The new iMacs have arrived. The Apple store is back online after being down this morning in anticipation of the updated desktop systems sporting the first Thunderbolt port on a desktop, AMD Radeon HD graphics and an HD FaceTime camera.
The refresh also features the integration of the much-anticipated "Sandy Bridge" processors from Intel. The new iMacs come with quad-core Intel Core i5 processors with an option for customers to choose Core i7 processors up to 3.4 GHz.
"Our customers love the iMac's aluminum enclosure, gorgeous display and all-in-one design," Philip Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing, said in a statement filled with the company's typical bravado. "With next-generation quad-core processors, powerful new graphics, Thunderbolt technology and a FaceTime HD camera, we've made the world's best desktop even better."
It's widely suspected that the new iMacs will be the first line of "Lion-ready" desktops. But until OS X Lion debuts, Apple will only confirm that new iMacs are shipping with OS X Snow Leopard.
The new systems start from $1,199 for the 21.5-inch iMac to $1,999 for a 27-inch, 3.1 GHz machine with a one terabyte hard drive. Additional upgrades to the 3.4 GHz processor and two terabytes are also available through Apple's "configure-to-order" option.