Apple introduces new iMacs with more affordable pricing

[AppleInsider]

Apple on Tuesday announced updates to its iMac line of all-in-one desktops, including a 24-inch iMac that is priced the same as the company's previous-generation 20-inch model.

The new iMac line starts with the 20-inch iMac for only $1,199 with a 2.66 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 2GB of 1066 MHz DDR3 memory, a 320GB Serial ATA hard drive and NVIDIA GeForce 9400M integrated graphics.

The 24-inch iMac features a 1920-by-1200 pixel widescreen display that offers 30 percent more screen real estate than the 20-inch model, and starts at just $1,499 -- the same price as the previous generation 20-inch model.

"Our flagship 24-inch iMac with twice the memory and twice the storage is now available for just $1,499," said Apple chief operating officer Tim Cook.

The 24-inch iMac offers up to a 3.06 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 4GB of 1066 MHz DDR3 memory, a 640GB or 1TB Serial ATA hard drive, and a variety of graphics technology from NVIDIA GeForce 9400M integrated graphics to the NVIDIA GeForce GT 130 or ATI Radeon HD 4850 discrete graphics for ultimate performance.

Every iMac features a glossy display with a built-in iSight video camera, mic and speakers in a thin aluminum and glass design. The new iMac also includes a Mini DisplayPort connector for a pure digital signal to Apple's new 24-inch LED Cinema Display with adapters available for DisplayPort, VGA, DVI and Dual-Link DVI displays. Other features includes built-in AirPort Extreme 802.11n Wi-Fi networking; Bluetooth 2.1+EDR; Gigabit Ethernet; a total of six USB 2.0 ports (including two on the Apple Keyboard); and one FireWire 800 port.



Continuing Apple's commitment to the environment, the new iMac exceeds current Energy Star 4.0 requirements and is leading the industry as an early adopter of the more stringent Energy Star 5.0 requirements which will become effective later this year. The new iMacs also use PVC-free internal components and cables and contain no brominated flame retardants. Like the company's latest notebooks, the iMac lineup has achieved EPEAT Gold status.



Every iMac comes with Apple's iLife '09 suite of applications for managing photos, making movies and creating and learning to play music, as well as Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard.

Pricing & Availability

The new iMac and Mac mini lines are now shipping and available through the Apple Store, Apple's retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers.

The new 20-inch 2.66 GHz iMac, for a suggested retail price of $1,199 (US), includes:
20-inch widescreen LCD display;2.66 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor with 6MB shared L2 cache;2GB 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM expandable to 8GB;NVIDIA GeForce 9400M integrated graphics;320GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 7200 rpm;a slot-load 8x SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD+/-R DL/DVD+/-RW/CD-RW);Mini DisplayPort for video output (adapters sold separately);built-in AirPort Extreme 802.11n wireless networking & Bluetooth 2.1+EDR;built-in iSight video camera;Gigabit Ethernet port;four USB 2.0 ports;one FireWire 800 port;built-in stereo speakers and microphone; andthe Apple Keyboard, Mighty Mouse.
The new 24-inch 2.66 GHz iMac, for a suggested retail price of $1,499 (US), includes:
24-inch widescreen LCD display;2.66 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor with 6MB shared L2 cache;4GB 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM expandable to 8GB;NVIDIA GeForce 9400M integrated graphics;640GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 7200 rpm;a slot-load 8x SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD+/-R DL/DVD+/-RW/CD-RW);Mini DisplayPort for video output (adapters sold separately);built-in AirPort Extreme 802.11n wireless networking & Bluetooth 2.1+EDR;built-in iSight video camera;Gigabit Ethernet port;four USB 2.0 ports;one FireWire 800 port;built-in stereo speakers and microphone; andthe Apple Keyboard, Mighty Mouse.
The new 24-inch 2.93 GHz iMac, for a suggested retail price of $1,799 (US), includes:
24-inch widescreen LCD display;2.93 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor with 6MB shared L2 cache;4GB 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM expandable to 8GB;NVIDIA GeForce GT 120; with 256MB GDDR3 SDRAM memory;640GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 7200 rpm;a slot-load 8x SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD+/-R DL/DVD+/-RW/CD-RW);Mini DisplayPort for video output (adapters sold separately);built-in AirPort Extreme 802.11n wireless networking & Bluetooth 2.1+EDR;built-in iSight video camera;Gigabit Ethernet port;four USB 2.0 ports;one FireWire 800 port;built-in stereo speakers and microphone; andthe Apple Keyboard, Mighty Mouse.
The new 24-inch 3.06 GHz iMac, for a suggested retail price of $2,199 (US), includes:
24-inch widescreen LCD display;3.06 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor with 6MB shared L2 cache;4GB 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM expandable to 8GB;NVIDIA GeForce GT 130; with 512MB GDDR3 memory;1TB Serial ATA hard drive running at 7200 rpm;a slot-load 8x SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD+/-R DL/DVD+/-RW/CD-RW);Mini DisplayPort for video output (adapters sold separately);built-in AirPort Extreme 802.11n wireless networking & Bluetooth 2.1+EDR;built-in iSight video camera;Gigabit Ethernet port;four USB 2.0 ports;one FireWire 800 port;built-in stereo speakers and microphone; andthe Apple Keyboard, Mighty Mouse.
Build-to-order options and accessories for the iMac include: a 3.06 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, up to 8GB DDR3 SDRAM, up to 1TB Serial ATA hard drive, and NVIDIA GeForce GT 130, or ATI Radeon HD 4850 with 512MB GDDR3 memory on the 24-inch iMac, and up to 8GB DDR3 SDRAM and up to a 1TB Serial ATA hard drive on the 20-inch iMac. Additional options include: Apple Keyboard with numeric keypad, Apple Wireless Keyboard and Wireless Mighty Mouse; AirPort Express, AirPort Extreme Base Station, Time Capsule; Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter, Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI Adapter (for 30-inch DVI display), Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adapter, Apple USB Modem, Apple Remote, the AppleCare Protection Plan; and pre-installed copies of iWork '09, Logic Express 8, Final Cut Express 4 and Aperture 2.

