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Apple iMac
The new iMac is clad in metal, but is it a cast iron classic?
We weren't too keen on the previous iMac - sure, it was fine if the sterile whiteness of a doctor's surgery is your idea of stylish - but unpacking this 24-inch screen, metallic monolith, it's clear things have changed. The aluminium shell looks incredibly smart, while inside there's a slightly beefier Core 2 Duo processor and a tad more memory (1GB instead of 512MB).
Keyboard of the Rings
The most welcome change is to the keyboard. Admittedly, it takes a little getting used to, but it's comfy, responsive and festooned with shortcut keys that make a real difference. Best of all, the media playback buttons along the top mean zero application switching to change a track in iTunes, and ultra-easy control of iPhoto slideshows.
Carry on screening
As with the previous iMac, the stand-out feature is the screen. The smallest available is a desk-dwarfing 20-incher. Combined with a 256MB ATI graphics card, it serves up slick, stutter-free video and graphics that cast a shadow over rival desktops. Even full-screen HD content looks smooth - shame the iMac doesn't boast a HD disc drive.
Get an iLife
Adding to the iMac's undoubted hardware charms is the iLife '08 suite of programmes. These are hard to beat for keeping your media - from tunes to photos to video footage - in check.
Overall, the build quality, slick and tasteful aluminium finish, huge screen and jaw-dropping keyboard make this a winner. Paired with OS X and iLife '08, this is simply the finest all-in-one your money can muster. We're iMac converts, and we couldn't be happier.
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The build quality, slick and tasteful aluminium finish, huge screen and jaw-dropping keyboard make this a winner
at a glance
| RATING | PRICE | AWARD |
|---|---|---|
 |
£1150 |  |
WE LOVE
LooksBeefy processor
High end graphic chip
Price
By Ryan Kristle
12|01|2008 21:36
I used also used to think macs were too expensive.
That is, until I got a macbook for xmas this year, it does cost more money than some brands of PCs but you don't need to buy virus protection, comes with most necessary programs already installed, looks nicer, the list goes on and on. Besides, the new dell 20-inch all-in-one desktop computer is $300 more! plus you need to buy other things just for the computer to work.
macs rule!
By CHRISTINE DILLOW
26|12|2007 16:17
this is for me!
By vivienne castelli
26|12|2007 02:26
I have been a mac user since 1989. I chuckle when people talk about the expense. One of my friends had to spend 300 dollars to fix her pc computer after viruses infiltrated. another friend bought a windows machine less than a year ago. things were slow running very slowly. brought to store said they needed to upgrade her memory. less than a year old and she has to worry about that not to mention money for virus software and updating and worrying.. i have a daisy imac 7 years old still running everything that came on it with the original memory. Hardly bought any apps as any apps needed were already on it. such as great editing photo and music software as long as the ability to make my own cds and dvd. am now the proud owner of the new imac with the 24" screen and built in camera. i figure if i get 7 years out of it the way i did out of the last one, with not one trip in to a computer repair shop,no time spent worrying about viruses and the ability to do tons of great stuff with it right out of the box it is a bargain.