Apple Introduces iMac for Education

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.