First some major headlines curtesy of MacRumors, and Engadget:
iPad mini
As rumored, Apple announced the new iPad mini at today's media event. The device features a 7.9-inch display with a resolution of 1024x768 pixels, measures just 7.2 millimeters thin and weighs 0.68 pounds.
Internally, the iPad Mini has a dual-core A5 processor, a Facetime HD camera on the front and a 5-megapixel camera on the rear, 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi connectivity, and 4G LTE cellular connectivity in some models. Despite its smaller size, the iPad mini still offers up to 10 hours of battery life.
The iPad mini starts at $329 for the 16 GB Wi-Fi model, with the 32 GB Wi-Fi model priced at $429 and the 64 GB Wi-Fi model coming in at $529. The models with cellular capability cost an additional $130. All models are available in the same black/slate and white/silver color schemes seen on the iPhone 5.
Pre-orders for the iPad mini will start on Friday, October 26 with the Wi-Fi models shipping on November 2 and the cellular models starting to ship two weeks later.
Apple has also introduced new polyurethane iPad mini Smart Covers in six different colors, priced at $39 each. Apple also now has a full suite of Lightning adapters to support USB camera connections, SD cards and VGA or HDMI connectivity.
Internally, the iPad Mini has a dual-core A5 processor, a Facetime HD camera on the front and a 5-megapixel camera on the rear, 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi connectivity, and 4G LTE cellular connectivity in some models. Despite its smaller size, the iPad mini still offers up to 10 hours of battery life.
“iPad mini is every inch an iPad. With its gorgeous 7.9-inch display, iPad mini features the same number of pixels as the original iPad and iPad 2, so you can run more than 275,000 apps designed specifically for iPad,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. “iPad mini is as thin as a pencil and as light as a pad of paper, yet packs a fast A5 chip, FaceTime HD and 5 megapixel iSight cameras and ultrafast wireless―all while delivering up to 10 hours of battery life.”
With the same resolution as the iPad 2, all existing iPad apps that work on the older iPad 2 will work on the iPad mini without any need for developers to make modifications to their existing apps. The iPad mini starts at $329 for the 16 GB Wi-Fi model, with the 32 GB Wi-Fi model priced at $429 and the 64 GB Wi-Fi model coming in at $529. The models with cellular capability cost an additional $130. All models are available in the same black/slate and white/silver color schemes seen on the iPhone 5.
Pre-orders for the iPad mini will start on Friday, October 26 with the Wi-Fi models shipping on November 2 and the cellular models starting to ship two weeks later.
Apple has also introduced new polyurethane iPad mini Smart Covers in six different colors, priced at $39 each. Apple also now has a full suite of Lightning adapters to support USB camera connections, SD cards and VGA or HDMI connectivity.
New 8th Generation iMacs
Apple today updated its iMac lineup, dramatically reducing the thickness of the desktop machines and adding a brand new Fusion Drive that combines flash storage and a traditional disk-based hard drive to maximize both speed and capacity.
The iMac will come with both 21.5-inch and 27-inch displays, and includes a new fully laminated design to improve optical quality and a new anti-reflective coating.
The 27-inch iMac starts with a 2.9 GHz quad-core Intel Core i5, 8 GB of RAM, and a 1 TB hard drive starting at $1,799 and shipping in December.
The iMac will come with both 21.5-inch and 27-inch displays, and includes a new fully laminated design to improve optical quality and a new anti-reflective coating.
Redesigned from the inside out, the new iMac packs high-performance technology into an aluminum and glass enclosure with up to 40 percent less volume than its predecessor and an edge that measures just 5 mm thin. Built with an unprecedented level of fit and finish, the new iMac delivers an amazing desktop experience in a gorgeous design. The new iMac also features a completely reengineered display that reduces reflection by 75 percent while maintaining brilliant color and contrast. In the new design, the cover glass is fully laminated to the LCD and an anti-reflective coating is applied using a high-precision plasma deposition process. Every iMac display is individually color calibrated using an advanced spectroradiometer.
The 21.5-inch iMac starts at $1,299 in the US, and includes a with a 2.7 GHz quad-core Intel Core i5 processor, 8 GB of RAM, and a 1 TB hard drive. The 21.5" model should begin shipping in November. The 27-inch iMac starts with a 2.9 GHz quad-core Intel Core i5, 8 GB of RAM, and a 1 TB hard drive starting at $1,799 and shipping in December.
4th Generation iPad
Apple today announced an update to its full-size iPad, upgrading its processor with a faster A6X chip and implementing the new Lightning connector that debuted with the iPhone 5. The new processor delivers up to two times the CPU and graphics performance of the prior chip, while maintaining 10 hours of battery life and the same design as the prior iPad.
