Apple Introduces the New iMac G5
Features Built-in iSight Video Camera & Breakthrough “Front Row” Media
Experience
SAN JOSE, Calif., Oct. 12 — Apple(R) today unveiled the new iMac(R) G5
which features a built-in iSight video camera for out-of-the-box video
conferencing and the debut of Apple’s breakthrough Front Row media
experience. Front Row gives users a simple, intuitive and powerful way to
play their music, enjoy their photo slideshows, and watch their DVDs and
iMovies, as well as popular movie trailers from apple.com and music videos
and television shows purchased from the iTunes(R) Music Store, on their
iMac from up to 30 feet away using the new bundled Apple Remote. The new
iMac G5 comes in a sleek, new design that is even thinner than its
predecessor, and starts at just $1,299.
“The new iMac G5 debuts our amazing Front Row media experience, and we
think users are going to love it,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “Plus, the
built-in iSight video camera delivers out-of-the-box video conferencing
with friends and family, as well as hours of fun with our new Photo Booth
application.”
Apple’s breakthrough Front Row media experience uses the bundled Apple
Remote to let users enjoy the content they have on their iMac — including
songs from their iTunes music library, slideshows of their photo albums in
iPhoto(R), videos including Podcasts, iMovies and DVDs, and popular movie
trailers streamed from apple.com — all from up to 30 feet away. And with
iTunes 6, users can now purchase and download music videos, Pixar short
films and hit TV shows such as “Desperate Housewives” and “Lost” from the
iTunes Music Store and watch them on their iMac using Front Row. Front Row
is easily controlled using the Apple Remote, which has only six buttons,
compared to remote controls for Microsoft’s Media Center which typically
have over 40 buttons.
With its built-in iSight video camera, the new iMac G5 provides video
conferencing right out of the box using Apple’s award-winning iChat AV
software. The new iMac G5 also includes Photo Booth, Apple’s fun-to-use new
application that lets users take quick snapshots with the built-in iSight
video camera, add entertaining visual effects with the touch of a button,
and share them via Mail, save them in iPhoto(R), or use them as icons in
iChat or Address Book.
The refined design of the new iMac G5 is now up to 1/2-inch thinner and 15
percent lighter than the previous generation. Delivering even greater
value, the new iMac G5 line includes a 17-inch model with a 1.9GHz PowerPC
G5 processor for just $1,299 and a 20-inch model with a 2.1 GHz PowerPC G5
processor for just $1,699. Both models now come standard with a SuperDrive
with double-layer support for burning professional-quality DVDs, 533 MHz
DDR2 SDRAM memory expandable to 2.5GB, hard drive storage capacity up to
500GB, and ATI Radeon X600 PCI Express-based graphics with 128MB of
dedicated video memory for outstanding graphics performance and realistic
game play. System memory is easily upgraded via a convenient access door
along the bottom edge.
Offering the latest high-performance I/O, the new iMac G5s include built-
in 10/100/1000BASE-T Gigabit Ethernet for high-speed networking, built-in
AirPort(R) Extreme for fast 54 Mbps wireless networking*, built-in
Bluetooth 2.0+EDR, a total of five USB ports (three USB 2.0) and two
FireWire(R) 400 ports. The new iMac G5 includes Apple’s Mighty Mouse,
featuring up to four programmable buttons and an ingenious Scroll Ball that
lets users scroll in any direction — vertically, horizontally and even
diagonally.
Every new iMac G5 also includes iLife(R) ’05, Apple’s award-winning suite
of digital lifestyle applications; Mac OS X version 10.4 “Tiger,” the
world’s most advanced operating system; and a collection of productivity
and entertainment titles including AppleWorks, Quicken 2006 for Mac, 2006
World Book, Photo Booth, Nanosaur 2 and Marble Blast Gold.
Pricing & Availability
The new iMac G5 line will be available next week through the Apple Store(R)
(http://www.apple.com), Apple’s retail stores and Apple Authorized
Resellers.
The new 17-inch 1.9 GHz iMac G5, for a suggested retail price of $1,299
(US), includes:
— 17-inch widescreen LCD display;
— 1.9 GHz PowerPC G5 processor;
— 512MB of 533 MHz DDR2 SDRAM expandable to 2.5GB;
— 8x SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD+R DL / DVD+/-RW /
CD-RW);
— ATI Radeon X600 Pro with 128MB DDR 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;
— built-in stereo speakers and microphone; and
— ships with infrared Apple Remote, Mighty Mouse and Apple Keyboard.
The new 20-inch 2.1 GHz iMac G5, for a suggested retail price of $1,699
(US), includes:
— 20-inch widescreen LCD display;
— 2.1 GHz PowerPC G5 processor;
— 512MB of 533 MHz DDR2 SDRAM expandable to 2.5GB;
— 8x SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD+R DL / DVD+/-RW / CD-RW);
— ATI Radeon X600 XT with 128MB DDR 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;
— built-in stereo speakers and microphone; and
— ships with infrared Apple Remote, Mighty Mouse and Apple Keyboard.
Build-to-order options and accessories include up to 2.5GB DDR2 SDRAM,
250GB and 500GB Serial ATA hard drives, AirPort Express and AirPort Extreme
Base Station, Apple Wireless Keyboard, Apple Wireless Mouse, Apple USB
Modem and the AppleCare Protection Plan.
The new iMac G5 line is also available to education customers in the US and
Canada through the Apple Store for Education at
http://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.