Dell has announced the launch of the new XPS 13 laptop range as the company targets “accessible” pricing options for customers – and sets the stage for a showdown with the MacBook Neo.

The move builds on a commitment by the tech giant at CES 2026, namely competing “at every price point” in the hardware market.

Indeed, pricing for the XPS 13 comes in at $699, although a student-focused promotional campaign will bring this down to $599 in July - that puts the device on-par with the Neo.

According to Dell, the XPS 13 is the “lightest and most accessible” XPS to date, and it’s also the lightest and thinnest. The laptop measures 12.7mm and weighs only 1kg (2.2lbs).

The company specifically highlighted the fact the device is smaller and half a pound lighter than the MacBook Neo, and also boasts a larger display.

“The lightweight and durable chassis is built to the same standard as every XPS, because a lower price shouldn’t mean a lesser build,” the company said in an announcement.

So what can customers expect with the XPS 13?

Under the hood of the Dell XPS 13

The base version of Dell’s new budget laptop will come equipped with a six-core Intel Core 5 320 “Wildcat Lake” chip.

Dell noted that future versions will also be available with Intel Ultra Core “Panther Lake” chips, although information on the timeline here is yet to be revealed.

The XPS 13 also boasts 512GB of storage, and just 8GB of RAM for the base version, with the option of scaling up to 32GB.

That might seem low, but the MacBook Neo also comes with what some would describe as paltry RAM capabilities.

Elsewhere, the XPS 13 comes equipped with two USB-C ports, but no 3.5mm audio jack.

XPS 13: Design and features

The base version – and future versions – of the XPS 13 will come with a 13.4 inch touchscreen as standard, boasting 2560 x 1600 resolution and 30Hz to 120Hz variable refresh rate for “smooth visuals”.

Dell noted that the device also has a streaming battery life of up to 17 hours, largely due to the fact it automatically adjusts refresh rates based on what’s on the screen.

Other key features include:

• A 2.5K touch display (covering 100% of the DCI-P3 color gamut)
• Backlit keyboard
• Faster USB-C (3.2 Gen 2)
• Intel Wi-Fi 7
• Windows Hello
• Quad speakers

A showdown with Apple

Dell is keen to emphasize the XPS 13’s comparison with the MacBook Neo – and distinct advantages. Indeed, the company’s blog post referenced the device four times.

“Apple’s MacBook Neo is a capable machine, and its arrival confirms that there’s real appetite for premium quality at accessible prices,” the company said. “Where Dell differs is what we think premium means at this price point and what we were willing to build to deliver it.”

The MacBook Neo took the industry by storm earlier this year, generating huge interest and marking the company’s first foray into the budget device market. As ITPro noted at the time, the MacBook Neo launch set the stage for the rest of the industry to react on pricing.

Pound for pound, the two shape up fairly similar in terms of storage and RAM options. The XPS 13 entry-level device offers 512GB storage and 8GB of RAM, while the Neo comes equipped with 256GB storage and 8GB of RAM.

It’s worth noting, however, that due to Apple using in-house developed parts - chips, operating systems, and hard drive - the Neo could eke out more performance from just 8GB compared to a comparable Windows device.

From a visual perspective, the situation is much the same. The MacBook Neo is Apple’s smallest laptop to date, boasting a 13in display and coming in at just 12.7mm thick. The XPS 13, meanwhile, is 12.7mm thick with a slightly larger screen.

Who’s this for?

Dell specifically highlighted students as a key demographic for the XPS 13. However, much like the MacBook Neo, the pricing could be tantalizing for smaller businesses aiming to get more bang for their buck.

The launch of the Neo came at the height of the RAM crisis with prices spiralling globally, and lingering concerns about hardware costs mean Dell has an opportunity to capitalize in the budget market.

Essentially, small businesses now have another viable option alongside the Neo – and that's massive news given low budget devices were expected to be among those worst hit by the memory crisis.

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The secret to great product launches appears to be the same as comedy (Timing). And so the Apple MacBook Neo, the $600 (£600) notebook that was instantly ubiquitous across social media, comes to us at the end of the first quarter of the year. A year likely to be dominated by a looming shortage of RAM and a potential hike in the cost of all hardware.

It's got just 8GB of RAM, uses Apple's excess stock of A18 mobile chips, and comes in a range of appealing colors. This is all to the delight of podcasters and influencers who talk about this type of stuff. Is it underpowered? Is it overpowered? Is this going to fundamentally change our expectations of entry-level laptops? We're going to find out with this review...

Apple MacBook Neo: Design

The MacBook Neo is unmistakably a MacBook; the lid, the logo, the bezels, the keyboard, it's all there. But there are a number of cutbacks, both inside and outside, that make it so cheap (for Apple). There's no backlighting for the keyboard, and you only get two USB-C ports and a headphone jack (all down the left-hand side). Both ports take charge, but only one hooks up to an external monitor.

This is the smallest MacBook available with just a 13in display. It's only 12.7mm thick and 297.5mm wide. Noticeably less than both the M5 models of Air and Pro. The keyboard is still full-sized, with largish keys, though the trackpad is a little on the small side.

A lot is being made of the colors, and there is a huge slice of nostalgia about them. You get four options here: Citrus, Blush, Indigo, and Silver. These are all nice, though some are more professional than others (we have the Silver). Apple devices that go on to be iconic are often bright colors; think iBooks or the orange iPhone 17 Pro.

Apple MacBook Neo: Display and keyboard

For a $600 laptop, the Neo has a surprisingly bright panel. It's a 13in IPS display, rather than OLED, but I recorded its peak brightness at 523cd/m2. Which is more than enough to be readable in most conditions, and I can't say I ever struggled to see the screen or needed to adjust its levels.

Naturally, the lack of an OLED display will lead some to suggest the Neo's display is not up to scratch. But in our tests, the IPS display came back with a strong show of color reproduction. It isn't so great with HDR videos, but its general quality is high enough for most users. I found it perfectly capable for editing images, streaming, and working late at night. In short, this is one of the best budget displays around.

The first thing to say about the keyboard is that it's worth paying extra to have the Touch ID. I know that's $100 (£100) extra, but it's very frustrating to have to type out a password every time you open it or the screen shuts off. And the lack of backlighting might be a problem for first-time laptop users at night, like young students. The rest of us type without looking, so it shouldn't be an issue.

Beyond that, the keyboard is just as good as you get on a Pro or Air; nice punchy keys with plenty of travel. The clack sound it makes is soothing. And you get a full-sized function row.

The trackpad is also just as good, or nearly the same as you get on the premium models, though it is noticeably smaller. Multi-touch gestures make the whole operation so simple – four finger swipes to see your desktop – both a great intro to MacBook but also the same experience users will know and love.

Apple MacBook Neo: Specs and performance

The MacBook Neo is a great example of mobile chips in laptops; it features the A18 Pro processor, which was used in the iPhone 16 Pro. This is a chip purposely built for on-device AI workloads, and with it, a range of nifty optimizations across the device. Having a laptop with all in-house developed parts (chip, hard drive, operating system) allows Apple to get the most out of it. So the 8GB of RAM isn't that big an issue, like it might be on a similarly priced Windows machine.

In Geekbench 6, the Neo came back with 3,287 for single-core workloads – the A18 Pro is able to give one application all it needs (and requires), which makes for a smooth operation. For single-core scores, the Neo is actually much stronger than MacBooks with the M1 and M2 chips. The multi-core score is also good, but 7,804 is far below everything from M2 onwards.

On the question of whether the Neo is either over- or underpowered, in our experience, it's somewhere in the middle. Editing images in Photoshop, for example, was perfectly fine. And, to some degree, editing video was OK. There's buffering. You'll see that little rainbow wheel frequently, but briefly. Sometimes you'll drag a clip, and it will disappear. Once you release the click, it comes back, but it's a little frustrating. I still made a YouTube Short out of 4 minutes-worth of footage. The Neo can do these things, but full professional video editing should be left to the Pro.

In our looped video test, the Neo lasted 13 hours and 18 minutes, which is both good for a £600 laptop and also great for remote workers (or those who spend lots of time away from plug sockets). This little wonder can get you through a day of work – even during our heavy video editing.

Apple MacBook Neo: Is it worth it?

The most disruptive product Apple has released since the iPhone, but it might not be disruptive to Windows machines, as there's too much choice within that bracket. It might, however, make a sizable dent in the Chromebook market.

In the next couple of years, you may go to IT for a temporary machine, or an entry-level one, depending on your role, and you'll likely see that old cupboard of unwanted Chromebooks replaced by Neos.

Apple MacBook Neo specifications

Apple has unveiled the MacBook Neo, a laptop running on its iPhone chip that comes in hundreds of pounds cheaper than its siblings at $599 (and £599 in the UK) – perhaps opening up the laptop market, in particular in education.

The Apple MacBook Neo is powered by the A18 Pro, an ARM-based system on a chip that's currently seen in the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone Pro Max. Apple claims that MacBook Neo's A18 Pro is 50% faster at web browsing and three times faster at on-device workloads than existing PCs with the latest Intel Core Ultra 5.

There's two storage configurations: the default 256GB, and a 512GB edition for an additional $100/£100. Both versions feature the same 8GB of memory – and there's no RAM upgrade possible. Apple's other MacBooks all start at 16GB.

Asymco analyst Horace Dediu said on social media that the Neo's arrival was a "watershed event".

"First Mac with a mobile processor and the end of the disruptive arc of mobile computing," Dediu wrote. "From Motorola to Intel to Apple silicon M, now personal computing is an accessory to mobile computing. A sharp punctuation point."

MacBook Neo price targets rivals

John Ternus, Apple's senior vice president of Hardware Engineering, said in a statement that the laptop had been "built from the ground up to be more affordable for even more people," adding that the MacBook Neo "delivers the magic of the Mac at a breakthrough price."

And it's the price that's raising eyebrows, and that's no surprise given Apple has traditionally positioned its MacBook lineup as a "premium computing product," noted IDC analyst Francisco Jeronimo.

"With such a product, Apple is aggressively aiming to grow market share while expanding the ecosystem," Jeronimo said. "Lowering the entry barrier to the Mac means Apple can bring more users into its services and device ecosystem, particularly students and first-time Mac buyers."

Indeed, the price point makes it a compelling option to draw into the Apple ecosystem any Microsoft users tired of Windows as well as a viable alternative to Google Chromebooks in education, helped by an additional $100/£100 discount for schools.

Ernest Wong, the head of research at Baskin Wealth, said on social media: "Every kid is going to want this to replace their Chromebook at school."

The MacBook Neo's price is a big step down compared to Apple's other laptops, though they are much more powerful in terms of performance. Alongside announcing the Neo, Apple also updated its MacBook Pro models. The 14in MacBook Pro with M5 now features 1TB of storage; prices start from $1,699 (£1,699 in the UK). The 14in MacBook Pro M5 Pro starts from $2,199 while the 14in MacBook Pro with M5 Max starts from $3,599.

A closer comparison is the MacBook Air, which now features the M5 in a 13in version with 16GB RAM starting from $1,099 (£1,099 in the UK) – but that's still a step up from the MacBook Neo.

MacBook Neo specs and availability

Beyond the aforementioned A18 chip, 256GB and 512GB storage, and 8GB of RAM, the MacBook Neo claims 16 hours of battery life, and weighs in at 1.2kg.

The MacBook Neo features a 13in Liquid Retina display, 1080p HD camera, and uses Apple's Magic Keyboard, with the multi-touch trackpad available in the 512GB edition that costs an extra £100. The MacBook Neo is available in four colours: blush, indigo, silver and "a fresh new" citrus; translated, those are pink, blue, silver and yellow.

Ternus said: "It features a durable aluminium design in four beautiful colours; a brilliant Liquid Retina display; Apple silicon-powered performance; all-day battery life; a high-quality camera, mics, and speakers; a Magic Keyboard and Multi-Touch trackpad; and the intuitive and powerful features of macOS."

IDC's Jeronimo said the timing is intriguing, given it comes at a time of memory and storage shortages causing price increases across the market – meaning an entry-level laptop featuring less RAM could be a smart move. "By using a chip that has only been used on the iPhone and the iPad, the real question is not whether Apple can sell a MacBook at this price (because it will be one of the most sold Macs ever if they can deliver), but how it balances cost, performance, and brand positioning while maintaining the premium experience that defines the Mac," he added.

MacBook Neo preorders are already open and will be available from next week. Apple also unveiled updates to its MacBook Air and MacBook Pro, as well as the iPad Air and introduced the iPhone i17e.

For some time, rumors have suggested that Apple is planning to release a touchscreen OLED MacBook. Reports from October stated the new device is due at the end of the year alongside other M6 devices.

If true, it’s likely Apple is already at a late stage of production on the devices. But there’s still time for the firm to kill the idea off, Google style.

Put simply, touchscreen laptops are a solution in search of a problem. For the most precise tasks, nothing beats a mouse or touchpad – and Apple already makes the best touchpads in the business. Touchscreens only make sense in a form factor where there’s no dedicated keyboard and mouse, which makes no sense for MacBooks.

It’s also hard to beat an iPad for sheer quality in the tablet space, though some of the best business tablets have Apple beat across specs and affordability.

Want a device for portable productivity? Buy a laptop. Want a larger touchscreen experience, with dedicated support for styluses and creative apps? Buy a tablet. The two should never meet.

More than anything, the inclusion of a touchscreen in a MacBook signals deep creative bankruptcy. It’s a true ‘we’ve run out of ideas’ move, which is weird considering it’s reportedly due to arrive alongside the long-requested OLED MacBook panel.

I can’t think of any functionality that it would offer, beyond niche use cases for the Apple pencil in creative apps – to which I would say, buy an iPad.

I greatly enjoy digital artwork in my free time, so part of me wants to love touchscreen laptops. Admittedly, I loved the Asus Zenbook 14 Flip OLED when I reviewed it in 2023 and praised the low latency of the display when paired with the official Asus Pen. But I know that over time, the downsides of a touchscreen display would have played on my mind.

Oh, the downsides. When you crack a standard laptop display, it can be fixed relatively easily and cheaply. Touchscreens are more expensive to replace, so I hope you have budget set aside if you’re equipping your entire workforce with touchscreen devices. When they do break, they can cause damage on their way out by registering random clicks all over the screen.

They’re also a total fingerprint magnet. If you thought your laptop screen was already a little grim – and be honest, it probably needs a wipe – I hope you enjoy the smears you’ll get from regular touchscreen usage.

Beyond it all, there’s no added value from having a touchscreen on your laptop. It’s added risk and cost for no real benefit, a misstep for any manufacturer but a downright sin if introduced to the MacBook lineup.

If Apple is out of ideas, it should see what can be done with e-ink. My inbox – and that of our reviews editor Bobby – is open.

When looking to invest in new laptops for your business, there are a slew of options out there on the market.

Whether you’re looking for machines that will suit a large organisation, or a device for a small business, selecting the appropriate technology and features is paramount to maximise productivity.

With Windows laptops and Apple’s MacBook range, we have two of the most popular device pools on the market, with both promising an array of capabilities for the modern workforce. It can be a difficult choice to make, and both could make sense depending on your priorities.

So, if you’re undecided on whether to opt for a Windows laptop or a MacBook, we run through some key factors below to help you on your way.

Operating system and security

Apple famously likes to keep things on-brand and in a uniform order, so it’ll come as no surprise that its MacOS underpins everything a MacBook has to offer. A robust and speedy operating system, MacOS provides a platform that is intuitive to navigate for beginners and seasoned business users alike.

It’s particularly popular among the creative industries but its strength against malicious software such as viruses and malware also make the platform a solid option for other sectors too.

By contrast, Microsoft’s offering perhaps offers a system that is more familiar, thanks to how ubiquitous Windows machines have been over the years – but the platform is generally considered to be more susceptible to security breaches and malicious software. That’s largely due to the greater number of Windows machines in use, with hackers often targeting the biggest pool of devices.

Of course, responsible business users will want a robust cyber protection software installed regardless, with such large amounts of data being processed on the device or across the wider network.

Windows and MacBook applications

When it comes to applications and software, MacBooks really shine and it's easy to understand why they’re so popular for creative tasks. From video editing tools such as Final Cut Pro, to photography processing platform Aperture, there’s a slew of dynamic options for creative businesses, large and small.

With that said, there are an untold number of apps out there that will run on both MacBooks and Windows laptops – so that shouldn’t be too much of a stumbling block if Windows favours other needs across the business.

One of the stalwarts of the workplace, for example, is the Microsoft Office suite of productivity apps, which is available and optimised for both types of devices. That covers your typical word processing, spreadsheets, database management tools, and a whole load more.

Elsewhere, popular software such as Adobe Photoshop and InDesign – tools often used for marketing purposes – are available regardless of the device(s) you opt for.

Networking and connectivity

With the shift to the cloud accelerating in recent years, both Windows laptops and MacBooks offer very similar functionality in terms of networking, connectivity, and file sharing. As long as there are suitable connections available, access to cloud-based software and storage systems is a breeze for both types of machines. It also means that file-sharing between the two platforms is easier than ever – so organisations can even implement a mix of the two to maximise functionality across the workforce.

For businesses, Apple provides a Business Manager tool to enable centralised management of connected devices across an organisation. Windows also offers easy network management of connected Windows 10 devices.

When it comes to physical connections with other tech, Windows laptops generally offer far more flexibility, at least out of the box. Depending on the model and price point, Windows machines can ship with a far greater number of USB and USB-C ports, as well as HDMI, SD Card, and Ethernet ports, all built into the device. This makes Windows machines somewhat easier to use initially.

Apple typically opts for a streamlined approach to ports, resulting in a far sleeker looking design. Users are instead encouraged to use USB docks to access additional ports. Modern Macbooks ship with multiple USB-C ports, including at least one that’s Thunderbolt compatible for quick charging.

If you’re looking to switch to the latest MacBooks, it’s important to note that you will likely need to source these additional adapters and docks, especially if staff already use USB-A, HDMI, DisplayPort, or older Thunderbolt 1 and 2 connections, as Apple does not provide these out of the box.

Comparing battery life across laptops and MacBooks

Like most Apple products, MacBooks are well known for having excellent battery life, making them an attractive proposition for the modern hybrid workforce. Apple’s 14- and 16-inch variants promise 17 and 21 hours of video playback, respectively, while both feature a fast-charging capability that provides 50% charge in just 30 minutes.

It’s tricky to compare that with Windows laptops due to the sheer number of options out there on the market, which creates added flexibility, but also plenty of complexity for businesses. Battery life will vary significantly across brands and models, but there are a number of solid options that can provide lengthy power on the go.

If battery life is one of your key factors in deciding which type of device to opt for, it's essential to compare the MacBook alongside a range of Windows devices to see how they stack up.

Models and pricing

As software differences have evened out, the deciding factor for many is the cost. And there’s no getting around it: Macs are a pricey option. The 13-inch MacBook Pro starts at £1,299, while the 14-inch offering begins at £1,899.

