I’ve been using Apple’s mid-2011 MacBook Air for almost a week now and even though it’s physically the same unit that it replaced (for the most part) on the exterior, this is an entirely different beast. For starters, Apple’s second-generation MacBook Air improved greatly on the first model by offering up a redesigned case complete with two built-in USB ports, an SD card reader and SSD hard drives as the only available options. The older Intel Core 2 Duo processors however, severely limited the computer. It was functional enough for me to replace a Core i7 MacBook Pro, but it was slow; normal tasks would bog the system down, and the computer would heat up at the drop of a dime. All this has changed with the latest MacBook Air, however. Read on for my thoughts.

No longer is the MacBook Air a netbook-comparable laptop (if it ever was). It has rightfully earned its spot as the more portable, lighter, thinner, more streamlined version of what an Apple laptop in 2011 should be. Compared to the existing MacBook Pro, it’s just in a different league, hardware-wise and specifications-wise.

One of the biggest changes the improved processor has made in my everyday usage is the fact that I can run Windows 7 in a virtual machine without the unit heating up whatsoever. I’m an Outlook 2010 junkie combined with our BGR Exchange server, and being able to run this side by side with my system is necessity. Additionally, while the previous MacBook Air was reasonably fast, I haven’t experienced any slow downs or hiccups with the mid-2011 model, even while running Photoshop CS 5.1, VMware, iPhoto and Final Cut Pro X at the same time, while a dozen tabs are open in my web browsing.

The fact that Apple has finally brought back the keyboard backlighting and auto-brightness capability is a welcome change as well. Add on a Thunderbolt port (currently useless save for about three accessories), a bumped up Core i5 or Core i7 processor and 4GB of RAM, and the new MacBook Air isn’t just a light, travel-ready laptop as it has been since its release. It’s now a full-fledged mobile workstation that’s capable of replacing your current laptop and doing everything better (and sexier). It’s no wonder Apple has discontinued the plastic MacBook, there’s just no place for a plastic mid-range computer in Apple’s lineup nowadays — not when the entry price for a full-fledged MacBook Air is $999… before the student discount.

This is the best laptop Apple has ever made, and the cost of entry is lower than it has ever been before. It completely blows away anything else in its price range, and if you’re in the market for a laptop, this would be my number one choice.

As reported, Apple has updated its all-in-one desktop computer line, the iMac, with Intel’s latest processor family and improved specifications. Available in both 21.5-inch and 27-inch models, the new iMac can be configured with quad-core Sandy Bridge processors starting at 2.5 GHz and will come standard with AMD Radeon HD graphics cards, 4GB of RAM, and a 500MB or 1TB hard drive. The computers will also include Apple’s new Thunderbolt I/O port for high-speed data transfers. “Starting at $1,199, the new iMac is up to 70 percent faster and new graphics deliver up to three times the performance of the previous generation,” reads the press release. “The iMac continues to feature its signature aluminum and glass design, gorgeous IPS LED-backlit high resolution display, SD card slot and comes with Apple’s innovative Magic Mouse or Magic Trackpad.” The press release is after the break.

Apple Announces New iMac With Next Generation Quad-Core Processors, Graphics & Thunderbolt I/O Technology

CUPERTINO, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Apple® today updated its signature all-in-one iMac® with next generation quad-core processors, powerful new graphics, groundbreaking high-speed Thunderbolt I/O technology and a new FaceTime® HD camera. Starting at $1,199, the new iMac is up to 70 percent faster and new graphics deliver up to three times the performance of the previous generation.*

“Our customers love the iMac’s aluminum enclosure, gorgeous display and all-in-one design,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. “With next generation quad-core processors, powerful new graphics, Thunderbolt technology and a FaceTime HD camera, we’ve made the world’s best desktop even better.”

The new iMac features quad-core Intel Core i5 processors with an option for customers to choose Core i7 processors up to 3.4 GHz. These next generation processors feature an integrated memory controller for an amazingly responsive experience and a powerful new media engine for high-performance video encoding and decoding. With new AMD Radeon HD graphics processors, the new iMac has the most powerful graphics ever in an all-in-one desktop.

iMac is the first desktop computer on the market to include groundbreaking Thunderbolt I/O technology. The 21.5-inch iMac has a single Thunderbolt port while the 27-inch model features two ports for even greater expansion. Developed by Intel with collaboration from Apple, Thunderbolt enables expandability never before possible on an all-in-one computer. Featuring two bi-directional channels with transfer speeds up to an amazing 10Gbps each, Thunderbolt delivers PCI Express directly to external high performance peripherals such as RAID arrays, and can support FireWire® and USB consumer devices, and Gigabit Ethernet networks via adapters. Thunderbolt also supports DisplayPort for high resolution displays and works with existing adapters for HDMI, DVI and VGA displays. Freely available for implementation on systems, cables and devices, Thunderbolt technology is expected to be widely adopted as a new standard for high performance I/O.

iMac includes a built-in FaceTime HD camera and Apple’s innovative FaceTime software for crisp, widescreen video calling the whole family can enjoy. The new camera supports high definition video calls between all FaceTime HD-enabled Macs and standard resolution calls with iPad® 2, iPhone® 4, the current generation iPod touch® and other Intel-based Macs. The iMac continues to feature its signature aluminum and glass design, gorgeous IPS LED-backlit high resolution display, SD card slot and comes with Apple’s innovative Magic Mouse or Magic Trackpad.

