Apple is tapping Intel chips for its desktop lineup. The company on Tuesday unveiled the updated iMacs, which are powered by Intel's Core i3, i5, and i7 processors, as well as the new Mac Pros equipped with Intel's six-core processor.
New iMacs
Apple's updated all-in-one iMac line feature the latest Intel Core i3, Core i5 and Core i7 processors and new graphics. Starting at $1,199, the new iMac line is the fastest ever with dual-core processor speeds up to 3.6 GHz, quad-core speeds up to 2.93 GHz and discrete graphics including the ATI Radeon HD 5750.
Dual-core Intel Core i3 and Core i5, and quad-core Core i5 and Core i7 processors set a new benchmark for iMac performance. The processors feature an integrated memory controller to access the system memory directly, allowing the new iMac to take full advantage of its faster 1333 MHz memory. New discrete ATI Radeon HD processors deliver smooth graphics for the most demanding 3D games, creative software and technical applications. iMac displays feature IPS technology to deliver great image across a wide 178 degree viewing angle. The SD card slot on the iMac now supports the SDXC format to handle the latest high-capacity storage cards. Apple's customers of the 27-inch iMac have the option to order a 256GB solid state drive (SSD) as a primary or secondary drive. The iMac SSD supports up to 215 MB/s data transfer rates for faster startup and application launch times.
Every iMac comes with Apple's Magic Mouse and users can also order the new Magic Trackpad as an option.
Every Mac also comes with Mac OS X Snow Leopard operating system, and iLife, Apple?s suite of applications for managing photos, making movies and creating and learning to play music.
The new iMacs also feature Apple's Magic Trackpad, a technology which has been already featured in Apple's MacBook Pro notebook computers. Magic Trackpad is a touchpad which allows a user to operate a desktop computer with finger gestures, eliminating the need for a mouse.
It costs 69 dollars in the online Apple Store.
The battery-powered device, which looks a bit like a notepad made out of glass and aluminium, connects to Apple's Mac desktop computers using Bluetooth wireless technology.
It allows users to operate their machines using the tapping, swiping and pinching finger gestures well known to owners of iPhones or iPads.
Apple said it works from as far as 33 feet (10 meters) away from the computer.
Apple's new iMac desktop computers are available with 21.5-inch and 27-inch screens and price tags of 1,199 dollars to 1,999 dollars.
New Mac Pro With Up to 12 Processing Cores
Apple also updated its high-end Mac Pro line with powerful quad-core and 6-core Xeon chips from Intel. The Mac Pro starts at $2,499 and will be available in August.
The new Mac-Pro computers feature the latest quad-core and 6-core Intel Xeon processors, ATI graphics and the option for up to four 512GB solid state drives (SSD).
At the heart of the new Mac Pro?s performance are next generation quad-core and 6-core Intel Xeon processors running at speeds up to 3.33 GHz. These multi-core processors use a single die design so each core can share up to 12MB L3 cache to improve efficiency while increasing processing speed. These systems feature an integrated memory controller for faster memory bandwidth and reduced memory latency; Turbo Boost to dynamically boost processor speeds up to 3.6 GHz; and Hyper-Threading to create up to 24 virtual cores. The Mac Pro now comes with the ATI Radeon HD 5770 graphics processor with 1GB of memory and Apple's customers can configure-to-order the even faster ATI Radeon HD 5870 with 1GB of memory.
For the first time, Mac Pro customers have the option to order a 512GB SSD. With the ability to install up to four SSD drives in the system's internal drive bays, the new Mac Pro can provide high-speed disk bandwidth and random disk performance. Mac Pro also now features two Mini DisplayPorts and one dual-link DVI port. The additional Mini DisplayPort output allows Apple's customers to connect two LED Cinema Displays without an additional graphics card or adapter and the dual-link DVI port supports legacy DVI-based displays up to a resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels.
Every Mac Pro comes with Apple?s Magic Mouse and users can also order Apple?s new Magic Trackpad as an option.
Every Mac also comes with Mac OS X Snow Leopard operating system, and iLife.
27-inch LED display
Apple also today unveiled a new 27-inch LED Cinema Display with 2560 x 1440 resolution and 60 percent more screen real estate than the 24-inch LED Cinema Display. Featuring a built-in iSight video camera, microphone and speakers, powered USB 2.0 hub, and universal MagSafe connector, the new LED Cinema Display is an ideal companion for the MacBook family or a Mac desktop, and is available for $999.
The 27-inch LED Cinema Display features a 16:9 edge-to-edge glass display on an aluminum stand with an adjustable hinge that makes tilting the display easier. The LED Cinema Display uses the in-plane switching (IPS) technology to provide high-quality image across an ultra wide 178 degree viewing angle.
The 27-inch display includes a built-in iSight video camera for video conferencing, an integrated MagSafe charger to keep Mac notebooks charged, built-in Mini DisplayPort connectivity for video and audio input and a powered three-port USB 2.0 hub .
The new LED Cinema Display now includes a new ambient light sensor which automatically adjusts the display brightness based on external lighting conditions and uses only as much energy as necessary.
The new LED Cinema Display will be available in September through the Apple Store (www.apple.com), Apple?s retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers for a suggested retail price of $999 (US). The LED Cinema Display requires a Mac with Mini DisplayPort.