World's thinnest PC from Apple

Apple Computers on Thursday launched the world's thinnest desktop computer, which features G5 processors and is only two inches thick.

"This is a groundbreaking design. The entire computer, including the power supply and slot-load optical drive, is built right into the display and rests on an aluminium foot," product marketing manager Asia-Pacific Danny Lam said while unveiling the product at a press conference in New Delhi.

iMac G5, available in three designs, will begin shipping worldwide in mid-October, through AppleCenters and Apple Authorized Resellers, he said.

The iMac G5 priced at Rs 87,800, includes:

• 17-inch widescreen LCD with 1440-by-900 pixels;
• 1.6 GHz 64-bit PowerPC G5 processor;
• 256MB of 400 MHz DDR SDRAM;
• Combo (DVD-ROM/CD-RW) optical drive;
• NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200 Ultra graphics processor with 64MB video memory;
• Two FireWire 400, three USB 2.0, two USB 1.1 ports;
• 10/100 BASE-T Ethernet networking, 56K V.92 Modem;
• Internal support for AirPort Extreme wireless networking and Bluetooth;
• 80GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 7200 rpm; and
• Built-in stereo speakers and microphone.

The iMac G5, priced at 96,900, includes:

• 17-inch widescreen LCD with 1440-by-900 pixels;
• 1.8 GHz 64-bit PowerPC G5 processor;
• 256MB of 400 MHz DDR SDRAM;
• SuperDrive (DVD-R/CD-RW) optical drive;
• NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200 Ultra graphics processor with 64MB video memory;
• Two FireWire 400, three USB 2.0, two USB 1.1 ports;
• 10/100 BASE-T Ethernet networking, 56K V.92 Modem;
• Internal support for AirPort Extreme wireless networking and Bluetooth;
• 80GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 7200 rpm; and
• Built-in stereo speakers and microphone

The iMac G5, priced at Rs 123,400, includes:

• 20-inch widescreen LCD with 1680-by-1050 pixels;
• 1.8 GHz 64-bit PowerPC G5 processor;
• 256MB of 400 MHz DDR SDRAM;
• SuperDrive (DVD-R/CD-RW) optical drive;
• NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200 Ultra graphics processor with 64MB video memory;
• Two FireWire 400, three USB 2.0, two USB 1.1 ports;
• 10/100 BASE-T Ethernet networking, 56K V.92 Modem;
• Internal support for AirPort Extreme wireless networking and Bluetooth;
• 160GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 7200 rpm; and
• Built-in stereo speakers and microphone.

Build-to-order options and accessories include up to 2GB of RAM, 160GB and 250GB hard drives, AirPort Extreme Card, AirPort Express™ and AirPort Extreme Base Station, internal Bluetooth module, Apple Wireless Keyboard and Apple Wireless Mouse, and the AppleCare Protection Plan.

"These have been designed to help consumers turbocharge their digital lifestyle applications. The new iMac G5 desktops offer five USB ports and two FireWire ports for easy plug-and-play connections to peripherals like iPod music players, digital camcorders and still cameras," he added.

Universal Serial Bus or USB supports data transfer rates of 12Mbps. A single USB port can be used to connect up to 127 peripheral devices such as mouse, modems, and keyboards.

iMac G5 also offers an optional internal bluetooth module and has a built-in antenna and card slot, he said, adding the consumers would now surely ask "where did the computer go?".

Additional reports PTI