Real Kato Blog: Apple Watch: New iBooks and Mac Minis Arrive

As predicted, Apple updated their iBook and Mac Mini line today.

So here's the scoop on the new models.

The iBook line did not, as predicted, arrive in a new widescreen form factor. It is the same design as the previous iBook. A lot of folks are unhappy about that, but you know, there's only so much that can be done with a notebook design, especially on a consumer-oriented, entry-level product.

The $999 12" model gets these improvements over its predecessor:
- A speed boost from 1.25 GHz to 1.33 GGHz
- A RAM boost from 256MB to 512MB
- A CoreImage-capable graphics chip (32MB Radeon 9550 Mobility)
- A scrolling trackpad
- Built-in Bluetooth
- Sudden-Acceleration sensing hard drive

The $1299 14" model gets these improvements:
- A speed boost from 1.33 GHz to 1.42 GHz
- A RAM boost from 256MB to 512MB
- A SuperDrive (DVD-/+RW)
- A CoreImage-capable graphics chip (32MB Radeon 9550 Mobility)
- A scrolling trackpad
- Built-in Bluetooth
- Sudden-Acceleration sensing hard drive

Since the $1299 model has a SuperDrive, there's no longer a $1499 model. Screen resolution remains 1024x768. The graphics chip is barely CoreImage-capable, with only 32MB of VRAM, but the chip is otherwise a pretty decent performer, and definitely an improvement over the ATI Radeon 9200.

Is it all we hoped for? Perhaps not. But maybe it's as much as we could have expected.

On the Mac Mini side, there's not as much to write about.

The $499 model gets these improvements:
- A RAM boost from 256MB to 512MB

The $599 model gets these improvements:
- A RAM boost from 256MB to 512MB
- Built-in Bluetooth and Airport (802.11g) wireless

A new $699 model adds a SuperDrive (DVD-/+RW) on top of the $599 model's features.

So the real story is just the RAM boost. There's not much in the way of other new stuff. But I think it's still significant that all these products are finally "complete" right out of the box; I would not have recommended to anyone that they run with just 256MB of RAM. ("Just" 256MB... which is still two thousand times more RAM than what the original Macintosh had back in 1984.)

I didn't run out and pick up a new iBook right away. It's the same thing that always happens... when I get to the point where I convince myself I'm going to buy a new computer, I look at all the old computers cluttering up my house, and I ask myself: do I really need this? Especially now that my beloved Pismo is running smoothly again? I may wait just a little bit longer before buying, maybe at least until I see the iBooks appear on Amazon.com, where I can buy them without paying sales tax.

Permalink 4 Comment

Posted by Ken in: techwatch

Comments

Comment #1 from Nicholas (Guest)
2005 Jul 27 - 7:55 am : #

Buy it on the NC sales tax free weekend, August 6th. Or just avoid the stores that weekend.

Comment #2 from John C (Guest)
2005 Jul 27 - 8:30 pm : #

I have an idea, buy the new iBook ,and give me your Pismo. It will be well taken care of. Promise

Comment #3 from pismo/wall street (Guest)
2005 Jul 28 - 12:08 am : #

ken -

is there anyone out there who can mod a pismo/wall street into a g4? that would be my dream computer!

Comment #4 from Ken (realkato)
2005 Jul 28 - 12:16 am : #

So helpful, all my Internet readers! Nicholas, that tax-free weekend thing is an excellent idea. John, you know, I'd rather see the Pismo find a good home with a friend than sell it. JGM, there IS a G4 upgrade for the Pismo, but I'm not sure it's worth the investment.

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