- Average user rating: 4.5 stars out of 10 reviews
- See all user reviews
Product summary
Specifications: Environmental & energy standards compliance: EPA Energy Star, EPEAT Silver; Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo (2.4 GHz); RAM installed: 1 GB DDR2 SDRAM; See full specs
Price range: $1,449.99 - $1,740.29
CNET editors' take
- Published on: 08/07/2007
All of the major Windows PC vendors have improved their desktop designs lately, but after today's iMac redesign announcement, Apple has distanced itself even further from its competition. The trimmer, sleeker iMac, and especially its new keyboard, cut a cleaner profile than any of this year's new PCs from Dell, Gateway, HP, or Sony.
Apple's new iMac takes the lead in desktop design.
(Credit: Apple)Looks matter of course, but so does value. And with this update, Apple appears to have shed its reputation for going beyond its competition in terms of price. If you compare component for component, you'll find that Dell and Gateway, in particular, offer competitive configs to Apple's new lineup. You lose an aesthetic step or two with those traditional Windows desktops, but worse, you also miss out on the iMac's strong iLife '08 software suite, which eliminates the PCs' price advantage.
Thanks to the various virtualization apps and Apple's own Boot Camp, you also can't really argue that by going with a Mac you're locked into the Apple ecosystem. The new iMacs and their all-in-one design don't solve the lack of upgradability, but we're willing to bet that doesn't effect that many mainstream computer buyers. Our bigger concern is the upgrade path to Leopard, Apple's OS X update later this Fall. Apple has not said whether it will charge new or existing Mac owners to upgrade to the new operating system. That would make us extracautious about purchasing a new Mac now, knowing that we might save $129 or so on an OS upgrade if we wait a few months.
CNET editors' buying advice
We have not reviewed this product but here is CNET's buying advice on Desktops. This content was chosen based on the features included with this model of desktop.
All-in-one desktops
Popularized by the iMac, the all-in-one PC is a desktop with a built-in monitor. The desktop components (processor, memory, hard drive, and such) may be in the base or hidden behind the flat-panel display itself. Like a SFF desktop, an all-in-one limits expansion, but many boast advanced features, such as DVD burners and TV tuners. Because the display and the computer itself are enclosed in a single box, they're generally more space efficient than a traditional tower-and-monitor combination. On the other hand, the PC components will become obsolete faster than the LCD, one drawback of having the two so tightly integrated. If you have a small space in which to setup your computer, an all-in-one can save the day.
Read more in the Desktop Buying Guide
See more All-in-one desktops products
Home office desktop
Graphics are less of a concern for most businesses, unless you run a design shop. At minimum, you'll want a system with enough power (read: dual-core CPU) for multitasking your daily office chores. The money you save on the graphics you can put toward a larger flat-panel display and a better warranty. Vista complicates matters a little. Microsoft recommends at least 512MB of system memory and a DirectX 9-capable graphics card, and it ups the specs to 1GB of RAM and at least 128MB of independent video memory for Vista Home Premium with Aero. Of course, an iMac will get the job done, too, though at a higher price than your typical business PC.
Read more in the Desktop Buying Guide
Energy Star compliant
Energy Star compliant products use less energy to save money and the environment. Although Energy Star's criteria and compliance may be comparatively simple to other ecologically concerned standards, the categories are much broader. It may not be long until every electronic device sold in the U.S. is eligible for the Energy Star logo provided it has appropriate energy consumption.
See more Energy Star compliant desktops products
MacOS X Leopard
The good: Elegant backup via Time Machine; Finder offers powerful navigation tweaks; novel workspace customization through Spaces' virtual desktops; integration with Web data and applications; Cover Flow visualizes file browsing; iChat Theater offers green-screen backgrounds and lets users access each others' desktops; Bootcamp included.
The bad: Leopard was afflicted in some cases by installation woes and application failures; some new features, such as geotagging, aren't obvious to find; users with older Macs can't run Leopard.
The bottom line: The grace of Leopard's interface enhancements makes productivity more pleasurable with a Mac, as more than 300 functional and fun features top off this update.
See more MacOS X Leopard products
EPEAT silver compliant desktops
EPEAT is a consumer electronics eco-certifier that is fast growing in popularity. Instead of having it's own narrow criteria like Energy Star and RoHS, EPEAT's requisites are comprehensive and include Energy Star and RoHS compliance. For electronics to reach the silver level, they must meet the broad criteria of the bronze level plus an additional 14 a la carte requirements.
See more EPEAT silver compliant desktops products
User reviews
- Average user rating: 4.5 stars out of 10 reviews
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Where to buy
Apple iMac (24-inch, 2.4GHz):
$1,449.99 - $1,740.29
| store | price | in stock? | rating |
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$1,549.95 | Yes |
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Amazon.com
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$1,449.99 | Yes |
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$1,499.95 | Yes |
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iUnitek
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$1,740.29 | No | Not yet rated |
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