Apple Unveils New iMac

[Jimmy 2004]

Apple today unveiled an all new all-in-one iMac line featuring gorgeous 20- and 24-inch widescreen displays encased in elegant and professional aluminum and glass enclosures. The entire new iMac line features the latest Intel Core 2 Duo processors and a new, ultra-thin aluminum Apple Keyboard, built-in iSight video camera for video conferencing and iLife '08, making it the ultimate digital lifestyle desktop computer for both consumers and professionals. The 20-inch iMac now starts at just $1,199, $300 less than the previous 20-inch model, and the 24-inch iMac starts at just $1,799, $200 less than the previous 24-inch model.

"This new iMac is the most incredible desktop computer we've ever made," said Steve Jobs, Apple's CEO. "Our new design features the innovative use of materials, including professional-grade aluminum and glass, that are highly recyclable."

Redefining Apple's signature all-in-one design, the new iMac integrates the entire computer system into a sleek, professional aluminum enclosure for a striking, clutter-free desktop. An elegant glass cover joins precisely to the aluminum enclosure creating a virtually seamless front surface. The new iMac's 20- and 24-inch glossy widescreen displays provide incredibly crisp images, ideal for photos and movies using the all new iLife '08 suite of digital lifestyle applications that are included. The new ultra-thin aluminum Apple Keyboard is just 0.33 inches thin at its front edge. A new optional Apple Wireless Keyboard is a compact design that, with Apple's wireless Mighty Mouse, offers a cable-free desktop.

Packing professional performance into the convenience of an all-in-one design, the new iMac includes the latest Intel Core 2 Duo processors running up to 2.8 GHz with 4MB of shared L2 cache and up to 4GB of 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM memory. The iMac line features ATI's next generation of graphics with the ATI Radeon HD 2600 PRO with 256MB of GDDR3 memory and the ATI Radeon HD 2400 XT with 128MB of GDDR3 memory. The new iMac now offers up to 1TB of internal storage to accommodate a user's growing library of digital photos, movies and music.

Providing the latest in high-performance connectivity options to quickly and conveniently transfer digital photos, music and video, the iMac includes built-in AirPort Extreme 802.11n Wi-Fi networking, delivering up to five times the performance and twice the range of 802.11g;* Gigabit Ethernet; a total of five USB 2.0 ports (including two on the new Apple Keyboard); and one FireWire 400 and one FireWire 800 port.

The new iMac, with its stunning design, features highly recyclable and durable materials including scratch-resistant glass and professional grade aluminum. The power-efficient iMac also meets the stringent new Energy Star 4.0 requirements.

Every iMac also includes iLife '08, the most significant update ever to Apple's award-winning suite of digital lifestyle applications, featuring a major new version of iPhoto and a completely reinvented iMovie, both seamlessly integrated with the new .Mac Web Gallery for online photo and video sharing. The new iMac also comes with the world's most advanced operating system, Mac OS X version 10.4.10 Tiger, including Safari, Mail, iCal, iChat AV, Front Row and Photo Booth.

Pricing & Availability

The new iMac line is available immediately through the Apple Store (www.apple.com), Apple's retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers. The new Apple Wireless Keyboard will ship by the end of August and will be available as a build-to-order option with the new iMac through the Apple Store (www.apple.com) for a suggested retail price of $30 (US), or $50 (US) when purchased along with the wireless Mighty Mouse, and as a standalone purchase for a suggested retail price of $79 (US) through the Apple Store (www.apple.com), Apple's retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers.

The new 20-inch 2.0 GHz iMac, for a suggested retail price of $1,199 (US), includes:

• 20-inch widescreen LCD display;
• 2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor;
• 1GB of 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM expandable to 4GB;
• a slot-load 8x SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW);
• ATI Radeon HD 2400 XT with 128MB GDDR3 memory;
• built-in iSight video camera;
• built-in AirPort Extreme 802.11n wireless networking & Bluetooth 2.0+EDR;
• 250GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 7200 rpm;
• mini-DVI out (adapters for DVI, VGA and Composite/S-Video sold separately);
• built-in stereo speakers and microphone; and
• the new Apple Keyboard, Mighty Mouse and infrared Apple Remote.

The new 20-inch 2.4 GHz iMac, for a suggested retail price of $1,499 (US), includes:

• 20-inch widescreen LCD display;
• 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor;
• 1GB of 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM expandable to 4GB;
• a slot-load 8x SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW);
• ATI Radeon HD 2600 PRO with 256MB GDDR3 memory;
• built-in iSight video camera;
• built-in AirPort Extreme 802.11n wireless networking & Bluetooth 2.0+EDR;
• 320GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 7200 rpm;
• mini-DVI out (adapters for DVI, VGA and Composite/S-Video sold separately);
• built-in stereo speakers and microphone; and
• the new Apple Keyboard, Mighty Mouse and infrared Apple Remote.

