The new iMac G5s also include faster graphics, a new 8X SuperDrive with double-layer support (increased from the 4X model), built-in Gigabit Ethernet for faster networking, and 512 megabytes (MB) of memory across the line. The new iMac G5s include 400 megahertz (MHz) DDR memory expandable to 2 gigabytes (GB) and storage capacity up to 400GB.
Except for the low-end eMac and Mac mini family, all Macintosh models now come with 512MB of RAM. As memory prices have fallen to levels equal to the price of where 256MB RAM chips have been for the past two years, industry experts report Apple was able to start standardizing on 512MB. Another reason for the standard 512MB switch: The majority of Windows-based PCs now ship standard with 512MB of memory.
All new iMac G5s offer the ATI Radeon 9600 graphics processor with 128MB of dedicated video memory. The previous models had a NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200 Ultra graphics processor.
Hard drives have been upped in capacity to 160 GB on the low-end and mid-range models from 80GB. The high-end model now has a 250GB Serial ATA hard drive, up from 160GB.
The low-end model comes with a 24X Combo drive while the second and third tier models are equipped with internal 8X SuperDrives.
Every new iMac G5 comes with iLife i05, Appleis suite of digital lifestyle applications, and OS X 10.4 Tiger, the company said.
In terms of pricing, the low-end 17-inch, 1.8 GHz model remains at $1,299, as does the mid-range 17-inch model at $1,499. The top-line 20-inch model with 2.0 GHz G5 processor has been reduced in price by $100 to $1,799.
The new 1.8Ghz & 2.0Ghz flat-panel iMacs have more RAM and faster optical drives.
The flat-panel iMac has not been updated since its original release in September of last year when it debuted at Mac Expo in Paris during a keynote address by Philip Schiller, Appleis Senior Vice President of Worldwide Product Marketing.
All new models currently have an estimated ship time of one to three days from the Apple Online Store.
The low-end iMac G5, at a suggested retail price of $1,299, includes:- 17-inch widescreen LCD with 1440-by-900 pixels;
- 1.8 GHz 64-bit PowerPC G5 processor;
- 512MB of 400 MHz DDR SDRAM;
- 24X Combo (DVD-ROM/CD-RW) optical drive;
- ATI Radeon 9600 graphics processor with 128MB video memory;
- Built-in AirPort Extreme wireless networking and Bluetooth 2.0 +EDR;
- 10/100/1000BASE-T Gigabit Ethernet networking, 56K V.92 Modem;
- 160GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 7200 rpm;
- Two FireWire 400, three USB 2.0, two USB 1.1 ports;
- Built-in stereo speakers and microphone.
- 17-inch widescreen LCD with 1440-by-900 pixels;
- 2.0 GHz 64-bit PowerPC G5 processor;
- 512MB of 400 MHz DDR SDRAM;
- 8X SuperDrive (DVD+R DL/DVD+/-RW/CD-RW) optical drive;
- ATI Radeon 9600 graphics processor with 128MB video memory;
- Built-in AirPort Extreme wireless networking and Bluetooth 2.0 +EDR;
- 10/100/1000BASE-T Gigabit Ethernet networking, 56K V.92 Modem;
- 160GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 7200 rpm;
- Two FireWire 400, three USB 2.0, two USB 1.1 ports;
- Built-in stereo speakers and microphone.
- 20-inch widescreen LCD with 1680-by-1050 pixels;
- 2.0 GHz 64-bit PowerPC G5 processor;
- 512MB of 400 MHz DDR SDRAM;
- 8X SuperDrive (DVD+R DL/DVD+/-RW/CD-RW) optical drive;
- ATI Radeon 9600 graphics processor with 128MB video memory;
- Built-in AirPort Extreme wireless networking and Bluetooth 2.0 +EDR;
- 10/100/1000BASE-T Gigabit Ethernet networking, 56K V.92 Modem;
- 250GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 7200 rpm;
- Two FireWire 400, three USB 2.0, two USB 1.1 ports;
- Built-in stereo speakers and microphone.