Apple Releases Core 2 Duo iMac, Adds 24" Model

[Multimedia]

Buying Advice For the Old Timer

The 24" iMac looks very sexy and my finger is on the order button. However, for about the same price, I could get a refurb macbook and a refurb 20" iMac ($1100*2). Or, I could get a refurb iMac with Logic Pro and Aperture (I'll have to wait a while if I go for the 24"). This would be a pretty flexible setup. Anyone want to convince me to go for the two refurbs? I'm an old timer, but have been out of Mac for about eight years.

If you need both and the money is tight, go for the refurbs. If you wait, you can get the 1.83GHz MacBook for only $949 when more come back to the page. On the other hand, if you go with the new iMac you are getting much more advanced tech ala 64-bit Leopard ready. Tough choice. Maybe 1.83GHz MacBook + $1199 17" iMac Core 2 Duo.

NOTE: MacBook will also be going Core 2 Duo by Thanksgiving. So if you can stagger your purcahses, you're better off going Core 2 Duo all the way in the long run.

And all will wind up on the SAVE refurb page as well.

 

[milo]

darn you guys are right...was the old (Yonah) iMac previously listed though? I mean, was iMac REMOVED when they upgraded it, or was it never on the rebate list?

if it was REMOVED, then it looks like i have to choose between backing out of the deal with my friend, or being forced to go with the Yonah MacBook. The latter wouldn't be too bad, I've heard they're great anyway, and I could stop this ridiculous waiting game...

They didn't remove anything, but if you look at the coupon, it specifies exactly which models are included. All the models listed say "core duo" and even list clock speeds. So it's pretty much limited to any models shipping before today.

First, show me something better than an iMac. No, it doesn't exist.

Second, the MacPro IS a desktop. If it's too much for you, get a 24" iMac and be happy, instead of playing with a crappy PC.

Conroe machines go up to almost 3ghz. Those will definitely run faster than the imac. Why are you so insistent that such things don't exist?

And if you consider the Mac Pro a desktop, how could the iMac be the most powerful desktop? You don't seriously think the iMac is more powerful than the MP do you?

NOTE: MacBook will also be going Core 2 Duo by Thanksgiving.

That's total speculation on your part. I don't think there's any question that the MBP is going merom soon, but nobody really knows how quickly the MB will.

 

[helto]

Not Happy

Hi Multimedia

I am a fiirst time Mac owner. I wasn't aware that a model relaunch was due, only that I was p..s.d off with Windows problems and fancied a change. I am a compete but, until 2hrs ago, happy novice.

Helto

 

[lseven]

Ironically, the ATI Radeon X1600 graphics with 128MB GDDR3 memory that supports rotation on an external Dell monitor is not available on the 24" model. NVIDIA does not support Dell Rotation. So if you want to be able to rotate a Dell 24" monitor, you will have to buy the 20" iMac. Now that's crazy!

I agree. I would like to get the 24" model but won't if it doesn't support rotation. However, my 20" iMac has a bug from 10.4.7 that breaks the rotation support anyway. So the rotation support only matters if the bug in the 20" iMac gets fixed!

 

[matttrick]

First, show me something better than an iMac. No, it doesn't exist.

Second, the MacPro IS a desktop. If it's too much for you, get a 24" iMac and be happy, instead of playing with a crappy PC.

Third, my opinion about computers doesn't mix with personal offenses...so chill out, Dell dude.

are you serious? do you honestly believe what you typed?

 

[Reep]

If you need both and the money is tight, go for the refurbs. If you wait, you can get the 1.83GHz MacBook for only $949 when more come back to the page. On the other hand, if you go with the new iMac you are getting much more advanced tech ala 64-bit Leopard ready. Tough choice. Maybe 1.83GHz MacBook + $1199 17" iMac Core 2 Duo.

NOTE: MacBook will also be going Core 2 Duo by Thanksgiving. So if you can stagger your purcahses, you're better off going Core 2 Duo all the way in the long run.

And all will wind up on the SAVE refurb page as well.

I think you are right about waiting for the MB. It will come down even lower on the refurb price shortly. I just have to decide if I want the older processor and the software, or get the extra HD real estate and wait on the software. Hmmm. I guess their pricing is good because it is a tough decision.

 

[Chundles]

I agree. I would like to get the 24" model but won't if it doesn't support rotation. However, my 20" iMac has a bug from 10.4.7 that breaks the rotation support anyway. So the rotation support only matters if the bug in the 20" iMac gets fixed!

Rotation? On an iMac? What are you doing, turning your head sideways?

 

[alexeismertin]

Am I the only one who thinks that the big Apple logo under the iMacs is lame? I can't imagine watching a movie for hours with that thing hovering in the lower part of my vision.

Please, Apple. Shrink and move the logo discreetly into the corner, or be bold and remove the logo entirely! We all know it's a Mac!

I totally agree, there must be enough space to fit all the components behind the 24" screen - perhaps the evolution in design will make the 24" imac like this, with a black casing so it looks more like high end HD TV's.

