Apple Returns to Its Core: iMac

Aug 08, 10:19 PM

Current Headlines: iPods and iPhones may generate the buzz, but California computer giant Apple is returning to its roots during the back-to-school buying season: the iMac.

Apple Chief Executive Steve Jobs unveiled the revamped iMac, revised iLife applications and upgraded iWork productivity suite during a recent event at the company's Cupertino headquarters, the San Jose Mercury News reported Wednesday.

The iMac has been really successful for us. We'd like to make it even better, Jobs said.

While basically retaining the shape as its predecessor, the new iMac is slightly thinner and new aluminum-and-glass case replaces the plastic of the prior model.

Apple is eliminating the 17-inch version for everyone but its institutional education customers. For the same $1,200 price, the company will now offer a 20-inch version, the newspaper said.

Although Apple swapped out the PowerPC processors for Intel chips in its iMacs in January 2006, it hasn't had a major external design change for iMac since October 2005. The last revision to the company's software suites was about 18 months ago.