Apple iMac Updated

Apple's most recent update to its all-in-one iMacs enhances rather than reinvents the standard desktop design, but the changes are still considerable. The 27in iMac monitor shows up right at the top of the range and, while its new 16:9 widescreen display might make it a bit too showy for some desktops, designers (and anyone else looking for a vast expanse of screen space) will receive its 2,560 x 1,440 resolution with enthusiasm.

The squatter aspect ratio means that the 27in iMac is no taller than the outgoing 24in model, and the general shape is much the same, although the whole enclosure is now made from a single slab of aluminium for a similar 'unibody' feel as the MacBook Pro.

Another MacBook Pro design touch is the glass screen that reaches right to the edge of the case for a frameless front-end. The 'chin' that sits below has also shrunk, and the new iMacs seem more like mere monitors than total computers than ever before.

All iMac monitor screens are now LED backlit, and this technology is both whiter and brighter than the old displays. It can be set to a much lower brightness level than the former iMac screens too, making these new models to be much more comfortable to use in dimly lit environments.

The new screens are also thinner and run at a lower temperature than those of the old iMacs and, rather than reduce the depth of the case, Apple has used the extra space to fit a big enough cooling system to cope with Intel desktop processors. The switch from mobile chips has little impact on performance (of which more in a moment), but bigger, slower-spinning fans mean less noise when the iMac is under load.

Another minor benefit the additional room that allows for more memory slots for four memory module slots, which not only means that there's now a 16GB RAM limit, but that inexpensive 2GB SODIMMs can be used for an 8GB configuration. The old two-slot iMacs can only use the more expensive 4GB modules.

Core 2 Duo processors running at 3.06GHz are now standard for all iMacs. This was an additional built-to-order expense on the old models. In spite of being a desktop (Intel E7600) chip, this offers no real edge over an old iMac with a same-speed mobile processor, but a stock 4GB of RAM and enhanced graphics does provide more bang for much the same buck as before.

Apple is also offering the 27in iMac with Intel's Core i5 or Core i7 processor. This new iMac will be available in November, and will offer similar workstation-level performance to the  Mac Pro and a similar display to the 30in Cinema Display. That will be quite a saving.

One final note: all iMacs now ship with Apple's new Magic Mouse as standard and you can look forward to performance details with this new mouse later.