By AppleInsider Staff

Published: 08:00 AM EST (05:00 AM PST)

True to rumors, Apple Computer today unveiled its new iMac G5 computer, complete with a new design that integrates the entire computer right into the flat panel display.

In an extremely routine keynote address in Paris today, Apple VP Phil Schiller unveiled the company's new iMac G5, featuring the high-performance G5 processor and a stunning new design that integrates the entire computer right into the flat panel display. The iMac G5 packs a complete computer system into a mere two inches of depth—the world’s thinnest desktop computer. The new line offers 17- or 20-inch active matrix widescreen LCDs and G5 processors running up to 1.8 GHz starting at just $1,299.

"Just like the iPod redefined portable digital music players, the new iMac G5 redefines what users expect from a consumer desktop," said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing."With the entire system, including a gorgeous 17- or 20-inch display, just two inches thin, a lot of people will be wondering ’where did the computer go?’ "

The entire computer, including the power supply and slot-load optical drive, is built right into the display and rests on a sleek aluminum foot. All the I/O ports line up neatly along the rear right side for easy access, and with optional AirPort Extreme and Bluetooth wireless modules, there’s no more cable clutter. With its elegantly thin profile, compact footprint and whisper-quiet operation (less than 25 dB), the new iMac G5 is the perfect fit for any room in the home or office.

The new iMac G5 features the breakthrough performance of the PowerPC G5 processor, as well as numerous system performance improvements designed to help consumers turbocharge their digital lifestyle applications. The 17-inch models come with either a 1.8 GHz PowerPC G5 processor and a SuperDrive for burning professional-quality DVDs, or a 1.6 GHz PowerPC G5 processor and a Combo drive for watching DVD movies and burning CDs. The 20-inch model has a 1.8 GHz PowerPC G5 processor and a SuperDrive. With a completely redesigned system architecture, the new iMac G5 now offers up to a 600 MHz front-side bus, 400 MHz DDR memory expandable to 2GB, AGP 8X graphics and 7200 rpm Serial ATA drives up to 250GB. The new iMac G5 comes standard with high-performance NVIDIA graphics with dedicated video memory for outstanding graphics performance and realistic game play.

The new iMac G5 was designed to be the perfect computer for iLife ’04, Apple’s award-winning suite of digital lifestyle applications. iLife ’04, which comes with every new iMac G5, includes iTunes for managing and buying digital music, iPhoto for organizing and sharing digital photos, iMovie for digital movie-making, iDVD for creating and burning Hollywood-style DVDs and GarageBand, a revolutionary music application that turns the iMac G5 into a professional-quality musical instrument and recording studio.

The new iMac G5 desktops offer a total of five USB ports (three USB 2.0) and two FireWire 400 ports for easy plug-and-play connections to popular peripherals such as Apple’s market-leading iPod digital music player, digital video camcorders, digital still cameras and printers. Providing the latest in wireless communications, the new iMac G5 offers an optional internal Bluetooth module and includes a built-in antenna and card slot to support an optional AirPort Extreme Card for 54 Mbps 802.11g fast wireless networking. The new iMac G5 also includes built-in 10/100BASE-T Ethernet and a 56K V.92 modem for fast Internet access.

Mac OS X version 10.3"Panther" is pre-installed and delivers breakthrough features including iChat AV, an easy to use desktop video conferencing solution; FileVault, which uses the latest security standards and 128-bit encryption technology to ensure that data in the home directory is kept secure; Exposé, a revolutionary new way to instantly view all open windows; Instant On, which wakes the computer from sleep in just one second; and Automatic Networking, which automatically switches the network connections between Ethernet, 802.11 wireless and modem. The new iMac G5 also comes with a collection of productivity, learning and entertainment titles including AppleWorks, Quicken 2004 for Mac, WorldBook Encyclopedia 2004 Edition, Nanosaur 2 and MarbleBlast Gold. Everything you need for your digital lifestyle is included right out of the box.



Pricing & Availability

The new iMac G5 line will begin shipping worldwide in mid-September through the Apple Store (www.apple.com), at Apple’s retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers.

The new iMac G5, for a suggested retail price of $1,299 (US), includes:

• 17-inch widescreen LCD with 1440-by-900 pixels;
• 1.6 GHz 64-bit PowerPC G5 processor;
• 256MB of 400 MHz DDR SDRAM;
• Combo (DVD-ROM/CD-RW) optical drive;
• NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200 Ultra graphics processor with 64MB video memory;
• Two FireWire 400, three USB 2.0, two USB 1.1 ports;
• 10/100 BASE-T Ethernet networking, 56K V.92 Modem;
• Internal support for AirPort Extreme wireless networking and Bluetooth;
• 80GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 7200 rpm; and
• Built-in stereo speakers and microphone.

The new iMac G5, for a suggested retail price of $1,499 (US), includes:

• 17-inch widescreen LCD with 1440-by-900 pixels;
• 1.8 GHz 64-bit PowerPC G5 processor;
• 256MB of 400 MHz DDR SDRAM;
• SuperDrive (DVD-R/CD-RW) optical drive;
• NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200 Ultra graphics processor with 64MB video memory;
• Two FireWire 400, three USB 2.0, two USB 1.1 ports;
• 10/100 BASE-T Ethernet networking, 56K V.92 Modem;
• Internal support for AirPort Extreme wireless networking and Bluetooth;
• 80GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 7200 rpm; and
• Built-in stereo speakers and microphone.

The new iMac G5, for a suggested retail price of $1,899 (US), includes:

• 20-inch widescreen LCD with 1680-by-1050 pixels;
• 1.8 GHz 64-bit PowerPC G5 processor;
• 256MB of 400 MHz DDR SDRAM;
• SuperDrive (DVD-R/CD-RW) optical drive;
• NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200 Ultra graphics processor with 64MB video memory;
• Two FireWire 400, three USB 2.0, two USB 1.1 ports;
• 10/100 BASE-T Ethernet networking, 56K V.92 Modem;
• Internal support for AirPort Extreme wireless networking and Bluetooth;
• 160GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 7200 rpm; and
• Built-in stereo speakers and microphone.

Build-to-order options and accessories include up to 2GB of RAM, 160GB and 250GB hard drives, AirPort Extreme Card, AirPort Express and AirPort Extreme Base Station, internal Bluetooth module, Apple Wireless Keyboard and Apple Wireless Mouse, and the AppleCare Protection Plan.

The new iMac G5 systems, including a new configuration without an optical drive, are also available to education customers in the US and Canada through the Apple Store for Education at www.apple.com/education/store or by calling an Apple education sales representative at 800-800-APPL.