Tuesday, September 24th 2013
Apple Updates iMac
Apple today updated iMac with fourth generation Intel quad-core processors, new graphics, next generation Wi-Fi and faster PCIe flash storage options. The updated iMac brings the latest technology to the stunningly thin design and gorgeous display of the world's leading all-in-one desktop.
"iMac continues to be the example that proves how beautiful, fast and fun a desktop computer can be," said Philip Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. "Inside its ultra-thin aluminum enclosure, the new iMac has the latest Intel processors, faster graphics, next generation 802.11ac Wi-Fi and faster PCIe flash storage."
The entry-level 21.5-inch iMac features a 2.7 GHz quad-core Intel Core i5 processor and new Iris Pro graphics for unprecedented levels of integrated graphics performance. The high-end 21.5-inch model and both 27-inch models feature quad-core Intel Core i5 processors up to 3.4 GHz and NVIDIA GeForce 700 series graphics with twice the video memory and up to 40 percent faster performance than the previous generation. Customers looking for the ultimate in performance can upgrade to quad-core Intel Core i7 processors up to 3.5 GHz and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 780M series graphics with up to 4 GB of video memory.
iMac now supports next generation 802.11ac Wi-Fi. When connected to an 802.11ac base station, iMac delivers wireless performance that is up to three times faster than the previous generation.
The updated iMac now features support for PCIe-based flash storage that makes Fusion Drive and all-flash storage options up to 50 percent faster than the previous generation.* The popular Fusion Drive option combines the large storage capacity of a hard drive with the high performance of flash to deliver shorter boot times and faster access to apps and files. Customers can configure their iMac with a 1 TB or 3 TB Fusion Drive, and all-flash storage options are now available in configurations up to 1 TB.
iMac comes standard with 8 GB of memory and a 1 TB hard drive, and customers can choose to configure their iMac with up to 32 GB of memory and up to a 3 TB hard drive. iMac also comes with two Thunderbolt and four USB 3.0 ports for connecting to external storage and other high performance peripherals.
Continuing Apple's commitment to energy efficiency and the environment, iMac meets stringent Energy Star 5.2 requirements and achieves an EPEAT Gold rating. iMac features LED-backlit displays that are mercury-free and made with arsenic-free glass. iMac includes PVC-free components and cables, contains no brominated flame retardants, and uses highly recyclable materials and material-efficient packaging designs.
iMac ships with OS X Mountain Lion, bringing Messages, Notification Center, system-wide Sharing, AirPlay Mirroring, Dictation, Game Center and the enhanced security of Gatekeeper to your Mac. With iCloud built into the foundation of OS X, Mountain Lion makes it easier than ever to keep your content up to date across your Mac, iPhone, iPad and iPod touch.
Pricing & Availability
The new iMac is available today through the Apple Online Store (www.apple.com), Apple's retail stores and select Apple Authorized Resellers. The 21.5-inch iMac is available with a 2.7 GHz quad-core Intel Core i5 with Turbo Boost speeds up to 3.2 GHz and Intel Iris Pro for a suggested retail price of $1,299 (US); and with a 2.9 GHz quad-core Intel Core i5 with Turbo Boost speeds up to 3.6 GHz and NVIDIA GeForce GT 750M for a suggested retail price of $1,499 (US). The 27-inch iMac is available with a 3.2 GHz quad-core Intel Core i5 with Turbo Boost speeds up to 3.6 GHz and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 755M for a suggested retail price of $1,799 (US); and with a 3.4 GHz quad-core Intel Core i5 with Turbo Boost speeds up to 3.8 GHz and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 775M for a suggested retail price of $1,999 (US). Additional technical specifications, configure-to-order options and accessories are available online at www.apple.com/imac.
"iMac continues to be the example that proves how beautiful, fast and fun a desktop computer can be," said Philip Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. "Inside its ultra-thin aluminum enclosure, the new iMac has the latest Intel processors, faster graphics, next generation 802.11ac Wi-Fi and faster PCIe flash storage."
iMac now supports next generation 802.11ac Wi-Fi. When connected to an 802.11ac base station, iMac delivers wireless performance that is up to three times faster than the previous generation.
The updated iMac now features support for PCIe-based flash storage that makes Fusion Drive and all-flash storage options up to 50 percent faster than the previous generation.* The popular Fusion Drive option combines the large storage capacity of a hard drive with the high performance of flash to deliver shorter boot times and faster access to apps and files. Customers can configure their iMac with a 1 TB or 3 TB Fusion Drive, and all-flash storage options are now available in configurations up to 1 TB.
iMac comes standard with 8 GB of memory and a 1 TB hard drive, and customers can choose to configure their iMac with up to 32 GB of memory and up to a 3 TB hard drive. iMac also comes with two Thunderbolt and four USB 3.0 ports for connecting to external storage and other high performance peripherals.
