New MacBooks and Apple Watch

Apple+announced+a+new+MacBook+laptop+and+also+finalized+the+details+for+its+upcoming+watch+in+a+keynote+on+Monday.+Apple+will+begin+selling+both+devices+in+April.+

Courtesy of Apple

Apple announced a new MacBook laptop and also finalized the details for its upcoming watch in a keynote on Monday. Apple will begin selling both devices in April.

Apple announced a redesign of the MacBook laptop and additional details, including upcoming availability, of its new Apple Watch at an event in San Francisco on Monday.

Apple has brought back the MacBook, which was phased out a few years ago, to its laptop family. The new laptop sports a 12-inch “Retina” display, similar to the one found on the iPhone, and is thinner and lighter than the existing MacBook Air. The new MacBook, setting a novel precedent for Apple laptops, only includes one port, that is used to charge the laptop, connect to external USB drives, and project to external monitors or projectors. The laptop also comes in the three color variants currently available for the iPhone and iPad: space gray, gold and silver. The device will retail for $1,299 and will be available starting in April.

“I think the trackpad is pretty interesting, actually, because of the pressure sensing technology they’ve put into it,” Varun Haltore (10) said.

Varun added that he appreciates the lengthy battery life Mac laptops offer.

At its media event, Apple also added more specifics to its highly-anticipated Watch. The device will be able to track fitness parameters, monitor health, receive calls, navigate through various locations and display notifications normally present on an iPhone. The Watch will also contain and 18-hour battery life and will be able to display any information on an iPhone 5 or newer. The Watch comes in three different variants, including an 18-karat gold version that will be produced in limited quantities. The base model will sell for $350, but prices could reach $17,000 for the most expensive gold version.

“The Watch provides another way to stay on top of notifications, emails, etc.,” Hemant Kunda (12) said. “It’s way more convenient than pulling out my phone.”

With the launch of both the MacBook and the Watch, Apple is attempting to further solidify its strength in both these industries.