Apple’s second stash of stocking stuffers
Leave it to tech heavyweight Apple to do two product launches within two months of each other. After launching Apple Watch Series 4 and three iPhone variants in September, here are the additional stocking stuffers they unveiled on October 30.
The redesigned and reengineered MacBook Air
The new model for 2018 is a breath of fresh air. It has 17% less volume, a quarter of a pound lighter, and 10% thinner than its predecessor, but it is by no means a lightweight when it comes to features and capabilities:
- Faster performance – features the 1.6GHz/3.6GHz Core i5 processor, has up to 16GB of memory, and SSDs with up to 1.5TB of storage
- 13.3” Retina display – has over 4 million pixels, making text and images are sharper and more detailed
- Apple T2 Security Chip – enables Touch ID, permits only trusted operating system software to boot at startup, and encrypts stored data
- Touch ID – allows user to unlock the device, buy items using Apple Pay, or open other apps in conjunction with a 3rd party password manager with a touch of a finger
- Butterfly keyboard – each key is more stable and responsive and is backlit for easier typing
- Force Touch trackpad – now larger, allowing better conveyance of finger gestures
- Superb sound system – with louder speakers with more bass and three mics enable clear group facetime call audio and voice recognition
- Two Thunderbolt 3 ports – has versatile ports that enable fast data and graphics delivery and charging via a single cable
The new Mac mini
This small-yet-powerful PC packs six processors for five times faster performance than the previous model. Other features include:
- Up to 64GB of memory
- All-flash SSDs – four times faster, with up to 2TB of storage
- Apple T2 Security Chip – just like what the new MacBook Air has
- Connectivity options – has ports for Ethernet (configurable to 10GB), Thunderbolt 3, HDMI, USB-A, and audio
- Stackability – use hundreds of Minis together for mission-critical IT processes that run 24/7
The new iPad Pro
The October 2018 launch focused solely on the Pro variant, perhaps signalling the discontinuation of the economical non-Pro iPads, considering Apple’s push for PC-level tablets.
iPad Pro users can now use resource-intensive programs such as AutoCAD, which is software that lets you tackle millions of objects within one file. Moreover, Photoshop users on the iPad Pro can create huge graphic design masterpieces with hundreds of layers without suffering lag.
The main features of iPad Pro include:
- Liquid Retina display – gives the best color accuracy of any screen to date and shows things as true to life as possible
- Face ID – use your face to open your device, log onto apps, and use Apple Pay
- A12X Bionic Chip – contains the Neural Engine, which enables advanced machine learning for smart image and video editing, among others
- 8-core CPU – run multiple programs simultaneously apart and dynamically together, such as doing multiple-item drag-and-drops across different apps
- 7-core GPU – offers 1000x faster graphics performance
- USB-C port – connect directly to your other devices so you can work on your creations immediately
- Apple Pencil (sold separately) – features tip and slant sensitivity, making it the most intuitive electronic drawing tool in the market today
- Smart Keyboard Folio (sold separately) – serves as a protective covering and a dual-mode keyboard: one mode lets you type comfortably on a desk, while the other lets you use the Pro on your lap
With so many top-of-the-line features that compliment their intuitive designs, it is no wonder that Apple devices command above-average prices. Indeed, Apple truly knows how to stir up demand for its products. To learn how you can take advantage of Apple’s powerful tech to make your staff more productive, efficient, and creative, drop us a line. Our IT experts can help you source the best hardware and software for your business.