Apple announces updated MacBooks, iPads, software, new Mac Pro

Appel today, during a press event in San Francisco, announced a number of updates to existing products while introducing a few new ones. The Mac Pro, that was a given a sneak peak earlier this year, was finally explained in detail, and starts at $2,999. While no updates to the MacBook Air or iMac (both updated earlier this year) were seen, the retina MacBook Pros received a speed increase, thanks to both Intel’s new, more power-efficient processors and Apple’s Mavericks operating system. Speaking of which, Maverick is finally available today for free, and offers a number of new features, updates, and improvements to the overall usability of the OS. Apple also updated the line of iWork (Pages, Number, and Keynote) and iLife (iPhoto, GarageBand, and iPhoto) with easier-to-use interfaces and new features, all available today as free updates. iWork is usually a paid software package, but will be available for free to those who purchase a new Mac. Lastly, what everyone was waiting for, the iPads saw an update. The larger iPad received an iPad mini-like design update, with the starting price remaining the same at $499. Interestingly, Apple will still be offering the iPad 2 at just $399. What saw a price increase was the new iPad mini with retina display, going from $329 to $399. Last year’s iPad mini started at $329, and is still available for just $299. The newer devices, as expected, received a performance boost. For more information and for some photos, visit the source links below.

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Source: Apple (iWork/iPhoto, Mavericks, MacBook Pros, Mac Pro, iPads)