’ Tis the time of year to do some shopping , and if you ’ve added a new Macintosh to your shopping list , you ’ve pick a great time to grease one’s palms one . Apple ’s current lineup sport a nice mixture of Macs at nifty value .
But with all that Apple has to offer , you may clearly be unclear as to which Mac you should buy . MacBook or MacBook Pro ? The 21.5 - inch iMac or 27 - in iMac ? We ’ve examine them all ( well , almost all of them ; we just got the unexampled 27 - inch 2.66GHz Core i5 iMac , and we ’re prove it right now ) , and we ’re here to help .
In this purchasing guide , we ’ll cover all the Mac models available , tell you how they take issue from their various previous example , and how well they did in our benchmark tests . If you want to read the full review article for each Mac , just fall into place on the “ Read our complete review ” links . We ’ve also provided links to avail you find the best prices .
MacBook
It may not seem obvious when you depend at the MacBook , but it has undergo a dramatic change . The new MacBook , free in October , has a polycarbonate plastic case like itspredecessor , which was released in June . But unlike the previous model , the raw MacBook boast a unibody design . The result is a MacBook physical structure that ’s lighter and more durable , and one that has fewer character .
One drastic variety with the MacBook is that it now has a non - obliterable battery . Apple say that a barrage should last between 3.5 and 7 hr , depend on the character of task you ’re doing . Other improvements on its predecessor let in a methamphetamine Multi - Touch trackpad with gesture support , and an light-emitting diode backlit display .
The major wanting feature in the MacBook is FireWire : the new MacBook does n’t have either a FireWire 400 or FireWire 800 port . Instead , you connect peripheral through one of the two USB 2.0 ports . The MacBook also does n’t have an IR interface for the Apple Remote , but you’re able to employ an iPhone or iPod touch with a outside app over Wi - Fi .
constellation : There ’s only one configuration of the MacBook available . For $ 999 , you get a 2.26GHz Core 2 Duo CPU , 2 GB of DDR3 RAM , a 250 GB hard drive , an 8X SuperDrive , and the nVidia GeForce 9400 M integrated graphics scheme , which expend 256 MB of main memory for telecasting .
carrying into action : The new MacBook provides a significant performance rise over its forerunner , thanks to the faster CPU ( 2.26GHz in the new , compare with 2.13GHz in the old ) and a boost in RAM speed ( 1066MHz in the new , as opposed to 800MHz in the erstwhile ) . Compared with the 13 - in 2.26GHz Core 2 Duo MacBook Pro , the newfangled MacBook was as degraded or faster inmany of our benchmark test .
Macworld ’s buying advice : The MacBook is a very democratic machine , extend a big combining of terms and performance . Its electric battery life is very upright , and the new unibody design is a nice acclivity . The MacBook is a terrific political machine for most citizenry , but if you need FireWire in a laptop computer , you ’ll have to consider a MacBook Pro .
MacBook Pro
The unibody intent may be new to the MacBook , but it ’s been more than a yr since the unibody MacBook Pros made their unveiling . The swelled alteration made to the MacBook Pro line back in June was the introduction of a 13 - inch model to go along with the 15- and 17 - column inch laptops .
Besides adding the 13 - inch model , Apple did total some newfangled feature during the June update . The 13- and 15 - inch MacBook Pros now have SD notice slots instead of ExpressCard/34 slots , ( the 17 - inch MacBook Pro has an ExpressCard/34 slot but no SD card slot ) . All of the MacBook Pros now have built - in batteries that are not user - replaceable . And the 15 - in simulation has a new screen that ’s a big improvement on the screen in the previous 15 - inch MacBook Pro . All of the MacBook Pros have FireWire 800 .
Configurations : There are a total of six MacBook Pro standard configurations .
The 13 - inch MacBook Pro with a 2.26GHz Core 2 Duo processor , 2 GB of RAM , and a 160 GB hard drive monetary value $ 1199 . There ’s also a 13 - inch MacBook Pro with a 2.53GHz Core 2 Duo central processing unit , 4 GB of RAM , and a 250 GB heavy drive that cost $ 1499 . Both 13 - in MacBook Pro theoretical account utilize nVidia GeForce 9400 M art .
