Apple fans can now stop speculating as to what the new iMacs will have in store for them. At least until the next round of new release rumors hit the internet in a couple of months.
On Tuesday morning, Apple released a new line of iMacs with upgraded hardware, along with a new multi-touch input device dubbed the “Magic Trackpad”.
The new iMacs have the same basic body style as the previous line, and are available with 21.5” or 27” LED displays. Processor options range from an Intel dual-core i3 3.06GHz in the starter model, to a quad-core i7 2.93 GHz in the top-of-the-line configuration. All models start with 4GB of DDR3 SDRAM, with options to add up to 16GB for an extra $1000. Customers who purchase a 27” iMac can also upgrade from the standard SATA HDD to a 256GB SSD for an additional $600. SATA capacities up to 2TB are available.
All models come with Apple’s multi-touch Magic Mouse and also have the option to add on the new wireless, battery-powered Magic Trackpad, a touchpad which includes a full range of multitouch and gesture capabilities.
Gizmodo describes the Magic Trackpad as, “basically a larger version of the MacBook Pro touchpad, with 80% more surface area for all your swiping and pinching. The entire surface acts as a button, so it's also a possible mouse replacement. And all of the expected gestures are here: two-finger scrolling, pinch to zoom, fingertip rotation, and three- and four-finger swipes.”
The new 21.5” iMacs start at $1,199, while the 27” styles begin at $1,699. The quad-core 27” iMac with all of the upgrade options will easily cost you over $4000. For full specs and options, all of the new models are now online at the Apple Store.
Some reports seem to express sticker shock at the price of the Magic Trackpad, but at $69 it costs the same as a Magic mouse. Currently, the new iMacs include a Magic Mouse with an option to add a Magic Trackpad to the order, but there is no substitution option.
