Apple iMac 27”

Celebrated by designers and multimedia users worldwide, the Apple iMac has remained one of the most popular high-end computers since its launch in 1999. After several redesigns and a series of complete model overhauls, the 2009-10 range arrived just a few months ago boasting a range of impressive new features, slick new casing, and some truly amazing display specs.

At the top of Apple’s consumer PC range is the iMac 27, a 27 inch consumer desktop boasting some truly amazing specifications for its price. Available in two basic configurations – one offering improved performance and greater hard drive space – the iMac is clearly designed for office users, graphics-intensive applications, and multimedia professionals.

If there’s one feature that stands out about the new iMac, it’s the screen. The 27 inch screen is an absolute monster, measuring further from corner-to-corner than many consumer HD televisions and theatrical displays. HD movies look incredibly sharp and lifelike on the display, which boasts a resolution unknown to most other 27” monitors – a staggering 2560 x 1440 pixels.

This added screen resolution is a huge benefit for multimedia users and designers. With the added screen real estate, the 27 inch iMac screen can comfortably display two websites side by side, or even house a tutorial or worksheet next to an active application. Natively configured for 16:9 display, the iMac’s screen is ideal for DVD movies and online HD content.

Unfortunately, Apple have chosen not to include a Blu-ray drive on the latest series of iMacs. Despite conspiracy theories revolving around Apple’s closed content network and iTunes HD movies, the real reason is due to consumer demand. Apple have reportedly seen little interest in Blu-ray from users, which has lead to its exclusion from the latest iMac models.

While more than a little disappointing for multimedia fans, the iMac 27” is still a highly capable media centre. While far from the ultimate gaming machine, a number of PC gamers have had success with the iMac as a gaming platform, citing its improved performance and technical specifications as a major boost for PC-emulated gaming.

Of the four iMacs on offer in Apple’s 2010 line-up, three use a dual-core 3.06GHz processor. The 27 inch model is also available with a 2.66GHZ quad-core processor, giving designers and multimedia users added power for rendering and file export. It’s unlikely that home users will need more than the dual-core processor, however it’s comforting to know that Apple’s iMac range is beginning to touch on the power once reserved for Mac Pro models.

As an all-round computer it’s very hard to fault the new iMac. Both the 21.5” and 27” models offer incredible value for money, especially when compared to the cost of their relative displays individually. While the lack of Blu-ray drive certainly compromises the 27” iMac’s ability as a multimedia powerhouse, the incredible quad-core processor and truly stunning display makes the iMac 27” one of the best all-round computers on the market.

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