[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]

[bdkennedy1]

So much for upgrading my first gen aluminum.

[bigmc6000]

Should be an asterisk on all of that - it's cheaper for the US Customers - all the overseas folks are getting hosed because Apple has adjusted those prices to reflect the rise in the USD.

#'s since July '08
USD up 26.17% vs EUR
USD up 42.31% vs GBP
USD up 50.23% vs AUD

[saarek]

Let's see, Hmmmm yep Apple's really done it this time, can you picture the board meeting on this one:

Ok, let's make people wait far longer than usual for an update, we don't really like desktops anymore so lets piss people off by bundling old CPU's with a medium powered GPU, we can claim "LOOK I'TS NEW!!!!" Off course we know it isn't, it's a system that we should have released 8 months or more ago.

As for me, I am just gonna build a £500 AMD Phenom II computer with on average twice the specs, that way I can still use Mac OS X on my Macbook and not feel ripped off over having bought an iMac.

[LouisTheXIV]

Originally Posted by bigmc6000

Should be an asterisk on all of that - it's cheaper for the US Customers - all the overseas folks are getting hosed because Apple has adjusted those prices to reflect the rise in the USD.

#'s since July '08
USD up 26.17% vs EUR
USD up 42.31% vs GBP
USD up 50.23% vs AUD

Well...c'est la vie as they say. You want Apple to subsidize currency depreciation? Then don't ask for price cuts when they appreciate. It's a two way street.

[Abster2core]

Originally Posted by bigmc6000

Should be an asterisk on all of that - it's cheaper for the US Customers - all the overseas folks are getting hosed because Apple has adjusted those prices to reflect the rise in the USD.

#'s since July '08
USD up 26.17% vs EUR
USD up 42.31% vs GBP
USD up 50.23% vs AUD

And that is Apple's fault? Any answer but NO is asinine.

[ApplePi]

Seems decent, but is the 9400M a good enough chip for a $1200 machine? I'm asking.

[Lorre]

Originally Posted by bdkennedy1

So much for upgrading my first gen aluminum.

Yeah, nothing "wow" about this upgrade. The smaller keyboard is a huge drawback if you live in the AZERTY-part of the world, and I'm not sure if the 9400M is an upgrade over the Radeon HD 2600 Pro.

Anybody know something about those NVidia GT GPU's or that new Radeon they offer? Are those any good?

[bigmc6000]

Well considering when the exchange rate went the other way they didn't decrease the prices of their computers (at least not as much as this time around) it's a bit shady but, it is what it is I suppose.

The Mac Mini's this morning for the Europeans were 391 now the min is 499. It's the fact that they did it all at once, sticker shock and all of that.

Note that I'm not blaming Apple, I'm just pointing out that their international sales are going to tank because of the "strong" dollar...

[red_kola]

Originally Posted by LouisTheXIV

Well...c'est la vie as they say. You want Apple to subsidize currency depreciation? Then don't ask for price cuts when they appreciate. It's a two way street.

