Can’t say we didn’t see this coming. It seemed like each day there was another random source or sign that Apple was preparing to update the iMac and Mac Pro. Well, most of the rumors were right. The changes aren’t really all that special and simply evolutionary in nature. Still, we’re not one to turn away new components.
The iMac now boasts Intel Core processes over the entire line. Gone are the Core 2 Duo in the bottom-tier slot. The base $1,199 iMac comes with a 3.06Ghz Core i3, 4GB of RAM, 512MB ATI Radeon HD 4670 and a 500GB 7200RPM Hard drive. The big daddy $1,999 iMac however sports a 27-inch 2560 x 1440 LED display, Quad-core i5 with an optional Quad-Core i7, 1GB ATI Radeon HD 5750 GPU, 4GB of RAM, and a 1TB hard drive. Noice.
The Mac Pro, however, can now be ordered with 12 processing cores. 12, kiddies! The Quad-Core Intel Xeon available in multiple different configurations and models will likely handle anything thrown at it. The rest is pretty standard with a bevy of connectivity options and more RAM than you could handle.
Interestingly enough, all the rumored new connectivity options are missing. There’s no mention about USB 3.0, Firewire 1600/3200 and of course no Blu-ray. Oh well. Maybe next time.

Read More →

I certainly don’t want to cause a panic, but EVERYBODY PANIC! APPLE DID SOMETHING!
Yes, new iMacs are here(http://www.apple.com/imac/). For prompt shipping, please send your wallet to…
Apple
1 Infinite Loop
Cupertino, CA 95014
…with a Post-It note saying “Send iMacs! Please! Hurry!”
In return, you’ll get one of the following:

21.5-inch iMac (MSRP of $1199)

• 21.5-inch LED backlit screen with 1920×1080 resolution (16:9)
• 3.06GHz Intel Core 2 Duo CPU
• 4GB of DDR3 RAM
• 500GB hard drive (7200RPM SATA)
• Slot-loading DVD burner
• NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics (256MB)
• Bluetooth, 802.11n, iSight webcam, Gigabit Etnernet, four USB ports, one Firewire port, SD card slot, mini DisplayPort for video output
• Wireless keyboard, Magic Mouse

21.5-inch iMac (MSRP of $1499)

• 21.5-inch LED backlit screen with 1920×1080 resolution (16:9)
• 3.06GHz Intel Core 2 Duo CPU
• 4GB of DDR3 RAM
• 1TB hard drive (7200RPM SATA)
• Slot-loading DVD burner
• ATI Radeon HD 4670 with 256MB discrete video memory
• Bluetooth, 802.11n, iSight webcam, Gigabit Etnernet, four USB ports, one Firewire port, SD card slot, mini DisplayPort for video output
• Wireless keyboard, Magic Mouse

27-inch iMac (MSRP of $1699)

• 27-inch LED backlit screen with 2560×1440 resolution (16:9)
• 3.06GHz Intel Core 2 Duo CPU
• 4GB of DDR3 RAM
• 1TB hard drive (7200RPM SATA)
• Slot-loading DVD burner
• ATI Radeon HD 4670 with 256MB discrete video memory (optional upgrade to 512MB ATI Radeon HD 4850 also available)
• Bluetooth, 802.11n, iSight webcam, Gigabit Etnernet, four USB ports, one Firewire port, SD card slot, mini DisplayPort for video output
• Wireless keyboard, Magic Mouse

27-inch iMac (MSRP of $1999 — available in November)

• 27-inch LED backlit screen with 2560×1440 resolution (16:9)
• 2.66GHz Intel Core i5 quad-core CPU
• 4GB of DDR3 RAM
• 1TB hard drive (7200RPM SATA)
• Slot-loading DVD burner
• ATI Radeon HD 4850 with 512MB discrete video memory
• Bluetooth, 802.11n, iSight webcam, Gigabit Etnernet, four USB ports, one Firewire port, SD card slot, mini DisplayPort for video output
• Wireless keyboard, Magic Mouse

Product Page [Apple.com]
iMac Store Page [store.apple.com]

Read More →

Smell that? Yeah, it’s the crisp smell of Sandy Bridge chips. The iMacs were starting to smell a bit stale with older Intel Core CPUs and low memory ATI graphic cards. Not anymore. Apple just rolled out the latest models and as expected, rock Intel’s latest i5 and i7 Core CPUs along with ThunderBolt I/O.
The base model 21.5-inch model no longer slums with a Core i3 CPU. The budget iMac now has a Core i5 and 4GB of RAM. Likewise, the Core i3 option is gone from the 27-inch model range as well as the whole model range are rocking at least new quad-core chipsets.