 

[Manic Mouse]

Thanks Oded...now we can ask our fellow Winblows fanboys...are ya gonna get a Dull, dude?

Dell is DEAD. Microsoft is DEAD.

MAN THE PUMPS! GO APPLE!

How insightful.

First, show me something better than an iMac. No, it doesn't exist.

Define "better". It's a subjective term, especially when it comes to something like a computer which people can use for vastly different things. For someone who doesn't need brillant graphics or super-fast processors and wants a decent all-in-one solution the iMac is perfect.

But that wasn't what you said. You said the new iMac is "the most powerful desktop in the world". Which is, frankly, a load of bull.

Second, the MacPro IS a desktop. If it's too much for you, get a 24" iMac and be happy, instead of playing with a crappy PC.

The Mac Pro isn't a desktop, it's a workstation. It says it right on the box, and on the website. The 24" iMac still isn't what I want either, something in-between would be perfect. 2.66Ghz C2D, 4Gb RAM, PCIe and 2 HDD bays would do me nicely. But Apple simply doesn't offer a machine in that performance bracket, just above and below. It's where the gap in their "product matrix" is.

Third, my opinion about computers doesn't mix with personal offenses...so chill out, Dell dude.

Funny how you love to throw derogatory inferences around like they're going out of fashion then, isn't it?

But I'm glad oh-so-witty puns like refering to Windows as "WinBlows" amuse you so. You must get on really well with kids.

 

[50548]

Oh well... get the top of the line Alienware or so, one or two 30" TFTs, ... bet it will be faster than the 24" iMac? Or just get a Mac Pro... should be faster than the iMac.

The MacPro has Xeons... two of them. Sounds pretty workstation to me. And $2000 is a bit hefty.
So Apple still doesn't have a desktop... MacPro is too expensive, iMac is uninteresting because it's an AIO. Add another HD? External. Add BR or HD-DVD? External. Soundcard? External. etc. etc.

Wrong. "Top of the line" Alienware would dispute the upper range of workstation-like machines, like the MacPro. Second, the price range is simply outside that of any iMac.

MacPro have Woodcrest Xeons, not Tulsa ones, so they may qualify as normal desktops as well.

iMacs ARE interesting because they are AIOs...another HD? What for? A BR drive? What for? Soundcard? Huh?

No thanks...I will stick with Apple for now.

 

[cgmpowers]

My thoughts exactly, buy MacPro instead of 24" iMac.

My thoughts exactly. Now don't argue the "monitor or not a monitor" in the price but here's the figures that have me aiming to a MacPro. Special note that I do have a 23" Cinema Display.

iMac 24", maxxed memory, hard drive & video card. $3,324
2.33GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
3GB 667 DDR2 SDRAM - 1x2GB, 1x1GB
500GB Serial ATA Drive
NVIDIA GeForce 7600 GT 256MB SDRAM
SuperDrive 8X (DVD+R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
Apple Keyboard & Mighty Mouse + Mac OS X (US English)
24-inch widescreen LCD
AirPort Extreme
Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR


MacPro, (2GB of ram, not 3, HD same, video upgraded/better) $3,249
Two 2.66GHz Dual-Core Intel Xeon
2GB (4 x 512MB)
500GB 7200-rpm Serial ATA 3Gb/s
ATI Radeon X1900 XT 512MB (2 x dual-link DVI)
One 16x SuperDrive
Apple Keyboard and Mighty Mouse - U.S. English
Mac OS X - U.S. English

Without the monitor and picking MIDDLE OF THE CATAGORY of MacPro processor and MIDDLE OF THE CATAGORY video card..and 2GB of ram (3GB not available in configuration choices)..you save $75 and have a BETTER video card and have a quad processor machine.

Dump the processor to 2.0 instead of 2.66 and lower the graphic card to the lowest choice and your at $2699, a saving of $625.. The cheapest Apple screen is $699 for the 20" cinema display.

This doesn't take in consideration 3rd party ram or 3rd party displays which will also help lower the cost.

MacPro, easy choice.

UPDATE: My pricing of the MacPro models did NOT include the Airport/Bluetooth module. That you'd have to add $79 for both BT&Airport, or $49 for just Airport.

You don't win any prizes for that...

New iMac looks nice. 24"? never would have guessed it

at the $1999 price though, the $2499 Mac Pro starts to look attractive (or the downgraded to 2Ghz Mac Pro which is $2199)...

EDIT: then again, I don't have a big screen at home, so the 24" iMac would be a huge upgrade in both screen and computing power

 

[psymac]

Movie encoding?

Wondering which Mac to get, the most I'm doing is some burning to CD home movies (and general surfing/word processing). Right now on my dual 1gz G4 (noisey Quicksilver), it seems to take forever just to encode and burn to disc a 50 minute home movie.

How long might that take on a 20" new iMac versus a low end Mac Pro?

Or should I (wishfully perhaps) wait a week or two and see if a headless Conroe tower from Apple is released?

 

[50548]

are you serious? do you honestly believe what you typed?

Yes, I honestly believe that. Can you show me a better offer than the 24" iMac right now? Oh, running the best OS in the globe, please...thanks!

