Monday the company Apple Lossless Audio CODEC (ALAC), has released multiple updated models of the iMac and MacBook, but for all of them we are only talking about updates to the internal components and nothing else substantial. More precisely, the Apple company implemented the new Intel Kaby Lake processors and faster SSDs, but did not implement design changes or other physical improvements.
Because it launched new products, the Apple company also offered American journalists some of these new MacBook and iMac models for reviews, and the opinions were in line with the updates. The journalists were not really impressed by the new versions of Apple products, saying only that they are faster than the previous models, but nothing more.
The exception to the rule are the new 12-inch MacBook models, where Apple has also implemented the new keyboard operating mechanism, found in MacBook Pro 2016. Here the reviewers appreciated the way the keyboard works during use, but otherwise there were no positive comments for something else because there was nothing else to appreciate.
MacBook and iMac - the first reviews of the new models
Here are the opinions of American journalists about the new iMac and MacBook models launched by Apple on Monday.
12 inch MacBook
CNET
"Now the 12-inch MacBook has adopted that improved second-gen butterfly mechanism from the Pro line. Even using it in just a few initial typing sessions, I can totally tell the difference — there's a click and spring to the keyboard that was lacking before. As someone who has typed hundreds of thousands of words across both previous generations of the 12-inch MacBook, I'm very pleasantly surprised by how good this keyboard feels. The improved keyboard and the faster CPU options feel like a real step forward, although the system is still not quite as updated as we'd like. "
The Verge
"The big question a lot of people are asking is whether the little MacBook is finally over that power hump that's kept users from switching over to it. I sadly cannot answer that for you, but my hunch is that the basic calculus isn't going to change. If you need speed, get a MacBook Pro or a Windows PC or maybe even a MacBook Air.”
iMac 21.5 inches and 27 inches
Engadget
"Really, it's only mainstream consumers and creative types with more-limited needs (or means) who can safely buy an all-in-one now. But for their purposes, I have no doubt that the iMac offers more generous specs than before for the money.”
The Verge
"That said, editing photos on this computer was a joy. The processing speed and accurate colors also helped, making it a fun experience. Seeing the changes happen almost instantaneously helped accelerate the editing process, but it also just made me experiment with more photos, which for a creative type does make a difference. It's worth nothing I haven't calibrated the monitor and have used the default color space "iMac," which I'm assuming most of you will use anyway, and you won't regret it."
Mashable
"What matters is day-to-day performance on critical tasks in demanding apps like Photoshop, AutoCAD, and Strata 3D. Based on the numbers I saw and even my minute-to-minute experiences with the 27-inch iMac, I'd say it will handle all those jobs with ease. I did a bunch of other, more mundane tasks on the system, like Safari browsing, email, photo manipulation, and uploading. There were no issues and everything worked as it did before."
