September 2007
Apple iMac: Preview
Our first look at the updated all-in-one iMacs with 20- and 24-inch screens
Apple continues to innovate with its all-in-one desktop designs, as the iMac gets an updated look. Instead of the white plastic
casing you're used to, the new silver and black iMac is wrapped in anodized aluminum. There's a glass display instead of the
matte screen used in previous iMacs. It has a slimmer design and an extra-thin keyboard. The iMac also comes loaded with iLife
'08, Apple's update to its suite of media applications.
Available in 20- and 24-inch versions, the iMac includes a built-in iSight camera and microphone, gigabit Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and a FireWire 800 port. Best of all, the "base" version costs $200 to $300 less than the older iMac.
We tested the 20- and 24-inch models. The 20-inch came with a 2.0GHz Core 2 Duo processor, 1GB of RAM, a 250GB hard drive, and costs $1,200. The 24-inch model included a 2.4GHz Core 2 Duo processor, a 320GB hard drive, and 1GB of memory (by default) for $1,800. You can configure the iMacs for additional memory, a speedier processor, and a larger hard drive, so we opted to upgrade our 24-inch test unit with an extra gigabyte of RAM for $150 more.
Complete results from all our testing of both iMacs will soon be added to our desktop computer Ratings (available to ConsumerReports.org subscribers only) soon. But here's what we've discovered so far about the sleek new iMacs:
HIGHS
Overall faster performance. The new iMacs performed better overall compared with the previous models. In our tests, video encoding and hard-drive-data copying were noticeably faster. For example, the new 20-inch iMac encoded video 21 percent faster than the previous comparable model, and it copied data 44 percent faster. The new models also had better scores for processing performance.
Slim size. The 20-inch model, has a display that is a half-inch thinner than its older counterpart, and the keyboard is nearly an inch slimmer. Its footprint is much smaller than a traditonal Windows desktop PC.
Vivid display and wide-angle viewing. The 20- and 24-inch models had very good to excellent displays. Viewing angles from the side and from above were wide, with minimal color loss. Photo contrast was slightly better on the 20-inch screen, although its color tone was less saturated and not as vivid as the larger display. The 24-inch model had a brighter screen overall, but its lowest setting was too bright, which could bother users who work in darkened rooms. Because the new models use a glossy display, glare from windows or overhead lights are much more noticeable and the screen can become easily smudged.
Improved media applications. Apple has added helpful features in its iLife suite of applications, included and pre-installed on all iMacs. The iPhoto software, for example, can now automatically arrange your digital photos by "Events," based on the date and time the picture were taken. And the iMovie digital video editing programs now lets you easily share your clips online through YouTube.
LOWS
Reduced graphics performance. Conventional visual tasks -- watching DVDs or desktop animations -- were displayed smoothly. But we noticed that 3D video game graphics weren't as smooth or displayed as quickly as on the older models.
Keyboard ergonomics. The keyboard has no angle adjustment and is flatter and more compressed than prior models. The redesigned version is much more like a MacBook keyboard in look and dimension. Like the MacBook layout, the function keys are smaller than the other keys. You'll need to use the FN key to access them, because they are now combined with utility keys such as volume and screen brightness. While the previous model had USB ports on the back, the new model places the ports on the sides of and beneath the keyboard base, making them harder to reach. But the keyboard has quieter keys than before. It also has a good grip and doesn't slide around your desk easily.
Upgraded speakers are not significantly better. According to Apple, audio on the 20-inch iMac has been upgraded to match the standard on the previous 24-inch model. But in our tests, sound was not significantly better. Compared to the old 20-inch iMac, instrumental songs on the new 20-inch model sounded slightly better, but overall fidelity was slightly worse. On the new 24-inch model, we observed some distortion on volume peaks in songs, even when the volume was lowered. Both models had fair bass quality.
Inconvenient upgrades. Other than adding RAM, upgrades must be done in an Apple service center. That's because, in an effort to create a clean design, the only user-accessible opening Apple provides on the case is for a memory upgrade. As with older iMacs, you can't change the hard drive or networking devices.
