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Apple Launches New Cheaper 21.5-Inch iMac Starting at $1,099

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While rumors last week indicated that Apple would be launching minor updates to its iMac line, Apple today unveiled a new lower-cost 21.5-inch iMac starting at $1,099. Previously, the entry level iMac started at $1299.

cheaper_imac_2014_2.jpg
The new entry-level 21.5-inch iMac comes with a 1.4GHz dual-core Intel i5 processor, a 500GB hard drive, 8GB of memory, and an Intel HD 5000 Graphics chip for $1,099. Customers can also choose to include a 1TB hard drive, a 1TB Fusion Drive, or 256GB of flash storage on build to order options. All of Apple's other 21.5-inch and 27-inch iMacs are still available as well.

KGI Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicted last year and earlier this year that Apple would be launching a lower-cost iMac in 2014 to bolster sales in critical foreign markets.

Apple is also rumored to be working on Retina Display-equipped iMacs, as recent evidence in the OS X Yosemite developer preview suggested such models were in the works. While there is no specific release date for a Retina iMac, Apple could launch the new desktop computer later this year.

Apple's new entry-level iMac is available today through Apple's various retail locations and online store, and shows an availability of "within 24 hours."

Update 5:41 AM: Apple has issued a press release announcing the lower-cost iMac.

Article Link: Apple Launches New Cheaper 21.5-Inch iMac Starting at $1,099
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2014/06/18/apple-launches-new-cheaper-imac-1099/
1.4 GHz in a desktop computer at this price?

Surely that's a typo...

Just checked Apple's store and it says the same thing.

1.4 GHz for $1099 or 2.7 GHz for $1299. They're the same line of CPU, so it's an apples to apples comparison. For an 18% increase in price, you double the CPU and the storage capacity. The GPU also changes, but it changes lines entirely so there's no easy way to say how much better one is than the other.
 
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I wish they had this 6 months ago, I would have bought this to go with my iPad instead of a MacBook Pro:)
 
To me it doesn't seem all that "low-cost" at $1099.

$999 would have been the price point to go for, but I guess it'll be available for that after retailer/educational discounts.
 
So let's see, we've got an early-2014 MacBook Air's guts in a 21.5" iMac. And a HDD.

And I guess this machine's for people who want the power of a base early-2014 MacBook Air in a desktop form factor.
 
They put a MacBook Air (15W) CPU inside a desktop computer meant for 65W CPUs? Without making it thinner?

Hmmm, pretty weird. Would have been cheaper for them to go with a less efficient, more powerful chip.
 
The fact that none of the iMacs come standard with a SSD at this point is shocking. I would never buy or use a computer without one now.
 
july, and this is all apple can come up with?? not even an update to the i7 with 880m and the latest i7 processor with tb2 (that wouldnt be a complex update for them to do). geez I hope this and the MB air isnt part of what tim cook and eddy cue looks upon as a year of impressive product upgrades...effortless upgrades IMO.
 
tomhumphrey said:
The fact that none of the iMacs come standard with a SSD at this point is shocking. I would never buy or use a computer without one now.
Click to expand...

... which wouldn't normally be a problem except that these iMacs make it very difficult to open and replace the HDD.
 
For that price you could get a 11" macbook air and a monitor and get a PCIe SSD for free and have the portability if you need it. This new option makes no sense at all.
 
ArtOfWarfare said:
1.4 GHz in a desktop computer at this price?

Surely that's a typo...
Click to expand...

I am looking at the Apple Store now. 1.4 GHZ (but apparently can turbo boost up to 2.7 GHZ, huh?). Definitely seems like a typo somewhere, I am paying for a mac mini with an integrated display?
 
iMcLovin said:
july, and this is all apple can come up with?? not even an update to the i7 with 880m and the latest i7 processor with tb2 (that wouldnt be a complex update for them to do). geez I hope this and the MB air isnt part of what tim cook and eddy cue looks upon as a year of impressive product upgrades...effortless upgrades IMO.
Click to expand...

This is just clearing the decks for retina iMacs this fall. :)
 
JaySoul said:
When will Apple release touchscreen iMacs?
Click to expand...

I agree with Steve Jobs on this feature. It gives a great demo, but it's ergonomically terrible.

Also, I wouldn't enjoy wiping finger prints off my monitor all the time. Touching a monitor will not be faster than a mouse.
 
iMcLovin said:
july, and this is all apple can come up with?? not even an update to the i7 with 880m and the latest i7 processor with tb2 (that wouldnt be a complex update for them to do). geez I hope this and the MB air isnt part of what tim cook and eddy cue looks upon as a year of impressive product upgrades...effortless upgrades IMO.
Click to expand...

Looks like they're just waiting for Broadwell.
 
Still no new Mac Mini, but I expected they wouldn't release a new Mac Mini at this time.
 
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