Apple has updated the MacBook Air and the Mac mini. Both ranges feature Intel Core i5 and i7 processors and Thunderbolt.
The MacBook Air, which starts at £849, comes in two sizes, 11.6in and 13.3in. Each has two models. The 11.6in models have 1.6GHz dual-core i5 processors and Intel HD 3000 graphics. The cheaper of the two has 2GB Ram and 64GB flash storage. The other one, which costs £999, has 4GB Ram and 128GB flash storage. All models have a backlit keyboard, Thunderbolt connector, and two USB 2 ports.
The 13.3in MacBook Air has a Core i7 processor, 4GB Ram, Intel HD Graphics 3000, and either 128GB or 265GB of flash storage. Prices are £1099 for the 128GB model and £1349 for the 256GB Air.
The Mac mini comes in three models; two Core i5 desktop Macs and a Core i7 server. The desktop configurations feature either a 2.3GHz or 2.5GHz Core i5 processor, 2GB or 4GB Ram, 500GB hard drive, and either Intel HD Graphics 3000 or AMD Radeon HD 6630M graphics. They cost £529 and £699.
The server, which ships with Lion Server installed, has a 2GHz Core i7 processor, 4Gb Ram, dual 500GB hard drives, and Intel HD Graphics 3000. It costs £849.
None of the minis have an optical drive.
The white MacBook has been discontinued.
Also announced today is a new display. Now called the Apple Thunderbolt Display, the new screen features the connection which gives it its name. It hooks up two an Apple laptop using the Thunderbolt cable, which carries data and video, and a power cable to allow the laptop to draw power from the Display’s supply. The Thunderbolt Display has three USB 2 ports, a FireWire 800 socket, a Thunderbolt connector and one for Gigabit Ethernet. It costs £899.
Finally, in a big day of launches for Apple, OS X Lion is now available on the App Store for £20.99.
