Entered CNET Catalog: 03/04/2009
SKU: 885909220458
Manufacturer: Apple Inc.
Manufacturer description
Setting new standards for elegance and simplicity, the all-in-one iMac packs all its components - from processor to video camera - into an astoundingly thin, anodized aluminum frame. The advanced processor that powers every iMac is faster than ever - delivering greater performance for everything from enhancing photos to playing games and more. Your photos, movies, and games will come to life in rich, vivid color thanks to the glossy widescreen display on every iMac.Product summary
The good: One of, if not the, most affordable 24-inch all-in-one PCs; twice as much hard-drive space as older models; fast Nvidia graphics chip makes the iMac a capable gaming system; best-in-class multitasking performance; iLife digital media suite comes standard.
The bad: Fewer interesting hardware features compared with recent Windows-based all-in-ones.
The bottom line: Apple made a number of changes to this $1,499 iMac, but making a 24-inch screen available at this price is the most impressive. The rest of the updates are welcome, and Apple's multitasking capability remains unmatched. Provided you like your all-in-ones best as straightforward desktop computers, the iMac will meet your expectations with speed and elegance.
Editors' review
- Editors' Choice: No
- Reviewed on: 03/05/2009
Editors' Note: As of October 20, 2009, the iMac reviewed here has been replaced by 27-inch iMac models.
You may find Apple's new $1,499 iMac attractive, if only because it's one of the most affordable 24-inch all-in-one PCs on the market. Otherwise, Apple's latest update to the iMac line mostly serves to keep it competitive with its Windows-based competition. As usual, you get more flexibility for your money by way of a traditional desktop and monitor combination at the same price. You can also find a few all-in-ones from the Windows world with functionality the iMac can't match. Overall though, we find that Apple's formula for this product line still works, and we'd recommend the iMac to anyone in need of a fast, feature-rich all-in-one.
The most significant change to the $1,499 iMac is its 24-inch display. In addition to providing more desktop real estate, the screen can also scale up to its native resolution of 1,920x1,080, better known in home entertainment parlance as 1080p. Apple has not added a Blu-ray drive to the iMac, so you cannot take advantage of its HD resolution that way (Apple CEO Steve Jobs famously referred to Blu-ray as "a bag of hurt"). Still, it opens the door for watching and editing other HD video content at its proper resolution.
Cosmetically, little else has changed with the iMac. Its industrial design remains the best in the PC industry, with no excessive branding, case detail, or other visual distractions. Indeed, the only changes to the outside of the case come to the row of ports on the back of the iMac. Apple added an additional USB 2.0 port, and also replaced the Mini DVI output with a Mini DisplayPort jack.
Apple is currently the only vendor selling Mini DisplayPort hardware, both on its new iMacs and Mac Minis and Mac Pro desktops, as well as on its new LED Cinema Display. As you might imagine, you can connect the desktops to the Cinema Displays via a Mini DisplayPort cable. You can also purchase an adapter for either VGA ($29), single-link DVI ($29), or dual-link DVI ($99) outputs if you want to connect an older monitor. Thankfully VESA, the computer display standard body, has plans to incorporate Mini DisplayPort into its future specifications, so we don't anticipate that it will be unique to Apple for long. Still, anyone with an existing DVI-based 30-inch will likely cringe at having to pay an additional $99 for the necessary dual-link adapter.
| Apple iMac (24-inch, 2.66GHz) | Sony Vaio LV180J | |
| Price | $1,499 | $1,999 |
| Display size | 24-inches | 24-inches |
| CPU | 2.66GHz Intel Core 2 Duo | 3.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 |
| Memory | 4GB 1,066MHz DDR3 SDRAM | 4GB 800MHz DDR2 SDRAM |
| Graphics | 256MB (shared) Nvidia GeForce 9400M | 256MB (shared) Nvidia GeForce 9300 GS integrated graphics chip |
| Hard drives | 640GB, 7,200rpm | 320GB, 7,200rpm |
| Optical drive | dual-layer DVD burner | Blu-ray/dual-layer DVD burner |
| Networking | Gigabit Ethernet, 802.11 n, Bluetooth | Gigabit Ethernet, 802.11n wireless |
| Operating system | Apple Mac OS X 10.5.6 | Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 (64-bit) |
Although the outside of the iMac received relatively few changes, Apple gave the internal hardware a fairly extensive overhaul. The 2.66GHz Intel Core 2 Duo is actually the same as in the previous $1,499 iMac, but the default hard drive, the graphics chip, and the memory have all been upgraded. With 4GB of RAM and a 640GB hard drive, especially, the iMac's specs are now more or less in line with Windows-based all-in-ones in the same price range.
