Product Description
The all-in-one iMac packs a complete, high-performance computer
including the latest Intel Core 2 Duo processors into a beautifully
thin, anodized aluminum and glass design. The latest Intel Core 2 Duo
processor with advanced 45-nm process technology and 6MB of shared L2
cache, allowing you to run your applications faster and more
efficiently than ever before. This iMac features a glossy 20-inch
widescreen display and NVIDIA GeForce graphics, that gives you a
blow-you-away level of detail and realism in games, three-dimensional
graphics, high-resolution photos, and high-definition video that comes
alive with rich, vivid color. Built into the top of iMac is an iSight
camera. You'll hardly notice it's there until you want to launch iChat,
Photo Booth, or iMovie. iSight is easy to use and highly advanced. The
remarkable picture quality and color accuracy make this tiny feature
huge. With iLife '09, Mac OS X Leopard, built-in wireless, speakers,
and ultrathin anodized aluminum Apple Keyboard, you'll be creating,
sharing, surfing, and playing within minutes of opening the box. 20
Glossy Widescreen TFT Active-Matrix (1680 x 1050, 290 cd/m2, 800 - 1
contrast ratio, 160 H/V viewing angle) Liquid Crystal Display Built-in
iSight Camera with Microphone NVIDIA GeForce 9400M with 256MB GDDR3
Shared Video Memory Slot-loading 8x SuperDrive (DVD+-RW DL/CD-RW)
Stereo speakers with 24-watt Digital Amplifier AirPort Extreme
(802.11a/b/g/n) Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR 10/100/1000BASE-T (Gigabit) Ports -
4 x USB 2.0 (2 x USB ports on keyboard), FireWire 800, Optical Digital
Audio Output/Headphone out, Optical Digital Audio input/audio line in,
Mini DisplayPort with support for DVI, and VGA, connections via
Optional Adapter, RJ-45 (LAN) Approximate Unit Dimensions - 18.5 (H) x
19.1 (W) x 7.4 (D) Approximate Unit Weight - 20 Pounds
Product Details
- Amazon Sales Rank: #53 in Personal Computers
- Brand: Apple
- Model: MB417LL/A
- Dimensions: .0 pounds
Features
- All-in-one Mac desktop with 20-inch glossy screen and sleek anodized aluminum enclosure
- 2.66 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 320 GB hard drive, 2 GB RAM (8 GB max), 8x multi-format/dual-layer SuperDrive
- Draft-N Wi-Fi (802.11b/g/n); Gigabit Ethernet; Bluetooth 2.1; NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics with 256 MB of shared memory
- Four USB 2.0, one FireWire 800, Mini DisplayPort output (with
optional adapters for DVI and VGA), audio line in/optical digital audio
input
- Pre-loaded with Mac OS X v10.5 Leopard and iLife '09; includes Apple Keyboard and Mighty Mouse
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com Product Description
Speedier than ever with the latest Intel dual-core processor, the Apple
iMac all-in-one desktop PC packs a complete, high-performance computer
into its all-in-one design, sporting a sleek, professional aluminum
enclosure that's joined precisely to a 20-inch glass cover to create a
virtually seamless front surface. It's powered by a 2.66 GHz Intel Core
2 Duo processor, which includes an amazingly fast 1066 MHz front-side
bus speed and super-sized 6 MB L2 cache. This dual-core processor also
provides an optimized, multithreaded architecture for improved
multitasking, video, and gaming performance. And this iMac also gets a
boost in video processing power from the NVIDIA GeForce 9400M
integrated graphics chip with 256 MB of DDR3 SDRAM shared with main
memory.
Designed with a recyclable anodized aluminum frame and glass cover, the iMac is friendlier to the environment. |
The iMac also features an ultra-thin aluminum Apple Keyboard--with
dedicated keys for Mac features such as brightness, volume, eject,
play/pause, and Exposé--as well as the wired Mighty Mouse. It's
pre-loaded with Apple's Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard operating system, which
enables easy backup of your most important data via Time Machine, a
redesigned desktop that helps eliminate clutter. It also comes with the
iLife '09 suite of applications--including iPhoto, iMovie, Garageband,
and iTunes--and the newest version of the fast-loading Safari web
browser. Hardware features include a 320 GB hard drive, 2 GB
of RAM (with an 8 GB maximum capacity), 8x SuperDrive for burning
movies to DVD and music mixes to CD, integrated 802.11n wireless LAN,
Gigabit Ethernet wired networking, and Bluetooth 2.1+EDR connectivity.
Power on a Pedestal
With its anodized aluminum frame set upon a sleek pedestal, the new
iMac instantly transforms your workspace from cluttered desktop to
brilliant display podium. Because the iMac's housing is made from a
single sheet of aluminum, you won't see any seams or screws except for
a single compartment on the bottom that provides easy access to the
memory slots. The glossy widescreen 20-inch glass display makes photos
and movies come alive with rich color. And the built-in iSight camera
and microphone are integrated so neatly you barely notice they're
there. Aside from the design details, the iMac is also friendlier to
the environment with highly recyclable and durable materials including
scratch-resistant glass and professional grade aluminum.
The compact keyboard's ultrathin anodized aluminum enclosure features low-profile keys that provide a crisp, responsive feel. |
With its elegant anodized aluminum enclosure, the new Apple Keyboard
looks equally at home in your living room or on your desk. Just connect
it to the USB port on your iMac and start enjoying the crisp,
responsive feel of its low-profile keys. This compact keyboard also
includes special function keys for Mac features such as brightness,
volume, eject, play/pause, Exposé, and more. Two USB 2.0 ports provide
high-speed connectivity for your iPod, Mighty Mouse, digital camera,
and other USB-based electronic devices.
