New Apple IMACS

Posted on May 2, 2011 by Kayla Phantom

AppleInsider has brought good news for Apple fans: apparently the new iMac models will be released on Tuesday 3 May. Citing “people familiar with the matter” who have “continually provided accurate information,” AppleInsider states that the next iMacs will sport second-generation Intel Core i5/i7 chips and a Thunderbolt port. It could not be confirmed at this time if the new Apple iMacs will feature changes to the display sizes.

AppleInsider also mentions that its sources said the early morning hours of May 3 at Apple Retail stores will be a “visual night,” therefore the new Apple iMac models should be in stores the day they were announced.”Visual night” is the term for when Apple retail employees stay through the night and change merchandising and display planograms in the store in order to prepare a new product for sale. Thus the older iMac models will probably be removed and the new one will take their places.

AppleInsider’s sources seem to agree to earlier reports from CNET that new Apple iMacs will ship in April or May.

The Imac line has not seen any major updates since July 2010, over 9 months ago, therefore the new line comes at the perfect moment. According to AppleInsider Apple’s desktop business has been declining. Mac desktop shipments have gone down from more than 50 percent of the company’s Mac product shipments in the first quarter of 2006 to only 26 percent of the total Mac units shipped during Q2 of 2011.

Previous reports suggest that the new Apple iMacs will come in new panel sizes, too. At the moment, Apple offers its iMacs in 21.5-inch and 27-inch flavors, with pricing starting at $1,199 and $1,699 respectively.