BURO Gadget Guide: 4 Must-know tech releases from November 2024

We’re back with another installment of the BURO Gadget Guide, where we give you quick introductions to the latest gadgets you need to know about. In the last month, we were introduced to a number of new devices, including Apple’s fresh Mac lineup with Apple Intelligence capabilities. Ahead, we also introduce the Canon R1 mirrorless camera as well as the groundbreaking Nothing Phone (2a) Plus Community Edition. Keep reading to get the low down on the brand new tech releases from November 2024.

APPLE MACBOOK PRO WITH M4

New advancements arrive to Apple’s flagship laptop, the MacBook Pro with the introduction of the M4 chip family. Available in three variants—M4, M4 Pro, and M4 Max—the chips were made for Apple Intelligence and bring performance to a whole new level for the MacBook Pro. As for finishes, the laptop now comes in space black and silver. While the M4 version is offered in a 14-inch model, the M4 Pro and M4 Max have 14-inch and 16-inch options. Also, the latter model starts with 16GB of memory and three Thunderbolt 4 parts, while the latter two are kitted out with Thunderbolt 5 for extra speed. 

While the Liquid Retina XDR displays remain from previous models, a new nano-texture display option that reduces glare has been introduced. Plus, the new MacBook Pro is now capable of showing SDR content at up to 1000 nits and HDR content at up to 1600 nits of peak brightness. With these two features combined, you’ll never have to worry about squinting or getting distracted from reflections even when working with your laptop while outdoors. Not to mention, it has the longest battery life ever seen in a Mac. A new 12MP Center Stage camera also debuts with this launch, delivering enhanced video quality (even in dimly lit rooms), Desk View support, studio-quality mics, Spatial Audio support, and a six-speaker sound system. 

MACBOOK PRO WITH M4

The MacBook Pro with M4 is fitted with a 10-core CPU and a 10-core GPU with the most advanced graphics architecture to date. With such inner workings, this model is up to 1.8 times faster than the previous M1 model. It can also support two high-resolution external displays and is equipped with three Thunderbolt 4 ports for connectivity as well as a powerful Neural Engine to support Apple Intelligence and other AI functions. 

MacBook Pro with M4 Pro

Any creative professional or game developer would benefit from the MacBook Pro with M4 Pro, with its speed and performance capabilities. With a 14-core CPU and 20-core GPU, this model is made for efficiency and power. It boasts a 75 percent increase in memory bandwidth compared to the previous generation and is also up to three times faster than models with M1 Pro. 

MacBook Pro with M4 Max

For the ultimate companion with power, speed, and battery life, the MacBook Pro with M4 Pro is the one to call on. Made with professionals like data scientists and 3D artists in mind, this model is made to push the limits and work in a way that only desktops could once upon a time. Powering the laptop is a 16-core CPU and 40-core GPU, making it the most advanced Mac we’ve ever seen. It also comes with over half a terabyte per second of unified memory bandwidth as well as a supercharged Neural Engine for on-device AI functions. 

Price: From RM6,999

Availability: Purchase online or at authorised retailers.

Find out more about the MacBook Pro with M4 here. 

APPLE IMAC WITH M4

Coming to you with the brand new M4 chip and Apple Intelligence capabilities, the latest iMac is here for your daily productivity needs. Thanks to its M4 power, the iMac arrives with up to 1.7x higher speeds and 2.1x faster efficiency for challenging workflows compared to the M1 model. Also arriving with this new iMac is a fresh lineup of colours: green, yellow, orange, pink, purple, and blue, in addition to the standard silver. Plus, they come with a colour-matched Magic Keyboard and Magic Mouse or optional Magic Trackpad to complete the look. 

Whether you’re an avid gamer, a business owner, graphic designer, data scientist, researcher, or accountant, the this new desktop supports all your needs from speed to graphics. Apple Intelligence also brings your experience with the iMac to the next level with features such as Writing Tools and Image Playground. The 4.5K Retina display is now available with a nano-texture glass option for your viewing with less reflections and glare. Addtionally, the new 12MP Center Stage brings dramatic new upgrades to your camera experience. Connectivity also comes with improvements thanks to the four USB-C ports with Thunderbolt 4 support and the ability to connect with up to two 6K external displays. 

Price: From RM5,799

Availability: Purchase online and at authorised retailers.

Find out more here. 

CANON EOS R1

Professional photographers—especially those in sport photography—looking for a new investment should look to Canon’s latest addition to its mirrorless EOS lineup. The EOS R1 is the flagship model of the camera maker’s full-frame mirrorless R-series. With it comes features such as Dual Pixel Intelligent AF, In-camera Upscaling, Neural Network Noise Reduction, and more. It also comes with the ability to shoot 6K 60p RAW footage or slo-mo (up to 5x slower) videos with 4K 120p resolution. A 24-megapixel back-illuminated stacked CMOS sensory is what drives the camera’s ability to capture the impressive 96-megapixel shots alongside the sensor’s improved light efficiency and readout. 

Moreover, the camera is also equipped with deep learning algorithms that analyse scenes for subject tracking and autofocus performance. With smarter subject detection comes a higher need for intelligence within the camera. That’s where the Accelerated Capture image processing system comes in with its unprecedented processing speed and power that back the camera’s AF capabilities and subject identification. For example, with the Action Priority AF mode, the camera can detect crucial actions during a sports game—such as shooting or passing—to capture a clear image of that split second moment. Coupled with the deep learning, the camera can automatically switch to the subjects performing these specific actions. Other highlights include Eye Control AF,  Wi-Fi 6/6E wireless connectivity, Custom Picture colour presets, and support for in-camera LUT applications—the latter two of which were only previously seen on Cinema EOS cameras. 

Price: RM29,999

Availability: To be launched soon on the Canon E-store, it’s official Shopee store or at authorised retailers. 

Visit its official website for more information.

NOTHING PHONE (2A) PLUS COMMUNITY EDITION

London-based technology company Nothing has revealed its first-ever co-created product, made with input from its most talented and devoted followers. The input of its audience touched just about everything on the phone, including hardware, wallpapers, packaging, and marketing, breaking down the walls between manufacturers and their users. After going through over 900 applications, five users were chosen to collaborate with the Nothing team and assigned to different stages of the production. Only 1,000 units of the phone were produced with just 25 of them being allocated to Malaysia’s market. 

The first stage, hardware design, took experimentation with materials for the exteriors of the phone. After rounds of trials, the team, including winners Astrid Vanhuyse and Kenta Akasaki,  landed on a green-tinted phosphorescent material finish that emits a gentle glow in dark surroundings. Next, the team worked on wallpaper design, using artificial intelligence and digital design to come up with the “Connected Collection”. Along with winner Andrés Mateos, the team designed a lineup of six wallpapers that stay true to the phone’s colour scheme.

Then, in stage three, Ian Henry Simmonds and the Nothing team collaborated on packaging design. They worked with a “Less is More” concept, featuring a super-macro crop of the phone’s camera. The box itself also comes with reflective elements to complement the phone’s glow in the dark design. Finally, Sonya Palma assisted on the phone’s marketing campaign with the concept “Find your light. Capture your light”. The collaboration came up with a suite of creative assets, including a film campaign, to support the phone’s launch. 

The phone was priced at RM1,999 but is currently sold out.

Find more information here. 

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