Which iMac To Choose? Part.III

The model 27 "does not allow you to choose your processor, unlike the 21.5", which you can spend i5 Quad 2.7 GHz Core i7 Quad 2.8 GHz, an option 200 € may consider that those who want maximum power in a small footprint. The option that will turn over your iMac will still be adding an SSD though expensive (600 € for a 256 GB SSD, 750 € for a 512 GB SSD), this operation is rather complicated to do it even then (it will make all the components or so), and radically changes the profile of the iMac.

Machine father, the iMac becomes a little racing machine far more fluid, responsive to win this immediacy own SSD. The parameters to be considered at the time of this choice are many: the cost first, but the actual use you make of this machine and depreciation potential of this option over time. If you are not quite sure you post these questions, it is likely that the SSD is too big a pill to swallow: not so sure that the disk Western Digital Caviar Black 7200 RPM SATA III fitted to these iMac is not only quiet but also very fast (120 MB / s average flow against 160 MB / s average flow for the SSD Apple iMac mounted in 2011), and should not hamper you more than that.

If the price is not an obstacle and prefers the iMac to Mac Pro, there's always the option Royal: 27 "Core i7 Quad 3.4 GHz and an SSD. A configuration that will search the € 2 699 (300 € more than the Mac Pro "Basic"), but in our tests revealed a simply enormous potential.

This impulse potential is the same machine can you keep a cool head to this new range: the power of the platform Sandy Bridge, which is valid on this machine, is also on the rest of the range. The 2011 range is actually very reasonable and the choice is rather easy: all is a matter of needs (large slab or not, SSD or not) - and means (or no options). Whatever your choice, the range of 2011 iMac is consistent as ever, and all the component machines are efficient, well equipped and comfortable.

Which iMac To Choose? Part.II

IMac 21.5 "accompanied by an Apple LED Cinema Display 24". We often tend to emphasize the difference in definition between these two screen sizes (1920x1080 "Full HD" to 21.5 ", 2560x1440px for 27"), but we sometimes forget that these machines are primarily objects - and large objects. With its 52.8 cm wide and 45.1 cm high, the iMac 21.5 "figure of Tom Thumb is next to the iMac 27", spread over 65 cm wide and 51.7 cm. It is wrong to be fooled by the appearance of these air machines: they are 20 cm deep and then spread on a desk. This aspect must also be borne in mind at the time of choice.

The tests
- Testing the iMac 21.5 "Core i5 Quad 2.5 GHz, the" small "range
- Testing the iMac 27 "Core i5 Quad 2.7 GHz, the heart of the range also comes in 21"

Within a range, it is tempting to take the model is the most powerful and most expensive in the leaves to change later (which is difficult in the case of the iMac) or take cheapest model and the bard of options. The iMac does not escape this tension.

Side 21.5 ", the choice seems pretty quick: Apple severely limits the capacity of development of entry-level model. At € 1 149, it represents the choice of those who want an iMac without puncture their portfolio, population that Apple prohibits update the processor or the purchase of a first-hand SSD - but to whom she re peddle a 500 GB hard drive only. The performances are excellent Fortunately, thanks to the adoption of the Sandy Bridge platform.
In the heart of the range, things are less simple: once a choice of 21.5 "and 27" made, you may be tempted by a slightly more powerful processor or a little more RAM or a SSD. As always with the Apple Store, the rule is simple: do not buy what is the easiest way to change you, and think about the choice of what is the most complicated to modify in the future. RAM? Apple sells 4 GB € 200, three times the price in trade.

Which iMac To Choose? Part.I

You have scrutinized their specifications in detail; you know previously the Mac Generation tests, but nothing to do: you cannot decide for this iMac model over another. Perhaps you hesitate between 21.5 "and 27", and indeed between the "low" end and "high" quality, not to mention the SSD option. Here are some items to help you choose.

The choice of screen diagonal is perhaps not the easiest choice: Apple has smoothed its range even more than usual, and there is now no difference between the major design iMac 21.5 "and 27" iMac screen ... apart. Both models have four memory banks PC3-10600 (1333MHz) DDR3 SO-DIMM and can accommodate a SSD in addition to their hard drive (except the first 21.5 "), while the model 27" was previously advantage. The only material difference is iMac 27 "Thunderbolt have two ports, the iMac 21.5" have only one.


Segmentation is a much more quiet than before: the model of 21.5 ", you can have a 2.8 GHz Core i7 optional, but the 27" you can go up to 3.4 GHz. The iMac 21.5 "is limited to a graphics card with 512 MB VRAM, but you can get the side of the Radeon 6970M and 2 GB of VRAM with the 27". The iMac 27 "is indeed what it takes to feed all that beautiful world (310 against 205 W for 21.5 W"), but the differences end there: there is no hole in iMac range between entry level and a weak heart but more powerful range of flying a bit too fast in the price range.

The heart of the range, in fact, now consists of what is in fact a single machine available in two screen sizes: an iMac Core i5 Quad 2.7 GHz, 4 GB, 1 TB of disk and Card AMD Radeon HD 6770M with 512 MB VRAM. You will pay € 200 while the 5.5 "diagonal.