You would be right to raise a concern, though, that while the iMac's core features have improved, Apple hasn't evolved the iMac to match other all-in-ones, particularly Sony's 24-inch Vaio LV line. Those living-room-oriented systems are wall-mountable and have a dedicated button that lets you switch between the desktop and an HDMI video input signal (perfect for connecting a game console or an HD camcorder). The iMac also has no touch screen, as with HP's TouchSmart series; we've already mentioned Apple's feelings toward Blu-ray; and even the highest end of the new iMacs lacks a quad-core CPU option.
As useful as we find some of those features on other all-in-ones, the new iMac is also most definitely a computer first, as opposed to a walk-up household kiosk, like HP's TouchSmarts, or a dedicated digital entertainment system, like Sony's Vaio LV series. With the iTunes ecosystem of connected and networked devices, the iMac can certainly serve up digital media as well, but it's perhaps indicative of Apple's vision for the iMac's role in your home or office that Apple hasn't implemented any features that might significantly alter the way you actually use an iMac.
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Rendering multiple CPUs | |
Rendering single CPU |
We won't make too much of the fact that the iMac falls behind the more expensive Sony all-in-one and two $1,000 or so Windows desktops on some of our tests. We say this because the iMac's performance is acceptable all-around, and also because it dusted its competition on our multitasking test. The older iMacs impressed us on that test, and by outpacing two systems with Intel's quad-core flagship Core i7 CPUs, this new dual-core iMac sets itself apart as well. Dollar-for-dollar, the iMac is among the best complete PCs (meaning the system and the display) for the way most people actually work from day to day.
In addition to its multitasking capability, one of the hallmarks of the new iMac is an improved integrated GeForce 9400M graphics chip from Nvidia. Apple actually made a bigger fuss about this chip in the Mac Mini, which is now finally a semicapable gaming system. For the iMac, we got it to run Quake 4 at 1,920x1,080 with all of the detail settings turned on, including 4x anti-aliasing. The results weren't 100 percent smooth, but it was certainly playable. You can expect to sacrifice image quality on more recent games like Call of Duty 4.
Among the few other changes to the iMac, Apple has also truncated the default wired keyboard by lopping off the right-hand number pad. If you truly want to minimize the iMac's desktop footprint we can see how this option might have some appeal. Thankfully, you can configure the old, pad-equipped model for no extra charge. That's also one of the few hardware customizations you can make to the iMac. Apple offers an upgrade to 8GB of RAM for an extra $1,000 (an amazing rip-off), a 1TB hard drive for a more reasonable $100 extra, and wireless versions of the mouse ($20), and the keyboard ($30). Sadly, the once standard Apple Remote will also cost you an extra $20.
Otherwise, most of the iMac's core capabilities are intact. You still get a Webcam along the top edge, a slot-loading DVD burner on the right side of the case, and FireWire 800, Gigabit Ethernet, and audio output and input jacks next to the new ports mentioned earlier around back. Bluetooth and 802.11n wireless networking still come standard. Apple's iLife 09 digital media suite also comes in the box, and that remains a distinct advantage for Apple, as many Windows desktops come with few software extras.
Among the six all-in-one PCs we've tested in our first round of power consumption testing, the 24-inch iMac is an impressive example of what a vendor can achieve when it places a premium on efficiency. Thanks to power economy in every usage state, this 24-inch iMac will cost you less to operate than Dell's slower Studio One 19 and its smaller 18.5-inch screen. Juice box |
| ""Apple iMac 24-inch | |
| Off (watts) | 0.94 |
| Sleep (watts) | 1.6 |
| Idle (watts) | 26.7 |
| Load (watts) | 127 |
| Raw (annual kWh) | 142.7179 |
| EnergyStar compliant | Yes |
| Annual energy cost (@$0.1135/kWh) | $16.20 |
Apple's service and support policies remain one of its disadvantages, however. The one-year parts and labor policy fits in line with the rest of the industry. The 90-day phone support limit, as always, is subpar. At least Apple's online support site is far ranging and comprehensive, and the active user forums may very well be able to solve any of your problems. You can also purchase various support upgrades, including extended phone support, and assuming you live near one, you can always drag your system into one of Apple's stores.
Find out more about how we test desktop systems.
