With the computer built into the screen,
finished entirely in glass and aluminium, it’s surely the sleekest desktop PC
ever.
Configurations
iMac21.5-inch2.5G Hz
·
Price: $1,498.5
·
CPU: 2.5GHz Quad-core Intel Core i5
·
Display: 1920 × 1080 16:9
·
RAM: 4GB (2 × 2GB modules)
·
Hard disk: 500GB
·
Graphics: AMD Radeon HD 6750M with 512MB video
ram
iMac21.5-inch2.5G
Hz
iMac 21.5-inch 2.7GHz
·
Price: $1,873.5
·
CPU: 2.7GHz Quad-core Intel Core i5
·
Display: 1920 × 1080 16:9
·
RAM: 4GB (2 × 2GB modules)
·
Hard disk: 1TB (1000GB)
·
Graphics: AMD Radeon HD 6770M with 512MB video
ram
iMac 27-inch 2.7GHz
·
Price: $2,098.5
·
CPU: 2.7GHz Quad-core Intel Core i5
·
Display: 2560 × 1440 16:9
·
RAM: 4GB (2 × 2GB modules)
·
Hard disk: 1TB (1000GB)
·
Graphics: AMD Radeon HD 6770M with 512MB video
ram
Best Deal
iMac 27-inch 3.1GHz
·
Price: $2,473.5
·
CPU: 3.1GHz Quad-core Intel Core i5 (3.4GHz i7
+$240)
·
Display: 2560 × 1440 16:9
·
RAM: 4GB (2 × 2GB modules)
·
Hard disk: 1TB (1000GB)
·
Graphics: AMD Radeon HD 6770M with 512MB video
ram
The entry level ($1,498.5) iMac takes a
maximum of 8GB ram (other iMac models allow 16GB). However, some users have
installed more without problems. There’s no hard drive option bigger than 500GB
on this model
Graphics
AMD Radeon HD 6770M with 512MB video RAM
Webcam
The FaceTime HD camera at the top centre of
the bezel can be used with Apple’s own and third-party video chat apps. There’s
also a built in mic
Hard disk
Upgradable when ordering, on all models
except the $1,498.5 21.5in, up to 2TB ($180) worth it, because upgrading later
is very tricky. An internal SSD (flash memory drive) is also an option, but
very expensive
SuperDrive
8x read, 4x write DVD±R DL/ DVD±RW/CD-RW
drive. Slot loading: just push the disk in; press and hold the Eject key on the
keyboard to pop it out. There’s no Blu-ray option, since Apple thinks physical
media are on the way out
SD Card slot
Stick your camera card straight in
Screen
The 16:9 widescreen panel is similar to the
Apple Display. Both sizes support full 1080p HD. In-plane switching (IPS) gives
a wide colour gamut and good fidelity. With a 178° horizontal viewing angle,
the screen is visible even from side on ideal when discussing work with
colleagues or watching a movie with friends. LED backlighting gives uniform
illumination as soon as the power is on. High maximum brightness, 1000:1
contrast ratio
Graphics and Display
All iMacs have dedicated Graphics cards and
are ready for games, 3D, video editing and HD movies as well as a full range of
productivity and creative tasks. Graphics improve through the range but can’t
be upgraded in the lower models. An external Display can be driven via the
Thunderbolt connector (which has replaced the Mini DisplayPort) at up to 2560 ×
1600 pixels at the same time as the built-in screen, either mirroring it or
extending the desktop across both. Any iMac can also be used as a Display for a
second Mac, as long as that Mac is equipped with Thunderbolt (ie 2011 models
only)
All
iMacs have dedicated Graphics cards and are ready for games
Connections
All models have four USB 2 ports and one
FireWire 800. The 21.5in has a single Thunderbolt connector (as with FireWire,
extra devices can be daisychained); the 27in has two. There are also audio
in/out jacks, each doubling for analogue and digital (S/PDIF, compatible with
5.1 surround sound)
All
models have four USB 2 ports and one FireWire 800
Memory expansion
As the featureless case implies, the iMac
isn’t designed for user upgrading; getting inside is an engineer’s job. But
adding RAM is very simple through a hatch on the underside. Remove two
crosshead screws, and it’s a two-minute job to pull out the modules and insert
bigger ones. Third-party chips are much cheaper than Apple’s built to order
options. To buy, use the memory finder at crucial. com/uk or
kingston.com/ukroot
Mac Pro
Fully expandable for high-end users.
Configurations
Mac Pro Quad-core
·
Price: $3,073.5
·
CPU: 3.2GHz Quad-core Intel Xeon W3565
·
RAM: 6GB (3 × 2GB modules)
·
Hard disk: 1TB
·
Graphics: ATI Radeon HD 5770 with 1GB video RAM
Mac Pro 12-Core
·
Price: $4,648.5
·
CPU: 2 × 2.4GHz 6-Core Intel Xeon E5654
·
RAM 12GB (6 × 2GB modules)
·
Hard disk: 1TB
·
Graphics: ATI Radeon HD 5770 with 1GB video RAM
Mac Pro Server
·
Price: $3,673.5
·
CPU: 3.2GHz Quad-core Intel Xeon
·
RAM: 8GB (4 × 2GB modules)
·
Hard disk: 2 × 1TB
·
Graphics: ATI Radeon HD 5770 with 1GB video RAM
·
Supplied with OS X Server licensed for unlimited
clients
Optical drive bays
One 18x DVD±R DL/ DVD±RW/CD-RW SuperDrive
is standard, with a second bay free for another if you choose to add it.
Optical
drive bays
Ports
This is the only Apple machine with ports
on the front, and they’re still rather sparse. In total you get four FireWire
800, five USB 2 (plus two on the wired keyboard) and two gigabit Ethernet, plus
analogue and TOSLIN K audio in/out, as well as 802.11n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 2.1
+ EDR
Accessibility
The Mac Pro is all about making it easy to
add as many components as you need with minimum hassle. One side panel gives
instant access to everything Memory slots
Processor and RAM slide out on a tray for
unobstructed access. Single processor models can take up to 32GB of RAM, while
the dual processor design takes 64GB. Don’t buy your extra RAM from Apple the
prices are crazy
Expansion slots
All four high speed PCI Express 2.0 slots
inside the chassis are retained by a simple bar. The Graphics card slot is
double-wide, so a large card won’t obscure the next slot
Internal drive bays
No tangle of ribbon cables here. These four
3Gbit/sec SATA 3.5in bays slide in and out without wires, and can each take a
conventional drive of up to 2TB or a 512GB SSD
These
four 3Gbit/sec SATA 3.5in bays slide in and out without wires, and can each
take a conventional drive of up to 2TB or a 512GB SSD
