The new low end iMac just arrived, complete with a bit of a price break.
Per AppleInsider, Apple on Wednesday formally launched its anticipated new low-end 21.5-inch iMac with a lower entry price of US$1,099. The new machine, which is now US$200 cheaper than the 21.5-inch 2.7 GHz previous low-end model, boasts a 1.4-gigahertz dual-core Intel Core i5 CPU, a 500 gigabyte hard drive, and 8 gigabytes of RAM.
With the new model, users will downgrade from a faster quad-core chip to a dual-core CPU. RAM stays the same, but hard drive space is cut in half from 1-terabyte on the US$1,299 model. Graphics are also downgraded from Intel’s Iris Pro integrated solution to Intel HD Graphics 5000.
The new model can be upgraded in the Web-based Apple Store with a 1-terabyte Serial ATA drive for an additional US$50, a 1-terabyte Fusion Drive for US$250, or a 256-gigabyte flash drive for $250. The 1.4-gigahertz processor and the 8 gigabytes of RAM cannot be upgraded.
Apple issued a press release Wednesday morning touting the machine as “the perfect entry-level Mac desktop.” Sporting the same thin design as all other current iMacs, it features 802.11ac Wi-Fi, two Thunderbolt ports, and four USB 3.0 ports. It also comes with iLife — featuring GarageBand, iPhoto and iMovie — as well as the iWork suite of Pages, Numbers and Keynote.
The new 21.5-inch iMac also comes with OS X Mavericks, and can be upgraded for free later this year to OS X Yosemite. In addition to being available through Apple’s online store, it will also be available at Apple retail stores and authorized resellers.