Product Notes: Apple iMac

May 3, 2011

Apple announced significant updates today to its iMac line of all-in-one desktop systems. Specific changes include the addition of Thunderbolt I/O technology and Intel's Sandy Bridge chipset. This update follows a previous iMac refresh in July 2010, and shows Apple's continuing pattern of extended refresh cycles with the iMac.

Design and Changes

This latest generation of iMacs retains the same general enclosure that iMacs have had since the introduction of the "aluminum" iMac in August 2007, with some modifications to account for the move to 16:9 displays in October 2009.

The biggest connectivity change is the addition of Intel's Thunderbolt I/O technology (originally code-named Light Peak). Thunderbolt integrates the PCI Express and DisplayPort protocols over the same connector and is intended for storage and display peripherals. As of mid 2011, there are few Thunderbolt peripherals (though current DisplayPort peripherals are expected to function) and the success of this technology will be determined by how quickly these products arrive.

Inside, the iMac now features Intel's Sandy Bridge chipset, the second generation Core i technology. There's also an upgraded 720p integrated web camera.

Missing (again) from this latest update is the availability of Blu-ray drives. Also, there is no matte screen option, which matters to some users for both color precision and ergonomic reasons. Finally, there is no USB 3.0.

These new iMacs meet or exceed the specifications in the newly-revised Performance Desktop Buyer's Guide.

Both versions of the iMac are EPEAT Gold-compliant and Energy Star 5.0-certified.

Ordering Notes

Several considerations when ordering an iMac:

1. The iMac is available with Intel's current Core i5 and Core i7 processors. Information Systems & Computing (ISC) sees the Core i5 processor as the best choice for the 21.5-inch configuration. For the 27-inch systems, ISC believes either the Core i5 or the Core i7 processors are appropriate.
2. Though a 256 GB solid state drive is available with the iMac, ISC does not believe that this is currently an appropriate choice for many users because the cost and capacity trade-offs are too great.
3. It is important to note that the standard keyboard for an iMac continues to be the compact Apple Wireless Keyboard, which does not include a numeric keypad. Providers configuring to order from the University's Apple pages can choose the wired Apple Keyboard with Numeric Keypad at no additional charge.
4. The default mouse continues to be Apple's multi-touch wireless Magic Mouse. Apple's Magic Trackpad may be substituted at no additional cost.
5. Though Apple has not made it part of the default configuration for the iMac, ISC believes that AppleCare should be considered by Schools and Centers ordering desktop systems. For larger orders, LSPs may wish to consider 4-year AppleCare.

See ISC's Performance Desktop Buyer's Guide for more configuration hints. As of May 2011, configuring an iMac to the Performance Desktop specification can be done for approximately $1,150 to $1,600 (the Mac mini remains the best choice for a Mac OS-based Value Desktop). The University's Computer Connection will have new iMac ordering configurations available as soon as possible.

Analysis

ISC sees the updated iMac as being a solid choice among desktop systems available in mid-2011 and the iMac continues to serve as the Apple component in the University's Desktop Recommendations. Continuing improvements in the standard specifications once again have dropped the barrier to entry for appropriately configured models.

ISC will follow up with a full review of the iMac as soon as testing has been completed.

iMac graphic courtesy of Apple

--John Mulhern III, Lead for Client Technologies, ISC Technology Support Services (May 3, 2011)