Slow, fast, faster, Maaac Pro, ladies and gents! I know we're not into the mainframe computers area just yet, but if we talk about computers that most people can buy, than the Mac Pro is one of the fastest choices out there. Even more, about three days ago, Apple came up with the fastest Mac so far, together with the new iMacs and Mac Minis!

We all know Mac Pro's performance comes for a price, but think about this - "With four cores on one die and an integrated memory controller, the new Quad-Core Intel Xeon “Nehalem” processor boosts performance nearly 2x." Take that, add Mac OS X into the equation, and you get one of the fastest desktop computers for the average Joe...although most Mac Pro users are anything but the average Joe.

The fastesc Mac available got incredibly fast, with DDR3 memory fed by two 2.26GHz, 2.66GHz, or 2.93GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon 5500 series processors in the most expensive models, and up to 4TB of internal storage. The video cards available are the NVIDIA GeForce GT 120 with 512MB of GDDR3 memory, and the ATI Radeon HD 4870 with 512MB of GDDR5 memory, both using the PCI Express 2.0 slot. The problem for ATI fans is that the Mac Pro doesn't come with support for a CrossFire setup, but only for two, three, or four NVIDIA GeForce GT 120 cards in a SLI setup.

The default setup of the 8-Core Mac Pro, the fastest Mac series so far, includes two 2.26GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon "Nehalem" processors, 6GB (six 1GB) memory, 640GB hard drive, the 18x double-layer SuperDrive and the NVIDIA GeForce GT 120 graphics card with 512MB. The price? $3,299, with free shipping! Ouch...

If that one is a bit out of your budget, you can get the slower Quad-Core Mac Pro, with a single 2.66GHz processor, 3GB of memory, and the same remaining components as the 8-Core model, for "just" $2,499.

Obviously, if you start messing with those setups to get the best for your needs, you may end up with a $5,000+ Mac Pro, but let's forget about money for a moment - having the fastest Mac around is really worth any price, at least to some people, don't you agree?

OK, so we have some new iMacs. Looking back at the older models, we won't find any huge external differences. In fact, not even the new hardware inside won't blow your head off, as I was able to notice by taking a look at some recent iMac benchmarks. First, take a look at the image below, and then we'll move on, all right?

Primate Labs ran its in-house Geekbench test suite on a bunch of iMacs and Mac Minis, and the conclusions are pretty sad. If you didn't get it by looking at the image above, let me say only this - new CPUs only really impact on real speed, as long as they are clocked higher than previous ones. That's true especially with the iMacs, because the Minis got a new, much faster integrated graphics chip.

Just think about these - when talking about same clock speeds, the difference in test scores is very close to zero, with 11 points in the case of the two iMacs running at 2.66GHz. Taking it to a higher level, we find the 2.93GHz iMac, replacing a 2.8GHz model, but only having a 5 percent speed gain, directly connected to its higher clock speed. While the Mac Mini got the highest gain in the test, this was only about 7 percent, but the benchmark used only messed with the CPU and memory, so...

..."You might be better off getting a discontinued (or refurbished) previous-generation Mac rather than one of the new Mac models," at least according to Primate Labs. If I look at the iMac benchmarks once again, I get to think this isn't such a bad idea. What do you think?

In Japan, there are plenty of choices for those looking to get a portable media player, and this makes it all even more interesting - could you believe that Apple gets a lot of Japanese love, despite the tough competition? I don't know exactly about technology fetishes, but it seems a lot of Japanese chicks appreciate Apple's design. If they go to sleep with their MacBooks or iPods, that's a completely different story...

According to a survey of no less than 1,100 young women in Japan, Apple was ranked first in a top of products with superior design. In fact, Apple got 4 of the first 5 spots, with the iPod being first, followed by the iPhone, Mac desktop computers, and MacBooks. In-between, on the third place, we can find the Plus-Minus Zero humidifiers. Simply amazing, don't you think?

In a smart move, Apple added emoji support for Japanese users in the 2.2 software update. Why? Well, you can't have Japanese love if you don't comply with Japanese requests and, according to SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son, "Email without emoticons can’t be email in Japan. We persuaded Apple Computer (to localize iPhones for the Japanese market)." Sweet!

If you're one of those who really hate Apple, here's your slice of good news - when asked about the overall brand image, instead of the company's products, Sony grabbed first place, with Apple coming in on second. Well, that's not such a big loss, after all. If Apple managed to climb up the ladder in Japan, that's a great achievement, and nobody can deny it. Now, it only remains to be seen how its Japanese future will look, because the battle for market share is getting tougher with each day...

As you probably know already, the iMac is my favorite Apple computer. On the other hand, the Mac Mini is "the thing that should not be," at least in my opinion. A lot of money for, basically, nothing, that's what I think about it, and nobody's going to change my thoughts about the little computer-in-a-box. Anyway, let's leave my opinion aside and see what's new with the Mac Mini, shall we?

Advertised as "world's most energy efficient desktop computer," the new Mac Mini comes in two versions, both offering "up to five times better graphics performance" when compared to the old Mac Minis, thanks to the NVIDIA GeForce 9400M integrated graphics, currently used in the latest family of unibody MacBooks.

These being said, let's start with the new 2.0 GHz Mac Mini, coming for a suggested retail price of $599 (US), and including the following:

- 2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor with 3MB shared L2 cache;
- 1GB of 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM expandable up to 4GB;
- NVIDIA GeForce 9400M integrated graphics;
- 120GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 5400 rpm;
- a slot-load 8x SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD+/-R DL/DVD+/-RW/CD-RW); separately);
- Mini DisplayPort and mini-DVI for video output (adapters sold separately);
- built-in AirPort Extreme wireless networking & Bluetooth 2.1+EDR;
- Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000 BASE-T);
- five USB 2.0 ports;
- one FireWire 800 port; and
- one audio line in and one audio line out port, each supporting both optical digital and analog.

