new imac

Apple on Tuesday beefed up its

consumer desktop line by unveiling iMacs with a new processor architecture and faster graphics.

As with its predecessor, the new iMac comes in two models: 21.5-inch and a 27-inch. The 21.5-inch model has three processor options: a 3.06GHz Intel Core i3, a 3.2GHz Intel Core i3, and a 3.6GHz Intel Core i5. All three processors sport a 4MB level 3 cache and support Hyper-Threading and Turbo Boost. On the 27-inch, you can choose from four different processor: the same 3.2GHz or 3.6GHz chips as the 21.5-inch or a 2.8Ghz Quad-Core Intel Core i5 with a 8MB level 3 cache that supports Turbo Boost or a 2.93Ghz Quad-Core Intel Core i7 with a 8MB level 3 cache that supports Hyper-Threading and Turbo Boost.

In addition, there are new graphics options for the iMacs. The 21.5-inch model offers either an ATI Radeon HD 4670 with 256MB of GDDR3 memory or a ATI Radeon HD 5670 with 512MB of GDDR3 memory. The 27-inch model with the dual core processor comes with an ATI Radeon HD 5670 with 512MB of GDDR3 memory while the quad-core 27-inch model comes with an ATI Radeon 5750 with 1GB of GDDR5 memory.

All models come with one FireWire 800 port capable of powering up to 7 watts, four USB 2.0 ports, an SDXC memory card slot, AirPort Extreme 802.11n Wi-Fi that’s compatible with 802.11a/b/g, Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR, and a 10/100/1000BASE-T Gigabit Ethernet connector. They also sport built-in stero speakers, headphone/optical audio output minijack, an audio line-in/optical digital audio input minijack, and a built-in microphone. For video, a Mini DisplayPort output supports DVI, VGA, and dual-link DVI; as previously, the 27-inch models can also use the DisplayPort as an input port. As always, there’s an iSight camera embedded in the top of the bezel.

By default, all models ship with 4GB of 1333MHz DDR3 SDRAM in two 2GB SO-DIMM modules. There are a total of four SO-DIMM slots in the machine, which support up to 16GB of RAM. The 21.5-inch 3.06GHz model ships wih a 7200-rpm 500GB SATA hard drive while the 21-inch 3.2GHz model, 27-inch 3.2Ghz model, and quad-core 27-inch 2.8GHz model all ship with a 1TB 7200 rpm SATA hard drive. All models also offer a 2TB 7200-rpm SATA hard drive as an option and the 27-inch models can also choose a 256GB solid-state drive. All models ship with the slot-loading 8x SuperDrive.

The 21.5-inch 3.06Ghz model starts at $1,199, with the 3.2GHz 21.5-inch model at $1,499. The 27-inch 3.2GHz will set you back $1,699 and the 27-inch 2.8GHz quad-core model runs for $1,999. All models are shipping now from the Apple Store.

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