Apple on Tuesday announced a new dual-processor Power Mac G5 operating at 1.8GHz. The new dual-processor system replaces the single-processor 1.8GHz G5 previously available, and costs US$2,499 — only $100 more than the 1.8GHz system it replaces.
The Power Mac G5 1.8GHz dual processor configuration features dual independent 900MHz front-side buses and comes equipped with 512MB of 400MHz 128-bit DDR SDRAM. The new mid-range G5 also features a 160GB Serial ATA 7200RPM hard disk drive and an AGP 8x Pro graphics slot populated with an Nvidia GeForce FX 5200 Ultra video card with 64MB DDR SDRAM. 3 64-bit PCI-X slots round out the internal expansion capabilities — one operates at 133MHz while the other two are clocked at 100MHz. The 1.8GHz system also include a 4x “SuperDrive” capable of burning DVD-R and CD-RW media.
In related news, Apple lowered the price of the entry level 1.6GHz Power Mac G5 from $1,999 to $1,799. Configuration of the 1.6GHz, single-processor G5 remains the same as before: an 800MHz front-side bus, 256MB 333MHz 128-bit DDR SDRAM, 80GB hard drive, Nvidia GeForce FX 5200 Ultra video card, 3 PCI slots and 4x SuperDrive.
Pricing and configuration of Apple’s high-end 2.0GHz Power Mac G5 configuration remains the same as before — US$2,999.
All of Apple’s Power Mac G5 systems now ship from the factory with Mac OS X v10.3 “Panther” pre-installed.