Apple Introduces iMac for Education

By Ed Oswald | Published July 5, 2006, 11:28 AM

Replacing its aging eMac educational computer line, Apple on Thursday introduced a version of the iMac priced $400 below its counterparts. The computer is only available to education customers, and will ship immediately at a price of $899 USD.

Apple said it would continue to sell the eMac until supplies run out, however the system is no longer in production. The move by Apple to bring its educational line to the Intel platform means than only the Power Mac remains as a PowerPC-powered system.

The educational iMac includes a 1.83GHz Intel Core Duo processor, 17-inch display, 512MB of RAM, 80GB hard drive, combination DVD-read/CD-write drive, built-in wireless networking, five USB ports, and two FireWire 400 ports.

Those who select the cheaper model over the $1,299 iMac would be sacrificing half the hard drive space, a SuperDrive, built in-Bluetooth and a more powerful graphics card.

As with the typical iMac package, all machines include the built-in iSight camera and iLife '06. Apple has preloaded Mac OS 10.4.6, although consumers would have to self-upgrade to the newest version of the operating system, 10.4.7.

Additionally, the user can select up to 2GB of RAM, a 160GB hard drive, iWork '06, Apple Remote, and USB Modem to be included at an extra cost, the company said.

Education is a big market for the Cupertino, Calif. company; the back to school season is typically one of Apple's busiest behind the holiday shopping quarter.

Comments

Help! I am infected with syphillis that's seriously rotting my brain and impairing my ability to think. I want to buy into hype and lock myself into expensive and proprietary upgrade regimen so I can be 0s0kn336r0w #1. What can I do?

Relax. You don't have to buy into an MS monopoloy that gives you too many choices. There's MAC. There are less choices, which help limit CONFUSION. OH! Don't forget to buy an IPOD, and support other proprietary manufacturers like Sony. They need your support for Betamax, Sony Memory Sticks (which few people use), and Blu-Ray (only PSP users will use).

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http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/5150508.stm

Security threats to PCs with Microsoft Windows have increased so much that computer users should consider using a Mac, says a leading security firm.

Sophos security said that the 10 most commonly found pieces of malicious software all targeted Windows machines.

In contrast, it said, none of the "malware" were capable of infecting the Mac OS X operating system.

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As with the typical iMac package, all machines include the built-in iSight camera and iLife '06.
Because we know how important it is for students to purchase music at school.

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Sure it includes iTunes (the music store) but iTunes can be used for playing many types of audio files.

iLife also includes IDVD, iMovie, iPhoto, & iWEB.

All of which are very intuitive and full of features for students to explore.

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All that bundled software, it's a wonder no one sues them. ;)

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Does it also come with iCUP? Cause that would be weird ;-)

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"but iTunes can be used for playing many types of audio files" It can, have never been able to get it to play wma files. It always wants to convert them

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No Microsoft Word? WHat is the point when 95% of the real world uses word. Guess the students can't take their work home with them :(

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And 95% of schools volume license. :P

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iTunes isn't part of the iLife suite so I am not seeing how that part is particularly relevant. I might add it's not like you can't use WMP 10 & 11 to buy music. I am sure everyone really wants a music store called Urge! at their school.

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The fine print says it does. As a Mac owner, I can also confirm this with iLife '04 and '05.

http://www.apple.com/ilife/
"iLife also includes iTunes 6"

The point is taken; WMP is part of Windows. I think that's a good thing. I only wish Microsoft enabled users the choice to uninstall it completely, rather than hide it, if the users wanted.

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I agree, with the exception of some form of extracurricular music program, I can't see the need for either iLife or iSight on an iMac for educational purposes. (FYI - these programs are not for purchasing music at all - I think you are thinking of iTunes, but equally, I can only think that Garageband; part of the iLife suite really isn't necessary in the educational system - but possibly in advanced or extracurricular music programs it may be applicable).

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Forget Micro$oft! they can keep all of the virusus and spyware! BLAH!

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MACS RULE!!!

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they rule what ???

Video Games ????
oh, wait..... MACs suck at gaming .... :P

stoopid fanboy

oh yeah, and thank you for the neg. feedback :)

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yay me !!!

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yes macs rule.

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Yep macs rule the 1-2% market share

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I thought it was more like 5%, but ok.

Just proves people are stupid. :/

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