Apple released the much anticipated iMac updates today, upgrading the processors to Quad-Core CPUs across the entire range and including Thunderbolt.

Apple today updated its signature all-in-one iMac with next generation quad-core processors, powerful new graphics, groundbreaking high-speed Thunderbolt I/O technology and a new FaceTime HD camera. Starting at $1,199, the new iMac is up to 70 percent faster and new graphics deliver up to three times the performance of the previous generation.

The new iMacs feature quad-core Intel Core i5 processors with an option for customers to choose Core i7 processors up to 3.4GHz.

The 21.5-inch iMac has a single Thunderbolt port while the 27″ features two Thunderbolt ports.

21.5″ 2.5GHz Quad Core i5, AMD 6750M, 500GB, $1199
21.5″ 2.7GHz Quad Core i5, AMD 6770M, 1TB, $1499
27″ 2.7GHz Quad Core i5, AMD 6770M, 1TB, $1699
27″ 3.1GHz Quad Core i5, AMD 6970M, 1TB, $1999

Core i7 Processors are available as configure-to-order options.

“We took the world’s best all-in-one and made it even better,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. “With the latest processors, high-performance graphics and signature aluminum and glass design, customers are going to love the latest iMac.”

The new iMacs all feature dedicated graphics cards rather than relying on slower integrated graphics chips. A breakdown of the new models is provided here:

$1199 / 21.5″ / 3.06GHz Core i3 / 4GB / 500MB / ATI Radeon HD 4670
$1499 / 21.5″ / 3.20GHz Core i3 / 4GB / 1TB / ATI Radeon HD 5670
$1699 27″ / 3.20GHz Core i3 / 4GB / 1TB / ATI Radeon HD 5670
$1999 27″ / 2.8GHz Quad-Core Core i5 / 4GB / 1TB / ATI Radeon HD 5750
+$200 27″ / 2.93 GHz Quad-Core Core i7 BTO option

John Gruber (podcast talk show host) hints that Apple may be set to release a new 27-inch 16:9 widescreen display alongside updated Mac Pros and iMacs sometime Tuesday (July 27th) .

We’ll have much to talk about, what with the new Mac Pros (finally, right?), speed-bump iMacs, and the gorgeous new 16:9 27-inch Cinema Display that Apple might hypothetically release tomorrow.

Gruber suggests in a “doubly-hypothetical” manner that Apple’s ”Magic Trackpad” that was approved by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission last week could also make an appearance as well.

The report also claims that Apple’s highly-anticipated tablet will launch later this month, and will include a 9.7-inch screen.

Apple today announced updated iMac models carrying LED-based 16:9 displays in 21.5-inch and 27-inch sizes :

The 21.5-inch model, which begins at $1,199 and carries a 1920×1080 display, offers Intel Core 2 Duo processor options running at 3.06 GHz or 3.33 GHz and NVIDIA GeForce 9400M or ATI Radeon 4670 graphics card options.

the 27-inch model begins, which carries a 2560×1440 display, begins at $1,699. In addition to the same processor options found on the smaller model, users can also select from a 2.66 GHz quad-core Intel Core i5 or 2.8 GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 processor, although machines carrying those higher-end processors will not ship until November.

All new iMac models feature an SD card slot and ship standard with a wireless keyboard and the new Multi-Touch Magic Mouse also unveiled today.

a new multi-touch mouse today called ”Magic Mouse”. The mouse uses the same multi-touch technology found in the iPhone, iPod Touch, and Mac notebook trackpads. The entire surface of the mouse is a seamless multi-touch surface.

The new mouse comes standard with the new iMacs introduced today and is also available separately for $69.

Apple also updated its Mac mini, offering spec bumps to its existing $599 and $799 models and adding a new $999 server model. The server model runs Mac OS X Snow Leopard Server and replaces the Mac mini’s usual optical drive with a second 2.5-inch hard drive, allowing for the 1 TB total hard drive capacity.

Apple updated the MacBook line with a new durable polycarbonate unibody design with LED-backlit display, glass multi-touch trackpad and a 7 hour battery life. The new design includes a non-skid bottom surface, and weighs 4.7 pounds. It contains a 2.26 GHz Core 2 Duo processor, 2 GB of RAM, 250GB HD and NVIDIA GeForce 9400M integrated graphics card. The new built-in battery can be replaced by Apple for $129.

The new MacBook is available immediately for the price of $999.

for more info an all of these products , head over to apple’s site

UPDATE : Our Blackberry Group Member “Rami” noticed a new Apple Remote on the Online store

The new all-in-one, dual-core desktops were finalized earlier in September and have been rolling off the Mac maker’s Taiwanese product lines for roughly two weeks, according to two people familiar with the matter.

In addition to more affordable pricing, the systems are expected to come clad in a thinner industrial design, one of those people added. Though details are admittedly limited, it’s likely these new enclosures will also take design cues from the Cupertino-based company’s relatively new LED-lit Cinema Display offerings.

