Time To Take a Look

Well, it's been a couple of days since Apple's little (but widely hyped) media event on February 28. What happened? Well, what was released at the event maybe didn't deserve an entire media event dedicated to it, but it was fairly solid nonetheless.

Mac mini
Apple's brought over their entry-level computer to Intel processors. 2 new models have replaced the 3 models from the previous versions. The low-end gets you a 1.5Ghz Intel Core Solo (these are Intel's single-core versions of their Core processors), a 60GB SATA hard-drive, 512MB DDR2 667Mhz RAM and a DVD reading, CD burning combo-drive all for $699 (up $69 from the previous model). The high-end model has an 80GB drive instead of the 60, a DVD burning Superdrive instead of the combo and comes with a dual-core Intel Core Duo chip running at 1.66Ghz. Price: $949. All new Mac minis now include Airport Extreme and Bluetooth 2.0 as standard, RAM stealing Intel GMA 950 graphics chips instead of ATI chips, which makes me a little sad, but it's forgivable. On the other hand, they now include digital/analog in and out, so hooking this thing up to your home theater will be a lot nicer (Apple's even dedicated a small portion of their Mac mini site for this).
With this new computer, Apple continues moving themselves towards the digital living room.


iPod Hi-Fi
The high-priced iPod speaker system ($429). Anything more? Not really. No wireless streaming using iTunes on PC's or Macs, no built-in hard-drive (although such a feature would be utterly useless) and it's not even really small. It may seem like this thing is all crap, but I actually don't think it's all that bad. This isn't like any previous iPod speaker system; this is an all-out speaker system that would supposedly replace the one in your den or living room. However, I think it's best to wait until reviews start coming out. I personally think it's the sound-quality that will make or break the Hi-Fi.

Leather iPod cases
For $119, you can get a lot better. And I mean a lot better.


I should also mention that all prices above are in Canadian dollars.