iMac Core Duo

At Macworld in 2006, Apple relesed the iMac Core Duo (reffered to as the "iMac in this article.) The iMac had dual core processors (up to 2ghz per core (i think)), 160gb or 250gb hard drives, four USB ports (two 2.0 ports at the back, two 1.1 on the keyboard.) One FireWire 400 port is also at the back. It comes pre-installed with iLife 2006 and OSX Tiger.

The iMac is probably one of the best systems at the below $2000 price point. The dual core 1.83 ghz processor, and ethernet and wireless ready, will mean that you can use it on most networks, wired and wireless. It also has Bluetooth 2.0+EDR (Echanced Data Rate.)

The iMac is also an excellent entertainment system, housing a video out port, a CD-RW\DVD-RW drive and Front Row (an interface for the entertaiment parts of the system.) With an additinal digital TV adaptor, you can watch and record TV on your iMac. It also comes with a free Apple Remote.

The unit is also network ready, with wireless compatability, and wired networking built-in.

Some other features of the iMac Core Duo are: A built-in iSight camera, Free Apple keyboard and mouse and all Intel based Mac's ship with iLife 2006 (with iPhoto, iMovie HD, iDVD, iWeb and Garageband.)

The iMac Core Duo is one of the best Apple desktops on the market at the moment. Priced at a very affordable point, and coming with alot of freebies, the Core Duo is a bargan in itself! If you have the money though, get the PowerMac G5, with a dual or quad core processor. But, it costs $4450 for the dual core model, and a 20 inch Cinema Display.

Pricing (In Australian dollars:)
17 inch, 1.8ghz, 160gb HDD model: $2000
20 inch, 2.0ghz, 250 gb HDD model: $2600

By link_the_windwaker Tommorow: The PowerMac G5 Quad