Guess Apple decided not to wait until September 12th to deliver its new iMacs. Apple just updated their web site with four new iMac models, including a huge 24″ model. All the new iMacs are up to 50% faster due to the fact that they now all have screaming fast Intel Core 2 Duo processors. The four models spec out like this: a 1.83 GHz and a 2.0 GHz 17-inch model, a 2.16 GHz 20-inch and the all-new 2.16 GHz 24-inch iMac. Prices start at USD$999.00 and they are shipping today through the Apple Store.
Update: As some astute listeners have pointed out, the top 3 iMac models now come with 1GB of RAM standard (Thank you Apple). Also the bottom of the line Intel Mac Mini received a quiet update too. The top model was bumped to a 1.83 GHz Core Duo and lower end model is now a 1.66GHz Core Duo processor instead of the Core Solo. Mac Mini pricing remains unchanged at USD$799.00 and USD$599.00 respectively.
Update too: Something important to note if you plan on buying the cheap 17-incher… it does not include the Apple Remote! If you plan on using it with FrontRow do yourself a favor and make sure you pick up the USD$29.00 remote when you make your purchase.
Awesome! I have a friend I’m trying to convince to buy an iMac. These new models and low price point may be just the thing to get him to do it. Yeah!
Now if only I could get one too. :-)
These are very beautiful machines, 24″ just blows my mind! For an iMac anyway! I bet behind it is probably filled with empty space behind it… or room for a load of hard disks like the Mac Pro :)
Adam, I’m sure you’re also pleased with the standard 1GB of RAM (except the very cheapest model) which is important. The cheapest iMac is sort of like the Educational one that was pulled in my opinion.
I think I’m due a new computer… :D
Holy moly batman! Those look slick.
Also… it seems the bottom of the line Mac Mini now has a Core Duo processor instead of the Core Solo
Looks like they addressed your pet peeve of offering 512 MB of RAM as the default – except for on the cheap model, which still offers that, all the others are 1 GB – they don’t even offer any less.
I just ordered the 24″!!!!!!!! :)
you lucky SOB!!!!!!
I just ordered the 24″ and upgraded to the 2.33Ghz processor, 2Gb RAM and a 500Gb drive, and Aperture preinstalled–my new digital darkroom! I CAN’T WAIT for it to be delivered!
I’m not very happy with these updates to the iMac line. iMacs should have a Conroe processor inside, not Merom. If Apple managed to put a G5 inside an iMac, why couldn’t they use a Core 2 Duo Desktop chip, which is anyway cooler?
That makes the iMac to fall in the category of “Mobile Computer”. It’s existence would not make sense now since there are Macbooks and MacBook Pros that can be considered as “All in One” computers too and must be updated with Merom.
There is now a gap in the desktop line between the Mac mini and the Mac Pro. Is Apple going to release a headlless Conroe Mac? I Hope so.
24″ iMac would be great with no chin, a Conroe processor and a black body, don’t you think so?
Mac mini updates are also not very exciting.
My order’s in. A completely maxed out 24″.
Yuri,
I think you forgetting that iMac is a consumer Mac and look at what Apple has to cram in that case. There is not a ton of room left for cooling. My G5 iMac is noisy as hell with it’s fans going most of the time. Plus the Merom is in no way a slouch of a processor.
What I’m really missing is the new “Mac”. The mini is too small (separate power brick, small notebook hard drives and only a single-link DVI output). The Mac Pro is too large and too expensive.
I’m looking for a nice white (aluminum?) cube to drive that awsome 30″ display (which also needs the iSight and Remote ASAP).
but how easy is it to uppgade it later.
but sure they are stylish, and I am so looking forward to the 12th.
Intel Core 2 Duo is the Conroe Desktop Processor!
Go to Intel and look it up.
Just noticed what might make my wife let me buy one…the VESA-mount adapter! Now available. Picture it – you’ve got the 24-inch display on the wall while you’re across the room with the bluetooth keyboard/mouse. Sweet.
Message to Albert – the marketing name ‘Intel Core 2 Duo’ is used to specify *both* the Conroe and Merom chips. In the case of the new iMac, it refers to the mobile varient of this chip, the Merom.
you forgot to mention that you can upgrade to a 2.33 GHz Model
Crikey, the 24″ is HUGE. Plus you get a 24 Watt Digital Amp instead of the usual 12 Watt…
These prices aren’t even the educational ones.. so if you can get that discount, the prices are even lower.
FYI. The older Core Duo 17″ iMac used a Radeon X1600graphics card with 128MB of dedicated video RAM while the new Core 2 Duo iMac uses an integrated Intel GMA 950 processor 64MB of RAM which it shares with the main memory. I don’t understand why Apple would upgrade the line accross the board but downgrade this feature.
Oh well, I’ve got my eye on the 24-inch model anyway.
The $1,199 17 inch iMac is an upgrade from the old model, I think the $999 iMac is the new eMac.
Tim, I can imagine mounting the 24″ iMac on the wall, then sitting across the room with the Bluetooth keyboard and mouse, and it would be terrible. Perhaps if you are only using Front Row would it be nice.
Adam, I don’t understand the complaint that the $999 iMac doesn’t come with the Front Row remote. The unit is $200 cheaper, and adding the remote is only $29, but at least you can add it. What I would be more concerned with are the things you can’t add to it at all like Bluetooth, the ATI video card, the extra 2MB of L2 cache or the Superdrive. If you add the Front Row remote and up the RAM to 1GB on the $999 model, you are only $100 away from the $1199 model and for that extra $100 you get Bluetooth, the ATI video card, the extra 2MB of L2 cache and the Superdrive.
The $999 iMac model is much like the Mac mini in that it is just not a very good deal compared to the $1199 iMac Go configure the $799 mini to get near the specs of a base $1199 iMac (nor forgetting the keyboard), and it is nearly the same price ($1152). The iMac then adds a 17″ screen, Core 2 Duo at 2 GHz vs Core Duo at 1.83GHz, and the ATI video.
If I do the same with the $599 mini to compare to the $999 iMac (which has more similar hardware), I get $927 for the mini and $1028 for the iMac (added the remote). Here, the mini is at a bit more of an advantage than before in price and you also get Bluetooth that you can’t get in the $999 iMac, but for $101 more you get the iMac with a 17″ screen and 1.83 GHz Core 2 Duo vs 1.66 GHz Core Duo.
The mini may be small, but you will still need a screen, and the iMac is only a shade bigger than most screens. Given that you can get an iMac with better specs and a screen for hardly any more money, the argument that you save money on the screen and keyboard seems worth $179 at best. So, the only other application would be for when you can’t have a big screen.
The thing that really kills the mini price-wise it when you BTO the specs higher. Adding things to the mini costs quite a bit. So, if you were to not need the extra upgrades, you make out better, but you’d better not have to spend too much on a display.
The main problem with the 1GB RAM is that Apple kinda screws you on it if you want to upgrade. The iMac only has two slots, and they put in two 512MB chips. So, to upgrade to 2GB, you have to throw out the entire 1 GB of original RAM… unless you pay Apple’s relatively steep price for pre-installed RAM. Apple should have made it so the 1GB was a single chip, allowing for a cheap and painless upgrade to 2GB buying from 3rd party dealers; that’d save you $50-$70. Instead, they more or less force you to buy your extra RAM from them.
Now I am convinced to buy Imac. Their designs are pretty sleek and appealing, aren’t day.