CUPERTINO, Calif., Sept. 8 -- Apple today announced significant enhancements to its popular line of iMac desktop computers, including faster PowerPC G4 processors running up to 1.25 GHz, faster 333 MHz DDR memory, faster NVIDIA graphics and the move to the faster USB 2.0 standard.
"The iMac, with its high quality 15- or 17-inch widescreen displays and bundled iLife applications, is the ultimate computer for working with digital photos, digital music and digital video," said Philip Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. "The ease-of-use and stunning design of the iMac remain unparalleled in the industry."
The new iMacs sport faster PowerPC G4 processors running at 1.0 GHz in the 15-inch model and 1.25 GHz in the 17-inch model. Both models include 256MB of faster DDR SDRAM running at 333 MHz and an 80GB Ultra ATA/100 hard disk drive. The 17-inch model also includes NVIDIA's GeForce FX 5200 Ultra graphics processor with 64MB of DDR video memory.
Designed around an ultra-compact base, the iMac's flat panel display appears to float in mid-air, allowing users to effortlessly adjust its height or angle with just a touch. The iMacs offer two FireWire 400 and three high-speed USB 2.0 ports for fast, simple, plug-and-play connections to devices such as digital cameras, DV camcorders, the iPod(TM) and the iSight(TM) video conferencing camera. The iMac also offers the latest in wireless communications with support for 54Mbps AirPort Extreme 802.11g wireless networking and optional built-in Bluetooth for wireless connectivity to a range of peripherals such as cell phones and PDAs.
Every iMac includes Mac OS X "Jaguar" and Apple's iLife applications, a completely integrated suite offering iTunes 4 for managing and purchasing digital music, iPhoto 2 for organizing and sharing digital photos, iMovie 3 for making movies and iDVD(TM) 3 for burning Hollywood-style DVDs. Also included is a collection of productivity and entertainment titles such as Quicken 2003 Deluxe, World Book 2003 Edition and the recently introduced Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4.