The MacBook Pro 16-inch laptop starts at £2,399 and goes up to a whopping £3,299, depending on the device specifications. Obviously, the costs of the latter would soon pile up if you’re kitting out a larger workforce. The slimline MacBook Air can also be found starting from £949.

That’s not to say there aren’t expensive Windows laptops out there too – the Dell Precision 7760 Data Science Workstation will set you back a cool £4,655, for example - but the difference lies in the number of options on the market at various price points.

Brands such as HP, Dell, Acer, Lenovo and Asus all offer a range of devices and specifications suited to different budgets and use cases. You can buy a capable Windows laptop for as little as £299, which will comfortably tackle everyday business use. Many of these companies also offer models comparable in spec to the MacBook Pro for around £800-£900.

Windows laptops vs MacBooks

There was once a time when the differences between Macs and Windows laptops would be noticeable enough to make this decision tougher. However, with the widespread migration to the cloud, the truth is that both avenues serve up options that will tick most boxes.

The rise of cloud-based applications and tools has ramped up the convenience factor for end-users, taking some of the weight out of the software side of the decision. These days, the consideration revolves more around security, hardware, cost, and even style.

If you’re after a stylish and secure device that can add some power to creative tasks, then a MacBook has you covered. If you’re looking for a more affordable, customisable platform that the user base will need little familiarising with, a Windows laptop may be the best option.

Many businesses find themselves implementing a hybrid mix of the two across their organisation, allowing them to get the best of both worlds. Ultimately, that decision would largely come down to budget, size of the workforce, existing skill sets of staff, and the business’ existing device management system – but, whatever route you go down, there are some fantastic options on the market.

Apple has unveiled new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro devices, which pack the latest version of the company's M1 ARM-based architecture.

The laptops represent the second round of laptops to ditch Intel in favor of Apple's homegrown M1 chip. The first, unveiled in November 2020, included a Mac Mini, MacBook Air, and a 13-inch MacBook Pro.

During its virtual October 18 event, the company announced two new chips in the M1 series that will make their debut inside the new MacBook Pro units.

The M1 Pro integrates the GPU and CPU in a single system on a chip (SoC). It increases the width of the memory interface to 200GB/sec and supports up to 32GB of unified memory. The M1 Pro chip has 10 CPU cores and 16 cores for its GPU, and also includes dedicated silicon for driving multiple displays.

Its more powerful sibling, the M1 Max, has 400GB/sec of memory bandwidth, supports up to 64GB of unified memory, and sports a 32-core GPU.

These chips equip the new laptops with support for up to 64GB of RAM and make them more energy-efficient. The 14-inch MacBook Pro supports up to 17 hours of video playback, while the 16-inch model lasts up to 21 hours. When you do run out of charge, systems feature fast-charge technology for a quick top-up.

The most visible upgrades in the new MacBooks, however, are the displays. They feature higher resolutions than previous units, at 3024x1964 for the 14-inch unit and 3456x2234 for the 16-inch model. This beats the 13-inch MacBook Pro's display resolution of 2560x1600 and the older 16-inch model's 3072x1920.

The mini-LED displays feature the company's ProMotion technology, which adjusts the refresh rate up to 120Hz, depending on what the user is doing. Display brightness rangers up to 1,600 nits.

The bezels on the new MacBook Pros are far smaller, to the point where the company had to introduce an iPhone-style notch in the top of the display to make room for the 1080p camera and microphone.

Apple has also dropped the controversial OLED Touchbar feature, which some users called a gimmick, replacing it with physical function keys.

The MacBook includes an HDMI port, SD card slot, and three Thunderbolt 4 ports for connectivity. MagSafe magnetic charger technology, which it discontinued in 2016 in favor of USB-C connectors, also returns.

The 14-inch MacBook Pro starts from $1,999, and the 16-inch MacBook Pro starts at $2,499. For educational customers, the prices fall to $1,849 and $2,299, respectively.

Other announcements at the event included the company's third-generation sweat- and water-resistant AirPod earbuds. These new buds bring the AirPod Pro's AdaptiveEQ technology to the base-level devices, a longer, six-hour battery life, and MagSafe wireless charging.

Apple also announced Homepod Mini speakers in multiple colors and enhanced its music offering with a low-cost voice plan. It provides voice-only access to songs and playlists but doesn't offer its spatial lossless audio capability. It also includes Apple-authored playlists for various events.

Apple has delayed its controversial image scanning feature following negative feedback.

The company updated its briefing page on the technology, explaining it was delaying the feature based on the response it received from customers and privacy advocates.

"Based on feedback from customers, advocacy groups, researchers, and others, we have decided to take additional time over the coming months to collect input and make improvements before releasing these critically important child safety features," the company said.

The feature, announced in August, would have allowed Apple to scan photos uploaded to iCloud. The photos would be scanned on user devices and compared against a set of hashes known as Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) images.

This database was originally supposed to come from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), but Apple later explained it would only scan images that also appeared in clearing houses across multiple countries.

Apple also said it would only trigger a human review if it found 30 CSAM matches using this method.

The company also announced a second feature that would scan images sent to children in its iMessage app to detect nudes and notify parents.

Both plans provoked concerns from global privacy groups. They were concerned Apple's scanning technology could be used to scan for other kinds of imagery, opening users up to government surveillance. The company vowed not to allow government requests for expanded searches.

This week, the Electronic Frontier Foundation delivered a petition protesting the technology, which was slated to be included in the next version of iOS and initially restricted to US users.

The organization pointed out that the technology breaks the end-to-end encryption functionality Apple has touted in its operating systems.

"Apple’s surveillance plans don’t account for abusive parents, much less authoritarian governments that will push to expand it. Don’t let Apple betray its users," it added.

Apple is working on a new feature that will help your device conserve battery life if you are not paying attention to it, according to Apple Insider,

Current Apple devices already have a feature that sort of handles this, although the current system works more like a countdown since you last interacted with the device. The new system will reportedly focus more on if you are paying attention to certain functions the device is engaging by monitoring peripheral devices and various sensors.

Say you are listening to Apple Music via your AirPods and set the phone on your desk. The newly patented “attention detection service” will use a gaze sensor to detect you are not looking at the screen and shut down the screen to cut battery consumption. However, it will not impact your Apple Music session because it knows you are actively listening via the AirPods.

The device will reportedly use multiple sensors, such as detection and touch detection, to determine which unnecessary functions to shut down.

Other functions could spread to Apple TV 4K, which currently uses a timer to decide when to shut down. With Apple TV 4K, the “attention detection service” could theoretically sense when you’re in the car via Apple CarPlay or in the kitchen getting a snack via the location sensor on your Apple Watch and pause the show you are watching or shut down the device altogether.

According to the report, this feature will be active whether the device is running only on the battery or plugged in. While it may not make sense to shut down functions when a device is not running on battery alone, shutting down unnecessary functions when you leave the device plugged in will conserve energy and reduce heat.

There is no timeline for this new feature’s release, as it was just granted its patent on August 31.

With the next Apple smartphone right around the corner, it makes sense to align the function’s release with the new iPhone 13’s unveiling. The latest iPhone will reportedly have a 120Hz ProMotion screen, so the screen deactivation alone could be instrumental in boosting the device’s battery life.

After much rumour and anticipation, Apple has finally launched its own first-party processors, which have debuted in a range of updated macOS devices.

After launching the iPhone 12 last month, the company held another “One More Thing” event to show off the new hardware, which includes updates to the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro and Mac Mini, all of which are powered by its all-new M1 chip.

Apple M1 chip

The Apple-built M1 chip is the first-ever personal computer chip built by the company in-house, and the announcement marks the first time since 2006 that new Macs will be powered by anything other than Intel processors.

The M1 is built on Arm architecture, and Apple says it’s the first PC chip built using 5-nanometer process technology. This eight-core chip also packs 16 billion transistors, the most ever in an Apple chip, and enhanced machine learning performance with the Apple Neural Engine.

Within the M1’s eight cores are four high-efficiency cores that save on power while still delivering "industry-leading" performance, and this comes at one-tenth of the power consumption of the current dual-core MacBook Air.

The M1 chip boasts many Apple-claimed records, including being the fastest CPU core in low-power silicon, the world’s fastest CPU per watt and the world’s fastest integrated graphics in a personal computer. Generally, personal computers require three or more chips for the CPU, I/O, security and other functions. The M1 chip can handle all these tasks itself, eliminating the need for three power-draining chips.

All this tech adds up to 3.5 times faster CPU performance, up to six times faster GPU performance, and up to 15 times faster machine learning than other personal computer chips, according to Apple. On top of the superior performance, the M1 chip also supposedly allows the MacBook Pro and MacBook Air to deliver about twice the battery life of previous-generation Macs.

The M1 chip also brings the Apple Neural Engine to the Mac lineup, supposedly accelerating the devices' machine learning (ML) capabilities by up to 15 times. This, Apple says, will enable the Mac lineup to deliver quick video analysis, voice recognition and image processing.

MacBook Air

According to Apple, the MacBook Air is the world’s best-selling 13in laptop, and the new-generation model aims to hold that title with significant improvements.

This starts with the new eight-core M1 chip, which Apple says makes it up to 3.5 times faster than the previous MacBook Air. The eight-core GPU also allegedly enhances its video performance, allowing it to process graphics five times faster for minimal lag. Machine learning should get a big boost with the Air’s M1 chip too, as the company claims it’s nine times faster than the previous MacBook Air. This will speed up a wide range of ML tasks, like facial recognition or object detection.

All told, Apple claims the MacBook Air with the M1 chip is faster than 98% of all PC laptops sold in the past year.

As we mentioned above, Apple says the M1 chip is also far more efficient. With the new chip, the MacBook Air delivers up to 15 hours of wireless internet browsing and 18 hours of video playback on a charge.

The MacBook Air promises plenty of other useful updates, including improved camera image quality with reduced noise, greater dynamic range and improved white balance; a more vibrant and true-to-life Retina display; Wi-Fi 6 connectivity; two Thunderbolt ports with USB 4 support; and a fanless design for minimal noise.

The MacBook Air comes in two base configurations - one with a 256GB SSD and a seven-core GPU, and one with an eight-core GPU and 512GB of storage. Both allocations feature 8GB of RAM as standard, which can be upgraded to a maximum of 16GB.

The 256GB configuration costs just $999 in the US and £999 in the UK. The 512GB hard drive pushes the starting price to $1,249 in the US and £1,249 in the UK. Education customers can get the MacBook Air for $899 in the US, but Apple hasn’t announced its UK educator pricing.

The MacBook Air is available for preorder now, and deliveries will begin November 17.

13in MacBook Pro

The all-new 13in MacBook Pro takes what the MacBook Air offers and kicks it up a notch to meet more specialized demand. Generally, the added functions meet the needs of graphic designers, audio and video editors or students studying in these fields.

The MacBook Pro starts with the same M1 eight-core chip as the MacBook Air which, according to Apple, makes it significantly faster than most other PCs on the market. With this new chip, Apple claims the MacBook Pro’s battery lasts 17 hours when wirelessly browsing the internet or 20 hours when watching videos.

The MacBook Pro also promises 'studio-quality' microphones for clearer audio, and improved image quality for video calls thanks to the M1's image signal processor. Like the MacBook Air, the MacBook Pro features two USB 4-enabled Thunderbolt ports and a default RAM allocation of 8GB, which can be boosted to a maximum of 16GB at point of purchase.

The 13in MacBook Pro with a 256GB solid-state hard drive retails for $1,299 in the US and £1,299 in the UK. Bumping to the 512GB hard drive pushed the price to $1,499 in the US and £1,499 in the UK. For educators, the MacBook Pro starts from $1,199 in the US. UK educator prices aren’t available yet.

The MacBook Pro is available for preorder now, and deliveries will begin November 17.

Mac Mini

Folks who want laptop portability with desktop functionality may prefer the Mac Mini, a high-powered small-form-factor desktop.

The Mac Mini’s big update is the new M1 chip, and like the Air and Pro, Apple claims it's three times faster than its predecessor. This small desktop also apparently features six times improved graphics performance and 15 times improved machine learning compared to the previous Mac Mini. All this power comes in a package that’s one-tenth the size of the average desktop tower.

Other upgrades to the new-generation Mac Mini include an advanced thermal design to help it stay cool and quiet, support for dual monitors and Apple Pro Display XDR in full 6K, and Wi-Fi 6 connectivity.

The Mac Mini with a 256GB solid-state hard drive runs $699 in the US and £699 in the UK. Increasing the storage to 512GB bumps the price to $899 in the US and £899 in the UK. As with the laptops above, RAM starts at 8GB but can be increased to 16GB.

This tiny desktop is available for order now, and deliveries will start November 17.

Apple is finally fixing its faulty 'butterfly' keyboards for free, following a lawsuit and years of users reporting problems with their MacBooks.

Acknowledging the issue, Apple admitted to a "small percentage" of MacBooks suffering from the design flaw, where letters or characters can repeat themselves or fail to appear at all, and keys can feel "sticky".

The butterfly mechanism was Apple's big keyboard redesign that it rolled out in 2015. The new design slimmed down the keyboard by 40% and - Apple claimed - made it four times more stable than the older 'scissor' mechanism.

But users began reporting problems almost immediately, and a lawsuit filed in May this year alleges that dust and debris that filtered into MacBooks via the keyboards made them virtually useless, but that Apple's Genius bars wouldn't acknowledge the problem. It called for damages and replacements for defective MacBooks.

A second lawsuit filed later that month called for damages to be determined by the court.

Now Apple has got around to offering fixes, and doing so for free, replacing either a faulty key or the entire keyboard.

The free fix applies for the following devices:

• MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, Early 2015)
• MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, Early 2016)
• MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, 2017)
• MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016, Two Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
• MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Two Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
• MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
• MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
• MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2016)
• MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2017)

Users of affected devices can bring their laptop into an authorised service provider, make an appointment at an Apple store, or mail the device to the Apple Repair Center.

Apple will hope this resolves the issue, with a petition calling for the tech giant to recall and replace all its butterfly keyboard-sporting MacBook Pros garnering 31,000 signatures at the time of writing.

Let's not beat around the bush: the Apple MacBook Air was and still is one of the most lightweight, powerful notebooks around, offering that beautiful Apple style and functionality. It was first released more than ten years ago and although at the time many didn't think it was possible to integrate the same features into a super-slim laptop as the company packed into its desktops and other laptops, they were soon proven wrong.

A decade on and the MacBook Air is still a firm favourite. The exterior hasn't changed much as all, with a super-slim aluminium casing. But the internals really have changed with the times and that definitely comes with a warm welcome.

Design and build

We're glad Apple hasn't changed the design of the MacBook Air too much. Although it could be considered a plain Jane by some (because it doesn't come with the same colour selection as the more expensive and bulkier MacBooks), the silver aluminium casing really is fine. It looks good, feels good when you run your hand over it and who doesn't love than ultra-thin style?

2017's MacBook Air is just as slimline as its predecessors, with a profile of just 17mm at its thickest point. It's also still incredibly lightweight at just 1.35kg and that's with a whole lot of power packed in under the hood.

The backlit keyboard, which hasn't been given the "butterfly" switches treatment given to the new 12in MacBook Retina, has excellent tactile feedback although is perhaps just a little rattly, but the keypress action is nonetheless pleasing and there's enough travel to make it comfortable to type on for long periods.

The touchpad works exceptionally well, with no Windows-based laptop able to match the precise feel of Apple's design. Taps and clicks are effortless while gestures such as two-fingered scrolling, back and forward browser commands and two-fingered "right-clicks" are reliable, accurate and instantaneous. It makes navigating the macOS Sierra operating system incredibly easy.

Connectivity and Thunderbolt 2

There are two USB3 ports - one on the left and one on the right - as well as a 3.5mm headset jack, an SDXC card reader and a Thunderbolt 2 port. This is the first notable upgrade to the MacBook Air, which was previously equipped with a Thunderbolt connector.

The difference between the two is purely a speed upgrade: connected devices now have 20Gbps of bandwidth to play with instead of 10Gbps. The peripherals you can connect are the same: high-speed storage (such as RAID arrays) and high-resolution monitors (with Thunderbolt or DisplayPort inputs). But with this new, improved performance, huge files such as ultra-HD/4K video will be easier to handle when streaming to your MacBook Air and simultaneously writing it to another drive. Up to six devices can be connected over Thunderbolt (using an external hub) simultaneously.

Thunderbolt 2 will be of particular importance to business that use external storage for large files, such as media companies and firms with reams of data on external hard disc that needs to be sifted through at high speed.

Elsewhere, you still get 802.11ac wi-fi connectivity, great for connecting to the latest networks with better coverage and higher speeds than 802.11n. There's no gigabit ethernet connector but you can buy a Thunderbolt to gigabit ethernet connector direct from Apple for 29, or a bit cheaper elsewhere on the web.

Screen

We were disappointed to see that Apple hasn't boosted the resolution of the Air's 13.3in screen. The 1,440 x 900-pixel resolution is still perfectly usable and items on screen look reasonably sharp. But they lack the detail and crispness you get on higher quality displays such as those in use on the MacBook Pro and Dell XPS 13.

Colour coverage remains an issue, with just 70% of the sRGB gamut served by the TFT panel. This lack of colour performance is offset slightly by a very bright backlight and matt screen that makes this laptop suitable for use outside and in bright office conditions. Viewing angles are sub-par, though, particularly when adjusting the screen vertically. It would have been nice to have a higher quality or higher resolution panel in the Air, and at this price it's starting to look a little bit lacklustre.

Performance, storage and battery life

As you might expect from what is now effectively the entry-level device for the MacBook range, the Air doesn't have the top-of-the-line specifications featured in the MacBook Pro or new MacBooks. For example, it still has a fifth-generation 'Broadwell' line dual-core Intel Core i5-5250U chip, whereas the newer notebooks have Intel's seventh-generation 'Kaby Lake' CPUs. You can upgrade the Core i5 chip to a Core i7, though.

It runs at a base clock speed of 1.8GHz up from 2015's 1.6GHz and you can also use Turbo Boost, a new feature from Apple that effectively allows you to overclock the processor while still running at a safe temperature. The device comes with 8GB RAM and 128GB or 256GB storage as standard. If you need an extra oomph, though and you have 150 going spare you can upgrade this to 512GB.

Operating system

At the time of writing, the 13in MacBook Air runs macOS Sierra out of the box. This is likely to change towards the end of September, however, when Apple finally releases macOS High Sierra.

High Sierra was demoed at WWDC 2017 but is still currently in beta testing. You can read more about what to expect from the new operating system here, but for the time being, let's dig into macOS Sierra.

Sierra was released in June 2016, with Apple ditching the 'OS X' moniker at the same time. It brought Siri, Apple's virtual assistant, into the dock and allowed the software to perform complex file queries in natural language.

You can also use your Apple Watch (assuming you have one) to unlock your computer and there's also support for Apple Pay as well as a Universal Clipboard function, which works across Apple devices.

For full details of macOS Sierra's specs, click here.

Conclusions

The 2017 upgrades to the MacBook Air are minor, so if you're looking for Apple to completely overhaul this device you may be a little disappointed. While the rest of the recipe is great, we're still underwhelmed by the screen and it's an area that could definitely do with a bit of attention.

