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Introduced in February 2007 and most recently updated in March 2009, the iMac is an all in one desktop computer series designed by Apple. Featuring a 20 or 24" screen, the device utilizes high quality laptop components that allow it to remain powerful, yet cool, quiet, and highly compact. Its most recent update was not a major revision, and has left its alluminum and glass aesthetic completely unchanged. While hardware has been updated across the board (specifics detailed below) the main observable differences have been made in the model/price restructuring.
MSRP $1,199.00
Release date March, 2009
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Pros & Cons16
Reviews6
Details
Buy It7
Competitors9
Related9
Gallery3
Pros & Cons
4 positive
0 mixed
0 negative
![[i]](/images/info.png)
How is the ProSCORE calculated?
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The ProSCORE is calculated based on the ratio of Pros & Cons about this product as voted by
approved reviewers from the ProductWiki community.
ProSCORE = 100 x (Pro votes) / [(Pro votes) + (Con votes)]
Numbers used for this ProSCORE:
Pro votes = 24
Con votes = 8
Total votes = 32
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Details
Models (only differences are highlighted)
- 20" : 2.66GHz - 20" 1680 by 1050 pixels, 2.66GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 2GB DDR3 1066MHz memory, 320GB 7200rpm SATA HDD, Nvidia GeForce 9400M (shared memory), $1199
- 24" : 2.66GHz - 24" 1920 x 1200 pixels, 2.66GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 4GB DDR3 1066MHz memory, 640GB 7200rpm SATA HDD, Nvidia GeForce 9400M (shared memory), $1499
- 24" : 2.93GHz - 24" 1920 x 1200 pixels, 2.93GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 4GB DDR3 1066MHz memory, 640GB 7200rpm SATA HDD, Nvidia GeForce GT 120 (256MB dedicated memory), $1799
- 24" : 3.06GHz - 24" 1920 x 1200 pixels, 3.06GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 4GB DDR3 1066MHz memory, 1TB 7200rpm SATA HDD, Nvidia GeForce GT 130 (512MB dedicated memory), $2199
All models come with Bluetooth 2.1 (EDR), WiFi 802.11 b/g/n, Gigabit Ethernet and an 8x DVD writer
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This report was started
March 4, 2009 at 7:24 pm by
Yale
with the last edit occurring
October 30, 2009 at 4:02 pm by
Robb Lincoln
This page has been viewed
3543 times,
with
92 edits by
7 contributors.
See the
full report history »
Buy It
Apple iMac MB419LL/A | 24" - 2.93 Ghz - 4GB RAM - 640GB HDD
• Apple iMac MB419LL/A 24-Inch Desktop
• iMac Intel Core 2 Duo 24" Desktop - Customizable
UPC: 885909220724
EAN: 885909220724
MPN: MB419LL/A
Apple iMac MB420LL/A | 24" - 3.06 GHz - 4GB RAM - 1TB HDD
• Apple iMac MB420LL/A 24-Inch Desktop
• iMac 24" Desktop
UPC: 885909234110
EAN: 885909234110
MPN: MB420LL/A
Apple iMac MB417LL/A | 20" - 2.66 GHz - 2GB RAM - 320GB HDD
• Apple iMac MB417LL/A 20-Inch Desktop
• iMac Intel Core 2 Duo 20" Desktop - Customizable
UPC: 885909220168
EAN: 885909220168
MPN: MB417LL/A
Apple iMac MB418LL/A | 24" - 2.66 GHz - 4GB RAM - 640GB HDD
• Apple iMac MB418LL/A 24-Inch Desktop
• iMac Intel Core 2 Duo 24" Desktop - Customizable
UPC: 885909220458
EAN: 885909220458
MPN: MB418LL/A
Competitors
Apple iMac is ranked 1st among it's competitors.
See the
top picks in
Desktops »
MSRP $1,800 - $2,100
Released September, 2008
Pros
- good distinction between models and fair price increase (external drive, improved graphics, Blu-ray drive)
- awesomely large touchscreen
- good hardware and monitor for full high definition content
Cons
- such a large touchscreen is cool, but not functional (especially if you mount it!)
- the cost of a Mac without the superior design, finesse, or high end software
- Copying a mac hardly makes it a "fresh take"
Apple iMac
67%
vs.
HP TouchSmart IQ800 Series
33%
MSRP $1,099.99
Released September, 2008
Pros
- saves space and looks neater than a regular PC
- not skimpy on RAM or drivespace
- good PC alternative to a Mac at a similar price
Cons
- can't display full 1080p
(the main reason for buying the enhanced Blu-ray model)
- no video out for a second monitor
- still comes with Windows
Apple iMac
67%
vs.
Sony VAIO JS Series
33%
MSRP $3,299.99
Released September, 2008
Pros
- fully 1080p capable
- has the connections the other series should (eSATA, HDMI output etc..
.)
- can write to the newest optical media (many times the size of DVDs)
Cons
- extremely costly
- more advanced model CPU bump / double RAM is not worth $700
- very poor 1-year limited warranty
Apple iMac
67%
vs.
Sony VAIO RT Series
33%
MSRP $1,699.99
Released September, 2008
Pros
- fully 1080p capable
- HDMI input allows you to use the computer monitor as a TV for gaming consoles and DVD/Blu-ray players
- stylish design is ideal for those who remain uninterested in getting a Mac
Cons
- HDMI in only
- discrete video cards are still less powerful than models found on Macs or HP TouchSmart models
- most expensive model is a complete ripoff ($900 for 500GB of storage and the ability to write to
Blu-ray discs)
Apple iMac
67%
vs.
