Talking Points: The New iMacs

Apple has released the latest versions of the venerable iMac lines. Here are the talking points:

New processors, including Apple's first use of a desktop processor. Previous iMacs have used what are basically laptop processors from Intel. These "Core 2 Duo" processors are used in the all but the top-of-the-line 27" model. For the first time, the so-called Core i5 and i7 chips are available in the new iMac, including a quad core configuration. Yes, a quad-core iMac.

Display sizes are 21.5 and 27", up from the previous model's 20 and 24". The new displays are LED-backlit for brighter, truer color. The new displays are use a 16:9 aspect ratio, making them a bit wider than previous models.

Also, in case you need another reason to go with the 27" iMac, it has a display port that will send signal in or out. This means that, in addition to using a second monitor with the built-in display, you can get signal in from, say, a Blue-ray player and display it on your iMac's monitor, a first for Apple.

The iMac now has four slots for memory, meaning that they will accept up to 16 GB of ram. Wow.

The computers are now slightly thinner, the "chin" underneath the display is smaller. The formerly plastic back is now aluminum.

Apple has included an SD card slot under the optical drive.

The new iMacs come with the new Apple Magic Mouse.

Prices for the new iMacs range from a $1199 for a 21.5-inch, 3.06GHz Core 2 Duo model with 4GB of memory and a 500GB hard drive, to about $2200 for a 27-inch, quad core Intel Core model with 4GB of memory and a 1TB hard drive

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