Entry level iMac: is it worth it?
Apple’s entry level iMac configuration is it’s smallest and lowest configured but is it worth the $200 discount?
The entry level configuration forgoes dedicated graphics, built-in bluetooth and SuperDrive yet in all other ways is the same as it’s siblings in that it includes the same display, processor and software.
Even though most of the iMac shares specifications with the rest of the line, this iMac’s performance is crippled by it’s slower 1.83GHz processor, smaller amount of RAM and in some cases lack of dedicated graphics processing. The processor speed may be slower than the other iMacs (which range from 2GHz to 2.16GHz) but still remains a very competitive modern processor. Also, the smaller amount of RAM is both easily and cheaply upgraded. Where this iMac may cause some concern is the lack of DVD burning capabilities and the lack of dedicated graphics.
The iMac’s integrated graphics (something Apple has bagged out in the past) means the iMac is not suitable for 3D applications such as modern gaming. Integrated graphics does not mean that 2D applications - from the Finder to Photoshop - will have problems running. Unfortunately the integrated graphics means that RAM is shared between the computer and the graphics, meaning the full 512MB of RAM is not available to the system.
The iMac outperforms the Mac mini and once you factor the cost of a keyboard, mouse and display, the low end iMac is very competitive at only US$999. MacWorld testing has the iMac fitting right in-between the higher end Mac mini configuration and the faster iMac.
Overall, the entry level iMac configuration is a very competitive computer for anyone who is looking to get onto the Mac platform or wishing to upgrade if they do not require built-in DVD burning or use 3D applications.