The new 24-inch 2.4 GHz iMac, for a suggested retail price of $1,799 (US), includes:

• 24-inch widescreen LCD display;
• 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor;
• 1GB of 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM expandable to 4GB;
• a slot-load 8x SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW);
• ATI Radeon HD 2600 PRO with 256MB GDDR3 memory;
• built-in iSight video camera;
• built-in AirPort Extreme 802.11n wireless networking & Bluetooth 2.0+EDR;
• 320GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 7200 rpm;
• mini-DVI out (adapters for DVI, VGA and Composite/S-Video sold separately);
• built-in stereo speakers and microphone; and
• the new Apple Keyboard, Mighty Mouse and infrared Apple Remote.

Build-to-order options and accessories include: a 2.8 GHz Intel Core 2 Extreme processor, up to 4GB DDR2 SDRAM and up to a 1TB Serial ATA hard drive on the 24-inch iMac; up to 4GB DDR2 SDRAM and up to 750GB Serial ATA hard drive on the 2.4 GHz 20-inch iMac; and up to 4GB of DDR2 SDRAM and up to 500GB Serial ATA hard drive on the 2.0 GHz 20-inch iMac. Additional options include: new Apple Wireless Keyboard and wireless Mighty Mouse; AirPort Express and AirPort Extreme Base Station (now with Gigabit Ethernet); the AppleCare Protection Plan; and pre-installed copies of iWork '08, Logic Express 7, Final Cut Express HD 3.5 and Aperture 1.5.


*AirPort Extreme is based on an IEEE 802.11n draft specification. Actual performance will vary based on range, connection rate, site conditions, size of network and other factors. iChat AV and video-conferencing require broadband Internet connection; fees may apply.

Apple ignited the personal computer revolution in the 1970s with the Apple II and reinvented the personal computer in the 1980s with the Macintosh. Today, Apple continues to lead the industry in innovation with its award-winning computers, OS X operating system and iLife and professional applications. Apple is also spearheading the digital media revolution with its iPod portable music and video players and iTunes online store, and has entered the mobile phone market this year with its revolutionary iPhone.

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[WarEagleAU]

Looks like Apple is starting to put out alot of quality products with good specs and looks.

all it took was going to an x86 proc

 

[ChaoticBlankness]

Looks like Apple is starting to put out allot of quality products with good specs and looks.

all it took was going to an x86 proc

iMacs are sexy, but overpriced and "difficult" to upgrade. If Apple made a low cost Athlon X2 based mac mini I would buy one... or two. (can anyone say Counter Strike/Web Server?)

If Apple released OSX for the "PC" I would buy it. However, I don't see my self getting an iMac anytime soon.. poppa likes to build.

Edit: Yes I know you can install OSX on "PC", there's a community behind that.. I'd just prefer to do it without breaking EULA.

 

[jocksteeluk]

why does apple couple top class screens with low end vga chips? doing so makes the high price of the imac stick out like a sore thumb.

 

[a111087]

iI iWill iNever iBuy iThis iCrap i

 

[kwchang007]

iI iWill iNever iBuy iThis iCrap i

Like those i's? lol

On another note, no pics? Best part about macs are how they look.

 

[a111087]

No kidding, I was seriously considering buying a Mac (mainly because of looks), but when I saw how overpriced they are(probably because of looks)...
I could buy a good gaming PC for that price.

 

[ChaoticBlankness]

why does apple couple top class screens with low end vga chips? doing so makes the high price of the imac stick out like a sore thumb.

I hear that man, now if they were cheaper and I could add an 8800GTS then I would buy one... but hell there isn't any room in those things for a nice GPU.

Nice GPUs require decent cooling, iMac (which are very then these days) can't provide that cooling apparently.

 

[selway89]

Hmm well looks like they have a nice deal with AMD/ATi which makes me happy, nice to see they will help AMD abit more with money issues.

I dont like the iMacs mainly due to the large bezel around the screen; i know theres a computer behind it but id prefer a Mac Pro with the nice towers, again way over priced as usual.

 

[Ravenas]

Awesome, I like Apple laptops for the most part though.

 

[Wile E]

How are these overpriced? Find me an all-in-one PC that's as powerful, and has the same features for less. You can't.

And don't try to compare them to something that isn't all-in-one. That's not an even comparison.

Back on topic: I was wondering how long before they went to the brushed look.

 

[mdm-adph]

why does apple couple top class screens with low end vga chips? doing so makes the high price of the imac stick out like a sore thumb.

Since most professional graphic artists use Macs, and you generally need high-powered graphics to run video-editing and 3D-modeling and such, Apple forces professionals to buy its more expensive computers.

 

[Nicholson]

Since most professional graphic artists use Macs, and you generally need high-powered graphics to run video-editing and 3D-modeling and such, Apple forces professionals to buy its more expensive computers.

Not true my 3.5 year old emac with a radeon 9200 can run cinema 4D, CS3, Final Cut Studio (1 not 2). It wont run aperture but runs the better Adobe Lightroom perfectly. All Apple apps will work on the new iMacs so will every other application. The old lowest end iMac (with intergrated intel graphics) only wouldn't run final cut studio 2 (same goes for Macbooks and Mac minis).

Oh and I'm saving up for one of these new iMacs. God there beautiful.

 

[Ravenas]

Since most professional graphic artists use Macs, and you generally need high-powered graphics to run video-editing and 3D-modeling and such, Apple forces professionals to buy its more expensive computers.

Professional users require professional computers.