Though it mainly means a speed bump, the inclusion of a processor from Intel’s latest fourth-generation Core family and Nvidia GeForce GTX 775M Kepler-based graphics makes a world of difference for the 27-inch Apple iMac. This newest iteration costs much less than previous iMacs, but it’s just as fast—if not faster—and boasts some compelling features. This is more than enough to make it our latest Editors’ Choice for highend all-in-one desktops.
DESIGN AND FEATURES
The new iMac looks identical to last year’s: It’s still the new design, all aluminum and glass, tapering down to a width of about 5mm on all four edges around the beautiful low-glare, 2,560-by-1,440-resolution display. Apple achieved this by eliminating the built-in DVD SuperDrive and moving the SD (SDXC) card reader from the side to the back panel—inconvenient for users who simply want to transfer their pictures to from their camera to their iMac. In contrast, the previous high-end all-in-one Editors’ Choice Dell XPS 27 Touch All-in-One has a tray-loading DVD burner, the SD card reader, and a selection of ports on the side, and is therefore much thicker along the edge.
The base $1,999 model of 27-inch iMac comes with a 3.4GHz Intel Core i5-4670 processor; 8GB of memory; a 1TB (non-Fusion) hard drive; and 2,560-by-1,440 resolution, 27-inch screen. We tested an upgraded $2,199 model with a 1TB Fusion Drive, which pairs a 1TB 7,200rpm SATA hard drive with a 128GB PCIe flash storage unit (similar to a SSD). The flash storage stores OS X and any other system files all the time, while the OS monitors which apps and documents you use most often and automatically shifts those files to the faster flash and other files and programs to the spinning hard drive. In practice, this means that startups and application launches only take seconds, compared with up to a few minutes on older hard-drive-only systems. The Macintosh HD icon shows all the files on both physical drives, so you don’t have to remember if you saved your file to the flash or to the hard drive. You can also upgrade to a 3TB Fusion Drive, or even forgo the spinning hard drive altogether and configure an iMac with up to 1TB of pure flash storage.
As expected, the iMac still doesn’t offer much internal access for the end user. You can buy tools from sites like ifixit.com to get into the system, but as with the original Macintosh of mid-1980s vintage, the end user isn’t meant to open the iMac and perform upgrades. The only upgrade available is under a door on the back panel, which exposes a set of four SO-DIMM slots for upping the RAM to as much as 32GB. If you need internal expansion and want to stick with Apple, you’re best off waiting for the upcoming redesigned Mac Pro.
Like other Macs, the iMac comes preloaded with iPhoto, iTunes, Mail, etc. The iMac has a one-year warranty. One additional plus is that the iMac can work as a monitor for a future Thunderbolt-equipped Mac. Using one of the two Thunderbolt ports, the iMac’s monitor can display video for a MacBook, Mac mini, or other Mac system. (You will, however, need adapters to use DVI, VGA, or HDMI displays.) You can, of course, also use the Thunderbolt ports and the four USB 3.0 ports for hard drive and peripheral expansion.
PERFORMANCE
Although the Intel processor used here can’t keep up with the Core i7 processors in the previously reviewed model and the Dell XPS 27 Touch on the CineBench test, it is more than a match for the other systems’ on multimedia benchmark tests such as Photoshop CS6 and Handbrake. Therefore, this iMac is, as you’d expect, a good choice for the graphics arts pro or hobbyist. This is due partly to the new Intel architecture, and partly to the speedy Fusion Drive. Likewise, the iMac produced playable 3D gaming frame rates on the Heaven benchmark test, thanks to its enthusiast-level Nvidia GeForce GTX 775M graphics. Essentially, if the game is available on Steam or Apple’s App Store, you should have no trouble playing it on the iMac, even at the system’s native resolution.
We see again that the iMac is capable of leapfrogging the competition and regaining the top position in the all-in-one desktop arena. Its class-leading higher-than-HD-resolution screen, performance for the money, and features make it a winner on paper, and because it’s part of the Apple ecosystem it doesn’t need excessive third-party software. And when you’re done with work and ready to kick off your shoes, the iMac will give you a better playing experience, too.
