[NewsPoster]

As previously rumored, Apple has updated its iMac line with a new, lower-cost model. The new 21.5-inch unit uses Intel's i5-4260U processor running at 1.4Ghz with a "turbo" speed of 2.7GHz, a 500GB 5400RPM hard drive, 8GB of RAM, 802.11ac Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth 4.0.

The new model sees no design changes from its predecessor, and adds the new Intel i5-4260U processor, launched earlier this year. The $1,099 price is $200 lower than the previous entry-level model, the 2.7Ghz 21.5-inch iMac (still available). Graphics are provided by the Intel HD 5000 integrated video chipset.

The normal suite of ports rounds out the machine, with four USB 3.0 ports, a SDXC slot, Gigabit Ethernet, two Thunderbolt ports, and a headphone jack. The new model is available to ship from Apple's online store immediately. At least for now, there is no in-store pickup option.

[macjockey]

21 inch iMac with a Macbook Air logic board

[vintagegeek]

Low Cost and Low Tech. When is $1100 plus State Taxes low-cost. Plus your halved speed and disk drive. If you want to draw another Customer Tier in it should be

[vintagegeek]

You could buy a MacBook Air and a 3rd party 21 inch monitor for the same same price and get the convenience of portable and big screen.

[David Esrati]

I guess it's low cost to people who pay themselves millions a year.
Considering Apple makes most of it's money from iTunes and the app store now- wouldn't it make sense to make a mac that is actually affordable to a majority of Americans- who look at computers from other companies and think that half that sounds about right.
There is no more reason to keep prices this high- the mountain of money will continue to grow faster than the user base.

[coffeetime]

OMG, 1.4 GHz? LOL!

[coffeetime]

Apple will never sell cheap Mac..... it's like asking Porche to make fuel economic car or asking Louis Vuitton to make cheap handbag. Never happen. It's good in a way because it keeps those crazy hackers from getting one and spreading malware/virus.

[driven]

@David Esrati ... I remember when you couldn't touch a decent computer for under $2,000. (and this really isn't ancient history). Today's generation is a bit spoiled on tech prices.

[Chongo]

Originally Posted by driven 

@David Esrati ... I remember when you couldn't touch a decent computer for under $2,000. (and this really isn't ancient history). Today's generation is a bit spoiled on tech prices.

After you add a dedicated video card etc to a PC, you end up paying the same price.

[typesetterX]

You'd find better value selecting from the Apple Store Refurbished iMac category.

[Jeff75]

This will be a nice money maker for Apple. The cost of components is much less than the $200 difference in price. It's for people who want an iMac but don't do much more than e-mail and internet surfing. Good move, Apple.

[Chongo]

Originally Posted by typesetterX 

You'd find better value selecting from the Apple Store Refurbished iMac category.

There is a 27" refurb that is $410 less than the same BTO I was going to order. I''m going with that.

Refurbished 27-inch iMac 3.5GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 - Apple Store (U.S.)

[climacs]

I agree 1 million % with the refurb idea. I would MUCH sooner buy a refurb than this thing. Even if it were only used for email and web surfing. 5400RPM drive? Bite me.

[driven]

I always buy from the refirb store. Great values there. Saved over $400 on a 27" iMac.

[Charles Martin]

David Esrati -- not sure where you get your claim that "Apple makes most of its money from iTunes and the App Store" That's, to put it mildly, incorrect.

[climacs]

indeed, Apple makes most of its money from iPhones which is why Wall Street's AAPL analysts stake so much on iPhone sales. Not really sure off the top of my head how the rest of their product line stacks up, except iPod which matured long ago and is steadily declining.

[curt lee]

Aloha,

IMHO

Refurb = sloppy 2nds
No way!
{'-'}