Apple unveiled new products during its March 9 event. The MacBook lineup saw performance upgrades in both the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro. A newly redesigned MacBook entered the Mac notebook lineup. Apple TV received a new lower price point of $69. The majority of the keynote focused on the Apple Watch and iOS 8.2 also was released to the public.
MacBook Air Updates
The MacBook Air received new Intel i5 and i7 processors. The MacBook Air standard configurations feature a 1.6GHz dual-core Intel i5 processor, Intel HD Graphics 6000, 4GB RAM and 128GB PCIe flash storage. The 11-inch model starts at $899 and the 13-inch at $999. The MacBook Air can be configured up to an i7 processor, 8GB RAM and 512GB of PCIe-based flash storage.
13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina Display Updates
The 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina Display received a processor upgrade making the standard model a 2.7GHz dual-core Intel i5 processor and new Intel Iris Graphics 6100. The 13-inch MacBook Pro also received a new Force Touch trackpad which allows the computer to know how hard a finger is being pressed on the trackpad, this allows different gestures to be performed on the computer. Battery life has increased by one hour, granting approximately ten hours of battery life. The 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina Display starts at $1299.
The New MacBook
Added to the Mac notebook lineup is the new MacBook. It has been a few years since Apple offered the MacBook model. Since then, there have been the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models. During the March 9 event, Apple introduced a completely new and redesigned notebook that is even thinner than the current MacBook Air. The new MacBook is just 0.14 inches at its thinnest point and 0.52 inches at its thickest point. The New MacBook features a 12-inch Retina Display in three different colors: Space Gray, Silver and Gold. The MacBook will have nine hours of battery.
Starting at $1299, the MacBook features a 1.1 GHz dual-core Intel Core M processor, Intel HD Graphics 5300, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of flash storage. This Mac is incredibly light, weighing only two pounds. There is an upgraded MacBook which features a 1.2 GHz Intel Core M processor, 512GB of flash storage, 8GB RAM and retails for $1599. The MacBook will be available starting April 10, 2015.
Apple TV
At the beginning of the event, Apple TV saw stage time featuring a new price point of $69 - down from its previous price of $99. Apple also talked about new services being added to Apple TV, such as HBO Now.
Apple Watch
The vast majority of the keynote focused around Apple Watch, solving some mysterious questions that the world had been wondering since Apple unveiled Apple Watch for the first time back in September 2014. The Apple Watch comes in three collections: Apple Watch, Apple Watch Sport and Apple Watch Edition. Each collection comes in 38mm and 42mm sizes.
The Apple Watch Sport features an aluminum case and will be priced from $349 for the 38mm model and $399 for the 42mm model. Apple Watch features a stainless steel case in either standard stainless steel or in Space Black. It will be priced from $549 to $1049 for the 38mm and $599 to $1099 for the 42mm model. Apple Watch Edition features 18-karat gold in either rose gold or yellow gold, it will be priced from $10,000 for a 38mm and going up to $17,000 for a 42mm, with different models in between. The Apple Watch will be available for pre-order on April 10, 2015 and will be available in stores starting April 24, 2015.
Apple showed off new apps that have been developed for Apple Watch such as Instagram, WeChat, Shazam and Uber. Users will be able to download and shop for apps for their Apple Watch from their iPhone using the Apple Watch app.
The March 9 event was huge with new products and updates in the MacBook line, a new price on Apple TV with new services being offered, and more information on the Apple Watch.