As expected, Apple today updated it’s best selling laptop, the MacBook Air, and its smallest Mac, the Mac Mini. In addition, the company released the latest version of its operating system, known as Mac OS X 10.7 Lion, for devices that are not iPhones, iPads or iPods.

The MacBook Airs now feature Intel i5 or i7 processors as well as better storage options, a Thunderbolt port and a backlit keyboard. The Mac Minis also feature i5 or i7, Thunderbolt and similar new specs bringing them in the line with the rest of Apple’s current hardware.

Here’s the specs on the new Mac computers:

• Mac mini Base model: 2.3GHz CPU with 2GB of RAM, and 500GB of storage
• Mac mini: 2.5GHz CPU with 4GB of RAM, and, 500GB of storage
• Mac mini server: 2.0GHz CPU, 4GB of RAM, and two 500GB hard drives
• MacBook Air 11″: Base model: 1.6GHz CPU, 2GB of RAM, and 64GB of storage
• MacBook Air 11″: 1.6GHz CPU, 4GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage
• MacBook Air 11″: Built to order model: 1.8GHz CPU, 4GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage
• MacBook Air 13″: Base model: 1.7GHz CPU, 4GB of RAM, 128GB of storage
• MacBook Air 13″: 1.7GHz CPU, 4GB of RAM, 256GB of storage
• MacBook Air 13″: Built to order: 1.8GHz CPU, 4GB of RAM, 256GB of storage

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With iPhone 4 pre-order frenzy in full effect at Apple and AT&T stores (and even taking AT&T’s order network down)another new item has quietly had a refresh. Today, Apple released a new version of its compact Mac the Mac Mini with a host of improvements and enhancements.

The new Mac Mini is made out of a solid chunk of aluminum and comes in two flavors:

Regular:
2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
2 GB RAM
320 GB hard drive
$699

Server:
2.66 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
4 GB RAM
Dual 500 GB hard drive
$999

Both models have been updated with NVIDIA GeForce 320M graphics, the same integrated GPU in the MacBook and MacBook Pro. They also sport a new HDMI port (finally) and the “Server” Mac Mini allows you the option to not have an optical drive in favor of an additional hard drive.

Apple has also made the Mini a bit easier to upgrade, at least in terms of adding more RAM. Instead of a completed procedure involving several kinds of tools and a trip to Home Depot, the new mac Mini has simple twist off panel on the bottom to allow for RAM upgrades. No word yet on if this makes it easier to upgrade the hard drive but since the new Mac Mini is available today, word on that should be coming shortly.

Apple announced new models of the iMac desktops and MacBook laptops earlier today, much to the joy of Apple enthusiasts everywhere. The new iMacs, according to TUAW, are changing from aluminum and polycarbon design to aluminum and edge-to-edge glass. They will come in 21.5 and 27-inch models, now with a 16:9 aspect ratio.

The 21.5-inch model will cost $1,199, with a step-up model at $1,499. The 27-incher will start at $1,699 and the higher end 27-inch with a Intel Core i5 quad-core processor will be $1,999. Important changes to the iMac models are the addition of an SD card slot and the ability to use the 27-inch iMac as a monitor.

Inside the iMac box, you’ll now find a wireless keyboard and the new Magic Mouse. The Magic Mouse is pretty cool, as it functions similar to the MacBook Pro touch pad with touch sensitive capabilities and accelerated scrolling. For $16 extra, you’ll also get an aluminum Apple Remote.

Apple’s new MacBook laptop is rounder and sleeker at 1.08 inches thick and weighing in at 4.7 pounds. Now sporting a glass trackpad like the Macbook Pros, the MacBook also features a seven hour battery life, an LED-backlit screen, backlit keyboard, and SD card slot.  Despite these upgrades, Apple is still keeping the Macbook, with a 2.26Ghz processor and 2 GB of RAM, at $999.

Apple also refreshed its Mac mini line to include more memory, larger hard drives and with a special “Server” version featuring dual 500GB hard drives and Snow Leopard Server. All of these models will be available today except for the 27-inch i5 quad-core iMac, which will ship in November.

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