System configurations:
Apple iMac (20-inch, 2.66GHz, Winter 2009)
Apple OS X 10.5.6; 2.66GHz Intel Core 2 Duo; 2GB 1,066MHz DDR3 SDRAM; 256MB (shared) Nvidia GeForce 9400m integrated graphics chip; 320GB 7,200 rpm hard drive
Apple iMac (24-inch, 2.66GHz, Winter 2009)
Apple OS X 10.5.6; 2.66GHz Intel Core 2 Duo; 4GB 1,066MHz DDR3 SDRAM; 256MB (shared) Nvidia GeForce 9400m integrated graphics chip; 640GB 7,200 rpm Western Digital hard drive
Dell Studio XPS-122B
Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 (64-bit); 2.67GHz Intel Core i7 920; 4GB 1,066MHz DDR3 SDRAM; 512MB ATI Radeon HD 4850 graphics card; 640GB 7,200 rpm Samsung hard drive
Gateway FX6800-01e
Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 (64-bit); 2.67GHz Intel Core i7 920; 3GB 1,600MHz DDR3 SDRAM; 512MB ATI Radeon HD 4850 graphics card; 750GB 7,200 rpm Seagate hard drive
Sony Vaio LV180J
Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 (64-bit); 3.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo E8400; 4GB 800MHz DDR2 SDRAM; 256MB Nvidia GeForce 9300M GS; 320GB 7,200 rpm Hitachi hard drive
User opinions
Select a User Opinion to view: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28out of 28 user reviews
Imac 2009.
Pros: Fast Powerful i5 and i7 processor. Big TFT Display. Very useful for a business.
Cons: No Blueray. Display gets a big downfall and gets damaged very easily.
out of 28 user reviews
os x a world with out dirty cracked windows
Pros: BEAUTIFUL!!! this blows windows away. i only work on a mac and occasionally use a pc, never use windows this thing deserves 6 stars.
Cons: i have none better gaming but still wonderful
out of 28 user reviews
Just the best
Pros: It always works and works well. Does great at running Windows if I so choose.
Cons: I haven't found any real faults as of yet. I suppose it would be if you bought more memory from Apple. Much cheaper available.
out of 28 user reviews
Beautiful Paperweight
Pros: It was an attractive machine, both on and off, while it worked.
Cons: After 14 months of light use it ceased to function. Technicians at the apple store suggested buying a new one rather than enduring a costly repair. It seems to be assumed that apple products will die within a few years. Info I could have used...
out of 28 user reviews
A+ All in one Computer I sold all my PC's and now a Mac
Pros: Beautiful display, speedy, easy to use and set up, Awesome looking Sleek.
Cons: I kinda wish it had more USB ports, and I wish they kept the firewire 400 port and offered both 400 and 800
iMac. Best thing I ever did. Still kick myself for not doing it so much longer ago. Apple has come such a long way. If you are a PC / Windows person take the challenge and try a mac for one week. You will never go back to a PC again. I also have a iPhone 3GS.
out of 28 user reviews
Goodness All Around
Pros: Everything!
Cons: Nothing is a con!
out of 28 user reviews
Outstanding Performance, graphics and audio
Pros: Great graphics, crisp and clean audio, easy to use desktop icon system, love the drag and drop feature, a lot of features similiar to PC's but definitely more simple to use, plenty of plug in ports on backside of main body, love the screensaver.
Cons: Can't use easy cut and paste features with Mac Mouse, right click feature is essentially useless on the Mac mouse,The partition feature has caused total lockup of entire computer necessitating two trips back to Apple Store with total loss of all info
out of 28 user reviews
Awesome speed and beauty
Pros: As I already stated this computer looks awesome and is lightning fast. This imac also alows for streamless duel processing between windows and leopard. I can't think of a better computer.
Cons: It is slightly pricey, but completely worth it. I guess it is too good.
P.S.- I previously owned a dell with a core 2 duo processor
out of 28 user reviews
Custom 2.93 blown left speaker upon arrival
Pros: Beautiful screen. Amazing attention to detail on the packaging. My pictures have never looked better
Cons: Arrived brand new with blown left side speaker. Delivered Thursday evening. Tried speakers for the first time on Friday. You can hear the left side speaker rattle from across the room. On hold for 6 minutes at 9am Sat. 1st avail. appt. 2:15pm today.
out of 28 user reviews
Great Machine
Pros: Huge crystal clear display. Runs Adobe CS4 without breaking a sweat.
Cons: Nothing yet
out of 28 user reviews
Exceeded my expectations
Pros: Display is beautiful. This thing is snappy! I am really surprised at how fast this thing is with day to day tasks. Mail and Safari open instantly. I typically have 5 or more resource intensive applications open at the same time with zero issues.
Cons: The sharp edges of the slot loading drive freak me out.
out of 28 user reviews
Cannot be faulted - what a PC could never be.