DESIGN AND FEATURES
The new iMac looks identical to last year’s: It’s still the new design, all aluminum and glass, tapering down to a width of about 5mm on all four edges around the beautiful low-glare, 2,560-by-1,440-resolution display. Apple achieved this by eliminating the built-in DVD SuperDrive and moving the SD (SDXC) card reader from the side to the back panel—inconvenient for users who simply want to transfer their pictures to from their camera to their iMac. In contrast, the previous high-end all-in-one Editors’ Choice Dell XPS 27 Touch All-in-One has a tray-loading DVD burner, the SD card reader, and a selection of ports on the side, and is therefore much thicker along the edge.
The base $1,999 model of 27-inch iMac comes with a 3.4GHz Intel Core i5-4670 processor; 8GB of memory; a 1TB (non-Fusion) hard drive; and 2,560-by-1,440 resolution, 27-inch screen. We tested an upgraded $2,199 model with a 1TB Fusion Drive, which pairs a 1TB 7,200rpm SATA hard drive with a 128GB PCIe flash storage unit (similar to a SSD). The flash storage stores OS X and any other system files all the time, while the OS monitors which apps and documents you use most often and automatically shifts those files to the faster flash and other files and programs to the spinning hard drive. In practice, this means that startups and application launches only take seconds, compared with up to a few minutes on older hard-drive-only systems. The Macintosh HD icon shows all the files on both physical drives, so you don’t have to remember if you saved your file to the flash or to the hard drive. You can also upgrade to a 3TB Fusion Drive, or even forgo the spinning hard drive altogether and configure an iMac with up to 1TB of pure flash storage.
As expected, the iMac still doesn’t offer much internal access for the end user. You can buy tools from sites like ifixit.com to get into the system, but as with the original Macintosh of mid-1980s vintage, the end user isn’t meant to open the iMac and perform upgrades. The only upgrade available is under a door on the back panel, which exposes a set of four SO-DIMM slots for upping the RAM to as much as 32GB. If you need internal expansion and want to stick with Apple, you’re best off waiting for the upcoming redesigned Mac Pro.
Like other Macs, the iMac comes preloaded with iPhoto, iTunes, Mail, etc. The iMac has a one-year warranty. One additional plus is that the iMac can work as a monitor for a future Thunderbolt-equipped Mac. Using one of the two Thunderbolt ports, the iMac’s monitor can display video for a MacBook, Mac mini, or other Mac system. (You will, however, need adapters to use DVI, VGA, or HDMI displays.) You can, of course, also use the Thunderbolt ports and the four USB 3.0 ports for hard drive and peripheral expansion.
PERFORMANCE
Although the Intel processor used here can’t keep up with the Core i7 processors in the previously reviewed model and the Dell XPS 27 Touch on the CineBench test, it is more than a match for the other systems’ on multimedia benchmark tests such as Photoshop CS6 and Handbrake. Therefore, this iMac is, as you’d expect, a good choice for the graphics arts pro or hobbyist. This is due partly to the new Intel architecture, and partly to the speedy Fusion Drive. Likewise, the iMac produced playable 3D gaming frame rates on the Heaven benchmark test, thanks to its enthusiast-level Nvidia GeForce GTX 775M graphics. Essentially, if the game is available on Steam or Apple’s App Store, you should have no trouble playing it on the iMac, even at the system’s native resolution.
We see again that the iMac is capable of leapfrogging the competition and regaining the top position in the all-in-one desktop arena. Its class-leading higher-than-HD-resolution screen, performance for the money, and features make it a winner on paper, and because it’s part of the Apple ecosystem it doesn’t need excessive third-party software. And when you’re done with work and ready to kick off your shoes, the iMac will give you a better playing experience, too.
JOEL SANTO DOMINGO
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