Apple debuts new iMac
As expected Apple has unveiled the latest version of iMac computer at its Apple Expo show in Paris.
Dubbed the iMac G5 the new computer features Apple’s high-performance G5 processor and a new design that integrates the entire computer into the flat panel display.
Apple is also claiming the system’s depth of just two inches makes the iMac G5 the world’s thinnest desktop.
The new line up offers 17- or 20-inch active matrix widescreen LCDs and G5 processors running up to 1.8 GHz starting at just £919 (inc. VAT).
In the typical Apple style Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing claimed that “Just like the iPod redefined portable digital music players, the new iMac G5 redefines what users expect from a consumer desktop. With the entire system, including a gorgeous 17- or 20-inch display, just two inches thin, and a lot of people will be wondering ‘where did the computer go?’
Whether the computer re-ignites sales of the iMac, which has been a weak area for Apple in recent years remains to be seen.
Apple Unveils the New iMac G5
World’s Thinnest Desktop Computer Features High-Performance G5
Processors
APPLE EXPO, PARIS–August 31, 2004–Apple® today unveiled the new iMac®
G5, featuring the high-performance G5 processor and a stunning new
design that integrates the entire computer right into the flat panel
display. The iMac G5 packs a complete computer system into a mere two
inches of depth–the world’s thinnest desktop computer. The new line
offers 17- or 20-inch active matrix widescreen LCDs and G5 processors
running up to 1.8 GHz starting at just £919 (inc. VAT).
“Just like the iPod redefined portable digital music players, the new
iMac G5 redefines what users expect from a consumer desktop,” said
Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Product
Marketing. “With the entire system, including a gorgeous 17- or 20-inch
display, just two inches thin, a lot of people will be wondering ‘where
did the computer go?’ “
The new iMac G5 makes the ultimate statement in design simplicity. The
entire computer, including the power supply and slot-load optical
drive, is built right into the display and rests on a sleek aluminium
foot. All the I/O ports line up neatly along the rear right side for
easy access, and with optional AirPort® Extreme and Bluetooth wireless
modules, there’s no more cable clutter. With its elegantly thin
profile, compact footprint and whisper-quiet operation (less than 25
dB), the new iMac G5 is the perfect fit for any room in the home or
office.
The new iMac G5 features the breakthrough performance of the PowerPC G5
processor, as well as numerous system performance improvements designed
to help consumers turbocharge their digital lifestyle applications. The
17-inch models come with either a 1.8 GHz PowerPC G5 processor and a
SuperDrive™ for burning professional-quality DVDs, or a 1.6 GHz PowerPC
G5 processor and a Combo drive for watching DVD movies and burning CDs.
The 20-inch model has a 1.8 GHz PowerPC G5 processor and a SuperDrive.
With a completely redesigned system architecture, the new iMac G5 now
offers up to a 600 MHz front-side bus, 400 MHz DDR memory expandable to
2GB, AGP 8X graphics and 7200 rpm Serial ATA drives up to 250GB. The
new iMac G5 comes standard with high-performance NVIDIA graphics with
dedicated video memory for outstanding graphics performance and
realistic game play.
The new iMac G5 was designed to be the perfect computer for iLife® ’04,
Apple’s award-winning suite of digital lifestyle applications. iLife
’04, which comes with every new iMac G5, includes iTunes® for managing
and buying digital music, iPhoto® for organising and sharing digital
photos, iMovie™ for digital movie-making, iDVD™ for creating and
burning Hollywood-style DVDs and GarageBand™, a revolutionary music
application that turns the iMac G5 into a professional-quality musical
instrument and recording studio.
The new iMac G5 desktops offer a total of five USB ports (three USB
2.0) and two FireWire® 400 ports for easy plug-and-play connections to
popular peripherals such as Apple’s market-leading iPod® digital music
player, digital video camcorders, digital still cameras and printers.
Providing the latest in wireless communications, the new iMac G5 offers
an optional internal Bluetooth module and includes a built-in antenna
and card slot to support an optional AirPort Extreme Card for 54 Mbps
802.11g fast wireless networking*. The new iMac G5 also includes
built-in 10/100BASE-T Ethernet and a 56K V.92 modem for fast Internet
access.
