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  • iMac Refresh Adds Thunderbolt, Faster Processors, and Graphics
    by
    Phillip Swanson
    Published on 05-03-2011 08:10 AM
    44 Comments Comments


    The rumored iMac refresh from Apple became reality this morning. The faster Sandy Bridge processors, jump to AMD's 6790M graphics processors and the addition of TWO Thunderbolt I/O connections included in the update are enough to make a man blush. Also, Apple included an HD FaceTime camera capable of providing full resolution to the 27" models 2560 by 1600 pixel display.

    The biggest revelation outside of two Thunderbolt I/O's (the 27" version only, 21.5" has one) is that every flavor of iMac now comes with a quad-core processor. The new base configurations are below.
    • 21.5" 2.5GHz Quad Core i5, AMD 6750M, 500GB, $1199
    • 21.5" 2.7GHz Quad Core i5, AMD 6770M, 1TB, $1499
    • 27" 2.7GHz Quad Core i5, AMD 6770M, 1TB, $1699
    • 27" 3.1GHz Quad Core i5, AMD 6970M, 1TB, $1999

    The 3.4GHz Core i7 processors are available as a made to order configuration for an additional $200. Ram is still only upgradeable to 16GB, but the AMD 6790M graphics card is upgradeable from 1GB to 2GB of GDDR5 memory.

    Taking a step back and examining the update the value of these machines keeps increasing. Apple's claim that these are the "most powerful" all-in-ones available don't seem like the least bit of hyperbole. I currently work on a 27" i5 iMac purchased just after the last update. The addition of the Thunderbolt I/O and the bump in graphics and processor power has me seriously contemplating a new purchase.

    Anyone up for buying a 27" i5 iMac? Seriously I've got some Thunderbolt envy going on and the only cure is an irrational purchase from Apple.

    Source: Apple
    This article was originally published in forum thread: iMac Refresh Adds Thunderbolt, Faster Processors, and Graphics started by Phillip Swanson View original post
    Comments 44 Comments
    1. godfred212's Avatar
      godfred212 - 05-03-2011, 08:34 AM
      Awesome
    1. RedDwarf2010's Avatar
      RedDwarf2010 - 05-03-2011, 08:44 AM
      Ah...Don't need it! I'll wait until my iMac is really dying or I actually need to.
    1. beninspain's Avatar
      beninspain - 05-03-2011, 08:50 AM
      i want one. Who is looking for an iMac in Spain. Had mine less than 6 months.
    1. Cowboy's Avatar
      Cowboy - 05-03-2011, 09:10 AM
      Very nice now i need a 27incher
    1. xxhorseriderxxx's Avatar
      xxhorseriderxxx - 05-03-2011, 09:37 AM
      you guys are silly... you can build a computer for way less than the price of any computer sold in a store with parts bought online.
    1. dmaximob's Avatar
      dmaximob - 05-03-2011, 09:42 AM
      Does this new version have OS X Lion?
      And if not, is there enough of a reason to not wait until Lion is released?
    1. thazsar's Avatar
      thazsar - 05-03-2011, 09:59 AM
      Quote Originally Posted by xxhorseriderxxx View Post
      you guys are silly... you can build a computer for way less than the price of any computer sold in a store with parts bought online.
      Except you have a gigantic tower...
    1. Darrius777's Avatar
      Darrius777 - 05-03-2011, 10:13 AM
      Quote Originally Posted by xxhorseriderxxx View Post
      you guys are silly... you can build a computer for way less than the price of any computer sold in a store with parts bought online.
      Not everyone wants to take the time out to build one. Some people like warranties on there computers and customer support. Also a home built computer won't look as sexy as an iMac.
    1. one1's Avatar
      one1 - 05-03-2011, 10:14 AM
      Seriously the refresh is awesome, but there is no reason for me to upgrade my 6 month old 27" i5 iMac. That would be just silly. It's already running 1gb VRAM and i5 quad. A connector on back that hooks to ....... Nothing else on the market right now... Not worth $2000. My mid 2010 will do for now, but for people who do not have a recent iMac these will be a good purchase.
    1. Silverado1987's Avatar
      Silverado1987 - 05-03-2011, 10:18 AM
      Quote Originally Posted by Darrius777 View Post
      Not everyone wants to take the time out to build one. Some people like warranties on there computers and customer support. Also a home built computer won't look as sexy as an iMac.
      Agreed. I don't want the time nor a huge tower. When you build one you can't have your cake and eat it too. With apple I can eat as much as I want. I have been waiting for the new iMac refreshes. Now I gotta decide if I want a 21" or a 27".
    1. Rob2G's Avatar
      Rob2G - 05-03-2011, 10:50 AM
      Quote Originally Posted by thazsar View Post
      Except you have a gigantic tower...
      Yeah but with an iMac you don't have the space to add extra Hdds and no upgradeable graphics.

