Apple Event May Usher in New iMacs

A scheduled event at Apple's headquarters in Cupertino next Tuesday has some thinking that a significant update to the company's iMac line is imminent.

Members of the press have been invited to an August 7 press conference at 10am Pacific Time. Apple is remaining typically mum about the details, only saying that the announcements are "Mac-related" and that Apple executives will be present.

Apple enthusiast site ThinkSecret reported two weeks ago that Apple was planning to release a significant update to its iMac line, and added that the company could release a new version of its iLife suite at the event.

The new iMacs are expected to have a brushed aluminum enclosure, and measure about two inches in thickness. Although details of the exact design were not available, it is said to look quite similar to the current iMac models.

Another enthusiast site, AppleInsider, claims that the new iMacs will also come with a redesigned and super-slim keyboard, of which it posted supposed photos of a prototype last week.

Only 20 and 24-inch models are expected to be available in the next revision, as Apple is expected to discontinue the 17-inch model. Intel's Santa Rosa processors will be used, with the highest speed available being 2.4GHz.

Rumors of a new iPod, called the "Touch," have appeared on blogs in recent weeks. However, in off-MacWorld launches, the company usually keeps its Mac and iPod announcements separate.

It is noteworthy to mention, however, that the iPod has not received a major update since September of last year, and the longest the device has gone between updates in "generations" of the product has been 11 months.