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Apple Intros Thinner iMac With Built-In iSight, More
by , 2:35 PM EDT, October 12th, 2005
In addition to taking the wraps off the long-awaited video iPod, Apple on Wednesday introduced a thinner iMac that features a built-in iSight camera and a new application called Photo Booth, which uses the iSight to snap shots and manipulate them with Photoshop-like effects. The company said that the new iMac is up to half an inch thinner and 15% lighter than its predecessor.
The new computer also comes with an iPod shuffle-like remote control that interfaces with it through software called Front Row, enabling users to watch videos, slideshows and more from up to 30 feet away. iTunes 6, which Apple also debuted on Wednesday, allows users to purchase not only music videos but also Pixar short films and episodes from such TV shows as Lost and Desperate Housewives, all of which can be watched on a computer in addition to the new video iPod.
Apple also bumped up the speed of the new iMacs, which will be available next week. The low end 17-inch, US$1,299 model features a 1.9GHz processor with a 633MHz frontside bus and 512K of L2 cache. It ships with 512MB of DDR2 SDRAM, an 8X Double-Layer SuperDrive, a 160GB hard drive, an ATI Raden X600 Pro video card with 128MB DDR RAM and built-in AirPort Extreme and Bluetooth 2.0+EDR wireless connectivity. Apple's new Mighty Mouse is also now standard issue.
The high end $1,699 model differs by offering a 2.1GHz processor, a 20-inch display and a 250GB hard drive. Build-to-order options in both new iMacs include up to 2.5GB of RAM, 250GB and 500GB hard drives and the Apple Wireless Keyboard and Mouse.
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Observer Comments
Wed Oct 12, 2005 2:50 pm Subject: FrontRow & PhotoBooth?
Wed Oct 12, 2005 2:54 pm Subject: Glad I waited
I have recently been considering replacing my PowerMac G4 MDD and thought that an iMac would more than fill the bill for what I do. This new model sounds exciting and I am anxious to give it a try.
Last week I had some trouble with kernal panics and freezes. I couldn't repair the disk so I backed up data, reformatted the drive and reinstalled Tiger. It seems fine now so I may wait a bit more and see what shakes out in the way of new PowerMacs. I could always work on one of the iBooks if my PowerMac bites the dust. I want a new Mac more than I need one, besides the prices of necessities is going up
You all have a good day.
I noted that the consumer eMac appears to have quietly bit the dust. It doesn't appear on the main Store page, or on the Hardware page under "Desktops" any more but only under "Education," and the "Choose a Mac" lineup at the top of the iMac and Mac mini pages no longer includes it either. Did this happen before today, and I just didn't notice it? Actually, I just checked the Education store and I couldn't find it there either. The page at www.apple.com/emac still exists, though I couldn't seem to get the "Buy Now" button to take me anywhere except to the front page of the online store.
Wed Oct 12, 2005 3:09 pm Subject: Yeah - that remote...
Doesn't make sense for it to be IR, with BT built into the iMac. Maybe the black cap is just for familiarity's sake? I can't find any info on the Apple site, but as someone who just bought a 20" iMac three months ago, I would very much liek to know if Frotrow and the remote will be compatible with my newly lame iMac.
P.S. The internal modem was just taking up valuable space. Good riddance.
Wed Oct 12, 2005 4:00 pm Subject: Here's Your Waste!
Yeah, well bully for you! It's people like you - and YOU in particular - who made my 2.0 Ghz iMac so fat and unattractive! If YOUR KIND hadn't INSISTED on that useless modem appendage being included, perhaps my iMac wouldn't be so disgusting to look at. I'm ashamed to even touch its keyboard some days...
QuoteGuest wrote:QuoteBilly K wrote:
P.S. The internal modem was just taking up valuable space. Good riddance.
Hey! I use the internal modem to fax out. It's easier and less wasteful than:
1. Print out documents with expensive inkjet ink
2. Stick documents in fax machine and hope it doesn't screw up the paper feed
3. Recycle the now useless sheets of paper
QuoteGuest wrote:
Just missing Small White Car who I thought would show up in view of this special event. Haven't seen any comments from him for some time.
I was on a business trip in Buffalo NY today, sadly. I've just now gotten home and I have to say I'm impressed.
There sure is a LOT to take in, isn't there? My biggest thought is that the iMac is quickly becoming Apple's favorite computer, it seems. It keeps getting better and better, much faster than their other offerings.
Of all the things that are being dropped, iPod firewire, modems...it seems there is an advantage to doing so in terms of size so I agree with those choices. USB 2 and external USB modems are options for most people so not too many people should be left out in the cold by these moves.
The video iPod looks cool but I don't know that I'll care until you can
1) Buy movies online and not just TV shows
2) Store larger resolution files on the iPod and play them onto the TV
It will probably be a couple of years before you could load 5 or 6 HD movies on an iPod and play them on your TV, but that's what I'm really waiting for. I'll probably take advantage of these new iPods to buy a (now cheaper!) Photo iPod. I imagine I'd show photos from my iPod more than I'd want to watch "Lost" on it.
But I'm glad they're heading that direction, this is the first step. Along with the iMac's remote control I think it's clear we'll eventually see some kind of "TV-top-box" from Apple that brings all of your media devices together. I don't think I'll be buying everything that came out today but I think they're all excellent products that are on the right path.
Wouldn't all this TV gubbins and remote be better off inside the Mac mini? (or stick in a tv tuner)
Edit: Actually after thinking about it. Putting a TV tuner in any computer in the UK would be a disaster. It might be considered a TV and therefore attract a TV license.
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