Apple unveils new iMacs with quad-core processors, better graphics and Thunderbolt

As expected, Apple rolled out new iMacs today. The new machines pack Sandy Bridge and quad-core processors, even on the low-end 21.5-inch model.

The new desktops are also shipping with AMD Radeon HD graphics and two Thunderbolt ports on the 27-inch models. The new machines can support one external display, leaving the other Thunderbolt port available for other I/O such as external drives. This alleviates the problem of daisy-chaining that Thunderbolt-equipped MacBook Pro owners will face.

All of the new models ship with 4GB RAM, 4 USB ports, 1 FireWire 800 port, a FaceTime HD camera and the same design with edge-to-edge glass that Apple has been using for over a year.

The new iMacs start at $1,199, as before. The top stock iMac ships with a Core i5 processor, but a custom machine can be configured with the following specs for $3,649.00:

  • 3.4GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7
  • 16GB 1333MHz DDR3 SDRAM – 4x4GB
  • 2TB Serial ATA Drive + 256GB Solid State Drive
  • AMD Radeon HD 6970M 2GB GDDR5

You an see the whole line up here:

Stephen Hackett, formerly a Lead Mac Genius at Apple, now spends his days running the IT department of a large non-profit in Memphis, TN. He writes about Apple, design and journalism at forkbombr.net. Like all twenty-somethings, you can find him on Twitter. Oh, and he has a dogcow tattoo.