Apples’ New iMac Lineup

Secretive as always, Apple quietly refreshed its iMac hardware lineup. The 20-inch and 24-inch iMac models have now been replaced by 21.5-inch and 27-inch iMac models carrying LED-backlit displays. Apart from new LED display, the new iMacs come with Wireless Keyboard and the all new Magic Mouse. The top end 27-inch iMac offers choice between quad-core Intel Core i5 and Core i7 processors while 21.5-inch iMac comes with Intel Core 2 Duo processors.

Four new iMac models feature glossy LED-backlit display with 16:9 aspect ratio made from arsenic free glass and are mercury-free. As against the earlier 1680×1050 pixel resolution in 20-inch display, the new iMac progresses to support 1920×1080 pixel resolution. Supporting full HD (1080p) content, the new iMacs are ideal for watching HD movies, graphical designing or editing videos. Apple updated its iMac lineup seven months back in March.

These new displays are packed in all-aluminum enclosures and have 178 degree viewing angle. No Blu-ray in this iMac refresh as rumored but the iMacs feature SD card slot. Both 21.5-inch and 27-inch iMacs are available in two different models.

Apple has spiced up the iMac hardware by making some much required changes. Two more memory slots have been added making 4GB (2×2GB) DDR3 1066MHz memory as default in every iMac model and supports up to 16GB DDR3 1066MHz RAM. Earlier, iMacs had 2GB DDR3 RAM by default and supported up to 8GB memory.

The entry level or the base 21.5-inch model also got storage bump from 320GB to 500GB SATA 7200RPM HDD. Even the dormant audio department spruced up with built-in speakers with two internal 17-watt high-efficiency amplifiers.

Apple has introduced two 21.5-inch iMac models starting at Rs. 64,900 which will replace the outgoing 20-inch iMac model priced at Rs. 70,200. New 21.5-inch iMac models got speed bump from 2.66GHz in 20-inch iMac to faster 3.06GHz Intel Core 2 Duo CPU with 3MB shared L2 cache. Both 21.5-inch iMac models are differentiated on their graphics and storage configuration which is reflected in the price, obviously.

Entry-level 21.5-inch iMac model as Nvidia GeForce 9400M integrated graphics with 256MB GDDR3 video memory and 500GB SATA 7200RPM HDD. While the other 21.5-inch iMac model equips ATI Radeon HD 4670 graphics with 256MB GDDR3 video memory and 1TB SATA 7200RPM HDD storage.

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