The iMac line is the next platform to rock Intel’s Thunderbolt I/O technology. The dual protocol chipset enables both DisplayPort and PCI Express devices to run simultaneously through a bidirectional pipeline running 10 Gbps each way. Like on the new MacBook Pros, this is done through an adapter and daisy chaining as the 21.5-inch iMac has one port with two on the 27-inch model.
FaceTime HD is now featured in the iMac line as well. It supports HD video calling between HD-enabled Macs and standard definition calling on the iPad 2, iPhone 4 and other Intel-based Macs.
Pricing starts out at $1199 for the 21.5-inch iMac with a 2.5GHz quad-core i5, AMD Radeon HD 6750M and 500GB. The base 27-incher rocks a 2.7 GHz quad-core Intel Core i5, AMD Radeon HD 6770M and 1TB hard drive for $1,699. Of course things can get a bit frisky once more expensive options are selected. Shipping today.

Apple Announces New iMac With Next Generation Quad-Core Processors, Graphics & Thunderbolt I/O Technology
CUPERTINO, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Apple® today updated its signature all-in-one iMac® with next generation quad-core processors, powerful new graphics, groundbreaking high-speed Thunderbolt I/O technology and a new FaceTime® HD camera. Starting at $1,199, the new iMac is up to 70 percent faster and new graphics deliver up to three times the performance of the previous generation.*
“Our customers love the iMac’s aluminum enclosure, gorgeous display and all-in-one design”
“Our customers love the iMac’s aluminum enclosure, gorgeous display and all-in-one design,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. “With next generation quad-core processors, powerful new graphics, Thunderbolt technology and a FaceTime HD camera, we’ve made the world’s best desktop even better.”
The new iMac features quad-core Intel Core i5 processors with an option for customers to choose Core i7 processors up to 3.4 GHz. These next generation processors feature an integrated memory controller for an amazingly responsive experience and a powerful new media engine for high-performance video encoding and decoding. With new AMD Radeon HD graphics processors, the new iMac has the most powerful graphics ever in an all-in-one desktop.
iMac is the first desktop computer on the market to include groundbreaking Thunderbolt I/O technology. The 21.5-inch iMac has a single Thunderbolt port while the 27-inch model features two ports for even greater expansion. Developed by Intel with collaboration from Apple, Thunderbolt enables expandability never before possible on an all-in-one computer. Featuring two bi-directional channels with transfer speeds up to an amazing 10Gbps each, Thunderbolt delivers PCI Express directly to external high performance peripherals such as RAID arrays, and can support FireWire® and USB consumer devices, and Gigabit Ethernet networks via adapters. Thunderbolt also supports DisplayPort for high resolution displays and works with existing adapters for HDMI, DVI and VGA displays. Freely available for implementation on systems, cables and devices, Thunderbolt technology is expected to be widely adopted as a new standard for high performance I/O.
iMac includes a built-in FaceTime HD camera and Apple’s innovative FaceTime software for crisp, widescreen video calling the whole family can enjoy. The new camera supports high definition video calls between all FaceTime HD-enabled Macs and standard resolution calls with iPad® 2, iPhone® 4, the current generation iPod touch® and other Intel-based Macs. The iMac continues to feature its signature aluminum and glass design, gorgeous IPS LED-backlit high resolution display, SD card slot and comes with Apple’s innovative Magic Mouse or Magic Trackpad.
Continuing Apple’s commitment to the environment, Apple’s desktop line is a leader in green design. The iMac meets stringent Energy Star 5.2 requirements and achieves EPEAT Gold rating.** iMac features LED-backlit displays that are mercury-free and made with arsenic-free glass. iMac uses PVC-free components and cables, contains no brominated flame retardants, uses highly recyclable materials and features material-efficient system and packaging designs.
Every Mac comes with Mac OS® X Snow Leopard®, the world’s most advanced operating system, and iLife®, Apple’s innovative suite of applications for creating and sharing great photos, movies and music. Snow Leopard builds on more than a decade of innovation and includes the Mac App Store℠ for finding great new apps for your Mac. iLife ’11 features iPhoto® with stunning full screen views for browsing, editing and sharing photos; iMovie® with powerful easy-to-use tools to transform home videos into fun theatrical trailers; and GarageBand® with new ways to improve your playing and create great sounding songs.
Pricing & Availability
The new iMac is available through the Apple Store® (www.apple.com), Apple’s retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers. The 21.5-inch iMac is available in two configurations: one with a 2.5 GHz quad-core Intel Core i5, AMD Radeon HD 6750M and 500GB hard drive for a suggested retail price of $1,199 (US); and one with a 2.7 GHz quad-core Intel Core i5, AMD Radeon HD 6770M and 1TB hard drive for a suggested retail price of $1,499 (US). The new 27-inch iMac is available in two models: one with a 2.7 GHz quad-core Intel Core i5, AMD Radeon HD 6770M and 1TB hard drive for a suggested retail price of $1,699 (US); and one with a 3.1 GHz quad-core Intel Core i5, AMD Radeon HD 6970M and 1TB hard drive for a suggested retail price of $1,999 (US).

---

Read More →