The latest announcement from Apple talks about updates to its iMac and Mac mini desktop range which includes an affordable 24-inch iMac and a Mac mini with remarkable graphics performance.
The 24-inch iMac comes equipped with a 30 percent larger display, double the memory and two times the storage at the same $1,499 price as that of the 20-inch iMac. While the updated Mac mini offers five times better graphics performance with the NVIDIA GeForce 9400M and energy efficiency by drawing less than 13 watts of power when idle. The new iMac and Mac mini systems run on Mac OS X Leopard and also incorporate Apple’s unparalleled suite of consumer applications, iLife ’09.
“Our flagship 24-inch iMac with twice the memory and twice the storage is now available for just $1,499,†said Tim Cook, Apple’s COO. “The Mac mini is not only our most affordable Mac, it’s also the world’s most energy efficient desktop computer.â€
Well, all the new upgraded Apple iMacs bundle up a slot-load 8x SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW), Mini DisplayPort for video output (adapters sold separately), built-in AirPort Extreme 802.11n wireless networking & Bluetooth 2.1+EDR, built-in iSight video camera, Gigabit Ethernet port, four USB 2.0 ports, a FireWire 800 port, built-in stereo speakers and microphone, Apple keyboard and Mighty mouse.
Let’s look at them one by one,
To begin with, the new 20-inch 2.66 GHz iMac sports a huge 20-inch widescreen LCD display and is powered by 2.66 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor with 6MB shared L2 cache. Some of its features are 2GB 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM expandable to 8GB, NVIDIA GeForce 9400M integrated graphics and 320GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 7200 rpm. It is retail priced at $1,199 (approx Rs. 62,140).
The new 24-inch 2.66 GHz iMac, as the name suggests packs in a 2.66 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor with 6MB shared L2 cache and a huge 24-inch widescreen LCD display. It also bundles up 4GB 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM expandable to 8GB, NVIDIA GeForce 9400M integrated graphics and 640GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 7200 rpm. It carries a retail price tag worth $1,499 (approx Rs. 77,688).
The next one is the 24-inch 2.93 GHz iMac retail priced at $1,799 (approx Rs. 93,269) and includes quality features such as 24-inch widescreen LCD display, 2.93 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor with 6MB shared L2 cache, 4GB 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM expandable to 8GB, NVIDIA GeForce GT 120; with 256MB GDDR3 SDRAM memory and 640GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 7200 rpm.
Powered by 3.06 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor with 6MB shared L2 cache, the new 24-inch 3.06 GHz iMac features 24-inch widescreen LCD display, 4GB 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM expandable to 8GB, NVIDIA GeForce GT 130; with 512MB GDDR3 memory and 1TB Serial ATA hard drive running at 7200 rpm. It is suggested at a retail price worth $2,199 (approx Rs. 113,966).
The iMac also offers build-to-order options and accessories such as up to 8GB DDR3 SDRAM, up to 1TB Serial ATA hard drive, a 3.06 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, NVIDIA GeForce GT 130 or ATI Radeon HD 4850 with 512MB GDDR3 memory on the 24-inch iMac while the 20-inch iMac lets you choose between up to 8GB DDR3 SDRAM and up to a 1TB Serial ATA hard drive.
Furthermore, it lets you choose among Apple Keyboard with numeric keypad, Apple Wireless Keyboard and Wireless Mighty Mouse, AirPort Express, AirPort Extreme Base Station, Time Capsule, Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter, Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI Adapter (for 30-inch DVI display), Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adapter, Apple USB Modem, Apple Remote, AppleCare Protection Plan and pre-installed iWork ’09, Logic Express 8, Final Cut Express 4 and Aperture 2.
Moving to the Mac Mini desktops, here are some of its common features which include a slot-load 8x SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW), NVIDIA GeForce 9400M integrated graphics, a Mini DisplayPort and mini-DVI for video output (adapters sold separately), built-in AirPort Extreme wireless networking & Bluetooth 2.1+EDR, Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000 BASE-T), five USB 2.0 ports, one FireWire 800 port and audio line in/audio line out ports that support both optical digital and analog.
They also come with several build-to-order options and accessories including a 2.26 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, up to 4GB DDR3 SDRAM, 80GB, 250GB or 320GB 5400 hard drives, LED Cinema Display, Apple Keyboard, Apple Keyboard with numeric keypad, Apple Wireless Keyboard and Wireless Mighty Mouse, AirPort Express, AirPort Extreme Base Station etc.
Lets begin with the new 2.0 GHz Mac mini that will cost you around $599 retail (approx Rs.31,043) and includes a 2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor with 3MB shared L2 cache, a 1GB of 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM expandable up to 4GB and 5400 rpm 120GB Serial ATA hard drive. While the 2.0 GHz Mac mini is expected at a retail price of $799 (approx Rs. 41,408) with 2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor with 3MB shared L2 cache, 2GB of 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM expandable up to 4GB and 5400 rpm 320GB Serial ATA hard drive.
The new iMac and Mac mini lines are now available via the Apple’s online Store, retail stores and authorized resellers.