This is concerning since the MacBook Pro continues to improve: the cheapest model with a Retina Display is 1,249 and has a more powerful processor. This may push some buyers to go for the Pro, although it is 300g heavier than the Air and the battery life is slightly shorter.

Update: Apple also boosted the 13in Air configuration to 8GB of RAM as standard. This is a very welcome, although long overdue, addition. It is enough to keep the Air ticking over, but we would love to see a bigger update with new Skylake processors, Thunderbolt 3 and a higher quality screen.

Verdict

Performance and storage upgrades keep the already superb MacBook Air ticking over, but the iffy quality screen is starting to hold it back

Processor: Intel Core i5-5250U 1.6GHZ

GPU: Intel HD Graphics 6000

Memory: 8GB LPDDR3 SDRAM

Storage: 256GB SSD

Connectivity: Dual-band 802.11ac WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0

Ports: 2 x USB 3, Thunderbolt, SDXC Card slot, 3.5mm headset jack

Dimensions: (WxDxH): 325mm x 227mm x 170mm

Weight: 1.35kg

Apple has launched two new MacBook Pros, a 13in and 15in, which are on sale in the UK now. The big new feature is the touchbar, which has replaced the function buttons, but battery life and graphics capabilities have also been increased, as has memory capacity.

Here we round up everything you need to know about the new MacBook Pro 2016.

MacBook Pro 2016 at a glance

• New MacBook Pro is on sale in the UK now
• Three options, 13in MacBook Pro, 13in MacBook Pro with Touch Bar and 15in MacBook Pro with Touch Bar
• Intel core i7 processor on 15in version, core i5 on 13in
• 15in MacBook Pro has up to 2TB storage, 13in MacBook Pro has up to 1TB storage
• 13in Touch Bar MacBook Pro UK price from 1,749
• 15in Touch Bar MacBook Pro UK price from 2,349

Apple MacBook Pro 2016 news

07/11/2016: Apple released its new MacBook Pro earlier this month, with some changes in its basic design and the introduction of a USB-C port.

The company faced criticisms due to this latter new feature, particularly due to the need for most users to buy adapters and carry them around, as the new port is not yet widely used.

While the previous MacBook Pro had a variety of ports, such as USB type-A, HDMI, and Thunderbolt 2 ports as well as an SD card slot, the new model only offers users the USB-C and Thunderbolt 3 ports, meaning that users will have to buy adapters to use existing peripherals.

This has led to an outcry from disgruntled users and has forced Apple to drop the price of USB-C adapters, to stem the flow of criticisms and encourage customers to purchase the new MacBook Pro.

The prices of adapters have been dropped by up to half price, while third-party peripherals such as the 4K and 5K LG screens introduced last month, have seen a 25% drop, while SanDisk's SD card reader has seen a 40% price cut.

The new ports are not the only complaint relative to the new MacBook, which some users claimed is underpowered and has too little RAM (16GB).

Apple said in a statement: "We recognise that many users, especially pros, rely on legacy connectors to get work done today and they face a transition. We want to help them move to the latest technology and peripherals, as well as accelerate the growth of this new ecosystem. Through the end of the year, we are reducing prices on all USB-C and Thunderbolt 3 peripherals we sell, as well as the prices on Apple's USB-C adapters and cables."

The new MacBook Pro was launched at an Apple event called "Hello Again", which took place on Thursday 27 October.

31/10/2016: The classic Mac startup chime, which has been a feature of both dasktop and laptop Apple Macs for over 30 years, has been removed on the new MacBook Pros.

The chime is an indicator to the user that the computer has finished its initial hardware and software diagnostic tests successfully and is starting up. However, website Pingie first noted that it is missing from the latest MacBook Pros.

But, where one feature dies a new one is born. In this case, the MacBook Pros will start up upon opening the device's lid, whether or not it's connected to a power source. It will also start up when it's connected to a power adaptor either if the lid's open or if it's connected to an external display.

All three MacBook Pros 13in, 13in with Touch Bar and 15in with Touch Bar are available to buy immediately from 1,449.

Apple Hello Again: Live Blog

19:25: Out now!

Cook finishes up by saying that the MacBook Pro is out now!

Apple's releasing three models; a 13in Pro with no Touch Bar, and a 13in and 15in with the Touch Bar.

The non-Touch Bar model is available from Saturday, and the other two ship in three to four weeks, according to Apple's UK site.

Here's the UK pricing: 13in MacBook Pro (without Touch Bar) 1,449; 13in MacBook Pro 1,749; 15in MacBook Pro 2,349

And with that, the event is over. Thanks for following our live blog!

19:16: 10 hours battery life

Both the MacBook Pro 13in and 15in models have up to 10 hours of battery life, according to Phil Schiller. It's also 6.8 million times faster than the original Pro, he points out - it can do a year of the 25-year-old golden oldie's computing in less than five seconds.

18:52: 67% brighter MacBook Pro

The new MacBook Pro is 67% brighter and offers 67% higher contrast ratio than its predecessor, while offering 25% more colours.

Its SSD storage is 50% faster, and holds up to 2TB.

18:40: Apple scraps function keys for OLED Touch Bar

It adapts to the software you're using, for instance, letting you straighten photos, or offering a search bar when you land on a website.

It also comes up with typing suggestions:

18:40: New MacBook Pro

Here it is:

It comes in two models - 13in and 15in, and boasts a ForceTouch trackpad that's two times larger than previous generations.

18:30: MacBook 25th anniversary

This week amrks the 25th anniversary of Apple's first notebook - the Power Book.

Wanna have a look? Oh go on then...

18:28: Search Mac files with Siri

On MacOS Sierra, you can search for files with Siri, Cook reminds us.

18:23: Siri voice commands

Siri on Apple TV is getting better, too: it can understand questions like 'what other football games are on?' and will know what show to bring up if you say 'let's watch the Louisville game'.

18:16: Apple TV

"The future of TV is apps," says Cook, boasting Apple now has 8,000 TV apps.

But even more important is, Cook wants it to be the one place to discover TV shows and watch anything.

To do that, it's announcing a new app caled 'TV' (er, Tim, I think that one's been taken).

In TV's Watch Now, ou can browse by category - TV shows, movies, and more. It looks like Apple wants TV to be the new Netflix.

It lets you download iTunes movies or head to the Store for more content.

18:11: Apple Watch Nike Plus

Cook says the Nike version of the Watch 2 comes out tomorrow, which is great for sporty types (I wouldn't know).

18:05: Updates

Tim Cook starts out by detailing some new updates, beginning with the iPhone.

He says the "customer response has been very strong" to the iPhone 7 - important, considering Apple just experienced its first decline in 15 years.

Memories

A new feature on the iPhone 7 will pull out new photos everyday from your collection to remind you of cool memories, says Cook.

iOS 10

Cook says 60% of iPhone users are now on iOS 10, as compared to 1% of Android users on Nougat...

18:04: And here's Tim Cook! He says he spots "a few iPhones out there" in the audience.

17.57: After an accidental leak, Apple rather gave the game away yesterday when it posted images of its new MacBook Pro, all but confirming it will feature an OLED bar above the keyboard that replaces its normal function keys.

It's also very likely to feature Touch ID and will replace the USB port with a USB Type-C.

But we're about to find out a lot more... stay tuned!

Apple seems to have accidentally leaked pictures of its newest Macbook Pro, confirming that the laptop update will be announced later today.

The images were released on MacRumours and appear to have been inadvertently added to a page about Apple's latest operating system.

The pictures show the new Macbook Pro's keyboard, with an additional panel that seemingly replaces the physical function keys on a standard keyboard.

It would also include a fingerprint sensor - presumably so people can log into the computer without a username and password - and a touchpad that suggests it would use gestures or sweeps as is the case with the touchpad rather than keys to carry out actions such as lightening the screen, turning the volume up and down or controlling music with iTunes.

Although there's some speculation that Apple may have released the pictures on purpose to promote its new line on Macbook Pros, one analyst doubts this is the case with the Macbook Pro.

"The leaks are massively damaging as these companies want to have their 'wow moments' when products are unveiled, and an explosion of media coverage, rather than a more tepid response because the details are known in advance," said Ben Wood from CCS Insight told the BBC.

"But it seems to have become virtually impossible for any large company to keep new tech products under wraps."

24/10/2016: Hello Again: iMac won't launch at Apple Event

Apple' is expected to present its new series of Macbooks at an event on Thursday, 27 October.

Ming-Chi Kuo, of KGI Securities analyst, predicts that at Thursday's "Hello Again" event, Apple will introduce its new MacBook series, but not the new iMac, according to MacRumors.

Kuo's report suggested Apple will present a redesigned MacBook Pro and a 13-inch MacBook, which could be a MacBook Air.

He also believes Apple will place Intel's Skylake processor on Apple's MacBook Pro, as well as an oxide panel that ensures better display quality and energy efficiency.

The new MacBook series should also come with substantial changes in design, including an OLED touch bar, Touch ID sensor and the substitution of a traditional USB port with a USB-C port. According to the analyst, Apple could include a Type-C and MagSafe-like adapter.

Although Thursday could be the time at which Apple releases new MacBook models, iMacs might not be included in the event.

Although Apple is developing iMacs and Cinema Display, their shipping schedule is not imminent, hence Kuo is uncertain whether these products will be introduced this week.

The analyst believes interested users might have to wait until the first half of 2017 for these devices to be announced.

20/10/2016: Apple sends out invites for possible MacBook Pro launch

Apple's colourful invite to the upcoming Cupertino event on 27 October, sent out to press on Wednesday, may suggest something more significant than it first appears.

The word "Hello" has become a significant call sign for Apple since the release of the original Apple II in 1977. The 'hello' program was a feature on Apple DOS 3.1, which would automatically launch on boot and allow for program selection if the disk contained more than one title.

Fast forward to 1984, the cursive "Hello" featured in marketing materials, painted across the black and white screen of the Macintosh 128k. It was not until the release of the iMac that saw the use of 'Hello, (again)' featured once more in marketing campaigns, evoking nostalgia of the original Macintosh.

Importantly, Apple, who is particularly savvy when it comes to marketing, has used the word 'Hello' during significant shifts of company focus. With the recent press invite, users are once again expecting something big at the event in Cupertino.

Rumours are suggesting we will get to see the new MacBook Pro, but it may feature some significant changes, including a shift to USB-C and the scrapping of physical function keys above the keyboard in favour of an OLED touch bar.

Whatever Apple has planned, it is certainly creating some excitment.

19/10/16: Apple may launch a new MacBook Pro at a Cupertino event on 27 October, according to Recode, but another model pegged for release further in the future might not feature a USB port.

The new laptop to be unveiled later this month is rumoured to include an OLED touch bar above its keyboard, replacing the existing physical keys there.

It will be thinner and lighter, with Touch ID support to unlock the laptop with a fingerprint, according to 9To5Mac.

It may also swap traditional USB ports for USB Type-C ports. This is a smaller USB plug that could make the new MacBook thinner and easier to carry.

The OLED bar's functions could change according to what the user is currently using the laptop for, hence making the next MacBook Pro even more user friendly.

These drastic changes would come in the same year in which the company introduced the EarPods, headphones that work with the iPhone 7 by connecting through the Lightning port, removing the traditional headphone jack.

Apple might present a new MacBook Air and iPad Pro at the same event, and if so, it would come one day after an event at which Microsoft is expected to be introducing updated versions of its Surface Book and Surface Pro 4.

Following the release of its 12in retina Macbook in 2015, Apple is through to working on next versions of its MacBook Pro to be released in late 2016.

In this article we will be rounding up news, rumours about the 2016 MacBook Pros.

MacBook Pro news

15/06/2016: Apple's next MacBook Pros could be fitted with an OLED touch bars, new details suggest.

Last month, rumours emerged that Apple's is planning major revamp of its Macbook Pros, and may include, of all things, an OLED touch bar above the keyboard. It has already made for some stylish-looking concepts.

Now, code in the new masOS Sierra appears to corroborate those rumours further, as French site Mac Generation (translated by 9to5 Mac) reports.

Several new options are prefaced by the term "kHIDUsage_LED".

Among them is "kHIDUsage_LED_DoNotDisturb" an option that appears to suggest a dedicated LED Do Not Disturb button. The Do Not Disturb button can already be accessed via the Mac's notification settings, but having quick access to this function on an OLED display would make sense.

As well as this, other toggling options point to a camera on/off switch, caps lock, night mode, play and pause, rewind and fast forward, and data mode.

The OS also makes reference to biometric input methods, backing up another earlier rumour that a Touch ID fingerprint sensor would be coming to the new MacBooks.

Simply because the functions currently exist in the code does not confirm hardware is on the way. Although, previous discoveries have come true. In 2013, resources in the iOS 7 beta pointed to a biometric sensor for the next iPhone, which was realised months later with Touch ID in the iPhone 5s.

Having not been announced at Apple's WWDC 2016 briefing this week, the earliest we are likely to hear about Apple's shake up its MacBook line is in September, during its iPhone announcement.

13/06/2016: Concept renders show what new MacBook Pro could look like

Rumours have suggested that Apple will be using its keynote at WWDClater today to announce updates to certain members of its MacBook range, and thanks to graphic designer Martin Hajek, we now have an idea what they could end up looking like.

Back in 2015, Apple took the wraps off its reimagined, redesigned 12in MacBook. The result was a stunning ultraportable, with an all-metal chassis and the slimmest, lightest dimensions ever seen on an Apple notebook.

Apple is now expected to refresh its larger MacBook models - possibly including members of the MacBook Pro and MacBook Air families - to incorporate these design values.

Martin Hajek (also known as @deplaatjesmaker) has produced 3D concept renders of the what a new 15in MacBook Pro might look like, based on the visual design of the 12in MacBook.

For the purposes of comparison, Hajek has pictured the new MacBook Pro next to the current Retina MacBook Pro, as well as the redesigned 12in MacBook.

Like the new MacBook, many of the ports on Hajek's MacBook Pro have been replaced with multifunctional USB-C ports, including the charging, Thunderbolt and USB ports.

However, while the 12in MacBook has only one USB-C port - meaning you'll need a splitter if you want to connect a USB drive and charge your device simultaneously - Hajek's updated MacBook Pro has a comparatively generous four.

Hajek has also opted to keep the 3.5mm headphone jack and an SD card reader, neither of which the 12in MacBook has.

While Hajek's renders are essentially speculation at this point, an updated MacBook Pro is a strong possibility, and will more than likely end up looking not dissimilar to these images.

We'll know more after Apple's WWDC keynote address, which you can read more about here.

Latest news:

19/04/2016: Apple has updated its 12in MacBook with a 2016 iteration boasting 12th generation Intel processors and up to 10 hours of battery life.

Available in rose gold as well as the traditional silver, gold and space gray, the new 12in MacBook will measure 13.1mm in thickness, and weigh just 2lbs.

Its 12in Retina display boasts a resolution of 2304 x 1440 pixels, while its trackpad will incorporate Force Touch, which monitors the pressure you place on the trackpad to give you better control over the computer.

Coming in two price ranges, the $1,299 12in MacBook will boast a 1.1GHz dual-core Intel Core m3 processor, while the $1,599 version will come with a 1.2GHz dual-core Intel Core m5 processor. Storage comes in two sizes - 256GB flash and 512GB flash respectively.

The new MacBook will also ship with 8GB of onboard memory.

08/02/2016: The latest rumours say that Apple will launch revamped 12in MacBooks with the latest Skylake processors from Intel. The new Core m3, m5 and m7 processors are the successors to the original Broadwell-class Core m used in the MacBook reviewed here, so we'd expect Apple to adopt them. MacBooks allegedly equipped with these new Core m processors are rumoured to appear at an Apple launch on March 15th which makes sense as this would be almost a year after this laptop was first announced.

Apple is no stranger to jettisoning what it sees as old and outdated technologies in favour of newer, more efficient ones. From abandoning floppies in favour of USB in the original iMac to jettisoning PCI-Express slots in favour of Thunderbolt 2 in the current Mac Pro, Apple isn't afraid to leave the past behind even if its customers are more reticent. Apple has done it again with its latest ultra portable laptop, the 12in MacBook Retina.

Apple MacBook Retina 12in review: USB-C

Aside from a headset jack, this laptop has just one port a completely new type of USB port. USB 3.1 Gen 1 has the same speed as USB 3.0 (5Gbit/s, although Gen 2 will raise this to 10Gbit/s), but what it lacks in speed improvements it more than makes up for in increased versatility.

USB 3.1 Gen 1 has a new smaller connector, Type C, which is reversible so it doesn't matter which way up you plug it in. Plus it's the same connector at both ends of the cable, so it doesn't matter which end you plug in either. These sound like small improvements, but we've seen plenty of confused users fumbling around with their USB cables. USB 3.1 Gen 1 can also natively handle video output so, with adapters, it can be used to connect monitors, projectors and TVs without impacting on processor performance as with older versions of USB.

Of course, the Type C connector means you'll need adapters to use existing USB peripherals and displays. If you still rely on Ethernet, you'll need an adapter for that too. Plus, as there's only one port, you'll need a multiport adapter or hub to connect multiple devices simultaneously. Apple's vision is that you won't need to do this often, if at all, as you'll use wireless peripherals and, in the case of storage and storage-hogging software, the cloud.

A standard USB 3.0 Type-A connector (left) compared to a USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-C connector (right).

It's a compelling vision, but not practical for everyone. Cloud-related compliance issues aside, even if you're willing to undertake the expense of deploying wireless peripherals in your office, you'll have to make sure they're properly secured. On top of that, you'll still need a gaggle of adapters for use in the outside world. Sadly, USB Type C isn't magnetised like the MagSafe charging connectors on other MacBooks, so there's a greater chance that someone tripping over the charging cable will send the laptop crashing to the ground.

Apple MacBook Retina 12in review: weight and build

This dramatic reduction in the number and type of ports has allowed Apple to make the 12in MacBook remarkably lighter and slimmer than any other laptop we've seen 12in or otherwise. It's around the same thickness as three copies of Time magazine stacked on top of each other and weighs just 920g. This makes it almost effortless to tote around. Despite its svelteness, the metal casing is just as rigid and robust as we've come to expect from a MacBook. Like the iPhone 6 and iPad Air 2, the MacBook is available in grey, silver and gold with the latter far less garish than we expected.

However, like most of Apple's other Macs, serviceability and upgradeability are non-existent. The memory chips are soldered into place, while the proprietary connector on the SSD makes it difficult and costly to replace or upgrade yourself.

Apple MacBook Retina 12in review: performance and battery life

Despite the MacBook's slenderness, Apple has squeezed in a huge battery made possible in part by the Core M processor and its smaller-than-usual motherboard. The battery lasted 14 hours and 26 minutes in our light usage test and six hours and 52 minutes in our more strenuous YouTube playback test. Only the 13in MacBook Air and 13in MacBook Pro Retina last longer no Windows ultraportable we've seen can match it.

