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The 1.25 and 1GHz models have adopted from Apple's Xserve architecture, giving a faster 167MHz bus speed and double data rata (DDR) PC 2700 RAM.

Apple is offering two dual 1.25GHz configurations. Each features the faster system bus, 256K of level 2 and 2Mb of level 3 cache and a DVD- and CD-writing SuperDrive as standard. However for the £2,699 'Fastest' configuration you get 512Mb RAM, a 120Gb Ultra ATA hard drive and ATI Radeon 9000 Pro graphics; but for the £4,1899 'Ultimate' model you get 2Gb RAM, two 120GB

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hard drives and nVidia GeForce 4 Titanium graphics.

The 'dual 1GHz 'Faster' model - at £1,999 - also features the SuperDrive and the same cache sizes, but just 256Mb RAM and a 80Gb hard drive.

The entry-level dual 867Mhz 'Fast' model - at £1349 - retains some of the architecture of the old Power Macs - the 133MHz bus - but does have 256Mb of PC2100 DDR RAM. The SuperDrive is eschewed in favour of a Combo drive (DVD-ROM/CD-RW). A 60GHz hard drive and nVidia GeForce 4 MX graphics complete the picture

'You can now get a dual-processor G4 system with Xserve architecture and DDR memory, pre-loaded with Jaguar,' said Steve Jobs, Apple's CEO. 'These are the fastest Macs ever, and Jaguar really makes the dual processors sing.'

All models are available to order from the Apple Store. The 867Mhz and 1Ghz models are shipping now, with the 1.25GHz projected for six to eight weeks time. All will include Mac OS X 10.2 (Jaguar). Both the Fast and Faster models remain the same price as before, despite the more powerful specification.