Apple and Linux: Major Threats to Windows 7

While Microsoft is going the Hollywood way to perk up its Windows 7 release, arch rivals Apple and Linux aren’t sitting still.  Expediting the operating systems war, Apple started pulling out all the stops with it’s anti-Windows 7 ad campaign a week before Windows 7 launch, which was overtly focused on the upgrade hassles from Windows XP to 7. On the other end, Linux advocate IBM in a bid to cramp Microsoft OS joined Linux distributor Canonical to introduce a new cloud-and-Linux-based offering called IBM Client for Smart Work. Adding to fray, Ubuntu came up with a functionally equivalent alternative that is smooth with the Web and on the cuff. However, Mac still remains the major potential threat to Windows supremacy over the operating system market as the  Cupertino company is all set to roll out new versions of its iconic Macs, all-in-one iMac desktops and its abated laptop MackBook.

Both the new Macs have undergone significant improvements which are typically evolutionary as of Windows 7. Apple makes no compromise to pursue the industry trend that’s getting more-and-more inclined to bargain-basement prices, just to survive the recession-hit market. The MacBook price still staggers at $999, and the iMac costs as high as $1,199. To weigh against the price Apple would be providing it’s users more power and features. The prices are far above the margin for the laptops and desktops from competitors like Dell and Hewlett-Packard.

The new $999 for 13” MacBook also includes the key features of the similar sized MacBook Pro that costs around $200 more. The features include a multi-touch trackpad significantly enhanced battery life and brighter screen. In addition to its low price the lowly MacBook comes at a 56% larger hard disk (250 GB).

New iMacs

Apple retains the basic design for iMac that looks like a standalone monitor enclosing a powerful computer within.  Let’s take a close look at the improvements

Monitor and Resolution

What’s new in the latest models is the larger-wider screens that have been resized to offers the best view for high-definition video. The base model has a 21.5″ screen and 17% higher resolution as compared to the older models. The high-end models priced between $1,699 and $1,999, have huge 27″ screens and 60% increase in resolution.

Memory and Hard disk

Some of other significant improvements in iMac base model includes 4 gigabytes of memory, double the amount in the prior base model, and a 500 gigabyte hard disk, up from 320 gigabytes. The upscale ones comes with one terabyte hard disk, which is roughly 1,000 gigabytes.

Additional features

For the highest priced model, Apple offers enhanced graphics card and a heavy-duty processor.

Anomalies

The $1,499 model now has a smaller screen—21.5″ versus 24″—though it has a larger hard disk and better graphics card.

New MacBook

Let’s see what has changed with in the Apple laptop

Design

MacBook goes for an extravagant design with the 13″ screen and its shiny white plastic redesigned to have more-rounded edges and a rubbery non-slip bottom.

Trackpad

Now MacBook includes Pro’s large Apple trackpad, that acts as both a huge mouse button and a surface for fingertip gestures like two-finger scrolling, and resizing and rotating photos.

Resized

Although the thickness remains the same,  MacBook has been made a bit longer and wider than the older model, but weighs less - 4.7 pounds versus 5 pounds.

Battery

MacBook has large sealed battery, which according Apple claims up to last 7 hours between charges.

Missing features

The firewire port has been dropped from the laptop as well as the ability to run via remote control. It still doesn’t include an SD card slot.

Apple’s new line of remodeled Macs might carve But, given the big-ticket they will have to overcome the competition from the PCs arriving with Windows 7.