World of Apple

Apple today released Firmware updates for all the current Intel Macs, the update provides EFI with BIOS support, allowing Intel Macs to boot Windows XP or even Linux.

Apple today boosted the specs on its 30-inch Cinema Display. The displays brightness was originally 270 cd/m2 and has now been upgraded to 400 cd/m2. The contrast ratio has also been increased from 400:1 to 700:1.

We are unable to confirm whether it is a new display panel or whether Apple have simply updated the spec sheet.

Apple has released a new Battery Update for the 15″ Aluminium PowerBook.

This battery firmware update is required for PowerBook G4 (15-inch Double-Layer SD) computers. You will find instructions below on how to determine if your PowerBook requires this update. This firmware update is required to keep your battery life up to specification, may recover battery life in some batteries that have developed short run times, and in some cases can recover batteries that are not recognized by the system.

As widely expected Apple today announced the new Mac mini featuring an Intel Core Duo and great Media Centre features using FrontRow.

Here’s the specs:
The new 1.5 GHz Mac mini, for a suggested retail price of $599 (US), includes:

• 1.5 GHz Intel Core Solo processor;
• 512MB of 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM, expandable up to 2GB;
• a slot-load Combo (DVD-ROM/CD-RW) drive;
• 60GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 5400 rpm;
• Intel GMA950 graphics processor;
• built-in AirPort Extreme wireless networking &
• Bluetooth 2.0+EDR;
• Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000 BASE-T);
• four USB 2.0 ports;
• one audio line in and one audio line out port, each supporting both optical digital and analog;
• DVI-out port for external display (VGA-out adapter included, Composite/S-Video out adapter sold separately); and
• the infrared Apple Remote.

The new 1.66 GHz Mac mini, for a suggested retail price of $799 (US), includes:

• 1.66 GHz Intel Core Duo processor;
• 512MB of 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM expandable up to 2GB;
• a slot-load 8x SuperDrive™ with double-layer
• support (DVD+R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW);
• 80GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 5400 rpm;
• Intel GMA950 graphics processor;
• built-in AirPort Extreme wireless networking &
• Bluetooth 2.0+EDR;
• Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000 BASE-T);
• four USB 2.0 ports;
• one audio line in and one audio line out port,
• each supporting both optical digital and analog;
• DVI-out port for external display (VGA-out adapter included, Composite/S-Video out adapter sold separately); and
• the infrared Apple Remote.

  The new Mac mini offers a completely new system architecture for performance up to four times as fast as the previous Mac mini, including a 667 MHz front-side bus and 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM memory expandable to 2GB. With the latest high-performance connectivity options, every new Mac mini now includes built-in 10/100/1000 BASE-T Gigabit Ethernet for high-speed networking, built-in AirPort® Extreme 802.11g WiFi for fast 54 Mbps wireless networking, built-in Bluetooth 2.0+EDR (Enhanced Data Rate) and a total of four USB 2.0 ports, twice as many as the previous generation. Mac mini includes a DVI interface and a VGA-out adapter to easily connect to a variety of displays, including many of today’s most popular flat panel televisions, and now features both analog and digital audio outputs to easily connect to a home stereo

  Apple has also made an update to its FrontRow software;

  Featuring the next generation of Apple’s breakthrough Front Row media experience, the new Mac mini gives customers a simple way to enjoy their digital lifestyle content on the Mac mini including music, photos and videos from across the room using the Apple Remote. With the latest version of Front Row, customers can now effortlessly access shared iTunes® playlists, iPhoto® libraries and video throughout their home via Bonjour™, Apple’s zero configuration wireless networking built into Mac OS® X.

Apple’s Special Event has concluded and Apple has given us a handful of great new products.

The iPod Hi-Fi will produce music from any iPod including the iPod shuffle. Apple describes the device as the following;

“Fill your home with sound, not stereo components. Keep your music collection at your fingertips, not in countless CD cases. Change the way you experience digital music. For $349, iPod Hi-Fi delivers crystal-clear, audiophile-quality sound in a clean, compact design. Hear, hear”

“Apple is reinventing the home stereo with the new iPod Hi-Fi, the first iPod accessory that adds true high-fidelity sound quality to the iPod,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “iPod Hi-Fi’s unrivaled acoustic performance and stunning design is at home in any room in the house.”

In another shock announcement Apple announced its first Intel Desktop as the iMac. The iMac features are identical the recent revision expect it boasts Intel’s Core Duo.

17 inch – 1.83GHz Intel Core Duo – $1299
20 inch – 2GHz Intel Core Duo – $1699

Apple today announced in a shocking Keynote that it will ship a brand new MacBook Pro in February, the first Intel processor laptop from Apple.

The books will come in the following specs:

1.67GHz InteL Core Duo – $1999

• 15.4-inch TFT display with 1440×900 resolution
• 1.67GHz Intel Core Duo processor with 2MB shared L2 Cache
• 667MHz frontside bus
• 512MB (single SO-DIMM) 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM (PC2-5300)
• 80GB 5400rpm Serial ATA hard drive
• Slot-load SuperDrive (DVD±RW/CD-RW)
• ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 with 128MB GDDR3 memory

1.83GHz InteL Core Duo – $2499

• 15.4-inch TFT display with 1440×900 resolution
• 1.83GHz Intel Core Duo processor with 2MB shared L2 Cache
• 667MHz frontside bus
• 1GB (single SO-DIMM) 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM (PC2-5300)
• 100GB 5400rpm Serial ATA hard drive
• Slot-load SuperDrive (DVD±RW/CD-RW)
• ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 with 256MB GDDR3 memory

This new AirPort firmware update contains versions 5.7 and 6.3 for the Extreme and Express base stations, respectively.

For more information on using AirPort Extreme or AirPort Express with your Internet account, contact your ISP or go to the AppleCare Knowledge Base at: www.apple.com/support

Apple are giving much better descriptions of updates now a days.

After much speculation and rumour Apple has finally released the Dual Core PowerMac G5 and as anticipated they have also released a Dual Dual Core machine, known as the Quad G5.
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The long rumoured update to the PowerBooks has finally arrived unfortunately lacking any kind of speed boost.

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