Apple is finally bringing its iMac series of all-in-one desktops up to date with Intel's 2nd generation Core i processors, AMD Radeon HD graphics, and the fast Thunderbolt I/O port that made its debut on the MacBook Pros earlier this year. We recently received the latest 27-inch iMac and have the shots to prove it.
The same aluminum chassis hasn't changed, and Apple is still selling it in two different sizes: 21.5 inches and 27 inches. The smaller of the two supports a 1,920-by-1,080 HD resolution, while the 27-inch model has a 2,560-by-1,440 resolution screen. Neither are touch-screen PCs, as Apple has yet to succumb to the touch-screen craze that seems to have affected other manufacturers of all-in-one PCs these days. Above the screen is a built-in HD webcam, and Apple is throwing in its FaceTime software so users can now use the iMac to chat with their friends and family using iPad 2, iPhone 4, or iPod touch.
The addiition of the Thunderbolt interface is an exciting new feature. Thunderbolt has a claimed 10Gbps of data transfer speeds, which is twice as fast as the current USB 3.0 standard. But Thunderbolt-compatible devices have yet to make it into the mainstream. Various external hard drive manufacturers have come out saying that they intend to support the new interface, but it's likely they won't start rolling out till midsummer.
The base model for the iMac 21.5-inch will start at $1,199 and be configured with a 2.5-GHz quad-core Intel Core i5 processor, 4GB of RAM, a 500GB hard drive, and an AMD Radeon HD 6750M (512MB) GPU.
The 27-inch model's pricing will begin at $1,699 and will be configured with a 2.7-GHz quad-core Intel Core i5 processor, 4GB of RAM, a 1TB hard drive, and an AMD HD 6770M (512MB) GPU.
Before checkout, various components can be upgraded depending on your needs, but these iMacs are shaping up to be one for the media creationists and consumers.
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2384805,00.asp?kc=PCRSS03069TX1K0001121
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