Apple Reveals ‘Thinnest Ever’ MacBook And Three Other Laptops
Apple redesigns MacBook with Broadwell chips, Force Touch trackpad and layered battery to reduce size and weight
Apple has updated its Mac range with four new models, including a revamped 12-inch MacBook which claims to be the thinnest and lightest laptop the company has ever produced
The new MacBook weights 2lb and is 13.1mm thick – 24 percent thinner than the MacBook Air – thanks to the redesign of every major component. The computer is the first in the Mac range to be housed in a full metal unibody enclosure, while the retina display is the thinnest ever.
It features a 35-percent thinner full-sized keyboard, and redesigned battery that is layered to fit inside the closure, resulting in 35 percent more capacity than if Apple used traditional cells. The MacBook promises nine hours of wireless web browsing and ten hours of video playback, partly thanks to an Intel Core M processor which runs at just five watts.
Revamped MacBook
The computer is also equipped with Apple’s new ‘Fource Touch’ trackpad, which supports custom clicks depending on the amount of pressure that is applied. For example, a light click, followed by a deeper press could summon the definition of a word.
Other innovations include 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0 as well as a new compact USB-C port which provides USB 3.1 data transfer, external display support and higher watt charging through a single port.
The new MacBook will be available in gold, silver and ‘space grey’ varieties, with prices starting from £1,049 depending on processor, storage and memory.
“Every component of the MacBook reveals a new innovation,” said Phil Schiller, head of worldwide marketing at Apple. “From its fanless design, ultra-thin Retina display and full-size keyboard that’s 34 percent thinner, to its all-new Force Touch trackpad, versatile USB-C port and breakthrough terraced battery design, the new MacBook is the future of the notebook.”
MacBook Pro and MacBook Air
Apple has also revealed a new 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina Display, powered by fifth generation ‘Broadwell’ Intel Core processors of up to 3.1GHz, Intel Iris Graphics 6100, faster flash and longer battery life. It also has the Force Touch trackpad introduced in the MacBook Pro.
The 11-inch and 13-inch MacBook Air has also been updated with Broadwell processors, Intel HD Graphics 6000 and Thunderbolt 2 – delivering transfer speeds of up to 20Gbps.
The MacBook Pro starts from £999, while the new MacBook Airs start from £749 depending on configuration.
All four new Mac models run OS X Yosemite, the latest version of the Mac operating system.
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