Following the hyped-up launch of two new iPhones last week, Apple Inc. made a much more subdued announcement today about updates to its iMac all-in-one computer line.
The new iMacs, available in either a 21.5-inch screen or 27-inch screen, will contain a fourth-generation quad-core Intel Core i5 processor, Iris Pro graphics (Intel’s latest integrated on-chip graphics technology), and PCIe flash storage. Buyers will also have the choice of processors ranging from 2.7 Ghz to 3.5 Ghz and either the Nvidia Geforce 700 graphics, or the Geforce GTX 780M series that has 4 GB of video memory.
Apple says the PCIe-based flash storage makes its Fusion Drive and all-flash storage up to 50 per cent faster than the previous generation of iMacs. The Fusion Drive is a combination of flash storage to run the OS and applications on the faster storage medium, while using larger volume spinning discs to store media and files. Other updates include 802.11ac Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0. Ports offered on the iMac are two Thunderbolt ports and four USB 3.0 ports.
The previous iMac update was announced by Apple Oct. 23, 2012 and revealed a much thinner edge for the desktop computers, but did away with the Superdrive disc drive to present a more lean profile. It also unveiled the Fusion Drive at that time.
Available via Apple stores, online, and via resellers today, the standard iMac 21.5-inch model pricing begins at $1349 and the 27-inch model starts at $1,849.