Pros: Looks great, super fast, a true multi-tasker. OS-X is a dream to use and learn and has features you have always wanted. May be expensive - but price up a PC with the same spec and you soon realise it isn't as expensive as you thought.
Cons: I really would love to find something wrong. OK - Apples price for a 4GB RAM expansion borders on insane. However 4GB is more than enough - and on a MAC it feels more like 8GB anyway.
If like me, you avoided MACs because you thought that you couldn't do what you can do on a PC, then think again. Office on the MAC makes the PC look 20 years old. Don't think about it - if you want something that works, can handle lots of things at the same time without the PC blue screen appearing then get one.
Simply superb computing. What PCs wish they could be.
Updated on Jul 19, 2009How could I forget the Time Machine feature! Grab a cheap 500MB external drive and the world becomes a more calming, backed up place. Time Machine is what backups should be, press the button the screen you was in turns into a Time Warp - with hundreds of backed up version. Flick back - book like - through each window until you find your document or just search for it. Highlight it, click restore and your document is brought to the present - back on your screen. It really is like going back in time - no daily backups here - try HOURLY! For those who use their PCs for important work - the MAC is really the only choice for safe computing.
out of 28 user reviews
Former Windows laptop user loves his iMac.
Pros: Runs like a top. OS is the key - I'm 2 gens behind and have not had to reload it once, unlike the 2-3 times a year I had to to keep reload Windows to maintain any semblance of speed.
Cons: Quick but not as snap quick as a new Windows machine - though I am running minimal memory requirements.
I'm two OS generations behind with my iMac and it continues to run like a top. I'll likely update to the new Snow Leopard in September and maximize the memory.
If you're thinking about switching...three words: Just do it.
This machine has years of life left.
out of 28 user reviews
if you give a perfect rating, what's left to shoot for
Pros: blindingly fast, more features than i'll ever learn to use however, v. happy with the ones i do use
Cons: i'm not sure if this is a knock on the machine or on me but i needed an education after switching from windows (am i allowed to say windows?) ;) it was like traveling to a foreign country w/o a translation book.
mac in manhattan (no relation)
out of 28 user reviews
Mindblowing System, Minimalist Design
Pros: Quiet, great display, compact (desk saving) keyboard, OS-X and iLife, Wireless-N and Bluetooth builtin for minimal wiring (only power cord needed), adequate speakers (at least for mature adults), FIrewire 800.
Cons: No memory card slots, glossy display, not-so-Mighty Mouse, remote control now $19 option. DisplayPort interface is annoying since it isn't widely adopted yet. No longer has screen-saver/sleep light.
As far as operation is concerned, it is a Mac. If you like Macs (we do) it won't disappoint. The huge display area is a definite plus and we probably won't bother to hook up a second display.
People who need speed should note that the other models in the line have significantly faster video and somewhat faster processors, but this is more than adequate for general use with iLife, iWork, Microsoft Office, and of course browsing the web, mail,...
out of 28 user reviews
First Rate Machine
Pros: Super fast, Big beautiful screen, perfect multi-tasker, options to build your own to your desired specs, graphic card options to please all.
Cons: The people that sell it. If you want the top graded custome package you must order it straight from Apple and wait while they customize it.
I'm not a fan of any 1 product, I just want the best I can get for my hard earned money.
out of 28 user reviews
Thought I was happy with PC-- I an now a Mac convert!
Pros: + Very FAST
+ All of the useful built-in software (blows Windows away)
+ Incredibly easy to use and efficient Operating System
+ Find the all-in-one form factor GREAT. No more wires to speakers, to the PC tower, etc
Cons: I haven't found any cons yet. Perhaps the speakers could be a bit more powerful, but they are definitely just fine for me.
out of 28 user reviews
Intuitive computing
Pros: It's not Windows. The standard software it comes with is pretty amazing and will keep you busy/happy for a while. They have online videos to get you going with the operating system and their software.
Cons: Can't upgrade the video or at least add memory to it. Apple charges a lot to upgrade the RAM, but you can purchase from other venders very cheap.
out of 28 user reviews
Dead after 24 hours!
Pros: -easy firewire transfer from my eMac to the new iMac
-great for online gaming
-sleek, all in one
Cons: -didn't read posts about logic board crashes ahead of time
-too costly a machine to be lied to about "quality"
AFTER 24 HOURS OF USE?!?!?!?!?!?!? For $1499, I could find a heck of a lot more interesting things to buy than some lemon of a Mac. In truth, I have used Macs since 1998. After reading blogs of the 2006 and 2007 Macs crashing after a year of use, I find it incredibly upsetting that Apple would make such poor quality products. It really feels like a betrayal.
out of 28 user reviews
Where is the blu-ray???
