WiFiNetNews reports that Apple will add Bluetooth 2.0 to its laptops:
The entire PowerBook line of laptops will include both AirPort Extreme (802.11g) and Bluetooth 2.0, which adds a 3 Mbps flavor to Bluetooth. This new flavor of Bluetooth is called Enhanced Data Rate (EDR).
Apple says it s the first to add Bluetooth 2.0, and at first glance that seems correct. It s easier for Apple to change the plumbing to add specific hardware to their monolithic operating system than, for instance, for Microsoft to suddenly support 100 different manufacturers flavors of Bluetooth 2.0.
The underlying chips appear to be from CSR, which had the first certified 2.0 chips late last year. CSR will integrate this technology into a new Bluetooth optional card for Dell laptops, the TrueMobile 350 Module. The 300, currently sold as an add-on, supports up to Bluetooth 1.2.
Apple’s DVD burner, the SuperDrive, now can work with both DVD+R and DVD-R media.
C/Net reports all of the new models come standard with 512MB of memory and faster graphics cards, as well as built-in 802.11g and Bluetooth. Models with a DVD burner now have a faster, 8X drive. The machines start at $1,499, a $100 drop from the prior lineup.
At the top of the line, Apple’s 17-inch PowerBook sells for $2,699 and includes a faster, 1.67GHz processor, a 100GB hard drive, the 8X DVD burner, an ATI Technologies Mobility Radeon 9700 graphics card with 128MB of video memory, and support for Apple’s 30-inch external Cinema Display monitor.
The ultimate Mac display may be the GeoWall incorporating twelve, 30″ Apple Cinema displays in a 4×3 tile. Each panel is driven by a dual CPU 2.5 GHz PowerPC G5 with NVIDIA Ultra 6800 GeForce cards. It’s being built by several universities. Uncompressed HDTV can be sent via 10 gigabit/sec fiber between Japan and U.S. universities.
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