The new iPad now supports many new international LTE carriers, as well.
The fourth-generation iPad comes in black and white with the same pricing and storage configurations as the third-generation iPad models, starting at $499 for the 16 GB Wi-Fi models and $629 for the 16 GB cellular models.
Pre-orders for the new iPad begin on Friday, October 26 through the Apple Online Store in the US, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK.
The Wi-Fi configurations will begin shipping November 2, with the LTE configurations following two weeks later in the US, and then following in other countries.
The new iPad now supports many new international LTE carriers, as well.
The fourth-generation iPad comes in black and white with the same pricing and storage configurations as the third-generation iPad models, starting at $499 for the 16 GB Wi-Fi models and $629 for the 16 GB cellular models.
Pre-orders for the new iPad begin on Friday, October 26 through the Apple Online Store in the US, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK.
The Wi-Fi configurations will begin shipping November 2, with the LTE configurations following two weeks later in the US, and then following in other countries.
13" Retina Display MacBook Pro
Apple has released a new 13" MacBook Pro with Retina Display, an upgrade to Apple's most popular notebook. The new Retina model, like it's 15" brethren, strips out the optical drive to limit thickness and weight, while adding a new 2,560 x 1,600 pixel display. The new MacBook Pro is 20% thinner than its full-size brother and weighs 3.57 pounds.
The full-size MacBook Pro with optical drive remains available.
The new MacBook Pro packs more than 4 million pixels into its 13-inch Retina display, nearly twice the number of pixels in an HD television. At 227 pixels per inch, the Retina display’s pixel density is so high the human eye is unable to distinguish individual pixels at a normal viewing distance, so images look sharp and text looks like it does on the printed page. With four times the pixels of the current 13-inch MacBook Pro, you can view and edit video in pixel-accurate 1080p and see a new level of detail in high resolution images. The 13-inch Retina display uses IPS technology for a 178-degree wide viewing angle, and has 75 percent less reflection and 28 percent higher contrast than the current generation.
Internally, the updated MacBook Pro will offer flash storage, Intel dual-core Ivy Bridge processors, and Intel HD Graphics 4000. It can be configured with up to 768 GB of flash storage. The 13-inch retina display MacBook Pro will start at $1,699 with a 128 GB flash drive and 8 GB of RAM. It begins shipping today.The full-size MacBook Pro with optical drive remains available.
New Mac Mini
Apple updated its Mac mini line of desktop computers at its media event today.
The updated Mac mini models have new processors, including quad-core chips on the high end, as well as new build-to-order RAM options of up to 16 GB. Pricing remains the same as the prior generation Mac Mini models, starting at $599. There are two standard configuration and a server configuration:
The Mac mini was last updated in July of 2011, marking some 460 days since the last update and the new models are available starting today.
The updated Mac mini models have new processors, including quad-core chips on the high end, as well as new build-to-order RAM options of up to 16 GB. Pricing remains the same as the prior generation Mac Mini models, starting at $599. There are two standard configuration and a server configuration:
- $599, 2.5 GHz Dual-Core Intel Core i5, 4GB RAM, 500GB HD
- $799, 2.3 GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i5, 4GB RAM, 1TB HD
- $999, 2.3 GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i5, 4GB RAM, 2TB HD, Includes Mountain Lion Server
High-end Mac mini models can now also be configured with Apple's new Fusion Drive technology, which seamlessly integrates a traditional 1 TB hard drive with 128 GB of fast flash storage for both speed and capacity. System files and frequently used apps and data are automatically placed in flash storage to optimize speed, while other data is housed on the slower traditional hard drive. - $799, 2.3 GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i5, 4GB RAM, 1TB HD
- $999, 2.3 GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i5, 4GB RAM, 2TB HD, Includes Mountain Lion Server
The Mac mini was last updated in July of 2011, marking some 460 days since the last update and the new models are available starting today.
Apple introduces new Smart Cover for iPad mini
Not a huge surprise here, but Apple has also introduced a new polyurethane Smart Cover for the iPad mini. While mostly identical in appearance to its larger counterpart, this smaller version does do away with the metal hinge in favor of a new design that Apple's Jony Ive says essentially wraps the device in a single piece of material. The cover also expectedly comes in a variety colors -- six, to be specific, including a (Product) RED model, each of which will set you back $39.
