Speedier iMacs available
The online Apple Store was down for a time today, and returned with speedier iMacs.The two 20" models are at 2.4GHz and 2.6GHz, respectively. The former features 1GB memory, 250GB hard drive, 8x double-layer SuperDrive and a ATI Radeon HD 2400 XT with 128MB memory, while the later bumps the standard memory to 2GB, the drive to 320GB and the video card to a ATI Radeon HD 2600 PRO with 256MB memory (priced at $1199US and $1499US). You can also get a 750GB hard drive as an option on the higher-end 20" model (the entry-level maxes out with a 500GB BTO drive).
Here's where it actually gets interesting. The top-of-the-line 24" model features a 3.06GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 2GB memory standard, a 500GB hard drive, an 8x double-layer SuperDrive and a NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GS with 512MB memory.
RAM maxes out at 4GB on that machine, and additional hard drive options (for both 24" models) are 750GB and 1TB. The starting price is $2199US.
Its slightly less brawny sibling offers a 2.8GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 2GB memory standard, 320GB hard drive (500/750/1TB options), 8x double-layer SuperDrive and an ATI Radeon HD 2600 PRO with 256MB memory for $1799US. All models include both a FireWire 400 and 800 port standard and 3 USB ports.
If you've been holding off on buying an iMac, now is the time to flip the switch.
Thanks to everyone who sent this in!
![TUAW [Cafepress]](http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.tuaw.com/media/tuaw-cafepress-promo.png)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
jordan said 9:21AM on 4-28-2008
great update...has anyone realized that apple is only charging $200 dollars more for 4GB instead of 2GB. Are the days gone of $750 dollar upgrades?
Jordan
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JohnPQ said 9:22AM on 4-28-2008
Meh.. I hope they update the Mac mini soon.
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Peter Elias said 9:29AM on 4-28-2008
*whistling away*
Hmm, I already have a monitor and a keyboard, and I'd really like a nice little slightly expandable mini-tower. Apple just doesn't seem to care about me, and the hundreds of thousands like me. Thanks, Apple.
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Ryan Trevisol said 9:37AM on 4-28-2008
This is why Apple will never offer a mid-tower:
http://images.apple.com/imac/design/images/gallery/imac_5_20071026.jpg
They claim to have moved past that.
Whatever.
I wanted a Mac Mini spec bump. Damn you, Steve, for making me want an iMac.
Rodan said 9:48AM on 4-28-2008
Ryan, I think I may have seen that image of the iMac compared to a Dell tower. Yeah, I'm sure Apple couldn't do any better than Dell in that regard. Never mind that the Dell appears to have a significant number of off-screen peripherals hooked up to it......and ITS A DELL!
Geez, Apple, I can handle the horrific aesthetic detraction of one extra cable going from my monitor to my tower, and one power cable. Heck, build a power outlet into the tower, and send me some tubing so I can run them together to the tower. Apple, that could be your next big thing: cable tubing in the package with your new mini-tower.
Rich said 1:46PM on 4-28-2008
Re: the Dell pic... There are no offscreen peripherals. From the back of the tower, you have (in no particular order):
- power cord
- audio running to monitor
- keyboard
- mouse
- webcam
- monitor
- whatever that thing is on top of the tower (wifi?)
Just FYI.
TIm said 10:23PM on 4-28-2008
It was called ADC, dead in favor of standard DVI. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_Display_Connector Learn your apple history
Lachy said 9:27AM on 4-28-2008
http://digg.com/apple/New_Imacs_4 dugg!
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George F said 9:28AM on 4-28-2008
Also, prices for the refurbished iMacs were reduced:
20" 2.0GHz (was $999): $949
20" 2.4GHz (was $1249): $1099
24" 2.4GHz (was $1499): $1399
24" 2.8GHz (was $1899): $1599
( from http://www.Apple-Discounts.com )
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Mike said 9:41AM on 4-28-2008
It's very disappointing to see that Apple continues to use the TN panels in 20" iMacs. These are the panels that provide extremely inferior picture, with colour inconsistency, washed out screen and only 277k colours, despite Apple stating "Millions of colours" on their website.
http://www.silvermac.com/2007/imac-colours-washed-out/
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Ingersoll said 9:54AM on 4-28-2008
Damn! Still with the inferior panels?
h8rain said 9:42AM on 4-28-2008
All right for the good video card.
FAIL for making only available on the 24" and the dang price is $1949 minimum for it......
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h8rain said 9:48AM on 4-28-2008
rrrrr (finishing comments)
My MBP got surged about a month or so ago, so I have been waiting for the update for a new PC (I leave my MBP hooked up to a monitor most of the time). I am just sorely disappointed again like I was with the MBP update. I was not expecting a new design (I like the current one), but I was not expecting the EXACT same video cards included (the ones included the 20" models only got a CPU bump and the $1500 one, comes with 2gb RAM.....). If you want the good video card, then you are *forced* to get the 24" model, where before you could get the 20" and the good video card.
Fail Apple....... (And I am a huge Apple fan)
STrRedWolf said 9:45AM on 4-28-2008
Didn't the older iMacs start with Intel graphics? Or am I talking about the current MacBooks?
Ether way, that's compelling.
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Sabon said 1:36PM on 4-28-2008
You are correct. They did used to start with integrated graphics. Good to see they have a dedicated video card.
Jonas Carlsson said 9:50AM on 4-28-2008
Any ideas if it will be possible to put this new 8800 card in the previous 24" 2.8 GHz iMac?
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Lee said 10:03AM on 4-28-2008
Hells yes iMac! I was waiting for a new design to the MacBooks this summer, but this is really tempting.
And yeah, can anyone else confirm that the memory upgrades seem to have fallen into a very reasonable range?
From 1 GB to 2 GB is only $100 more
From 2 GB to 4 GB is $200 more. So you pay $100 per GB. Certainly could install it yourself for a bit cheaper, but this is significantly better memory pricing than before, is it not? :)
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BeyondtheTech said 1:55PM on 4-28-2008
I picked up a 3rd-party brand 4GB kit (2x2GB) PC2 6400 SO-DIMM for $85, so that should be a lot better on the wallet than what Apple is charging to put in there, and it's pretty simple to install (from the bottom).
noza said 10:10AM on 4-28-2008
Been looking for something to replace my PM G5, and I don't really want to pony up almost $3K for a Mac Pro (don't need that much computer anyway). The new high-end 3.06GHz iMac looks like it will fit the bill nicely, and I can save a little by getting the old GPU.
Given that the only video games that I play are on consoles, I really couldn't care less about the new video card...
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Quix said 10:11AM on 4-28-2008
It's shameful that you still have to drop $2,000 to get halfway-acceptable 3D performance on a Mac.
Sad, Apple, truly sad.
I miss the days of the sub-$1,500 Power Mac.
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