If they'd ever given us $2 to the £1 back in the day (even taking VAT into account) then I'd agree it's a two way street. But it's more like a single track road with an occasional passing place.

[nvidia2008]

YUP... MORE AFFORDABLE? NOT REALLY.

Everywhere outside the US got raped on the new pricing. Plus the 20" has an integrated GPU which is potentially not as great as the old ATI 2400 128mb *discrete* on the old cheaper 20".

Originally Posted by bigmc6000

Should be an asterisk on all of that - it's cheaper for the US Customers - all the overseas folks are getting hosed because Apple has adjusted those prices to reflect the rise in the USD.

#'s since July '08
USD up 26.17% vs EUR
USD up 42.31% vs GBP
USD up 50.23% vs AUD

[breeze]

Originally Posted by saarek

Let's see, Hmmmm yep Apple's really done it this time, can you picture the board meeting on this one:

Ok, let's make people wait far longer than usual for an update, we don't really like desktops anymore so lets piss people off by bundling old CPU's with a medium powered GPU, we can claim "LOOK I'TS NEW!!!!" Off course we know it isn't, it's a system that we should have released 8 months or more ago.

As for me, I am just gonna build a £500 AMD Phenom II computer with on average twice the specs, that way I can still use Mac OS X on my Macbook and not feel ripped off over having bought an iMac.

I'd like to know how many of you whiners use your Macs for anything more than social networking, browsing and email downloading porn etc...???

I'd like to know how much PURCHASED professional software you use on a full time basis that requires more than a Macbook...I'd like to know if you've ever in your pathetic whining lives ever needed more computing power than any of the new Macs offer....

I'd be willing to bet that most of the whiners here haven't even a clue, but will complain anyway, just because the internet affords every dog a throne ...

[poke]

Cheapest iMac is up £50 in the UK. The cheapest Mac Mini is up £100! Damn this currency!

[nvidia2008]

Originally Posted by Abster2core

And that is Apple's fault? Any answer but NO is asinine.

Originally Posted by LouisTheXIV

Well...c'est la vie as they say. You want Apple to subsidize currency depreciation? Then don't ask for price cuts when they appreciate. It's a two way street.

Umm... Apple is free to do whatever the heck it wants. It's pricing based on US currency is just a choice. For example, with the strength of the dollar overseas operations, marketing and manufacturing is cheaper to buy and pay for.

What I'm saying is... It's just a choice they've decided to make. In all these countries outside the US people are still expecting better value for money. Apple is taking a risk by hiking up prices.

[nvidia2008]

Originally Posted by breeze

I'd like to know how many of you whiners use your Macs for anything more than social networking, browsing and email downloading porn etc...???

I'd like to know how much PURCHASED professional software you use on a full time basis that requires more than a Macbook...I'd like to know if you've ever in your pathetic whining lives ever needed more computing power than any of the new Macs offer.....

By your reasoning most people buying Macs don't deserve to use a Mac.

[teckstud]

Originally Posted by breeze

I'd like to know how many of you whiners use your Macs for anything more than social networking, browsing and email downloading porn etc...???

I'd like to know how much PURCHASED professional software you use on a full time basis that requires more than a Macbook...I'd like to know if you've ever in your pathetic whining lives ever needed more computing power than any of the new Macs offer....

I'd be willing to bet that most of the whiners here haven't even a clue, but will complain anyway, just because the internet affords every dog a throne ...

And how exactly does anything you mention erase the fact that's it's a FUGLY machine with its high gloss display, etc, etc?

[jcw5002]

Wow I was really hoping/expecting they would have LED displays. Big disappointment!!! Although, the specs and pricing look pretty decent for the low-end 24" model.

[saarek]

Originally Posted by breeze

I'd like to know how many of you whiners use your Macs for anything more than social networking, browsing and email downloading porn etc...???

I'd like to know how much PURCHASED professional software you use on a full time basis that requires more than a Macbook...I'd like to know if you've ever in your pathetic whining lives ever needed more computing power than any of the new Macs offer....

I'd be willing to bet that most of the whiners here haven't even a clue, but will complain anyway, just because the internet affords every dog a throne ...

Listen pal, when you shell out premium money on a premium product it would be nice to have premium spec's to go with it!

I love MAC OS X, but I also enjoy games, video encoding and have a large (126gb) music library, so perhaps I do whine, however taking into consideration the almost extortionate pricing I think that we as customer have the right to complain.

