By: Mike Maizel
There’s been a lot of Apple news in the past week thanks to WWDC 2017. We’ve learned about iOS 11, macOS High Sierra and of course the competitor to Amazon Echo, the HomePod. But amidst all the excitement one piece of news that may have slipped by is the new MacBook and iMac.
Both the resident notebook and all-in-one iMac are getting significant upgrades to their guts that are worth looking into if you’re in need of an upgrade.
iMac
While we’ll have to wait until the end of the year for the iMac Pro, the new iMac comes equipped with Intel’s seventh-generation Kaby Lake processor for a major boost in processing power.
Couple that with the souped-up SSD that supports twice the memory of the earlier model and twice the speed and you’ve got a machine that puts your current iMac to shame.
Additional features include a Fusion Drive, a display that is 43% brighter, native VR support and, as is becoming standard these days, two USB-C ports.
Prices for the iMac begin at $1,099. Which is cheaper than some MacBooks.
MacBook
Like the iMac, the new MacBook and MacBook Pro are both getting Kaby Lake Processors. (You’re getting a Kaby Lake Processor! You’re getting a Kaby Lake Processor! Everyone’s getting a Kaby Lake Processor!)
The SSD performs 50% faster and tests show performance is 20% faster than earlier models thanks to the upgraded processor chips.
The keyboard has received a significant upgrade and for some these are no small changes. One of the major criticisms of the last few models of MacBooks have been the nearly flat and unresponsive keyboard buttons.
The newest models have fixed this problem by finding a sweet spot compromise between the keyboards of old and the flat keyboards of new. Responses have been favorable so far to the new design.
And just in case you’re one of those MacBook Pro users that isn’t particularly fond of the Touch Bar, they announced a 13-inch version without the convenient little bar. It’ll only cost you $1,300. The 15-inch on the other hand goes for $2,500. So…there’s that.
The iMac, MacBook and MacBook Pro are available now while the new iMac Pro begins shipping in December 2017.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mike Maizel is a regular tech beat reporter and producer for NewsWatch. He loves all things tech, and can regularly be found outdoors in the mountains of Colorado.
