Apple iMac 24-inch Desktop PC Review
With 2009 version of iMac Apple ushered a fourth-generation of iMac PC. Aesthetically appealing and technically advance this system comes in four varieties: two 20-inch models and two 24-inch models. While the 24-inch is the most popular one due to display size and excellent performance but both the models are very well equipped to handle applications demanding maximum processor attention and software that needs quick concurrent multitasking ability.
With wide storage space, powerful processor, efficient graphics standard, and all-inclusive pre installed software package makes Apple iMac 24-inch desktop PC truly all-in-one than ever.
Style and Finish of iMac 24-inch:
Cased into an aluminium container with glossy black polished on its bezel and the Apple logo below the screen, iMac is designed to cater to classy style and finish. Flexible hinge at the rear end lets you effortlessly tilt the monitor with just one finger.
Apart from being light-weight and aesthetically appealing the glass and black plastic frame enhances the visual aspect of this Apple Desktop PC which definitely sets it apart from any other computer. To maintain the clean finish and remove the finger prints from its monitor Apple even included black chamois cloth in the box to rub out finger marks from the glossy exterior.
Along with the shiny monitor the sleek outer decor is well blended with the colour and style of its peripherals. Ultra thin wired keyboard with updated finish makes up the keyboard unit which is bundled with this desktop PC.
The keyboard unit is made up of MacBook Pro-style keys which help smooth typing. The new and updated Mac keyboard also outshines other keyboard available in the market and due to its aluminium case or the added extra weight you will have no trouble with keyboard slipping from its place. Having USB input on both sides you can also plug in keyboard to any side you want. But the complaint with iMac keyboard is its hot keys which are designed on the top edge rather than at the sides. But the longer-distance enabled Apple remote control provides better control. If you’re cramped on space this compact keyboards is the best one, except the slightly miniature return key. The keys have a decent level of depth but anyone who spends all time typing might not find this keyboard comfortable to use.
Ergonomically designed mouse known as “Mighty Mouse” by Apple is an ambidextrous device with three buttons including single primary button, the centre scroll-ball click (pre-configured to display the Dashboard), and pinch buttons on the side.
Other exterior changes include built-in iSight video camera and microphone tucked inside the monitor unit.
Connectivity is not out of the world but that’s the default settings you get with the system. It includes four USB ports where two ports are designed on the keyboard.
Rest of the ports includes Gigabit Ethernet port, a mini-DisplayPort output, FireWire 800 and line-out/ in ports for audio. To use mini-DisplayPort output you need an adapter to work with any monitor, but it does compatible with Dual-Link DVI and 30-inch monitors.
Umpteen Features
As you explore iMac 24″ Desktop Computer, you will find it is packed with features like 3.06GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 42GB memory, 500GB hard drive, 8x double-layer SuperDrive, NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GS with 512MB memory and added to this is slot-loading 8x SuperDrive optical drive supporting DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW.
Powerful Intel Duo processor
At the core of the system reside Intel Core 2 Duo processors that run at 3.06GHz. With advanced 45-nm process technology with 6MB of shared L2 cache the system processes faster data than ever.
Massive Storage
The 24-inch iMac houses 4GB (two 2GB SO-DIMMs) of 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM; expandable up to 8GB RAM with front side bus speed of 1066MHz so that you can run more applications simultaneously. This is further backed up by 7200-rpm Serial ATA hard drive which can store data up to 320GB including photos, videos and music. You also have the options of upgrading your hard drive up to 1TB with additional cost. This option is only available in 24-inch model.
Exquisite LCD Display
Flat-panel LCD screen with 1920-by-1200 resolution provides richer contrast and displays lucid picture clarity even with photos, movies, games, videos and software applications. Using wide range of colours the display is equipped to bring out detail in high-definition video and bringing forth sharp readable text. Dark level detail isn’t quite as perfect, but nonetheless it does its job.
Built-in Wireless Feature
It is possible to connect to iMac from every room in your house. Apple made this possible with in-built high-speed 802.11n wireless technology. You will also need Time Capsule or the AirPort Express Base Station, to connect to your Apple iMac, Internet and to each other. Using this network, everyone can print, browse the web, and even wirelessly connect to iTunes and play music from the iTunes library through your home stereo.
Boundless Connectivity
Connect iMac to your iPod, digital camera, mobile phone and external hard drive. All you need is a cable. Three high-speed 2.0 USB ports on the system itself and two on the Apple keyboard will help you connect to any external peripheral. For best performance connect faster peripherals to the FireWire 400 and FireWire 800 ports.
Versatile Optical Drive
Apple iMac is devoid of a disc tray. You need to slide in your CDs and DVDs right into an 8x slot-loading SuperDrive which supports DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW. Burn your CDs and DVDs or back up data, create music mixes and later burn them onto a CD or DVD. Using SuperDrive and iDVD options, you can burn movies which you have created onto a DVD and later watch them on your TV.
Best graphics output
Built-in with 256MB ATI Radeon HD 2600 Pro graphics chip Apple iMac delivers realistic audio and video output. But with 24-inch iMac model you have more options. With 2.93GHz processor, you can have either NVIDIA GeForce GT 120 graphics processor with 256MB of GDDR3 memory or NVIDIA GeForce GT 130 graphics processor with 512MB of GDDR3 memory or ATI logo ATI Radeon HD 4850 graphics processor with 512MB of GDDR3 memory. With 3.06GHz processor you can have NVIDIA GeForce GT 130 graphics processor with 512MB of GDDR3 memory or ATI Radeon HD 4850 graphics processor with 512MB of GDDR3 memory.