So yes simply put, I expect a high performance system for my £1200, you may not, you may be happy for £500's worth of hardware in a fancy case bumped up to £1200, as for me I feel cheated, especially as I genuinely love the company and it's operating system.

[Strawberry]

Originally Posted by poke

Cheapest iMac is up £50 in the UK. The cheapest Mac Mini is up £100! Damn this currency!

Just noticed that. Damn

[bigmc6000]

Originally Posted by teckstud

And how exactly does anything you mention erase the fact that's it's a FUGLY machine with its high gloss display, etc, etc?

If you think it's fugly then you really have a unique view on what attractive is. But, then again, to each his/her own. I suppose you think, say, Marisa Miller is hideous?

[nvidia2008]

Originally Posted by ApplePi

Seems decent, but is the 9400M a good enough chip for a $1200 machine? I'm asking.

NO. Naughty hack on Apple's part stuffing integrated GPU only into 20" and for frak's sake a 24" (the entry level).

Originally Posted by Lorre

Yeah, nothing "wow" about this upgrade. The smaller keyboard is a huge drawback if you live in the AZERTY-part of the world, and I'm not sure if the 9400M is an upgrade over the Radeon HD 2600 Pro.

Anybody know something about those NVidia GT GPU's or that new Radeon they offer? Are those any good?

The Nvidia GT 120, 130 etc are just rebranded 9-series cards. Naughty hack on Nvidia.

Overall though these Nvidia and Radeon cards are pretty good all-round middle to middle-high-end performers. Its a pity they come with an expensive iMac attached.

[BuffyzDead]

I'm not too surprised.....Actually feel good since I purchased my iMac 24" 3.06Ghz Aluminum last June '08.

So, no big leap from my point of view and my iMac is still an extremely relevant Apple Computer, that serves me extremely well.

I am really surprised though, that Apple did not incorporate the LED displays in any of these machines.

That one's got me scratching my head.

[nvidia2008]

Originally Posted by bigmc6000

If you think it's fugly then you really have a unique view on what attractive is. But, then again, to each his/her own. I suppose you think, say, Marisa Miller is hideous?

No LED backlighting. Naughty on Apple's part.

[Lorre]

Originally Posted by breeze

I'd like to know how many of you whiners use your Macs for anything more than social networking, browsing and email downloading porn etc...???

I'd like to know how much PURCHASED professional software you use on a full time basis that requires more than a Macbook...I'd like to know if you've ever in your pathetic whining lives ever needed more computing power than any of the new Macs offer....

I'd be willing to bet that most of the whiners here haven't even a clue, but will complain anyway, just because the internet affords every dog a throne ...

These machines are definately perfectly adequate for most users, but at the price Apple is asking... bang for your buck is WEAK.

It's been over a year sonce the last refresh and some of these "spec bumps" will be downgrades for a lot of people. Especially if you live overseas and prices didn't go down at all...

[MacMad]

Originally Posted by breeze

I'd like to know how many of you whiners use your Macs for anything more than social networking, browsing and email downloading porn etc...???

I'd like to know how much PURCHASED professional software you use on a full time basis that requires more than a Macbook...I'd like to know if you've ever in your pathetic whining lives ever needed more computing power than any of the new Macs offer....

I'd be willing to bet that most of the whiners here haven't even a clue, but will complain anyway, just because the internet affords every dog a throne ...

Well said! I work as an editor of magazines in Europe and, on any given day at work, I am running Quark and Photoshop (downloading and processing large photo files) and at the same time have all the usual applications open (Microsoft Office for Mac), numerous websites, my email client etc, and have open access to my company's FTP site...

... I use an iMac that is about two years old and the speed is, well, speedy. I'd love to know what apps people on this forum are running that they find the new hardware too slow for their daily use!

Edit: And regarding bang for buck, I have never had a problem paying more for:
a) A rock-solid machine that hardly ever fooks up on me
b) The best operating system I've come across
c) A desktop computer (and my new MacBook) that is beautiful to look at and thus a joy to use each day

[nvidia2008]

Originally Posted by BuffyzDead

I'm not too surprised.....Actually feel good since I purchased my iMac 24" 3.06Ghz Aluminum last June '08.

So, no big leap from my point of view and my iMac is still an extremely relevant Apple Computer, that serves me extremely well.

I am really surprised though, that Apple did not incorporate the LED displays in any of these machines.

That one's got me scratching my head.

Yup, you've got a nice iMac there.

[breeze]

Originally Posted by nvidia2008

By your reasoning most people buying Macs don't deserve to use a Mac.