 

[Manic Mouse]

I totally agree, there must be enough space to fit all the components behind the 24" screen - perhaps the evolution in design will make the 24" imac like this, with a black casing so it looks more like high end HD TV's.

Am I the only one that kind of likes the "chin"? It's what makes an iMac an iMac, it would just be a boring LCD screen without it!

 

[Manic Mouse]

Yes, I honestly believe that. Can you show me a better offer than the 24" iMac right now? Oh, running the best OS in the globe, please...thanks!

Hey, Lawyer, don't change what you said. You wouldn't try that in court, would you?

 

[mmignano]

Merom Benchmarks

Does anyone know the differences between the 2.16 Ghz and the 2.33 Ghz in the new iMacs? I'm having trouble finding benchmarks on the web that compare the two...

 

[guzhogi]

I think that Apple should make a midlevel desktop for those people who want more expansion than an iMac/Mac mini but don't need a Mac Pro. Something in a midtower case, 2 optical drive bays, 2 hard drive bays, 4 RAM slots & 3 PCIe. Also Core 2 Duo, not Xeons. Make it cheap, too. Under $1000 a must.

 

[50548]

Hey, Lawyer, don't change what you said. You wouldn't try that in court, would you?

Huh? Ya mean the best desktop on the planet? I am just reinforcing that...no worries...you may keep your Dell, maboy.

 

[Manic Mouse]

Wrong. "Top of the line" Alienware would dispute the upper range of workstation-like machines, like the MacPro. Second, the price range is simply outside that of any iMac.

MacPro have Woodcrest Xeons, not Tulsa ones, so they may qualify as normal desktops as well.

Mac Pros use WORKSTATION parts. Ergo, they are workstations.

AlienWare PCs use DESKTOP parts. Ergo, they are desktops.

And you never mentioned price in your original statement.

 

[Chundles]

Does anyone know the differences between the 2.16 Ghz and the 2.33 Ghz in the new iMacs? I'm having trouble finding benchmarks on the web that compare the two...

The 2.33GHz one is quicker.

 

[mattcube64]

What a awesome deal. I may have to find a way to get one...

I just got my 2GHz MB a couple months ago to get me through my last year of highschool and through college. I was pretty sure I'd want to get a desktop at the end of the school year so I'd have it for college. The Mac Pro was a near perfect candidate, but the price was just too much for the lack of the monitor.

However, for only $2000 after education discount, I can get a smokin' processor, a gig of RAM, a 7600GT (More than enough for decent gaming through Windows), better sound, and a freakin' 24" LCD!

I think I may just have to cut the PS3 out of my budget, and try to save for this before my birthday comes in January!

I think this is the best deal Apple has, period. Too bad the iPod deal is defunct now.

 

[Manic Mouse]

Huh? Ya mean the best desktop on the planet? I am just reinforcing that...no worries...you may keep your Dell, maboy.

I think I'm going to move to the US and start being a Laywer, since you don't even seem to know the first thing about debate or even what basic statements mean.

You never said it was the "best" desktop on the planet, or that it was the "best" for the price. You said the iMac is "the most powerful desktop". Which is wrong. It isn't. Your statement is false.

Really rather simple stuff, especially for a lawyer.

 

[j26]

I ordered a 20" iMac a couple of weeks ago, but it hadn't been dispatched yet (in fact, it was due to be dispatched today). The Apple order status site was down earlier, until just after the Apple Store came back up with the new iMacs, and lo and behold, my order has been replaced with a 20" iMac Core 2 Duo!

They've even upgraded the RAM to 2GB (I'd paid for an upgrade to 1GB on the original order), and dropped the price I pay!

So top marks to Apple - a brand new iMac, specced higher than the original, for £80 less! I don't know many other manufacturers that would do this - it's the kind of service that keeps Apple customers loyal.

The only downside is, I was expecting it to be delivered on Friday but now I have to wait until the 19th! But really, I don't mind!

Interestingly my delivery date is the 19th too on the MacBook that I ordered this morning.

Possible sign of MB upgrade???? (prays to Allah, Budda, Yahweh and assorted others)

 

[HecubusPro]

Wrong. "Top of the line" Alienware would dispute the upper range of workstation-like machines, like the MacPro. Second, the price range is simply outside that of any iMac.

MacPro have Woodcrest Xeons, not Tulsa ones, so they may qualify as normal desktops as well.

iMacs ARE interesting because they are AIOs...another HD? What for? A BR drive? What for? Soundcard? Huh?

No thanks...I will stick with Apple for now.

Then it just comes down to what you consider "top of the line" in a specific price range, and taste.

You can't argue taste. Might as well bang your head against a wall because that's more productive.

 

[j26]

Hi Multimedia

I am a fiirst time Mac owner. I wasn't aware that a model relaunch was due, only that I was p..s.d off with Windows problems and fancied a change. I am a compete but, until 2hrs ago, happy novice.

Helto

Hi and welcome to the madhouse.

You still have a great machine, be happy and use it to it's limit if you can (you probably can't!)