Continuing Apple's commitment to energy efficiency and the environment, iMac meets stringent Energy Star 5.2 requirements and achieves an EPEAT Gold rating. iMac features LED-backlit displays that are mercury-free and made with arsenic-free glass. iMac includes PVC-free components and cables, contains no brominated flame retardants, and uses highly recyclable materials and material-efficient packaging designs.
iMac ships with OS X Mountain Lion, bringing Messages, Notification Center, system-wide Sharing, AirPlay Mirroring, Dictation, Game Center and the enhanced security of Gatekeeper to your Mac. With iCloud built into the foundation of OS X, Mountain Lion makes it easier than ever to keep your content up to date across your Mac, iPhone, iPad and iPod touch.
Pricing & Availability
The new iMac is available today through the Apple Online Store (www.apple.com), Apple's retail stores and select Apple Authorized Resellers. The 21.5-inch iMac is available with a 2.7 GHz quad-core Intel Core i5 with Turbo Boost speeds up to 3.2 GHz and Intel Iris Pro for a suggested retail price of $1,299 (US); and with a 2.9 GHz quad-core Intel Core i5 with Turbo Boost speeds up to 3.6 GHz and NVIDIA GeForce GT 750M for a suggested retail price of $1,499 (US). The 27-inch iMac is available with a 3.2 GHz quad-core Intel Core i5 with Turbo Boost speeds up to 3.6 GHz and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 755M for a suggested retail price of $1,799 (US); and with a 3.4 GHz quad-core Intel Core i5 with Turbo Boost speeds up to 3.8 GHz and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 775M for a suggested retail price of $1,999 (US). Additional technical specifications, configure-to-order options and accessories are available online at www.apple.com/imac.
31 Comments on Apple Updates iMac
I personally think other manufacturers should do better with AIOs, I haven't seen one which competes properly against iMac
i don't see myself buying an iMac any time soon but when my kids get older i could see us getting one for school work. ah hell, who am i kidding. they are each going to build their own desktop or not get one. :roll:
EDIT: On topic, AIO's is pretty much the only computer I recommend these days, in cases where they do not want laptops for whatever reason.
for office work and browsing they are perfect but gameing , music, and video editing you can do better ,my opinion's the same for most laptops.
Whenever someone says beautiful or similar, independent thinker that I am, my mind instantly kicks in and internally says "I'll be the @#&*ing judge of that!!!". Its done involuntarily and because of how subjective such things are not simply to be contrary.
Having said that, I don't disagree. There are a few things I would like to see change esthetically here and there though.
Thinness isn't something I covet to the point that it has been taken here though and I don't think it should be much of a selling point. The reason Apple design goals put so much emphasis on thinness is similar to why ancient civilizations like the Egyptians built on a massive scale. To show what they could do and because it was considered impressive. So some people consider thinness (or building on a smaller and smaller scale) to be impressive because they consider it to be an advancement. The key word there being "consider" as this is an idea.
I look at it more like a vapid teenager being late for school because she wanted to put on just the right outfit.
Having said that,.....its about time!
Sexy computer? Yes. But not revolutionary anymore. I'd love to see some more premium Windows 8 all in one PCs, with i5 or i7 CPUs, high quality SSDs, and high res (not lame 1080P) IPS displays.
The 780m will do most video games on ultra at a playable fps at 1080P (maybe a bit less than ultra at a higher resolution for some games)
If you need anything more on the cpu side you won't get much higher before going server grade
The gpu is good enough for anyone not obsessed with benchmarks and 120fps
Really while it is expensive it is specced well
Personally, I like apple products as I feel they're well made and have a lot of finesse. But, I would be loath to ever buy an imac. I'd actually prefer a larger (deeper) imac that could accommodate desktop graphics and full power desktop processors. Personally, I just feel the cooling for the iMacs is not good enough. In a laptop, fair enough, I can expect the processor to be hitting the 90s in terms of temperature. But in an AIO, I expect much better cooling, as I don't want my processor to be tapping out after just 2 years of hard work.
I also don't like that the base price has gone up £150 in just two years. Makes building a mini-ITX powerhouse a lot more appealing, and cases such as the Prodigy are equally as nice to look in my opinion.
640m has a average 3dmark gpu score of about 1730
HD5200 has an average 3dmark gpu score of about 1950