Apple: Mac & iPod Product Guide

Mac Pro: The fastest Mac ever. Up to 2x faster than the previous Mac Pro, with new Quad-Core Intel Xeon processors up to 3.2GHz. Four hard drive bays for up to 4TB of storage, and room for up to 32GB of memory.

Highlights: Brand new!; monsterous power; highly configurable; fastest Mac available; internal components can be upgraded over time.

Considerations: Other than cost, ah...

MacBook Pro: Precision aluminum. The new gold standard. Carved from a single block of aluminum, the new MacBook Pro unibody enclosure is slim and streamlined with a soft-brushed surface and stunning contours. But it’s not all about beauty. The unibody also makes MacBook Pro more durable than ever. You can throw it in your briefcase or messenger bag and pull it out at an airport, in a hotel room, or on location without a second thought. So wherever you go, you have everything you need to edit, compose, design, and create.

Highlights: Configurable; fastest Mac laptop available; powerful graphics card; many ports.

Considerations: Other than cost, ah...

iMac: The all-new, all-in-one iMac packs a complete, high-performance computer into a beautifully thin design. Available in 20- and 24-inch widescreen models, it includes built-in wireless, Mac OS X, and the new iLife ’08. So within minutes of opening the box, you’ll be doing everything from sharing photos to creating movies to building websites.

Highlights: Most cost-effective way to get a great display and Mac; beautiful efficient form factor; Amazing display; can upgrade common components like RAM and Hard Drive; Intel chips make for fastest iMacs ever.

Considerations: The cost and form factor mean some tradeoffs in performance and upgradeability; can still be considered for Professional work, but will be lag behind a Mac Pro for high-end video and graphics production.

MacBook: Square one: a solid block of aluminum.
Instead of assembling a notebook from many minor parts, the new MacBook was reinvented from just one: the new, solid-aluminum unibody enclosure. It gets full credit for making MacBook thinner, lighter, and even more stunning. But it’s not all beauty. Because of the unibody, this MacBook is also durable. It was designed to take on your world. So slip it into your backpack or briefcase and pull it out wherever you go — it’s impressive in any setting.

Highlights: Brand new upgrades to processor and graphics card make this the most powerful 'consumer' laptop Apple has made to date.

Considerations: Expansion, size, no Firewire and missing some of the extras of the Macbook Pro.

MacBook Air: MacBook Air is ultrathin, ultraportable, and ultra unlike anything else. But you don’t lose inches and pounds overnight. It’s the result of rethinking conventions. Of multiple wireless innovations. And of breakthrough design. With MacBook Air, mobile computing suddenly has a new standard.

Highlights: The thinnest most portable Mac laptop available; mutli-touch track pad for iPod-like interactions; Intel chip; backlit keyboard, fits well into multi-Mac workflow using new Remote Disc technology.

Considerations: The form factor means some tradeoffs in performance and upgradeability; no optical drive; fewer ports - no firewire; no Express Card port; no user-replaceable battery.

Time Capsule: A backup appliance that works seamlessly with Time Machine to automatically and wirelessly back up everything on one or more Macs running Mac OS X Leopard, Time Capsule combines an 802.11n base station with a server grade hard disk in one small package.

Highlights: It's like getting an AirPort Extreme Base station and an industrial strength HD all in one device. Designed to work with seamlessly with Time Machine, this will be ideal for users with a laptop or mix of machines. 500GB to 1TB storage options.

Considerations: Combining the router and external HD cuts down on the portability factor of the storage, but besides that, this is darn cool.

Mac mini: Live the digital life in stylish simplicity — up to 39% faster. Just 6.5 inches square and 2 inches small, Mac mini lets you have more fun with your music, photos, and movies, more quickly and more easily. Enjoy them up close or far away with the included Apple Remote. The most affordable way to Intel Core 2 Duo, iLife ’08, and Front Row starts at $599.

Highlights: The most affordable Mac available; great if you already have a monitor, keyboard and mouse; can also make a great Windows machine.

Considerations: The low price comes at a performance cost; not for gamers; not suited for intensive professional graphics or video production.

AirPort Extreme: Introducing the new AirPort Extreme Base Station, now with Gigabit Ethernet. The #1 selling 802.11n router1, AirPort Extreme is the perfect wireless solution for home, school, and business. As it blankets your space with a blazing-fast, secure wireless network, it opens up a world of possibilities for home entertainment, sharing files, printing, and more.

Highlights: Easy setup and configuration; Mac & Windows friendly; Fast; Can support a hardwired machine on Ethernet as well; Built in Firewall; Allows for printer or Hard Drive sharing via the USB port.

Considerations: You CAN find a cheaper router with shared specs, but they won't "just work" like an AirPort.