Apple refreshes iMac, Mac Pro lines, introduces new Cinema Display
After Apple temporarily closed down its Web-based store on Tuesday, the company announced its annual desktop product line refresh, which included new Mac Pro, iMac, and Cinema Display products.
Apple's new iMacs are equipped with Intel Core i3, i5, or i7 processors offering speeds between 2.93 GHz and 3.6 GHz, have up to 16GB of faster 1333 MHz memory, discrete ATI Radeon HD craphics cards, (including the HD 5750 with 1GB GDDR5 on the top end,) and configure-to-order storage solutions with up to 2TB hard drives or 256GB solid state drives.
Flickering iMacs receive firmware fix
Apple today has issued a firmware upgrade for problematic 27" iMacs which are widely reported to be plagued with screen problems such as an erratic flicker or yellow patches in the screen.
An internal document from Apple support last week said that owners of yellowing 27" iMacs may have to arrange for a replacement LCD panel. For flickering, however, users can install the graphics firmware update from December 21, and then today's display firmware update.
Intel denies new iMac has new 'Montevina' platform
Is it a first peek at an entirely new class of Intel CPU that Apple is offering in its latest refresh of iMacs, or is it an older class of CPU that is being overclocked at customers' requests? Intel is indicating that the iMac's new high-end CPU is neither.
The latest round of the old "telephone game" amid several online news sources yesterday resulted in two unusual interpretations of Apple's news on Monday that its top-of-the-line iMac was getting a speed boost to 3.06 GHz.
Apple refreshes its iMac line
Apple's consumer desktops have received faster processors and better graphics cards, which may only add momentum to a product line analysts are saying may finally be stealing market share from Vista.
In fact, Apple credits the iMac as contributing to the ability for the company to grow its overall computer business at a rate of almost three times the industry average: Apple reported a 51 percent increase in computer sales last quarter.
Questions abound over Mac cloner Psystar's legitimacy
Following its announcement of a $399 Mac clone earlier this week, problems contacting the company, a sudden failure of its online store, and changes to its Web site have raised some eyebrows.
A simple search of Florida's registered business listings indicate that the company filed with the state on July 6 of last year. The registered address is 10645 SW 122nd Street in Miami, with the apparent contacts Rodolfo and Roberto Pedraza.
Apple Owns Up to iMac Freezing Issues
Apple confirmed Thursday that there was indeed an issue with a recent software update causing a limited number of its iMac desktops to experience user interface freezes, and that it required a restart to remedy the problem.
The exact reason for the issue is not yet known, although Apple said it has a team of researchers looking into the problem. Once the root cause is identified, a software patch will be issued. An Apple spokesperson said the likely time frame for the fix will be sometime later this month.
Apple Debuts New Aluminum and Glass iMacs
As expected, Apple on Tuesday unveiled its latest version of its iMac computer line, with new aluminum and glass enclosures at a cheaper price than their predecessors.
The 17-inch iMac has been discontinued in favor of two 20-inch models and a high-end 24-inch version. In all cases, both the keyboard and the computer itself are thinner than previous versions.
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 Upgrades iMacs, Slashes Prices
Apple shocked insiders Wednesday, announcing its rumored iMac upgrade nearly a full week earlier than thought. While the upgrade to Core 2 Duo processors and the addition of a larger widescreen model was expected, the price drop on the entry-level iMac was not.
The Cupertino company cut prices on its cheapest model by $300 to $999 USD for a 17-inch widescreen 1.83GHz Core 2 Duo with a 160GB hard drive and 512MB of SDRAM. Another 17-inch model with a 2.0GHz Core 2 Duo with 160GB hard drive and 1GB of RAM will retail for $1,199 USD.
Sony Debuts iMac-Like Integrated PC
Possibly looking to compete with the Apple iMac, Sony on Tuesday introduced an all-in-one unit that merges an LCD television with a desktop PC to conserve space. The unit includes a 19-inch widescreen display, with the computer's internals behind the monitor much like Apple's bestselling desktop computer.
The Sony VAIO LS1 is powered by an Intel Core Duo processor. It also includes 2GB of RAM, a 250GB hard drive, built in wireless 802.11b/g and the capability to watch and record television. The PC is Windows Vista Premium ready, Sony said, and will ship with Windows XP Media Center Edition.
Apple Introduces iMac for Education
Replacing its aging eMac educational computer line, Apple on Thursday introduced a version of the iMac priced $400 below its counterparts. The computer is only available to education customers, and will ship immediately at a price of $899 USD.
Apple said it would continue to sell the eMac until supplies run out, however the system is no longer in production. The move by Apple to bring its educational line to the Intel platform means than only the Power Mac remains as a PowerPC-powered system.
Intel iMac Costs Apple $899 to Build
Apple's cost to build the new Intel-based iMac likely costs about $873, research firm iSuppli said on Thursday. The most expensive part in the computer is the Intel Core Duo processor that powers it, on which the firm placed a value of $265.
Additionally, the firm estimates it costs Apple $25 to build and test every iMac, making the total cost $899. This does not include the cost of including a keyboard and mouse, as well as documentation with each system.
XP Won't Run on Intel MacBook, iMac
With the announcement of the first Intel based Macs yesterday, many users have rejoiced in being able to dual-boot both Mac OS X and Windows. Unfortunately, this is not the case; due to Apple's use of the extensible firmware interface (EFI) rather than BIOS, current Windows releases will not run on the systems.
On Tuesday at Macworld, Apple senior vice president of worldwide product marketing Phil Schiller said the company would not specifically block the use of Windows on Mac hardware. Instead, limitations in Windows itself will prevent its use on the new MacBook Pro laptop and iMac.
Photos: Apple's New iPod and iMac
As usual, Apple wowed the crowd at an event unveiling the revamped iPod with video support and a slimmer iMac complete with media center features. The video iPod sports a sleek design similar to the iPod Nano, but comes in 30GB and 60GB sizes. Click on the image for a slideshow of the new iPod and iMac.
Apple Adds Media Center to New iMac
At a special event for members of the press Wednesday morning, Apple CEO Steve Jobs took the stage to finally end the rumors about "One more thing..." First up on his list of announcements was a new iMac, which is thinner than previous models and includes a built-in iSight camera and Media Center-like capabilities.
A new application dubbed "Front Row" provides a 10-foot interface that lets iMac users control music, video and pictures while relaxing on a sofa. Text and graphics are enlarged for viewing at a distance.
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