Design hardware products

Computer hardware releases for June 2007

New MacBook Pro 15 and 17 inch models

Apple have announced updates for its high-end portable computer range, the MacBook Pros. There are updates for both the 15" and 17" screen models, which include slightly faster Core 2 duo Intel processors, ranging from 2.2GHz to 2.4Ghz.

All models will now contain a NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT graphics controller, support for hard drives up to 250GB and. Most importantly for graphics pros, RAM memory up to 4GB. Previous models of the MacBook Pro were limited to 3BG RAM, which meant that adding the full amount of RAM could mean, in theory, a negative performance hit due to the RAM modules, at 1GB and 2GB, not being matching pairs.

The 17" version of the MacBook Pro also offers the option of a higher resolution display, at 1920-by-1200 pixels. Both models offer AirPort Extreme 802.11n WiFi, which Apple claim delivers up to five times the performance and two times the range of the previous 802.11g WiFi standard.

MacBook Pro

6 June 2007

Hitachi reveals external hard drives

Electronics giant Hitachi had announced the release of an external hard drive. Usually known for providing internal hard disks for desktop and portable computers, this will be Hitachi's first external hard drive range.

All the drives will connect via USB 2.0 and will come in a number of configurations, including 500GB, 750GB and 1000GB. There will also be a portable range which will are available in 160GB, 200GB and 250GB sizes.

Whilst the lack of Firewire support may limit their appeal to high-end graphic artists, the addition of another supplier in the external hard disk and personal backup market, can only be welcomed.

Hitachi

6 June 2007

Apple iPhones due in shops from 29 June

The new iPhone, which is a combination of a mobile phone, iPod music and widescreen video player, will be available to customers in stores from the end of the month according to tv commercials in the US.

There will be two types of iPhone model available. One will have 4GB of memory, whilst the other will come with 8GB. They will cost US$499 and US$599, respectively.

4 June 2007

iPhone