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Brand new ‘low-end’ Macs complete Apple’s stunning laptop and desktop collection
Read all about Apple’s all-new Macbook lineup and the return of an old favourite
Three new iphones. Two new ipads. And now two new Macs. They know how to treat us just before Christmas, don’t they? It’s been a hectic few months in the world of Apple, and finally we have updates to two of its most loved products: the Macbook Air and Mac mini. It’s hard to put into words just how much love there is for these two Macs.
For years, the Macbook Air was the laptop to have. Its design revolutionised the laptop world, its performance was more than acceptable for anyone other than a professional videographer and it was priced well by Apple. The Mac mini, Apple’s entry-level desktop machine, hadn’t been updated in four years, and now it’s back and five-times quicker. Apple promised us it hadn’t forgotten about these two marvels, but has it been worth the wait? Let’s delve deeper into the updates to find out what all the fuss is about.
“Mac mini is loved by customers for its ability to be used in incredibly diverse environments – from casual desktop use to live professional performances, to multiple Mac mini computers powering through video renderings and compiling software code to racks of thousands in giant app build farms – anywhere a small-but-mighty Mac is needed to get the job done,” says Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing, of the Mac mini’s enduring affect. We know it can churn through everyday computer tasks with ease, but is there evidence that Mac mini could be used for more?
Faster, stronger
For a start, it’s five-times quicker than the previous generation. Depending on which configuration of mini you go for, you could be looking at a six-core sixth-generation Intel processor, Turbo Boost speeds up to 4.6GHZ and Intel UHD graphics. Memory can be expanded to 64GB and there’s up to 2TB of storage. Rather tellingly, Apple is marketing this at creative professionals. It says the 2018 mini can do it all, which is quite something when the mini comes in at around 4,000 units cheaper of your chosen currency than the imac Pro. The new mini keeps the iconic square form factor too, packing in multiple connectivity options at
the back in a stunning and stylish Space Grey configuration.
“Mac mini customers are going to flip over the new Mac mini,” continues Schiller. It has more than five times the performance, up to six core desktopclass processors, an Apple T2 Security Chip, faster memory up to 64GB, highperformance all-flash storage and is packed with advanced ports including four Thunderbolt 3, two USB-A, HDMI video, audio and Ethernet up to 10Gbps. All of this power is packed into the same size enclosure as before, perfect for customers updating or creating all-new installations where Mac mini is the ideal solution.” You can get your hands on the updated Mac mini for £799/$799 right now – but don’t forget to add your peripherals!
Air apparent
The Macbook Air comes in more expensive, but it’s still slightly cheaper than Macbook Pro and marginally more expensive than Macbook. Schiller explains what has been changed.
“Redesigning Macbook Air started with a stunning Retina display and all-day battery life, and then we added Touch ID and the Apple T2 Security Chip, the latest processors, incredible sound, the third-generation keyboard and Force
Touch trackpad, high-speed Thunderbolt 3 ports, and, of course, macos Mojave in a beautiful, thinner, lighter, all-aluminium design that a whole new generation of Macbook Air customers are going to love.”
Some of the obvious positives include that Retina display, which is a huge improvement on what’s gone before for the Air. Macbook Air now includes Touch ID, which allows you to conveniently and instantly unlock your Macbook Air, authenticate your identity and make fast, simple and secure purchases using Apple Pay. The Apple T2 chips means Siri will always answer your questions, and the speakers are also much improved, which is great news for video streamers. The bad news? It’ll cost you from £1,199/$1,199.
This now completes the Mac lineup, and what a lineup it is. The choice has never been better. Whether you need a laptop or desktop machine, Apple has just the right one for you. Making a choice, however, has never been harder. Certainly at the low-end of Apple’s price point, the lines are becoming more and more blurred as to what makes each machine different from the other. Rest assured though, whatever new Mac you get, you’re getting the best in the business.
“Mac mini customers are going to flip over the new Mac mini. It has more then five times the performance”