Apple Refreshes iMac G5, Bundles Tiger

Apple has updated its iMac G5 line with faster 64-bit processors and improved graphics hardware to take advantage of the new capabilities in Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger, which is now bundled. Apple has also added built-in Airport Extreme and Bluetooth wireless to the all-in-one Macs that integrate an LCD display.

The new iMac G5 offers a 17-inch or 20-inch widescreen display, which is powered by an ATI Radeon 9600 graphics processor with 128MB of video memory. The top of the line models include a 2.0 GHz G5 processor, with a lower-end model running at 1.8 GHz. Each system includes 512MB of RAM.

"Reviewers have called the iMac G5 'the most elegant desktop computer in the world' and now it’s getting even better," said Philip Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing, in a statement.

Like its desktop Power Mac systems, each iMac includes iLife '05, along with a collection of productivity and entertainment titles. "With a faster processor, built-in wireless networking, Tiger and iLife '05, the new iMac G5 offers the best consumer desktop computing experience in the world," said Schiller.

Apple has priced the new iMacs to sell. The 17-inch 1.8 GHz model comes in at $1,299 USD, with the 2.0 GHz retailing for $1,499 USD. Those desiring more screen space can pick up the 20-inch iMac G5, which also boasts a 250GB Serial ATA hard drive, for $1,799.