module
Hardware accessories 60W MagSafe Power Adapter, AC wall plug, power cord, lithium-polymer battery
Warranty 90 days of free telephone support and a one-year limited warranty.

Apple boosts MacBook Air

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MacBook Air - thinnest laptop everApple today announced its new MacBook Air line to begin shipping in November. The wireless notbooks now include new NVIDIA GeForce 9400M integrated graphics and a faster architecture to provide robust support for 3D games and enhanced performance.

Starting at $1799.00, the new 1.6 GHz Core 2 Duo MacBook Air now comes with a 120 Gb 4200 rpm hard drive, a 50 percent increase from the previous generation, or a new 128GB solid state drive.

For $2499.00, you get a 1.86 GHz Core 2 Duo processor and the 128 Gb solid state drive.

The solid state drive is a Flash memory storage device with no moving parts, providing faster, more reliable access.

Apple’s MacBook Air is world’s thinnest notebook computer. Measuring just 0.16 inches at its thinnest point with a maximum height of 0.76-inches (smaller than the thinnest point on competing notebooks), the MacBook Air has a 13.3-inch LED-backlit widescreen display, a full-size backlit keyboard, built-in iSight video camera, and a full-size trackpad with multi-touch gesture support (pinch, rotate and swipe).

There is no integrated optical drive inside the MacBook Air, however a companion MacBook Air SuperDrive is available for $99. The MacBook Air SuperDrive is a compact external slot-loading 8x SuperDrive drive designed for specifically for the MacBook Air. It is powered directly by MacBook Air’s USB 2.0 port, eliminating the need to carry a separate power supply.

MacBook Air delivers up to five hours of battery life for wireless productivity and includes AirPort Extreme 802.11n Wi-Fi networking, and Bluetooth 2.1.

Note: this is designed as a completely wireless device, hence no built-in Ethernet port. A USB Ethernet adapter is available for $29.00.