Apple Releases Quad-Core and Thunderbolt-Equipped iMacs

Today, Apple released significant updates to its popular line of all-in-one iMacs. Introducing next generation quad-core Intel i5 processors across the line, the new iMac models also feature faster graphics, the recently released Thunderbolt I/O technology and a FaceTime HD camera.

Maintaining physical similarities to the previous generation, today’s update falls more in line with the annual speed boost typically performed on Apple’s flagship products than a groundbreaking new redesign. Akin to March’s MacBook Pro update, the new iMacs may look the same, but have been retooled internally to pack a serious performance punch.

The driving force behind the new machines is the next generation “Sandy Bridge” line of Intel quad-core processors. Now standard across all models, Intel’s i5 chip boasts speed increases of up to 70 percent. With custom-to-order options ranging as high as 3.4GHz on the 27-inch model, high-end users are almost guaranteed to see an exponential speed boost. Coupled with the powerful new processors, the new iMacs also feature next generation graphics from AMD.

The 21.5-inch and base 27-inch models include a stock configuration of 512MB GDDR5, and the high end 27-inch offers a default configuration of 1GB GDDR5. Users can further upgrade the top of the line 27-inch model with the beastly Radeon HD 6970M which offers an incredible 2GB of GDDR5 video memory.

These new iMacs also mark the first appearance of the revolutionary Thunderbolt I/O technology on a line of desktop computers. Introduced alongside the latest series of MacBook Pro, this high speed I/O technology features two bi-directional channels with transfer speeds up to 10Gbps each. Supporting up to six daisy-chained accessories, one Thunderbolt port is capable of driving multiple displays and external hard drives.

Though currently limited to Apple’s 1st party accessories and select 3rd party hard drive manufacturers, Thunderbolt is slated to see widespread adoption in the coming months and emerge as a true successor to USB and FireWire. Apple has included one Thunderbolt port on the 21.5-inch models, and two on the 27-inch machines.

Taking yet another cue from the recently released MacBook Pro, all new models of iMac include a built-in FaceTime HD camera and Apple’s revolutionary FaceTime software. Enabling HD video calls between other compatible FaceTime HD Macs—currently limited to iMac and MacBook Pro—iMac owners can also make standard definition calls to all of Apple’s additional FaceTime-equipped devices such as iPad 2.

Carrying over several mainstays of the line, both 21.5- and 27-inch models include fantastic high resolution LED-backlit displays, an SDXC card slot and Bluetooth keyboard and Magic Mouse. Additionally, each machine comes preloaded with Mac OS X v10.6.7 Snow Leopard and the iLife ’11 software suite. Ushering in a new era of speed, graphics capabilities and connectivity, the new iMacs offer a powerful solution to Mac users of all backgrounds and levels of experience.

Check out the all-new iMacs here.