Mac Pro Review 2009
The Apple Mac Pro desktop is the absolute daddy of the Apple family. If the Mac Mini is the mini mouse, this is the Ogre that lives in the forest and eats other computers for fun! As a proud owner of one of these machines myself, I can safely say that if design or music is your field, you absolutely must have one of these. My programme of choice is Logic 8, which is tailor made for the Mac Pro’s processor, and having tried it on other systems, this is the only choice for me.
This machine is literally heavy (weighing in at just under 19Kg), so don’t expect to be wandering from room to room with this monster. The stunning brushed aluminium frame will stand up design wise against any other desktop on the market, but it’s what’s inside that really counts. The Mac Pro comes in two super charged specifications and feature :
Quad Core Apple Mac Pro
- 2.66GHz Quad Core Intel Xeon Processor
- Quickpath Interconnect
- 3GB (upgradable to 8GB)
- 640GB Hard Drive
- 18x SuperDrive
- Nvidia GeForce GT 120 with 512Mb Memory
- 4 Firewire 800 ports
- 2 USB 2.0 Ports
- 2 PCI Expansion Slots
8-Core Apple Mac Pro
- Two 2.26GHz Quad Core Intel Xeon Processor
- Quickpath Interconnect
- 6GB (upgradable to 32GB!)
- 1TB Hard Drive
- 18x SuperDrive
- Nvidia GeForce GT 120 with 512Mb Memory
- 4 Firewire 800 ports
- 5 USB 2.0 Ports
- 2 USB 2.0 Ports on the Keyboard
- 3 PCI Expansion Slots
These monster machines are designed for top end graphics and music construction and can handle pretty much any workload. As an owner myself I can be constructing a musical masterpiece(?) with 20 different keyboards open whilst burning CDs, surfing the web and recording audio, all at the same time!
As with all new Apple products, the Mac Pro is far more energy efficient than it’s predecessor, with PVC free internal cables and a highly recyclable aluminium enclosure. The Mac Pro is also fitted with a Mac OS X v10.5 Leopard operating system wich features iTunes, Time Machine, Quick Look, Spotlight, Mail, iChat, Safari, QuickTime, iCal, DVD Player, Photo Booth and Front Row, alongside the superb iLife package which features iPhoto, iMovie, GarageBand, iWeb, and iDVD.
This computer really is the one of the most powerful machines available on the market, though with a price tag to match. If you’re ultra serious about your craft, this is the machine for you.
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Apple MacBook Pro Review 2009
The Apple MacBook Pro laptop is definitely in the top tier of the laptop world, where power and precision meet in a luxurious package. The machine itself is carved from a single block of aluminum, offering an ultra slim and light carrying experience. Weighing in at under 3kg and only 3cm in height, the Macbook Pro is the ultimate portable computer for the professional on the move.
The Pro also features the an illuminated keyboard and a multi touch trackpad system, offering a plethora of gestures and functionality. The MacBook Pro is available in both 15inch and 17inch screen sizes :
15inch Specification 2 features :
- Up to 2.66GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Processor
- Up to 320GB Hard Drive
- Up to 4GB (maximum)
17inch Specification features :
- 2.66Hz Intel Core 2 Duo Processor
- 320GB Hard Drive
- 4GB (expandable to 8GB)
Whilst all systems feature :
- 1066MHz System Bus
- Nvidia GeForce 9600M GT 120 Graphics Card with 512MB Memory
- 8x Super Drive
- 1 Express Card 3/4
- 1 Firewire 800 Port
- MagSafe power port
- Gigabit Ethernet port
- 2 USB Ports
- Airport Extreme
- Bluetooth
- Mini Display Port
As with all the latest Apple computers, the Macbook Pro comes fitted with Mac OS X v10.5 Leopard operating system, alongside the superb iLife package which features iPhoto, iMovie, GarageBand, iWeb, and iDVD. This top of the range, super powered laptop is for people who demand professional quality computing whilst on the move.
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Apple MacBook Review 2009
The Apple MacBook laptop is the funky younger brother of the Pro, with a more accessible price, but plenty of high end features to keep even the most ‘techy’ of customers happy. The Macbook is available in white and aluminium, with the white model featuring a durable polycarbonate shell and magnetic latch. Weighing in at just over 2Kg and under 3cm till, this laptop is a truly portable machine which slips into a briefcase or backpack with ease.
The Macbooks features a 13inch glossy widescreen display with a pixel-perfect 1280×800 resolution, and also features a scrolling trackpad which allows two fingers to click the button for easy right-click functionality. The MacBook is available in 3 13inch configurations, with 1 specification in white and 2 in aluminium. These feature -
White 13inch Specification features :
- 2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Processor
- 160GB Hard Drive
- 2GB (expandable to 4GB)
Aluminium 13inch Specification 1 features :
- 2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Processor
- 160GB Hard Drive
- 2GB (expandable to 4GB)
Aluminium 13inch Specification 2 features :
- 2.4Hz Intel Core 2 Duo Processor
- 250GB Hard Drive
- 2GB (expandable to 4GB)
Whilst all 3 systems feature :
- 1066MHz System Bus
- Nvidia GeForce 9400M GT 120 Graphics Card
- 8x Super Drive
- Gigabit Ethernet port
- 2 USB Ports
- Airport Extreme
- Bluetooth 2.1
- iSight Camera
- Mini Display Port
Fitted as standard, the Macbook comes fitted with the fantastic Mac OS X v10.5 Leopard operating system, alongside the superb iLife package which features iPhoto, iMovie, GarageBand, iWeb, and iDVD. Plus with Apples environmentally friendly stance, the Macbook features 43% less packaging, PVC free internal cables and polycarbonate enclosure is completely recyclable. A fantastic first port of call when entering into the wonderful world of Apple Mac computers.
