Customers can now purchase the latest Apple-branded computer, a monster 12-core system with two 2.66 GHz Intel Xeon “Westmere” processors, for around $5,000.
Apple first showed off the new Mac late last month, but unlike many of its product announcements it did not put the device up for purchase at that time. Now it has been given the green light, and early adopters can expect their shipments within seven to ten business days.
Customers also have the option to buy a less expensive model with eight cores for around $3,500.
The new Macs are 50% faster than their predecessors, and significantly more expensive. Other features include 3 GB – 6 GB of RAM, ATI’s Radeon HD 5770 or 5780 graphics card, and support for up to four SSD drives in place of standard storage.
Ever since the launch of the iPhone and subsequent frenzy surrounding the iPad, Apple’s computer division has kind of fallen to a footnote. The “Mac vs PC” ads that previously dominated the airwaves now seem like a quaint reminder of what Apple’s core business used to be.
Regardless, Apple is still committed to its Mac line, but it’s interesting that it seems like secondary news now when a new Mac product is released.