This exceptional battery life is also due, in large part, to the power efficient Broadwell-based Core M processor. The trade-off is performance. While the 1.1GHz dual core 5Y70 is more than fast enough for office tasks, JPEG editing and light HD video work since it can Turbo Boost to 2.6GHz and is paired with 8GB of memory, it's not ideal for anything more demanding. In our video editing and multitasking benchmarks, it was only around a third the speed of our reference PC with a Core i5 3570K desktop processor.

Apple MacBook Retina 12in review: keyboard and touchpad

One consequence of the MacBook's incredibly thin profile is its dramatically redesigned keyboard. As there's less space for the key switches, the keys have far less travel than almost any laptop keyboard we've ever used. We thought we would find this hatefully awkward, but to our surprise we found typing fast, accurate and very comfortable indeed. This is because the keys give plenty of feedback when pressed as well as a satisfying clicky sound. The keyboard still takes getting used to we found we had to type with less force or risk arm ache, for example but it's quick to acclimatise too. The only real annoyance we encountered was the up and down cursor keys, which are smaller than the others and therefore hard to tell apart when touch typing.

The MacBook's touchpad is large, accurate and responsive. What sets it apart even more from the touchpads on Windows laptops is its Force Touch pressure sensitivity feature, something which it shares with the MacBook Pro Retina laptops. Pressing down harder on the touchpad causes different things to happen, depending on which program you're using and the context. Doing this in Safari while a word is highlighted will show you a definition for that word, while force clicking on a meeting attendee in Apple's Calendar app will show you the contact details for that person.

We don't find any of Apple's uses for Force Touch to be particularly compelling most simply replicate what can achieved more easily in a right-click menu. The Force Touch touchpad does have another trick up its sleeve though. It can give you feedback by vibrating gently, which feels like a gentle tapping against your fingers, although the number of programs that currently support this are very limited. One clever third-party app that combines both of these unique touchpad features is Inklet which lets you use the touchpad as a basic graphics tablet.

Apple MacBook Retina 12in review: Retina screen

We had no complaints about the 12in screen. Although it has a resolution of 2304x1440 pixels, you see the same amount of text as you would on a 1280x800 screen. The extra pixels are instead used to render text very sharply so much so that they look like print. You can change the resolution to 1440x900 pixels giving you extra working space, but at the expense of making everything illegibly tiny. Regardless, image quality was top-notch with eye-watering brightness as well as good colour accuracy and contrast.

Apple MacBook Retina 12in review: conclusions

Apple's 12in Retina MacBook is a stunning ultra-portable laptop. Its sturdiness, battery life, screen quality and touchpad are rivalled only by Apple's other laptops. If portability is absolutely paramount, then the MacBook's light weight and battery life make it a superb choice, but its unique one-port configuration and reliance on wireless peripherals may make it challenging to fit into how you work at least in the short to medium term. It's a great buy, but misses out on an Editor's Choice award.

This review was first published on 26/05/2015 and has since been updated, most recently on 08/02/2016.

Verdict

Apple’s ultra portable laptop is stunning, but the compromises made to achieve its low weight and slender profile won’t suit everyone

Processor: 1.1GHz Intel Core M 5Y70

Graphics processor: Intel HD 5300 integrated

Memory: 8GB

Storage: 256GB SSD

Connectivity: 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.0

Ports: 1x USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-C, 3.5mm headset jack

Screen size: 12in

Screen resolution: 2304x1440 pixels

Operating system: Mac OS X 10.10 Yosemite

Dimensions: 13x280x197mm (HxWxD)

Weight (with charger): 920g (1.1kg)

Warranty: One year

Macbook owners are up in arms over an apparent screen defect.

The problem, known as "staingate", seems to mainly affect MacBook Pros, which often are worth in excess of 1000.

Users say their notebooks' retina displays are being marred by "horrific stains", that appear with no obvious cause. These blemishes can manifest as streaks, spots or patches, both around the edges and in the center of the screen itself.

The issue has raised the ire of Apple customers, principally due to the cost of the devices. As the group's website states: "We already paid a lot of our hard earned money to have a defective laptop".

To make matters worse, the problem is classified by Apple as cosmetic damage, and therefore not covered by warranty. The group claims that repair costs can reach "around 800 USD/EUR with a three-month warranty".

The problem appears to be recurring, however, and users have reported stains returning in a matter of months after being repaired.

The Staingate website claims that it maintains a database of 3005 affected people, and the problem is drawing increasing attention. Whitfield Bryson & Mason, a US law firm, has contacted the group to investigate, presumably with regards to bringing a legal case against Apple.

The group isn't aiming for monetary restitution, however. According to their website, they simply want Apple to fix their MacBooks, demanding "a free repair program for all the Macbooks that are having this problem, without taking into consideration if it is under warranty or Apple Care".

Ultrabooks are thin, lightweight machines aiming to offer high-end performance, but they come at a premium.

We take a look at the 5 best Ultrabooks you can buy in 2015.

Apple MacBook Retina 12in

Apple's latest MacBook slims down and ditches more than a few ports, relying on a sole USB-C port for everything barring a headphone jack.

With ports out of the way the ultra-portable has become a lot lighter and thinner. While the 12-ince screen may not be big enough for some, the resolution is a stunning 2304x1440. The extra pixels render text very sharply.

Its sturdiness, battery life, screen quality and touchpad are rivalled only by Apple's other laptops.

Price: 874 ex VAT

Dell XPS 13

Thelatest XPS 13 has managed to beat Apple in a few areas to make this one of the most impressive high-end laptops we've seen in months.

It's powerful, too, meaning you'll never be short on processing performance when you need it.

If you're looking for a fast, light and powerful laptop for business and pleasure, there are very few laptops more suitable than the Dell XPS 13.

Price: From 1099

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (2014)

ThinkPads have long been a favourite among business users because they have the best keyboards and pointing sticks of any laptop.

The 2014 X1 Carbon retains all the features you'd expect from a top business machine, including excellent build quality, an anti-reflective screen and plenty of security options.

Lenovo has made adjustments to the keyboard. The Home, End and Delete buttons have been moved from the main keyboard space to make way for a context-sensitive OLED strip. The Caps Lock button has been usurped by the Home/End combo, and the delete button now shares its spot with backspace. Users making the step-up from older ThinkPads will need time to adjust.

Price: From 1,133 inc VAT (1,906 top spec)

Dell Latitude E7440

The Latitude may not be the thinnest or lightest Ultrabook, but it offers excellent all-round performance.

Highlights include the bright, high-contrast screen, power processor and superb build quality.

The battery life is decent for a Windows machine with a Core i7 processor. We measured 6 hours and 43 minutes of video playback with the screen set to 75 per cent.

Price: From 865 inc VAT (1,350 top spec)

Lenovo Yoga 2 Pro

The oldest device here, but the Yoga 2 Pro is a rare breed in that it's just as good if not better than its successor.

The Pro 2 packs a superb 13.1in display (3,200 x 1,800) and has a flexible design allowing it to twist into different positions.

Battery life is decent, with the device clocking over 7 hours in our video tests. The only issue is the limited number of connections, which is a common problem across Ultrabooks.

Price: From 600 inc VAT (1,300 top-spec)

Microsoft Surface 3

Technically a tablet hybrid, but for most people, the keyboard will almost certainly be used constantly wiht this device.

This makes the Surface 3 a lightweight ultraportable machine that's good enough for day-to-day usage. Differing from the Surface and Surface 2, Surface 3 has ditched ARM in favour of Intel so it can run any Windows application.

With a starting price of 419, this can be looked upon as a budget ultraportable that gives good value for money. Although you you will need to buy the option-yet-essential keyboard base to get the maximum out of the machine.

Price: From 419.00

Google Chromebook Pixel

While not technically an Ultrabook, the Google Chromebook Pixel offers similar performance in terms of slimness and battery life.

This power-sipping processor helped the Pixel achieve a lengthy battery life of 11 hours and 26 minutes when connected to an 802.11n WiFi network.

The Core i5 5200U processor and 8GB of memory are more than quick enough for running webapps - the Core i7 5500U and 16GB of RAM in the more expensive version is just overkill.

Price: 666

OPINION: The new 12in Retina Macbook, or simply MacBook', is classic Apple. The Cupertino powerhouse is famed for both its minimalism and its willingness to reject legacy technologies. The new MacBook is the most striking example yet of these two tendencies.

Apple claims the new MacBook is its thinnest and lightest laptop yet at 13.1mm and 907g respectively. It's achieved these impressive dimensions mainly by ejecting as many ports as possible. USB3, Thunderbolt 2, SDXC, even the MagSafe power connector they're all gone in favour of USB-C. This new port, which uses a reversible connector similar to the Lightning connector on iOS devices, is used for everything power, video and data. It harkens back to the very first, now forgotten Macbook Air released back in 2008 which only had a single USB2 port.

Apple's vision is that we'll use Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for everything, but buyers of this laptop will likely be dependent on docking stations and adapters - at least in the near to medium term future. USB sticks and Ethernet may be things of the past in the Cupertino, but they're essential for the rest of us living in a world where wireless technologies don't always work. Still, it's clear from Apple's official name for this model that Tim Cook and co see this as the future of computing it's simply called MacBook', no more and no less.

Enterprises are of course notoriously conservative and it's unlikely many in the business world outside of the executive suite will adopt the 12in Retina MacBook in mass as soon as it goes on sale. That makes especially good sense in this case, if only because of the processors involved. Apple has equipped this laptop with Intel's new Broadwell' Core M processors, the most power-efficient processors from Intel yet, enabling it to get rid of the cooling fans.

The thing is that Broadwell's introduction was so heavily delayed that its successor, code-named Skylake, is already due for launch this autumn. By the time businesses have conducted their assessments on where the 12in Retina MacBook fits in their deployments, the Skylake version of this laptop will almost certainly be available. This will not only have the performance and energy efficiency boots promised in Skylake, but Apple will doubtless have fixed any teething issues that crop up in this dramatically thin new design.

And there could well be teething issues. The litany of product recalls for everything from faulty MacBook Pro graphics chips to iPhone 5 buttons shows that not even the well-oiled Apple machine is immune from hardware defects. A super-thin, fanless laptop packed with the latest technology produced using the latest fabrication techniques on a mass scale is no walk in the park.

I can't talk about a new laptop without casting a long, hard glance at its keyboard and touchpad. Apple's laptop keyboards and touchpads are among the best in the industry, trumping efforts from almost all its competitors.

But that doesn't mean they're perfect. For me personally, the best laptop keyboard Apple made was the one it debuted in the 13in MacBook Pro. That's the one with the built-in DVD writer and non-Retina screen and, surprisingly, is still available to buy today albeit with increasingly aging specifications. Its keyboard has a combination of feedback, travel and resistance that hasn't been matched by any MacBook keyboard since.

Apple marketing chief Phil Schiller has waxed poetic about the technology used in the new MacBook's keyboard. Apparently, the new butterfly switches underneath every key are less prone to wobbling at the sides when pressed compared to the scissor switches used elsewhere. It remains to be seen whether this new keyboard can trump its predecessor especially in such a thin casing, which is often the enemy of good keyboard design.

Then there's the touchpad which uses the Force Touch pressure sensitive technology originally developed for the Apple Watch. Whether this will meaningfully improve the way we use touchpads, as multi-touch gestures did when they were first introduced, or becomes an option that's quickly turned off and forgotten, remains to be seen.

The fact that almost every aspect of the new 12in Retina MacBook was leaked beforehand doesn't diminish its audaciousness. Apple wants ports to go the way of the floppy. It's trying to redefine the way you use the touchpad.

It's a laptop only Apple could build and we'll bring you a full review as soon as we can.

MacBook users are being warned about a new piece of malware dubbed Thunderstrike that can infect their devices using the Thunderbolt port.

US-based online security expert Trammell Hudson revealed the security hole at the Chaos Computer Congress (CCC) in Germany.

The rootkit malware can be loaded and installed onto the computer using Thunderbolt-enabled devices, writing custom code to a MacBook's boot ROM. It can also easily be transferred between machines using the port.

Hudson explained how sitting inside the computer's ROM, rather than the hard drive, means it can go undetected, allowing hackers access to a computer's confidential files without the user knowing.

He said: "For an attacker with sufficient Option ROM space, the job is done: put your payload in the device's ROM, pass a pointer to it to process firmware volume and it will be flashed for you.

"Option ROMs can circumvent flash security by triggering recovery mode boots with signed firmware and causing the untrusted code to be written to the ROM. And the attacker now controls the signing keys on future firmware updates, preventing any software attempts to remove them."

Although previous research into how malware can be used on Macs demonstrates the computer is more likely to be rendered useless when the ROM is rewritten using software, Hudson discovered this isn't the case with Thunderstrike. It could allow hackers to embed new codes to make it behave differently.

"Since it is the first OS X firmware bootkit, there is nothing currently scanning for its presence. It controls the system from the very first instruction, which allows it to log keystrokes, including disk encryption keys, place backdoors into the OS X kernel and bypass firmware passwords," Hudson said.

Apple is reportedly issuing a partial fix for the security hole, which will be rolled out as a firmware update.

HP has unveiled a super-slim business Ultrabook range as the firm aims to win over enterprise customers.

The EliteBook Folio 1020 Special Edition will offer up a 12.5in Quad HD (QHD) display wrapped in a 15.7mm chassis crafted from carbon-fibre and magnesium lithium alloy. HP is yet to confirm the final weight but estimates the SE model will be 1kg. If true, it will make the Folio lighter than the smaller 11.6in MacBook Air (1.08kg).

A standard edition Folio 1020 without the carbon fibre has been confirmed to weigh 1.2kg.

HP has revealed the Folio Ultrabooks will ship with fan-less Intel Core M processors and SSDs but has yet to release details about CPU speeds or storage capacities.

Battery life is estimated to be up to 9 hours and the devices will also be rated to military standard - making them resistant to drops, shocks and capable of working in extreme temperatures.

HP will also debut a Premium Keyboard' design which has been developed after user feedback.

The PC maker will also load up its devices with a raft of security options including Trusted Platform Modules, fingerprint readers, pre-boot authentication as well as management options via LanDesk and vPro.

The HP EliteBook Folio 1020 Standard Edition will arrive in February, followed by the Special Edition in March. Pricing will be announced closer to availability, but they are expected to be priced as premium devices.

Apple's high prices often restrict Macs to graphics and design departments rather than wide scale enterprise deployment. Throughout 2014, Apple has implemented a strategy to make its products more affordable and the 13in MacBook Pro laptop is the latest device to receive a 100 price cut.

Now starting at 999, the MacBook Pro is comparable to high-end Windows 8.1 Ultrabooks in terms of price. We take a look to see whether it's still got the performance to outmuscle rival devices.

What's new?

Our 999 review unit shipped with a dual-core i5 processor running at 2.6GHz, 8GB RAM and a 128GB SSD. Essentially Apple is shipping devices with the latest batch of Haswell chips for a reduced price because the Intel Broadwell refresh is imminent.

Upgrades can be made at the time of purchase but the cost of a device will escalate rapidly. You'll need to spend 200 to double the storage to 256GB. If money is no barrier, 400 will buy 512GB of storage and a 2.8GHz processor. And a dual-core i7 running at 3GHz is available for 240 if you need the maximum speed.

Our review unit posted a small performance improvement over the late-2013 model, despite the two devices having the same clock speed and RAM. This was down to Intel making incremental improvements to the latest batch of Haswell chips.

Running our benchmarks to simulate office and multimedia work on Windows 7 via Apple's Bootcamp feature - the 2014 MacBook returned an overall score of 81 out of 100 (up from 76). Performance was consistent across a variety of apps used in our benchmarks, and the MacBook Pro only stumbled when it came to demanding 3D rendering. It's acceptable for a laptop costing 999, and the MacBook Pro will be more than adequate for web browsing, running Office or graphics apps such as Photoshop.

The 2014 model lasted 10 hours 20 minutes when running our video playback test at 75 per cent brightness. This was near-on identical to the 2013 model. When you use Wi-Fi, expect uptime to drop by a couple of hours.

And what's the same

The design of the MacBook Pro hasn't changed with Apple sticking with the sturdy, attractive aluminium chassis. It's 18mm thick and weighs 1.6kg, so it's portable.

It's got the same port selection with 2 x USB 3 and 2 x Thunderbolt 2 connections. The lack of Ethernet remains troublesome for business users, so you'll need to pay 25 for a Thunderbolt-to-Ethernet adaptor if you need to connect the laptop to a wired office network.

The lack of upgradeability remains a weakness. The memory in the MacBook Pro is soldered onto the motherboard, so choosing the amount at purchase is critical. The base of the laptop is also sealed with multiple pentalobe screws, which means that storage upgrades, repairs or battery replacements are difficult and may also void the laptop's warranty.

Retina Display

With the mid-2014 model being a minor refresh, no changes have been made to the display either. Apple continues to use the 13.3in IPS panel with a 2560 x 1600 resolution. This produces a bright (374cd/m2) and detailed image that is well suited to tasks such as photo- or video-editing. All Macs also include Apple's Keynote presentation software free of charge, so it's ready to create slick business presentations without having to install Microsoft Office.

On paper the Retina Display doesn't have as many pixels as Windows laptops like Toshiba's P50T, which has a 4k display. But, Windows 8.1 isn't able to scale third-party apps properly so the hardware advantage is lost.

In contrast, OS X provides scaling options for the Retina Display that simulate lower resolutions so that you can choose a setting depending on the app you are using. This means that the MacBook Pro works better with graphics applications such as Adobe Photoshop, even if it can't quite match the higher resolution of some of its Windows rivals.

Overall

There may be Windows alternatives that provide greater performance or screen resolution, but 13in MacBook Pro With Retina Display combines screen quality performance, portability and battery life into a package that is unmatched.

The 999 starting price makes it more attractive to businesses who may be considering deployment.

Verdict

A minor specification boost is coupled with a £100 price cut to make the 13in MacBook Pro (2014) the best all-round laptop on the market.

Operating System: OS X Mavericks (10.9)

Processor: 2.6GHz Intel Core i5-4278U (3.1GHz Turboboost)

GPU: Intel Iris 5100 (integrated)

Display: 13.3-inch IPS display, 2560x1600 resolution

Memory: 8GB DDR3L

Storage: 128GB solid-state storage

Optical: N/A

Connectivity: dual-band 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0

Ports: 2 x USB 3, 2x Thunderbolt 2, 1x HDMI, SD card reader, 1 x headphone Dimensions: 314 x 219 x 18 mm (WxDxH)

Weight: 1.6kg

Apple's Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) kicked off earlier today with an opening keynote by CEO Tim Cook.

What did Apple launch at WWDC?

• Mac OS X Yosemite
• iOS 8 was unveiled with a raft of new features focused on end users and developers
• Health Kit and the Health app
• Home automation features
• A new SDK that showcases the most revolutionary changes since the App Store was launched

In anticipation of iOS 8 being unveiled today, we outlined the

top features we'd really like to see in Apple's latest OS

. Deeper Siri integration and an Apple Maps upgrade were on the wish list, as is split-screen view and enhanced Touch ID support.

