Apple Updates iMac

[admin]

Apple Updates iMac
Wednesday, September 6, 2006

Apple today announced that its entire iMac line now features the new Intel Core 2 Duo processor in every model, delivering up to 50 percent faster performance than the previous iMac. A new 24-inch iMac with a brilliant 24-inch widescreen display joins the 17- and 20-inch models, and iMac prices now start at just $999. Every new iMac includes a built-in iSight video camera for video conferencing out-of-the-box; Apple's breakthrough Front Row media experience; and iLife '06, the next generation of Apple's award-winning suite of digital lifestyle applications.

The new 24-inch 2.16 GHz iMac, for a suggested retail price of $1,999 (US), includes:
- 24-inch widescreen LCD display;
- 2.16 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor;
- 1GB of 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM expandable to 3GB;
- 8x SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD+R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW);
- PCI Express-based NVIDIA GeForce 7300 GT with 128MB GDDR3 memory;
- built-in iSight video camera;
- built-in AirPort Extreme 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 infrared Apple Remote, Mighty Mouse and Apple Keyboard.

The new 20-inch 2.16 GHz iMac, for a suggested retail price of $1,499 (US), includes:
- 20-inch widescreen LCD display;
- 2.16 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor;
- 1GB of 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM expandable to 3GB;
- 8x SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD+R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW);
- PCI Express-based ATI Radeon X1600 with 128MB GDDR3 memory;
- built-in iSight video camera;
- built-in AirPort Extreme 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 infrared Apple Remote, Mighty Mouse and Apple Keyboard.

The new 17-inch 2.0 GHz iMac, for a suggested retail price of $1,199 (US), includes:
- 17-inch widescreen LCD display;
- 2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor;
- 1GB of 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM expandable to 3GB;
- 8x SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD+R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW);
- PCI Express-based ATI Radeon X1600 with 128MB GDDR3 memory;
- built-in iSight video camera;
- built-in AirPort Extreme wireless networking & Bluetooth 2.0+EDR;
- 160GB 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 infrared Apple Remote, Mighty Mouse and Apple Keyboard.

The 17-inch 1.83 GHz iMac, for a suggested retail price of $999 (US), includes:
- 17-inch widescreen LCD display;
- 1.83 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor;
- 512MB of 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM expandable to 2GB;
- 24x Combo drive;
- Intel GMA 950 graphics;
- built-in iSight video camera;
- built-in AirPort Extreme wireless networking;
- 160GB 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
- Mighty Mouse and Apple Keyboard.



http://www.123macmini.com/news/story/524.html

[picaman]

The 24" iMac looks really, really good. In a year or so, it could replace the TV in my NYC apartment.



Jamie

[greg]

I really love my mini. And as much as I've always hated AIO designs...
I have to admit, for the first time, I'm really kinda wanting one of those 24" iMacs.
_________________
2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
2GB RAM
miniStack 500GB
Dell 1905FP
Logitech Wave Cordless Desktop

[Tenex]

Speaking as an iMac owner I can see the point of a larger iMac say the 20" but buying a 24" seems pointless. It's still only one monitor, I've found my extended desktop SO useful. I've just taken delivery of a 19" as the replacement extended desktop and can't wait for the DVI cable to arrive!
_________________
iMac intel CoreDuo 17" 1Gb
WD My Book Premium fw320Gb x2
Logitech S530, iPod Nano 2Gb

& a PPC Mini bought for my Mother

[Yvan256]

Weird to see the GMA950/64MB shared in the base 17" iMac.

As for the Mac mini CPU bump, not really surprised to see it's not Core 2 Duo.

Would it be better to buy a now-at-a-discount Core Solo Mac mini and put a Core 2 Duo in it?

[Tenex]

[jthawke]

A bit off topic as the mini refresh hasn't been posted here yet, but I've been waiting to see which direction Apple would be going with these models before making a move. I have a G4 mini with 20" display and wanted something a little "faster". I was hoping for the Core2Duo on these upgrades for the 64 bit support, and possibly a cap removal of the 64 MB VRAM but these are minor upgrades to say the least. The new iMacs are much better machines performance-wise, but that huge case and scary little iSight camera are just too much (imho). I have a buyer waiting for my setup . . . looks like I'll be pulling the trigger on a new mini and 23" display and then I'll have a great monitor to attach a new cpu when Apple gives us something smaller than a Hummer with some power.

[Tenex]

On reflection and assuming the new iMacs are significantly faster, I'm going to wait for the release of Leopard and iLife 07.
_________________
iMac intel CoreDuo 17" 1Gb
WD My Book Premium fw320Gb x2
Logitech S530, iPod Nano 2Gb

& a PPC Mini bought for my Mother

[greg]

[Doug Eldred]

Note that the base 17" iMac does NOT bundle the Apple Remote, as I -think- its predecessor did, but it's available via BTO or standalone.

Doug

[Tenex]

It didn't have a predecessor this is all new what with the GMA950. It's quite a shrewd move releasing the education product into the mass market. Hope that doesn't mean they didn't make enough education sales...!

You're right the last line up had remotes.
_________________
iMac intel CoreDuo 17" 1Gb
WD My Book Premium fw320Gb x2
Logitech S530, iPod Nano 2Gb

& a PPC Mini bought for my Mother

[Doug Eldred]

All but the base model still bundle the remote.

Doug

[SOCOMRAIDER]

So I take it that the September 12th event is going to be an all iPod thing? iPods and iTunes are definitely due for updates.
_________________

[JasF]

Gutted ......

I only purchased a 20" 3mnths ago!

The new 24" is only slightly higher priced than the original 20"

I supose we're back to the classic "when should you actually upgrade" as there is potentially something bigger & cooler around the corner.

Never mind, my iMac is still awesome
_________________
20" iMac Intel Core Duo
17" MacBook Pro Intel Core Duo
64GB iPad
16GB iPhone 3GS
40GB Apple TV (HD)
80GB iPod Video

[Doug Eldred]

There's ALWAYS going to be something newer, faster, cheaper, better coming down the road. It's annoying when a significant upgrade occurs RIGHT after you buy something, but it's a matter of when, not if. I suppose you could look at how "old" the current model is, or watch previous announcments and upgrades, but there's probably no "perfect" time to buy.

Maximizing the time you own something before it's no longer available is a Catch-22 - that basically means buying it as an early adopter, right after it's announced, and sometimes that has problems, too!

Be happy, you have a good iMac!

Doug