BOTTOM LINE
Except for graphics and sound, the new iMacs performed better overall than previous models. Add the upgraded features, lower prices, and attractive new design, and you've got an appealing desktop in a slim package.
Available in 20- and 24-inch versions, the iMac includes a built-in iSight camera and microphone, gigabit Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and a FireWire 800 port. Best of all, the "base" version costs $200 to $300 less than the older iMac.
We tested the 20- and 24-inch models. The 20-inch came with a 2.0GHz Core 2 Duo processor, 1GB of RAM, a 250GB hard drive, and costs $1,200. The 24-inch model included a 2.4GHz Core 2 Duo processor, a 320GB hard drive, and 1GB of memory (by default) for $1,800. You can configure the iMacs for additional memory, a speedier processor, and a larger hard drive, so we opted to upgrade our 24-inch test unit with an extra gigabyte of RAM for $150 more.
Complete results from all our testing of both iMacs will soon be added to our desktop computer Ratings (available to ConsumerReports.org subscribers only) soon. But here's what we've discovered so far about the sleek new iMacs:
HIGHS
Overall faster performance. The new iMacs performed better overall compared with the previous models. In our tests, video encoding and hard-drive-data copying were noticeably faster. For example, the new 20-inch iMac encoded video 21 percent faster than the previous comparable model, and it copied data 44 percent faster. The new models also had better scores for processing performance.
Slim size. The 20-inch model, has a display that is a half-inch thinner than its older counterpart, and the keyboard is nearly an inch slimmer. Its footprint is much smaller than a traditonal Windows desktop PC.
Vivid display and wide-angle viewing. The 20- and 24-inch models had very good to excellent displays. Viewing angles from the side and from above were wide, with minimal color loss. Photo contrast was slightly better on the 20-inch screen, although its color tone was less saturated and not as vivid as the larger display. The 24-inch model had a brighter screen overall, but its lowest setting was too bright, which could bother users who work in darkened rooms. Because the new models use a glossy display, glare from windows or overhead lights are much more noticeable and the screen can become easily smudged.
Improved media applications. Apple has added helpful features in its iLife suite of applications, included and pre-installed on all iMacs. The iPhoto software, for example, can now automatically arrange your digital photos by "Events," based on the date and time the picture were taken. And the iMovie digital video editing programs now lets you easily share your clips online through YouTube.
LOWS
Reduced graphics performance. Conventional visual tasks -- watching DVDs or desktop animations -- were displayed smoothly. But we noticed that 3D video game graphics weren't as smooth or displayed as quickly as on the older models.
Keyboard ergonomics. The keyboard has no angle adjustment and is flatter and more compressed than prior models. The redesigned version is much more like a MacBook keyboard in look and dimension. Like the MacBook layout, the function keys are smaller than the other keys. You'll need to use the FN key to access them, because they are now combined with utility keys such as volume and screen brightness. While the previous model had USB ports on the back, the new model places the ports on the sides of and beneath the keyboard base, making them harder to reach. But the keyboard has quieter keys than before. It also has a good grip and doesn't slide around your desk easily.
Upgraded speakers are not significantly better. According to Apple, audio on the 20-inch iMac has been upgraded to match the standard on the previous 24-inch model. But in our tests, sound was not significantly better. Compared to the old 20-inch iMac, instrumental songs on the new 20-inch model sounded slightly better, but overall fidelity was slightly worse. On the new 24-inch model, we observed some distortion on volume peaks in songs, even when the volume was lowered. Both models had fair bass quality.
Inconvenient upgrades. Other than adding RAM, upgrades must be done in an Apple service center. That's because, in an effort to create a clean design, the only user-accessible opening Apple provides on the case is for a memory upgrade. As with older iMacs, you can't change the hard drive or networking devices.
BOTTOM LINE
Except for graphics and sound, the new iMacs performed better overall than previous models. Add the upgraded features, lower prices, and attractive new design, and you've got an appealing desktop in a slim package.