But did we get what we wanted? Apple users are a vocal and fickle bunch and the firm will be hard pushed to please all of those people all of the time.

We've outlined some of our WWDC predictions here. But check back for all the action as it happens as we'll be live blogging the keynote from 6pm.

Live blog

UPDATE 17:41:The final countdown has started, and we're less than 20 minutes away from kick off of the WWDC 2014 keynote. We'll keep you up to date with everything as it happens in our live blog below. We'll also have more indepth insight as to what the news means for you, during and after the event too.

UPDATE 15:19:Less than three hours to go now until the big event kicks off. Excitement is building at the Moscone Centre if recent tweets and pictures are anything to go by. Some of these people have been queuing up since yesterday - that's dedication for you.

Microsoft unveiled the Surface Pro 3 as a direct challenger to Apple's MacBook Air range.

Panos Panay, VP of Surface at Microsoft, dubbed the device as capable of "replacing a laptop". Throughout the unveiling he talked up the specifications of the third generation Windows tablet, but does it really have what it takes to be a laptop killer?

For the purposes of this comparison, we'll take a look at how the 12in Surface Pro 3 stacks up against the 11.6in MacBook Air, as these are the closest in terms of size and specifications:

Behind the specs:

When it comes to features like processor, RAM, connectivity and battery life, the devices appear equally matched. But there are areas where the MacBook Air and the Surface Pro 3 outdo each other.

Display

The weakest part on the MacBook Air (2014) is the screen. The device has a portable 11.6in LED-backlit glossy display but ships with a dated 1366 x 768 native resolution. It is capable of scaling to 1280 x 720 pixels at 16:9 aspect ratio. At this time, Apple doesn't integrate any touch screen functionality into its Macs, either.

The Surface Pro 3 looks to be streets ahead in this department with well over 3 million pixels. The 12in touch screen sports a 2160 x 1440 resolution and Microsoft has switched to a unique 3:2 ratio. This should make the Surface easier on the eye than previous versions of the tablet, which had scaling issues and required a magnifying glass to use them.

Weight

Microsoft is keen toemphasisethe lightweight dimensions of the Surface Pro 3. The Windows tablet weighs in at 800g vs 1.08kg for the MacBook Air.

However, when a keyboard is attached to the Surface, it's the heavier device with a total weight of 1.09kg, so don't be fooled into thinking it's uber portable. In comparison the iPad Air weighs in at 469g.

Processor, storage andgraphics

The hardware configurations are almost identical with users able to choose between Intel's Haswell processors, 4GB or 8GB of RAM and up to 512GB of internal storage. The key difference here is the inclusion of a TPM chip in the Surface Pro 3 to provide encryption.

Neither device has the space for discrete graphics, so you'll be reliant on Intel's integrated graphics. The Surface Pro 3 has the slightly dated HD 4400 chips and the MacBook Air has the HD 5000.

Ports and wireless connectivity

Both devices have four physical connections but the MacBook has more USB ports and a Thunderbolt connector allow users to connect more peripherals to it. Wireless connectivity is equal with both devices supporting Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.

Battery life

Microsoft has yet to disclose the size of the battery in the Surface Pro 3. However, the firm has gone on record claiming 9 hours of Wi-Fi battery on a single charge.

The 11in MacBook Air is powered by a 38-Watt hour battery and Apple claims up to 9 hours of Wi-Fi browsing or video playback.

Although equal on paper, based on our experiences with the Surface Pro 2 and the MacBook range, we expect the OS X software to last longer during our tests.

Input

There is a significant difference in input here. Despite the improvements Microsoft has made to its Type Cover, MacBooks provide anunparalleledtrackpad experience and the built-in keyboard is going to be more spacious and have more travel.

However, the Surface Pro 3 does have a 10-point multi-touch screen and is shipped with a stylus.Microsoft is touting the handwriting capabilities of the device and is also aiming to duplicate the features of a notepad. If you click the stylus like a pen, the Pro 3 will automatically open up OneNote so you can scribble down any ideas, which pop into your head.

Price

Apple devices are often labelled as premium, but the Surface Pro 3 isn't cheap. Pricing for the Windows tablet may start at 639, but this is for the basic model with a Core i3 processor and 64GB of internal storage of which just 36GB is usable.

This is also the only version of the Surface Pro 3 that is cheaper than the MacBook Air. When the processor, RAM and memory are matched up, the Apple device comes out cheaper. The difference in cost is primarily due to the superior screen on the Surface Pro 3.

Don't forget the Type Cover is not included with the Surface devices, so you'll have to splash out an extra 109 on top of the quoted price if you want to have laptop functionality.

Overall impressions

The Surface Pro 3 looks like a competent device with the standout features being the display and pen. It will be interesting to see if the third generation Surface tablet can live up to the nine hour battery life claim. We expect performance to be similar between the devices because the configurations are almost identical. But at present it still looks like the MacBook Air could be better value. Stay tuned to see just how good the Surface Pro 3 is when we publish our full review.

Apple has carried out a minor refresh of the MacBook Air - increasing the clock speed of the processor by 100MHz and dropping the price by 100.

But is it worth investing more in an older MacBook Pro with Retina Display? We break down the key differences between the laptops to help you decide. Categories include:

Which Mac is best for you?

MacBook Pro vs MacBook Air - Pricing and Verdict

8 reasons to switch to Mac

Display/DimensionsPerformance Battery lifeWireless connectivity & portsRepairabilitySoftwarePrice

Display & Dimensions

There is a huge difference in display quality between the two ranges. The MacBook Airs don't include Apple's Retina Display technology so are not ideal for video/image editing and multimedia. In terms of dimensions, it's closely run.

MacBook Air - Available in 11.6in and 13.3in sizes, these are the smallest laptops Apple offers.

The 11in Air weighs in at 1.08kg, making it the lightest Apple laptop. However, it also has the lowest resolution 1366 x 768, which isn't going to cut it for anything other than basic word processing and web browsing.

The 13in model ships with a better 1440 x 900 resolution and isn't too much heavier at 1.35kg.

MacBook Pro w/Retina display - The starting size of this machine is 13.3ins, with a larger 15.6in model available. This latter, in particular, can be used as a desktop replacement.

As their name indicates, the Pro models ship with Apple's best display technology. The 13in (2560 x 1600) and 15.4in (2880 x 1800) are streets ahead of the Airs in quality terms.

The 13in Pro is a couple of hundred grams heavier than its Air equivalent at 1.57kg, but it's still portable. However, the 15in device is noticeably chunkier at 2.02kg.

Winner - MacBook Pro w/Retina Display

The MacBook Airs are lightweight, but have inferior screens. The 13in Pro strikes the balance between portability and high-res screen technology.

Performance

Varients of Intel's 4th Generation Core (Haswell) chipset are used to power all MacBooks.

The latest Airs have received a minor performance boost over the previous generation but are still designed for basic tasks. The Pro series is capable of handling taxing applications like video editing and design.

MacBook Air - Now available with a choice between a 1.4GHz dual-core Core i5 processor or dual-core i7. RAM is configurable up to 8GB and the maximum storage size offered is a 512GB SSD. Basic graphics are provided by an integrated Intel HD 5000 chip. There is no option for a discrete card here, so this is not the machine for graphically intense applications.

MacBook Pro w/Retina Display - The Pro series offers more grunt. The base 13in machine is powered by a 2.4GHz dual-core i5 processor, and is configurable to a dual-core i7 chip running at 2.8GHz.

The 15.4in model is powered by 2GHz, 2.3GHz or 2.6GHz chips. These are all quad-core i7 processors.

RAM is configurable up to 16GB and a maximum of 1TB SSD can be installed in these machines. The standard built-in graphics are Intel's flagship Iris Pro range and it's possible to request an Nvidia GeForce GT 750M with 2GB of GDDR5 memory in the 15in model.

Winner - MacBook Pro w/Retina Display

Battery

Apple MacBooks lead the market when it comes to battery life and are usually able to match claimed figures. However, all batteries are sealed into the device so they're not user replaceable.

MacBook Air - Featuring efficient components, Airs have the longest battery life.

The 11.6in model touts up to nine hours of Wi-Fi browsing or video playback.

Meanwhile, the 13in model has a larger battery and Apple claims it lasts up to 12 hours. We will update this review once we've tested the machines.

MacBook Pro w/Retina Display - Battery life is sacrificed to offer better performance. However, it's still up there in terms of longevity.

The 13in model offers up to nine hours of Wi-Fi browsing and video playback (we measured 10 hours and 27 minutes).

Meanwhile, the 15in device is capable of providing up to eight hours of Wi-Fi browsing and video playback (we measured 8 hours 51 minutes).

Winner: MacBook Air - It's been configured for all-day use and is the longest lasting Mac on the market.

Wireless connectivity & ports

Both machines pack identical wireless connections in the form of 802.11ac Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4. There is a difference in physical ports though.

MacBook Air - The Airs have limited space on the 17mm chassis. The 11in features 2 x USB 3 ports and a single Thunderbolt connection. The 13in model has the same ports and with the addition of an SD card slot.

MacBook Pro w/Retina - There's more space on the thicker Pros so they include 2 x USB 3 ports, 2 x Thunderbolt ports and an HDMI connection. Every Pro device also includes an SD card slot.

Winner - MacBook Pro w/Retina Display - Wireless connectivity is equal, so the Pro wins thanks to the greater number of physical ports.

Repairability

MacBooks are hard to repair as key components such as displays, batteries and RAM are glued in place. Choosing the amount of RAM is critical at the buying stage, as it's impossible to upgrade after purchase.

MacBook Air - The 2014 models have yet to be given a tear-down, but previous generation Airs scored 4/10 on iFixit and, with little changes to the device, we expect this to remain the same.

MacBook Pro w/Retina - The Pros have a paltry repairability score of 1/10, with the trackpad and display assembly proving problematic to replace.

Winner - MacBook Air - Repairing MacBooks is not straighforward, but the Air is a little easier to fix.

Software

All MacBooks ship with the OS X Mavericks operating system. Apple throws in the iWorks suite - Pages, Numbers and Keynotes - as well as iPhoto, iMovie and Garageband free of charge.

Apple will offer free operating systems upgrades every year and the products on test should be supported for at least the next five years.

Winner - Draw - There is nothing to separate the laptops when it comes to pre-loaded software.

Price and Verdict

The MacBook Airs are the cheaper devices as they are designed for portable use, while the Pros are designed for performance.

MacBook Air - Prices start at 749 for the entry-level 11in model, rising to 1,349 if you want the maximum specs available - 1.7GHz dual-core processor, 8GB of RAM and 512GB SSD.

The 13in Air starts at 849. The maximum specification is identical to the 11in except for the screen size and costs 1,449.00.

MacBook Pro w/Retina Display - As expected the MacBook Pros are more expensive because they have faster processors, more RAM/storage as well as more pixels inside the screen.

Prices for the 13in start at 1,099. This will buy you a 2.4GHz dual-core i5 processor, 8GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD. The maximum specification costs 2,239 and includes a 2.8GHz dual-core i7 chip, 16GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD.

The 15in is the most expensive device in this comparison. It starts at 1,699 for a 2GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 processor, 8GB of RAM and 256GB SSD.

If you want to max out the device with an Nvidia GeForce GT 750M discrete graphics card, 16GB of RAM, 1TB SSD and a 2.6GHz quad-core processor, you'll need to fork out 2,799. This is the option when you want a desktop replacement.

Winner - MacBook Air - The Airs are the cheaper device but make sure they can fulfill your needs before ruling out spending more on the Pros.

So which MacBook is best?

The devices drew when it came to software and managed to win an equal number of categories:

The Air triumphed in the areas of battery life, repairability and pricing.

Meanwhile, the Pro with Retina Display offered the better display performance and ports.

The MacBook Air is cheaper and has longer battery life, so it's ideal for users who want a machine for basic content creation and multimedia.

The Pro series is the more powerful and versatile machine. We also feel the higher specifications on offer give it a longer life-cycle. The 13in Pro, in particular, has a good balance between battery life, performance and portability. If we were to recommend a MacBook, it would be this one.

Overall winner - MacBook Pro with Retina Display

Apple's refreshed 13in MacBook Pro targets mobile workers who need all-day battery life to be accompanied by power.

The late-2013 MacBook ships with the gorgeous Retina Display, Intel's latest Haswell processor and Iris Graphics.

Our review sample packed an Intel Core i5 2.6GHz processor, 8GB RAM and 512GB SSD. This is one of the high-end configurations and retails at 1,499.

Picture this

The 13in panel has a resolution of 2560 x 1600, putting the pixel count at over 4 million. Text is sharp, colours vibrant and with a maximum brightness of 374cd/m2, the display is ideal for viewing documents, photos and multimedia content.

With support for two external displays via the Thunderbolt 2.0 ports, the MacBook can be used as a desktop replacement in office environments too.

Programs such as Adobe Photoshop do suffer a little as they don't yet scale up and take advantage of these extra pixels. Icons appear tiny - but the software is still usable.

Trusty Aluminium

Little has changed when it comes to the design of the MacBook range and the 13in is no different. It's got the distinctive Aluminium unibody, which makes this one of the best looking laptops available.

Weighing in at 1.57kg, the 13in Pro is heavier than Ultrabooks, which tip the scales at over 1kg. However, we found it portable and the thicker chassis has more ports than thinner, lighter devices.

Apple has packed in 2 x USB 3 connections, 2 x Thunderbolt 2.0, a SDXC card slot and HDMI output.

The trackpad and keyboard are identical to its predecessor in terms of form and function. We love the trackpad, which has an excellent gesture system to make up for the lack of touchscreen. But the keyboard isn't our favourite and if you look in the Apple forums, you'll find it divides loyal Apple fans too. The black chiclet keys look great, but it feels like it's been designed without ergonomics in mind. The sharp edges, which dig into your wrist don't help matters and we encourage you to try it out at an Apple Store before you buy, especially if you're new to Macs.

Performance boost

The performance improvement between the late-2013 Haswell processor and its Ivy Bridge predecessor is minimal, according to our benchmarks.

Previous gen - 2.5GHz Core i5-3210M, 8GB RAM & 256GB SSDReview model - 2.6GHz Core i5-4288U, 8GB RAM & 512GB SSDReference platform - 3.4GHz i7-2600K, 4GB RAM, 7,200RPM HDD

The main benefits come from the enhanced integrated graphics and the faster PCIe SSD.

Intel's Iris graphics technology is able to meet the demands of the Retina Display. Transitions between apps, desktops and Mission Control are flawless. There's no hint of the stutter which was a problem with previous generation Retina Pros as they used Intel's HD 4000 integrated graphics.

Whilst the Iris graphics are good for light editing, it doesn't fill the void of a discrete graphics component - so power users should bear this in mind.

Apple is touting a 60 per cent performance improvement over the previous generation when it comes to storage. The 13in Pro achieved sequential write speeds of 723MB/sec, close to the claimed 775MB/sec and faster than desktop SSDs. In the real-world this means the MacBook will resume from sleep instantly and has a sub-20 second cold boot time.

Marathon Mac

Battery life is an area where OS X devices are superior to Windows. With Intel's Haswell chip increasing power efficiency, the 13in MacBook has a claimed uptime of nine hours of web browsing or video playback. In our tests with brightness set to 75 per cent, the 13in MacBook delivered spectacular results.

In our Iron Man challenge, where we looped an HD copy of the Marvel film with Wi-Fi turned off, the MacBook Pro cracked double digits.

For the mixed usage test we used the device as our primary machine for the day and the laptop lasted 8 hours and 20 mins. When you turn on energy saving features, it's possible to crack the nine hour mark.

Software bonanza

Apple ships the laptop with the latest version of OS X - Mavericks. It has confirmed all future operating system updates will be free. Apple is also making its iWork and iLife software suites available at no charge.

Of course you can also load up Windows through the built-in Bootcamp tool or run the OS using virtualisation software from Parallels or VMware.

Price/Upgradeability

The price gap between 13in Macs and Windows devices isn't as large as with other products. The entry-level MacBook Pro 13in with Retina Display starts at 1,099. This includes a 2.4GHz dual-core Intel Core i5, 4GB 1600MHz memory and 128GB PCIe-based flash storage.

An equivalent 13in Windows 8.1 machine such as the Lenovo Yoga Pro 2 starts at 999. This has a slower 1.6GHz Core i5 processor and the same 4GB RAM. However, you get double the storage - 256GB SSD and a sharper 3200 x 1800 pixel display.

A key differentiator is battery life - with the MacBook touting nine hours compared to six hours on the Lenovo machine.

As with many Apple products, user upgradeability is limited. The 13in MacBook received a score of 1/10 for repairability on teardown site iFixit - the same as its 15in brethren.

Components are soldered onto the board or held in place with lots of glue so replacing them is next to impossible. Choosing RAM at the time of purchase is pivotal as it's not upgradeable - something Apple makes clear during the configuration process.

Overall

The MacBook Pro 13in doesn't have the longest battery life - this honour belongs to the 13in MacBook Air (12 hours). It's not the most powerful Apple laptop either, this title goes to the 15in MacBook Pro.

So what does it offer? The 13in Pro has a sharper display, more ports (HDMI and extra Thunderbolt) and better performance than the Air range. It's more portable than the 15in model and has a longer battery life.

In cricketing terms, the 13in MacBook Pro would be a genuine all-rounder - and we all know they are everyone's favourite.

Verdict

A fantastic all-roundmachine with a brilliant battery life, the 13in MacBook Pro is definitely worth the investment if you're constantly on the move and need HDMI and Thunderbolt ports.

OS: OS X Mavericks (10.9)

Processor: 2.6GHz dual-core Core i5 (Turbo Boost up to 3.1GHz)

RAM: 8GB DDR3 (configurable up to16GB)

Storage: 512GB PCIe Flash storage

Screen: 13.3in, (2560 x 1600) 227ppi

Connectivity: 802.11ac Wi‑Fi wireless networking IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n compatible, Bluetooth 4.0

Ports: 2 x USB 3, 2 x Thunderbolt 2.0, SD card reader, HDMI

Dimensions: 314 x 219x 18mm (WxDxH)

Weight: 1.57kg

Warranty: 2yr minimum via EU Consumer laws

OS X 10.9 Mavericks is the best Mac upgrade Apple has offered. The desktop software introduces a raft of productivity and security features, provides a noticeable bump in battery life and supports models going back to 2007.

Mavericks also marks the first time Apple has offered an extensive Mac update for free.

OS X Mavericks works with

• iMac (Mid 2007+)
• MacBook Pro (Mid/Late 2007+)
• MacBook Air (Late 2008+)
• MacBook (Late 2008 Aluminium, or Early 2009+)
• Mac Pro (Early 2008+)
• Mac mini (Early 2009+)

Upgrading is simple. Consumers can update from the Mac App Store. Mass deployment for enterprise users may require the use of Apple's OS X Server, whilst SMBs can use Apple Remote Desktop to manage network installations.

You can install Mavericks onto Macs running older versions of OS X going back to Snow Leopard (OS X 10.6).

Unbeatable Battery

During the launch of Mavericks, Craig Federighi, Apple's VP for software engineering, talked up the battery life improvements the software brings to existing devices.

