After using the 27” iMac i5 for one week, I’ll post some thoughts on it. I sold my 20” Core Duo 2GHz when the rumors of new body iMacs were assembled at the end of September. When it was finally announce I ordered an i5. It arrived on the 11th, two days early!
I used my 20” like a laptop with the iLugger bag. The 27” is so heavy at 30lbs that probably won’t happen. The screen is the perfect balance of massive 2560x1400 workspace but small enough to fit on a desk and sit close to for computing. I didn’t like moving from 16:10 to 16:9. I prefer 16:9 for DVDs and Hulu and 16:10 for general computing. In the end I would rather have 2560x1600, but that isn’t going to happen.
The i5 processor is great. Web surfing uses a single core boosted for speed. Often I have iTunes, multiple Safari tabs, Ventrilo, and WoW running. The quad cores start to work then. Also, the Hulu desktop program uses all cores. The ATi 4850 is great for WoW. Buying the base 27” doesn’t make sense; you should pay the $300 to upgrade. If you don’t have the money, wait and save or just get the 21.5” base.
I’m definitely feeling the limit of 4 Gigs of Ram. I use all of it with iTunes, Safari, Vent, and WoW running. I’ll add 2 Gigs from my MacBook giving me 6 Gigs Ram. That should give me more breathing room.
The BT keyboard is nice. I like the small size, don’t miss the number pad, but I do miss Function keys. I use Expose a lot and no dedicated Function keys sucks. The Magic Mouse is ok considering how bad the Mighty Mouse is. Why Apple can’t make an amazing mouse is beyond me. I have the white Apple Remote which is a must buy for watching Hulu/DVD, but it should be included with the 27”.
Overall, I think this is the best computer Apple has ever made. The screen feels much bigger than it is, the computing power is very strong, and it looks clean and beautiful.
I used my 20” like a laptop with the iLugger bag. The 27” is so heavy at 30lbs that probably won’t happen. The screen is the perfect balance of massive 2560x1400 workspace but small enough to fit on a desk and sit close to for computing. I didn’t like moving from 16:10 to 16:9. I prefer 16:9 for DVDs and Hulu and 16:10 for general computing. In the end I would rather have 2560x1600, but that isn’t going to happen.
The i5 processor is great. Web surfing uses a single core boosted for speed. Often I have iTunes, multiple Safari tabs, Ventrilo, and WoW running. The quad cores start to work then. Also, the Hulu desktop program uses all cores. The ATi 4850 is great for WoW. Buying the base 27” doesn’t make sense; you should pay the $300 to upgrade. If you don’t have the money, wait and save or just get the 21.5” base.
I’m definitely feeling the limit of 4 Gigs of Ram. I use all of it with iTunes, Safari, Vent, and WoW running. I’ll add 2 Gigs from my MacBook giving me 6 Gigs Ram. That should give me more breathing room.
The BT keyboard is nice. I like the small size, don’t miss the number pad, but I do miss Function keys. I use Expose a lot and no dedicated Function keys sucks. The Magic Mouse is ok considering how bad the Mighty Mouse is. Why Apple can’t make an amazing mouse is beyond me. I have the white Apple Remote which is a must buy for watching Hulu/DVD, but it should be included with the 27”.
Overall, I think this is the best computer Apple has ever made. The screen feels much bigger than it is, the computing power is very strong, and it looks clean and beautiful.