At a Glance
Expert's Rating
Pros
- Built-in wireless capabilities
- Compact, all-in-one design
- Considerable speed boost over previous analogous model
Cons
- Glossy screen may frustrate some users
- Only 1GB of RAM
- Viewing angle not as good as on the 24-inch model
Our Verdict
Apple updated its all-in-one desktop line to include next-generation Core 2 Duo processors, which boost the amount of shared L2 cache to 6MB and the frontside bus to 1,066MHz. This entry-level iMac now runs at 2.4GHz — otherwise, the installed memory, hard drive capacity, and optical drive specs remain unchanged from the previous model.
The new iMacs are faster than the previous models, but cost the same as their predecessors. Unfortunately, the one major thing we didn’t like about the first-generation aluminum iMac–the poor viewing angle on the 20-inch screen–hasn’t changed for the better. Still, our praise of the previous generation still applies: The iMac offers enough features for both general consumers and professionals.