Apple Unleashes New Gear

By Shane Craver on October 20, 2009

Cupertino computing giant, Apple, released a new set of gear in the form of a bigger, badder iMac (well, as bad as an iMac could be) along with a new MacBook and Mac Mini and even a new “Magic Mouse” to replace their not-so-mighty “Mighty Mouse.”

The new iMac comes with an upgraded processor and a massive 27-inch back-lit LED screen. The all-in-one also now comes standard with the new wireless Magic Mouse and a wireless keyboard – that still lacks a num pad.

Apple’s new MacBook is a throwback to the ugly white laptops that are encased in the colorless plastic shell. However, this time Apple made the ugly shell based on a uni-body frame for increased strength and lighter weight. They also threw in their controversial 7-hour battery that’s built into the laptop. Users cannot swap out the battery, which supposedly will survive five years of 7-hour charges.

The computer-in-a-sandwich-box, Mac Mini also got an upgrade with more memory and a faster processor. The little Mac still lacks the ability to toast bread, which should come standard with any computer that comes in that shape.

Finally, the biggest innovation for Apple is their new Magic Mouse. Apple has been criticized from all sorts for their clunky and hard to use Mighty Mouse. As we have pointed out in the past, Apple was the last to adopt two-button functionality in their mouse with the exception of Elmo’s super ‘puter.

The new mouse goes off of the deep end with functionality by offering a multi-touch top-face that supports gestures. No clicking here, just lots of touchy-feely stuff with the Magic Mouse.

While touch screens are great on an iPhone and users will tolerate a lack of tactile response on them, a touch screen on a mouse may be a bit much.

We’ll get our hands on one as soon as we can to give it a test. In the meantime, we’ll stick with our Logitech MX Revolution and diNovo Keyboard that – yes – does have a num pad.