Apple Unveils the New iMac G5
World’s Thinnest Desktop Computer Features High-Performance G5 Processors
APPLE EXPO, PARIS-August 31, 2004-Apple today unveiled the new iMac G5,
featuring the high-performance G5 processor and a stunning new design that
integrates the entire computer right into the flat panel display. The iMac
G5 packs a complete computer system into a mere two inches of depth-the
world’s thinnest desktop computer. The new line offers 17- or 20-inch
active matrix widescreen LCDs and G5 processors running up to 1.8 GHz
starting at just $1,299.
“Just like the iPod redefined portable digital music players, the new iMac
G5 redefines what users expect from a consumer desktop,” said Philip
Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing.
“With the entire system, including a gorgeous 17- or 20-inch display, just
two inches thin, a lot of people will be wondering ‘where did the computer
go?’ ”
The new iMac G5 makes the ultimate statement in design simplicity. The
entire computer, including the power supply and slot-load optical drive, is
built right into the display and rests on a sleek aluminum foot. All the
I/O ports line up neatly along the rear right side for easy access, and
with optional AirPort Extreme and Bluetooth wireless modules, there’s no
more cable clutter. With its elegantly thin profile, compact footprint and
whisper-quiet operation (less than 25 dB), the new iMac G5 is the perfect
fit for any room in the home or office.
The new iMac G5 features the breakthrough performance of the PowerPC G5
processor, as well as numerous system performance improvements designed to
help consumers turbocharge their digital lifestyle applications. The
17-inch models come with either a 1.8 GHz PowerPC G5 processor and a
SuperDrive for burning professional-quality DVDs, or a 1.6 GHz PowerPC G5
processor and a Combo drive for watching DVD movies and burning CDs. The
20-inch model has a 1.8 GHz PowerPC G5 processor and a SuperDrive. With a
completely redesigned system architecture, the new iMac G5 now offers up to
a 600 MHz front-side bus, 400 MHz DDR memory expandable to 2GB, AGP 8X
graphics and 7200 rpm Serial ATA drives up to 250GB. The new iMac G5 comes
standard with high-performance NVIDIA graphics with dedicated video memory
for outstanding graphics performance and realistic game play.
The new iMac G5 was designed to be the perfect computer for iLife ’04,
Apple’s award-winning suite of digital lifestyle applications. iLife ’04,
which comes with every new iMac G5, includes iTunes for managing and buying
digital music, iPhoto for organizing and sharing digital photos, iMovie for
digital movie-making, iDVD for creating and burning Hollywood-style DVDs
and GarageBand, a revolutionary music application that turns the iMac G5
into a professional-quality musical instrument and recording studio.
The new iMac G5 desktops offer a total of five USB ports (three USB 2.0)
and two FireWire 400 ports for easy plug-and-play connections to popular
peripherals such as Apple’s market-leading iPod digital music player,
digital video camcorders, digital still cameras and printers. Providing the
latest in wireless communications, the new iMac G5 offers an optional
internal Bluetooth module and includes a built-in antenna and card slot to
support an optional AirPort Extreme Card for 54 Mbps 802.11g fast wireless
networking*. The new iMac G5 also includes built-in 10/100BASE-T Ethernet
and a 56K V.92 modem for fast Internet access.
Mac OS X version 10.3 “Panther” is pre-installed and delivers breakthrough
features including iChat AV, an easy to use desktop video conferencing
solution; FileVault, which uses the latest security standards and 128-bit
encryption technology to ensure that data in the home directory is kept
secure; Expos=E9, a revolutionary new way to instantly view all open windows=
;
Instant On, which wakes the computer from sleep in just one second; and
Automatic Networking, which automatically switches the network connections
between Ethernet, 802.11 wireless and modem. The new iMac G5 also comes
with a collection of productivity, learning and entertainment titles
including AppleWorks, Quicken 2004 for Mac, WorldBook Encyclopedia 2004
Edition, Nanosaur 2 and MarbleBlast Gold. Everything you need for your
digital lifestyle is included right out of the box.
Pricing & Availability
The new iMac G5 line will begin shipping worldwide in mid-September through
the Apple Store (www.apple.com), at Apple’s retail stores and Apple
Authorized Resellers.
The new iMac G5, for a suggested retail price of $1,299 (US), includes:
* 17-inch widescreen LCD with 1440-by-900 pixels;
* 1.6 GHz 64-bit PowerPC G5 processor;
* 256MB of 400 MHz DDR SDRAM;
* Combo (DVD-ROM/CD-RW) optical drive;
* NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200 Ultra graphics processor with 64MB video memory;
* Two FireWire 400, three USB 2.0, two USB 1.1 ports;
* 10/100 BASE-T Ethernet networking, 56K V.92 Modem;
* Internal support for AirPort Extreme wireless networking and Bluetooth;
* 80GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 7200 rpm; and
* Built-in stereo speakers and microphone.
The new iMac G5, for a suggested retail price of $1,499 (US), includes:
* 17-inch widescreen LCD with 1440-by-900 pixels;
* 1.8 GHz 64-bit PowerPC G5 processor;
* 256MB of 400 MHz DDR SDRAM;
* SuperDrive (DVD-R/CD-RW) optical drive;
* NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200 Ultra graphics processor with 64MB video memory;
* Two FireWire 400, three USB 2.0, two USB 1.1 ports;
* 10/100 BASE-T Ethernet networking, 56K V.92 Modem;
* Internal support for AirPort Extreme wireless networking and Bluetooth;
* 80GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 7200 rpm; and
* Built-in stereo speakers and microphone.
The new iMac G5, for a suggested retail price of $1,899 (US), includes:
* 20-inch widescreen LCD with 1680-by-1050 pixels;
* 1.8 GHz 64-bit PowerPC G5 processor;
* 256MB of 400 MHz DDR SDRAM;
* SuperDrive (DVD-R/CD-RW) optical drive;
* NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200 Ultra graphics processor with 64MB video memory;
* Two FireWire 400, three USB 2.0, two USB 1.1 ports;
* 10/100 BASE-T Ethernet networking, 56K V.92 Modem;
* Internal support for AirPort Extreme wireless networking and Bluetooth;
* 160GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 7200 rpm; and
* Built-in stereo speakers and microphone.
Build-to-order options and accessories include up to 2GB of RAM, 160GB and
250GB hard drives, AirPort Extreme Card, AirPort Express and AirPort
Extreme Base Station, internal Bluetooth module, Apple Wireless Keyboard
and Apple Wireless Mouse, and the AppleCare Protection Plan.
The new iMac G5 systems, including a new configuration without an optical
drive, are also available to education customers in the US and Canada
through the Apple Store for Education at www.apple.com/education/store or
by calling an Apple education sales representative at 800-800-APPL.
*Actual speed will vary based on range from the base station, environmental
conditions and other factors.
Apple ignited the personal computer revolution in the 1970s with the Apple
II and reinvented the personal computer in the 1980s with the Macintosh.
Today, Apple continues to lead the industry in innovation with its
award-winning desktop and notebook computers, OS X operating system, and
iLife and professional applications. Apple is also spearheading the digital
music revolution with its iPod portable music players and iTunes online
music store.