Apple intros New Sandy Bridge iMacs w/Thunderbolt, new GPUs/CPUs:
As rumored, Apple announced new iMacs today, all with Quad-core CPUs (new i5 and i7's - up to 3.4GHz), Thunderbolt (2 ports on 27in, one on 21.5in), new GPU options (including a 6970M with up to 2GB of vram) and "FaceTime HD" camera. The performance page has some comparions to previous models. The Specs page has more details on the new models. (BTW: The new iMacs are said to be the first to use Intel's new Z68 chipset, which supports features like SSD caching, Quick Sync, Overclocking.)
Apple lists 16GB RAM max, but although they've not done 2011 model tests yet, OWC lists up to 32GB (8GBx4), as they did with the 2010 iMac models. (However 8GB 1333MHz SODIMMs are very expensive. 4 cost more than the iMac.)
(FYI, OWC's wednesday press release on 2011 imac ram upgrades only mentions up to 16GB.)
The Apple store is back online with the new iMacs available for order. (Base configs from $1199 to $1999 US, listed as shipping within 24hrs this morning.)
Apple also posted a press release - New iMac With Next Generation Quad-Core Processors, Graphics & Thunderbolt I/O Technology and also posted a Boot Camp Update for the new iMacs. (Similar to the BC Update for 2011 MacBook Pros.) |