The most recent news creating a stir in the desktop terrain is the update of the Apple consumer desktop line. That’s right! An announcement from Apple now reveals that the company has a given a facelift to its popular iMac and Mac mini desktop family.
The highlight of the full-featured iMac desktop line is the introduction of a very affordable iMac. The family now packs in a 20-inch iMac that is powered by a 2.66 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor. The iMac also wraps in 2GB of 1066MHz DDR3 memory along with a 320GB Serial ATA hard drive and the NVIDIA GeForce 9400M built-in graphics.
The updated iMac series also includes a 24-inch iMac. Boasting of a beautiful 1920 x 1200 pixel resolution display, the iMac delivers a nearly 30% increased screen real estate as against the 20-inch model. The 24-inch iMac is bundled with 4 GB of 1066 MHz DDR3 memory along with a 640GB or 1TB Serial ATA hard drive.
Besides the 24-inch iMac is powered by a 3.06 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor and is powered by a wide array of graphics technology ranging from the NVIDIA GeForce 9400M integrated graphics to the NVIDIA GeForce GT 130 or ATI Radeon HD 4850 discrete graphics. The 24-inch iMac systems are available in 3 options- a 2.66 GHz iMac, a 2.93 GHz iMac and a 3.06 GHz iMac.
“Our flagship 24-inch iMac with twice the memory and twice the storage is now available for just $1,499,” mentioned 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.”
In addition to this, each iMac sports a glossy display with an integrated iSight video camera. Other features of the updated iMac line-up include built-in mic, speakers in a thin aluminum and glass design, a Mini DisplayPort connector for the 24-inch LED Cinema Display. With a built-in AirPort Extreme 802.11n Wi-Fi networking, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR; Gigabit Ethernet, six USB 2.0 ports and one FireWire 800 port, the family also supports DisplayPort, VGA, DVI and Dual-Link DVI displays.
Claiming to be the world’s most energy efficient desktop, the updated Mac mini consumes less than 13 watts of power in the idle mode. The innovative, tiny desktop measures only 6.5” x 6.5” x 2” in dimensions and is available in two models. The models mainly differ in terms of Serial ATA hard drive. While one model comes with a 120GB Serial ATA hard drive, the other sports a 320GB Serial ATA hard drive.
The Mac mini systems are now equipped with a 2 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor and supports up to 4GB of DDR3 1066 MHz memory. It also includes up to 320GB Serial ATA hard drive, five USB 2.0 ports, FireWire 800 and a SuperDrive with NVIDIA GeForce 9400M integrated graphics. The Mac mini also includes dual display support with Mini DisplayPort or DVI connections.
All model s in the iMac and Mac mini family are also packed with a Mac OS X Leopard, and iLife ’09 software. Being early adopters of the more stringent Energy Star 5.0 requirements, the systems also lower their impact on the environment. Apple has also revealed the incorporation of simultaneous 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz dual-band networking for optimal performance in its popular AirPort Extreme 802.11n Wi-Fi Base Station and Time Capsule.
The 2.66 GHz iMac, 2.93 GHz iMac and 3.06 GHz iMac are available now for an approximate price of $1,499, $1,799 and $2,199 respectively. The 20-inch iMac is shipping now for around $1,199. As for the 120GB Mac mini, it is available for $599 while the 320GB Mac mini sells for $799. Users can also purchase the Time Capsule which is available immediately in two models namely a 500GB model for $299 and a 1TB model for $499. The AirPort Extreme Base Station is also shipping now for a suggested retail price of $179.