Apple Update the iMac

Over the past few weeks, there’s been some speculation about a new 2011 line of iMac’s being launched by Apple. That speculation can now come to an end as Apple has indeed launched a new range of iMacs.

Just like the previous generation, there are four different models to choose from with two of them having 21.5 inch screens and two of them having larger 27 inch screens. Each has a faster CPU which is now quad-core for every model. Each has 3x faster graphics power and includes a HD camera to be used with FaceTime. The new Thunderbolt port is also included in the 2011 refresh.

The 2011 iMac range looks very similar to the 2010 models. The screens use an LED backlight and also show the same amount of pixels. The screens are also IPS allowing for a wider viewing angle.

The quad-core processors are said to be up to 70 percent faster than the previous generation of the iMac. The lowest processor is an Intel Core I5 that is included on the basic 21.5 inch model. On the 27 inch models, buyers get a Core i7 chip.

21.5 Inch iMac Specs

The smaller 21.5 inch iMacs come in two options. The first is priced at $1199 and the second at $1499. The differences that bring the price up are the processor which on the lower priced model is a 2.5GHz Core i5 with 6MB on-chip L3 cache. The higher priced model has a 2.7GHz i5 also with the same 6MB of cache.

Both 21.5 inch models come with 4GB of memory on 2x2GB running at 1333MHz (DDR3). Memory can be configured up to 16GB when ordered online.

For storage there’s 500GB on the low end model and 1TB on the high end model. The bottom end model cannot be upgraded (or at least Apple doesn’t list that possibility), while the upper end model can have up to 2TB of storage on hard drive, or 256GB on SSD if required.

The graphics on the 21.5 inch models are powered by AMD Radeon HD chips with the lower end having a 6750M processor with 512MB of GDDR5. The upper end model has a similar 6770M chip with the same amount of RAM.

If you want the option to upgrade more, go for the higher priced 21.5 inch model as you can change the storage as well as RAM.

27 Inch iMac Specs

The larger 27 inch models also come in two variations with the lower end costing $1699 and the upper end costing $1999 (both base models). On the lower end model you’ll find a 2.7GHz Core i5 CPU with 6MB of cache. The upper model has a 3.1GHz Core i5 as standard.

Both models come with a 1TB harddrive as standard which can be upgraded on both models to 2TB or to 256GB SSD just like the upper 21.5 inch model.

The graphics chip on the lower end is the 6770M and on the upper end model, it’s the 6970M along with 1GB of GDDR5 memory.

The upper end model is a little more configurable than the other 27 inch model in that you can opt for a faster 3.4GHz Intel Core i7 if desired. A faster graphics card can also be selected if needed with up to 2GB of GDDR5 memory.

Overall, a fairly decent refresh. The full layout of specs can be found over on the Apple store.