Apple Updates iMacs

Apple just introduced new iMac models running at speeds up to 700 MHz and offering slot-loading CD-RW drives at lower prices with more memory and larger hard drives. Available in popular iMac colors–Indigo, Snow and Graphite–the new line also comes with Apple’s next generation operating system, Mac OS X, pre-installed. Offering more speed, the line includes iMac models featuring fast new PowerPC G3 processors running at up to 700 MHz. With slot-loading CD-RW drives now available across the line and iTunes pre-installed on every iMac, users can import songs from their favorite CDs and compress them into the popular MP3 format, and organize their music and create custom music CDs, starting at just $999. With larger hard drives up to 60GB, memory up to 256MB and iMovie 2, Apple’s pre-installed easy-to-use consumer digital video editing software, users can store more digital movies. Movies can be saved back to the camcorder, copied to videotape or posted to a user’s own website using iTools, Apple’s suite of free Internet services.

iMac continues to lead the way as the world's best computer for today's digital lifestyle with features including:

• award-winning, all-in-one design with built-in 15-inch high-quality display with 1024x768 resolution (13.8-inch viewable image size);
• the fastest and easiest way to start surfing, emailing and messaging on the web;
• fan-less operation that reduces noise to half that of competitive products;
• slot-loading CD-RW drives for burning music and data CDs;
• ATI RAGE 128 Ultra with 16MB of video RAM for outstanding graphics and realistic gaming;
• dual FireWire and USB ports for easy connections to peripherals such as DV camcorders;
• built-in 10/100BASE-T Ethernet for easy DSL and cable modem access, and a 56K V.90 modem;
• an all-digital sound system designed in collaboration with Harman Kardon;
• Apple’s optical Pro mouse and full-size Apple Pro Keyboard;
• support for optional AirPort, Apple’s revolutionary wireless networking solution; and
• an incredible software bundle offering iTunes, iMovie 2, AppleWorks, QuickTime, QuickTime VR, QuickTime Player, Quicken Deluxe 2001, Palm Desktop, FAXstf, Cro-Mag Rally, Nanosaur, Microsoft Internet Explorer, Microsoft Outlook Express, Netscape Communicator and EarthLink TotalAccess.

Pricing and Availability
The new 500 MHz and 600 MHz iMac models are available immediately from The Apple Store (www.apple.com), at Apple’s retail stores and through Apple Authorized Resellers. The 700 MHz model is expected to be available in August. The new iMacs are available in three standard configurations.

iMac, for a suggested retail price of $999 in Indigo and Snow, features:

• a 500 MHz PowerPC G3 processor with 256K on-chip backside level 2 cache;
• 128MB of PC100 SDRAM;
• a 20GB Ultra ATA hard disk;
• a slot-loading CD-RW drive;
• ATI RAGE 128 Ultra with 16MB of SDRAM;
• a built-in 56K V.90 modem;
• two FireWire ports and two USB ports;
• VGA video mirroring; and
• support for AirPort option.

iMac, for a suggested retail price of $1,299 in Snow and Graphite, features:

• a 600 MHz PowerPC G3 processor with 256K on-chip backside level 2 cache;
• 256MB of PC100 SDRAM;
• a 40GB Ultra ATA hard disk;
• a slot-loading CD-RW drive;
• ATI RAGE 128 Ultra with 16MB of SDRAM;
• a built-in 56K V.90 modem;
• two FireWire ports and two USB ports;
• VGA video mirroring; and
• support for AirPort option.

iMac Special Edition, for a suggested retail price of $1,499 in Snow and Graphite, features:

• a 700 MHz PowerPC G3 processor with 256K on-chip backside level 2 cache;
• 256MB of PC100 SDRAM
• a 60GB Ultra ATA hard disk
• a slot-loading CD-RW drive;
• ATI RAGE 128 Ultra with 16MB of SDRAM;
• a built-in 56K V.90 modem;
• two FireWire ports and two USB ports;
• VGA video mirroring; and
• support for AirPort option.

Apple ignited the personal computer revolution in the 1970s with the Apple II and reinvented the personal computer in the 1980s with the Macintosh. Apple is committed to bringing the best personal computing experience to students, educators, creative professionals and consumers around the world through its innovative hardware, software and Internet offerings.

SOURCE Apple