Apple iMac 27-inch (3.1GHz, spring 2011)

 

The good:  

The new 27-inch iMac offers the best performance among current all-in-ones, along with the largest display, the best design, and exciting potential from its Thunderbolt ports.

 

The bad: 

We still miss built-in HDMI inputs for easy media component integration, and, as usual, custom hardware options for the iMac remain more expensive than those for its Windows-based competition.

The bottom line:  

We recommend Apple's new 27-inch iMac to digital media editors and others with serious performance needs on the strength of its impressive speed, its connected device potential, and its market-leading 27-inch display.

Review: With a fast new second-generation Core i5 CPU, a high-end 3D card, and support for promising Thunderbolt high-bandwidth peripheral connection ports, the new, highest-end iMac has plenty to offer media professionals and enthusiasts in terms of performance and peripheral device flexibility. For consumers, while the iMac still claims industry bests in terms of its display and its design, this system will feel like overkill in some respects, and underfeatured in others. We don't recommend the most expensive new iMac for those looking for an OS X-based alternative to the recent crop of Windows-based all-in-ones that act as home entertainment ... Expand full review

 

User Reviews

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Average user rating

4.0 stars out of 34 user reviews

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Most helpful user review

Showing number 1 of 34 reviews 12 of 15 users found this review helpful
5.0 stars

"Awesome machine" on May 3, 2011 by shady28 (12 reviews) Pros: New Sandy Bridge Architecture; New GPUs are able to keep up with all the current games; 2 Thunderbolt ports make it possible to drive 2 additional monitors, plus 10Gbit/s for external storage and other devices; You can run windows or OS X on it
Cons: Pricey, but still a better deal than comparable Windows based all in ones.

Summary: Simply an incredible machine. I picked mine up this afternoon - way faster than the previous generation.

The chart in the article is incorrect though, the i5-760 is not what is in the new iMac 27 (and is not Sandy Bridge). The 760 was used in the previous generation top ... Expand full review

Most recent user reviews (Showing 2 of 34 reviews)

5.0 stars

"WOW! I love this iMac" on July 24, 2011 by rob21i (6 reviews)

1.5 stars

"Pass on this one" on July 20, 2011 by OpenisBetter (1 review)

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Starting at: $1,896.95 from 5 stores

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Specifications

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• Processor: Intel Core i5 3.1 GHz
• Memory: 4 GB / 16 GB (max)
• Operating System: Apple MacOS X 10.6
• Removable Storage: None
• Optical Drive: DVD±RW (±R DL)

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