Apple releases new iMac line-up with Core 2 Duo and a 24 inch model

Apple has just released a new line-up of iMacs which includes two new models: the first is a $999 economic model and the second is a 24 inch sized high-end model.

Here are the four new configurations available:

24-inch 2.16 GHz iMac ($1,999)
-24-inch widescreen LCD display;
-2.16 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor;
-1GB of 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM expandable to 3GB;
-8x SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD+R DL/DVD+/-RW/CD-RW);
-PCI Express-based NVIDIA GeForce 7300 GT with 128MB GDDR3 memory;
-250GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 7200 rpm;

20-inch 2.16 GHz iMac ($1,499)
-20-inch widescreen LCD display;
-2.16 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor;
-1GB of 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM expandable to 3GB;
-8x SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD+R DL/DVD+/-RW/CD-RW);
-PCI Express-based ATI Radeon X1600 with 128MB GDDR3 memory;
-250GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 7200 rpm;

17-inch 2.0 GHz iMac ($1,199)
-17-inch widescreen LCD display;
-2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor;
-1GB of 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM expandable to 3GB;
-8x SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD+R DL/DVD+/-RW/CD-RW);
-PCI Express-based ATI Radeon X1600 with 128MB GDDR3 memory;
-160GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 7200 rpm;

17-inch 1.83 GHz iMac ($999)
-17-inch widescreen LCD display;
-1.83 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor;
-512MB of 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM expandable to 2GB;
-24x Combo drive;
-Intel GMA 950 graphics;
-160GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 7200 rpm;

All of the line-up includes built-in iSight video camera, built-in AirPort Extreme wireless networking, a mini-DVI out, built-in stereo speakers/microphone, a Mighty Mouse and an Apple Keyboard.

It looks like we were only one inch away from the reality with our previous report claiming a 23 inch iMac would arrive soon. However, these news seem to be confirming another report (our WWDC '06 rumour round-up) in which we claimed Apple might use the 24 inch form factor for its Cinema Displays line-up.

Additionally, the company is now selling a VESA mount-kit for the iMac 24 inch in its online store for $29.