Apple picker Mac Pro
After almost two years of waiting, the most powerful Apple workstation has also received an upgrade. Already last year, we could hear negative feedback from professionals who need a Mac Pro for their work and do not have the opportunity to increase its performance in any way. There was even speculation that Apple would stop making the Mac Pro altogether and focus only on consumer electronics. Fortunately, Apple has cut out all that guesswork and given desktops new guts. You can choose from these three models:
- 4 cores (65 CZK)
- One 3,2GHz Intel Xeon quad-core processor
- 6 GB of memory (three 2 GB modules)
- 1 TB hard drive
- 18 × SuperDrive
- ATI Radeon HD 5770 with 1 GB of GDDR5 memory
- 12 cores (99 CZK)
- Two six-core Intel Xeon 2,4 GHz processors
- 12 GB of memory (six 2 GB modules)
- 1 TB hard drive
- 18 × SuperDrive
- ATI Radeon HD 5770 with 1 GB of GDDR5 memory
- Server (CZK 79)
- One six-core Intel Xeon 3,2 GHz processor
- 8 GB of memory (four 2 GB modules)
- Two 1 TB hard drives
- OS X Lion Server
- ATI Radeon HD 5770 with 1 GB of GDDR5 memory
All models offer four slots for hard drives or SSD drives, while it is possible to purchase a 1TB HDD for 3 CZK, a 490TB HDD for 2 CZK or a 6GB SSD for an incredible 999 CZK for an additional fee. A less expensive solution seems to be to buy the disc from another store. The same applies to memory modules. The price ranges from 512 CZK for 25 GB of memory (990×3 GB) to an incredible 900 CZK for 16 GB (2×8 GB). Furthermore, you can have a better processor(s) installed for an extra charge.
Airport Express Base Station
Apple's smallest network router, the AirPort Express, has received an update. While the previous version looked more like a MacBook power adapter, the new version looks like a white Apple TV. Major changes have taken place both on the surface and inside the device. Instead of a single Ethernet port, the new generation has two, the audio output (3,5 mm jack) remained. AirPort Express can thus still function as a receiver for streaming audio via AirPlay. The USB port still only works for connecting a printer, you're out of luck with an external drive.
However, an important innovation is simultaneous dual-band operation at 2,4 GHz and 5 GHz frequencies. The previous version was able to work with both bands, but only with one preset at the same time. AirPort Express 2012 thus works just like its sister version Extreme or Time Capsule. It can also work with all Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n standards. In Czech Apple Online Store you can buy it for CZK 2.
Smart Cover Case
Although the iPad is a beautiful device in design, and a Smart Cover was invented for it that does not cover its aluminum back, a "double-sided" Smart Cover, nicknamed Case, has appeared in the Online Apple Store. Apparently many users couldn't stomach the idea of a bare back, so Apple came out to accommodate them. Smart Cover Case is sold only in polyurethane version in six color variants. Compared to the Smart Cover, it offers the option of free text engraving on its back. You will pay 1 Czech crowns for a new case.
USB SuperDrive
If you own a Mac without a DVD drive (MacBook Air, Mac mini) or are planning to buy a new MacBook Pro with retina display and know you will still need your DVDs or CDs, Apple offers an easy solution. For CZK 2, you can purchase only 090 grams USB SuperDrive, which can read and write DVDs and CD-ROMs.
Adapters for Thunderbolt
A pair of Thunderbolt adapters were also introduced with the new MacBooks, which will make available ports that were denied to the MacBook Air, for example. These are adapters Thunderbolt - Gigabit Ethernet, which allows you to connect the MacBook Air to the network using a LAN cable, and Thunderbolt FireWire 800, through which you can connect digital cameras, external drives or hard drives.
Both cables can be found in the Apple Online Store for the same price of CZK 799, but only the Ethernet adapter is available in the store.
Increase in Czech MacBook prices
The latest news is not exactly positive for Czech users, it concerns a relatively significant increase in the price of MacBooks. Weakness will probably be to blame crowns euro against the dollar, which caused a price jump of up to several thousand crowns. After all, see for yourself in the table:
MacBook Air
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MacBook Pro
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We can see the biggest difference between the old and new versions of the MacBook Pro 15” in the higher configuration. We can only hope that the euro will strengthen in the coming months so that prices return to at least their original level. Unfavorable economic developments caused price increases throughout Europe.
phew, that Czech store is disgusting... I think the prices have remained the same in America?
In the US, MacBook Air prices have even decreased…
And aren't the dances around the two-year warranty responsible for the price increase rather than the exchange rate of the dollar?
Those prices are brutal all over Europe :-/ We'll see how it continues.
The Mac Pro update is more cosmetic. It still uses an old type of processor, no mention of USB 3 or Thunderbolt, and still two-year-old graphics. So disappointing.
Prices in the Czech Republic are appalling. Also, I bought a MacBook before Christmas.
Prices for the Czech Republic depend on the Dollar – Euro exchange rate, so the koruna can be as strong or as weak as a dog and it won't change anything...
terrible carnage for that Mac with Retina display... :(