SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) - Apple introduced a smaller iPad, as expected, but also updated its full-sized one. It also unveiled new Mac computers, including a 13-inch version of a MacBook Pro with sharper, "Retina" display and an iMac with a new type of storage drive.
With a screen measuring 7.9 inches on the diagonal, the iPad Mini is about two-thirds the size of the regular iPad. It's slightly larger than the 7-inch tablets from Amazon.com Inc. and Google Inc. The regular iPad is 9.7 inches.
Apple has sold more than 100 million iPads since their debut in April 2010. Although Apple dominates the worldwide tablet market with 70 percent of shipments in the second quarter, according to IHS iSuppli, Amazon and Google have been able to make in-roads with the smaller alternatives. A smaller iPad from Apple Inc. could help the company cement its dominance.
The event at the California Theatre came a few days before Microsoft Corp. starts selling a new version of its Windows operating system, one designed to work well on both traditional computers and tablets. Microsoft is also releasing its own tablet, the Surface, on Friday. It will be slightly larger than the full-sized iPad.
Here are prices and other details on the new products.
MODELS AND PRICES
Apple Inc. introduced a new MacBook Pro with a 13-inch screen measured diagonally. It sports a sharper, Retina display, which has a resolution of 2560 by 1600 pixels. That is slightly lower than the 2880 by 1800 pixels of its 15-inch MacBook Pro with Retina, but doubles the 1280 by 800 resolution of the existing, 13-inch MacBook Pro without a Retina display.
Prices vary depending on how much flash memory the computer comes with and the speed of the Intel processor. The base model comes with a 2.5 gigahertz dual-core Intel i5 processor.
• 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display, i5 processor with 128 gigabytes of flash storage, $1,699
• 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display, i5 processor with 256 GB flash storage, $1,999
These were the models unveiled in June and still available:
• 15-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display, 2.3 GHz quad-core i7 processor with 256 GB flash storage, $2,199
• 15-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display, 2.6 GHz quad-core i7 processor with 512 GB flash storage, $2,799
• Non-Retina 13-inch MacBook Pro, 2.5 GHz dual-core i5 processor with 500 GB hard drive, $1,199
• Non-Retina 13-inch MacBook Pro, 2.9 GHz dual-core i7 processor with 750 GB hard drive, $1,499
• Non-Retina 15-inch MacBook Pro, 2.3 GHz quad-core i7 processor with 500 GB hard drive, $1,799
• Non-Retina 15-inch MacBook Pro, 2.6 GHz quad-core i7 processor with 750 GB hard drive, $2,199
Apple also introduced a new line of iMacs. The computers have a super-thin edge that is 5 millimeters (0.2 inch) thick, although the unit is more bulbous at the point where it connects with the stand. Prices vary by screen size, the amount of storage and the processor speed. The base model comes with a 1 terabyte hard drive and a 2.7 gigahertz quad-core Intel i5 processor. Apple also introduced its Fusion Drive, which combines flash and hard drive storage in one interface. Apple says it's nearly as fast as flash memory on its own and is available as an option instead of the regular hard drive.
• 21.5-inch iMac, 2.7 GHz quad-core i5 processor, 1 terabyte hard drive, $1,299
• 21.5-inch iMac, 2.9 GHz quad-core i5 processor, 1 TB hard drive, $1,499
• 27-inch iMac, 2.9 GHz quad-core i5 processor, 1 TB hard drive, $1,799
• 27-inch iMac, 3.2 GHz quad-core i5 processor, 1 TB hard drive, $1,999
Apple updated its Mac Mini computer as well with the following specifications:
• 2.5 GHz dual-core i5 processor, 500GB hard drive, $599
• 2.3 GHz quad-core i7 processor, 1 TB hard drive, $799
• 2.3 GHz quad-core i7 processor, two 1 TB hard drives, $999
AVAILABILITY:
The 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display is available immediately online, at Apple stores and other retailers. The 21.5-inch iMac will be available in November and the 27-inch iMac will be available in December. The Mac mini is available immediately.