Battery life increases will vary from model to model, but Federighi stated you should be able to get an extra 60 mins of Wi-Fi browsing and 90 mins of video playback from the 2013 13in MacBook Air.

We found the update added a shade over an hour to the MacBook Air's already impressive 12-hour battery life.

To facilitate this battery improvements on MacBooks, Mavericks introduces two features. The first is timer coalescing', allows the CPU to perform low-level operations together and then return to a low-power resting state as quickly as possible.

At a higher level, there's a feature called app nap'. This suspends apps which may be open but are not being used, reducing the drain on CPU resources.

Thanks For The Memory

When apps are running in the background, Mavericks uses a feature called compressed memory' to free up resources for other tasks by compressing the data.

Apple has also improved memory management for Macs using Intel's integrated graphics. Mavericks can assign a maximum of 1GB of system memory to the GPU when required, so remaining memory can be used elsewhere.

It's too early to judge the effectiveness of these memory-saving techniques but Apple has never been generous with RAM, so anything helping to increase efficiency is welcomed.

Finder Features

Apple has also updated its Safari web browser and introduced Mac versions of the Maps and iBooks apps from iOS.

Few of the features are core to business users the web notifications', which pop messages onto the screen from your favourite web sites could even hinder productivity.

However, there are a couple of useful changes to the Finder the Mac's equivalent of the Windows File Browser.

Guest editor's thoughts

"Free" is good. Everyone likes "Free".

Kudos to Apple for releasing an update which promises better battery life and better file-handling, whilst not disenfranchising users with older equipment.

As most other service packs/hotfixes/system updates for other operating systems are almost entirely "bug fixes" (undocumented feature enhancements?!) it is refreshing to see enhanced functionality and practical usefulness as part of an upgrade.

Adding power handling to extend battery life by over an hour is something which is nigh on miraculous and, presumably, extremely welcome for the average road warrior or coffee house dweller.

Mark Evans, head of IT, RLB

As well as searching and sorting files by using criteria such as name, date or size, you can now add tags to folders and files. Users can create tags, such as IT Pro' or Urgent Deadline' and assign them to files or folders by Control-clicking with a mouse, or using a two-finger tap on a laptop's trackpad.

You can also add tags to files when you use the Save dialog box within an application such as Microsoft Word. Those tags will then appear in the sidebar of Finder windows, and you can just click on any tag to instantly locate the files or folders you need.

If your Mac desktop is always cluttered with multiple open windows you can now use tabs to group multiple windows together.

The tags feature is useful for anyone needing to organise files for multiple projects they're working on. It's a shame you can't save tabs permanently as you can do within the Safari browser. This is something which should be added in the next update.

Security Sandbox

To enhance security, Apple has extended sandboxing' to its Messages, Calendar and Contacts apps. Vulnerable plug-ins such as Java and the Adobe Flash Player are also sandboxed.

Each individual web page within Safari runs as a separate process in order to restrict the spread of harmful code, which phishing web sites might introduce.

Mavericks and iOS 7 share a feature called iCloud Keychain, which stores information such as passwords and credit card details, and share them across multiple devices. This feature is convenient, and is protected by 256-bit AES encryption but IT admins are advised to disable it in-case employee devices are compromised.

Overall

It's not every week you come across a free software update which provides improved battery life, security and file-management features. We noticed the improved battery life on our MacBook Air the first time we used it with Mavericks and features such as tags will be useful for anyone juggling multiple projects at work.

IT admins might want to wait a few weeks while the early adopters do a bit of bug-testing, and barring any major Mavericks is a must-have update for any Apple user.

Verdict

IT managers should pencil in time for this upgrade ASAP thanks to the security and battery life improvements.

Min system requirements: OS X v10.6.8 or later 2GB of memory 8GB of available space iMac (Mid 2007 or later) MacBook Pro (Mid/Late 2007 or later) MacBook Air (Late 2008 or later) MacBook (Late 2008 Aluminum, or Early 2009 or later) Mac Pro (Early 2008 or later) Mac mini (Early 2009 or later)

The new Apple MacBook Pro laptops that were announced this week will have almost no user serviceable parts and cannot be upgraded, claims repair firm iFixit.

The consumer electronics giant announced the launch of two MacBooks - the MacBook Pro and MacBook Air - this week, which boast iPad-style retina displays.

The starting price for the Pro version is 1799, while the Air model will set consumers back at least 850.

Apple has packed all the things we hate into one beautiful little package.

Following the unveiling of the new products at Apple's Worldwide Developers' Conference (WWDC), iFixit's Kyle Wien has described the products as "the least repairable laptop we've taken apart.

"Apple has packed all the things we hate into one beautiful little package," said Wiens in a blog post.

Instead of normal screws, Apple has used pentalobe ones on the back cover, which require a special tool to remove, he stated.

In the case of the MacBook Air, the memory is soldered onto the logic board.

This means that buyers will not be able to upgrade the product and bolster the amount of available RAM, warned Wiens.

To make the new MacBook Pro almost as thin as the Air, Apple has ditched traditional hard drives in favour of SSDs.

However, the SSD isn't upgradable either, added Wiens. "It is a separate daughtercard, and we're hopeful we can offer an upgrade in the near future," he said.

The device's lithium-polymer battery is glued, rather than screwed, into the case, which "increases the chances that it'll break during disassembly.

"The battery also covers the trackpad cable, which tremendously increases the chance that a user will shear the cable in the battery removal process," he said.

The display assembly is fused completely, according to Wiens. He said there's no glass protecting it. "If anything ever fails inside the display, you will need to replace the entire (extremely expensive) assembly."

He said this was the first MacBook Pro "that will be unable to adapt to future advances in memory and storage technology."

Despite the lack of upgradability, Apple fans appear to be undaunted by either the price of the new machine or its lack of reparability. On the Apple website, shipping dates have already slipped from "2-3 weeks" to "3-4 weeks".

Apple announced a refresh of its MacBook range during its annual Worldwide Developers' Conference last night, and provided an insight into the software upgrades it is set to release over the coming months.

The iPhone maker teased the launch of an iPhone 5, showing off features which will ship with iOS 6 this autumn. The firm also gave an insight into what will be included in Mac OS X Mountain Lion when it is released in July. We run through the top 10 features to look out for.

10. FaceTime over 3G

Users can only make FaceTime video calls between Apple devices over Wi-Fi at present. This will be extended to 3G, making it possible to initiate a FaceTime chat on the move via an iPhone or iPad.

Although this is a welcome addition, it remains to be seen if this will increase adoption of video calling as there are still issues. Video quality is likely to be poor in the UK, as high-speed 4G networks are yet to be put in place. With many users also having a limited data allowance of between 500MB and 1GB, FaceTime could chew through these allowances quickly.

9. Facebook integration (iOS 6 and Mountain Lion)

Apple has restricted integrating third party applications deep into its software, but the phenomenal popularity of sites such as Twitter and Facebook has left it will little alternative. Twitter was integrated into iOS 5, and Facebook will finally follow suit in iOS 6.

Facebook contact information and invitations will be synchronised with Contacts. Users will be able to post photos directly to Facebook from the Camera or Photos app. It will also be possible to check-in from Maps or post a status update using Siri.

To encourage interaction across its ecosystem, Apple has also added the Facebook Like button to iTunes and the App Store, so users will be able to recommend songs, TV shows, movies and apps they take a fancy to.

8. Notification Centre and Messages (Mountain Lion)

The next iteration of Mac OS X dubbed Mountain Lion - is set to debut in July as Apple continues on its mission to unify the mobile and desktop experience. The firm will port over a Notification Centre and iMessage features from iOS platform to Macs.

Much like its mobile counterpart, the Notification Center will alert a user when there is an incoming email, message, software update or calendar alert. Notifications will initially appear and then disappear after alerting the user. To see a list notifications, users can swipe to the left from the right edge of the trackpad at any time.

The firm's Messages feature will also be usable across Macs - allowing users to send encrypted messages, pictures or documents from their MacBook to any other iOS device or visa-versa.

7. Updated Siri (iOS 6)

Apple's voice-activated personal assistant was introduced with the iPhone 4S. However, most of the location-based features were restricted to the US severely limiting the usefulness of Siri in the UK.

Apple has added to the knowledge base of Siri, so you will be able to ask questions about football, movies and restaurants. Siri will also be able to launch apps with the update.

However, the feature which will exponentially increase the use of Siri will be 'Eyes Free'. Apple has signed a deal with manufacturers including Audi, BMW, GM, Mercedes, Jaguar, Land Rover, Honda and Toyota.

Eyes Free will allow users to activate Siri from a button on the steering wheel so users will be able to send messages, get directions or call people hands free. There is no ETA on this feature, but we expect it to be featured in road cars coming out this year and suspect it could be the final nail in the coffin for dedicated navigation devices.

6. Powernap (Mountain Lion)

Set to be introduced with Mountain Lion, Powernap is a simple but effective feature. It will allow Macs to update emails and sync with iCloud whilst they are in Sleep mode, so when you power one everything is up-to-date.

When connected to mains power, MacBooks will also download software updates and backup using the Time Machine app in complete silence.

Powernap will also be available on existing MacBooks that have built-in flash storage, with some devices also requiring a firmware update.

5. Dictation (Mountain Lion)

This feature will be welcomed by business users who have the privacy of an office or who work from home.

Dictation will convert speech-to-text, useful for those who write reports. The system will also be able to recognise punctuation and the names of your contacts and, if as accurate as Apple claims, could boost productivity. The feature will initially support English, French, German and Japanese languages.

4. Safari (iOS 6 and Mountain Lion)

iOS 6 will beef up web browsing across MacBooks and iOS devices. Apple will introduce an iCloud Tabs feature, which will keep track of pages you have opened and sync them across devices.

It will also be possible to save web pages to your Reading List, so you can view them offline. This feature will be restricted to the iPhone 4, 4S iPad 2, iPad 3 and beyond.

3. Ivy Bridge MacBook with Retina display

With the latest Windows 7 Ultrabooks all packing Intel's Ivy Bridge chipset, it's no surprise Apple has included the chipsets in the refreshed MacBook range. However, Apple has gone one step further and introduced a Retina display in the MacBook Pro lineup.

The 15.4in model will pack 5.1 million pixels, giving it a resolution of 2880 x 1800. This will provide unparalleled clarity of text and images on laptop-based devices.

Apple has also managed to reduce glare whilst increasing the contrast ratio by 29 per cent, compared to a standard MacBook Pro display.

There will also be the option of getting up to 512GB of Flash storage and battery life hasn't been compromised - with 7 hours being touted.

The latest MacBook Pros are available now, but they aren't cheap. A 15in MacBook Pro with a Retina display, 2.3GHz Intel Core i7 processor, 8GB of RAM, 256GB of Flash storage and NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M graphics card will start at 1,799.

2. Passbook (iOS 6)

Passbook will be one of the most useful features for traveling business users and its inclusion in iOS 6 hints that Apple could include NFC technology in the next iPhone.

Passbook will store features, such as boarding passes, movie tickets, and loyalty cards in a digital wallet. The service is time- and location-based, so it will bring up flight information when you reach the airport or your loyalty card details when you enter a coffee shop, for example.

We look forward to this feature as it will help the transition from physical wallets to a digital wallet but we will have to wait and see how many of the features will be available in the UK.

1. Maps (iOS 6)

It was inevitable Apple was going to have to release its own mapping software to compete with the hugely popular Google Maps services. Designed from the ground up by Apple, Maps includes navigation from TomTom and features such as Flyover', which provides a photo-realistic overview of major cities.

By tapping a pin on the map, users will get full information about that venue, including phone numbers and addresses.

Maps will allow users to change views by tilting and rotating their device, provide real-time traffic information and offer alternative routes if stuck in traffic. Once Apple's Eyes Free feature rolls out with major car manufacturers, it is likely many iPhone users will be using this service as their primary car navigation.

We did a double take when the HP ProBook 5330m first arrived in the IT Pro offices. With its metallic construction and black, backlit keyboard, it bears an uncanny resemblance to the 13in MacBook Pro. Despite the initial similarities, the ProBook isn't just a carbon copy of Apple's ultraportable laptop. For starters, unlike the MacBook Pro, the ProBook doesn't have a built-in optical drive so it weighs just 1.8kg which is light for a laptop with a standard voltage Core i5 processor.

Although the ProBook 5330m appears to be entirely metallic at first glance, only the wrist rest and the lid are actually made out of metal the rest is plastic. In spite of this, the ProBook feels sturdy and well-made. The rubberized underside stops it sliding around on your desk, although it can also become alarmingly and uncomfortably warm when running demanding applications.

Although the ProBook 5330m appears to be entirely metallic at first glance, only the wrist rest and the lid are actually made out of metal the rest is plastic.

The backlit keyboard is comfortable to use thanks to the large size of the keys and their firm, responsive feedback and short amount of travel. The only hiccups are the small size of the up and down cursor keys. The return key could also bigger some may prefer a double height return key to the single row version found here.

The touchpad is smaller than we'd like, but it feels accurate. The multitouch gestures, even basic ones such as two-fingered scrolling, feel jerky and sluggish though. We're not fans of the spongy buttons either we'd prefer buttons with a much firmer feel.

The 2.5GHz Core i5 2520M processor is paired with 4GB of RAM and performed very well in our benchmarks, scoring 55 overall. It did particularly well in our image editing test with a high score of 81. It should be able to handle most demanding tasks for some time to come. The integrated Intel graphics chip won't be of much help for GPGPU-accelerated applications though it managed just under 10fps when rendering 3D graphics.

Due to the presence of the SSD, we expected long battery life from the ProBook. However, it lasted just over six hours in our light usage web browsing test. Although this is quite good in its own right, lives up to HP's claimed battery life of five hours and 45 minutes and is just long enough to last a transatlantic flight, we've seen other ultraportable laptops last even longer some without the aid of an allegedly power-efficient SSD.

The SSD has the advantage of being sturdy due to its lack of moving parts ideal for use in a laptop.

Although the 13.3in screen's viewing angles are a little restricted, we were pleased to find that it is at least bright with a matte finish. This should make it easier to use when placed under overhead lights which would otherwise cause distracting amounts of glare on a screen with a glossy finish. The screen only has a resolution of 1,366x768 pixels though a higher resolution of 1,440x900 would've been better for use with palette/window-heavy applications.

HP has managed to make its ProBook-range cheaper than the higher-end EliteBook range by leaving out features such as an ExpressCard slot, smartcard reader and FireWire 400 port as well as a rugged design matching US government military specifications. Although there aren't any USB3 ports, the 5330m still has HDMI and VGA outputs, an integrated 3G modem with the SIM card slot hidden underneath the battery and a fingerprint reader. If you don't need the integrated 3G modem, an otherwise identical 3G-less 5330m costs 100 less.

There are plenty of other security features implemented in software. Disk encryption and file shredder utilities are preinstalled as is a tool for managing email identity certificates. It's also possible to disable the USB2 and eSATA ports, as well as the memory card reader, to make data leakage less likely.

Despite initial appearances, the battery is user-replaceable - it's merely hidden behind an easily removable panel. Unscrewing another panel gives access to the memory with a spare slot for adding another 4GB and the 2.5in SSD, although many business will leave servicing up to HP which offers a wide range of extended warranties with varying levels of service and length.

So what's our verdict?

Verdict

The HP ProBook 5330m would be an excellent ultraportable laptop if only it had the long battery life to go with its sturdy, attractive design and good specification. As such, it's just a good laptop rather than a superb one. If you can live with its comparatively short battery life or just need a fast processor, it's a good alternative to the MacBook Air. If applications performance is entirely unimportant, the considerably cheaper Sony Vaio Y series has longer battery life making it a great budget alternative.

SPECIFICATIONS Processor: Intel Core i5 2520M, 2.5GHz Memory: 4GB 1,333MHz DDR3 RAM Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 3000 Hard disk: 128GB solid state disk Display: 13.3in 1,366 x 768, LED-backlit screen Features: 1.3 megapixel camera, microphone, stereo speakers Connectivity: 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR, 1 x Gigabit Ethernet Ports: 2 x USB2, 1x eSATA/USB2 combo, 1 x VGA, 1 x HDMI, 1 x SDHC slot, 3.5mm headphone and microphone combo audio socket Dimensions: 328x226x29mm (WxDxH) Weight: 1.83kg Warranty: 1 year onsite warranty OS: Windows 7 Professional 64-bit Part code: LG724EA#ABU BENCHMARK RESULTS Image editing 81 Video encoding 53 Multiple apps 48 Overall 55 Light usage battery life – 6h07m POWER CONSUMPTION Sleep 0W Idle 12W Active 55W

It is possible to hack Apple MacBook batteries, with the potential to set them on fire, notable security researcher Charlie Miller believes.

Miller will talk about how to compromise an Apple battery by taking over its "embedded controller" at the Black Hat conference in Las Vegas next month.

That controller the chip responsible for charging the battery - is used in a large number of MacBook, MacBook Pro and MacBook Air laptops.

"I will demonstrate how the embedded controller works. I will reverse engineer the firmware and the firmware flashing process for a particular smart battery controller," explained Miller, who currently works as Accuvant Labs' principal research consultant.

"In particular, I will show how to completely reprogram the smart battery by modifying the firmware on it. Also, I will show how to disable the firmware checksum so you can make changes. I present a simple API that can be used to read values from the smart battery as well as reprogram the firmware."

He said hackers with the ability to control a working smart battery could cause safety issues, such as overcharging or fire.

To hack the hardware, Miller found he first needed to crack a four-byte password needed to unlock the battery from "sealed mode," Kaspersky's Threat Post reported.

He then had to find another password to gain full control of the battery.

"You can read all the firmware, make changes to the code, do whatever you want. And those code changes will survive a reinstall of the OS, so you could imagine writing malware that could hide on the chip on the battery," Miller said.

"You'd need a vulnerability in the OS or something that the battery could then attack, though."

Despite his best intentions, Miller was unable to make the battery explode or set on fire.

He will release a tool at the Black Hat conference to change default passwords on the battery's chip so the hacks will no longer work and the device will be permanently locked in sealed mode.

The MacBook Air is Apple's lightest and thinnest laptop, but the company made some controversial compromises to achieve this in the original model. The first Air only had one USB port, with no memory card reader, Ethernet port or any other connectivity besides wireless networking and Bluetooth. Most disappointingly of all, the first Air had battery life of less than four hours which is far from ideal for an ultra-portable laptop designed for travelling.

A new, smaller 11.6in version of the Air has been introduced, but in this review we concentrate on the dramatically improved 13.3in model. This new Air is still very light, weighing just 1.33kg, so it's easy to carry around all day. It's also very thin the tapered design is just 15mm thick at its chunkiest point and a mere 4mm thick at its thinnest point so it's immediately eye-catching. Despite its slender, lightweight build it feels robust and very well-made thanks to its aluminium construction.

