Apple Desktops

• The 2011 iMac line uses Intel Quad Core i5 and i7 processors for all models. This line is designed with the average user in mind, with processors capable of heavy multitasking and graphics applications like Adobe Creative Suite. The Mac Mini, a scaled-back miniature desktop computer, runs Intel dual-core processors. With this model, Apple offers a choice of 2.4GHz or 2.66GHz processors. The Mac Pro, designed for heavy-duty professional use at high speeds, uses Intel Xeon processing chips. Users get a choice of anywhere from 4 to 12 cores of processing power, plus up to 24 virtual cores. The system can get up to 3.33GHz performance, depending on configuration.
  
  

Apple Notebooks

• The MacBook Pro, Apple's highest-performance laptop model, uses Intel Quad Core i7 processors for the 15- and 17-inch models, and Intel Dual Core i5 and i7 processors for the 13-inch models. The standard MacBook uses a 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor. For users who want an extremely portable laptop, the MacBook Air offers a variety of processing speeds. The 11-inch models have the option of 1.4GHz or 1.6GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processors, while 13-inch models feature 1.86GHz or 2.13GHz Intel Core 2 Duos.
  
  

Mobile Processing

• In addition to its computer lines, Apple offers mobile computing in the form of iPhones and iPads, as well as the iPod touch. The iPad 2 features a custom-designed Apple A5 chip with 1GHz processing speed and dual cores. The iPhone 4 uses an earlier custom Apple chip called the A4, as do the iPod Touch and the first-generation iPad. This chip also has 1GHz speeds but uses a single core.
  
  

Considerations

• When choosing an Apple computer, processing speed and power aren't the only areas to consider. Mobile devices such as laptops and iPads use lower processing speeds to extend battery life, but they can still meet the computing needs for many users. The best way to find out if the model you want has an acceptable processing speed is to test it at a retail store. Use it as close to your normal computer usage as possible, whether than means running multiple programs at once or playing games online. If the demonstration model can't keep up, opt for a higher capacity processor.