My personal thoughts? Here they are...
iPad Mini and 4th Generation iPad
First things first, I'm going to start off by saying that I'm loving the new iPad mini, and am reacting to it in a way different way than I originally thought. Back when the the 3rd Generation iPad, came out in March of this year, I would've laughed at any suggestion of an iPad mini, simply because I thought that the screen size was great and I liked it. I'd also have laughed at the thought of Apple, whose Late Steve Jobs said anything smaller than 10" just isn't a tablet, would even consider producing one. Needless to say, though, I am majorly impressed by what they've done and can hardly wait to get my hands on one to give you my in-person thoughts and impressions. From a distance, though, and considering I already have the 3rd Generation iPad, I'm really liking, and heavily debating whether I should get an iPad mini as an addition, or a replacement. I'm impressed at the design, and fact that they have actually made a sub-ten inch tablet that I am considering purchasing. I can safely say, I thought it'd never work. So here's my dilemma: I've got a Jailbroken iPad 64GB LTE AT&T model, which suits my needs very well. If I replace it, I'll loose some very important things, like the nice Retina Display, LifeProof Nüüd Case compatibility, and most importantly, the Jailbreak, as it's running iOS 6, and that doesn't have a jailbreak yet. I'm seeing this more as an addition to the family, and think that's what's going to happen eventually, but I just can't justify spending $659 for the iPad mini that I'm most certainly getting, just because it's really cool, and I can pocket it more easily/is more portable. I also just considered the new 4th Generation iPad, but then I've got a whole new dilemma. Even though it'll fit the same LifeProof case, and Smart Cover I know and love, and I'm going to enjoy the higher quality front facing FaceTime HD camera, faster CPU, and way better quad-core A6 graphics, it's still going to loose my jailbreak, which I rely upon heavily. Because it has the A6X chip, it's going to be harder to jailbreak, and I can guarantee that anything the developers on the developer dream team can come up with, is going to be heavily delayed by this new architecture. I can safely say, though, that as soon as a Jailbreak is released, I'm going to seriously consider both replacing my 3rd Generation iPad with the 4th Generation iPad, and adding the iPad mini to the family also. I'm sure my mother would love to use either of them...
New 8th Generation iMacs
Now this one I'm really excited about. I've always admired the iMac lineup ever since my long-time childhood friend showed me his first eMac. I might've had a laptop, but his eMac stunned me at how it could fit all of that into that one box. Obviously, now everything has gotten way more technical, and everybody is going more towards Laptops (I already have), but there's still just nothing like having a huge-screened elegant and sexy powerhouse sitting on your office desk waiting for you to pump out some high quality work. Ever since they announced a 16:9 2560x1440 display in the 27" iMac, I've always thought that if I get one of those with my MacBook Pro, then the whole family will be complete. It's just something about having a huge screen, well designed all-in-one with no wires running around that has a huge professional appeal. For me personally, though, my BTO MacBook Pro Retina (Apple MacBook Pro 2.3GHz Intel Core i7 Notebook Computer - Z0MK0000Q) is going to satisfy my professional needs for a long time to come, without me having the need to get an iMac. I must say, though, I do really want one...
13" MacBook Pro with Retina Display
Disappointment, disappointment... I must say I was looking forward to a 13" version of my MacBook Pro, but I was expecting a dedicated graphics system, and quad core processing as a minimum. I'm surprised, disappointed, and excited at the same time. It makes a great size factor, but then I'm automatically removed from the list of wanting it just because it won't do what I need like my 15" baby. I admit, I've grown rather attached to my 15" Retina Display, it's done more than I could ever want from a professional notebook powerhouse, and more; so when you put a smaller counterpart, like a 13" version, you'd expect nothing less than the same performance, right? Apparently not. So, I guess you just can't bend the space-time continuum to get all that stuff into a 13" Notebook, but they've done a good job of getting some good specs in there non-the-less. I'd have to say, though, that it now fits my Mother's requirements of a laptop, but she might still choose my bigger 15" screen size. Size does matter, and for portability the new 13" wins it. It's a great replacement to the previous generation 13" MacBook Pro, but still has some things to be desired. It's amazing to have a 13" Retina Display and all, but it's going to need way more graphics power than an integrated intel HD 4000 chip, and a dual-core processor to run intense tasks designed for a quad-core, NVidia beast to handle. I'd say the new 13" Retina Display MacBook Pro is still a great option, but it's fitting more between a MacBook Air and a MacBook Pro for the specs, so it'll fit a student perfectly, I'd say. Somebody who needs great portability, with pro ports, and a great display, but not the intense power a pro desires; somebody like a student or business person would use it to a great advantage. That is, unless, you're already using a 13" MacBook Air...
Wrapping it all up...
Well, those are my thoughts around the new Apple Media announcement at the California Theatre. Some really amazing stuff, and a couple of "meh" upgrades; but most definitely a packed year for Apple for sure.
I'm really looking forward to the Jailbreaks to be released, but also loving the new devices Apple has just released. I can't, I repeat, can't wait to get my hands on them, but till then, have a great day!
Loving the iPhone 5 by the way...
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