Apple iMac line gets 64-bit Intel Core 2 Duo processors; pricing starts at $999; new 24-inch model

Apple today announced that its entire iMac line now features the new Intel Core 2 Duo processor in every model, delivering up to 50 percent faster performance than the previous iMac. A new 24-inch iMac with a brilliant 24-inch widescreen display joins the 17- and 20-inch models, and iMac prices now start at just US$999. Every new iMac includes a built-in iSight video camera for video conferencing out-of-the-box; Apple’s breakthrough Front Row media experience; and iLife ’06, the next generation of Apple’s award-winning suite of digital lifestyle applications.

“Every iMac-from the $999 model up through the new dazzling 24-inch widescreen model now features blazing Core 2 Duo performance,” said Phil Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing, in the press release. “And the new 24-inch widescreen iMac is the fastest, biggest and brightest iMac we’ve ever made.”

The new iMac lineup includes four models: a 1.83 GHz and a 2.0 GHz 17-inch, a 2.16 GHz 20-inch and the all-new 2.16 GHz 24-inch iMac, and features the new Intel Core 2 Duo processor which delivers up to 50 percent faster performance than the previous 20-inch iMac running industry standard benchmarks.

The new 24-inch iMac features – you guessed it – a 24-inch widescreen LCD display with a 1920-by-1200 pixel resolution that offers 30 percent more screen real estate than the 20-inch model and a brighter display to make reading text and viewing images even easier. The all-new 24-inch iMac packs professional performance into the convenience of an all-in-one design and includes a 2.16 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor with 4MB of shared L2 cache, 1GB of 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM memory, a 250GB Serial ATA hard drive, NVIDIA GeForce 7300 GT graphics with 128MB of GDDR3 memory and a SuperDrive(TM) for burning professional-quality DVDs. Delivering greater customization for performance and expansion needs, users can configure the new 24-inch iMac with a 2.33 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, up to 3GB of 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM memory, a 500GB Serial ATA hard drive and the NVIDIA GeForce 7600 GT with 256MB of GDDR3 memory.

Every iMac includes a built-in iSight video camera for video conferencing out-of-the-box using Apple’s award-winning iChat AV, or recording a video podcast or iMovie using iLife ’06, and the breakthrough media experience of Front Row for a simple, intuitive and powerful way for consumers to enjoy their content. Providing the latest in high-performance connectivity options, the iMac includes built-in 10/100/1000 BASE-T Gigabit Ethernet for high-speed networking, built-in AirPort Extreme, a total of five USB ports (three USB 2.0) and two FireWire ports (including one FireWire 800 port on the 24-inch model).

Every iMac also comes with iLife ’06, the next generation of Apple’s award-winning suite of digital lifestyle applications featuring iPhoto, iMovie HD, iDVD, GarageBand and iWeb, the latest iLife application that makes it super-easy to create amazing websites with photos, blogs and podcasts and publish them on .Mac for viewing by anyone on the Internet with just a single click. Every iMac also comes with the latest release of the world’s most advanced operating system, Mac OS X version 10.4.7 “Tiger” including Safari, Mail, iCal, iChat AV, Front Row and Photo Booth, running natively on the Intel-based desktop.

The new iMac line is shipping today and will be available through the Apple Store, Apple’s retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers

The new 24-inch 2.16 GHz iMac, for a suggested retail price of $1,999, includes:
• 24-inch widescreen LCD display
• 2.16 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor
• 1GB of 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM expandable to 3GB
• 8x SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD+R DL/DVD+/-RW/CD-RW)
• PCI Express-based NVIDIA GeForce 7300 GT with 128MB GDDR3 memory
• built-in iSight video camera
• built-in AirPort Extreme wireless networking & Bluetooth 2.0+EDR
• 250GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 7200 rpm
• mini-DVI out (adapters for DVI, VGA and Composite/S-Video sold separately)
• built-in stereo speakers and microphone
• the infrared Apple Remote, Mighty Mouse and Apple Keyboard

The new 20-inch 2.16 GHz iMac, for a suggested retail price of $1,499, includes:
• 20-inch widescreen LCD display
• 2.16 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor
• 1GB of 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM expandable to 3GB
• 8x SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD+R DL/DVD+/-RW/CD-RW)
• PCI Express-based ATI Radeon X1600 with 128MB GDDR3 memory
• built-in iSight video camera
• built-in AirPort Extreme wireless networking & Bluetooth 2.0+EDR
• 250GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 7200 rpm
• mini-DVI out (adapters for DVI, VGA and Composite/S-Video sold separately)
• built-in stereo speakers and microphone
• the infrared Apple Remote, Mighty Mouse and Apple Keyboard

The new 17-inch 2.0 GHz iMac, for a suggested retail price of $1,199, includes:
• 17-inch widescreen LCD display
• 2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor
• 1GB of 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM expandable to 3GB
• 8x SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD+R DL/DVD+/-RW/CD-RW)
• PCI Express-based ATI Radeon X1600 with 128MB GDDR3 memory
• built-in iSight video camera
• built-in AirPort Extreme wireless networking & Bluetooth 2.0+EDR
• 160GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 7200 rpm
• mini-DVI out (adapters for DVI, VGA and Composite/S-Video sold separately)
• built-in stereo speakers and microphone
• the infrared Apple Remote, Mighty Mouse and Apple Keyboard

