Apple has unveiled several products that will be of interest to photographers.
Among them is the new 13.3-inch MacBook Pro with Retina (2560 x1600) display, which is 20% thinner and almost half a kilogram lighter than the current 13-inch MacBook Pro. The new MacBook Pro features 2.5 GHz Intel Core i5 processors with the option to choose faster 2.9 GHz Intel Core i7 processors, Intel HD Graphics 4000, 8GB of 1600 MHz memory, and up to 768GB of flash storage. Two Thunderbolt and two USB 3.0 ports allow users to connect to multiple displays and high-performance devices, and a new HDMI port offers quick connectivity to an HDTV. Other features include a FaceTime HD camera, dual microphones, improved speakers, three-stream 802.11n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, and a MagSafe 2 power port. Prices start at US$1700 or AUD$1899.
The latest iMac is 80% thinner than the previous model and has been totally redesigned with a new 27-inch, 2560 x1440 LDC monitor that reduces reflection by 75 per cent while maintaining high colour and contrast. The new iMac features third generation quad-core Intel Core i5 processors that can be upgraded to Core i7. It comes with 8GB of 1600 MHz memory and a 1TB hard drive, and customers can choose up to 32GB of memory and a new 3TB hard drive, or 768GB of flash storage. Two Thunderbolt and four USB 3.0 ports provide even greater expandability and support for high-performance peripherals.
Apple has also updated its Mac Mini with third generation dual-core Intel Core i5 and quad-core Intel Core i7 processors plus four USB 3.0 ports in addition to Thunderbolt, HDMI, SDXC, Gigabit Ethernet and FireWire 800 ports. Both iMac and Mac mini meet stringent Energy Star 5.2 requirements and achieve an EPEAT Gold rating. Both ship with OS X Mountain Lion.
The fourth generation iPad has also been announced with the 9.7-inch Retina display. It now includes a new Apple-designed A6X chip that delivers up to twice the CPU performance and improved graphics. Other new features include a FaceTime HD camera, twice the Wi-Fi performance when compared to previous iPad models and support for additional LTE carriers worldwide.
The new iPad Mini. (Source: Apple.)
Apple also introduces a new iPad Mini with a 7.9-inch Multi-Touch display with the same resolution (1024 x 768) as the original iPad and iPad 2. Features include a dual-core A5 chip, front-facing FaceTime HD camera and a 5 megapixel iSight rear camera and Wi-Fi support for speeds up to 150 Mbps. Battery life is up to 10 hours.
iPad mini with Wi-Fi models will be available in black & slate or white & silver on Friday, 2 November for a recommended retail price of AUD$369 inc. GST for the 16GB model, AUD$479 inc. GST for the 32GB model and AUD$589 inc. GST for the 64GB model. The fourth generation iPad with Wi-Fi models will also be available on Friday, 2 November, in black or white for a recommended retail price of AUD$539 inc. GST for the 16GB model, AUD$649 inc. GST for the 32GB model and AUD$759 inc. GST for the 64GB model.
The new products will be available through the Apple Online Store (www.apple.com/au), Apple’s retail stores, and select Apple Authorised Resellers.
