14 DAY TRIAL // Apple has announced an update to its all-in-one desktop line, throwing in fourth-generation Intel quad-core CPUs (Haswell), new graphics, upgraded Wi-Fi, and faster Flash storage.
The 21.5-inch iMac, starting at $1,299 (€963.44), packs a 2.7 GHz quad-core Intel Core i5 processor (dubbed Haswell) and new “Iris Pro” graphics.
The 21.5-inch model also comes in a high-end configuration which includes quad-core Intel Core i5 processors clocked up to 3.4 GHz and NVIDIA GeForce 700 graphics which promise to deliver “twice the video memory and up to 40 percent faster performance than the previous generation.”
The 27-inch models have similar specs.
Build-to-order models can include quad-core Intel Core i7 processors running at 3.5 GHz and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 780M graphics with up to 4GB of VRAM.
The next-generation 802.11ac Wi-Fi spec now comes standard with the Apple iMac, regardless of the model you choose. 802.11ac is reportedly three times faster than the previous generation specification.
iMacs now sport PCIe-based flash storage, which is 50 percent faster, while customers can configure their iMac with a 1TB or 3TB Fusion Drive, and 1TB all-flash.
The computers ship with a 1TB (platter-based) hard drive and 8GB of RAM (which can be upgraded up to 32GB).
Although the Mavericks release is probably weeks away, Apple will ship its new iMacs with OS X Mountain Lion pre-installed.
Commenting on the release of the new computers, Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing, said, “iMac continues to be the example that proves how beautiful, fast and fun a desktop computer can be.”
“Inside its ultra-thin aluminum enclosure, the new iMac has the latest Intel processors, faster graphics, next generation 802.11ac Wi-Fi and faster PCIe flash storage,” added Schiller.