The most immediately noticeable improvement is the number and variety of ports. There are now two USB2 ports and a SDXC memory card reader in comparison to the single USB2 port on the original Air. There's still no built-in Ethernet or optical drive, although Apple sells a portable USB DVD writer and a USB-to-10/100Mbit/s Ethernet adapter separately. More disappointingly, there's still no built-in 3G.

Battery life has been dramatically improved. We recreated our Windows light usage battery test, where the computer is set to scroll through a series of webpages until the battery depletes, under MacOS X. The Air lasted an astonishing 13 hours and 40 minutes before the battery ran out. This is the longest battery life we've seen in any ultra-portable laptop so far and is long enough to last all but the most epic journeys. The battery isn't designed to be user-replaceable though. Unlike other MacBooks, there aren't any sLED lights indicating sleep status and the level of battery charge. Apple claims these aren't necessary since the battery can hold a charge for 30 days before completely depleting, although we didn't have time to test this.

We suspect that Apple has managed to achieve such remarkable battery life, and managed to make the Air so slim, not only by using a big battery which is, unfortunately, not user replaceable, but also by using a solid state disk (SSD) instead of a hard disk. SSDs not only use less power than most hard disks but also have no moving parts so they're more rugged and less prone to damage.

SSDs in laptops, both from Apple and from other manufacturers, are nothing new but Apple has used a SSD with a RAM chip-style form factor in the Air rather than the chunkier hard disk-style form factor used by most other laptop manufacturers. The RAM-style SSD uses the still uncommon mSATA connector, a compact version of the SATA port found on hard disks, and isn't designed to be user-replaceable. You're therefore confined to a 256GB SSD, the largest size Apple currently sells in the Air, which is relatively cramped compared to 500GB and 750GB hard disks.

However, the SSD does speed up common disk-based tasks. Resuming from hibernation, which can take at least 40 seconds to a minute on a 13in MacBook Pro with a 5,400rpm hard disk, is nearly instantaneous on the Air. Rebooting into Windows w(hen it's installed using Apple's Boot Camp utility) which can take a minute or two on the Pro, took just 45 seconds on the Air. Because of the SSD, the Air feels much more responsive than its relatively slow processor and meagre amount of RAM would lead you to believe.

Instead of a new Core i3 or i5 low voltage processor, the 13in Air uses a comparatively old 1.86GHz Core 2 Duo SL9400 low voltage processor. Although not as fast as the newer Core i3 and i5 chips, it's still more than fast enough for most tasks and is much, much faster than any netbook. However, it managed a relatively low overall score of 62 in our Windows benchmarks which we suspect is due to the meager 2GB of RAM fitted. Memory isn't user upgradeable, so if you want to fit the 4GB maximum, which we strongly recommend you do, you'll have to order it pre-fitted from Apple adding an extra cost of 80. 4GB should really be fitted as standard in a laptop at this price.

We suspect Apple has stuck with the older Core 2 Duo processors so it could continue to use Nvidia motherboard chipsets and the Nvidia GeForce 320M integrated graphics chip, which are more powerful than their Intel i3 and i5-compatible equivalents. Due to a legal dispute between Intel and Nvidia, there currently aren't any motherboard chipsets from Nvidia that work with the i3 and i5 processors.

We were pleased by the keyboard and touchpad. The keys are large and give plenty of feedback when pressed, so typing for long periods is comfortable. However, the keyboard isn't backlit like the keyboards on the previous Air and the MacBook Pro range, which will disappoint those who frequently work in dimly lit lecture halls and meeting rooms.

The touchpad is huge and supports several multitouch gestures, although these work best under MacOS X and not Windows. The buttons are built into the pad itself, but it still feels accurate to use, even when dragging and dropping icons, which hasn't been the case with touchpads from other manufacturers that have built-in buttons.

Although this Air has a 13.3in screen, its resolution of 1,440x900 pixels is higher than the 1,366x768 resolution we usually see on laptop screens of this size, so more information can be viewed at once. We'd usually expect to see such a resolution on 15in or even 17in laptops. Text is still sharp and legible with wide viewing angles. It's very bright, even when brightness is turned down to conserve battery life.

The screen has a glossy finish to boost brightness and contrast. Although it's more reflective than screens with a matte finish, when placed under fluorescent strip lighting the resulting glare isn't as a intrusively distracting as the glare we've seen from other glossy screens.

Like other Apple MacBooks, the Air's power supply has a magnetised MagSafe connector. This disconnects easily when tripped over, instead of dragging the laptop to the floor or being wrenched out and potentially damaging the connector or the socket. MagSafe isn't a new feature, but it's one of our favourites.

One welcome, if minor new feature is the system restore USB flash drive. This makes much more sense than a traditional system restore DVD for a laptop that lacks a built-in DVD writer.

Verdict

The latest 13in MacBook Air isn't perfect. It's pricy, although cheaper variants with smaller SSDs are available, and it should really come with 4GB of RAM as standard at such a high price. Despite these flaws it's the best ultra-portable laptop we've seen thanks to its sturdy yet slender and lightweight design, excellent battery life, bright, high-resolution screen and large, comfortable keyboard and touchpad. If you can afford it and can live with its limitations, it's a great buy.

SPECIFICATIONS Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo SL9400, 1.86GHz Memory: 2GB 1,066MHz DDR3 RAM Graphics: Nvidia GeForce 320M integrated Hard disk: 256GB solid state disk Display: 13.3in 1,440 x 900 pixels, LED-backlit screen Features: 0.3 megapixel camera, microphone, stereo speakers Connectivity: 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR Ports: 2 x USB2, Mini DisplayPort output, 3.5mm combo headphone and microphone audio socket Dimensions: 325x228x15mm (WxDxH) Weight: 1.33kg Warranty: 1yr C&R or customer carry-in warranty OS: Mac OS X 10.6 Part code: MC504B/A BENCHMARKS Image editing 79 Video encoding 52 Multiple apps 68 Overall 62 Light usage battery life 13h40m POWER CONSUMPTION Idle 10W Active 46W

Tech giants Dell, Intel, EMC, Fujitsu and IBM have come together to establish a working group to push standardisation of storage drives based on the PCIe standard.

The Solid State Drive (SSD) Form Factor Working Group includes 12 other members and they will work with the five founding companies on producing standards with the aim of improving products.

In particular, the group will look at establishing a connector specification to promote interoperability of various storage protocols specifically SAS 3.0, SATA 3.0 and PCIe 3.

Secondly, standardisation will be sought in form factor, building on the current 2.5in standard to allow for "enclosure flexibility."

"By enabling PCIe standards, Dell is delivering breakthrough storage performance to a mainstream audience," said Forrest Norrod, vice president and general manager for Dell Server Platforms.

"We're taking a leadership position in PCIe storage technology and standardisation which will help our customers achieve greater interoperability, scalability and choice."

Bill DePatie, vice president for hardware engineering at EMC, added: "In addition to other high speed protocols, PCIe will be a key interconnect for SSD technology moving forward. EMC is committed to driving standards in this space."

Intel is hoping to help "collectively define the essential building blocks for future generations of non-volatile memory storage solutions," added Tom Macdonald, vice president of Intel architecture group and general Manager of platform components group at the chip manufacturer.

The formation of the SSD Form Factor Working Group comes just days after Apple's introduction of its new MacBook Air laptop which uses RAM DIMM-style SSDs that communicate with the motherboard using the SanDisk-developed mSATA connector. Whether the Working Group can outmaneuver manufacturers with their own ideas about the future of SSDs, such as Apple, remains to be seen.

It's been more than two decades since Ridley Scott's iconic advert introduced the idea of the Apple Macintosh computer to the world for the first time. Said advert ultimately kicked off a line of branded computers that's still reaping significant business all this time later. And long after the Apple Mac theoretically should have gone the way of machines from the likes of Amstrad, Commodore, Apricot and many more, it's very much live and kicking.

Refresh

Apple has, of course, been savvy about injecting fresh life into its computer business over the years, most notably from the late 90s onwards when the likes of the iMac kick-started a striking range of designs whose influences are still being felt now. That ability to refresh its line has kept the Mac platform going where every other manufacturer has leapt over to the PC or gone out of business altogether. And far beyond being limited just to creative industries, the Mac has spent the last few years enjoying more success than it's used to in consumer circles too.

Apple deserves credit for this. Through the likes of the MacBook, and the shift to Intel processors, as well as the way that the firm has managed to position Mac OS against Microsoft and the Windows operating system, the company has managed to successfully keep its computer line fresh for some time.

And, right now, Mac OS market share is a not-unimpressive 5.16 per cent according to Net Applications. When you consider that the vast majority of those Mac OS installations are on Apple's hardware (the exceptions being some illegal Hackintosh' installations), which itself comes with a premium price, then it goes some way to explaining why the firm is valued in some quarters more than Microsoft.

Questions

However, while Apple was churning over billions of dollars of revenue in these sectors, questions began to be asked regarding its treatment of its computer line, specifically its range of Mac computers and the MacOS operating system. That's not to say that Macs weren't still a significant part of the company's business. In its second quarter results, as reported in April 2010, the firm announced that it had sold 2.94 million Apple Macintosh computers in three months, an increase in sales of 33 per cent over the quarter.

Yet that level of growth has been dwarfed by the 131 per cent rocket in iPhone sales, and it's the app market too that's been drawing many of the firm's resources. Such is the level of the importance of these apps that it was back in 2008 that Mac OS X Leopard was delayed due to resources being deployed elsewhere.

And since then, there have been accusations that the firm has been neglecting its line of Macintosh machines. Granted, there have been some updates here and there, but arguably since the switch to Intel processors, the rate of innovation and interest the firm has shown in its Mac line has slowed. To be fair, there's an argument that there's only so much you can do with a computer specification. But we've seen in recent times the introduction of consumer solid state hard drives, and more recently the unveiling of USB 3.0 technology.

However, could the newly launched refresh of the Mac Mini line be an indication that Apple is going to spend more time at its roots? For after rumours had persisted for some months that stocks of certain Mac products were becoming scarce, leading to the inevitable speculation that new products were on the way, Apple announced at its most recent Worldwide Developers' Conference last month that there was fire to this particular smoke.

As such, it unveiled its latest Mac Mini machine, giving the product the kind of overhaul it hadn't enjoyed for a couple of years (save for some minor specification revisions). Apple introduced new casing, greater power efficiency and more powerful specifications, and it proved the most immediate way to address criticisms that desktop computers were of decreasing interest to the firm.

Granted, the new machine has already come in for criticism for the sheer amount of money that it costs, but there's always been a premium for enjoying Apple's computer products, and always will be. However, that Apple is refocusing on its computer line has generated speculation that it's going a little back to basics, and addressing what remains a very sizeable segment of its business.

The proof of whether that it true or not, of course, will come in the months ahead. There's no new MacOS X version due soon, after Snow Leopard was launched in the middle of last year. Yet rumours persist that we'll be getting new iMacs and Mac Pros shortly. However, while both lines haven't enjoyed a full update in some time, Apple is remaining customarily mum on the topic.

That's not to say that computers don't remain important to Apple: clearly they do. But their vitality to the company has nonetheless diluted somewhat, and given the success that the firm has enjoyed with its refreshes of its desktop and portable computer line over the past decade, there's little need to reinvent the proverbial wheel.

However, with Mac sales increasing, and the desktop Mac machine being one of Apple's more profitable products, it's still surprising that the company is giving across the perception that it's been neglecting its computer line-up somewhat. Perhaps the iMac and Mac Pro overhaul will reverse said perception, and perhaps Apple will reconnect with the roots of its business as a result.

Yet given that its new product lines are proving, almost without exception, extremely popular, there's no guarantee of that at all

In addition to the 13in MacBook Pro that we reviewed last week, Apple gave us a 15in model to check out. Like the smaller model, its aluminum unibody and array of ports are the same as last year's model, but on the inside it's a very different beast to every portable Mac that came before it. Apple's latest 15in (and 17in) MacBooks are the first to have a Core i5 or i7 chip as their brains, so our expectations were high for an impressive boost over older models and even the new 13in ones, which contain older Core 2 Duo technology.

At this size, Apple includes two graphics processors: a less power-hungry Intel HD Graphics for lightweight tasks and an Nvidia GeForce GT 330M for heavy lifting. The approach isn't new but these particular processors are, and the way Mac OS X switches between them has been vastly improved as you no longer have to log out and in again for that to happen. Instead, the system checks for calls to graphical libraries such as OpenGL and lets the Nvidia chip flex its muscles when needed. Pick the 2.66GHz Core i7 version at 15in and you get 512MB of dedicated graphics memory for the Nvidia chip, which is halved if you step down to one of the less expensive Core i5s.

The 15in Core i7 model performed consistently better than any other 13in or 15inh MacBook Pro. In our single-threaded CPU test, it scored 222 points, 19 points ahead of the 2.53GHz Core i5 and 28 ahead of the 2.4GHz Core i5.

The results were even better in our multi-threaded test, which is promising if you plan to assign one of the two processor cores to a virtual machine. There is led with 530 points, 24 points and 65 points ahead of the two Core i5 models, and far beyond the 263 points that the top 13in model's Core 2 Duo achieved.

Where this MacBook really took us by surprise is its battery life. It played an H.264 video for five hours and three minutes, and in our light-use wireless browsing and word processing test it slightly exceeded Apple's expected eight to nine hours, lasting for nine hours and 13 minutes. Bear in mind that it depends on the sort of web content you're viewing, so watching a lot of video will bring that down.

There's no question that the processor combination in this model is a huge boon to performance, but if you're not really going to stretch performance with some serious number crunching applications, virtualised operating systems and maybe even some gaming in your spare time, take a look at one of the Core i5 versions - the 2.4GHz one is 300 less than this Core i7 - and consider spending the difference on some of the intriguing build-to-order options that, for basic office tasks, will prove more practical from day to day.

Top of that list is the chance to increase the standard display resolution from 1440 x 900 pixels to 1680 x 1050 pixels, which is great if you want to see more of large spreadsheets or squeeze more windows onto the screen at once. That costs 80.01 on any of the 15in models, and add another 39.99 to that and you get an anti-glare finish - great news if you regularly travel by train and are subject to uncontrollable lighting conditions. However, brace yourself for the frustrating fact that Apple won't let you have that on the regular display.

Despite the Pro label and the price tag, every off-the-shelf MacBook Pro has a 5400rpm hard drive. That can be upgraded to a faster 7200rpm drive for only 39.99 on this model (and the 2.53GHz Core i5; it's more expensive at the entry level as you have to upgrade its capacity to get the speed increase). Solid-state drive options are either impractically small at 160 for 128GB or unpalatably expensive at 1,039.99 for 512MB.

Doubling the memory is best considered by the Mac's traditional creative audience, though you might also find it useful as a systems administrator if you want to run several virtual machines for testing. Even so, consider that Apple uses dual-core Intel processors here, so there'll be some contention for processor time among your virtual machines.

Of course, these days you can install Windows and the Boot Camp feature makes it remarkably easy. However, the graphics drivers that are supplied only allow Windows to use the more power hungry GeForce processor.

On these larger notebooks, AppleCare rises steeply to 279. However, it's vital to put some sort of cover in place if you don't have an IT department with stock of replacements if your MacBook needs to be fixed.

Don't overlook budgeting for a Mini DisplayPort adaptor (21) if you're going to deliver presentations or connect to an external monitor.

Far and away the most frustrating thing about buying a 15in MacBook Pro is that its expansion options are no different to the 13in version. You still only get two USB ports and one FireWire 800 port, despite a 2.2cm deeper body.

Undoubtedly, if you want the best performance in a Mac notebook, the 15in models are where it's at. However, if your attraction to them is more to do with increased screen size and resolution and money is tight, check Apple's refurb store and with its Reseller network to see if you can save a pretty penny on remaining Core 2 Duo models.

The price of carrying a larger MacBook also comes from its weight. The 15in models are considerably heavier at 2.54 kilos, an increase of 500g on the 13in versions, so weigh that up carefully against your need for a larger on-screen work area before you rush out to buy one.

Verdict

This Core i7-powered MacBook is a sound investment if you can stretch to £1,799 and genuinely need the extra performance. Even so, give the Core i5 versions due consideration as they’re good enough for a lot of office work and you can spend the difference on more practical upgrades like the high-resolution screen. The least expensive model - £1,499 for a 2.4GHz processor - will be more than adequate in many cases.

Processor: Intel Core i7 Duo, 2.66GHz, 4MB L3 cache Memory: 4GB 1066MHz DDR3 (upgradeable to 8GB) Graphics: Integrated Intel HD Graphics and NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M with 512MB GDDR3 memory Optical drive: 8x DVD writer Hard disk: 500GB, 5400rpm Serial ATA drive Display: 15.4in 1440 x 900, LED-backlit, glossy (optional: 1680 x 1050 display, anti-glare finish) Features: Kensington lock, iSight camera, microphone, MagSafe power connector, Multi-Touch trackpad, backlit keyboard, built-in stereo speakers Connectivity: 802.11 a/b/g/n Wi-Fi, Gigabit Ethernet port, Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR Ports: 2 x USB, 1 x FireWire 800, Mini DisplayPort output (requires optional adaptors for VGA, DVI and HDMI connectivity), SD card slot, audio line in, audio line out Dimensions: 364 x 249 x 24mm (WxDxH) Weight: 2.54kg Warranty: 90 days of free telephone support, one-year limited warranty OS: Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard Software: iLife 09 (iPhoto, iMovie, iDVD, iWeb, GarageBand)

You'd be forgiven for not noticing the changes just by glancing at the new 13in MacBook Pro because it's identical from the outside, with the same line-up of ports (there's no sign of Apple adopting USB 3) and the same aluminium unibody design. The differences lie inside and comprise a mix of incremental bumps to the processor and memory and a completely new graphics processor.

Apple supplied the 2.66GHz model for review. It's a Core 2 Duo processor rather than the newer Intel iSeries. Apple reasons that it has focused on other components that make a difference, so the ageing NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics processor is ousted in favour of a GeForce 320M, though it still siphons off some RAM for its graphical work.

That's of less concern now that 4GB is fitted as standard, double the previous amount, enough to run several office applications, even under Windows in a virtual machine. The new GPU boosted our OpenGL graphics test by 15 points to score 178 points, and you'll have to step up to the 15in model to get better performance for CAD and other demanding applications.

The 13in MacBook Pro weighs 2.04kg, a whole 500 grams less than the 15in model and 90g lighter than the white polycarbonate MacBook. That's a noticeable weight to carry but it's the lightest of all portable Macs.

Apple reckons this model has the longest battery life, too. It quotes a massive 10 hours of wireless productivity, which amounts to browsing web pages and typing in a word processor. Our tests work out the extremes of your behaviour. Left idle while connected to a Wi-Fi network, and with screen brightness at 50 per cent, the battery lasted 13 hours and two minutes.

The display provides a 1280 x 800-pixel Desktop to play with, which is more comfortable than you might expect thanks to the gesture-driven shortcuts of the trackpad and, if you set it up, the operating system's virtual Desktop feature.