      Quote Originally Posted by Darrius777 View Post
      Not everyone wants to take the time out to build one. Some people like warranties on there computers and customer support. Also a home built computer won't look as sexy as an iMac.
      Look in the hackintosh section under show off your hackintosh. My hackintosh is way sexy and way faster than the newest iMac and cost less than half than an iMac.
    1. feidhlim1986's Avatar
      feidhlim1986 - 05-03-2011, 11:05 AM
      Really tired of this "why buy an iMac when you could build a more powerful computer for cheaper" argument.
      Many people don't give two shíts about upgradability. Most people don't have the know-how to build a computer from scratch. Many people want an all-in-one design with only a single cable coming out of the machine.

      You could buy your clothes from a thrift shop cheaper than brand names but with the same functionality. Do you people who scoff at people who buy iMacs buy the cheapest of everything?

      It's also ironic that people scoff at those who buy iMac's buy iPhones and iPads themselves.

      It's only personal preference people!
    1. bstunt10190's Avatar
      bstunt10190 - 05-03-2011, 11:29 AM
      Everyone stfu. there are sites that make builds for you. all you have to do is buy the parts. A two year old could put those parts together. if it doesnt fit yer doin' it wrong
    1. steve-z17's Avatar
      steve-z17 - 05-03-2011, 12:47 PM
      Sexy and sleek, just the way I like 'em!
    1. mortopher's Avatar
      mortopher - 05-03-2011, 12:54 PM
      Thunderbolt is not a feature until we start seeing devices that support it. I just have a very powerful mini display port for now.
    1. thazsar's Avatar
      thazsar - 05-03-2011, 01:01 PM
      Quote Originally Posted by mortopher View Post
      Thunderbolt is not a feature until we start seeing devices that support it. I just have a very powerful mini display port for now.
      Nice logo! Go Mavs!!!
    1. Cer0's Avatar
      Cer0 - 05-03-2011, 01:36 PM
      Hmmmm. My iMac is a year old but I wouldn't mind some thunderbolt action.
    1. EmmanuelFuentes's Avatar
      EmmanuelFuentes - 05-03-2011, 03:09 PM
      Quote Originally Posted by xxhorseriderxxx View Post
      you guys are silly... you can build a computer for way less than the price of any computer sold in a store with parts bought online.
      +1
    1. hoangtanle's Avatar
      hoangtanle - 05-03-2011, 04:16 PM
      it's a nifty machine that doesn't have a tower. I wonder why people hate on iMac's and be so negative about the iMac. if it has no interest in them, they shouldn't say anything at all and let the rest of the people who are fans of iMac's be happy. buzzkill.
    1. one1's Avatar
      one1 - 05-03-2011, 04:23 PM
      Quote Originally Posted by hoangtanle View Post
      it's a nifty machine that doesn't have a tower. I wonder why people hate on iMac's and be so negative about the iMac. if it has no interest in them, they shouldn't say anything at all and let the rest of the people who are fans of iMac's be happy. buzzkill.
      It's the windows dolts that have no clue what owning a trouble free computer you don't have to constantly monitor or fix is like. One of which doesn't take up half the floor by your desk for the tower and 300 cables in the floor running up the walls putting off enough heat to fry eggs while looking like a school locker with no aesthetics whatsoever. Something that doesn't need you to spend half the day looking for a driver because everything JUST WORKS since it was all built together to being with and software and drivers were written specifically for that machine.

      All tied up in a minimal, sleek, sexy, cutting edge top of the line package that "for some reason" everyone with any taste that can afford, ......WANTS.

      As I look down the line of operating systems of the nay sayers "Windows, windows, windows". OOOooooo big surprise. You can build an ugly 4wd truck and run it through the mud if you want, I'll take my BMW.
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