18 Sep 2003 13:25
Apple has announced new-and-improved iMacs. Still available in 15in. and 17in. sizes at the same base prices of £999 and £1,449 (inc. VAT), respectively, the new iMacs boast faster processors, speedier memory, better graphics and USB 2.0 ports.
The new 17in. iMac's processor accelerates from 1GHz to 1.25GHz. The 15in. iMac, like all little siblings, gets the hand-me-down 1GHz processor -- which is still an improvement upon its old 800MHz chip. Both models ramp from 266MHz DDR SDRAM to 333MHz memory. Additionally, the 17in. iMac receives a graphics upgrade in the form of Nvidia's 64MB GeForce FX 5200 Ultra card. And after clamouring for it for years, Mac fans get USB 2.0.
Alhough larger hard drives are available as upgrades, the standard hard drive size remains 80GB for both models. Also, iMacs still use FireWire 400 instead of the speedier FireWire 800 that Power Macs enjoy.
Although the changes to the iMac amount to only a few bumps in speed, you're still getting more for the same old price -- always good news for consumers.
Story URL: http://reviews.zdnet.co.uk/hardware/desktops/0,1000000968,39116408,00.htmCopyright © 1995-2008 CNET Networks, Inc. All rights reserved
ZDNET is a registered service mark of CNET Networks, Inc. ZDNET Logo is a service mark of CNET Networks, Inc.