Filed under: Hardware, Peripherals, Retail, iMac, Apple, Mac mini, MacBook
The Apple Store Online is back, so what's different?
Today, as is frequently the case, the Apple Store Online was taken down and modified to feature new goodies from our favorite fruit-flavored technology company. Now that the store is back up and ready for your ordering pleasure, what's changed?Well, Apple introduced a whole slew of new and updated products today. Here's the highlights of what's new and different at the store:
New iMac - Revamped to include, among other new features, LED-Backlit screens, dual core and quad core processors and up to 16GB of memory.
New MacBook - Entry level MacBook redesigned to feature unibody enclosure, built-in battery and LED-Backlit screen.
New Mac mini - Revised to include more memory, larger hard drives and with a special "Server" version featuring dual 500GB hard drives and Snow Leopard Server.
New "Magic" Mouse - Gone is the trackball, replaced by a seamless top-shell design that acts as one button or two, It also features a Multi-Touch surface with gesture support.
New Apple Remote - Not as exciting as new Macs but still, kinda cool if you like to control your Macs, um, remotely.
Other items of note reflected in the new products today include the removal of Firewire 400 from all Macs and the removal of the last Mac with a replaceable battery. End of an era folks, end of an era.
Be sure to keep it right here at TUAW all day for in-depth reports on all of today's Apple announcements.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Actionable Mango said 2:23PM on 10-20-2009
You "got me" with the mention of unibody on the least expensive MacBook. Yes, it's technically unibody, but I thought it would be aluminum. I suppose it's still an improvement.
I like the new remote for use with Mac, iPod, or iPhone! I have all three and the aftermarket solutions are mediocre at best. Can't wait for reviews, especially concerning the range of the remote.
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Brian said 2:23PM on 10-20-2009
The Macbook Air Superdrive now works with the Mac Mini.
i noticed this on the configuration of the server edition.
- details anyone?
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jollyllama said 2:30PM on 10-20-2009
"the removal of the last Mac with a replaceable battery"
Not true. The bottom of the macbook is designed to back taken off to access the battery. Not exactly something you'll be doing on an airplane, but still technically user replaceable.
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Le Big Mac said 2:37PM on 10-20-2009
No more FW400? Boo . . .
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Ryan Morano said 2:38PM on 10-20-2009
Can someone detail the differences between the Macbook and the base Macbook Pro? I'm seeing no difference aside from the polycarbonate body and the lack of backlit keyboard?
I smell a Macbook Pro update in the works. They did this last time when they updated the Macbook with more power.
I'm stoked about a 27 inch iMac. That thing looks incredible, and probably runs even better. After I get a new Macbook Pro, that's definitely next on my agenda.
Magic Mouse is probably the first purchase however. I can afford to drop a few Jacksons on that. And maybe a new remote cause I've wanted one to control my iPhone when It's plugged in.
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Galley said 2:57PM on 10-20-2009
FireWire 800 and a backlit keyboard
Bob Patin said 2:43PM on 10-20-2009
This whole process of "taking down" their store and putting it back is a publicity ploy--a brilliant one, but a ploy nevertheless.
I see no reason why they couldn't update the site behind the scenes, on a development server (which they of course have), and then push the updated pages to the live server whenever they're ready. For that matter, most of what they add is to a database and not to static pages too, so there's no real reason why they take their site down each time.
The only logical reason that I see for this closing of the store each time they release new products is to develop buzz; it's much like closing a store and covering over the windows, so that a crowd will develop at the door, eagerly awaiting its grand reopening.
But what can you say about a method that works!
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Jeffrey said 3:42PM on 10-20-2009
Well, if they are uploading a lot of images, some user might see broken pages while they are updating the site.
Mark Chambers said 2:48PM on 10-20-2009
I'm most excited about the mouse. It's about time. My scroll ball is always getting clogged up and stuck!
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PK said 3:59PM on 10-20-2009
This is a minor addition, but did Apple release a new MagSafe power supply for 13" MBPs and MacBooks today?
http://store.apple.com/us/product/MC461LL/A?fnode=MTY1NDEwMQ&mco=MTMzODAwMDI&p=1&s=topSellers
I don't believe the previous model had the MacBook Air-style sideways cable connection....
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artifex said 4:06PM on 10-20-2009
Wonder why the drives on the Mac Mini Server are so small. Are 1+TB drives too hot, or just too expensive to keep the magic $1K price point? I doubt the latter; a 1TB drive wholesales for less than two 500s, and they could leave a bay free.
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artifex said 4:07PM on 10-20-2009
Oops, just remembered, duh, the Mini has smaller sized drives, and so far those aren't in bigger sizes, are they?
Wondering if they will ever have eSATA ports...
Microdot said 7:44PM on 10-20-2009
yes. whether they will fit or not is the question. but there are 750gb and 1tb 2.5" hard drives available now. i believe western digital is the only one shipping currently.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136414
newegg doesnt have the 1tb... but you can find it here:
http://www.wdc.com/en/products/products.asp?driveid=685
Carl said 4:24PM on 10-20-2009
TUAW, don't forget to mention the massive price drop on the mbp 4 to 8 gb ram upgrade. (I'm stoked)
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jay said 6:51PM on 10-20-2009
I think they may have gotten rid of a display or two. Only the 24" LED and 30" HD remain, and the 30 has been removed from the main portion of the site.
Most likely, 16:9 LEDs to follow soonish along with a top-line LED... but those are not holiday items so no surprise on the wait.
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Daley said 3:01PM on 10-21-2009
The MacBook Air dropped in price by $200...A month after I purchased one.
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Dan Mosqueda said 5:56PM on 10-21-2009
I tried the new MacMini. It had the 2.53Ghz CPU, 4GB RAM, 320GB HDD. Very fast, incredibly responsive. I will have one within a week or two. Waiting on the Magic Mouse and new wireless keyboard.
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