Janelle LiIf you’ve always wanted to get yourself a new Mac but are apprehensive about a huge hole in your wallet, this is a good time to grab one as Apple packs more punch into its popular Macintosh range for a lower price.
The prices for new Macbooks, the laptop version of the Mac, start at $1,588, as opposed to about $200 more for the old ones. Users who have trouble finding power sources when bringing their Macbooks with them will rejoice for the improved battery performance that promises 7 hours of power in 1 full charge.
Another highlight for the Macbook is the new glass Multi-Touch™ trackpad that feels cool to touch and lacks a physical button, which is a welcomed change as the button collects dirt and grime easily. Apple iPhone users will also be familiar with the swiping and pinching motion that the trackpad now supports.
Multilingual users can also use the trackpad for handwriting input. Currently only Simplified Chinese and Traditional Chinese are supported, but Apple plans to roll out updates to enable this function for other languages as well.
If you have a bigger budget and are keen on a powerful workstation, be spoilt with a Quad-Core processor, a generous 27-inch display, a wireless keyboard and a first-of-its-kind Magic Mouse with the latest iMacs.
The biggest selling point for iMacs is the state-of-the-art displays. All iMac and Macbook monitors are now on par with their Pro counterparts with LED backlit technology that boasts uniform brightness across the screen. This also allows a 178 degree viewing angle without any colour shift, which is good for watching HD movies with loved ones, but can be troublesome if working on confidential documents.
The Magic Mouse that ships by default with the revamped iMac line shows off an exterior design that’s clean and simple, while it contains an internal Multi-Touch sensor where you can do more than just clicking. You can now scroll with 2 fingers and literally swipe through your photo gallery on the surface of the mouse.
It was a disappointment, however, as mastering those movements is as complicated as how simple it looks. You have to make sure your palm rests on the Apple logo, while keeping the mouse stationary as you have a go at those fancy motions. It isn’t a good idea after all, to try to fit what worked for the trackpad into the conventional mouse that hasn’t been drastically modified since its invention.
Pricing and specifications can be found on Apple Singapore website:
Macbook – from $1,588
iMac – from $1,788
Magic Mouse – Suggested Retail Price: $98
(Images courtesy of Apple)