At last, we have another new 2.0 GHz Mac Mini, priced at $799 (US), and packing the goodies below:

- 2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor with 3MB shared L2 cache;
- 2GB of 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM expandable up to 4GB;
- NVIDIA GeForce 9400M integrated graphics;
- 320GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 5400 rpm;
- a slot-load 8x SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD+/-R DL/DVD+/-RW/CD-RW);
- Mini DisplayPort and mini-DVI for video output (adapters sold separately);
built-in AirPort Extreme wireless networking & Bluetooth 2.1+EDR;
- Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000 BASE-T);
- five USB 2.0 ports;
- one FireWire 800 port; and
- one audio line in and one audio line out port, each supporting both optical digital and analog.

Well, this is it! They didn't take out FireWire, the processor used is pretty powerful, and the integrated graphics ain't that bad, either. Still, I would only use a Mac Mini if I wouldn't have to pay for it... :)

Yesterday, the Apple Online Store went down all over the world. Fortunately, it wasn't a DoS attack or any other problem, because the Cupertino-based company was working on some updates to its website. We're talking about really interesting updates here, and if we leave aside the new Mac Pros or Minis, the new iMac remains as the most attractive thing to look at. In fact, I could go as far as saying that the iMac is my favorite product from Apple, and that's why I am targeting it first. These being said, let's get busy!

Microsoft, get ready to buy a coffin! Now, really, the iMacs are getting more and more affordable, and this is great news for those still pondering their chances to successfully switch. Yesterday, Apple came up with no less than 4 iMacs, as you can see below...


20-inch 2.66 GHz iMac, $1,199 (US) SRP:

- 20-inch widescreen LCD display;
- 2.66 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor with 6MB shared L2 cache;
- 2GB 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM expandable to 8GB;
- NVIDIA GeForce 9400M integrated graphics;
- 320GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 7200 rpm;
- a slot-load 8x SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD+/-R DL/DVD+/-RW/CD-RW);
- Mini DisplayPort for video output (adapters sold separately);
- built-in AirPort Extreme 802.11n wireless networking & Bluetooth 2.1+EDR;
- built-in iSight video camera;
- Gigabit Ethernet port;
- four USB 2.0 ports;
- one FireWire 800 port;
- built-in stereo speakers and microphone; and
- the Apple Keyboard, Mighty Mouse.


24-inch 2.66 GHz iMac, $1,499 (US) SRP:

- 24-inch widescreen LCD display;
- 2.66 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor with 6MB shared L2 cache;
- 4GB 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM expandable to 8GB;
- NVIDIA GeForce 9400M integrated graphics;
- 640GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 7200 rpm;
- a slot-load 8x SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD+/-R DL/DVD+/-RW/CD-RW);
- Mini DisplayPort for video output (adapters sold separately);
- built-in AirPort Extreme 802.11n wireless networking & Bluetooth 2.1+EDR;
- built-in iSight video camera;
- Gigabit Ethernet port;
- four USB 2.0 ports;
- one FireWire 800 port;
- built-in stereo speakers and microphone; and
- the Apple Keyboard, Mighty Mouse.


24-inch 2.93 GHz iMac, $1,799 (US) SRP:

- 24-inch widescreen LCD display;
- 2.93 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor with 6MB shared L2 cache;
- 4GB 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM expandable to 8GB;
- NVIDIA GeForce GT 120; with 256MB GDDR3 SDRAM memory;
- 640GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 7200 rpm;
- a slot-load 8x SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD+/-R DL/DVD+/-RW/CD-RW);
- Mini DisplayPort for video output (adapters sold separately);
- built-in AirPort Extreme 802.11n wireless networking & Bluetooth 2.1+EDR;
- built-in iSight video camera;
- Gigabit Ethernet port;
- four USB 2.0 ports;
- one FireWire 800 port;
- built-in stereo speakers and microphone; and
- the Apple Keyboard, Mighty Mouse.


24-inch 3.06 GHz iMac, $2,199 (US) SRP:

- 24-inch widescreen LCD display;
- 3.06 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor with 6MB shared L2 cache;
- 4GB 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM expandable to 8GB;
- NVIDIA GeForce GT 130; with 512MB GDDR3 memory;
- 1TB Serial ATA hard drive running at 7200 rpm;
- a slot-load 8x SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD+/-R DL/DVD+/-RW/CD-RW);
- Mini DisplayPort for video output (adapters sold separately);
- built-in AirPort Extreme 802.11n wireless networking & Bluetooth 2.1+EDR;
- built-in iSight video camera;
- Gigabit Ethernet port;
- four USB 2.0 ports;
- one FireWire 800 port;
- built-in stereo speakers and microphone; and
- the Apple Keyboard, Mighty Mouse.

At last, you should also be aware that a new compact, wired keyboard with no numeric keypad has been included with each new iMac by default, but you can get one with a numeric keypad for no additional cost, as long as you're ordering online.

Additional options for the new iMac include a 3.06 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, up to 8GB DDR3 SDRAM, up to 1TB Serial ATA hard drive, as well as NVIDIA GeForce GT 130, or ATI Radeon HD 4850 with 512MB GDDR3 memory on the 24-inch iMac. Obviously, it doesn't stop here, but it would become boring to tell you all the little things you can get with a new iMac.

Now, I think the new iMac reviews will praise Apple's new computers, and if we look at the powerful processors included, and the generous storage space offered, we instantly get the idea - the new iMac line is a winner, and Microsoft should be afraid. VERY AFRAID!