Not at all...the point I was trying to illustrate was that most people love to complain about everything. Most of those that complain, frankly don't even have a need for the processing power that a a Mac mini has, because they use their macs for everyday routine stuff that can certainly sufficiently run well with minimal power - but they have plenty to spout crap about anyway....

[nvidia2008]

Originally Posted by MacMad

Well said! I work as an editor of magazines in Europe and, on any given day at work, I am running Quark and Photoshop (downloading and processing large photo files) and at the same time have all the usual applications open (Microsoft Office for Mac), numerous websites, my email client etc, and have open access to my company's FTP site...

... I use an iMac that is about two years old and the speed is, well, speedy. I'd love to know what apps people on this forum are running that they find the new hardware too slow for their daily use!

It's about perceived value for money. Most PC users don't need a Core i7 but why is there so much hype about it?

[nvidia2008]

Originally Posted by jcw5002

Wow I was really hoping/expecting they would have LED displays. Big disappointment!!! Although, the specs and pricing look pretty decent for the low-end 24" model.

Except what sort of graphics power can you expect from a GPU that is meant for a 13" laptop?

[moracity]

Ok, the 24-inch 2.8 i bought last week is not so bad after all. I have discrete GPU AND FW400/800.

This is purely a price point value refresh. We'll probably see a major update in the fall with new GPU and CPU.

[BuffyzDead]

Does anyone know, if my iMac 3.06 from June '08 can support the 8GB's of memory that today's models do?

On the surface they seem like the exact same motherboard chipset.

Thank you

[AppleWiz67]

My first post here - and maybe my last.

YES I do need the power every other manufacturer offers. After 16 years as a Mac user, I'm making the jump to the dark side.

Going even further, I'll suggest Apple will drop their desktop line soon. They're plainly only interested in selling 'phones and music players. I can't wait until 2010 for the next upgrade.

aW67.

[nvidia2008]

Originally Posted by BuffyzDead

Does anyone know, if my iMac 3.06 from June '08 can support the 8GB's of memory that today's models do?

On the surface they seem like the exact same motherboard chipset.

Thank you

Your iMac uses a different chipset from today's model.

[MacMad]

Originally Posted by nvidia2008

It's about perceived value for money. Most PC users don't need a Core i7 but why is there so much hype about it?

I am sure you're right. Most of the Mac users I know (in the publishing industry) buy them for the reasons I stated regarding bang for buck.

The simple answer, I guess, is that if you want the kind of processing power needed to work out Quantum Mechanics, then your best bet is to buy a Dell or the like. My wife's Dell laptop is insanely powerful....

... she uses Microsoft Office and Lotus Notes... and that's it. It's soooo much cheaper than a Mac, but when she gets home it's the Dell that stays in its bag and she fires up my MacBook.

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by nvidia2008

Except what sort of graphics power can you expect from a GPU that is meant for a 13" laptop?

The same sort of graphics that is present on the new MB, Mac Mini and the MBPs when the discrete GPU is turned off. The 9400Ms have shown to be considerably better than the many of the discrete GPUs Apple have used in the past.

But that is besides the point. Don't forget that the iMac is a desktop made svelte by using notebook-grade parts. Historically, except for the display and HDD all the major components have been notebook-grade. The inclusion of Core i7 surprises me. I am curious if Apple is underclocking them and/or has implemented a new cooling method. I look forward to iFixit.com's thorough dissection.

[Lorre]

Originally Posted by nvidia2008

Except what sort of graphics power can you expect from a GPU that is meant for a 13" laptop?

http://www.apple.com/imac/features.html

Apple claims the 9400M gets 2.3x the performance of the 2400XT on Call of Duty 4.

[DyingSun]

So, there you have it... same old display technology... horrendous 20'' TN LCD with narrow viewing angles and brightness gradient and sort of average 24'' LCD with a few problems of its own as well... why on earth didn't they upgrade the displays to LED, like on every other recent Apple product?! It doesn't make any sense...

Definitely an upgrade to ignore... something better will come.

[bigmc6000]

Originally Posted by nvidia2008

No LED backlighting. Naughty on Apple's part.

True but aesthetically speaking the iMac is a great looking machine - there are going to be people who don't like it because of the screen but by all accounts (tech reviews) it's a gorgeous piece of machinery.

[UTisNUM1]

People need to not be as disappointed about a Quad-Core system as they are now. There are not any fast quad core all in ones out there. Apple doesn't have a mid tower, that should be the discussion going on, not about a quad core iMac.

[tomkarl]

Originally Posted by AppleWiz67

My first post here - and maybe my last.

bye ...