Recently, the new MacBooks have been released, and are currently at just about a 10% defect rate. That meaning, if you purchase a new MacBook (the unibody model only), you should check for these before even leaving the parking lot:
- Slanted keys: the very top row of keys may be slanted slightly (if you lean down parallel to the MacBook, the keys will appear that one side is higher than the other
- Dead pixels: turn on the computer and change the desktop background to white, see if you see any colored dots on the screen (black, red, green, purple, blue, etc).
- Lose battery cover: some got a machine that’s battery cover doesn’t fit securely on the base.
- Scratches: if the computer has any marks on them, they are probably from poor manufacturing. You shouldn’t accept the computer in this case.
If you have ANY of these defects, visit your local Apple Store’s Genius Bar for a replacement if the machine was bought within 14 days, or a repair if after. These issues may cause greater problems along the road and can change retail value.
That aside,
The Desktops
Apple has stated that we will not see any updates to their desktop lines of computers until after December and the updates are expected to be released at MacWorld as well as some talk about how Snow Leopard is coming along. Anyway, here’s a few things we can expect:
iMac: New mini-display port, starting at 2GB of RAM, last two models should have 4GB, slight graphics card updates. Drop of firewire 400, replaced by an extra USB port.
Mac Mini: It’s been neglected for too long, but I do see some hope for it in the future. I do believe that it will most likely turn into a MacBook inside a small micro tower with it’s graphics card and configuration. This includes firewire being dropped here as well, but with an extra USB port instead.
Cinema Displays: A new 20″ and 30″ LED Backlit display using DisplayPort. Nothing too special.
Mac Pro: Nehalem will most likely be coming to it soon enough which would be a huge update, but not noticeable by most users. I doubt to see it, but Blu-ray would be awesome.
Snow Leopard – talking about current features, some new stuff to get consumers to go after it.
Time Capsule – Hard drives may be upgraded to 750GB and 1GB and prices may be lowered to start at $250. Maybe an audio port for music streaming? First AppleCare for TC may be released as well.
Mouse/Keyboard – Keyboard, most likely nothing new. Backlighting is a possibility however. The mouse will most likely get a design change and see a change in the currently defective scroll ball (I have one, it works great for the first month or so, then clogs and needs cleaned.)
On a side note, Nehalem is expected to be coming to the notebooks (first with the MacBook Pro) in mid-2009 with Snow Leopard. Toward 2010, it should finally reach Apple’s consumer notebook, the MacBook.
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