Several MacRumors readers have reported that they have received notification from Apple that their Intel Core i5-based quad-core 27" iMac orders have been shipped from Shanghai. There is no word yet on whether the upgraded Intel Core i7-based version of the quad-core model has also begun shipping.
Apple released its new 21.5" and 27" iMacs late last month, but announced at the time that the quad-core 27" models would not begin shipping until sometime this month. Pricing on the 2.66 GHz Core i5-based model begins at $1,999, with a $200 upgrade to the 2.8 GHz Core i7 also available. The use of these quad-core processors in the new iMac marks the first usage of desktop-class processors in Apple's "thin" iMac designs, as the model has traditionally utilized mobile processors for their lower heat output.
