iMac (Intel-based)
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| iMac (Intel based) | |
|---|---|
 The current Apple iMac 24" model |
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| Type: | Desktop |
| Developer: | Apple Inc. |
| Released: | 10 January 2006 |
| Processor(s): | Intel Core Duo, Intel Core 2 Duo, Intel Core 2 Duo Extreme |
The iMac is a midrange to high-end desktop computer offered by Apple Inc. The current Apple iMac features an Intel Core 2 Duo processor, ATI Radeon HD graphics or NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GS (24" Model only), and a choice of a 20" screen or a 24" screen, both glossy.
While previous iMac models had a white polycarbonate enclosure as the iMac G5, the current-generation iMac has an enclosure shaped like Apple's Cinema Displays and styling reminiscent of the iPhone. The front is made of a single sheet of aluminum with a plate of glass covering the monitor, while the backside is made of black plastic.
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[edit] History
At the Macworld Conference and Expo on January 10, 2006, Steve Jobs announced that the new iMac would be the first Macintosh to use an Intel CPU, the Core Duo. The features, price, and case design remained unchanged from the iMac G5. The processor speed, according to tests run by Apple using SPEC,[1] was declared as two to three times faster.
In early February 2006, Apple confirmed reports of video display problems on the new Intel-based iMacs. When playing video on Apple's Front Row media browser, some 20-inch iMacs (those built-to-order with upgraded video cards) showed random horizontal lines, ghosting, video tearing and other problems. The problem was fixed with a software update.
In late 2006, Apple introduced a new version of the iMac which included a Core 2 Duo chip and a lower price. Apple added a new 24" model with a resolution of 1920×1200 (WUXGA), making it the first iMac to be able to display 1080 HD content in its full resolution, and a VESA Flat Display Mounting Interface. Except for the 17–inch 1.83 GHz processor model, this version also included an 802.11n draft card.[2]
The current iMac ships with the Mighty Mouse, Apple Keyboard, Bluetooth and AirPort cards, an internal iSight camera, the Apple Remote for use with Front Row, and a power cord. A Bluetooth wireless keyboard and mouse are available for additional cost.
[edit] Models
| Component | Core Duo | Intel Core 2 Duo | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Model | iMac (Early 2006) [1] | iMac (Late 2006) [2] | iMac (Mid 2007) [3] | iMac (Early 2008) |
| Enclosure | White polycarbonate | Aluminium and glass | ||
| Display (all widescreen) |
17" matte with 1440x900 px | not available | ||
| 20" matte with 1680x1050 px | 20" glossy with 1680x1050 px | |||
| not available | 24" matte with 1920x1200 px | 24" glossy with 1920x1200 px | ||
| Graphics | ATI Radeon X1600 with 128 MB (optional 256 MB on 20" model) |
Intel GMA 950 with 64 MB (shared with main memory, $999 17" only) ATI Radeon X1600 with 128 MB ($1199 17", 20") NVIDIA GeForce 7300GT with 128 MB (24") Optional NVIDIA GeForce 7600GT with 256 MB (24") |
ATI Radeon HD 2400 XT with 128 MB (20" only) ATI Radeon HD 2600 PRO with 256 MB |
ATI Radeon HD 2400 XT with 128 MB (20" only) ATI Radeon HD 2600 PRO with 256 MB NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GS with 512 MB (24" only) |
| Hard drive1 | 160GB, 250 GB Serial ATA, 7200 rpm | 250 GB (20" only), 320GB Serial ATA, 7200 rpm Optional 750 GB 7200 rpm, 1TB 7200 rpm |
||
| Processor | 1.83 or 2.0 GHz Intel Core Duo | 1.83 GHz Core 2 Duo ($999 17") 2.0 GHz Core 2 Duo (Optional 2.16 GHz) ($1199 17") 2.16 GHz Core 2 Duo (Optional 2.33 GHz) (20", 24") |
2.0 (20" only) or 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Optional 2.8 GHz Core 2 Extreme (24" only) |
2.4 or 2.66GHz Core 2 Duo (20" only) 2.8 or 3.06GHz Core 2 Duo |
| Memory | 512 MB (512 MiB) PC2-5300 (667 MHz) DDR2 SO-DIMM SDRAM (Expandable to 2 GB (2 GiB)) |
1 GB PC2-5300 (667 MHz) DDR2 SO-DIMM SDRAM (Expandable to 3 GB) 512 MB on $999 17" |
1 GB PC2-5300 (667 MHz) DDR2 SO-DIMM SDRAM (Expandable to 4 GB) |
1 or 2 GB PC2-6400 (800 MHz) DDR2 SO-DIMM SDRAM (Expandable to 4 GB) |
| AirPort Extreme | Integrated 802.11a/b/g | Integrated 802.11a/b/g and draft-n (n disabled by default)² | Integrated 802.11a/b/g and draft-n (n enabled) | |
| Internal slot-loading SuperDrive³ | 24x/24x/8x/8x/4x/2.4x CD-RW/DVD±RW/DVD+R DL | 8x double-layer SuperDrive (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW) | ||
- Notes:
1Hard drives listed are configurations available from Apple. Since the hard drive is a user replaceable part, there are other configurations available, including the use of faster 7200 rpm drives.
²Wireless-N functionality requires the AirPort Extreme Wireless-N Router, which contains wireless-N enabler software to be installed on your iMac. Alternatively, the enabler software may be purchased from Apple separately.[3]
³Quoted optical drive speeds are the maximum possible for each drive.
Timeline of iMac models
- See also: Timeline of Macintosh models
[edit] Lawsuit
In 2008, a class action lawsuit was filed against Apple in San Jose by Kabateck Brown Kellner, LLP, claiming Apple is deceiving consumers by claiming that both the 20-inch and 24-inch iMac are capable of displaying millions of colors at all resolutions, when the 20-inch models are only capable of displaying 262,144 colors.[4] The 20-inch screens use 6-bit twisted nematic film (TN) LCD screen, which the plaintiff claims is the "least expensive of its type," sporting a narrower viewing angle than the display of the 24-inch model, less color depth, less color accuracy and greater susceptibility to washout.[5]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Apple - iMac - Intel Core Duo. Apple Inc. Retrieved on 2007-03-01.
- ^ AirPort Extreme performance page see footnote 2
- ^ AirPort Extreme 802.11n Enabler for Mac. Apple, Inc.. Retrieved on 2007-04-15.
- ^ Apple hit with new, colorful lawsuit over iMac displays (2008-03-31).
- ^ Apple hit with another "millions of colors" lawsuit (2008-03-31).
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