Apple iMac 27-inch (Core i5)

If you like the minimal lines of an all-in-one desktop, but need true quad-core power for multimedia and 3D tasks, then the Apple iMac 27-inch (Core i5) ($1,999 list) should be at the top of your list. It gives you speedy performance scores, better 3D graphics, and the same large screen as the previous 27-inch (Core i7)—all for a couple hundred bucks less. All this earns it our Editors' Choice for high-end multimedia-oriented all-in-one desktops.

Design
Like its most recent predecessors, the Apple iMac 27-inch (Core i7) ($2,199 list, ) and iMac 27-inch (Core 2 Duo) ($1,699 list, ), the new iMac 27-inch (Core i5) looks like a metal and glass monitor suspended above your desk surface by a graceful arm. The screen pivots on a hinge, so you can find a comfortable viewing position whether you are seated or standing. This feature makes the iMac 27-inch (Core i5) a great PC for high visibility work areas, like reception or inside a design studio. There is also a spot for you to slip the wireless keyboard and mouse under the iMac when not in use, making for a clutter-free work surface. A similarly slim-wired keyboard and mouse are no-cost options, but you'll have to shell out extra cash for Apple's Magic Trackpad ($69 list, ).
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Apple iMac 27-inch (Core i5) : Full Set
Apple iMac 27-inch (Core i5) : Back
Apple iMac 27-inch (Core i5) : Ports
Apple iMac 27-inch (Core i5) : Left

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The system has 4 USB 2.0 ports and a FireWire 800 port on the back, along with audio jacks and a Mini DisplayPort. The Mini DisplayPort has input/output, which is very convenient for connecting the iMac to an external monitor. The input can be used to hook up a laptop or Apple Mac mini ($699 list, ), extending your investment by letting you use the iMac 27-inch (Core i5) as a monitor long after the CPU and graphics become too slow. You could also connect an external device, like a cable box or Blu-ray player via HDMI with a third party adapter. I just wish Apple had included these adapters for free like they do with the Mac mini's HDMI-to-DVI adapter. As with the Mac mini, the iMac 27-inch (Core i5) includes an improved SD card slot, which now supports larger capacity SDHC and SDXC cards. Unfortunately, you'll still need an adapter for less popular formats like Compact Flash, xD, and Memory Stick.

Features
The iMac 27-inch (Core i5) comes fitted with a quad-core Intel Core i5-760 processor, 4GB of DDR3 memory (expandable up to 16GB), 1TB hard drive, ATI Radeon HD 5750 graphics, 802.11a/b/g/n (2.4GHz/5GHz) Wi-Fi, and DVD burning SuperDrive. You still can't get a Blu-ray drive in the iMac 27-inch (Core i5), but you can hook up an external USB drive for data or a regular Blu-ray player for movies, using HDMI. It seems that Apple really wants you to buy HD content from iTunes or watch it via streaming over the Internet (like You Tube or Hulu). The Core i5-760 processor is a true quad-core processor, since it has four individual processor cores in the CPU. The less expensive and less capable Core i3 and Core i5 processors use two physical cores and Hyper Threading to act like four cores. The Core i7 found in the top-of-the-line iMac (Core i7) adds Hyper Threading to four physical cores to get eight processing thread capabilities.

Like all Macs, the iMac 27-inch (Core i5) comes with Mac OS X 10.6 and iLife (iTunes, iMovie, iDVD, GarageBand, and iWeb). The iLife suite lets users to view and share photos, music, and home videos the instant you turn the system on. Together with Front Row, they make the iMac 27-inch (Core i5) into a highly sophisticated, yet simple to use media PC. There isn't any bloatware (ads, trialware, etc.) aside from a quick offer during initial setup to sign up for mobileme, Apple's online service. The iMac 27-inch (Core i5) features EPEAT Gold certification, Energy Star 5.0 certification, green manufacturing, and recyclability.

The iMac 27-inch (Core i5) can be equipped with a 256GB solid state drive (SSD) and a 1TB or 2TB spinning hard drive simultaneously, but you have to configure it that way from the factory. Though theoretically possible, the iMac 27-inch (Core i5) is too complex for the average user to upgrade on their own, and the parts needed to mount the SSD aren't included and can't be bought from Apple. The SSD is a pricey option, at a $750 upgrade price for the 256GB SSD plus 1TB data drive.

Performance
The iMac 27-inch (Core i5)'s processor, speedy DDR3 memory, and ATI Radeon HD 5750 graphics let it score higher almost across the board when put up against the previous top-of-the line iMac (Core i7). The iMac 27-inch (Core i5) has the same screen and chassis, but is measurably faster on multimedia, day-to-day, and 3D gaming tasks. It took 1 minute 47 seconds to complete the PhotoShop CS4 test in Mac OS X, while the iMac (Core i7) was a smidge faster at 1:40. On all the other tests in Windows 7 Boot Camp, however, the iMac 27-inch (Core i5) was faster. This can be chalked up to the faster DDR3-1333 memory and much more powerful ATI Radeon HD 5750 graphics.

In fact, the iMac 27-inch (Core i5) was faster than all the all-in-ones we've recently tested, and actually did just as good, or even better than the traditional tower PC Dell Studio XPS 7100 ($1,149 direct, ) in some test. In the past, traditional towers used to beat all-in-ones regularly. This time the iMac 27-inch (Core i5) is more than competitive. Bottom line is that the iMac with quad-core Intel Core i5 is a power users' system that's ready for just about any task you throw at it.

So how does it do against the previous Editors' Choice, the iMac (Core i7)? The iMac 27-inch (Core i5) is faster, better at 3D games and tasks, can be equipped with more options like an SSD, and has a cheaper base price. As such, the iMac 27-inch (Core i5) succeeds the iMac (Core i7) as our high-end all-in-one desktop Editors' Choice and cements the Apple iMac as the all-in-one desktop to have and to beat.