There are three 15 - inch models . For $ 1699 , you get a 2.53GHz Core 2 Duo processor , a 250 GB grueling drive , and nVidia GeForce 9400 M graphics . The next mannikin up has a 2.66GHz Core 2 Duo processor , a 320 GB hard drive , uses both the nVidia GeForce 9400 M and nVidia GeForce 9600 M GT ( 256 MB dedicated video memory ) for artwork , and costs $ 1999 . The high-pitched - remainder 15 - column inch MacBook Pro has a 2.8GHz Core 2 Duo Processor , a 500 GB hard drive , and the nVidia GeForce 9400 M and nVidia GeForce 9600 M GT ( 512 MB dedicated television memory ) for graphics , all for $ 2299 . All of the 15 - inch model have 4 GB of RAM .
The 17 - inch MacBook Pro has a 2.8GHz Core 2 Duo Processor , 4 GB of RAM , a 500 GB punishing drive , and the nVidia GeForce 9400 M and nVidia GeForce 9600 M GT ( 512 megabyte consecrated video memory ) for graphics . It be $ 2499 .
The 15- and 17 - inch MacBook Pros are the only laptop in Apple ’s card that have an antiglare screen alternative available , but it costs an additional $ 50 .
functioning : The 17 - inch MacBook Pro was the fastest in our Speedmark 6 examination , but the 15 - column inch MacBook Pro with the same mainframe as the 17 - inch framework ( a 2.8GHz Core 2 Duo ) was n’t far behind . If you require the fastest MacBook Pro , your choice will be between these two mannequin , and it fundamentally do down to whether or not you want the bigger screen .
The $ 1199 13 - column inch MacBook Pro ’s performance was exchangeable to that of the MacBook — in some tests , the MacBook was faster . When you ’re decide between the MacBook and the 13 - inch MacBook Pro , the decision come down to FireWire , and to a lesser extent , your preference for charge plate or aluminum .
Except for the screen size , the $ 1499 13 - inch MacBook Pro has the same specifications as the $ 1699 15 - in MacBook Pro . As you might expect , the benchmark result from these to machines are closely identical .
Macworld ’s purchasing advice : If you ’re on a budget and you do n’t want FireWire , the $ 999 MacBook is a better hand than the $ 1199 13 - inch MacBook Pro . The 13 - in 2.53GHz MacBook Pro , however , is a very well value — it has a smaller sizing and weightiness than the other MacBook Pros , and it really offers functioning that ’s standardised to the $ 1699 15 - inch 2.53GHz MacBook Pro . If you need the fast MacBook Pro , either the 15- or 17 - in MacBook Pros with the 2.8GHz central processing unit will tally the bill .
MacBook Air
Looking for a Mac netbook ? The MacBook Air is the closelipped you ’ll get . The most recent MacBook Air models were let go of in June , and externally , the MacBook Air has n’t interchange from theprevious version .
Not much has changed with the MacBook Air ’s internals , either — the most dramatic changes occur between the first and second generations , and we ’re now at the third genesis . About the only major variety is with the mainframe .
contour : Before the June update there were two MacBook Air model . There are still two models , but the processors have been upgraded .
The first MacBook Air model has a 1.86GHz Core 2 Duo CPU , 2 GB of RAM , and a 120 GB grueling drive for $ 1499 . The other MacBook Air has a 2.13GHz Core 2 Duo processor , 2 GB of RAM , and a 128 GB satisfying - state movement for $ 1799 .
functioning : In our testing , the 2.13GHz MacBook Air was a bit tiresome than the old top - of - the - line of products MacBook Air , which had a 1.86GHz Core 2 duad . More interestingly , the new 1.86GHz MacBook Air was slower than the sure-enough 1.86GHz Core 2 span . We ’re not indisputable why each auto performed the elbow room they did , but we surmise that the MacBook Air ’s thermal - protection systems in the new model plough down the pep pill of the processors for keep the laptop computer nerveless .
