Apple Updates iMacs, MacBooks, Mac mini, and Unveils Magic Mouse

Apple on Tuesday announced that they have updated their iMac desktop computer line, MacBooks, as well as introducing the new multi-touch Magic Mouse. They also boosted the speed, doubled the memory and introduced a new server configuration of the Mac mini. Just in time for the holiday season (of course).

The new iMacs have larger screens, 21.5 inches and 27 inches, up from 20 and 24 inches. Featuring a new edge-to-edge glass design and aluminum enclosure, the new iMac line starts at $1,199. Other features include Intel Core 2 Duo processors (quad-core processors are also available), 4GB of 1066 MHz DDR3 memory and capacity up to 16GB across four SO-DIMM slots. They also include choice of NVIDIA GeForce or ATI Radeon HD graphics, built-in iSight video camera, mic and stereo speakers, built-in AirPort Extreme 802.11n Wi-Fi networking, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR, Gigabit Ethernet, four USB 2.0 ports, one FireWire 800 port and a new built-in SD card slot.

Weighing in at 4.7 pounds, Apple's new MacBook laptops are now lighter thanks to the unibody polycarbonate enclosure. The new MacBooks feature a LED-backlit display, glass Multi-Touch trackpad and built-in battery for up to seven hours of battery life. They have a 2.26 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 2GB RAM, a 250GB hard drive, and NVIDIA GeForce 9400M integrated graphics. The new MacBooks are available now, starting at $999.

Not to be overlooked, and quite possibly the biggest news to come from the Apple camp today, is the new Magic Mouse. Standard with the new iMac line, it lets you manipulate what is seen on the screen by pinching and swiping, similar to the way the screen of the iPhone is used. In fact, there are no buttons, scroll wheels or scroll balls, the entire top of the Magic Mouse is a Multi-Touch surface. It comes standard with iMacs, or can be purchased on its own for $69.

Last but not least is the updated Mac mini lineup. Priced at $599 and $799, the new Mac minis have more speed, storage and memory. The $599 configuration features a 2.26GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 2GB of 1066Mhz RAM, and a 160GB hard drive. The new $799 configuration features a 2.56GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 4GB of RAM, and a 320GB drive. Both are powered by NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics circuitry.

A new $999 Mac Mini server configuration has also been added. It has no optical drive; in its place is a second internal hard drive. The server configuration is powered by a 2.53GHz Core 2 Duo processor, and features 4GB of RAM and two 500 GB drives for a total of one terabyte of storage. It comes with the Snow Leopard edition of Mac OS X Server preinstalled.