New Retina 4k & 5k iMacs, Magic Keyboard, Magic Trackpad 2, & Magic Mouse 2 Released
Apple has released hardware updates to the iMac line, with new models available with retina displays at both 21.5″ and 27″ screen sizes. Additionally, Apple has released a set of new peripherals, including the Magic Keyboard, Magic Mouse 2, and Magic Trackpad 2, each with built-in rechargeable batteries.
Base configurations for the new iMac models are shown below, each is configurable for greater memory, faster hard disks, and a faster processor.
iMac 21.5″ with 4K Retina display
- 21.5″ Retina 4K 4096-by-2304 P3 display
- 3.1GHz quad-core Intel Core i5 processor (Broadwell CPU)
- 8GB of onboard memory, configurable up to 16GB
- 1TB hard drive (5400 RPM spinning hard drive in the default configuration)
- Intel Iris Pro Graphics 6200
- Starting at $1499
iMac 27″ with 5k Retina Display
- 27″ Retina 5K 5120-by-2880 P3 display
- 3.2GHz quad-core Intel Core i5 processor
- 8GB (two 4GB) memory, configurable up to 32GB/
- 1TB hard drive
- AMD Radeon R9 M380 with 2GB video memory
- Starting at $1799
Given the notable performance improvement offered by solid state hard disks when compared to traditional spinning drives, a recommended upgrade to user configurable models would be the inclusion of flash disk storage, along with 16GB of RAM. Both new iMacs can be configured now on Apples website here
The Magic Keyboard includes redesigned keys with less travel, and is rechargeable via a Lightning USB cable (yes, the same kind you use to charge an iPhone or iPad). The prices is $99.
Magic Trackpad 2 includes a glass surface that is larger than the previous Magic Trackpad, with the inclusion of 3d Touch capabilities similar to that found on the trackpads of modern MacBook models. The Magic Trackpad 2 is also rechargeable via a Lightning cable. The cost is $129.
Magic Mouse 2 is redesigned and features a rechargeable with a Lightning cable (which plugs into the bottom of the mouse) but is otherwise similar to the prior Magic Mouse model, with multi-touch support but no 3d Touch abilities. Priced at $79.
Each new peripheral requires a Mac with Bluetooth and OS X 10.11 or later to use.
Everyone is always buying up peripherals and here I am just using the brilliant built-in trackpad and keyboard on my MBP connected to a 27″ monitor.
Recently I compared the performance of my 2009 iMac with one of the 2015 recent ones (i5 at 1.6 GHz, 5400 rpm hard-drive) running Mac OS X and Windows via Bootcamp. Surprisingly my computer performs better in the daily basis, why? Because it has a 7200 rpm hard-drive (and I have upgraded the RAM to 16 Gb, which is something that my friend can’t do). My question is: why are they selling this crapping drives for desktop computers in 2015? For the most basic price of an iMac you can buy an incredible PC with SSD, faster processor and more RAM.
Lightning? ARGH!
And the 27-inch iMac–what’s the improvement over the previous Retina model? Is it merely the storage subsystem, as it was with the previous MacBook Pro?
I’ve had no problems with the Magic Mouse. I have medium large hands and in fact it’s the most comfortable and useful mouse, due to gestures, that I’ve ever owned.
In other words, the same crappy, carpal tunnel mouse.
Ted someone holding a gun to your head forcing you to use one? Didn’t think so.
Have used an Apple Magic Mouse for years and have CTS BAD and it’s hands down the best mouse ergonomically for ANYONE suffering from this.