So the store was down for a reason.

The new MacBook Pro models will run on Intel Core 2 Duo Penryn processors up to 2.6 GHz that can feature NVIDIA’s GeForce 8600M GT with 512 MB of DDR3 RAM and Apple’s Multi-Touch trackpad. The same trackpad is going to be featured in the new MacBook Air.

Both 15-inch MacBook Pro models feature power-saving, LED backlit widescreen displays. And now you can even configure the 17-inch model with the ultimate creative canvas - 1920 by 1200 pixels with LED backlighting.

All Mac notebooks are getting a built-in video camera and a built-in 802.11n Wireless. From what I’ve heard the MacBook is going to be upgraded, too, but no sign of a multi-touch trackpad. That’s too bad. Oh, one last “bad thing” is that the Apple Remote is now optional and the cost is $19.

Here are the prices of the new announced models
The 2.1 GHz, 13-inch white MacBook $1,099 (US)
The 2.4 GHz, 13-inch white MacBook $1,299 (US)
The 2.4 GHz, 13-inch black MacBook $1,499 (US)
The 2.4 GHz, 15-inch MacBook Pro $1,999 (US)
The 2.5 GHz, 15-inch MacBook Pro $2,499 (US)
The 2.5 GHz, 17-inch MacBook Pro, for a suggested retail price of $2,799 (US)

AppleStore

It’s Tuesday and it looks like the rumors are going to be true with new versions of the MacBook being available (APPLE MACB MB402LL/A and MB403LL/A) for prices ranging in the $1,150 and $1,350 range.

Let’s see what goodies we get in return of waiting for the Apple Store to come back.

As Apple announced today, the world’s thinnest notebook is now shipping. MacBook Air, which measures 0.16-inches at its thinnest point and 0.76-inches at the maximum height, has a starting price of $1,799. Pre-orders were available since Steve Jobs presented MacBook Air at MacWorld 2008. It is available through Apple’s online store, Apple’s retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers. The top version could go over $3,000, depending on optional features.

About: MacBook Air sports a stunning 13.3-inch LED-backlit widescreen display, a full-size and backlit keyboard, a built-in iSight video camera and a spacious trackpad. MacBook Air is powered by a 1.6 GHz or 1.8 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor with 4MB L2 cache, and includes as standard features 2GB of memory, an 80GB 1.8-inch hard drive, and the latest 802.11n Wi-Fi technology and Bluetooth 2.1.

Features list for the basic model:

• 13.3-inch LED-backlit glossy widescreen display with 1280×800 resolution;
• 1.6 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor with 4MB L2 cache;
• 800 MHz front-side bus;
• 2GB of 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM;
• 80GB hard disk drive with Sudden Motion Sensor;
• Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100;
• Micro-DVI port (includes Micro-DVI to VGA and Micro-DVI to DVI Adapters);
• built-in iSight video camera;
• built-in AirPort Extreme 802.11n wireless networking and Bluetooth 2.1+EDR;
• one USB 2.0 port;
• one headphone port;
• multi-touch TrackPad with support for advanced multi-touch gestures including tap, scroll, pinch, rotate and swipe; and
• 45 Watt MagSafe Power Adapter.

Order MacBook Air here.

Why not MacWorld? I am sure you, just like me, wonder why Steve Jobs decided to release the new Mac Pro during CES 2008 these days and why not wait until next week. This is hot news because it’s the fastest Mac Pro we’ve had to deal with, so far. I guess the guy will manage to surprise us with something else next week, but I wonder what.

Meanwhile here are a few things you should know about the fastest Mac Pro:

• two Intel 45nm Quad-Core Xeon 5400 series processors from 2.8GHz to 3.2GHz with 1600 MHz FSB
• from 2GB to 32GB of RAM
• ATI RADEON HD 2600 XT with 256MB or you can choose the NVIDIA Quadro FX 5600 with 1.5GB of memory
• 320GB Serial ATA at 7,200 rpm
• two PCI Express 2.0 slots
• Bluetooth
• Leopard 6 OS

The standard version with two Quad-core 2.8GHz processors and 2GB of RAM will cost you $2,799. That’s fast and pricey!

via Fosfor.se

The long waited Mac Office 2008 was announced as available and Apple is taking pre-orders on their AppleStore. Microsoft said that it will ship next week, during MacWorld.

You might be wondering what’s Apple planning for the next year. Well, we have searched some information and we have found interesting news. Apple plans to release a 3G iPhone, a modified version of Apple TV and a flash memory-based Mac.

The analyst David Bailey, from Goldman Sachs bank has written a research report based on information obtained from component suppliers in Asia. Apparently the 3G iPhone is a certain release for the next year. Apple will launch the 3G iPhone with AT&T network. Although no official reports were made, the second generation iPhone is currently being designed. Some observers speculate the announcement for the MacWorld conference in January. Another news regarding the iPhone says it will receive more flash memory in the first half of 2008.

