iMac Core 2 Duo Review

Simply the best consumer computer Apple has ever made. From what I've seen, I don't think you can go wrong with this machine. It's the purest expression of the Mac mindset. If you need more details, read on.

I'm not sure what sort of words to use for this review. This the first iMac I've owned, so everything is new. The big changes this time around are the 64-bit Core 2 Duo chip and the higher-quality display.

These machines are fast. I went with the 20 inch model. I'm used to apps launching instantly on the MacBook Pro, but the boot speed is ludicrous on the iMac. It takes just a few seconds from when I press the power button until I'm looking at the login panel. That's just booting. Everything is responsive and fluid. I'm sure there are benchmarks around, but the point is that it feels fast.

The screen is gorgeous. From what I've seen, the 20 inch screen is not just bigger than the 17 inch, it's actually a much nicer picture. Don't choose one without seeing them in person.

Existing Stuff, Refined

The sound system is impressive, particularly given that it's essentially invisible. The speakers are mounted below the display and pointed down, but you still get clarity and a good bit of bass.

It's not news that the iMac is elegant. The cables are routed behind the stand to give the impression of a floating white rectangle. In many cases you'll only need power and USB, anyway.

The hidden speakers give a sense of the sound magically emanating from the display. Subtle and very pleasing. The effect is even more pronounced  when Front Row is activated.

Bottom Line

I'm not sure what else needs to be said. There's no one thing about the iMac, it's how neatly everything comes together. An understated design, silent operation, dual-core 64-bit chip, gorgeous display, built-in camera and a remote control for media.

We already know it runs Mac OS X, which that offers both mainstream apps and geeky unix stuff. We also know Front Row makes an excellent media experience and that it's an Intel-based machine so it can run Windows. The iMac is the pinnacle of unobtrusive power.

The only thing that makes it sweeter is the price. The iMac bests the experience of any other computer on the market, and does so at a price that meets or beats the other options.

Gushing? Yes. It's justified.

Why Not a Laptop?

If you're looking to buy a Mac, the one other dangling question is whether to go with a laptop or a desktop. Laptops have hooked the mainstream consciousness, but that's not the whole story. For me, there's no one reason for a desktop. It's a few different factors.

First, there's the display issue. For $1500 I can get an iMac with a 20 inch display. I'd have to spent $2800 to get a MacBook Pro with a 17 inch display. And although the MacBook Pro displays are very nice, they're not as nice as the ones built into the 20 inch iMacs. The difference doesn't matter for web browsing, iTunes, and email, but it does matter for design work.

I could, of course, plug in an external display to a cheaper MacBook Pro, but it's still at least $500 more to get comparable power in portable form, not including the price of a secondary display. Plus, I immediately end up with more clutter than the all-in-one design.

Then there's the issue of whether you want to tote around your main machine everywhere you go, exposing it to the entire world. You can leave it on your desk, but then why pay extra?

A MacBook Pro has a clear footprint advantage over a Mac Pro tower, but the gap is much, much smaller beside the iMac. I think the iMac is the best blend of power, price and reduced size. The only reason to go with a laptop is if you truly need the portability.

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