If I’m preaching to the choir right now and you didn’t already know this, your jaw is likely on the floor about now. If you don’t understand what I’m talking about, then I shall explain. There are two kinds of computer graphics systems which can be installed in a computer by the manufacturer, discreet and integrated. Starting with the latter, integrated graphics is a simplified set of chips which generate video for the computer. These are installed on the mainboard and cannot be replaced. Integrated graphics also share RAM from the system, so if you have 1GB of RAM (1024MBs) and your integrated graphics system uses 256MBs of RAM, then your computer ends up with a mere 768MBs of RAM to run on. All cheap laptops and netbooks use integrated graphics.

Discreet graphics, on the other hand, is like its own separate computer whose only job it is to create the graphics for your computer. It has its own RAM and it is usually installed as a separate board which can later be replaced if necessary. In this case, if you have 1GB of RAM and 256MBs of VRAM (Video RAM) then you still have 1GB of RAM for your system. It is the discreet video systems which professionals rely on from Apple because they are powerful and are capable of things which integrated systems simply aren’t. That’s a huge part of the Pro in MacBook Pro.

What Apple has done by bringing the unibody MacBook models into the MacBook Pro fold is to bring the concept of integrated graphics into the Pro line-up. Witness on the Apple Store page or in Phil Schiller’s keynote at yesterday’s WWDC 2009 kickoff the introduction of the NVIDIA 9400M chipset in not only the 13″ models but now also the entry-level 15″ model which starts at US$1,699. If you take a closer look you will see that the 9400M integrated chipset is on every single MacBook Pro in the entire line. Sure, they are alongside the more potent, discreet 9600M GT chipset and you can select which one to use, but the game has still been changed.

Integrated video is significantly cheaper than discreet video. Apple has always charged a relatively fair price for the cost of quality components, a consistency which no other computer company has ever been able to match, and a level of reliability which isn’t fair to the competition. Two things emerge from the change. First, to call a MacBook with integrated graphics just because they look the same, have SD card slots, and can use 8GBs of RAM is more like a bait-and-switch scheme. Second, to put only integrated graphics into the larger, Pro-level 15″ model is almost lying.

Business users who don’t need the powerful graphics sub-systems didn’t have a problem with using a computer called a MacBook. I know of few people who were unhappy that they had a MacBook when they knew that what they had was what they could afford. In fact, I know quite a few MacBook users who don’t like the larger, heavier MacBook Pro line and are quite pleased with what they already have. The only thing Apple did here was arrange a little smoke and mirrors with no real updates to anything, just a name change. I suppose its possible that Apple was feeling the pressure of not delivering on Snow Leopard and only having the iPhone 3Gs to announce.

Then again, they’ve also had the pressure put on them from Microsoft about the cost of their computers compared to what Microsoft’s hardware partners offer in a recent spate of ads. Apple seems to be responding (they’ll deny it) by evening out their pricing structure. If there’s anything to be said about Apple’s product line-up now, its well spaced.

• Microsoft says Macs are too expensive
• Google considering Android-based netbooks, Mobile TV?
• VIA quietly introduces WonderMedia, US$100 thin client boxes
• Hong Kong Palm User’s Group gives Palm OS a sendoff
• The Last Starfighter redux may be in the works?
• Sprint announces service plans for Palm’s hotly anticipated Pre
• Nintendo updates Wii software to support 32GB SDHC cards and more
• AutoCar India video shows testers pleased with micronic car
• BSQUARE to offer Adobe Flash player for Android?

That’s it! See you next week!

[podcast]http://www.mobodojo.com/feedreaders/fr_pcast_0001_20090401.mp3[/podcast]

This is not your standard desktop PC. It is, in reality, a netbook’s guts stuffed into a creative and attractive desktop display stand. Here, then, are the specs: Intel Atom 1.6GHz CPU, 1GB of RAM (upgradeable to 2GB in one slot), Intel GMA video with shared memory, 160GB hard drive, dual-layer CD/DVD-R/RW drive, integrated B/G wireless, 10/100 Ethernet, 5 USB 2.0 ports, an MS/MSPRO/MMC/SD card slot, a 1.3MP webcam in the display frame, and it all runs on Windows XP Home Edition.

So, if you haven’t figured out this systems place in the world yet, I’ll make it clear. This is not a gaming machine or one designed for use by graphics professionals, or anyone who needs a beefy machine. This is a webtop. This is a tight, clean, efficient, low-cost DVD player, email checker, webpage reader, and word processor. Its the perfect desktop for the luddite parents, the college or boarding school student, or as a second computer. Its compact, tidy and wireless.

The screen is clearly the largest and most visible component of the AIO. The strut behind the display allows you to position the screen as you like. The built-in microphone is oddly placed on the base of the unit instead of on the display frame. Another odd choice for Averatec was to not include a recovery partition on the large disk. They do include a USB mouse and keyboard. The keyboard is a love/hate kind of thing. If you like the new style flat keyboards, you might like this one. One thing I flat out did not like was the crappy in-built speakers. There was no reason to skimp there and decent in-case speakers don’t cost all that much.

Speed wise, the AIO is rather quick. Using the pre-installed Windows XP Home, I ran all Windows Update installs and then started using it. I installed FireFox and the complete iTunes/QuickTime/Safari package. The downloads were quick, but the installations took a while to process. Once installed, though, loading and using applications were reasonably quick. General use is nearly indistinguishable from faster machines. I did not, however, try to install anything which I knew would tax the system beyond its capabilities… Well…

After I’d had enough of Windows XP, I tried installing Windows Vista on it. As you may know from having read The Dojo for a while, I’m no fan of Vista. Despite Microsoft’s propaganda-like Mojave Project adverts trying to show people that they don’t really know how cool Vista really is, Vista is a landmine of difficulties, driver incompatibilities, and broken applications. Knowing this full well, I ventured there anyway. I’ll sum it up by saying that its on there, but I can’t install any drivers.

I’m going to try working on it some more and see what I can get out of it. The way it is now, with no network access and only being able to display 1024×768 its actually working pretty fast. I suspect, however, that its fast like the surprise we get when putting XP back on an old 750MHz lappy. It works and it goes but it just doesn’t have the headroom much faster systems do. My guess is that the next generation dual-core Atom processors from Intel will prove to be the real turning point for low cost, low power, compact desktop systems.

In the end, the AIO is quite a nice machine. Its very attractive. Its has 100mm VESA-spec screw holes on the back so it can mounted like a display. It weighs in a slight 9 pounds. Contrary to what detractors might say, the AIO is a quality machine which delivers exactly what it promises to deliver; modestly priced performance. Its not a kick ass gaming machine or a powerful video or film editing workstation. If you think you’re going to get a hi-end workstations for under six Benjamins you either don’t value your talent as an artist or you’re smoking something.

As such, I roundly endorse the Averatec 18.4″ AIO as long as you’re comfortable with its limitations.