Apple sped up its iMac line on Tuesday, adding faster processors and graphics chips along with its just-released Mac OS X Tiger operating system.
The new models, which have the same design as previous G5 iMacs, also feature gigabit Ethernet, Bluetooth and 802.11g wireless networking. The all-in-one desktops also offer improved graphics power with the addition of the ATI Radeon 9600 graphics processor and 128MB of video memory.
"Reviewers have called the iMac G5 'the most elegant desktop computer in the world' and now it's getting even better," Apple senior vice-president Phil Schiller said in a statement. "With a faster processor, built-in wireless networking, Tiger and iLife '05, the new iMac G5 offers the best consumer desktop computing experience in the world."
The iMac continues to come in three models. The £899 entry-level version features a 1.8GHz chip, a 17-inch wide-screen display, 512MB of memory, a 160GB hard drive and a combo drive that can burn CDs and play DVDs.
The £999 midrange model also has a 17-inch screen and similar size hard drive and memory, but adds a 2GHz processor and a SuperDrive that can burn both CDs and DVDs. The SuperDrive boasts an improved 8x speed over prior Apple models and also has support for double-layer discs.
The high-end model sells for £1,199.01 and offers a 20-inch screen and a 250GB hard drive.
All of the new models come with Apple's iLife '05 multimedia software suite, as well as with the Tiger OS, which went on sale on Friday.
Apple introduced the first G5 iMacs in August, following a delay as the company switched from the prior desk-lamp style G4 iMac.
Apple also updated its eMac all-in-one on Tuesday to include a faster 1.42GHz chip along with Tiger. A model with 256MB of memory, an 80GB hard disk and combo drive sells for £549. The £679 version comes with 512MB of memory, a 160GB hard disk and an 8X SuperDrive.
Talkback
I feel concern about the name "eMac". It looks like Emacs too much. Does Richard Stallman have something to say about that?
Do you know how many books a school can buy for a grand!
Here in Dundee, the art college (DoJ) was aquasitioned by Dundee Uni, they chopped and chaged everything. Trimming off all the courses that made it an art course, what did they spend the money on... well they wasted it on comouters. I would like to say this, all Digital and Animated art from the Duncan of Jordanstone is SHIT and the money should be put into real subjects that make an artist like sculpture and life drawing.
Computers are there for the fools that think they will make a difference, don't kid yourself. I never bother visiting the digital section because every time I have done, and some of the fleeting images floated about I wouldn't burn for heat.
Of course this is my impression.