apple imac 27 core i7 review and features

The Intel Core i7 CPU gives the iMac the quad-core power that used to be impossible in the all-in-one desktop category. It may seem expensive, but it's a terrific choice for anyone who wants a high-performing all-in-one.

Description

Choice of Dual-Core i3 and i5 processors, as well as Quad-Core i5 and i7 processors.
Hyperthreading on all models; Turbo Boost on all i5 and i7 models.
ATI Radeon HD 5670 or 5750 graphics processor.
1 TB and 2 TB hard drive options, plus a 256 GB SSD option.
One FireWire 800 port.
Four USB 2.0 ports.
One SDXC card slot.
Mini DisplayPort. (Bi-directional; can be used for video-in.)
AirPort Extreme 802.11a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR, 10/100/1000 Ethernet.
Built-in iSight, microphone, and stereo speakers.


Design and Features

Like Apple's other iMacs, this one is a design triumph of brushed aluminum, and sports a black glass frame. A tilting metal arm suspends the iMac over your desk, leaving you a place to stow the included wireless keyboard. The included Magic Mouse has a multitouch surface for clicking and swiping. It's a little thin compared with most mice, but you get used to the new navigation experience rather quickly. The back panel has audio in/out jacks, four USB 2.0 ports, a FireWire 800 port, the Mini DisplayPort (in/out), and a Gigabit Ethernet port.
The Mini DisplayPort is useful for connecting another external monitor, or you can use the iMac as a huge external display for other computers like the Mac Mini or a MacBook Pro. Apple sells adapters for VGA and DVI connections at the Apple store, and Apple also sells a VESA mount kit separately, so you can wall mount the iMac.

Display

The 27-inch iMac uses an LED backlit IPS panel, which provides good color accuracy and a wide color gamut. The display has a native resolution of 2560x1440, and is simply gorgeous.
Storage and Memory

All of the 27-inch iMacs come equipped with 4 GB of RAM and the ability to install up to 16 GB using all four RAM slots. The iMac's hard drive options include a 1 or 2 TB drive. You can also choose to install a 256 GB SSD (Solid State Drive), either in place of the standard hard drive, or in conjunction with it, giving you the ability to have two drives within your 27-inch iMac.

iMac Processor Choices

The 27-inch iMac is available in two standard configurations, as well as a custom built-to-order model. The least expensive 27-inch iMac is configured with either a 3.2 GHz Intel Dual-Core i3 or a 3.6 GHz Intel Dual-Core i5. The i3 model supports hyperthreading, the ability to run two threads on a single core, making the Dual-Core i3 appear to the operating system as having four available cores. The i3 doesn't support Turbo Boost, however. Turbo Boost can crank up the clock rate when only a single core is in use. To get the benefits of Turbo Boost, you'll need to select one of the i5 or i7 processors for the iMac.

The other standard 27-inch iMac uses a 2.8 GHz Intel Quad-Core i5. It can optionally be custom configured to use a 2.93 Intel Quad-Core i7. Both of the i5 and i7 processor options support both hyperthreading and Turbo Boost.

Ports

There have been no changes in the iMac's port configurations. You'll find the expected four USB 2.0 ports, one FireWire 800 port, a mini DisplayPort for attaching a second monitor, and an SDXC card slot.

Pros

IPS panels provide wide color gamut and color accuracy.
Quad-Core processor options available.
Bi-directional Mini DisplayPort offers video in capabilities.
SSD options let you have two drives installed.
4 SO-DIMM slots for a total of 16 GB of RAM.

Cons

Still no Blu-ray options.
Hard drive and SSD are not user serviceable parts.
No matte finish display options.

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