Furthermore, the Apple TV will be upgraded and redesigned. It will feature an LCD display to attract more customers and to increase mobility. It’s obvious they try to revive the Apple TV which has been a total fiasco for the company. And there is more! Bailey’s report and other well known agencies sustain that Apple develops a 12-inch Mac laptop with flash memory instead of a hard drive. Also, it is possible that the new revolutionary Mac to be ready for MacWorld. Its could go around $1,500.

via Yahoo News

The ultimate version of Leopard OS will debut in stores on October 26, four months later than it was planned. The new operating system has 300 new features and costs $129. As Steve Jobs said, the Leopard OS is “the best upgrade we’ve ever released.”

Besides the regular functions, Leopard has an application that automatically backups music files, pictures and everything a person will put on his/her Mac. Another new feature is the tool that creates widgets for favorite sites and places them on the desktop. Leopard allows users to remotely search for files on all computers connected to their network. The iChat application was modified so the users could share slide show presentations, distort their pictures or insert fake backdrops.

The release was delayed due to iPhone launch. Originally Apple planned to release the new Leopard at Worldwide Developers Conference in San Francisco in June. But its engineers worked for the iPhone’s big launch.

If you ever imagined a MacBook Pro made out of gold, Computer Choppers has it. I wonder what will all those Apple fanatics will think about this one, because not many will afford to, at least, touch it. In fact this is an old MacBook Pro that has been modified and covered in 24-carat gold along with a big diamond Apple logo.

Don’t expect it to go into mass production because these guys mentioned they are only doing unique laptop customization. Still this new 24kt Gold MacBook Pro is a beauty and I might get in touch with them to get my Acer, some wheels.

Yesterday I’ve heard some nice Apple news, from Jonathan Rentzsch, that said the new metallic keyboards (he bought one) have something against Caps Lock. The first thing that came into my mind was that this would be a manufacturing problem so I started to read about it and I found out that lots of people have the same problem.

To make it clear, the new Apple keyboards are taking ages and require a good bear press on the button to turn Caps Lock on, and will only need a you blow air upon it, to turn off. The matter was confirmed by so many other consumers so that brought me to the idea of an anti-Caps-Lock campaign that Steve Jobs is doing. I wonder if people scream at the office!
I am not saying that Caps Lock is a good thing, but if you think that you get to pay $47 for the wired version of the keyboard, and $79 for the wireless, wouldn’t you want all your keys to work perfectly?

Steve Jobs, Apple’s boss showed today their new series of iMac desktop computers. The company decided to go just for 20 and 24 inch displays with no 17″ version. However you now can get a 20″ iMac with an Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 1 GB of RAM and 250 Hard Drive for just $1,199. So here are the three new options as they appear on Apple’s website:

The new 20-inch 2.0 GHz iMac, for a suggested retail price of $1,199 (US), includes:

• 20-inch widescreen LCD display;
• 2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor;
• 1GB of 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM expandable to 4GB;
• a slot-load 8x SuperDrive® with double-layer support (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW);
• ATI Radeon HD 2400 XT with 128MB GDDR3 memory;
• built-in iSight video camera;
• built-in AirPort Extreme 802.11n wireless networking & Bluetooth 2.0+EDR;
• 250GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 7200 rpm;
• mini-DVI out (adapters for DVI, VGA and Composite/S-Video sold separately);
• built-in stereo speakers and microphone; and
• the new Apple Keyboard, Mighty Mouse and infrared Apple Remote.

The new 20-inch 2.4 GHz iMac, for a suggested retail price of $1,499 (US), includes:

• 20-inch widescreen LCD display;
• 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor;
• 1GB of 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM expandable to 4GB;
• a slot-load 8x SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW);
• ATI Radeon HD 2600 PRO with 256MB GDDR3 memory;
• built-in iSight video camera;
• built-in AirPort Extreme 802.11n wireless networking & Bluetooth 2.0+EDR;
• 320GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 7200 rpm;
• mini-DVI out (adapters for DVI, VGA and Composite/S-Video sold separately);
• built-in stereo speakers and microphone; and
• the new Apple Keyboard, Mighty Mouse and infrared Apple Remote.

The new 24-inch 2.4 GHz iMac, for a suggested retail price of $1,799 (US), includes:

• 24-inch widescreen LCD display;
• 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor;
• 1GB of 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM expandable to 4GB;
• a slot-load 8x SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW);
• ATI Radeon HD 2600 PRO with 256MB GDDR3 memory;
• built-in iSight video camera;
• built-in AirPort Extreme 802.11n wireless networking & Bluetooth 2.0+EDR;
• 320GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 7200 rpm;
• mini-DVI out (adapters for DVI, VGA and Composite/S-Video sold separately);
• built-in stereo speakers and microphone; and
• the new Apple Keyboard, Mighty Mouse and infrared Apple Remote.