Mac Pro picture
Mac Pro is the Daddy when it comes to performance and expandibility. Apart from 2 ridiculously fast Intel Quad-Xeon or Dual-Xeon processors, we also have 4 internal drive bays for up to 2Tb of internal storage, 4 PCI Express slots, up to 16Gb of memory and 3 hugely powerful video cards. And all available as Configure-to-order custom machines from Sweet-Apple. Prices start from #pound1446+VAT for a Dual Intel Dual-core Xeon machine running at 2.66Ghz
20" iMac G5 picture
Redesigned and revised, the Aluminium Intel iMac is just gorgeous. The even slimmer case is brushed Aluminium (like the Cinema displays) and houses a glossy ultra-bright 20" or 24" display. The new keyboard should be more comfortable as it sits lower on the desk. And prices have dropped significantly. Nearly forgot - they're quicker as well... 2Ghz Core2Duo, 20" TFT, 1Gb RAM, 250Gb, Super drive £680+VAT 2.4Ghz Core2Duo, 20" TFT, 1Gb RAM, 320Gb, Super drive £807+VAT 2.4Ghz Core2Duo, 24" TFT, 1Gb RAM, 320Gb, Super drive £978+VAT 2.8Ghz Core2Duo, 24" TFT, 2Gb RAM, 500Gb, Super drive £807+VAT
Mac mini picture
Macmini now has Intel processors for added umph. Using Intel native programs they will perform much faster than the old PowerPC models. Now including the Apple Remote control and FrontRow software they move closer towards the perfect digital hub for music, video and pictures. Both models now include Airport and Bluetooth, analog and digital audio in/out, gigabit ethernet and 4x USB2 ports. 1.66Ghz Core Duo, 512Mb, 60Gb, Combodrive, Airport £340+VAT, 1.83Ghz Core Duo, 512Mb, 80Gb, Superdrive, Airport £450+VAT

Intel Mac Pro

The last Apple machine to move to Intel processor, the Mac Pro has introduced new performance and expansion possibilities for people in the Creative Industries. With the recently announced Quad-core INtel Xeon chip, these machines deliver incredible power for those of you that just need raw number crunching power. So that mean you, Mr. Avid or Final Cut editor, Mr. Cinema 4D, Lightwave or Maya man. However, at present, unless you are running Intel native "Universal binaries" like Final Cut, Aperture, Logic, etc and the like, you won't experience the full power of these machines. Now that Adobe have finally announced the Creative Suite 3, the full performance gains that Apple have been promising can be realised. Unless I'm sadly mistaken, every major programme has now been made a Intel native, so there's no reason not go upgrade right now.

The less power hungry Intel processors allow Apple to reduce the number of fans required to cool the computer. Fewer fans means less noise and more space inside the case, which means they have squeezed in 4 internal drive bays. That means 2TB of internal storage using 500Gb drives! With higher capacity drives being released regularly, I think you'll be able to have 4TB (that's 4000GB) within 6 months. Anyone working in video or TV will adore this possibility. The Mac Pro could also double up as a VERY nice server with a copy of OS X Server installed on it. It's a monster.

PowerMac G5

The last PowerPC Mac we will ever see, the Quad processor PowerMac G5 raised the performance bar on the Mac once again. Can you imagine how fast it is in Photoshop, Captureshop, FlexColour working on those massive digital image file? Having just spent 2 weeks using one for manipulating 300Mb Photoshop files you really appreciate the extra power. You video and audio editors will also see a difference in how quickly you can get things done.

Intel iMac

I love the new iMac. I think the new design is another inspired piece of work by Jonathon Ives. Since flat panel screens were introduced I have been waiting for someone to put the computer behind the screen in an elegant fashion. With the dual-core Intel processors the iMac becomes an even more powerful photo and video editing system when running native software. Running applications in Rosetta gives you performance roughly equivalent to a 1.5Ghz G4 processor which is acceptable; just make sure you put enough RAM in them. I recommend shoving in 2Gb if you are using Rosetta a lot. As a bonus they are still very quiet, ideal for audio work.

Intel macmini:

Its been nearly 12 years since Apple introduced the first LC "Low Cost" Apple Mac. It was the first Mac I owned. Now we have the Mac mini, an incredibly compact, inexpensive and quiet machine that will make the perfect 2nd or 3rd computer for geeks like me, a wonderful digital hub for people that just want to play and create with their digital devices, or a cheap way of reusing your old monitor and keyboard and replacing that old slow Mac or PC. A certain winner.

Windows at full speed:

The Intel chip also brings an intersting new possibility; running Windows, either via Apple's Boot Camp software, or via a Virtualization solution like Parallels. No more messing about with awful Virtual PC performance. Windows at full speed. And with these intel chips, that means really damn fast!

Macs2u:

As the Bath and Wiltshire Macs2u representative I can supply the complete range of Apple products as well as a massive range of hardware & software from a range of vendors, all at very competitive prices. I should be able to match the prices that you see in MacWorld and MacFormat, but I'm confident that I will provide a superior level of after care.

Visit the Macs2u web site for more of who we are, and how we work. And if you know colleagues outside my area, why not give them the Macs2u address and see if they have a Macs2u representative in their locality?

Call or email me for the sort of service the "box-shifters" cannot match.