For the first time, the 21.5-inch iMac will be outfitted with a 4K Retina display, to complement its fifth-generation Intel Core processor and Intel Iris Pro Graphics. This model of the system is priced from $1,500, but non-Retina alternatives are still available starting at $1,100.
Meanwhile, the larger 27-inch iMac will now be fitted with a 5K Retina display across the board. Apple is billing the screen as ‘the world’s highest resolution all-in-one display’, referencing the fact that it boasts seven times more pixels than a typical HD display. Prices for the 27-inch system start at $1,800.
That’s a huge price drop. Prior to today, Mac fans had to drop at least $2,000 for a new, 27-inch iMac with Retina. Apple as managed to drop the price by replacing the Fusion Drive (which combined a solid state cache with mechanical storage) with a standard 1TB mechanical hard drive. The specifications are otherwise the same as the $2,000 iMac 27-inch with Retina.
All iMac models now come with two Thunderbolt 2 ports as standard. Both models are also capable of using Apple’s Fusion Drive technology, which pairs a hard drive with flash storage for improvements in access speed and responsiveness.
Apple also announced some new accessories to complement the updates to the iMac range. The new Magic Keyboard makes full use of the company’s scissor mechanism, but is housed inside a much smaller body than previous iterations.
The Magic Mouse 2 has been made lighter and sturdier, while the Magic Trackpad 2 offers a 29 percent larger surface than its predecessor, as well as being capable of Force Touch functionality. The Magic Keyboard will retail for $99, the Magic Mouse 2 is priced at $79 and the Magic Trackpad 2 is being sold at $129.
Last week, early word of these accessories leaked after references to the hardware were found in code from the OS X 10.11.1 beta. As expected, the devices have transitioned from alkaline AA batteries to a rechargeable lithium-ion solution.
All products will be made available from today from Apple’s online store, its retail stores and authorized resellers.
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