Apple unleashes three new iMacs, all ranging in price and features, but surprisingly not in color.
Blue Dalmation, Flower Power, we hardly knew ye. In the seventh revision of its aging iMac computer line, Apple has ditched the controversial colours, boosted performance, and added CD burning to the entry-level model.
Indigo and Snow
Available in Indigo and Snow, the cheapest iMac seems to get more expensive with each revision. For US$100 more than the price of the previous model, the AU$1,895 winter 2001 iMac includes a 500MHz G3 processor and 64MB of RAM, (this can be expanded to 128MB RAM and a CD/RW 8x/24x for AU$2,195). The midline, AU$2,895 iMac comes in Graphite or Snow and has a 600MHz G3, 256MB of RAM, and a 40GB hard drive. At AU$3,395, the iMac Special Edition (also available in Graphite or Snow) has a 700MHz G3, 256MB of RAM, and a 60GB hard drive. The 600MHz and the 700MHz models come with a slot-loading CD-R/RW drive as standard.
In all three iMacs, Apple has boosted video memory, in the form of a built-in ATI Rage 128 Ultra graphics chip, from 8MB to 16MB so that devoted Mac gamers might hope for a slight bump in frame rates. Apple's consumer-friendly desktop still features a reasonably crisp, 15-inch CRT display and the famous teardrop-shaped plastic case that caused a revolution in desktop computer design three years ago.
The bundled software is standard-issue for an Apple consumer system. Both Mac OS X and Mac OS 9.1 are included (9.1 is still the default system). Apple rounds out the bundle with iMovie 2, iTunes, AppleWorks, Palm Desktop, Fax STF, Cro-Mag Rally, and Nanosaur. Internet software comprises Netscape Communicator and Microsoft's Internet Explorer and Outlook Express.
Running out of steam?
With more CPU horsepower and a few extra features, Apple clearly hopes to stretch the life cycle of the iMac. Has the company succeeded? As soon as we get the new iMac, we'll tell you.
| Specs & Features | ||||||
| Processors | PowerPC G3 500MHz, 600MHz, or 700MHz | |||||
| Memory / RAM installed (max) |
64MB, 128MB or 256MB (expandable to 1GB) |
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| Storage hard drive | 20GB, 40GB, or 60GB | |||||
| Storage CD/RW | Slot-loading 8X/24X CD-R/RW | |||||
| Display type | 15 in. (13.8-in. viewable) shadow-mask CRT |
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| Dimensions (W x D x H) |
38.1 x 38.1 x 43.4 cms. | |||||
| Modem / Comm | 56k V.90 modem, 10/100BaseT Ethernet | |||||
| OSs provided | Mac OS 9.1 and Mac OS X (default boots under 9.1) |
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iMac G3 500MHz, 600MHz & 700MHz
Company: Apple Australia
Ph: 02 9367 8585
Price: IMac G3 500MHz AU$1,895, 600MHz AU$2,895, 700MHz AU$3,395
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