“Apple’s [new iMac] is not the first all-in-one desktop with a glossy screen, an ultrathin keyboard, and a trim profile. But unlike Sony’s, HP’s, and others’ all-in-one efforts, no other vendor comes close to Apple’s near-seamless aesthetic. And as the new iMac design impresses visually, so do its features and overall performance compete against other, similarly priced desktops,” Rich Brown reports for CNET.
“Apple’s new iMac is the most complete and most attractive mainstream desktop on the market, all-in-one or otherwise,” Brown reports.
“We have reservations, though, about the iMac’s operating system. Our biggest complaint with this new system is that, even though Apple’s new Leopard operating system is only two months away, Apple hasn’t deigned to inform anyone about its upgrade plans. We find that oversight irksome and inconsiderate, especially since in the past, major operating system updates have run $129. As much as we like this system, we think you’d be smart to wait until October to buy one, when the new OS would presumably be included at no extra cost,” Brown reports.
MacDailyNews Note: History would suggest that buyers of iMacs, or any other Macs, today will get the current Mac operating system (Tiger) — you’ll have to “settle” for the best operating system on the market today — and be required to purchase the next Mac operating system (Leopard) upon its release. As Apple closes in on Leopard’s release date, the possibility exists that Apple will include no- or low-cost upgrades to the new OS, but this far out, we see nothing to indicate today’s Mac buyers won’t have to pay the $129 like the rest of us.
Brown continues, “With its super-elegant new design and a strong configuration, Apple’s new iMac competes with the PC desktop market better than perhaps any previous Mac to date. Unless you’re a gamer or an upgrade enthusiast, we can think of very few reasons not to make an iMac your next desktop.”
Full review, CNET Editor’s Choice, 8.2 out of 10, here.