Apple Revs iMacs

Apple upgrades its iMac desktops with additional horsepower, while adding more capacity to its iPod music players.

On Monday, Apple Computer Inc. upgraded its iMac desktops with additional horsepower, while adding more capacity to its iPod music players. Apples latest iMac revision includes three new models, two boasting a new 1.2-GHz G4 processor. Previously, Apples "new" iMac shipped in only two models, and the fastest processor available was a 1-GHz G4 processor. Apples iMac lineup includes the $1,299 base model, which includes the older 1-GHz G4, a 15-inch LCD, and a "combo" optical drive. The midrange $1,799 configuration adds the 1.25-GHz G4, a 17-inch LCD and a full-fledged SuperDrive. Apples high-end iMac, priced at $2,448, doubles the amount of memory and disk storage, and includes a built-in Bluetooth connection.
Apple also improved the speed of the iMac platform to keep pace with the faster processors. The iMacs now ship with PC2700 (333-MHz) memory, on par with a mid-range personal computer; the two slower models include 256MB of RAM, while the fastest SuperDrive model offers a full GB of memory. The two cheaper models include 80-Gbyte, ATA-100 hard drives, while the fastest model includes a 160-Gbyte hard drive. The new iMacs have three USB 2.0 ports and two FireWire 400 ports, but lack the high-speed FireWire 800 interface. On Monday, Apple also began selling new 20-GB and 40-GB iPods, which ship with both a FireWire interface for Apples machines as well as an adaptor for a Windows PC. The 20-GB model costs $399, while the 40-GB model is priced at $499. Both iPods are available now.