“A few years ago it looked like Apple would stay in its niche market forever, while Windows PCs ruled the world. But the latest Macs are competitive on price with high-end systems from companies such as Dell, and the new Intel-based machines will run Windows in a sandbox, helping people make the daring transition to OS X,” Crave at CNET reports.
“To top it all off, yesterday Apple released a gorgeous 24-inch iMac, the fastest iMac ever. If that doesn’t tempt you to switch, you clearly have an iron will (and possibly an ‘RTFM’ t-shirt),” Crave reports. “The 24-inch iMac (from £1,349) runs a 64-bit Intel Core 2 Duo processor at 2.33GHz.”
“As with previous iMacs, the entire system is embedded in the monitor — even though the chassis is impressively thin. Thanks to some crafty engineering, the iMac is barely thicker than a 24-inch Dell LCD screen,” Crave reports. “This is a pretty brutal tool for anyone who works with digital video or photography. We’ve used Macs that are half as powerful to edit full-frame HD video in Final Cut Pro and they’ve flown. Budding filmmakers take note: this is much more powerful than the Power Mac that Walter Murch used to edit Cold Mountain, and a fraction of the price.”
Full article here.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Mike in Helsinki” for the heads up.]
Related MacDailyNews articles:
Mossberg: Apple makes ‘best desktop computer on the market’ iMac even more attractive – September 07, 2006
Apple iMac line gets 64-bit Intel Core 2 Duo processors; pricing starts at $999; new 24-inch model – September 06, 2006
Digital Trends Review: Apple iMac 17-inch Core Duo ‘silent, beautiful, very fast and reliable’ – July 12, 2006
Seattle Times: Apple iMac is ‘so beautiful with its simple, yet elegant design’ – July 08, 2006
Wired names best media center: Apple 20-inch iMac with Front Row – June 08, 2006
Review: Apple’s new iMac Core Duo ‘an outstanding feat of engineering, a high-precision instrument’ – February 16, 2006
Apple iMac the finest, most reliable, stable, elegant and intuitive personal computer available – February 14, 2006
Review: Apple 20-inch iMac Core Duo 2.0GHz – February 06, 2006
BusinessWeek: Apple’s new iMac Core Duo is an iMac on Steroids – February 02, 2006
Thurrott: ‘I highly recommend Apple’s new Intel-based iMac’ – January 31, 2006
Thurrott: ‘Nothing on Windows approaches the quality of Apple’s iLife ’06’ – January 31, 2006
Computerworld: Apple’s MacBook Pro ‘fast, really fast – looks like a real winner’ – January 28, 2006
InfoWorld: Apple perfects the desktop personal computer with new iMac Core Duo – January 25, 2006
PC Magazine review gives Apple iMac Intel Core Duo 4.5 out of 5 stars – January 20, 2006
Mossberg: New Intel-based iMac the best consumer desktop with the best OS and best software bundle – January 18, 2006
Hmmmm.
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I have the 20 inch iMac (G5)and the screen is HUGE. I cannot imagine the 24 inch.
” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”grin” style=”border:0;” />. Plus iSight !!
Wow, acknowledging Macs as something more than niche players– good stuff!
While Windows may run in a “sandbox”, it smells more like a catbox. Bwahahahahaaaaa!
You think they’d let me bring in my new 20″ iMac I got the other day and trade it for a 24″ iMac? (even if I have to pay the difference)
Good review, good perspective. Just wish we could all stop comaring Macs to Dells – please.
…comparing Macs to Dells.
==
You think they’d let me bring in my new 20″ iMac I got the other day and trade it for a 24″ iMac? (even if I have to pay the difference)
==
Sure…difference plus 10% restocking fee.
They’ll gladly take $169.90 from you.
Question is, wtf did you buy it this close to what was a no-brainer announcement?
apple must really have something big planned for tuesday… this week already has seen plenty of nice announcements. maybe clearing the mac news to make way for …….
I have both an iron will and an ‘RTFM’ t-shirt, and I’ve been using Macs for years.
Brad,
Either try to return it (no restocking fee if it’s unopened) or see if you can get a credit (essentially a discount for buying a discontinued model).
If you already spent the cash for the old 20″ model, I think it’s worth spending a little more to get the 24″, even if you have to pay a bit more. That extra $169 will soon be forgotten, but you’ll be enjoying that big bad 24″ screen and 50% more speed for the next several years, every single day.
to the best of my knowledge Apple let’s you return and upgrade within two weeks of the original purchase. Good luck.
Alright I will bite…what does RTFM mean?
Brad, Apple normally has a 14 day return policy and as NewType noted, a restocking fee. But, like all things at Apple, this is not engraved in stone and your best best is to take it to a larger Apple store when it is very busy, and with your saddest puppy eyes (bring your brother’s 5 year old son in with you) and say it was a gift for a birthday (thus, extending the 14 day policy).
The larger store has more flexibility and latitude in taking the hit for the lost revenue, and their loud “cha-ching” of dollars flowing in while it’s busy will make them want to make the sale rather than trying to explain the return policy during the rush. As a last resort, with the manager standing there denying you the return, turn to the 5 year old and tell him, “You can’t get the better computer because this is how big companies do things.”
“Every problem has a solution!”
But the latest Macs are competitive on price with high-end systems from companies such as Dell, and the new Intel-based machines will run Windows in a sandbox, helping people make the daring transition to OS X
Is it me or is it not actually more daring to carry on risking your the security of your data, the privacy of your identity and your continuing sanity by using Windows in any form?
Re: RTFM
Go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RTFM
READ THE —–ING MANUAL
It’s not really a matter of “switching” anymore. There is no Windows PC like an iMac. The best you can do is a tower and LCD display where you hide the tower under your desk -OR- a hideous all-in-one from Sony or Gateway. Just get an iMac and run Windows on it; there is no “switching.” Apple is pretty confident that users who buy a Mac to run Windows will eventually try Mac OS X out of curiousity or perhaps necessity, and realize that Mac OS X is actually better. That’s why the current marketing campaign is call “Get a Mac,” and it’s no linger “Switch.”
RTFM = Raw Temptations Foment Mishaps
Suck it Dell!
RTFM = Rapid Turnover From Microsoft
I too recently purchased a 20″ Imac, (late July) I had planned on giving my HP 2.6 pent4 to my kids, after switching to a Mac, I now think giving my kids the window machine borders on child abuse.
so guess what, they will be getting a slightly used 20″ Imac for Xmas, while Santa brings Daddy the 24″ Imac
Life is good
Hey, you guys think you feel bad? I have a couple of Core Solo Mac mini’s that I bought about three weeks ago. Bought them through the Apple Business Store.
Oh well. At least it wasn’t my money being spent…
Nice, HotinPlaya! But aren’t your kids going to miss out on the holiday game of “Silent Night, Holy Crap, I’ve Downloaded a PC Virus That’s Erasing All of Our Family Photos? That’s an important tradition in the Ballmer household.
kenf1w, there is a Dell all-in-one like an iMac, it’s called the XPS M2010, and it was what Dell trotted out at the CES to impress investors that they do innovate. However, it’s only got a 20″ screen. I priced one last night, as close to the iMac 24″ as possible and it came in at $4600, while the iMac 24″ was only $2500. I mean, the XPS M2010 starts at $3500, so it was never gonna be a close fight, but the price difference is stunning, and the Mac has a 24″ screen.
Thanks guys…I am a litle less stupid than I was earlier today. I thought it meant…
Recidivist Twit For Microsoft
Ampar….you slay me