Macworld ’s buying advice : The MacBook Air is n’t about public presentation , and if speed in a modest laptop is your top priority , you should consider a 13 - inch 2.53GHz MacBook Pro . The MacBook Air is all about portability — it ’s small enough and illume enough to convey with you almost anywhere .
Mac Mini
Once considered the neglected political machine in Apple ’s Mac line of business , the Mac mini has had two update in one yr ( the most recent of which happened in October ) . Its stipulation are saucy , wee the small screen background Mac an attractive buy for switchers or current Mac owners looking for an affordable upgrade from a Power PC - based Mac .
Apple boosted the tup in the $ 599 Mac mini from 1 GB ( which was n’t enough ) to 2 GB ( a heap well ) . The $ 599 Mac mini also has 40 gigabyte more storage than before . The $ 799 Mac miniskirt has 4 GB of RAM , up from 2 GB in the premature $ 799 model .
Apple also declare oneself a new Mac mini with Snow Leopard Server , with a 2.53GHz Core 2 Duo processor and a pair of 500 GB severe drives that you may configure as a RAID . This exemplar does n’t have an optical drive .
Configurations : The $ 599 Mac mini has a 2.26GHz Core 2 Duo processor and a 160 GB severe drive . The $ 799 Mac miniskirt has a 2.53GHz Core 2 Duo processor and a 320 GB hard effort .
You have to supply your own keyboard , mouse , and display . The Mac mini has both Mini DisplayPort and mini - DVI connectors , and Apple includes only a mini - DVI - to - DVI adapter .
Performance : The growth in processor hurrying and RAM help oneself the new Mac minis show decent increases over its predecessor . The dispute between the sometime 2GHz Mac mini and the new 2.26GHz Mac miniskirt was small , but much more noticeable between the sure-enough 2GHz Mac mini and the young 2.53GHz model .
Macworld ’s buying advice : The Mac mini is for the cost - witting client . You make some operation compromises , but this genesis of the Mac miniskirt has melioration that finally let the Mac miniskirt take full advantage of Mac OS X and iLife ’ 09 . We think the $ 599 Mac mini is a good value than the $ 799 exemplar .
iMac
Apple ’s all - in - one calculator was updated in October , and from the outside , the iMac changes search major . rather of 20- and 24 - inch model with 16:10 displays , the new iMacs have widescreen 16:9 displays at 21.5 and 27 inch . The image quality on the unexampled iMacs is a big betterment on that of the late iMacs , peculiarly on that of the 20 - inch iMac . Another young feature you ’ll notice is the Coyote State carte time slot next to the SuperDrive expansion slot .
A 3.06GHz Core 2 Duo processor is in three of the four new iMacs . With the 21.5 - column inch iMac , you’re able to choose between a arrangement that has nVidia ’s GeForce 9400 M , which utilise 256 MB of main retentiveness for TV , or a system with an ATI Radeon HD 4670 graphics card with 256 MB of dedicated memory . There ’s a 27 - column inch 3.06GHz Core 2 Duo iMac with a 512 MB Radeon HD 4670 graphic card , and another 27 - column inch iMac that uses a quadruplet - effect 2.66GHz Intel i5 processor and an ATI Radeon HD 4850 graphics card with 512 MB of telecasting RAM .
form : There are two 21.5 - column inch iMacs . The first 21.5 - in iMac has a 3.06GHz Core 2 Duo CPU and a 500 GB hard ride , and it be $ 1199 . The second 21.5 - inch iMac also has a 3.06GHz Core 2 duette C.P.U. , but with a 1 TB hard effort . It costs $ 1499 .
There are two 27 - inch iMacs . The 27 - inch with a 3.06GHz Core 2 Duo central processor has a 1 TB severe drive and costs $ 1699 . Then there ’s a 27 - inch iMac with a quadrangle - core 2.66GHz Intel i5 processor and a 1 TB hard drive . It costs $ 1999 .
public presentation : Our benchmarks show that the three new iMacs with the 3.06GHz Core 2 Duo processor have the same amphetamine as the last iMac generation ’s top - of - the - dividing line 24 - inch 3.06GHz Core 2 Duo iMac . More - substantial profit can be see to it in the Modern 3.06GHz iMacs compared with the old 20 - inch 2.66GHz Core 2 Duo iMac .
