Apple on Tuesday unveiled a new entry-level $1,999 configuration for its ultra high-resolution 5K iMac while dropping the price of the top-end model to just $2,299, making it easier for consumers to get their hands on Retina-quality displays for the desktop.
The new $1,999 configuration comes with a 3.3-gigahertz quad-core version of Intel's Core i5, an AMD Radeon R9 M290, 8 gigabytes of RAM, and 1 terabyte of internal storage — Â though it does not offer Apple's Fusion drive as standard. It also adds twin Thunderbolt 2 ports.
Meanwhile, the top-end model maintains the same technical specifications as before while shaving $200 off of its price. It went on sale last October for $2,499.
"Customers love the groundbreaking iMac with Retina 5K display, and now with a new lower starting price, even more people can experience the best desktop we've ever made," Apple marketing chief Phil Schiller said in a release.
The iMac with Retina 5K display represents Apple's first move to bring ultra high-resolution displays to the desktop, after years of use on its iOS devices and MacBook line.
Alongside the new 5K iMac configurations, Apple also revealed an updated lineup of 15-inch MacBook Pro laptops. The new laptops feature Apple's Force Touch trackpad and faster flash memory.
Trade in your old Mac
Readers planning to purchase Apple's new 15-inch MacBook Pro, 27-inch iMac, 12-inch MacBook or otherwise may want to lock in a cash buyback offer from AppleInsider partner Gazelle on their old model, before payouts fall. See our previous coverage on Gazelle's buyback programs for more details.
51 Comments
I don't [I]see[/I] it in the Store yet [IMG ALT=""]http://forums.appleinsider.com/content/type/61/id/59166/width/400/height/800[/IMG]
Wow this might become my work from home machine after all.
I'm glad I'm not the only one having issues seeing the Apple store page. I got through to it another way. They dropped the higher end non-Retina iMac, added a lower end Retina and dropped the price of the upper one. I can get Apple products through a special deal offered to retirees so my configuration comes out almost $200 less than it used to for the top end iMac 5K. I already bought my additional memory months ago then held off buying the iMac. Now it looks reasonable. Getting an quad i5 would be ok but I've seen what a quad i7 can do on a MBP and it isn't that much more.
edit: I get a 17% discount, that's why the price is low.
edit2: the full website finally shows up.
There is a typo in the beginning: "AMD Radeon R0 M290" It should read R9 M290. That being said, can domeone explain the difference between the M290 in the $1999 model and the M290X in the $2299 model? Thanks for posting this quick.
[quote name="fruitstandninja" url="/t/186328/apple-lowers-price-of-5k-imac-adds-new-1-999-configuration#post_2724858"]There is a typo in the beginning: "AMD Radeon R0 M290" It should read R9 M290. That being said, can domeone explain the difference between the M290 in the $1999 model and the M290X in the $2299 model? Thanks for posting this quick.[/quote] The X likely has more compute cores or a higher clock speed. Surprised they kept around the non-Retina 27", they must think the $200 is worth it.