The Bottom Line
This is a preview of the new iMacs for the summer of 2010; a full review will be available later. The iMac updates center around processor upgrades and new graphics options that provide a nice boost to an iMac family that was already one of the best Mac desktops Apple has created.
Apple consolidated the iMac lineup around the Intel ix processor family, with base model iMacs using Dual-Core i3 and i5 processors, and the high-end 27-inch iMac using Quad-Core i5 and i7 processors. The processor improvements, along with updated graphics, create one of the best iMacs ever.
Pros
- Hyper Threading and Turbo Boost processors in most configurations.
- 21.5-inch or 27-inch LED backlit display.
- Up to 16 GB user installable RAM.
- 27-inch model can be configured with 1 or 2 TB hard drive + SSD.
- ATI Radeon HD 4670, 5670, and 5750 graphics options.
Cons
- Lacks dedicated HDMI output.
- No USB 3 or FireWire 1600/3200 ports
- Base model 21.5-inch Dual-Core i3 doesn't support Turbo Boost.
- SSD options only available in high-end model.
Description
- Choice of Dual-Core i3 and i5 processors or Quad-Core i5 and i7 processors.
- ATI Radeon HD 4670, 5670, or 5750 discrete graphics.
- 500 GB, 1 TB, 2 TB hard drive options.
- 256 GB SSD option.
- One FireWire 800 port.
- Four USB 2.0 ports.
- One SDXC card slot.
- Mini DisplayPort (bidirectional, can use iMac as a display for another device).
- AirPort Extreme 802.11a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR, 10/100/1000 Ehternet.
- Built in iSight, microphone, and stereo speakers.
Guide Review - iMac 2010 Preview: New iMacs Offer Improved Graphics and More Speed
With the 2010 iMac, Apple has consolidated the product around the Intel Core ix series of processors. Using any of the three processor models - the i3, i5, and i7 - the iMac can be configured from a basic desktop to a multimedia powerhouse with enough oomph to handle video, audio, and other multimedia projects. When outfitted with the right processor and graphics options, it's a pretty good game machine, too.
The 2010 iMac is available in two basic configurations: a 21.5-inch model with a display resolution of 1920x1080 pixels, and a 27-inch model with a 2560x1440 display resolution. Both displays use a glossy glass screen, are LED backlit, and have an IPS LCD panel.
21.5-inch iMac processor options
Processor options for the 21.5-inch iMac start with the baseline 3.06 GHz Dual-Core i3. This processor supports Hyper Threading, which allows it to run four threads at one time, but doesn't support Turbo Boost, the ability to increase the processor's clock speed when only one core is in use.
The other two 21.5-inch processor options are a 3.2 GHz Dual-Core i3 and a 3.6 GHz Dual-Core i5. Both support Hyper Threading and Turbo Boost.
27-inch iMac processor options
The 27-inch iMac has a base processor configuration of a 3.2 GHz Dual-Core i3 and an optional 3.6 GHz Dual-Core i5. Both processors support Hyper Threading and Turbo Boost.
The high-end configuration is either a 2.8 GHz Quad-Core i5 or a 2.93 GHz Quad-Core i7. Both of the Quad-Core processors support Hyper Threading and Turbo Boost. In addition, they increase the level 3 cache to 8 MB.
Graphic Options
Three discrete graphics options are available for the iMacs. The 21.5-inch model can use the ATI Radeon HD 4670 with 256 MB of GDDR3 memory, or the ATI Radeon HD 5670 with 512 MB of GDDR3 memory.
The 27-inch iMac with either Dual-Core is configured with the ATI Radeon HD 5670 with 512 MB of GDDR3 memory. The Quad-Core 27-inch iMac gets the ATI Radeon HD 5750 with 1 GB of GDDR5 memory.
Storage Surprise
It's no surprise that SSDs (Solid State Drives) are an option for the 27-inch iMac. But in an unusual twist, Apple is using the spacious interior of the 27-inch model to provide the option to install both a 1 or 2 TB hard drive and a 256 GB SSD, giving you two internal drives for your iMac. You could use the very fast 256 GB SSD for your boot drive, to hold your OS, applications and some user data, while using the 1 or 2 TB hard drive for larger data storage needs.
The other storage surprise is the SC card slot, which has been updated to support SDXC cards. That means you can store up to 2 GB on one of those little memory cards, and at reasonably fast speeds.
I/O Surprise
The surprise here is that there isn't one. Apple didn't do anything to update the various ports. That's a pity, because the lack of a USB 3 port is one of the few drawbacks of the new iMac lineup.
Final Thoughts
The 2010 iMacs have something for everyone's needs and budgets. This could be the best iMac lineup in a long time.
