Apple 2013 iMac Release Date Arrives: New Specs Include Haswell Chips, Faster Storage And Next-Generation Wi-Fi

After a record-breaking weekend for the iPhone, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) on Tuesday announced the 2013 iMac, which features a handful of new and improved specs based on Intel’s latest-generation quad-core processors, codenamed “Haswell,” including new graphics, next-generation Wi-Fi connectivity and much-improved PCIe flash storage options.

“iMac continues to be the example that proves how beautiful, fast and fun a desktop computer can be,” Phil Schiller, Apple’s marketing SVP, said in a press release.

The 2013 iMac looks identical to the 2012 iMac, which received a massive redesign last year, but the basic desktop models have been updated to include faster processing and graphics chips. The 2013 iMac will release in its two current screen sizes -- 21.5 inches and 27 inches -- but now all iMacs come with quad-core chips, 801.11 ac Wi-Fi, 8 GB of RAM and a 1 TB hard drive across the board.

Here’s what’s new in the 21.5-inch models:

For $1,299: 2.7 GHz quad-core i5 processor and Intel Iris Pro graphics

For $1,499: 2.9 GHz quad-core i5 processor and NVIDIA GeForce GT 750M, 1 GB video memory

And here’s what’s new in the 27-inch models:

For $1,799: 3.2 GHz quad-core i5 processor and NVIDIA GeForce GT 755M, 1 GB video memory

For $1,999: 3.4 GHz quad-core i5 processor and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 775M, 2 GB video memory

Apple also offers build-to-order options for its 2013 iMac, including a 3.1 GHz i7 processor and 16 GB of RAM on the 21.5-inch model and a 3.5 GHz i7 processor and up to 32 GB of RAM on the 27-inch option, which also has an available graphics chip upgrade to NVIDIA’s GeForce GTX 780M with 4 GB of GDDR5 memory. Apple also offers various storage options for all 2013 iMac models, including a 3 TB traditional hard drive, 1 TB of flash storage, or a 3 TB Fusion Drive, which Apple introduced at an event last October. The Fusion Drive performs about as well as Flash, but keeps documents significantly more secure on the HDD; with new support for PCIe-based flash storage, the Fusion Drive is up to 50 percent faster than the previous generation, according to Apple.

The 2013 iMac was previously believed to release at an October event alongside the new Mac operating system, OS X Mavericks, and two new iPads, including the fifth-generation full-size iPad (aka “iPad 5”) and second-generation iPad mini, which is expected to feature a Retina display for the first time. The October event was also expected to introduce an upgraded MacBook Pro, Mac Mini and Apple TV hardware, among other announcements.

The 2013 is currently available through Apple’s online store and physical retail stores.

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