The new Apple iMac: the Good, the Bad, and the Bottomline
The 24-inch iMac comes in two standard configurations: a 2.4GHz Core 2 Duo processor with 1GB of memory and 250GB hard drive and a higher-end configuration that comes with a dual-core 2.8GHz Core 2 Extreme CPU, 2GB RAM and a 320GB hard drive.
Strengths
When the 20-inch, 2.4GHz iMac was tested, what was clearly impressionable was its application performance. It held up more than its own against competing Windows-based, mainstream desktops. The same can easily be said for the 24-inch, 2.8GHz iMac.
With its faster processor, the 24-inch, 2.8GHz iMac is expectedly faster than the 20-inch, 2.4GHz iMac on all of the application benchmarks–as well as many similarly priced Windows machines.
Of particular note is the 2.8GHz iMac’s performance on multimedia multitasking tests that were done–perhaps the most punishing benchmark. The test performs simultaneous video and audio encoding, which typically taxes the resources of most systems. The 24-inch, 2.8GHz iMac’s best-of-class performance on this test is an excellent indicator of the iMac’s potential for tackling processor-intensive applications and juggling the demands of multiple applications concurrently vying for system resources.
Weaknesses
The only performance area in which the iMac disappoints is with its 3D gaming proficiency–or lack of it. It’s surprising to see the 24-inch turn in even lower scores on a Quake 4 test than what was tested with the 20-inch model. This disparity is still a mystery as both systems use the same graphics engine.
Regardless of this, while the bigger model nets you a larger screen, a faster processor, more memory and bigger hard drive, there are no options for speedier graphics.
Conclusion
The ultimate question is whether the 24-inch, 2.8GHz iMac is worth spending more than the 20-inch, 2.4GHz version for a 16 percent improvement in performance and 30 percent more screen real estate.
But whichever model you opt for, the new iMac models are a clear contender in terms of speed and performance against many Windows machines.
Source: http://asia.cnet.com/reviews/pcperipherals/0,39051162,41014942p-2,00.htm
Please check the specs:
Apple iMac 20” (250gb, 2.0GHz)
Apple iMac 20” (250gb, 2.4GHz)
Apple iMac 20” (320gb, 2.6GHz)
Apple iMac 24” (320gb, 2.8GHz)
Tags: Apple iMac