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On August 7th, 2007 Apple released the second generation of its Apple iMac powered by an Intel processor (aka Aluminum iMac). The most significant changes are to the iMac's aesthetic; Apple has replaced their signature sleek white plastic enclosure in favor of a combination anodized aluminum and glass. The screen area has a black border and is under a pane of glass, with the outer enclosure made of aluminum.

Pros & Cons

Pros:
11 people have already voted. Do you agree?

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Sleek glass and aluminum aesthetic
+9agreedisagree

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Very clean aesthetic with very few cables and components
+8agreedisagree

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Thinner profile than previous generation iMac
+7agreedisagree

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Decent performance from Intel Core 2 Duo CPU
+6agreedisagree

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Pretty decent price points for its 4 models
+4agreedisagree

Cons:
Do you agree?

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Poorer viewing angle than previous generation
+7agreedisagree

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Not the best display quality on the market
+5agreedisagree

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Glossy screen too much reflective
+1agreedisagree

More information

They've also made the iMac significantly thinner profile (see side-by-side iMac comparison), improved its power, and added some new features including integrated wireless. It comes in a total of four models with either a 20" or 24" screen size and a range of Intel Core 2 Duo processors running at 2.0 GHz to 2.8 GHz. The included Apple Keyboard has been drastically redesigned and is much thinner, made from aluminum, and features a larger "strike area" on each key (16mm vs. 14.5mm).

The screen has changed from the matte look found in the previous generation Intel iMac, to a highly glossy finish that is kept clean with an included black cloth. The viewing angle on the 20" model has actually decreased to 160° in this generation from 170° (the 24" boasts a 178° viewing angle). The display features a 380 cd/m2 brightness rating, and a 750:1 contrast ratio.

Available iMac versions (updated versions May, 2008)

20" 2.4 GHz iMac ($1199), includes:

  • 20" widescreen LCD display (1680×1050 native resolution)
  • 2.4 GHz 64-bit Intel Core 2 Duo processor (T7300)
  • 1 GB of 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM expandable to 4 GB
  • 8× SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD+R DL/DVD+/-RW/CD-RW)
  • ATI Radeon HD 2400 XT with 128 MB of GDDR3 memory
  • Built-in iSight video camera
  • Built-in AirPort Extreme wireless networking
  • Firewire 400/800 Ports
  • 250 GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 7200 rpm
  • Mini-DVI out (adapters for DVI, VGA and Composite/S-Video sold separately)
  • Built-in stereo speakers and microphone
  • Mighty Mouse and a newly redesigned Apple Keyboard
  • Apple Remote
  • 12 watt amplifier w/ included speakers

20" 2.66 GHz iMac ($1199), includes everything from the 20" 2.4 GHz iMac, with these changes:

  • 2.66 GHz 64-bit Intel Core 2 Duo processor (T7700)
  • 320 GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 7200 rpm
  • ATI Radeon HD 2600 PRO with 256 MB of GDDR3 memory

24" 2.8 GHz iMac ($1799), includes everything from the 20" 2.4 GHz model, except:

  • 2.8 GHz Core 2 Extreme (X7900?)
  • 2 GB of DD2 667
  • 320 GB Hard Drive
  • ATI Radeon HD 2600 PRO with 256MB memory

24" 3.06 GHz iMac ($2199)

  • 3.06 GHz Core 2 Duo
  • 2GB memory
  • 500GB hard drive
  • 8x double-layer SuperDrive
  • NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GS with 512MB memory

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8 comments about Apple iMac

1.  avatar dialupinternetuser  Aug 12, 2007 3:14pm

I think iMacs are funny looking, but there a pretty good computer, if you like Macs. My one friend is way into them and was showing everyone pictures the day after it came out. I still prefer Linux to Apple OS X.
2.  avatar Whipdaddy  Aug 25, 2007 9:31am

I see that Erik and Amanie both have tapped this as a WANT. Does this mean that the PW team currently owns PC's ?

I always wondered what hardware the PW team uses!
3.  avatar Erik  Aug 25, 2007 10:01am

PCs. If I went for a Mac, I get a 24" Aluminum iMac or a Macbook Pro and dual-boot it. On the other hand, I like building my own computers, and that way you get exactly what you need, save some money, and it's upgradeable.
4.  avatar GT-D  Aug 25, 2007 12:52pm

yeah I'd second that - I'd totally get a macbook pro, but otherwise I'd rather build my own PC.
5.  avatar rapidronnie  Aug 25, 2007 8:52pm

I just saw this over at a MicroCenter. It's sheer style over substance. The keyboard is terrible for use, and the all in one nature means you get rid of the whole thing when something goes bad or the CPU becomes obsolete. I still have a 17" CRT monitor that's ten years old which works fine and a keyboard originally off a IBM AT-it is probably close to twenty. If you want a Mac, the choice is between this, the iMac mini, or the stylish but overpriced tower. I find the difference between MacOS and Solaris, which is free, not worth the Apple hassle.
6.  avatar beetwozero  Aug 26, 2007 3:28am

Ah, yes. You can't beat the ease of use of Solaris. In fact, that's what my grandmother needs for her first computer. A rock solid Solaris box. (But yes, keyboard is down to personal preference, and the idea of tying a long-lived monitor to the rest of the relatively short-lived innards does seem a little wasteful.)
7.  avatar e13e7  Sep 21, 2007 3:24am

The only reason to get a Mac is to get a Mac Pro. Those are amazing computers, they will BLOW YOU AWAY. My friend JUUUST bought an iMac, and he regrets it. It's not to versitile, and hard to surf the net with.
8.  avatar ES46DER,  Apr 20, 2008 10:53pm

I think that iMacs suck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! they are so hard to work with and I really don't think that its helpful for my eyes!!!!!!!!!! But at least it's better than the one MY GRANDMA MADE ME!!!!! Not!:(
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    beetwozero

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    Key Features:

    Manufacturer Apple
    Price $1,199.00
    Product Line iMac, iMac Core 2 Duo
    Release Date Aug. 7, 2007

    Sponsors

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    36739 views and 104 edits (see all)
    Created: 08/09/2007 - 11:12
    Modified: 05/14/2008 - 3:49