IMac (Intel-based)

Infobox Computer
name = iMac (Intel based)
developer = Apple Inc.
type = Desktop
photo =
caption = The current Apple iMac 20" model
first_release_date = 10 January 2006
processor = Intel Core Duo, Intel Core 2 Duo, Intel Core 2 Duo Extreme The iMac is a midrange to high-end desktop computer offered by Apple Inc. The current Apple iMac features an Intel Core 2 Duo processor, ATI Radeon HD 2400 XT graphics or NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GS (24" Model only), and a choice of a 20" LCD screen or a 24" LCD screen, both glossy.

While previous iMac models had a white polycarbonate enclosure as the iMac G5, the current-generation iMac has an enclosure shaped like Apple's Cinema Displays and styling reminiscent of the iPhone. The front is made of a single sheet of aluminum with a plate of glass covering the monitor, while the backside is made of black plastic.

History

At the Macworld Conference and Expo on January 10 2006, Steve Jobs announced that the new iMac would be the first Macintosh to use an Intel CPU, the Core Duo. The features, price, and case design remained unchanged from the iMac G5. The processor speed, according to tests run by Apple using SPEC, [cite web
url=http://web.archive.org/web/20060529204150/http://www.apple.com/imac/intelcoreduo.html
title=Apple - iMac - Intel Core Duo
accessdate=2007-03-01
publisher=Apple Inc] was declared as two to three times faster.

Alongside the MacBook Pro, the iMac Core Duo represents Apple's first computers to feature Intel processors instead of PowerPC processors, a transition that completed in November 2006. Since the introduction of the iMac Core Duo, other lines have followed, including the introduction of the Intel Core powered Mac mini on 28 February 2006, the MacBook consumer line of laptop computers on May 16 2006, the Mac Pro on August 7, 2006, and the Xserve in November 2006, completing the Macintosh family transition to Intel processors.

In early February 2006, Apple confirmed reports of video display problems on the new Intel-based iMacs. When playing video on Apple's Front Row media browser, some 20-inch iMacs (those built-to-order with upgraded video cards) showed random horizontal lines, ghosting, video tearing and other problems. The problem was fixed with a software update.

In late 2006, Apple introduced a new version of the iMac which included a Core 2 Duo chip and a lower price. Apple added a new 24" model with a resolution of 1920×1200 (WUXGA), making it the first iMac to be able to display 1080 HD content in its full resolution, and a VESA Flat Display Mounting Interface. Except for the 17–inch 1.83 GHz processor model, this version also included an 802.11n draft card. [ [http://www.apple.com/airportextreme/performance.html AirPort Extreme performance page] see footnote 2]

The current iMac ships with the Mighty Mouse, Apple Keyboard, Bluetooth and AirPort cards, an internal iSight camera, the Apple Remote for use with Front Row, and a power cord. A modem and a Bluetooth wireless keyboard and mouse are available for additional cost.

Models

*"Notes:¹Hard drives listed are configurations available from Apple. Since the hard drive is a user replaceable part, there are other configurations available, including the use of faster 7200 rpm drives.
²Wireless-N functionality requires the AirPort Extreme Wireless-N Router, which contains wireless-N enabler software to be installed on your iMac. Alternatively, the enabler software may be purchased from Apple separately. [cite web|url = http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wa/RSLID?mco=6C04E07A&nplm=D4141ZM%2FA|title = AirPort Extreme 802.11n Enabler for Mac|publisher = Apple, Inc.|accessdate = 2007-04-15]
³Quoted optical drive speeds are the maximum possible for each drive."

Lawsuit

In 2008, a class action lawsuit was filed against Apple in San Jose by Kabateck Brown Kellner, LLP, claiming Apple is deceiving consumers by claiming that both the 20-inch and 24-inch iMac are capable of displaying millions of colors at all resolutions, when the 20-inch models are only capable of displaying 262,144 colors. [cite web|url = http://arstechnica.com/journals/apple.ars/2008/03/31/apple-hit-with-new-colorful-lawsuit-over-imac-displays
title=Apple hit with new, colorful lawsuit over iMac displays
date=2008-03-31] The 20-inch screens use 6-bit twisted nematic film (TN) LCD screen, which the plaintiff claims is the "least expensive of its type," sporting a narrower viewing angle than the display of the 24-inch model, less color depth, less color accuracy and greater susceptibility to washout. [cite web|url = http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/08/03/31/apple_hit_with_another_millions_of_colors_lawsuit.html
title=Apple hit with another "millions of colors" lawsuit
date=2008-03-31]

ee also

* Apple Intel transition
* iMac

References

Navbox with columns
name = Navbox with columns/doc
state = uncollapsed
title = Apple Model Navigation

colstyle = text-align:center;background:silver;
colwidth = 25%

col1header = Replaced
col2header = Current Model

col1 = iMac G5
col2 = iMac %28Intel-based%29

col1footer = Preceding Family Model
col2footer = January 10, 2006