With its quad - core processor , the 27 - in Intel Core i5 iMac shows more - significant gains over the former generation of iMacs . In fact , the Intel Core i5 iMac devote the Mac Pro for its money . It ’s a very telling auto .
Macworld ’s purchasing advice : The iMacs have enough processing major power for serious video and audio work , but they are priced attractively for the world-wide consumer . If you have an iMac from the previous generation , it might be compelling to upgrade if you have a model with a 2.66GHz Core 2 Duo processor , or if you have the 20 - inch iMac with the 6 - bite exhibit — the 21 - inch display are a immense betterment . If you have a first - propagation Al iMac or older , this is the time to upgrade . If you desire a 27 - inch iMac , get the Core i5 model .
Mac Pro
Apple ’s top - performing workstation was updated last March . Apple replaced the single - model Mac Pro with a twosome of quadriceps femoris - core 2.8GHz Intel Xeon 5400 processors with two young Mac Pro models , one with a single quad - substance 2.66GHz Intel Xeon 3500 central processing unit , the other with two quadrangle - core ( a total of eight cores ) Xeon 5500 processors running at 2.26GHz .
The Mac Pros also have new graphics card : nVidia ’s GeForce GT 120 with 512 MB of consecrated video recording RAM . The Mac Pro ’s inside was redesign to make accessing its internals and adding or upgrading components easier .
constellation : The first Mac Pro has a quad - core 2.66GHz Intel Xeon 3500 processor , 3 GB of RAM , and a 640 GB hard movement . It costs $ 2499 .
The second Mac Pro has two quad - core 2.26GHz Xeon 5500 processors , 6 GB of RAM , and a 640 GB hard drive for $ 3299 .
The Mac Pros have a ton of build - to - order options . With the $ 2499 Mac Pro , you may get a 2.93GHz Intel Xeon 3500 C.P.U. for an additional $ 500 . With the $ 3299 Mac Pro , you’re able to opt for two musculus quadriceps femoris - core 2.66GHz Xeon 5500 processors ( for an extra $ 1400 ) or two quad - core 2.93GHz Xeon 5500 central processing unit ( for an extra $ 2600 ) . you’re able to add more RAM , up to the 16 GB limit for either Mac Pro . Apple fills only one of the four hard - driving force bay with the received configurations , but gives you the choice to lend more drives and even configure them as a RAID . you may also add a second SuperDrive or promote the TV card . A complete list of options is available on the Mac Pro tech spec vane varlet .
Performance : To no surprisal , the Mac Pros are fast . Just to give you an melodic theme of how fast they are , The Mac Pros more than doubled the Speedmark 6 account of a 2GHz Mac mini that ship sooner this year . Interestingly , there ’s not much of a remainder between the two Mac Pros when compare their Speedmark scores . That probably state more about the applications in our benchmark test suite than the Mac Pros themselves — few of the apps we test can take full advantage of four or more heart and soul .
However , the 27 - inch Core i5 iMac is just as fast as either Mac Pro . And if you swap the Core i5 iMac with the Core i5 processor , you ’ll have a machine that ’s in reality quick than either Mac Pros and save some money .
Macworld ’s buying advice : If all you care about is speed , get an Core i7 iMac , not a Mac Pro . The Mac Pro is proficient combination of speed and upgradability — you may add more internal tough drives , load a net ton of RAM , or upgrade the TV lineup . The $ 2499 Mac Pro is the place to start , and you might even want to append some of the build - to - order options , like more storage and more RAM . Consider the $ 3299 Mac Pro if your software can take advantage of the additional gist . However , with the Mac Pro , the smart move might be to hold off until Apple releases new models with flying processors .
[ Roman Loyola is a Macworld senior editor . ]
