New iMac and Magic Accessories Tidbits: 'Then and Now', Automatic Pairing, Fast Charging and More

[MacRumors]

Apple has updated its website with a wealth of new information following its announcement of new 4K and 5K iMacs and a new Magic Keyboard, Magic Mouse 2 and Magic Trackpad 2. Here are some of the more interesting tidbits that have been overshadowed by the larger announcements.

New iMacs

Then and Now — Apple has published a new "Then and Now" page that compares the 1998 iMac G3 with the 2015 iMac, showing the progress that has been made over the past 17 years. The new iMac has 14 million more pixels, 62,000 times faster graphics, 366 times more processing power, 1,000 times more RAM and 750 times more storage.

5,400 RPM 1TB Hard Drive on 4K iMac — The new 21.5-inch 4K iMac's standard configuration for $1,499 includes a 5,400 RPM 1TB Serial ATA hard drive, which is considered long obsolete for a 2015 desktop computer. Upgrades to a 1TB or 2TB Fusion Drive are available for $100 and $300 respectively.

Fusion Drive Changes — To allow for lower prices, Apple's 1TB Fusion Drive is now a 1TB hard drive paired with a 24GB SSD. Previously, a 1TB Fusion Drive was a 1TB hard drive with a 128GB SSD. Mac users looking for 128GB of flash storage will need to upgrade to a 2TB or larger Fusion Drive. 256GB and 512GB all-flash storage options can also be ordered.

Magic Accessories

Automatic Pairing — The new Magic Keyboard, Magic Mouse 2 and Magic Trackpad 2 have a new automatic pairing process with Mac using a Lightning to USB cable. Each accessory is also charged via Lightning to USB.

2-Minute Fast Charging — The new Magic accessories each take about 2 hours to reach a full one-month charge via Lightning to USB, but early reviews found the Magic Mouse 2 can fast charge for nine hours of battery life in just two minutes.

Magic Mouse 2's fast charging is useful, since its bottom-facing Lightning port renders it unusable while charging. Magic Keyboard and Magic Trackpad 2 both have Lightning ports on the rear, meaning both accessories can still be used while charging.

Magic Trackpad 2 Requires Bluetooth 4.0 — Magic accessories connect wirelessly with a Mac via Bluetooth for a secure connection up to 30 feet away. For the Magic Trackpad 2, Apple requires a Bluetooth 4.0-enabled Mac. Magic accessories are also only compatible with Macs running OS X 10.11 or later.

Article Link: New iMac and Magic Accessories Tidbits: 'Then and Now', Automatic Pairing, Fast Charging and More

 

[peterdevries]

The keyboard looks nice, and I like the charging via lightning. Much better than exchaning batteries every so often.

 

[mattopotamus]

I definitely will upgrade the trackpad, but the keyboard I can wait on. I have a rMB, so I have really adjusted to force touch. I actually wish they just took the macbook keyboard and made it a standalone option. Once you get use to the butterfly keys and low travel everything else feels very clunky.

 

[H2SO4]

Same speed hard drive?

EDIT: Apparently so. Jeez what a bunch of cheapskates.

 

[Fuchal]

I would have been more impressed with a force touch mouse.

 

[surfingarbo]

The two minute charge to get nine hours of battery life for the Magic Mouse is pretty cool.

 

[jscooper22]

... and in 2015, a mouse that doesn't make you want to just smash your fingers with a hammer and be done with it.

 

[agenda893]

I'm curious if the Magic Trackpad 2 will support the apple pencil. If it does I might consider buying it.

 

[mattopotamus]

... and in 2015, a mouse that doesn't make you want to just smash your fingers with a hammer and be done with it.

I have no idea how people use the magic mouse. It is the least ergonomic thing I have held.

 

[mattopotamus]

I'm curious if the Magic Trackpad 2 will support the apple pencil. If it does I might consider buying it.

Imagine if they had pencil support and touchID. That would be innovation!

 

[MrGuder]

Does the keyboard have backlighting?

Why is Apple still using a 5400 rpm drive?

 

[Sasparilla]

Its really amazing how far we've come in this time.

I have no idea how people use the magic mouse. It is the least ergonomic thing I have held.

You must not have held one of the original iMac Puck mice.

 

[OneZweiThree]

The hard drive and fusion drive situation really is a bad joke...

 

[nutjob]

Apple used to trip over into form over function from time to time, now it's embracing it wholesale.

 

[RightMACatU]

Why would Magic accessories only be compatible with Macs running OS X 10.11 or later?

 

[himanshumodi]

I have no idea how people use the magic mouse. It is the least ergonomic thing I have held.

You are holding it wrong.

 

[morcutt11]

Why, on earth, would these machines come standard with a 5,400 RPM hard drive? That essentially mandates an upgrade to a Fusion drive, which now is limited to only 24GB SSD unless you go up to the 2TB Fusion Drive. It seems like a lot of upgrading just to get some decent speed performance.

 

[Luis Mazza]

I love to be able to slip in new batteries and use the trackpad and keyboard asap.
Thanks, but no, thanks.

 

[kemal]

I would consider the keyboard if it lit had backlighting.

And I think the Bondi iMac is the best piece of iMac industrial design.

 

[MacVault]

............. all this progress but still the same fat-ass bezel around the screen!

 

[AtheistP3ace]

I kind of like the ability to just put new batteries in when they are low on my Magic Mouse.

 

[Icaras]

Magic Mouse 2's fast charging is useful, since its bottom-facing Lightning port renders it unusable while charging

That's hilarious. I'm imagining having the new Magic Mouse 2 upside down with a lightning cable sticking out charging for two hours. What an odd sight for an Apple designed product.

 

[gugy]

Apple missed some opportunities here.
An option for a full keyboard and backlit.
Magic Mouse with Force Touch.

Finally the Fusion drive and still having a 5400HD is just a bad joke.

I guess Thunderbolt 3 not yet. I had hope to see it coming now and that would increase the chances to see it on the MacPro and finally Thunderbolt displays at 5k. Damn, gotta wait and wait.....

 

[Goftrey]

You must not have held one of the original iMac Puck mice.

I'd take the puck mouse over the Magic Mouse any day.

 

[DTphonehome]

I kind of like the ability to just put new batteries in when they are low on my Magic Mouse.

So keep it. Doesn't seem like the Magic Mouse 2 is a big upgrade.