Apple zaps up hardware line

Apple has updated its desktop line with a new Mac Pro – with to 12 Processing Cores- and iMac models, as well as a 27-inch LED Cinema Display.

Mac Pro and new LED Display

Mac Pro and new LED Display (Image Courtesy of Apple)

Mac Pro
The new Mac Pro features up to 12 processing cores and up to 50 percent greater performance than the previous generation. It features the latest quad-core and 6-core Intel Xeon processors, all-new ATI graphics and the option for up to four 512GB solid state drives (SSD).

“The new Mac Pro is the most powerful and configurable Mac we’ve ever made,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. “With up to 12 cores, the new Mac Pro outperforms our previous top-of-the-line system by up to 50 percent, and with over a billion possible configurations, our customers can create exactly the system they want.”

At the heart of the new Mac Pro’s performance are next generation quad-core and 6-core Intel Xeon processors running at speeds up to 3.33 GHz. These multi-core processors use a single die design so each core can share up to 12MB L3 cache to improve efficiency while increasing processing speed. These systems feature an integrated memory controller for faster memory bandwidth and reduced memory latency; Turbo Boost to dynamically boost processor speeds up to 3.6 GHz; and Hyper-Threading to create up to 24 virtual cores. The Mac Pro now comes with the ATI Radeon HD 5770 graphics processor with 1GB of memory and customers can configure-to-order the even faster ATI Radeon HD 5870 with 1GB of memory.

For the first time, Mac Pro customers have the option to order a 512GB SSD for the ultimate in reliability and lightning fast performance. With the ability to install up to four SSD drives in the system’s internal drive bays, the new Mac Pro can provide ultra high-speed disk bandwidth and random disk performance, two times faster than the average performance of a standard disk drive, according to Apple. Mac Pro also now features two Mini DisplayPorts and one dual-link DVI port. The additional Mini DisplayPort output allows customers to connect two LED Cinema Displays without an additional graphics card or adapter and the dual-link DVI port supports legacy DVI-based displays up to a resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels.

The Mac Pro meets stringent Energy Star 5.0 requirements and achieves EPEAT Gold status. The Mac Pro enclosure is made of highly recyclable aluminium and the interior is designed to be more material-efficient. The Mac Pro uses PVC-free internal cables and components and contains no brominated flame retardants.

See below for pricing & availability

iMac

iMac

New iMac (Image Courtesy of Apple)

Apple’s all-in-one iMac line now features the latest Intel Core i3, Core i5 and Core i7 processors and powerful new graphics. Starting at £999, the new iMac line is the company’s fastest ever, with dual-core processor speeds up to 3.6 GHz, quad-core speeds up to 2.93 GHz and discrete graphics including the powerful ATI Radeon HD 5750.

“We took the world’s best all-in-one and made it even better,” said Philip Schiller. “With the latest processors, high-performance graphics and signature aluminium and glass design, customers are going to love the latest iMac.”

Dual-core Intel Core i3 and Core i5, and quad-core Core i5 and Core i7 processors set a new benchmark for iMac performance. The processors feature an integrated memory controller to access the system memory directly, allowing the new iMac to take full advantage of its faster 1333 MHz memory. New discrete ATI Radeon HD processors deliver incredibly smooth, crisp graphics for the most demanding 3D games, creative software and technical applications. iMac displays feature IPS technology to deliver a wide 178-degree viewing angle. The SD card slot on the iMac now supports the SDXC format to handle the latest high-capacity storage cards. Customers of the 27-inch iMac have the option to order a 256GB solid-state drive (SSD) as a primary or secondary drive. The iMac SSD supports up to 215 MB/s data transfer rates for faster startup and application launch times.

See below for pricing & availability

LED Cinema Display

LED Cinema Display

LED Cinema Display (Image Courtesy of Apple)

The new 27-inch LED Cinema Display offers 2560 x 1440 resolution and 60 percent more screen real estate than the 24-inch LED Cinema Display. Featuring a built-in iSight video camera, microphone and speakers, powered USB 2.0 hub, and universal MagSafe connector, the new LED Cinema Display is available for $999.

“With built-in MagSafe charging, iSight camera, speakers, and USB ports, the LED Cinema Display is ideal for MacBook and MacBook Pro users,” said Philip Schiller. “With its massive 2560 x 1440 resolution, the new 27-inch LED Cinema Display is a perfect fit with our powerful new Mac Pro, and it gives iMac users an easy way to double their screen real estate.”

The new, larger 27-inch LED Cinema Display features a beautiful 16:9 edge-to-edge glass display on an aluminium stand with an adjustable hinge that makes tilting the display almost effortless. The LED Cinema Display has vivid colours and exceptionally high contrast and uses a premium display technology called in-plane switching (IPS) to provide a brilliant image across an ultra wide 178-degree viewing angle.

Designed as a companion for any Mac notebook or desktop, the 27-inch display includes a built-in iSight video camera for video conferencing, an integrated MagSafe charger to keep Mac notebooks charged, built-in Mini DisplayPort connectivity for video and audio input and a powered three-port USB 2.0 hub so customers can charge their iPhone or iPod even when they take their MacBook with them.

The new LED Cinema Display now includes a new ambient light sensor which automatically adjusts the display brightness based on external lighting conditions and uses only as much energy as necessary to provide an optimum viewing experience. Made with mercury-free LED technology, arsenic-free glass and highly recyclable materials, the LED Cinema Display meets stringent Energy Star 5.0 requirements and achieves EPEAT Gold status. The new display contains no brominated flame retardants and all cables and components are PVC-free.

Pricing & Availability
The new products are shipping now and available through the Apple Store, Apple’s retail stores and Apple Authorised Resellers.

The new Mac Pro will be available in August, starting from (quad-core) £1999 inc VAT (£1701.28 ex VAT) and (8-core) £2799 inc VAT (£2382.13 ex VAT).

The new 21.5-inch 3.06 GHz Intel Core i3 iMac starts at a suggested retail price of £999 inc VAT (£850.21 ex VAT).

The new LED Cinema Display will be available in September for a suggested retail price of $999 (US). International pricing will be announced at a later stage. The LED Cinema Display requires a Mac with Mini DisplayPort.

Every iMac and Mac Pro model also comes with Mac OS X Snow Leopard operating system, and iLife suite of products.

Apple turnover
Apple recently posted financial results for its fiscal 2010 third quarter. The Company posted record revenue of $15.7 billion and net quarterly profit of $3.25 billion. These results compare to revenue of $9.73 billion and net quarterly profit of $1.83 billion, in the year-ago quarter. Gross margin was 39.1 percent compared to 40.9 percent in the year-ago quarter. International sales accounted for 52 percent of the quarter’s revenue. Apple sold 3.47 million Macs during the quarter, representing a new quarterly record and a 33 percent unit increase over the year-ago quarter. The Company sold 8.4 million iPhones in the quarter, representing 61 percent unit growth over the year-ago quarter. Apple sold 9.41 million iPods during the quarter, representing an eight percent unit decline from the year-ago quarter. The Company began selling iPads during the quarter, with total sales of 3.27 million.

Visit Apple for additional information

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1 Response

  1. This past year has witnessed some quite serious backward steps for Apple hardware products. The most recent iPhone 4 is a serious case in point. Interestingly, there have been no slip-ups in terms of Apple software products. TMV questions whether this could be associated with the FACT that reliability of Apple hardware products is increasingly becoming an issue for consumers.

    More on this here: http://www.themusicvoid.com/2010/08/is-music-industry-reliance-on-unreliable-apple-products-sustainable/

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