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Speedier iMacs available

by Dave Caolo Apr 28th 2008 at 9:00AM

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!

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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,...
 

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brian

Just realized something: this iMac runs at 3.06 GHz, aka 3,060 MHz. Which is to say, 3 GHz plus 60 MHz. The first Mac that was officially "mine" at work was a 60 MHz PowerMac 6100. This iMac is exactly 3000 MHz faster. Or 51x the speed, whichever way you want to look at it. :-)

April 28 2008 at 9:44 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Catt

How about a Mini update? They have updated just about everything except the Mini perhaps they will drop the Mini :-(

April 28 2008 at 8:59 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
cody mauer

is it just me or is anyone mad that this happened? cause i got my imac 24inch black and silver one not to long ago and now they make them faster? but i cant do anything about it can i? im out of the return period and i cant call apple and be like well i want u to update mine for free :/

what can i do, please help me :[

April 28 2008 at 5:29 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to cody mauer's comment
Tom

This happens, I mean what do you expect to happen, you your self said that they won't do that, The technology industry is constantly changing, and tbh if you bought it then you obviously were happy with the value vs what you got, if they just replaced it your money may have gone further but you still have a up-to-date system, whats the big deal?

April 28 2008 at 7:04 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Rick

TUAW wrote: "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." You make it sound like all those things are a "bump." It's only a speed and memory bump. The previous version (the ones sold up until today) came standard with 320GB and an HD 2600 PRO with 256MB of memory.

April 28 2008 at 1:54 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
AC

Geez, and it's only Monday, . . . not Tuesday.

Maybe they'll update the Mini tomorrow.

April 28 2008 at 1:03 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Ian Littman

I'm pretty sure the iMac still has the TN panel. Looks like they didn't change much...

One quick question though: are these chips the "coming soon" next-gen procs we're all waiting for? In other words, will we be seeing these chips in notebooks soon? If so, I can breathe easier, knowing that when I get my next Dell (sorry people, I'm an Apple user, not a Mac fanboi) it'll have the faster proc in it. Sorry, can't afford a Macbook Pro...

As an owner of the 20" 2.4GHz iMac, which I quickly upgraded to 4GB of RAM, the speed bump between it and the new system is minor, 15% at most. The only thing that changed was the speed of the memory and the speedFSB of the processor. The 24" model, on the other hand...that's some serious computiing power; with the 8800 gfx card it's actually serviceable for decent gaming! As long as it doesn't overheat and degrade performance after a few hours of gaming like my 20" does...

One other question: does the older (20" 2.4) iMac support (i.e. actually use to a performance advantage) the 800MHz DDR2? DIMMs are dirt cheap right now and I could put my current memory into other computers, or sell it, etc. but I'm max'd out on capacity anyway so I would only do that if there was a performance benefit. Anyone?

April 28 2008 at 12:49 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
cckrobinson

I'm dying for a mini update. I'm personally on the fence about whether to buy a mini or an iMac. Does anyone know for sure that the new iMacs have TN panels? That's not the type of update that they would necessarily advertise.

April 28 2008 at 11:54 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Erik Haug

The RAM has decreased in price, but it has also increased in speed (800 vs. 667). I think apple finally realized it was ridiculous to pay $500 for 2 GB of additional RAM when macsales.com was undercutting them by ~$400

April 28 2008 at 11:32 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Orangepanda

The Swiss Apple-Shop just reduced the prices for the two versions of the Mac Mini. Delivery time is new two days (instead of 24 h). What does that mean? OP

April 28 2008 at 11:18 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
PECourtejoie

The price of the mini has changed in Europe: a 100 Euros reduction...

April 28 2008 at 11:01 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to PECourtejoie's comment
OlsonBW

Not here in the US. It's still $599 and $699.

April 28 2008 at 3:18 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
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