Mac OS® X version 10.3 “Panther” is pre-installed and delivers
breakthrough features including iChat AV, an easy to use desktop video
conferencing solution; FileVault, which uses the latest security
standards and 128-bit encryption technology to ensure that data in the
home directory is kept secure; Exposé™, a revolutionary new way to
instantly view all open windows; Instant On, which wakes the computer
from sleep in just one second; and Automatic Networking, which
automatically switches the network connections between Ethernet, 802.11
wireless and modem. The new iMac G5 also comes with a collection of
productivity, learning and entertainment titles including AppleWorks,
Nanosaur 2 and MarbleBlast Gold. Everything you need for your digital
lifestyle is included right out of the box.
Pricing & Availability
The new iMac G5 line will begin shipping worldwide in mid-September
through the Apple Store® (www.apple.com/uk) and Apple Authorised
Resellers.
The new iMac G5, for a suggested retail price of £919 (inc. VAT),
includes:
• 17-inch widescreen LCD with 1440-by-900 pixels;
• 1.6 GHz 64-bit PowerPC G5 processor;
• 256MB of 400 MHz DDR SDRAM;
• Combo (DVD-ROM/CD-RW) optical drive;
• NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200 Ultra graphics processor with 64MB video
memory;
• Two FireWire 400, three USB 2.0, two USB 1.1 ports;
• 10/100 BASE-T Ethernet networking, 56K V.92 Modem;
• Internal support for AirPort Extreme wireless networking and
Bluetooth;
• 80GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 7200 rpm; and
• Built-in stereo speakers and mîcrophone.
The new iMac G5, for a suggested retail price of £1049 (inc. VAT),
includes:
• 17-inch widescreen LCD with 1440-by-900 pixels;
• 1.8 GHz 64-bit PowerPC G5 processor;
• 256MB of 400 MHz DDR SDRAM;
• SuperDrive (DVD-R/CD-RW) optical drive;
• NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200 Ultra graphics processor with 64MB video
memory;
• Two FireWire 400, three USB 2.0, two USB 1.1 ports;
• 10/100 BASE-T Ethernet networking, 56K V.92 Modem;
• Internal support for AirPort Extreme wireless networking and
Bluetooth;
• 80GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 7200 rpm; and
• Built-in stereo speakers and mîcrophone.
The new iMac G5, for a suggested retail price of £1349 (inc. VAT),
includes:
• 20-inch widescreen LCD with 1680-by-1050 pixels;
• 1.8 GHz 64-bit PowerPC G5 processor;
• 256MB of 400 MHz DDR SDRAM;
• SuperDrive (DVD-R/CD-RW) optical drive;
• NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200 Ultra graphics processor with 64MB video
memory;
• Two FireWire 400, three USB 2.0, two USB 1.1 ports;
• 10/100 BASE-T Ethernet networking, 56K V.92 Modem;
• Internal support for AirPort Extreme wireless networking and
Bluetooth;
• 160GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 7200 rpm; and
• Built-in stereo speakers and mîcrophone.
Build-to-order options and accessories include up to 2GB of RAM, 160GB
and 250GB hard drives, AirPort Extreme Card, AirPort Express™ and
AirPort Extreme Base Station, internal Bluetooth module, Apple Wireless
Keyboard and Apple Wireless Mouse, and the AppleCare Protection Plan.
The new iMac G5 systems, including a new configuration without an
optical drive, are also available to education customers.
*Actual speed will vary based on range from the base station,
environmental conditions and other factors.
Apple ignited the personal computer revolution in the 1970s with the
Apple II and reinvented the personal computer in the 1980s with the
Macintosh. Apple is widely recognised for its innovative and
award-winning Mac desktop and notebook computers, OS X operating
system, and iLife digital lifestyle and professional applications.
Apple is also leading the digital music revolution with its
market-leading iPod line of portable music players and iTunes online
music store.
