After a much much anticipated wait, Apple finally gave in and refreshed their desktop lineup. This includes a much faster Mac mini, iMac’s with focus on the 24″ models, and Mac Pro updates.
The Mac mini
Turns out the leaked pictures and video was 100% authentic after all. It features the ever popular DisplayPort standard, along with a mini-DVI port. This amounts for better compatibility, as well as extended display support!
As for the specs, the processors have been bumped to 2.0Ghz and 2.26Ghz for the higher end model. This comes along with a much faster 1066Mhz bus speed and DDR3 RAM to boot. 1GB on standard, 2GB on higher end, and 4GB maximum capacity. In addition to this we have the all new Nvidia 9400M graphics chipset, which means the mini can finally be put to some good use.
As for the little changes, the FW400 port has gone. What’s remaining is a FW800 port along with five USB 2.0 ports. Also, they don’t come with the combo drive anymore! That’s it! Apple finally got rid of the pesky combo drive problem and their entire lineup features SuperDrives. For a full list of specs, check out the Mac mini page.
The iMac
Apple’s star desktop, the one that started it all (so to speak), has been updated to include four models! Keep going like this and they will definitely catch up with Dell. With one solitary 20″ model, the iMacs now come in three flavours for the 24″ kind.
The difference in all of these models of course is just plain specs. The 20″ model and low end 24″ come with a 2.66Ghz processor and Nvidia 9400M graphics processor, while the top end iMac goes upto 3.06Ghz standard along with a new Nvidia GT 130 or ATI Radeon HD 4850 graphics chip. Each of the 24″ models come with 4GB standard, while the 20″ stays at 2GB.
FireWire 400 of course is nowhere to be found, while the one Firewire 800 port stays (why no FW love for the MacBook, huh Apple?). All iMacs come in varying hard drive spaces, with the highest end model coming at a full 1TB standard. Apple is definitely being generous this time round.
Another change, is that the keyboard now comes without the numeric keypad, much like the bluetooth keyboard. Uses up much less desktop space, but I assume many are going to revolt. All specs at the iMac page.
The Mac Pro
Refreshed after more than a year, the Mac Pros now sport the all new Intel Nehalem processor. Two base models, one at Quad Core and the other at 8 core (dual quad), going upto a speed of 2.93Ghz. The memory now goes upto 32GB, while 4 hard drives add upto 4TB. The graphics end gets the Nvidia GT 120 and the ATI Radeon 4870 processor. I don’t know much about either of these two. All specs at Mac Pro page.
All in all, healthy updates to the entire desktop, but no surprises. I thought the Mac mini would get a refreshed look, turns out that was not to be. Anyway, this means that finally you can fork out the cash and make your purchase. Is everyone happy now?
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Few things..
- Mac Mini looks even more promising. Very good value for one looking forward to switch.
- Integrated Graphics on a 24″ iMac sounds lame. But then, it has a target audience I guess. Still Apple doesnt do such unbalanced stuff.
- Look up your line on Mac Pro graphics. It should be ATi HD ’4870′ ‘graphics’ processor.
Someone said that the baseline MacBook Pro 15″ processor speed was also updated.. ?
This sure as hell is exciting!
And.. Did Mac Mini have an internal speaker initially? I saw it just now..
Yep, the Mac mini always had a speaker. Kinda like the iPhone speaker it is.
Will check up on the MBP spec update…
The Mac Pros now cost MORE for a baseline dual processor + no box re-design—I don’t get it. They’ve redesigned pretty much every last one their products of the last few years except for that one W T F.
Mac mini – I was wrong. I admit it. I guess the DRM thing did come into play for Apple with adapters then… Nice upgrade though – it’s worth considering again now.
iMac – All I can think about is how the £799 model sounded £250 better than £949. This is a step backwards for selling, but a minor step forwards for specs and moving people to larger displays (which in turn makes them cheaper I guess).
Keyboard – I can’t imagine this will go down well at all, though I like the smaller form factor myself. Numpads are handy though so I’d like to see a diNovo style add-on soon.
Mac Pro – This is a pretty nice update. More ports on the front and finally a mini-DisplayPort. Also really nice is the internal design by the look of it but watch out for the RAM differential between the quad and oct-core models – it’s gonna catch a lot of people off guard. Nasty stuff Apple!
I think the top processor in MBP 15″ was bumped from 2.53 to 2.66 .. Heard it wrong over the net, checked out and the top-end proccy looks different.
@bikalpa Yeah, I have the 2.53GHz model and it’s just been bumped. Not noticeable though.
So they are here, the new iMacs and the new minis.. Few things from my side.
I loved the new mac mini, the specs have been upped and for that price, its truly a steal.
When i saw the mac mini ad on the apple page and the black display at the back, i thought it must be the new imacs, but i was wrong. The new iMacs still have the same form factor as the previous ones. Nothing new on design part apart from the 800 FW n the display ports.
No LED displays & Blu ray Roms for the iMacs or the Pros yet! For the price they are giving the 24 inchers, they should have fitted the Blu rays and ofc given us LED backlits. cmon Apple, we aint asking much. Last but not the least, the small keyboard aint the way to go. It really wont go down with many people. Who cares, Apple wants us to buy the full keyboards.
The pricing could have been better and the Indian prices especially will be very highly pitched. The 20″ goes at 60 while the 24″ begin from 75 to 90 for the second and 1.1L for the 3ghz( which isnt still available here take that! Rly dont understand why!)
Fully loaded, with 4gigs of ddr3 ram, nvidia graphix n yet no blu rays will make people think again. The 20″ is nearin its end i guess and within 2 yrs it may be phased out. LEts see if Snow Leopard brings in some surprises:)