Apple Unveils New iMac, Mac Mini

Apple Unveils New iMac, Mac Mini

Techtree News Staff, Mar 31, 2006 2240 hrs IST

Apple has also launched the new Mac Mini with Intel's Core Duo processor, capable of delivering performance up to four...

Amongst an array of new products, Apple Computer has unveiled the iMac featuring Mac OS X running on Intel's new Core Duo processor promising a performance up to twice that of its predecessor.

Apple has also launched the new Mac Mini with Intel's Core Duo processor, capable of delivering performance up to four times faster than its predecessor.

The new iMac features Intel dual-core processors, built-in iSight video camera for out-of-the-box video conferencing, Front Row for a breakthrough multimedia experience, iLife'06, and the Apple Remote for consumers to enjoy digital content from across the room.

Apple says that its Mac Mini is the most affordable way to enjoy iLife'06, which is the company's Gen-X suite of digital lifestyle applications. The Mac Mini also features Front Row and the Apple Remote, together making for a superlative user experience.

Apple's iMac too boasts of iLife'06 which comprises major new versions of iPhoto, iMovie HD, iDVD, GarageBand as also iWeb - a new application making for easy creation and publishing of Web sites.

The iMac includes features such as a SuperDrive for burning professional-quality DVDs; 512MB of 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM memory expandable up to 2GB; hard drive storage capacity up to 500GB; and ATI Radeon X1600 PCI Express-based graphics with 128MB of GDDR3 memory.

iMac also features in-built 10/100/1000 BASE-T Gigabit Ethernet for high-speed networking; AirPort Extreme for fast 54 Mbps wireless networking; Bluetooth 2.0+EDR (Enhanced Data Rate); five USB ports; two FireWire 400 ports; and mini-DVI video output to connect up to a 23-inch Apple Cinema HD Display.

The iMac sports the Mac OS X version 10.4.4 "Tiger" operating system including Safari, Mail, iCal, iChat AV, Front Row and Photo Booth.

Steve Jobs, CEO, Apple Computer, said, "The iMac has already been praised as the gold standard of desktop PCs, so we hope customers will really love the new iMac, which is up to twice as fast. With Mac OS X plus Intel s latest dual-core processor under the hood, the new iMac delivers performance that will knock our customers socks off."

Apple's other new product - the Mac Mini, incorporates an all-new system architecture for performance up to four times that of its predecessor; and features a 667 MHz front-side bus and 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM memory expandable up to 2GB.

Each new Mac mini includes built-in 10/100/1000 BASE-T Gigabit Ethernet for high-speed networking; AirPort Extreme 802.11g WiFi for fast 54 Mbps wireless networking; Bluetooth 2.0+EDR (Enhanced Data Rate); four USB 2.0 ports; DVI interface and VGA-out adapter for connecting to a variety of displays; and analog plus digital audio outputs.

Like other Apple products, the Mac Mini too comes with Mac OS X version 10.4 "Tiger" operating system including Safari, Mail, iCal, iChat AV and Front Row.

Philip Schiller, senior vice president - worldwide product marketing, Apple Computer, said, "With the new Mac mini, Apple has now moved 50 percent of its entire product line to Intel within 60 days - a record transition. The new Mac mini is now up to four times faster with the Intel Core Duo, includes even greater expansion in the same incredibly compact design, and is the most affordable way to enjoy Front Row and iLife 06."

Both the new iMac and the new Mac Mini will be available through Apple Authorized Resellers.

The 17-inch 1.83 GHz iMac will retail for a maximum price of Rs 79,800; while the 20-inch 2.0 GHz iMac will be available for Rs 101,600.

While the 1.5 GHz Mac Mini will retail for a maximum price of Rs 35,500; the 1.66 GHz Mac Mini will ship for around Rs 46,300.