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Apple Released a New Cheap iMac For All the Fans Out There

It’s not common for Apple to release a new product and not make a show out of it, but it’s a first time for everything.

Yesterday, the tech giant unveiled a new cheap iMac computer that traded some tech specs for a low price. Now if you always wanted to have an iMac but the price kept you at bay, you will be glad to know that the new cheap iMac is now $200 less than the previous model. So if you have $1099 to spend on computing devices, this one may be the right choice for you.

What is different about this new cheap iMac? Basically, it kept its screen size – 21.5 inches in diagonal – but it cuts off on the processor’s speed – 1.4GHz with two cores (dual-core i5 processor).

The prior model sported a 2.7GHz processor with four cores, so you can see the new cheap iMac has its limitations. But, let’s give Apple some credit. The new model’s processor is also provided with Turbo Boost Speeds up to 2.7 GHz.

The new cheap iMac also encompasses the following tech specs:

An Intel HD 5000 graphics, 8GB of memory, and a 500GB hard drive. All iMac models include next-gen 802.11ac Wi-Fi, two Thunderbolt ports, and four USB 3.0 ports. Configure-to-order options include a 1TB hard drive, a 1TB Fusion Drive, and up to 256GB flash storage.

It is not bad for a computer that comes a bit cheaper than its predecessors. While the two main drawbacks are still represented by the processor’s speed and the hard drive’s storage capacity (cut in half), the affordable price and the “world’s most advanced desktop operating system”, namely the OS X are the two cards that Apple plays in its race to turn its premium gadgets into more budget – friendly ones. Also, the new iMac comes with free iLife and iWork software, which is also compelling.

It is not the first time Apple cuts the price on its products. If you remember, in September the company sold the iPhone 5C $100 less than the iPhone 5S and two months ago it began selling the upgraded MacBook Air with a $100 discount. Given the fierce competition in the tablet and smartphone world, not to mention that people are still buying PC’s, Apple makes bold moves with upgrading products and turning them cheaper.

Don’t worry iOS users, Apple products are still high – end and expensive for the average family budget. However, with this new cheap iMac in town, we’re sure Apple will meet the results it aimed for. Starting from now on, you can purchase the new iMac from Apple’s online store and the authorized resellers.

Apple patents TouchID for iPads and Macs

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Apple’s TouchID may be one of the first consumer fingerprint sensors that actually work without a whole lot of faults and Cupertino is looking to extend TouchID to feature on iPads and Macs in the future.

A new filing on the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office points to Apple moving TouchID further than the iPhone 5S, the only device it currently works on. Before TouchID was revealed some believed it would come on every iPhone as a software update, but it is actually embedded into the home button.

We are quite positive Apple will bring TouchID to the new iPad 5 and the A7 processing chip will also be added. The second generation iPad Mini will not come with TouchID, instead Apple will add the iPhone 5 specs to the smaller tablet.

Apple may also add TouchID to new MacBooks, including the MacBook Pro coming to Apple’s event on October 22. We are not sure how Apple will incorporate this into the MacBook, perhaps on the power button or a designated key on the board.

The iMacs are another possible destination for TouchID, the all in one setup allows Apple to just place the fingerprint sensor anywhere on the back or front of the screen, possibly on the side for easy access without looking ugly.

Apple’s new design of the Mac Pro is promising, it means the user could touch a button on the illuminated back and the whole system would open up to that user. With all the additional security Mac Pro users have on their system, it could be an efficient way to access data.

TouchID is an impressive feature and while it may seem a little underdeveloped with no third party support, Apple could add this to their whole line and then start working with official third parties to open applications, like Facebook and Amazon purchases.

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Mac Sales Dip Due to iMac Complications

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Apple CEO Tim Cook has said in a recent interview that the drop on sales that Apple has suffered this past quarter is due to iMacs not selling as fast as they had in previous years. This was due to a number of factors, Cook said.
In the 4th quarter of 2012, Apple sold 4.1 million iMacs. This figure is down a million units when compared to the previous years 4th quarter total, 5.2 million units. iMac units have been selling around 700,000 less every year for the past three years. The dramatic drop that was seen in this past quarter was due to a number of things, says Tim Cook.

One reason the drop in sales occurred was that there were less weeks in the 4th quarter of 2012 than there were in the same quarter of 2011. In just one week, Apples sells an average of 370,000 iMacs. Another factor that slowed sales in the fourth quarter of 2012 was that the newest version of the PC was released late, not giving amble time for the computer to become popular and make good sales.

Yet another reason sales were slowed, Cook said, was that Apples was experiencing an inventory issue and was short 100,000 units for the 4th quarter of 2012. All of these things combined slowed sales considerably, and the outcome was a significant drop in sales.
Cook added that the iPad and iPad mini may have drawn some of the consumer base of the iMac away from the PC and onto a tablet. The cannibalization of Apples customers from one product to another may reflect badly at first, as sales drop, but will pick up as those same customers change over to an iPad. Cook stated that Apple sold 23 million iPads last year and was unable to keep up with demands for the iPad mini. When they are able to produce enough units, Cook is confident these figures will rise even higher.