Continuing Apple’s commitment to the environment, Apple’s desktop line is a leader in green design. The iMac meets stringent Energy Star 5.2 requirements and achieves EPEAT Gold rating.** iMac features LED-backlit displays that are mercury-free and made with arsenic-free glass. iMac uses PVC-free components and cables, contains no brominated flame retardants, uses highly recyclable materials and features material-efficient system and packaging designs.

Every Mac comes with Mac OS® X Snow Leopard®, the world’s most advanced operating system, and iLife®, Apple’s innovative suite of applications for creating and sharing great photos, movies and music. Snow Leopard builds on more than a decade of innovation and includes the Mac App Store℠ for finding great new apps for your Mac. iLife ’11 features iPhoto® with stunning full screen views for browsing, editing and sharing photos; iMovie® with powerful easy-to-use tools to transform home videos into fun theatrical trailers; and GarageBand® with new ways to improve your playing and create great sounding songs.

Pricing & Availability

The new iMac is available through the Apple Store® (www.apple.com), Apple’s retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers. The 21.5-inch iMac is available in two configurations: one with a 2.5 GHz quad-core Intel Core i5, AMD Radeon HD 6750M and 500GB hard drive for a suggested retail price of $1,199 (US); and one with a 2.7 GHz quad-core Intel Core i5, AMD Radeon HD 6770M and 1TB hard drive for a suggested retail price of $1,499 (US). The new 27-inch iMac is available in two models: one with a 2.7 GHz quad-core Intel Core i5, AMD Radeon HD 6770M and 1TB hard drive for a suggested retail price of $1,699 (US); and one with a 3.1 GHz quad-core Intel Core i5, AMD Radeon HD 6970M and 1TB hard drive for a suggested retail price of $1,999 (US).

Configure-to-order options include faster Intel Core i7 processors up to 3.4 GHz, additional hard drive capacity up to 2TB, a 256GB solid state drive, additional DDR3 memory and AppleCare® Protection Plan. Additional technical specifications and configure-to-order options and accessories are available online at www.apple.com/imac.

*Testing conducted by Apple in April 2011 using preproduction iMac configurations. For more information visit www.apple.com/imac/features.html.

**Claim based on energy efficiency categories and products listed within the EPA ENERGY STAR 5.2 energy database as of April 2011. EPEAT is an independent organization that helps customers compare the environmental performance of notebooks and desktops. Products meeting all of the 23 required criteria and at least 75 percent of the optional criteria are recognized as EPEAT Gold products. The EPEAT program was conceived by the US EPA and is based on IEEE 1680 standard for Environmental Assessment of Personal Computer Products. For more information visit www.epeat.net.

Stop. Collaborate and listen… Apple’s online web store is down. Blog 9to5 Mac, is reporting that new, Sandy Bridge quad-core iMacs are due later this morning. Furthermore, the site states that the new all-in-one desktop will come in four standard configurations: 21.5-inch, 2.7 GHz quad-core; 27-inch, 2.7 GHz quad-core; 27-inch, 3.1 GHz quad-core; and 27-inch, 3.4 GHz quad-core. The two 27-inch units will ship with the AMD 6770M graphics card while the two 3+ GHz models will ship with a AMD 6970M card; all units will come standard with 4GB of RAM and a 1TB hard drive. We should find out later this morning if Apple has anything else up its sleeve.

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Apple just lifted the curtain on Final Cut Pro X during the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) show in Las Vegas. The latest version of the hugely popular video editing software adds support for 64-bit processors and can now take advantage of more than 4GB of RAM. There are a number of enhancements including new smart collections for grouping similar types of media together – like multiple photos of one person, in the same vain as iPhoto – clip connection for keeping audio and video in sync, and a magnetic timeline feature that prevents trim collision. Apple also says there’s a new user interface design, and users will be able to start editing video before the ingest stage is completed. Final Cut Pro X is also capable of background rendering and can take advantage of 8-core editing rigs in addition to handling 4K video clips. Apple says Final Cut Pro X will be available in June for $299.

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HTC is expected to release the HTC Sensation — formerly known as the Pyramid — later today, and those suspicions were all but confirmed by the anxious folks over at Vodafone. In an early morning snafu, the company outed HTC’s 4.3-inch, touchscreen beast in all its glory. So what are we looking at? Glad you asked. The Sensation will sport a qHD, SLCD display that, as we’ve already mentioned, measures 4.3-inches on the diagonal. Sitting behind that formidable window will be a dual-core, 1.2GHz Snapdragon processor, 4GB of internal storage, microSD card slot, 8 megapixel rear-facing camera with dual LED flash, and a 1.2 megapixel front-facing camera. The handset will also be running the new and improved Sense user experience. You don’t have to take our word for it, there is a trio of leaked videos awaiting your scrutiny after the break.