The report echoes comments issued last week by research firm Wedge Partners that new iMacs could make an appearance within the next several weeks. Today’s report also reiterates claims that the new iMac will sport a redesigned enclosure and several new features, possibly to include a Blu-ray drive option.

Sources :  Macrumors , Appleinsider

Wedge sees a redesigned iMac witjh a “thinner, organic design, likely with smoothed or rounded edges. The MacBook redesign “is likely to be limited,” Wedge asserts.

The note also suggests that the updates will bring lower price tags in order to aggressively compete against Windows 7-based PCs and the low-cost netbook segment.

Wedge Partners’ report echoes previous claims suggesting that Apple is working on refreshed iMac and MacBook designs to be accompanied by lower price points later this year, but is the first to point to a release window for the new models in the very near future.

Sources : MacRumors , WSJ

The new Mac Pro includes Intel Xeon processors running at speeds up to 2.93 GHz and an integrated memory controller with three channels of 1066 MHz DDR3 ECC memory. Apple claims that this delivers up to 2.4 times the memory bandwidth while cutting memory latency up to 40 percent. Every Mac Pro also comes standard with the NVIDIA GeForce GT 120 with 512MB of GDDR3 memory. An optional ATI Radeon HD 4870 is available for more performance. The new Mac Pro also comes with both a Mini DisplayPort and a DVI port to support the 24-inch Apple LED Cinema Display, the 30-inch Apple Cinema HD Display, or other DVI based displays.

Mac Pro

- $2499. One 2.66GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon 3500 Processor. 3GB of RAM. NVIDIA GeForce GT 120. 640GB HD.
- $3299. Two 2.26GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon 5500 Processor. 6GB of RAM. NVIDIA GeForce GT 120. 640GB HD.

iMac and Mac mini desktop lines, including a 24-inch iMac and a Mac mini with new NVIDIA integrated graphics. For the same $1,499 price as the previous generation 20-inch iMac, the new 24-inch iMac delivers a 30 percent larger display, twice the memory and twice the storage. Apple also claims up to five times better graphics performance in the new Mac mini with the NVIDIA GeForce 9400M integrated graphics.

iMac

- $1199. 20-inch 2.66 GHz iMac. 2GB RAM. NVIDIA GeForce 9400M Integrated graphics. 320GB HD. Mini Display Port
- $1499. 24-inch 2.66 GHz iMac. 4GB RAM. NVIDIA GeForce 9400M Integrated graphics. 640GB HD. Mini Display Port
- $1799. 24-inch 2.93 GHz iMac. 4GB RAM. NVIDIA GeForce GT 120. 640GB HD. Mini Display Port
- $2199. 24-inch 3.06 GHz iMac. 4GB RAM. NVIDIA GeForce GT 130. 1TB HD. Mini Display Port

Mac Mini

- $599. 2.0GHz Mac mini. 1GB 1066 MHz DDR SDRAM, GeForce 9400M integrated graphics, 120GB HD, 8x SuperDrive, Mini DisplayPort and mini-DVI, 5 USB Ports, One FireWire 800 Port
- $799. 2.0GHz Mac mini. 2GB 1066 MHz DDR SDRAM, GeForce 9400M integrated graphics, 320GB HD, 8x SuperDrive, Mini DisplayPort and mini-DVI, 5 USB Ports, One FireWire 800 Port

Apple also updated the AirPort Extreme Base Station and Time Capsule, which are now offering simultaneous 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz dual-band networking “for optimal performance, range and compatibility.” The new models also offer the ability to set up a secondary Internet-only Wi-Fi network to allow family and friends to access the Internet without giving them the password to the primary network or allowing them access to networked drives and other peripherals. Finally, Time Capsule offers MobileMe members the ability to access files on their device’s hard drive over the Internet from anywhere.

Source : Apple , MacRumors

French site MacBidouille on Monday detailed new model numbers that appear to confirm AppleInsider‘s discovery of six new Apple products in resellers’ pipelines.

Of these, four models ranging from MB417 through MB420 are described as new iMacs, but with a different system balance than today’s lineup: only the first model would have a 20-inch screen, while the remaining four would have 24-inch displays.

In turn, two Mac mini models, the MB463 and MB464, would represent updated low- and high-end versions of Apple’s compact desktops.

All four would be available today and ship almost immediately, according to the claim.

* 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo* 1GB memory* 250GB hard drive1* 8x double-layer SuperDrive* ATI Radeon HD 2400 XT with 128MB memory$1,199.00* 2.66GHz Intel Core 2 Duo* 2GB memory* 320GB hard drive1* 8x double-layer SuperDrive* ATI Radeon HD 2600 PRO with 256MB memory$1,499.00* 2.8GHz Intel Core 2 Duo* 2GB memory* 320GB hard drive1* 8x double-layer SuperDrive* ATI Radeon HD 2600 PRO with 256MB memory$1,799.00* 3.06GHz Intel Core 2 Duo* 2GB memory* 500GB hard drive1* 8x double-layer SuperDrive* NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GS with 512MB memory$2,199.00