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New iMac Tops 3GHz, Gets Video Boost

New iMac Tops 3GHz, Gets Video Boost

by , 8:45 AM EDT, April 28th, 2008

Apple announced the immediate availability of new iMac models with faster Intel Core 2 Duo processors and improved graphics on Monday. The new iMac models maintain their familiar aluminum and glass style with a glossy display, and are available with processor speeds ranging from 2.4GHz up to 3.06GHz and up to 4GB of RAM.


The new iMac with faster processors and video

The new iMac is available in 20 and 24-inch models with a 6MB L2 cache, a 1066 MHz front-side bus, a slot-loading SuperDrive, built-in AirPort Extreme 802.11n, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR, Gigabit Ethernet, a built-in iSight video camera, three built-in USB 2.0 ports (Apple touts five USB ports including two on the Apple Keyboard), a FireWire 400 port, and a FireWire 800 port. It also includes a mini-DVI out port, built-in stereo speakers and microphone, Apple keyboard, Mighty Mouse, and an Apple Remote. All but the base 20-inch 2.4GHz model include 2GB of 800MHz DDR2SDRAM.

The 20-inch 2.4GHz model includes 1GB of RAM, a 250GB 7200RPM SATA hard drive, and ATI Radeon HD 2400 XT video with 128MB GDDR3 memory. It is priced at US$1,199.

The 20-inch 2.66GHz model sports a 320GB 7200RPM SATA hard drive and ATI Radeon HD 2600 PRO video with 256MB GDDR3 memory. It costs $1,499.

The 24-inch 2.8GHz model includes a 320GB 7200RPM SATA hard drive and ATI Radeon HD 2600 PRO with 256MB GDDR3 memory for $1,799.

Build-to-order options for the 2.8GHz model include an Intel Core 2 Duo 3.06GHz processor, an NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GS video card with 512MB of memory, and up to a 1TB SATA hard drive.

Observer Comments

Show: Subjects Only | Full Comments
Close Name:Black_Dog Posts: 21 Joined: 18 Apr 2007
Subject:

AHHHHH! Wouldn’t you know it, just last Friday I ordered a 24” 2.4GHz iMac. I’m trying to consol myself by saying that these changes are incremental and the ATI Radeon HD 2600 Pro graphics card is unimproved. I also saved $300 on a factory refurbished machine. I don't suppose we'll be seeing refurbished machines with these new specs for a number of months. Oh well...

Close Name:Tut Posts: 4 Joined: 21 Jun 2007
Subject:

To avoid that, I always order as soon as Apple annonces a new Mac.

Close Name:Guest
Subject: Sorry...

Glossy screen = no purchase. Why can't there be a BTO option like MBP???

Close Name:Small White Car Posts: 1960 Joined: 02 Jul 2004
Subject:

Quote
Guest wrote:
Glossy screen = no purchase. Why can't there be a BTO option like MBP???


Because the Macbook Pro offers matte and glossy screens and they can just put in one or the other when they make it.

The iMac isn't a glossy LCD screen. It's a glass screen built into the case. So what you're asking for is a total case re-design.

Of course re-designs are possible, but that's not really a "BTO option" kind of thing. That would be a whole new machine.

Close Name:Guest
Subject:

Actually, I'm pretty sure it's a glossy screen, and then covered with glass......

Close Name:Small White Car Posts: 1960 Joined: 02 Jul 2004
Subject:

Quote
Guest wrote:
Actually, I'm pretty sure it's a glossy screen, and then covered with glass......


Interesting. I really don't know. I'm not sure how one could tell since the glass adds many of the same characteristics that the glossy does. So it's hard to tell what's adding it.

My point being, would a matte screen behind a glasss screen make the 9:09 poster happy? It would still have the same drawbacks, I would think.

Close Name:houltmac Posts: 264 Joined: 12 Apr 2007
Subject:

Indeed. The iMac uses a glossy display with a glass panel over the top. I do however agree with SMC that having a matte display under there would not help at all.

I would also say that for a very large majority of users (office workers, families, general home users) the glossy display is beautiful and works well. Only for a few is matte a necessity and for those people the iMac simply isn't the correct option.

Even then, if it's a color thing then the current iMac can do very well (contrary to public opinion) when it's been properly calibrated. We have a couple of production machines that are used in exactly this way.

Close Name:marcsten Posts: 17 Joined: 01 Jun 2004
Subject: Screens aside...

Better video card - so where is the blasted blu-ray drive, Steve?

Close Name:Guest
Subject: iMac design unfriendly for users, environment, 3rd-party

Spend booku bucks for the 1TB drive model.
Because, when you want to upgrade the HD (there are ALOT of 160GB HD iMac users out there), you invalidate any warranty on the HD.
You buy a 500GB SATA for $99; great deal.
However, you must now pay $49 ~ $149 ito have the new, non-Apple warranty HD installed, otherwise installing it yourself voids any warranty, AppleCare or otherwise.
Then, when that new internal HD bails (and they do), you pay another $49 ~ 149 to pull out the old drive and put in a new drive.

If Apple is going to make an 'all-in-one', they need to also include a program which is cost-effective for the user to upgrade internal components (the HD, namely).

They should've designed the iMac by putting a removable panel on the upper-left (where the HD is at) wherein the HD could be user-upgradable.

(In order to post this 'guest' comment, I had to type in the words to the image provided. THe word: AppleCare . . . HA!).

By making this system so closed (un-user-upgradable friendly), it makes it very unfriendly environmentally, because it leads to more systems being put into the dumps when a user 'upgrades' than the user merely upgrading the HD for the new OS, Apps, etc.

And, it is also very unfriendly to 3rd party developers. Apple wants all the $$ for the new system, taking away $$ that the user could use to buy or upgrade 3rd party software.

After 2 years, I'd rather spend $250 to 'update' (OS, apps, RAM, bigger HD) than buy a whole new system. Instead. I have to add $100 ~ $300 (total cost) extra for a new hard disk (includes initial and followup drive failure replacement install service fees).

The next 'design' of the iMac needs to have user-installable HDs. The Power and Data interfaces for SATA drives are pretty straight forward / easy - enough for a general user (removing or inserting a HD; use the same concept used in RAM. Brackets remove (disconnect) or insert (seat/disconnect) the HD.

Poor design, Apple; Poor design.

GNoter

Close Name:rpaege Posts: 96 Joined: 16 Dec 2005
Subject:

Quote
Guest wrote:
Spend booku bucks for the 1TB drive model.
Because, when you want to upgrade the HD (there are ALOT of 160GB HD iMac users out there), you invalidate any warranty on the HD.


Poor design, Apple; Poor design.

GNoter



For crying out loud just buy an external drive or a Mac Pro.

This machine isn't made for geeks, it's made for the anti-geek who has no desire whatsoever to customize anything.

I'm a geek and I'm considering one just because I already have all the external storage I need and two other pro machines. I want an all in one for the convenience of having one, the nice design, and the small footprint on my desk.

Close Name:Guest
Subject:

Just put a 1Tb drive in my wife's iMac last weekend. Runs much faster than the old drive.

Even though it didn't matter to me, there's debate over whether upgrading the drive actually violates the warranty.

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