Pre-2009 Apple Hardware

The Mac mini server is by far the least expensive way to run Snow Leopard Server. The mini’s hardware is up to most of the tasks you can throw at it, as long as you keep the appropriate scale in mind. Ideal uses for the Mac mini server include workgroup, classroom, lab, small business, home office, and home. At $999, the mini offers terrific value.

The fall 2009 edition of Apple’s Mac mini splits the product line into two distinct versions. The standard edition comes in two models that sport slightly different processor, memory, and hard drive configurations. The other edition of the Mac mini is a special server version. We will review the server version separately; here we’ll concentrate on the two models of the standard version.

Apple’s MacBook Pro line of notebooks is available in 13-inch, 15-inch, and 17-inch models. Designed for the professional who needs power and portability, the MacBook Pro line of notebooks also appeals to a wide range of users beyond the professional user target market.

October 14, 2008 was the ‘Spotlight on Notebooks’ event, where Apple announced new MacBooks and MacBook Pros, an updated MacBook Air, and a new 24-inch Cinema Display. Two common themes permeated the announcements: new manufacturing technology that Apple is using to produce strong, lightweight notebook cases, and Apple’s new fondness for graphics chipsets from NVIDIA.

Review of the 2.4 GHz Apple MacBook, one of the top-selling notebooks in the industry. Using a Core 2 Duo processor, the MacBook comes with OS X 10.5 (Leopard) pre-installed, and is able to run Windows as well.

Reviewing the iPhone 3G led me to conclude that Apple hasn’t just released a new iPhone; it has also created a new mobile computing platform that has the potential to change the mobile market.

Peview of the MacBook Pro late 2008. The new 15-inch MacBook Pro offers superb graphics performance for its price level. By utilizing two NVIDIA graphics chips the MacBook Pro is able to tailor graphics performance for the task at hand.

Peview of the MacBook late 2008. The 13-inch MacBook offers impressive new graphics capabilities that will run circles around the earlier versions of the MacBook.

The Mac mini (early 2009 version) gives the Mac faithful some of the features they’ve been clamoring for, including new processors (Core 2 Duo) and a much-anticipated graphics update that finally brings some serious graphics capabilities to the littlest Mac.

The iMac Early 2009 is available in four basic models so it can easily meet the needs of individuals looking for an economical desktop, as well as those who want a powerful all-in-one desktop. In this About: Macs review, we will look at the new iMac offerings.

Review of 17-inch MacBook Pro With Core i5 or Core i7 Processor: We've been anticipating the release of new MacBook Pros with Intel Core i5 and i7 processors ever since Apple updated its iMac line with these speedy CPUs in the fall of 2009. It's been a bit of a wait, but at first blush, it seems the wait was well worth it.

Review of the 15-inch MacBook Pro With Core i5 or Core i7 Processor: We've been anticipating the release of new MacBook Pros with Intel Core i5 and i7 processors ever since Apple updated its iMac line with these speedy CPUs in the fall of 2009. It's been a bit of a wait, but at first blush, it seems the wait was well worth it.

Review of 13-inch MacBook Pro Summer 2009: The 13-inch MacBook Pro didn’t undergo many changes from its earlier incarnation as a 13-inch MacBook to earn its new designation as a member of the MacBook Pro line. Still, it has a lot to offer, and at its base price of $1199 it’s a great value for a MacBook Pro.

The fall 2009 edition of the iMac line of Macintosh computers ushers in more than just an upgrade or speed bump. It brings distinctive new style and improved performance and capabilities to the iMac family

Apple’s newest MacBook combines many of the features found in the MacBook Pro line of notebooks into an inexpensive MacBook that is rugged and versatile.

Review of the 13-inch MacBook Pro With Intel Core 2 Duo Processor: We've been anticipating the release of new 13-inch MacBook Pros for some time. We had hoped Apple would use the Intel Core i5 and i7 processors across the MacBook Pro line. Instead, it chose to stay with the Intel Core 2 Duo processor, to help keep the cost down and continue to offer an affordable entry-level MacBook Pro.

27-inch iMac 2010 Review: The 2010 update to the 27-inch iMac is mainly a speed bump, slipping in higher clock speeds for the Quad-Core i5 and Quad-Core i7 models. The more drastic change, and one for the better I might add, is that Apple finally leaves behind the Intel Core 2 Duo line of processors and now supplies an Intel Dual-Core i3 for the entry-level 27-inch iMac.

21.5-inch iMac 2010 Review: Apple's latest update to the popular iMac brings Intel's iX line of processors to the entire lineup. The 21.5-inch model gets three processor options: a 3.06 GHz or 3.2 GHz Intel Core i3 in the two standard models, and a 3.60 GHz Intel Core i5 in a build-to-order configuration.

iMac 2010 Review: With the 2010 iMac, Apple has consolidated the product around the Intel Core ix series of processors. Using any of the three processor models - the i3, i5, and i7 - the iMac can be configured from a basic desktop to a multimedia powerhouse with enough oomph to handle video, audio, and other multimedia projects.

The 21.5-inch iMac sporting the Intel 3.06 GHz Core 2 Duo processor is a great value in the current iMac lineup. Offered at $1499, the 21.5-inch iMac has an LED backlit display with a 16:9 aspect ratio. The display is driven by an ATI Radeon HD 4670 graphics card that's a pretty good boost over the stock NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics card used in the base model iMac. The 21.5-inch iMac boasts the…

The 27-inch iMac sporting the Intel 3.06 GHz Core 2 Duo processor may be the best value in the current iMac lineup. Offered at $1699, the 27-inch model has a gorgeous display that may well be the best display Apple has produced so far. Paired with the huge display is a well-designed and well-performing iMac, with plenty of features and enough...

Apple’s Magic Mouse is the first Multi-Touch mouse for the Mac. Picture the MacBook Pro’s glass trackpad on wheels, able to roll around your desk. With gesture support and a unique low-profile look, the Magic Mouse may be the next best thing to magic.

Review of 8-core Mac Pro, early 2008 series. The Mac Pro, by any definition, is currently the ultimate desktop Mac. The use of dual 4-core Zeon processors for a total of 8 cores makes the Mac Pro one of the highest performing Macs you can currently get your hands on.

Weighing in at 3 lbs., and ranging in height from 0.16" to 0.76", Apple's MacBook Air may not be the lightest sub notebook available for road warriors and other travelers, but it's definitely the thinnest.

Apple’s MacBook Pro line of notebooks is available in 13-inch, 15-inch, and 17-inch models. Designed for the professional who needs power and portability, the MacBook Pro also appeals to a wide range of users beyond its target market.

The MacBook, Apple’s least expensive notebook, has a lot going for it, well beyond its good looks and processing prowess. It delivers a lot of technology in a small package. But packing all those goodies into the small form factor, and keeping the price below the $1000 barrier, meant Apple had to make a few design tradeoffs.

The iMac is a great desktop Mac, one that works well as the primary computer for many individuals. But there are some tradeoffs to be aware of when considering this all-in-one design from Apple.

A tower of 8-core power, the Mac Pro is nothing if not powerful and expandable. Its elegant design makes adding memory, hard drives, and add-in cards a simpler task than almost any other computer can claim.

Mac Minis are small and inexpensive. They're a good choice for first-time Mac users, for adding to home theater systems, or for serving as very portable desktop computers for college-bound students. But as attractive as they are, Mac Minis are not flawless.