The 17-inch 1.83 GHz iMac, for a suggested retail price of $999, includes:
• 17-inch widescreen LCD display
• 1.83 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor
• 512MB of 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM expandable to 2GB
• 24x Combo drive
• Intel GMA 950 graphics
• built-in iSight video camera
• built-in AirPort Extreme wireless networking
• 160GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 7200 rpm
• mini-DVI out (adapters for DVI, VGA and Composite/S-Video sold separately)
• built-in stereo speakers and microphone
• Mighty Mouse and Apple Keyboard

Build-to-order options and accessories include: a 2.33 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, up to 3GB DDR2 SDRAM, NVIDIA GeForce 7600 GT with 256MB GDDR3 video memory and a 500GB Serial ATA hard drive on the 24-inch iMac; a 2.33 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, up to 3GB DDR2 SDRAM, 256MB GGDR3 video memory and a 500GB Serial ATA hard drive on the 20-inch iMac; a 2.16 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, up to 3GB DDR2 SRDAM and a 500GB Serial ATA hard drive on the 2.0 GHz 17-inch iMac; and up to 2GB of DDR2 SDRAM, Bluetooth 2.0+EDR and Apple Remote on the 1.83 GHz 17-inch iMac. Additional build-to-order options also include: pre-installed copies of iWork 06, Logic Express, Final Cut Express and Aperture; AirPort Express and AirPort Extreme Base Station; Apple Wireless Keyboard and wireless Mighty Mouse; Apple USB Modem; and the AppleCare Protection Plan.

See the new Apple iMac models here.

MacDailyNews Note: After a double-take, we did double-check these prices before publishing. They are correct.

MacDailyNews Note: These new iMacs are not eligible for the “Buy a new Mac and get a free iPod nano” promotion that Apple has running through September 16th. The older iMac 17-inch Intel Core Duo with SuperDrive and iMac 20-inch Intel Core Duo with SuperDrive are eligible.

Related article:
Apple ups Mac mini speeds, all models now feature Core Duo processors, prices unchanged – September 06, 2006

131 Comments

  1. Man…too bad I needed a new computer in July. Still happy with my 17″ Core Duo iMac but getting one of these with the better/faster processor for the same price would have been nice.

    Pricing looks GREAT!

    Then again you can’t sit around and wait stuff will always be upgraded.

  2. WOW! Great deals.
    I do wish that the infrared remote was replaced by a Bluetooth one. I use my cell phone with Front Row and it works great. Infrared is so last year! ” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”smile” style=”border:0;” />

  3. duper – that’s amazing. I never thought they’d put Front Row on a computer and not include a remote. But then again, if they’re trying to hit a low price pt, perhaps there are many folks that don’t want that feature. The thing is, the more you play with Front Row, the more you fall in love with it and with Macs in general. I’d have included the remote for what it’s worth!

  4. I know you’ve all been waiting for this post.

    Apple again has undercut Dell on price.

    Dimension 9200
    Unit Price: $1,824 – $100
    Intel ® Core™2 Duo Processor E6400 (2.13GHz, 1066 FSB)
    Genuine Windows® XP Professional (W/ CD)
    1GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz- 2DIMMs
    250GB Serial ATA 3Gb/s Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache™
    16X CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW) w/double layer write capability
    Combo: Roxio Creator Deluxe and MyDVD Deluxe (DVD+RW only) (to compare to iLife)
    19 inch Ultrasharp™ 1907FP Digital Flat Panel
    256MB nVidia Geforce 7300LE TurboCache
    Intel a/b/g wireless USB 2.0 adapter
    Integrated 7.1 Channel Audio
    Dell AS501 10W Flat Panel Attached Spkrs for UltraSharp™ Flat Panels
    Dell USB Keyboard
    Dell Optical USB Mouse
    IEEE 1394 Adapter
    1 Year On-site Economy Plan
    Dell on Call 30 Day Getting Started Assistance Unlimited Incidents

    This of course disregards the Mac’s better form factor, the OS, the iLife suite, and the iSight Camera. Go Apple!

    http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?c=us&cs=04&fb=1&kc=6W300&l=en&oc=dim92min&s=bsd

  5. Hmm…no video inputs yet again; a woeful decision by apple especially on the new 24 inch beast. This completley rules out a new imac for me, instead I’m going to have to cut it with one of the “woohoo” speedbumbed mac minis which are oh so intentionally crippled and poor value in comarsisson to the core 2 duo imacs to replace my blazin 700mhz emac.

    Christ how hard can it be to include some damned RGB video inputs better still with some kind of switch to enabling the bypass of the video card, so the computer doesnt necessarily have to be on.

    In addition to my above rant it doesnt take a fool to see the obvious product gap in apples line up, Hmm…mac mini or mac pro? what the hell is this.

    apples appoach to this whole living room media thing is just so…half baked.

  6. Wow. I think these are the most positive comments ever after an Apple announcement. Apple must be doing something right with these latest systems.

    I guess all the bitching and moaning will have to wait for the 12th.

  7. It would be cool if Apple provided good video cards for people who like to play some games. The 7900GT would be adequate for the 20″ model, would offer twice the performance of the x1600, and wouldn’t cost much more as an option – the 7900GT retails for under $300 by itself. I guess they don’t want to sell *too* many iMacs, since that would be rude to Dell or something.

  8. Front Row can only be controlled (to the best of my knowledge) thru a remote

    actually CMD+Esc keys will begin FrontRow and then use arrows and return key and esc to navigate.

    and no, the base 17″ does not include the remote

  9. Old Mac guy,

    My iMac is two years old, and still works fine. So that “if” you talk about is very very limited. Ask the people on this fourm what they use and most are older Mac’s, and they still use them and haven’t upgraded because a) they don’t have to have the newest machine all the time, but more importantly b) the machines are built to last. The old machines still work.

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