Powerbooks get an update

Not the rumoured upgrade to G5s that people were hoping for, but Apple’s bumped up the power on the Powerbooks. The fastest processor is now 1.67GHz, while 8x SuperDrive DVD rewriters and 512MB of memory now come as standard. Hard drives and graphics chipsets have also been improved, while Bluetooth is now the faster 2.0 variety.

Chassis upgrades include the addition of a scrolling TrackPad that lets you scroll up and down by using two fingers on the pad instead of one. Apple’s patent-pending Sudden Motion Sensor technology should provide protection for your hard drive if you drop your laptop. The upgraded 12-, 15- and 17-inch notebooks will be available later this week, with prices starting at £1049.

Apple