Apple readies twin launches in Mideast

Dubai: Apple is set to launch its flagship product - MacBook Pro - and the Apple TV with extended hard disk drive by middle of this month.

"MacBook Pro is built on the Intel Core 2 Duo processor and is priced between Dh8,999-Dh12,299 depending on the models," Joe Sfeir, marketing manager, Apple IMC Middle East, said.

At just 2.59 centimetres thin, the new MacBook Pro models are available in 15.4-inch with a new mercury-free, power-efficient LED-backlit display and in 17-inch. The 15.4-inch models weigh just 2.45 kilogrammes while the 17-inch model weighs 3.1 kilogrammes.

MacBook Pro has a built-in ambient light sensor that adjusts the keyboard and display brightness for optimal visibility and it is silver in colour, which is due to the enclosure being made out of aluminum.

The laptops are bundled with Mac OS X 10.4 operating system, iLife '06 suite of digital media applications, built-in iSight Camera and Nvidia GeForce graphics processor.

Speed

"The new models run between 24 per cent and 37 per cent faster than the previous models," says Sfeir.

Z0EB MacBook Pro 15.4-inch /2.2GHz with 2GB memory and 120GB hard disk is priced at Dh8,999 while Z0EC MacBook Pro 15.4-inch /2.4GHz with 2GB memory and 160GB hard disk is priced at Dh11,199 and Z0ED MacBook Pro 17-inch /2.4GHz with 2GB memory and 160GB hard disk is priced at Dh12,299.

Apple TV set-top device with 160GB hard drive will also be available at the same time and is priced at Dh1,849.

Apple launched the first set-top device with 40GB hard drive in the region for Dh1,399 in April and has drawn tremendous response.

"Apple TV is like a DVD player for the internet age, providing an easy and fun way to play all your favourite iTunes content from your PC or Mac on your widescreen TV via WiFi network that supports enhanced definition (ED) or high definition (HD), and has HDMI, DVI or component video inputs," said Sfeir.

Apple TV cannot receive or record cable or satellite TV, so it is not meant as a replacement for cable or satellite box.

It also cannot play DVDs. Its sole function is to bring to the TV digital content stored on computers or drawn from the internet.

"Global Apple TV shipments likely to reach about one million units during 2007, and 1.4 million units in 2008," predicted Chris Crotty, senior analyst, consumer electronics, for iSuppli, a consulting firm.

"Considering Apple's successful track record with the iPod and iTunes, the acceleration of movie download efforts in general and the potential for future price decline and/or additional features in future products, this forecast seems attainable."

"There's a slew of these Digital Media Adapter devices on the market today that offer similar capabilities to the Apple TV," Mark Kirstein, vice president, multimedia content and services for iSuppli.

"Yet, nobody has found the secret sauce to get more than a few hundred thousand units shipped. However, if any company can find the right formula for success, it's Apple."