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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.