No bones about it, Apple makes some nice computers. The new iMacs offer a very sleek package and take up a tiny footprint compared to the typical desktop. Additionally, the new MacBook adds the popular unibody design of the Macbook Pro laptops and keeps the same smidgen-under-$1000 price tag.
Photographers seem to love Macs. Sure, there are plenty of “Windows photographers” out there, but the thought of a 27″ backlit LCD screen on the new iMac powering Photoshop Lightroom or CS4 makes us all a little giddy inside, right? While I opted for a Windows-based computer on my last update, the recurrence of driver issues and small niggling bugs lately has prompted me to consider another Mac. I still have my 1st-gen 17″ G5 iMac on the desk that sees occasional use; however, it’s begging for more horsepower when it comes to processing images nowadays.
One of the really great things about a Mac is the included software programs that are integrated across the system to make digital workflow so smooth. The first photo-editing program that I really used was iPhoto on one of the old eMacs with my Sony 3-megapixel point and shoot (I think it was a P8). I learned a lot from iPhoto (whatever the 2003 version of it was) and it really helped me get acquainted with a digital workflow.
iPhoto really is the perfect consumer editing program. It’s got organization, editing and output options all neatly wrapped up in one package. Is it the most powerful program? No, but it doesn’t need to be for the vast majority of its users. And the new version of iPhoto does so much more than 5 or 6 years ago – it’s really amazing.
Moreover, the stuff on a Mac just seems like it works more often and better than it does on Windows. While I think Apple is getting a little too cute on some of its marketing, there’s a lot of truth there too. I’ve experienced my fair share of problems with Macs over the years, but those problems seem like they were far less frequent than the many ways Windows has failed me (be it Windows 95, 98, 98SP2, XP, or Vista – I skipped Windows Me).
With my nostalgic flashbacks out of the way, here’s some of the newest gear from Apple (via our friends at B&H Photo):
Apple 21.5″ iMac
The 21.5″ iMac Desktop Computer from Apple is a sleek all-in-one computer with a stunning 16:9 HD display. Capable of displaying 1080p HD video at full resolution, the display features a LED backlight and IPS panel technology for superior image quality. The iMac sports a sleek aluminum and glass industrial design, with a matching wireless slimline aluminum keyboard. Apple’s innovative wireless Magic Mouse is included for cursor control, giving desktop users the powerful Multi-Touch input capabilities that have, up to this point, only been available in Mac laptops. The 21.5″ iMac is priced from $1,198.95. Click here for more.
Apple 27″ iMac
The 27″ iMac Desktop Computer from Apple is a sleek all-in-one computer with a stunning 16:9 HD display. Capable of displaying 1080p HD video at full resolution, the display features a LED backlight and IPS panel technology for superior image quality. The iMac sports a sleek aluminum and glass industrial design, with a matching wireless slimline aluminum keyboard. Apple’s innovative wireless Magic Mouse is included for cursor control, giving desktop users the powerful Multi-Touch input capabilities that have, up to this point, only been available in Mac laptops. The 27″ iMac is priced from $1,698.95. Click here for more.
Apple 13.3″ Unibody MacBook
The 13.3″ MacBook is powered by a 2.26GHz Intel Core 2 Duo CPU and boasts 2GB of RAM, a 250GB hard drive, Apple’s SuperDrive DVD burner, 802.11n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and an iSight webcam. The glossy 13.3″ widescreen display is powered by nVIDIA GeForce 9400M integrated graphics. The 13.3″ Unibody MacBook is priced at $999.00. Click here for more.
I’m only interested in the new mouse. The old wireless bluetooth mouse from apple is a very highly pricessed peace of junk.
I’ve had an imac 24, I have to say that I still hate the mirror screen, so annoying, I solt it to buy a good DELL which is much better. Same thing about the wireless keyboard, no usb ports :'(
Apple does do a lot of things superior to the PC. At the same time PCs have their own advantages. One issue with Apple is the no looking back policy. Meaning they lack hardware support for their slightly older systems (2 years old), plus they don’t offer much if any support outside of the US. Something you can get easily from Dell, Acer and even HP.
A friend and I own the 8 core mac pro from May 2007. Before these system turned two years old Apple stopped the the support of proper Nvidia video cards for it and customers are limited to an ATI card that has not been getting the best reviews since it’s inception.
With the new 8 core on the market Apple has endorsed the PCIe2 slot for the video cards and forgotten about the loyal customers who have the slightly older 8 core with regular PCIe. When my friend’s video card went bad she was forced to either get the crappy 512MB ATI card or spend $600 US for the “discontinued” 512 MB Nvidia card. So ATI it was.
Research uncovered that when this 512 Nvidia card was first released it went for just over $200 US. What a price jump indeed, one might even call it price gouging if they dared. Take note this card is only available through Apple via a special request, possibly by their resellers only. No explanation from the reseller was given for the steep pricing.
Though outside of this situation a fellow user and I face, and even with other potential issues with other products Apple still stands tall, and will continue to be the fasting growing computer / electronic company for years to come. Mainly because the offer a better overall product in the end. Win7 has a long fight to prove itself and the conflicting PC hardware always create endless problems for the consumers. So where does this leave a semi frustrated Apple user? For the moment in limbo, waiting to see what changes arise in 2010 from both Apple and PC systems.