Pros: nice update
Good graphics chip upgrade and options
better cpu
Cons: no blu ray
None of their products have a Blu-Ray drive, or Blu-Ray option. They bill their "Superdrive" as a drive which can read/write all types of DVD/CD material but has chosen to not adopt the latest optical media drives which can additionally read/write Blu-Ray. What makes this even more frustrating is that large amounts of Mac owners are Blu-Ray owners who want to extend playback to their mac's including portable laptops.
An even more strange twist is that Apple is on the Blu-Ray consortium board, but maybe that is not enough to trump their selfish interest in supporting Digital Downloads of movie/tv content which they even offer HD content in the iTunes store to computers and Apple TV.
Steve Jobs has claimed that Blu-Ray Licensing is "a world of hurt," but other companies such as HP, Sony, Compaq, Alienware, Dell, Gateway and more all offer models with Blu-Ray. Apple also has worked with Blu-Ray consortium to allow for a digital version to be held within iTunes with DRM so people can have a very reduced quality version on their computers, ipods, iphones. But of course aside from that, there is zero support for the High Def optical format.
regardless of whether you need blu-ray, it is hard to argue that a company like Apple ought not offer it up as a option to its customers.
out of 28 user reviews
Best all in one computer on the market!
Pros: Custom ATI Radeon 4850 graphics for only $50 extra on the top end 24" model.
iLife09 comes pre-installed on all of the new iMacs.
4GB of Ram pre-installed on the 24" model.
Price went down from $1800 to $1500 for base line 24" model.
Cons: Still uses Intel Core 2 Duo processors
out of 28 user reviews
Excellent computer! Worth every penny!
Pros: Excellent value. iLife '09. Time Machine feature. Super fast memory and large included hard drive capacity. More reliable than PC any day of the week.
Cons: $1400 is still a lot of money.
This new line of iMac packs a lot of power for the price. The 4GB memory, 2.66 Ghz processor, 640 GB hard drive, NVIDIA graphics card, and 24" monitor make this an excellent all-in-one computer. I played several online games with zero delays whatsoever and have not had my iMac freeze up once.
Apple offers great deals for students as well. I got this iMac for $1199, so I upgraded the hard drive to the 1 TB size for $90. Also, with the Apple Protection Plan, I am not worried about my computer failing. Even if it does, all of my documents are backed up automatically to my external hard drive with the Time Machine feature.
Any disgruntled customers have not done their homework when purchasing this computer. Is the new iMac the perfect computer for everyone? No. But it comes close. Show me a PC company with this good of a computer, with lower data loss records than Apple, and I will show you a lying company.
Overall, outstanding computer!
out of 28 user reviews
screen quality went downhill fast
Pros: fast precessor attractive design great OS
Cons: I've had ongoing screen issue's with the imac. When you take it in your whole computer is gone, a problem with all, all in one's. Green lines running down from top to bottom, machine needs to be replaced but now all my data is on it.
My last mac.
I'm done!
out of 28 user reviews
Response to CF card reader
Pros: Incredible price! The thing about the stats listed by Cnet (and god knows I love Cnet) is that they don't mention the prices of ALL the other computers or the ability to expand just about every level of productivity with the appropriate upgrade.
Cons: Hmmmmmmmm?
out of 28 user reviews
There is a BIG difference between macs and pcs
Pros: It's powerful it can play games (beeter than previous gen)
Cons: intergraded graphics
out of 28 user reviews
A glorious all in one
Pros: This is the best all in one PC package available. The screen resolution is stunning and the design is a timeless classic.
Cons: No SD Card reader. Lacks a good sound system. Apple continues to suck you to pay for basic services such as MobileMe.
out of 28 user reviews
Looks cool, but why?
Pros: Great design. MacOS X. iLife '09. Cache of owning a Mac.
Cons: WAY too expensive. I agree, it's not more (or less0) than the other PC all-in-ones, but that's a very niche market for PCs. When you compare this to standard PCs, the iMac looses miserably in the price/performance comparison.
out of 28 user reviews
Amazing price/features but.....
Pros: Huge Clear Apple Display
Storage
Price is comparable to PC's
Cons: No internal card reader
Why am I not giving it 5 stars? Because I like to edit and organize lots of photos and I find it almost unbelievable that Apple wouldn't include an internal card reader. We are talking a maximum of $3 their cost to do this. I like the all-in-one design because It cuts down the clutter and number of wires, but they force you to use a USB port and wires because who on earth is going to buy one of these that won't have SD cards to pop in it? Weird.