Otherwise, the specs of the MacBook are largely unchanged. Its DDR3 memory and the frontside bus run at 1066MHz, and it can be boosted to 8GB for 320. Don't rush to do that as the manual shows you how to do it, assuming you ever need to. We've been using a similarly-specced 2.4GHz MacBook with 4GB of RAM for about 18 months and it works a treat for basic Mac applications and running Windows in a virtual machine.

Our advice is the same for hard drive upgrades. Step up from 320GB to 500GB and you'll have to fork out 80. You're better off putting that towards a 500GB portable drive to hold your backups, or towards a care plan if you run your own business. Solid-state drive options are priced between 240 and 1,120, respectively, and remain a fanciful luxury for those with a fat wallet.

Compared to last year's 2.53GHz model, which had 2GB of RAM and the 9400M GPU, this model sees a boost of 21 points in our CPU test, where it scored 191 points. That's more of a boost than we expected given the modest clock speed increase and continued use of a Core 2 Duo processor. Our memory benchmark also gained a health 22 points, racking up a score of 200.

Apple's Mini DisplayPort connector is used to connect external monitors and projectors, so it's essential that you budget for the necessary DVI and VGA adaptors, which will set you back 21 a piece.

The display has a reasonable viewing angle for working with a colleague looking over your shoulder, although you might have to battle reflections as there's no anti-glare option at this size.

One of the standout hardware features is the glass Multi-Touch trackpad, which uses gestures to scroll and get around the Desktop. New in this model is inertial scrolling, derived from the iPhone and Magic Mouse, which distinguishes between slow swipes and quick flicks to scrolls at an appropriate pace. It works well with library software such as iTunes though it's handy with long documents, too.

For day-to-day office use, either of the Core 2 Duo-driven 13in models will serve you well. It's a little objectionable that no office software is included, though you get a slight discount of 16 off the usual price of 71 if you buy iWork with your MacBook. If you work alone or as part of a small team that doesn't rely on Microsoft Office's ecosystem, that could be all you need.

The good news, at least if you're planning to use the MacBook at home as well, is that iLife 09 is bundled. iPhoto is a joy to use thanks to face recognition technology and Places, which pins geo-tagged photos to a world map, and the suite includes iMovie, iDVD, iWeb and GarageBand, too.

If you have no interest in using the MacBook that way, the inclusion of an SD card slot is superfluous, and you'll have to do a juggling act (or invest in a USB hub) to plug in anything more than your mobile broadband dongle and an external hard drive to back up with Mac OS X's Time Machine feature.

Whichever speed you choose, the MacBook Pro's excellent battery life is one more attractive feature added to an already excellent workhorse.

Verdict

Apple’s new 2.66GHz MacBook Pro sports excellent network connections but it’s not so great if you need to connect a lot of USB peripherals. Unless you genuinely see a need for extra speed and don’t want to step up to a heavier 15in model, you’ll be just as happy with the 2.4GHz model. Put the considerable saving of £250 towards peripherals, an extended warranty or virtualisation software, and also bear in mind that Apple doesn’t bundle any office software even at this price. Otherwise the 13in MacBook Pro’s battery life under light use is an attractive proposition that will see you through the working day.

Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo, 2.66GHz (2.4GHz also available), 3MB L2 cache Memory: 4GB 1066MHz DDR3 (upgradeable to 8GB) Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce 320M (shares 256MB of DDR SDRAM with main memory) Optical drive: 8x DVD writer Hard disk: 320GB, 5400rpm Serial ATA drive Display: 13.3-inch 1280 x 800, LED-backlit, glossy Features: Kensington lock, iSight camera, microphone, MagSafe power connector, Multi-Touch trackpad, backlit keyboard, built-in stereo speakers Connectivity: 802.11 a/b/g/n wifi, Gigabit Ethernet port, Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR Ports: 2 x USB, 1 x FireWire 800, Mini DisplayPort output (requires optional adaptors for VGA, DVI and HDMI connectivity), SD card slot, combined optical digital output/headphone out with user-selectable analog audio line-in Dimensions: 325 x 227 x 24mm (WxDxH) Weight: 2.04kg Warranty: 90 days of free telephone support, one-year limited warranty OS: Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard Software: iLife 09 (iPhoto, iMovie, iDVD, iWeb, GarageBand)

Kace Networks KBox 1100 review

Centralised management tools might not be sexy, but to an IT administrator a good one can be worth its weight in gold. This appliance from Kace impresses our reviewer particularly for its labelling function.

Livescribe Pulse Smartpen

One would have images that by 2009 capturing notes digitally would have been the norm, but in fact, it's still an emerging market. Our reviewer was generally impressed with the Livescribe Pulse Smartpen, but the lack of OCR software out of the box was considered a bit of a disappointment.

Ubuntu 9.10 review: Karmic Koala

Ubuntu is probably the best known of the Linux distributions, but can it compete with Windows 7? It can do pretty much everything that Windows can, and it's free, but moving to Linux on the desktop is still likely to be more for ideological rather than practical reasons.

Head to Head: Windows 7 vs Windows Vista

Windows Vista was a big, big disappointment that much we know. But how does it really compare to Windows 7? We put the two side by side, and it doesn't come out to well for the older guy.

Apple iMac 27in

Apple in stunning hardware shocker! With the 27in iMac, Apple has really pushed the boat out. We know the 24in iMac is impressive so how could bigger be bad? However, there are still a couple of things we're not sure about . And yes Magic Mouse we're looking at you.

Apple MacBook

The iMac isn't the only machine that Apple refreshed. The MacBook gets a much-needed chassis overall that really brings it up to speed in the quality stakes. Is it truly now fit for business?

Acronis Backup & Recovery 10 Advanced Server

Deduplication it's the storage buzz word of the moment, you know. Dave checks our Acronis Backup & Recovery and finds that while it does what it should, performance isn't all it could be.

HP StorageWorks D2D4000 review

See, it's deduplication again. HPS's StorageWorks D2D4000 is a 2U rack storage appliance that thanks to some cleverer LBR tech, can reduce the amount of data sent over WAN links. It certainly impresses Dave, and that's the main thing.

Head to head: iPhone 3GS vs Palm Pre

In our latest head-to-head, the iPhone 3G takes on the Palm Pre it's the biggest battle in mobile of all time, so click to see the sparks fly.

Windows Server 2008 R2 review

If you're thinking about moving to Windows 7, many of the benefits for businesses can only be had if you upgrade the back end too. Jon Honeyball explains why he thinks Server 2008 R2 is the most important server release for Microsoft ever.

BlackBerry Bold 9700 review: first look

We get a close up look at the Blackberry Bold 9700 to see how far RIM has managed to move things on since the Bold 9000, that so impressed us last year.

Apple MacBook refresh review: first look

This review is not titled correctly strictly, as not only do we get to look at the new improved MacBook, but we also get to try out the new iMac its accompanying touch sensitive Magic Mouse, and the new Mini server. It's all new and shiny, just how we like it.

Microsoft Windows 7

I'll be honest, most of us on IT PRO find it hard to actually get that excited about Windows 7 as we either use Macs most of the time, or have had it on our machines since the beta come out in January. To be fair though, it's a good solid OS, and the best from Microsoft since XP. What was the one in between called again?

NEC MultiSync LCD4215

The final review of the week is NEC's MultiSync LCD4215, which comes with software for users to create their own AV content for attracting attention in a retail environment or providing information in a corporate setting. John Archer investigates its finer details.

Apple no doubt timed the release of its new hardware to spoil some of Microsoft's Windows 7 thunder and it has clearly worked, and I for one, am writing this about Apple, and not as I probably otherwise would be, about Windows 7.

IT PRO was invited to Apple HQ next to the Regent's Street store to get some hands on time with the new products. First up was the updated MacBook, which much to my annoyance, has been considerably improved. I say that, as I forked out for the MacBook a few months ago, and on its arrival was immediately unimpressed by its rather flimsy finish.

The latest MacBook though now features a 'unibody' construction, like the aluminium MacBook Pro, and it does feel much more solid. The edges have been rounded off and its one piece construction means there's much less flex. The MacBook also now gets the single glass trackpad, with its clever multi-touch action.

Overall, I'd call it a major improvement, and I'd now feel a lot more comfortable recommending the entry-level MacBook. Unfortunately, it's been matched with a 50 price hike to 799, which is a shame. It's a UK thing only, that Apple put down to 'exchange rate issues', as there's been no change in the US price.

Then it was onto the new iMacs. I would have complained that the move to 1,920 x 1,080 resolution isn't actually an improvement over 1,920 x 1,200 - sure it's 16:9, but it's actually fewer pixels, but Apple has introduced this on the 21.5in - so it is better than the old 1,680 x 1,050 display. And the 1,920 x 1,200 24in has been replaced with the 2,560 x 1,440 on the new 27in, which does look impressive. Also both now feature LED backlights and IPS and it really does help with colour reproduction and viewing angles.

The 27in can also now take four DIMMs so you can take it up to 16GB, and with a Core i5 and ATI Radeon HD 4850, it's essentially an entry-level workstation that looks pretty.

Apple has also taken the same tack with the Mac Mini. There were predictions that Apple might kill the headless Mac, but in fact it's developed it. Fascinatingly, Apple has removed the optical drive from one version to create space internally for two 500GB drive and shipped it with Snow Leopard Server, and is aiming it at small businesses who want a cheap, Mac-based, server. At 799, is could be a master stroke.

Another potential master stroke, if you'll excuse the terrible pun, is the new Magic Mouse. This is Apple's way of bringing its touch-tastic jiggery pokery to its desktop computers. The whole thing is now a touch sensitive surface, and you can click, scroll and swipe your fingers over it to create the desired effect on screen. It's perfectly intuitive as you would expect and looks great too.

The iMac will also now ship with a cordless Bluetooth keyboard, and both take two AA batteries. Apple said that you'll get four months use out of the mouse, put it surely would have been a great time to have introduced some cool new charge pad technology? Having to replace standard batteries seems rather mundane compared to the slickness of the technology around it.

Verdict

Aside from the price increase on the MacBook, there's plenty to like about the Apple's latest hardware refresh.

Apple has updated its MacBook and iMac lines and introduced an all-new multi-touch mouse.

Leading the way is a new entry-level 13in MacBook, inheriting the polycarbonate unibody design, LED backlit display and glass multi-touch trackpad from higher up the range.

The new iMacs come in 21.5in and 27in flavours, also featuring LED backlit displays and coming with upgraded Intel processors.

MacBook significance

This latest tweak to the MacBook range shows its continued significance to Apple, with scarcely a product announcement going by without a new arrival or update. The company has made significant inroads particularly at the affordable end of the market, and with a price point starting at 799 it's clearly hoping to continue that momentum.

The improvements continue on the inside too, with a 2.26GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor sitting alongside 2GB of RAM, a 250GB hard drive and Nvidia's GeForce 9400M integrated graphics. It also now comes with Apple's built-in seven-hour battery, but as before is available in the company's signature all-white.

In announcing the new arrivals, Apple vice-president Phil Schiller said: "With the only lineup of notebooks all featuring unibody enclosures, LED-backlit displays and long-life battery technology, there's never been a better time to switch to a Mac."

Upgraded iMacs

Both new iMacs feature 16:9 LED backlit displays, an aluminium body and Intel's i5 and i7 quad-core processors run the show on the inside. Prices start at 949 for the 21.5in model up to 1,599 for the top-end 27in offering.

All the new iMacs ship with a new mouse, dubbed the Magic Mouse. Taking its cue from Apple's iPhone and MacBook trackpads, the streamlined new mouse has no buttons or scroll wheel, but is the first mouse to support multi-touch finger gestures.

Despite the new iMacs' strong multimedia credentials, there continues to be no sign of a Blu-ray drive finding its way into any Apple hardware in the immediate future.

All the new additions are available now from the Apple Store.

Apple fanatics looking for the new 17-inch MacBook Pro will have to wait, as it will be released mid-February rather than the end of January, as first thought.

Apple blamed the delay on the unibody' laptop, carved from a single block of aluminium. "Wrapping up the new 17-inch MacBook Pro is taking a few days longer than we expected, and we now expect to begin shipments in mid-February," Apple said in a statement.

Apple announced the new MacBooks in October. Both the Pro and standard versions saw a design overhaul and featured the anodised aluminium shell. However, only the 15-inch MacBook Pro versions were available at the time.

As well as the aluminum shell and graphic processors, the new 17-inch MacBook Pro will also have a LED-backlit widescreen display and eight hours of wireless working on a single charge.

At the beginning of October, Microsoft head honcho Steve Ballmer descended on London to tell the gathered hordes of techies about a new operating system... for cloud computing. But it wasn't long before the Microsoft faithful and the rest of us got to learn more about the Azure OS or, more importantly, about the next Windows OS, cleverly named Windows 7.

At the Professional Developers Conference in LA last week, Ballmer et al showed of an early version of Windows 7 and it looks pretty good.

But Microsoft wasn't the only top tech firm ignoring the economy to launch new products, as Apple revealed its latest MacBook. The new lineup features aluminium casing, a la the Air, and looks exceptionally cool. Apple also cut prices of its cheapest laptops, but didn't launch a much-hoped-for netbook - but let's face it, there are enough on the market as it is.

That didn't stop Apricot from clawing its way out of its 10-year-old-grave to offer its very own netbook, the PicoBook Pro. The Linux version went down so poorly it's now only sold with Windows. Nicely done, Apricot. Read our review of the Pico here.

Laptops weren't the only gadgets stealing headlines last month. The very first phone featuring Google's Android operating system finally hit UK stores, as T-Mobile released its G1 - read our review here. The been-there-done-that HTC handset won't blow the iPhone out of the water, but developers will likely be as excited to create their very own mobile apps as security researchers were to find vulnerabilities.

All these shiny new releases might make it sound like October was a fantastic month for IT, but there were some lows and we're not talking the economy here, either. (We're sick of talking about it already, in fact.)

No, the government has revealed further plans to track calls and browser sessions, to the disappointment of many who don't like the idea of being surveilled when they order pizza and look up porn.

Of course, if the current rate of data breaches continues, it won't just be the government who knows your communication predilections, but anyone who picks a USB stick up off the pub floor (gross, actually) or buys a stolen laptop off eBay.

Indeed, the government's data watchdog Richard Thomas claimed there's been 277 breaches reported to the Information Commissioner's Office this year, and the majority were from public sector organisations.

He was speaking at this year's RSA Europe, which IT PRO attended; click here for all the coverage. Aside from RSA and PDC, we also took in the Smartphone Show in London, with all the news from the Symbian faithful.

Apple has given both the MacBook and MacBook Pro laptops a much needed design overhaul.

Both are now made using the same aluminium manufacturing process as is used for the MacBook Air. Instead of pressing sheet aluminium, the core pieces are carved from a single block of aluminium, which is then anodised. The result is a shell that is far stronger than the plastic MacBook casing of old, and far harder-wearing than the dent-prone older MacBook Pro and Powerbook designs.

IT PRO is among the first publications to get its hands on the new MacBook Pro, which is currently undergoing benchmark testing. Ahead of our full review, take a look at our first photos and unboxing.

Click here or on the gallery tab above to see more.

Apple's planned laptop announcement has once again been beset by leaked photos and accidental revelations by retailers.

Speculation has been rife in the run up to this evening's announcement, which will take place at 6pm UK time tonight and is being held at Apple's Town Hall' presentation theatre at its Cupertino campus.

Unusually, the company actually confirmed in the invite it sent to the press that tonight's launch would be laptop related - far more information than the secretive company would normally disclose ahead of a product launch.

Pictures have leaked on to the web in the last week that show a new casing for the company's high-end MacBook Pro laptop. The new metal casing appears more robust than the existing shell, and is in-line with industry comments that Apple is moving to a new manufacturing process where the cases are cut from a single block of aluminium.

This aluminium casing is also expected to be used on the MacBook, replacing its current plastic shell in an effort to improve durability and make the product more recyclable.

A repair guide for a new range of MacBooks and MacBook Pro machines also slipped out accidentally over the weekend, adding further confirmation of a change to both lines as well confirming parts sharing and a harmonisation of design between the low-end and high-end models.

Other debate points to a shift away from Intel's integrated graphics technology in favour of a dedicated graphics solution from Nvidia. The use of Intel's integrated graphics technology was seen by many as necessary to help Apple complete the initial redevelopment of all of its integrated motherboard-based computers and complete the migration away from PowerPC and over to the x86 platform.

However, the leaking of a price list supplied to US retailer Best Buy that includes part numbers, has raised the most interest among Apple watchers. It includes a product priced at just $899 (500). Debate is split between this being a very low-end MacBook or high-end netbook, with a minority pointing to a LED-backlit monitor.

Apple shares grew more than nine per cent, as investors were buoyed by its forthcoming laptop computers.

Apple has scheduled a Tuesday event at which it is expected to unveil a line of lower-cost notebooks. The company is scheduled to release its quarterly results the following Tuesday.

With the economy likely facing a drastic slowdown in consumer spending, Apple's shares had dropped more than 40 per cent in the last month.

But Yair Reiner, an analyst with Oppenheimer, said that with the Apple's stock trading at less than half the price of a year ago, the shares look attractive on valuation alone.

"Growth is just a bonus," Reiner said.

Other analysts agree. "Given the recent sell-off in technology stocks, Apple's stock offers a valuation entry point not seen in years," Bank of America analyst Scott Craig wrote in a note.

With the hype that typically accompanies an Apple product launch, investors will be watching next week to see if the company can maintain momentum.

Reiner said he thinks a line of less expensive computers could help the company ride out the turbulence of the coming months.

"One of the biggest fears about Apple is that it's going into a recession selling high-end electronics. I think that if it can broaden its product portfolio and include products that are competitive on the mid-end, it positions it to better weather the storm and appeal to a larger base of consumers."

Apple will be releasing new look laptops on 14 October the company has announced.

Confirming recent speculation, Apple has issued press invites to an event new week with the tagline, "The spotlight turns to notebooks."

Wall Street analysts and gadget blogs have speculated that Apple could cut the prices of its cheapest notebook computer to below $1,000 (591), or it could refresh the line with laptops in aluminium casings. Currently MacBooks are constructed from plastic, while the MacBook Pro line is made of metal.

Rumours suggest these casings will be made from a single aluminium piece, leading them to be dubbed, The Apple Brick'. Despite this, the new machines are expected to be lighter than current models.

Apple shares were up 2.8 per cent at $92.30 (54.57) in midday trading on the Nasdaq.

The stock, along with other technology shares, has been under pressure on concerns that the financial crisis could hurt consumer demand for electronics, especially in the run-up to the crucial end-year holiday season.

Speculation is rife about what Apple is planning to bring to market, with leaked' photos suggesting a new, larger and curved iPod Nano is in the works. Sightings last month pointed to new-look MacBooks, cased in metal rather than black or white plastic, while the iPod Touch PDA is also due for an iPhone-esque makeover.

Whatever Steve Jobs pulls out of his hat, we'll be there live to see it, and as soon as we see it, you'll know all about it with our live blogging coverage of the Let's Rock special event from San Francisco.

Click here to access our gallery of images from the special event, including first-hand photos of the new iPod Touch, iPod Nano and iTunes 8.