Nearly two years have passed since Apple last refreshed the iMac, but updates are finally here for both 4K and 5K models.
Apple today announced that its iMac lineup has been updated with Intel’s latest 8th-generation and 9th-generation Core processors, including up to a six-core 8th-generation Core i7 for the 21.5-inch 4K iMac and up to an eight-core 9th-generation Core i9 with Turbo Boost up to 5.0GHz for the 27-inch 5K iMac.
Apple says the new 21.5-inch iMac models deliver up to 60 percent faster performance than the previous generation, while the new 27-inch iMac models deliver up to 2.4 times faster performance than the previous generation, narrowing the gap between the high-end standard iMac and the iMac Pro workstation.
Following in the footsteps of the 2018 MacBook Pro, Radeon Pro Vega graphics options are now available across the new iMac lineup, including Vega 20 for 21.5-inch models and Vega 48 for 27-inch models. Apple advertises up to 80 percent faster graphics performance compared to the previous iMac lineup.
The new iMac lineup also offers faster 2,666MHz DDR4 memory, while the base model 21.5-inch 4K iMac has new 32GB memory and 1TB SSD options.
Beyond the performance improvements, there is a lot of familiarity. The new iMac models have the same design used since 2012 and the same 4K and 5K displays as the previous generation. I/O also remains unchanged with two Thunderbolt 3 ports, four USB 3 ports, a SD card slot, a headphone jack, and Gigabit Ethernet.
While the iMac Pro and the latest MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, and Mac mini models are equipped with Apple’s T2 security chip, we’ve confirmed with Apple that the new iMac models do not have a T-series chip of any kind.
While the iMac Pro is available in a sleek space gray finish, Apple says silver remains the sole color option for standard iMac models.
Pricing before upgrades remains unchanged. The new 21.5-inch 4K iMac models start at $1,299 and the new 27-inch 5K iMac models start at $1,799. Both are available to order starting today on Apple.com and the Apple Store app, with availability in Apple Stores and select resellers starting next week.
The non-4K entry-level model 21.5-inch iMac was not updated today and remains available from $1,099.
This article, "Apple Updates iMac Lineup With Up to 8-Core 9th-Gen Intel Processors and Radeon Pro Vega Graphics Options" first appeared on MacRumors.com
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