Apple bumps top iMac to 3.06GHz

Apple usually announces things on Tuesdays, but instead today announced new speed-bumped iMacs. The new all-in-one Macs feature up to 3.06GHz processors, more RAM, larger hard drives and more powerful graphics processors.

The top-of-the-line 24-inch model gets a 3.06GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 2GB RAM standard, 500GB hard drive, 8x double-layer SuperDrive and a NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GS GPU with 512MB VRAM and retails for US$2,199.

The 20-inchers come in at:

• 2.4GHz, 1GB, 250GB HDD, and a ATI Radeon HD 2400 XT (128MB VRAM) - US$1,199
• 2.6GHz processors, 2GB, 320GB and an ATI Radeon HD 2600 PRO (256MB VRAM) - US$1,499

The 20-inch configurations are available within 24 hours and the 24-inch model in 1-3 days at the Apple online store and most retail locations should have them today or very soon.