The graphic feature provides option to upgrade to the most powerful astounding level of detail and realism in three-dimensional graphics, games, and high-definition video and high-resolution photos.
iSight camera
If you look around the top of iMac you will find in-built iSight camera. The way it is designed you will barely notice until you launch Photo Booth or iMovie or iChat. Easy-to-use and highly intuitive iSight displays amazing picture accuracy and colour balance that make this tiny feature a great advantage.
Audio
iMac speakers come with built-in stereo speakers and microphone which are compatible with Apple Stereo Headset offering crystal clear sound. Along with that it comes with internal 24-watt digital amplifier, headphone/optical digital audio output (minijack), and audio line in/optical digital audio input (minijack). The combination is perfect for producing warm and pleasing audio output.
Comprehensive Software Bundle
Apple has the tendency of continuously updating its software package and this is evident with the new release of Mac systems. iMac PCs too comes pre installed with the latest versions of Mac OS X Leopard and iLife ’09 software’s. It is worth mentioning that iPhoto has received a face lift and due to this it supports new face recognition system and Facebook integration features, and of course Apple’s ease-of-use spirit is still imbibed into all its features. OS X v10.5 Leopard suite includes full-range of applications that you need for your personal and professional use. Such as Quick Look, Mail, iChat, Safari, Address Book, QuickTime, iCal, DVD Player, Time Machine, Spaces, Spotlight, Dashboard, Photo Booth, Front Row, iTunes, and Code Developer Tools.
iLife ’09 software comprises of iPhoto, iMovie, iDVD, iWeb, GarageBand.
Accessories
As you unpack the box you will also find milky white Apple Remote Control which lets you hook up your iPod to a home stereo, speakers or even a TV set.
Control volume, browse your album on the DVD or play a slideshow, the Apple Remote lets you experience all with a single click from anywhere in the room.
The box also includes cleaning cloth, power cord, install/restore DVDs, and, printed and electronic documentation.
Verdict
Performance wise Apple iMac definitely owes appreciation. With impressive application performance even when you are trying to multitask several windows-based office applications this system is efficient enough to take care of your day-to-day job. Added to this its faster processor, makes this 24-inch desktop PC faster than 20-inch iMac. Even when running processor-intensive multitasking multimedia applications it very well juggles with the resource-needy software applications.
The only grey area is its 3D gaming quality which definitely disappoints the game lover, especially the graphics engine that barely processes power-driven multimedia games. If you are up for running powerful multimedia gaming software on this desktop computer you will end up being frustrated.
In spite of having a faster processor, bigger screen, more memory and roomy hard drive, there are no features for speedier graphics. But serious multitaskers and prosumers can gain greater control of their work using 24-inch monitor enabling additional screen area to support more active applications on the desktop,. However, sporadic performance bump can create some disparity when you are viewing or downloading longer video or audio renders. Therefore, the ideal user is someone who needs as maximum processing power but does little graphic or multimedia work on iMac desktop PC.
Apple iMac 24-inch Desktop PC Computer - Technical Specification Details
| Manufacturer | Apple |
| Model Name | iMac 24-inch |
| Display | LCD |
| Display screen size | 24-inch |
| Dimensions ( H x W x D) | 520 x 569 x 207mm |
| Processor | Intel Core 2 Duo processor |
| Processor speed | 3.06GHz 2.93GHz 2.66GHz |
| Colour | Silver |
| Hard Drive | 640GB Serial ATA Hard Drive |
| Optical drive | DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW |
| Graphics hardware | 24-inch model with 2.93GHz processor, one of the following options: NVIDIA GeForce GT 120 graphics processor with 256MB of GDDR3 memory NVIDIA GeForce GT 130 graphics processor with 512MB of GDDR3 memory ATI Radeon HD 4850 graphics processor with 512MB of GDDR3 memory 24-inch model with 3.06GHz processor, one of the following options: NVIDIA GeForce GT 130 graphics processor with 512MB of GDDR3 memory ATI Radeon HD 4850 graphics processor with 512MB of GDDR3 memory |
| Memory | Installed RAM: 4GB (two 2GB SO-DIMMs) of 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM; supports up to 8GB |
| Audio | Built-in stereo speakers with 24-watt digital amplifier< Built-in microphone, optical digital audio output/headphone out Optical digital audio input/audio line in |
| Operating system | Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium |
| Software | Front Row, Apple iCal, Apple iChat, Photo Booth, Apple Safari, Apple Spaces, Apple iTunes, Apple Dashboard, Apple QuickTime, Apple Spotlight, Apple iLife ‘09, Apple DVD Player, Apple Quick Look, Apple Address Book, Apple Time Machine, Apple Mac OS X Mail, Apple XCode Developer Tools iLife ’09 (includes iPhoto, iMovie, iDVD, iWeb, GarageBand) |
| Mouse | Apple Mighty Mouse |
| Keyboard | Apple Keyboard |
| Remote | Apple Remote |
| I/O ports | 1 x Display / video - Apple mini-DisplayPort / 1 x IEEE 1394b (FireWire 800) - 9 pin FireWire 800 4 x Hi-Speed USB - 4 pin USB Type A / 1 x Audio - SPDIF output/headphones - Mini-phone 3.5 mm / TOSLINK / 1 x Audio - SPDIF input/line-in - Mini-phone 3.5 mm / TOSLINK /< 1 x Remote control – Infrared / AirPort Extreme Wi-Fi wireless networking (based on IEEE 802.11n draft specification);2 IEEE 802.11a/b/g compatible / Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR (Enhanced Data Rate) / 10/100/1000BASE-T Gigabit Ethernet (RJ-45 connector) |
| Warranty | 12 Months |
Leave a Reply