Doubles with lots of power and fun factor
Hardware/Software: The new MacBook Pro is a well-rounded update—and, paired with Aperture 1.5, makes for a dream team.
Hardware/software The new MacBook Pro is a coherent update - and becomes a dream team with Aperture 1.5 The bad news first: Even if you opt for a new MacBook Pro notebook from Apple equipped with an Intel Core 2 Duo "dual-core processor", you have to expect that this processor will also be updated soon. Intel has recently launched a dual-core chip called Intel Core 2 Extreme. After Intel Core Duo and Intel Core 2 Duo, this would be the third generation of Intel Core processors since its introduction in early 2006. Nevertheless, Apple's move from the PowerPC to the Intel platform must be seen as the right one - also because the company no longer runs the risk of lagging behind its major competitors. Decent equipmentIt remains to be seen whether the new Intel Core 2 Duo computers will sell like hot cakes. In any case, there are good prerequisites for this. The new 15-inch models have either 2.16 or 2.33 GHz Core Duo 2 chips to ensure sufficient performance. The flagship model, which has a 17-inch, particularly bright screen, also runs at 2.33 GHz. Thanks to the higher processor clock rate and 64-bit support, the new processors are up to 40 percent faster than the previous model. Apple even speaks of a factor of 7 when comparing it with computers from the last PowerBook G4 generation.
Adobe Creative Suite products, above all Photoshop, are now faster on the new MacBook Pro than on PowerBooks equipped with the last generation of Power PC chips, although the program suite (with the exception of the recently integrated Acrobat 8 program) has not yet been adapted to the new Intel processors. In addition to the higher clock speed, the increase in performance can also be attributed to further optimizations of the continuously updated Mac OS X 10.4.8 operating system.
Finally, the computers are equipped with acceptable 120 GB (15-inch) and 160 GB (17-inch) hard disks even in the standard configuration. Those who need particularly fast hard disks can order an optional 7200 rpm hard disk in the 17-inch model, although this is only 100 GB in size. A FireWire 800 connection means that users who need significantly more storage space and at the same time cannot do without fast external data storage are not left out in the cold.
However, Apple is not only generous with the connections, but also with the RAM: The entry-level configuration of the 15-inch models (the screen diagonal is actually 15.4 inches = 38.1 cm) comes with 1 GB RAM as standard, while the mid-range configuration, just like the 17-inch model (43.1 cm diagonal), comes with 2 GB RAM. Finally, a high-quality ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 graphics card ensures fast image processing. With this and with the aid of a DVI cable, the 4 million pixels can also be transferred to a monitor of up to 30 inches, an HD television or a high-resolution projector.
A must-have for digital photographersThe Aperture application, which was updated in time for the Photokina trade fair (WW 35/2006), is particularly useful - and fun - with the new computers. Aperture, which is mainly, but not only, aimed at professional photographers, is currently probably the most comprehensive solution for photographers - especially after the (necessary) update to version 1.5.
Users of the 1.0 version can look forward to the separation of image data management. All images can still be packed into a single library; it is now also possible to access a folder structure and organize the images in this way. A practical feature in this context is that once imported (original) image data stored on external storage media remains accessible. This means that even large amounts of data can be easily transported and presented to a customer, for example.
The data can be compressed by a factor of 20 - i.e. from 1.25 terabytes to 65 GB (which roughly corresponds to the free space of a standard 80 GB hard disk). The images can still be edited, but of course data export is then only possible with the connection to the fine data.
More as an enhancement of iWork and iLife and less of Aperture, image collections and lists are now visible there. It is a pity that there is not yet a program extension for XPress or InDesign that makes the same thing possible there ... But this is perhaps to be expected soon - in any case, Apple has created the possibility for this with the opening of Aperture. While Adobe and Quark will probably have to wait for new versions, providers of stock photos are already using this interface.
Edit images and synchronize with iPodThe options for making colour adjustments in Aperture have been significantly improved. The selected parameters can now be saved as adjustment sets and applied to other photos in this way. To further process images in Photoshop, for example, the new "Show in Finder" function has been created, which enables access to any image outside the library via a control click. A program can also be specified so that images can be opened without this intermediate step.
Aperture offers a wide range of image output options. One practical feature is the new integration into Apple's Keynote presentation program. This makes it very easy to create high-quality (image) presentations without having to overload Aperture with even more functions.
In addition to a very simple upload of image pages to a Mac account (or via export to a folder structure, which can then be manually uploaded to a web server), Aperture can also be used to compile layouts for books - in a way that would suit many a professional layout program. Another hip feature is the ability to transfer the Aperture library to an iPod and synchronize the image data with it. In this way, Aperture also becomes an "iTunes for pictures".
Other new features in Aperture 1.5The new drag-and-drop JPEG export function allows JPEG files to be integrated into other Mac OS X applications. The size and compression quality of the images can be controlled.
