Today Apple performed its yearly upgrade to its iMac desktop line (among other things).  Apple also introduced a brand new product as well!  Let’s dive right into it, shall we?

LOOK AFTER THE BREAK FOR THE BREAKDOWN.

iMac

The new iMacs differentiate themselves from the old pack in a number of ways.  First, there are two new screen sizes with high resolutions.  Second, the all-in-one enclosure is now entirely made of aluminum.  Third, there have been processor and graphics upgrades.  Fourth, they now include SD Card slots and the 27 inch display models allow for video-in via “adapters sold separately.”  Sorry HD movie gurus, Blu Ray drives were not included in this update.  Check out the breakdown for each model below.  Note: All new iMac models are available to order online and purchase in-store today, except for the high-end 27-inch model (it will be made available in November).

• New displays: 21.5 inch & 27 inch; LED-backlit; 178-degree viewing angles; 16:9 aspect ratio; 21.5 inch- 1920 x 1080 resolution, 27 inch- 2,560 x 1,440 resolution
• Low-end 21.5 inch display model ($1199.99):
• -3.06 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor with 3MB shared L2 cache (may upgrade to 3.33GHz Intel Core 2 Duo);
  -4GB 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM expandable to 16GB;
  -NVIDIA GeForce 9400M integrated graphics;
  -500GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 7200 rpm;
  -a slot-load 8x SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW);
  -Mini DisplayPort for video output (adapters sold separately);
  -built-in AirPort Extreme 802.11n wireless networking and Bluetooth 2.1+EDR;
  -built-in iSight video camera;
  -ports: Gigabit Ethernet port; four USB 2.0 ports; one FireWire 800 port; SD card slot;
  -built-in stereo speakers and microphone;
  -Wireless Apple Keyboard, Magic Mouse.
• High-end 21.5 inch display model ($1499) (same as above except the following):
• -ATI Radeon HD 4670 discrete graphics; with 256MB GDDR3;
  -1TB Serial ATA hard drive running at 7200 rpm.
• Low-end 27 inch display model ($1699) (same as low-end 21.5 inch except for the following):
• -ATI Radeon HD 4670 discrete graphics; with 256MB GDDR3;
  -1TB Serial ATA hard drive running at 7200 rpm;
  –Mini DisplayPort for video input and output (adapters sold separately).
• High-end 27 inch display model ($1999) (same as above except for the following):
• –2.66 GHz Intel Core i5 quad-core processor with 8MB shared L3 cache (may upgrade to 2.8GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7);
  –ATI Radeon HD 4850 discrete graphics; with 512MB GDDR3.

Magic Mouse

Say ‘so long’ to the Mighty Mouse and welcome the “world’s first multi-touch mouse,” dubbed the Magic Mouse.  The new mouse has just one button and its entire front surface has multi-touch capabilities.  It can read finger gestures like the single “click,” “two-button click,”  “360-degree scroll,” “screen zoom,” and “two-finger swipe.”  The mouse only ships in wireless form, connects to the computer via Bluetooth, and works from up to 30 meters away.  It’s powered by two AA batteries and claims to last for up to four months (an “advanced power management system” that “automatically switch[es] to low power modes during periods of inactivity” does the trick).  The Magic Mouse comes bundled with all new iMacs and is also available now for $69 separately.  Note: It requires Mac OS 10.5.8 or later to work properly.

Mac mini

Don’t fret,the little Mac mini was not forgotten today.  They are powered by faster processors and can hold more storage than previous models.  The $599 model features a 2.26GHz Core 2 Duo (may upgrade to a 2.53GHz Core 2 Duo), 2GB of RAM, and a 160GB hard drive.  The $799 model features a 2.53GHz Core 2 Duo (may upgrade to a 2.66GHz Core 2 Duo), 4GB of memory, and a 320GB hard drive.  Both models include the standard 8x SuperDrive and NVIDIA GeForce 9400M integrated graphics.  Ports-wise they also include one Gigabit Ethernet port, five USB 2.0 ports, one FireWire 800 port, one mini-DVI port, and audio in/out ports.

Also introduced was a third Mac mini SKU called the Mac Mini with Snow Leopard Server ($999).  This model ships with Snow Leopard Server (unlimited clients) and disregards an optical drive for two 500GB HDDs (that’s 1TB of storage in a mini!).  It’s powered by a 2.53GHz Core 2 Duo, 4GB of memory, and NVIDIA GeForce 9400M integrated graphics.  All three Mac Mini models are available now.

Macbook (white plastic)

After transforming all the MacBooks into Macbook Pros last season, Apple made a strategic decision to keep the low-end model that was and still is the white polycarbonate MacBook.  Apple’s cheapest Macbook ($999) is now constructed in the same fashion as its elder cousins, unibody style.  It features a brighter 13-inch LED-backlit display, 2.26GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 2GB DDR3 memory, 250GB hard drive, 8x double-layer SuperDrive, NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics, and a new glass multi-touch trackpad.  Also like it’s aluminium brethren it packs a built-in (non-removable) battery that claims to last for seven hours (three is more realistic, though).  The MacBook is really lacking in the port area: it includes one Gigabit Ethernet port, one Mini DisplayPort, two USB 2.0 ports, and an audio in/out port (where’s the SD and FireWire ports?).  This single plastic MacBook model is available now.

Airport Extreme, Time Capsule, and Apple Remote

The Airport Extreme Base Station ($179) runs 25% faster than its previous model.  Time Capsule (1TB – $299; 2TB – $499) also promises to run faster; Time Machine backups in Snow Leopard should complete 60% faster than before.  The AE Base Station and Time Capsule support simultaneous work on both the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands.  While both products provide 802.11n Wi-Fi, Apple did not specify if  it’s the final 802.11n specification.

Also updated was the Apple Remote that ships with all iMacs and is sold separately for $19.99.  It now matches the iMacs and MacBook Pros sporting a new aluminium outer surface.  Remember it only works with Apple computers that have an integrated IR receiver.

And there you have it.  All of today’s Apple product updates in one bite-size post.  Readers, I shall leave you with this poignant quote from Apple’s lead designer Jony Ive: “And that’s what this iMac represents.  It’s a collection of our very best thinking, our very best innovation.”

[Via Apple]