GenQ - For the not so straight individual

Apple fans rejoice! Yesterday in one of their "Special Events" that they (as per their usual) only hinted at the topic that would be announced, Apple debuted their newly redesigned iMac along with a redesigned keyboard and updated versions of some of their core productivity and media suites.

With their line of laptops having recently been upgraded and spiffed up, it was only a matter of time before Apple unveiled a new, sleeker version of their flagship desktop computer, the iMac.

First introduced in 1998, the iMac quickly became the core of Apple’s desktop computing offerings. It has gone through many iterations throughout the years, all of which being stylistic and different than the average computer, and the newest is no exception.

Between their 20- or 24-inch built in screens, newly updated brushed aluminum casing, and how skinny the unit is (what you see is all there is, in one super sleek package), you can see why Apple’s designers have won so many awards for their products. But these new computers aren’t just nice to look at, they are speedy as well.

Here are some basic specs for the new models (and yes, I know I’m a geek):

• 20-inch widescreen LCD display
  
• 2.0 GHz 64-bit Intel Core 2 Duo processor
  
• 1 GB of 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM (expandable to 4 GB)
  
• 8× SuperDrive (DVD+R DL/DVD+/-RW/CD-RW)
  
• ATI Radeon HD 2400 XT with 128 MB of GDDR3 memory
  
• Built-in iSight video camera
  
• Built-in AirPort Extreme wireless networking
  
• Firewire 400/800 Ports
  
• 250 GB Serial ATA hard drive
  
• Mini-DVI out
  
• Built-in stereo speakers and microphone
  
• Mighty Mouse and Apple Keyboard
  
• Apple Remote 12 watt amplifier w/ included speakers. 

The upgraded 20 inch and the 24 inch models have even higher performance.

In addition they showed off their incredibly thin new keyboard that comes with the new iMac.

Even if you’re not a tech geek, you can appreciate that everything you do, from flipping through your music, creating a video, or just surfing the web will be faster on all the new technology coming out recently.

At this same special event, Apple released the '08 updates to their iLife and iWork software suites. Click here to read Luke Miller's article on this software release.