Apple is opening up the software to plug-in developers by providing a corresponding interface, and renaming and assigning names has been simplified by improved tools, making it possible to automatically create folders and subfolders during import. AppleScript and Automator support has been improved. For example, filters can now be applied or the export of images with metadata (XMP) can be automated.The addition, management and updating of keywords is simplified by a floating palette, which can also be locked to prevent accidental changes.The output resolution can now be specified for printing individual images.Improved tools allow the transfer of adjustments for cropping (Aperture incorrectly uses the term "clipping" in the German version) and straightening images.Quickly find images with any keywords or without keywords when searching for IPTC information using the search criteria hover palette.Search images by file status.1 to 5 star rating buttons can now be used to rate images.Aperture can now handle RAW images from over 50 camera models. New models include Fuji S2, Fuji S3 Pro and Sony A100.Aperture 1.0 users can download the update for free. For those interested, Apple is providing a 30-day limited but fully functional version.
Jürgen Franck
Adobe Creative Suite products, above all Photoshop, are now faster on the new MacBook Pro than on PowerBooks equipped with the last generation of Power PC chips, although the program suite (with the exception of the recently integrated Acrobat 8 program) has not yet been adapted to the new Intel processors. In addition to the higher clock speed, the increase in performance can also be attributed to further optimizations of the continuously updated Mac OS X 10.4.8 operating system.
Finally, the computers are equipped with acceptable 120 GB (15-inch) and 160 GB (17-inch) hard disks even in the standard configuration. Those who need particularly fast hard disks can order an optional 7200 rpm hard disk in the 17-inch model, although this is only 100 GB in size. A FireWire 800 connection means that users who need significantly more storage space and at the same time cannot do without fast external data storage are not left out in the cold.
However, Apple is not only generous with the connections, but also with the RAM: The entry-level configuration of the 15-inch models (the screen diagonal is actually 15.4 inches = 38.1 cm) comes with 1 GB RAM as standard, while the mid-range configuration, just like the 17-inch model (43.1 cm diagonal), comes with 2 GB RAM. Finally, a high-quality ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 graphics card ensures fast image processing. With this and with the aid of a DVI cable, the 4 million pixels can also be transferred to a monitor of up to 30 inches, an HD television or a high-resolution projector.
A must-have for digital photographersThe Aperture application, which was updated in time for the Photokina trade fair (WW 35/2006), is particularly useful - and fun - with the new computers. Aperture, which is mainly, but not only, aimed at professional photographers, is currently probably the most comprehensive solution for photographers - especially after the (necessary) update to version 1.5.
Users of the 1.0 version can look forward to the separation of image data management. All images can still be packed into a single library; it is now also possible to access a folder structure and organize the images in this way. A practical feature in this context is that once imported (original) image data stored on external storage media remains accessible. This means that even large amounts of data can be easily transported and presented to a customer, for example.
The data can be compressed by a factor of 20 - i.e. from 1.25 terabytes to 65 GB (which roughly corresponds to the free space of a standard 80 GB hard disk). The images can still be edited, but of course data export is then only possible with the connection to the fine data.
More as an enhancement of iWork and iLife and less of Aperture, image collections and lists are now visible there. It is a pity that there is not yet a program extension for XPress or InDesign that makes the same thing possible there ... But this is perhaps to be expected soon - in any case, Apple has created the possibility for this with the opening of Aperture. While Adobe and Quark will probably have to wait for new versions, providers of stock photos are already using this interface.
Edit images and synchronize with iPodThe options for making colour adjustments in Aperture have been significantly improved. The selected parameters can now be saved as adjustment sets and applied to other photos in this way. To further process images in Photoshop, for example, the new "Show in Finder" function has been created, which enables access to any image outside the library via a control click. A program can also be specified so that images can be opened without this intermediate step.
Aperture offers a wide range of image output options. One practical feature is the new integration into Apple's Keynote presentation program. This makes it very easy to create high-quality (image) presentations without having to overload Aperture with even more functions.
In addition to a very simple upload of image pages to a Mac account (or via export to a folder structure, which can then be manually uploaded to a web server), Aperture can also be used to compile layouts for books - in a way that would suit many a professional layout program. Another hip feature is the ability to transfer the Aperture library to an iPod and synchronize the image data with it. In this way, Aperture also becomes an "iTunes for pictures".
Other new features in Aperture 1.5The new drag-and-drop JPEG export function allows JPEG files to be integrated into other Mac OS X applications. The size and compression quality of the images can be controlled.
Apple is opening up the software to plug-in developers by providing a corresponding interface, and renaming and assigning names has been simplified by improved tools, making it possible to automatically create folders and subfolders during import. AppleScript and Automator support has been improved. For example, filters can now be applied or the export of images with metadata (XMP) can be automated.The addition, management and updating of keywords is simplified by a floating palette, which can also be locked to prevent accidental changes.The output resolution can now be specified for printing individual images.Improved tools allow the transfer of adjustments for cropping (Aperture incorrectly uses the term "clipping" in the German version) and straightening images.Quickly find images with any keywords or without keywords when searching for IPTC information using the search criteria hover palette.Search images by file status.1 to 5 star rating buttons can now be used to rate images.Aperture can now handle RAW images from over 50 camera models. New models include Fuji S2, Fuji S3 Pro and Sony A100.Aperture 1.0 users can download the update for free. For those interested, Apple is providing a 30-day limited but fully functional version.
Jürgen Franck