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Apple MacBook Air Review 2009
The Apple MacBook Air laptop is the thinnest, lightest laptop available on the market today. Weighing in at a measly 1.36kg and just under 2cm high when closed, this is the ultimate portable computer for the professional on the move. Due to the size, one downfall is the lack of an optical drive, but this is countered by the fact the Macbook Air can “borrow” another computers drive to burn CD’s.
The Macbook Air features a 13.3inch LED glossy widescreen backlit display and also encompasses the latest trackpad technology with Multi-Touch gesture with pinch, rotate, swipe and drag capabilities. The MacBook Air is available in 2 different 13.3inch aluminium configurations which feature -
Specification 1 features :
- 1.6GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Processor
- 120GB Hard Drive
Specification 2 features :
- 1.86GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Processor
- 128GB Solid State Hard Drive
Whilst both systems feature :
- 1066MHz System Bus
- 2GB RAM
- Nvidia GeForce 9400M GT 120 Graphics Card
- 8x Super Drive
- 1 USB Ports
- Airport Extreme
- Bluetooth 2.1
- iSight Camera
- Mini Display Port
The Macbook Air comes fitted with the Mac OS X v10.5 Leopard operating system fitted as standard, alongside the superb iLife, the perfect package to help you store and edit photos and make music with Garage Band. The Air also features arsenic free glass, 40% less packaging and a mercury free display, which has helped Apple meet Energy Star requirements and also gain an EPEAT (Electronic Product Environmental Assessment) Gold Rating.
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Mac Mini Review 2009
The Apple Mac Mini computer is the baby of the Apple family, but don’t let the size put you off – good things really do come in small packages. This is Apple’s most affordable desktop and is perfect for users with limited office space. The machine itself is a little over 5cm tall and weighs in a just over 1.3kg, but it’s a mighty mouse with a big roar!
The Mac Mini may be small, but Apple has certainly crammed plenty inside to enable users the functionality of a regular sized desktop. The Mini comes in two different specifications, with both featuring super fast Intel Core Duo technology whilst also using 45% less power than the previous incarnation.
Prices start at just $1,049, and features :
- Up to 2GB RAM (expandable to 4GB)
- Up to 320GB Hard Drive
- Intel Core Duo 2.0Ghz Processor
- Nvidia GeForce 9400M Graphics Card
- 8x Super Drive
- Bluetooth
- Ethernet Port
- 1 Firewire Port
- 5 USB Ports
- Mini Display Port
Mac minis come fitted with the Mac OS X v10.5 Leopard operating system, plus the groundbreaking iLife package which features iPhoto, iMovie, GarageBand, iWeb, and iDVD. The Mac Mini is also designed to be environmentally friendly, with PVC free internal cables and highly recyclable aluminum and polycarbonate enclosure. The only major downside to the Mac Mini is that you have to provide your own keyboard, mouse and monitor.
To put it simply, purchasing a Mac Mini allows you to dip your toe into the wonderful world of Apple without having to make a huge financial commitment. Some people may not like the Mac experience, but to me it’s like the first time I ever tried snowboarding – I haven’t touched a pair of ski’s since!
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Apple iMac Review 2009
The Apple iMac computer is the original all in one machine, whose design over the years may have changed but still to this day is as aesthetically pleasing as on the day of it’s conception. The iMac is the true benchmark of how computers, and Apple in particular, have changed. But not just in a functionality point of view, but also as a true object of desire.
The iMac’s superb glossy screen really is the cherry on the cake to what is an all round excellent machine. With everything built into the thin, anodized aluminium frame, it also takes up very little room. The iMac is available in both 20inch and 24inch screen sizes, with 3 specifications for the 24inch model. These feature -
20inch Specification features :
- 2.66GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Processor
- 320GB Hard Drive
24inch Specification 1 features :
- up to 3.06Hz Intel Core 2 Duo Processor
- up to 1TBGB Hard Drive
Whilst all 4 systems feature :
- 1066MHz System Bus
- 4GB RAM (upgradable to 8GB)
- Nvidia GeForce GT 120 Graphics Card with 256MB Memory
- 8x Super Drive
- Gigabit Ethernet Port
- 1 Firewire 800 Port
- 4 USB Ports
- Airport Extreme
- Bluetooth
- Mini Display Port
Every iMac specification come with a Mac OS X v10.5 Leopard operating system, alongside the superb iLife package which features iPhoto, iMovie, GarageBand, iWeb, and iDVD. Like the Mac Mini, the iMac is energy efficient and has been designed with the environment in mind, featuring Arsenic free display glass and recyclable aluminium and glass enclosures. Plus with no extras parts required, this machine really is a sleek, straight from the box plug and play computer.
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