[Via Mobile Bulgaria]

Images and specifications of Verizon’s next incredible handset — the HTC DROID Incredible 2 — have made their way onto the Internet. The crew over at AndroidSpin have acquired four images of the device along with a handful of specifications. What can we expect from the DROID Incredible 2? The site’s source asserts that the DI2 will have a 4-inch Super LCD WVGA display, 1GHz Qualcomm MSM 8655 processor, 4GB of on-board storage, 768MB of RAM, 8 megapixel rear-facing camera, 1.3 megapixel front-facing camera, 1450mAh battery, and Gingerbread (Android 2.3) with the Sense UI experience. The site notes that the handset is currently running Froyo (Android 2.2), but expects the device to ship with the updated operating system. No word on when, exactly, we might see this handset hit store shelves. Follow the jump to view a few more images of the device.

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If you got worried when Amazon’s Kindle went out of stock a bit earlier, you can rest easy as they have just announced a brand new model. The new Kindle (yes, it’s just called the Kindle) comes in both the classic white and now graphite colors, is thinner and lighter than the predecessor, and starts at a great $139 price point. There are both Wi-Fi and 3G models with the 3G models using AT&T’s network like the Kindle 2 did. Want raw specs? Well, the device is 21% thinner, has an even better contrast, doubled internal memory at 4GB, and it’s a bit quicker all around — faster page turning! It’s available August 27th in the US and UK. So, interested or what? Or do you have iPads to take care of your reading needs?

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Okay, so one of our Fido ninjas hit us up with some exclusive snaps of what is reportedly the entire roadmap for the rest of 2009. We’re very far away from being able to confirm this information — it actually made us pop about 50 antacid tablets — but we’re going to do our jobs as best we can and report the goods. So here we go…

The most notable slide has to do with a 4GB iPhone 3G. While there is a huge disclaimer that the image isn’t the device itself, the slide depicts a 4GB iPhone model that will run for $99 and come with quad-band EDGE, tri-band HSDPA, a 2 megapixel shooter and, believe it or not, iChat video calling (oh hi, front-facing camera). You might recall all of that talk of a $99 iPhone at Walmart that we brought you a while ago — it looks like the timing was a bit off but it may actually happen. Moving on to the other handsets, we have the BlackBerry Curve 8320 for $50, Nokia E71 for $50 and Nokia E55 for $25, Sony Ericsson Z780i for $75 and a bunch of low-end goodness at great prices.

So, what do you think? Is this real, or is it like that total BS Rogers roadmap we saw at Christmas? Hit the jump for the rest of the slides and sound off in the comments.

The folks over at iLounge stumbled upon some curious info regarding the new iPod Shuffle that has us scratching our heads. We all know the controls for the new Shuffle are on the headphones, but apparently Cupertino decided to make it even more difficult for headphone makers to get in on some Shuffle action. Control of playback and adjustment of volume will not be permitted unless the headphones used are equipped with an Apple authentication chip. D’oh! To further complicate matters, headphones with this new authentication chip are not yet available. Phooey, you say, I will pair my high-end headphones with a third party remote control device instead. Denied! Third party remotes with this authentication chip are not yet available either. Until these new accessories hit the market, shuffle owners are stuck using the stock headphones for the time being. What is Apple’s reasoning behind the move? We’re not sure, though we imagine it has to do with ensuring Apple can prevent companies from producing Shuffle gear without its blessing. Good job Apple, now it’ll cost less-than-scrupulous manufacturers overseas an extra 7¢ per unit to make compatible headphones. Major fail.

[Via EFF]

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Talk about a sneak attack. It’s a little hard to get excited about a new iPod Shuffle but hey, new toys are new toys. The third-generation Shuffle features a completely new design, 4GB of storage and perhaps most notably, the controls have been moved off of the device and onto the headset cord. Cool, yes, but have fun trying to use your current headset with this little guy. The new Shuffle also sports Apple’s “VoiceOver” technology, which essentially is little more than a text-to-speech engine that can speak song, artist and playlist titles. Apple’s new 4GB iPod Shuffle will run you $79 and is available immediately in the two colors pictured above.

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We just got a tip that in addition to the iPhone 3G actually making its way to Walmart, as we exclusively told you, there will be a 4GB model priced at $99 with a 2-year agreement. We’re not putting our stamp of approval behind this one just yet as the tipster isn’t listed in our BGR’s Guide to respected Ninjas handbook, but it does make you think, doesn’t it? Now, we all know Apple dropped the 4GB iPhone from its initial line-up, but that was at a $399 price-point. 4GB is certainly enough for some songs and short music videos, but let’s not kid ourselves. Anyone looking to spend $99 on an iPhone probably doesn’t care that much about storage anyway and they’ll be more than happy to drop that amount for one of the best-selling smartphones in the country. Just don’t hate us if this doesn’t happen, we warned you. Thoughts?

Thanks for the workbook pics, BC!