Updated iMac

Apple today unveiled the new , which features a built-in iSight video camera for out-of-the-box video conferencing and the debut of Apple’s new Front Row technology. Front Row gives users a simple, intuitive and powerful way to play their music, enjoy their photo slideshows, and watch their DVDs and iMovies, as well as popular movie trailers from Apple's website, and music videos and television shows purchased from the iTunes Music Store, on their iMac from up to 30 feet away using the new bundled Apple Remote. The new iMac G5 comes in a sleek, new design that is even thinner than its predecessor, and starts at just $1,299.

“The new iMac G5 debuts our amazing Front Row media experience, and we think users are going to love it,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “Plus, the built-in iSight video camera delivers out-of-the-box video conferencing with friends and family, as well as hours of fun with our new Photo Booth application.”

The refined design of the new iMac G5 is now up to 1/2-inch thinner and 15 percent lighter than the previous generation. Delivering even greater value, the new iMac G5 line includes a 17-inch model with a 1.9GHz PowerPC G5 processor for just $1,299 and a 20-inch model with a 2.1 GHz PowerPC G5 processor for just $1,699. Both models now come standard with a SuperDrive™ with double-layer support for burning professional-quality DVDs, 533 MHz DDR2 SDRAM memory expandable to 2.5GB, hard drive storage capacity up to 500GB, and ATI Radeon X600 PCI Express-based graphics with 128MB of dedicated video memory for outstanding graphics performance and realistic game play. System memory is easily upgraded via a convenient access door along the bottom edge.

The new iMac G5 includes Apple’s Mighty Mouse, featuring up to four programmable buttons and an ingenious Scroll Ball that lets users scroll in any direction—vertically, horizontally and even diagonally. Every new iMac G5 also includes iLife ‘05 -- Apple’s suite of digital lifestyle applications -- and a collection of productivity and entertainment titles including AppleWorks, Quicken 2006 for Mac, 2006 World Book, Photo Booth, Nanosaur 2 and Marble Blast Gold.

The new 17-inch 1.9 GHz iMac G5, for a suggested retail price of $1,299, includes:

• 17-inch widescreen LCD display;
  
• 1.9 GHz PowerPC G5 processor;
  
• 512MB of 533 MHz DDR2 SDRAM expandable to 2.5GB;
  
• 8x SuperDrive™ with double-layer support (DVD+R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW);
  
• ATI Radeon X600 Pro with 128MB DDR memory;
  
• built-in iSight video camera;
  
• built-in AirPort Extreme wireless networking & Bluetooth 2.0+EDR;
  
• 160GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 7200 rpm;
  
• built-in stereo speakers and microphone; and
  
• ships with infrared Apple Remote, Mighty Mouse and Apple Keyboard.

The new 20-inch 2.1 GHz iMac G5, for a suggested retail price of $1,699, includes:

• 20-inch widescreen LCD display;
  
• 2.1 GHz PowerPC G5 processor;
  
• 512MB of 533 MHz DDR2 SDRAM expandable to 2.5GB;
  
• 8x SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD+R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW);
  
• ATI Radeon X600 XT with 128MB DDR memory;
  
• built-in iSight video camera;
  
• built-in AirPort Extreme wireless networking & Bluetooth 2.0+EDR;
  
• 250GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 7200 rpm;
  
• built-in stereo speakers and microphone; and
  
• ships with infrared Apple Remote, Mighty Mouse and Apple Keyboard.

by MacNN Staff