Apple has launched a new range of its flagship iMac desktops, featuring a new sleek aluminium casing and new functionality which could appeal to business users.

The new range features Intel Core 2 Duo processors, running at up to 2.8 GHz with 4MB of shared L2 cache and up to 4GB of 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM memory, according to the firm.

There is also a built-in iSight video camera for video conferencing, five USB 2.0 ports, one FireWire 400 and one FireWire 800 port. All new Macs ship with the latest version of the firm's iLife applications package, featuring updated iPhoto, iMovie and iWeb software.

Apple has also sought to appease the green lobby by constructing the new iMac casing largely from "highly recyclable" glass and aluminium, while all models meet Energy Star 4.0 requirements. There is a newly designed aluminium keyboard which measures just a third of an inch thick, and models come with either 20 or 24 inch monitor screens, the firm said.

But the new range is unlikely to help the firm make further inroads into the enterprise market, according to Carl Gressum of analyst Ovum.

"It will be continuing its status in certain markets like education, design and architecture," he added. "It's been waiting for a refresh for quite some time – this is a realisation by Jobs that the iMac is important to Apple's business."