Sony VAIO LV Series
33%
MSRP $900.00
Released September, 2009
Pros
- DVD-RW drive can be swapped out for Blu-ray recorder
- Big 23" 1080p HD display with
5ms response time
- more affordable all-in-one/performs well considering the slim factor
Cons
- unattractive large lower bezel
- not a real Core 2 processor on the lower end model, older architecture
- components are not easily replaced, upgraded or re-used when the unit gets old
Apple iMac
100%
vs.
Acer Aspire Z5610
0%
MSRP $1,399.99
Released November, 2009
Pros
- powerful components - Core 2 Quad processor, dedicated ATI graphics, DDR3 memory
- comes with Windows 7
- built-in digital tuner
Cons
- not capable of being wall mounted
- all-in-one design makes replacing, upgrading or re-using components difficult or impossible
- no Blu-ray drive
Apple iMac
vs.
Gateway ZX6810-01
MSRP ($600.00)
Released October, 2009
Pros
- large 24" 1080p capable multitouch touchscreen display
- HDMI input for use as a TV with external devices
- Blu-ray drive on all models
Cons
- somewhat boxy looking - not as sleek as the iMac
- touchscreen interface on the standard desktop monitor configuration is strenuous on the arms
- all-in-one design makes self-service, upgrading or reusing major components impossible
Apple iMac
vs.
Sony VAIO L
MSRP $999.99
Released January, 2009
Pros
- affordable price
- capable of displaying 720p high definition media
- powerful enough for the majority of consumers
Cons
- not 1080p capable
- poor integrated Intel graphics - only acceptable for office / web use and limited media applications
- not a touchscreen
Apple iMac
vs.
Sony VAIO VGC-JS230J
MSRP $1,299.99
Released June, 2008
Pros
- affordable price compared to the IQ800 series
- 22" 720p capable touchsreen
- top two models include TV tuners
Cons
- uses less powerful mobile components
- not 1080p capable
- all-in-one design is not upgradeable/reusable in the future
Apple iMac
vs.
HP TouchSmart IQ500 Series
Reviews
March 4, 2009
approved
reviewer
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Pros
- sleek all-in-one design saves space and looks very nice
- everything required is included (monitor, computer, common peripherals such as webcam, mouse and keyboard)
- more affordable 24" model
- includes DDR3 memory, standard is now 2GB
- runs OSX (has the ability to run other operating systems too)
- move to an Nvidia based architecture ensures users will be able to enjoy any GPU based enhancements to the next revision of OSX (Snow Leopard)
- includes the new mini DisplayPort 'standard'
- powerful hardware - any model should satisfy the vast majority of consumers
Cons
- beginning to lag further behind cutting edge hardware - no quad core model, slower laptop memory and video cards
- no shift in overall pricing strategy
- not a major revision, performance is not all that different from the previous generation
- quite expensive - definitely paying a premium for the hardware
- non-modular design - no part of the device can be reused in a next generation computer, very little can be upgraded
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
/
No
April 17, 2009
approved
reviewer
love it
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Pros
- sleek all-in-one design saves space and looks very nice
- everything required is included (monitor, computer, common peripherals such as webcam, mouse and keyboard)
- runs OSX (has the ability to run other operating systems too)
- includes the new mini DisplayPort 'standard'
- powerful hardware - any model should satisfy the vast majority of consumers
Cons
- beginning to lag further behind cutting edge hardware - no quad core model, slower laptop memory and video cards
- no shift in overall pricing strategy
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
/
No
love it
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Pros
- runs OSX (has the ability to run other operating systems too)
Cons
Did not agree with any cons
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
/
No
October 30, 2009
approved
reviewer
Pros
- sleek all-in-one design saves space and looks very nice
- everything required is included (monitor, computer, common peripherals such as webcam, mouse and keyboard)
- more affordable 24" model
- includes DDR3 memory, standard is now 2GB
- runs OSX (has the ability to run other operating systems too)
- move to an Nvidia based architecture ensures users will be able to enjoy any GPU based enhancements to the next revision of OSX (Snow Leopard)
- includes the new mini DisplayPort 'standard'
- Lots of space
- hard drive and memory can be easily upgraded
Cons
- beginning to lag further behind cutting edge hardware - no quad core model, slower laptop memory and video cards
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
/
No
October 17, 2009
approved
reviewer
Cons
Did not agree with any cons
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
/
No
Pros
- sleek all-in-one design saves space and looks very nice
- everything required is included (monitor, computer, common peripherals such as webcam, mouse and keyboard)
- more affordable 24" model
- includes DDR3 memory, standard is now 2GB
- move to an Nvidia based architecture ensures users will be able to enjoy any GPU based enhancements to the next revision of OSX (Snow Leopard)
Cons
- beginning to lag further behind cutting edge hardware - no quad core model, slower laptop memory and video cards
- no shift in overall pricing strategy
- not a major revision, performance is not all that different from the previous generation
- quite expensive - definitely paying a premium for the hardware
- non-modular design - no part of the device can be reused in a next generation computer, very little can be upgraded
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
/
No
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