February 28th, 2006
New Apple Products Released
By Chief Gizmateer
Contributing Writer, RealTechNews
Apple released a few new products to their arsenal today including the iPod Hi-Fi and a couple new Mac Mini’s featuring the Intel chipset. Unfortunately for me, the “iTablet” was not released (nor will this year).
According to the press release, the iPod Hi-Fi is a “high-fidelity” (how 50’s is that!) speaker system that integrates with all iPods via a dock connector which recharges your iPod and allows from control from a remote control and is Apple’s vision to redefine the home stereo system.
iPod Hi-Fi also features a dual-purpose 3.5-mm auxiliary input that accepts either analog or digital signals for easy connection to a wide range of audio sources. You can power the gizmo via AC or 6 D-cell batteries making the device portable as well.
The Apple iPod Hi-Fi is available now from the Apple Store for $349.
If you get one, let me know how it sounds…
Not to be overshadowed by Apple’s iPod announcements, Apple announced new computer products too including two new Mac minis powered by Intel. According to the press release, the new minis base configuration include 512MB of memory expandable to 2GB, Intel GMA950 graphics processor, AirPort Extreme wireless, gig ethernet, four USB 2.0 ports, one audio in and out port, DVI and the infared Apple Remote.
The new 1.5 GHz Mac mini starts at $599 and features a 1.5 GHz Intel Core Solo processor, a 60GB SATA drive running at 5400 RPM and a slot-load combo featuring a DVD-ROM and CD-RW drive. Starting at $799, the new 1.66 GHz Mac mini features a 1.66 GHz Intel Core Duo processor, an 80GB SATA drive running at 5400 RPM and a slot-load 8x SuperDrive with double-layer support.
According to Apple, the new system architecture should provide performance enhancements up to four times as fast than last generations Mac mini. I’m sure we’ll see specs on that from independent sources soon enough.
Both are available from the Apple Store and start at $599 and $799 respectively.
The new Mac minis look to be very competitive with similar PC component setups but include very user-friendly software and overall seem to be a really good deal and huge step forward for Apple’s Intel initative. With that said, we’d really like to make a change to the graphics processor… apparently the Intel GMA950 graphics processor does not perform well (unlike the older Mac minis that had an ATI Radeon 9200 graphics processor). Also, who in their right mind would purchase a single core processor when your could purchase a dual core processor machine especially with Mac OS X’s threaded nature? If you get a new Mac mini, save yourself grief and at least snag the dual core machine!
Source: Gizmos for Geeks
Dave Barnes says:
Pathetic Announcement.
I am an Apple fan (4 iPods, 4 Macs in the family). I plan to buy a new MacBook Pro within a few months.
But, today’s announcement was so weak.
Leather iPod cases. I don’t think that has been done before (see www.coach.com).
A Mac Mini with integrated Intel graphics. Very powerful. Not!
,dave
February 28th, 2006 at 8:41 pm
David Johnston says:
Yeah, today’s announcement was an overall dissappointment. I also think the iPod Hifi thing is pretty dumb. I’d much rather play my music through my desktop’s speakers.
February 28th, 2006 at 9:28 pm
jfb3 says:
All the drive choices for the Mini spin at 7200 RPm according to their website.
February 28th, 2006 at 9:40 pm
Stephen says:
Somehow I can’t see the iPod Hi-Fi redefining the home stereo experience. What I want is a way to get my music from my PC to my stereo easily. MS media PC? No…Don’t want to have to turn the TV on or have to have the computer near the TV or stereo. What I really want is to have the computer in the house wherever I want it but control it from the living room or wherever the stereo is. I though the ideal thing for this is some kinda “smart pad” display. Simple touch screen that interfaces with the PC wirelessly, letting me set up play lists, etc from the comfort of my couch and then send them streaming to the receiver/speakers. A wireless, touch screen input device that doesn’t cost $500 to $1000. If they can sell 19″ LCD’s for $300 then doing a 10″ touch screen display with built in wireless should be a piece of cake for $200 and under.
The problem with the way the media PC is being marketed is they are always shown with the TV is the display which is stupid if someone is already watching TV. Otherwise I need to use the PC display and I don’t necessarily have the computer in the same room as the big speakers. A true media PC should have a portable display that can control the pc from any room in the house and allow you to pipe content to any device that’s hooked to the network in any room. Does that exist?
March 1st, 2006 at 8:19 am
Dave Barnes says:
Regarding the comment by jfb3,
From the Apple website:
“Storage
60GB or 80GB 5400-rpm Serial ATA hard disk drive; optional 100GB or 120GB drive”
Not 7200 rpm.
The Mini uses notebook drives. Quiet, cool and slow.
,dave
March 1st, 2006 at 4:32 pm
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May 10th, 2008 at 8:33 am