Intel Core 2 Duo Processor
Experience faster, more nimble application performance and improved
energy efficiency with this 2.66 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor. Its
hafnium-infused circuitry--which reduces electrical current leakage in
transistors--helps to reduce power consumption while delivering.
powerful processing speeds. This 2.66 GHz Core 2 Duo processor is aided
by a 1066 front-side bus speed and a super-sized 6 MB L2 cache. (An L2,
or secondary, cache temporarily stores data; and a larger L2 cache can
help speed up your system's performance. The FSB carries data between
the CPU and RAM, and a faster front-side bus will deliver better
overall performance.)
 |
The Intel Core 2 Duo's 128-bit SSE3 vector engine handles 128-bit
computations in a single clock cycle, accelerating data manipulation by
simultaneously applying a single instruction to multiple data. And its
two execution cores are designed to share resources and conserve power,
helping it to achieve higher levels of performance since it uses fewer
watts.
Hard Drive and Memory
The 320 GB Serial-ATA
(SATA) hard drive (7200 RPM) quickens the pace with a higher speed
transfer of data--akin to FireWire and USB 2.0. The 2 GB of DDR3 RAM
(two SO-DIMMs of 1 GB) have an industry leading 1066 MHz speed, and the
RAM capacity can be increased to 8 GB.
Graphics and Video
The 20-inch widescreen TFT active-matrix LCD offers a resolution of
1680 by 1050 pixels. It has a brightness rating of 290 cd/m2 (candela
per square meter), a contrast ratio of 800:1, and a viewing angle of
160 degrees (both horizontal and vertical). The NVIDIA GeForce 9400M
shares 256 MB of DDR3 SDRAM with main memory. You'll notice the
difference when you work with high-resolution photos and
high-definition video, where graphics-intensive features in iPhoto and
iMovie are smoother. And 3D game play--from Spore to Call of Duty--is
faster and more responsive.
This iMac also enables you to
connect a second display in either extended desktop mode or video
mirroring mode. The Mini DisplayPort port offers support for DVI,
dual-link DVI, and VGA video connections via an optional adapter.
Wired and Wireless Connectivity
The iMac gives you plenty of room to grow, accommodating as many as six
peripherals at a time thanks to its four USB 2.0 ports and the two USB
2.0 ports on the Apple Keyboard. It also includes a single powered
FireWire 800 port (one of the fastest peripheral standards
available)--enabling you to quickly transfer content from compatible
digital video cameras, hard drives, and other high-speed devices.
Share files around your house with built-in 10/100/1000BASE-T Ethernet
as well as the next-generation high-speed wireless 802.11n technology,
which is integrated into the latest Apple Airport Extreme Base Station.
The iMac is also Wi-Fi Certified to work with base stations and routers
that use industry-standard 802.11a, 802.11b, or 802.11g wireless
technologies.
You get a full complement of ports on the back of the iMac, including four USB 2.0 and one Firewire 800. |
The integrated Bluetooth wireless connectivity--version 2.1 + Enhanced
Data Rate (EDR)--allows you to use a wireless keyboard or mouse, and
synchronize peripherals such as cell phones and PDAs. Enjoy
high-quality sound on almost any speaker system with double-duty
analog/digital audio. Record digital and analog sources through audio
line in, perfect for your latest podcast in GarageBand.
SuperDrive
Integrated neatly into the iMac is a slot-loading SuperDrive that lets
you play and burn your own CDs and DVDs--including double-layer DVDs.
And there's no disc tray--just slide the disc right in. It offers the
following speeds:
- Writes DVD+R DL and DVD-R DL discs at up to 4x speed
- Writes DVD-R and DVD+R discs at up to 8x speed
- Writes DVD-RW at up to 6x speed and DVD+RW discs at up to 8x speed
- Reads DVDs at up to 8x speed
- Writes CD-R discs at up to 24x speed
- Writes CD-RW discs at up to 16x speed
- Reads CDs at up to 24x speed
Other Features
- Built-in stereo speakers with internal 24-watt digital amplifier
- Simultaneously
supports full native resolution on the built-in display and up to a
30-inch display (2560 by 1600 pixels) on an external display
- Headphone/optical digital audio output (minijack)
- Audio line in/optical digital audio input (minijack)
- Built-in microphone
- Dimensions: 19.1 x 18.5 x 7.4 inches (WxHxD)
- Weight: 20 pounds
The Greenest iMac Yet
The energy-efficient hardware components in the iMac work hand in hand
with Mac OS X to create a system that can dynamically adjust power
consumption to reduce the energy used overall. The iMac uses an
advanced power management system leveraged from the technology that
makes the most of battery life in Apple's MacBook family. To reduce
energy consumption, the iMac hard drive spins down automatically when
inactive, and it also decides which processor--CPU or GPU--is best
suited to perform a task efficiently. That means when iMac is idle,
it's using as little power as possible. Apple engineers have
worked hard to eliminate many of the toxins that are a common part of
desktop computer manufacturing, such as choosing arsenic-free display
glass for iMac. They have also removed brominated flame retardants
(BFRs) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) from circuit boards, internal
cables, connectors, insulators, adhesives, and more. And the entire
iMac computer is integrated into an enclosure made from a single, solid
piece of recyclable aluminum, while the display is made of recyclable
glass.
The Mac mini meets the stringent low power requirements
set by the EPA, giving it ENERGY STAR certification. In addition, Mac
mini meets the latest efficiency requirements of ENERGY STAR Version
5.0 Specification for Computers before its July 2009 effective date. It
has also earned the highest rating of EPEAT Gold. The Electronic
Product Environmental Assessment Tool, or EPEAT, evaluates the
environmental impact of a product based on how recyclable it is, how
much energy it uses, and how it's designed and manufactured.
Preloaded
with Leopard, you'll enjoy enhanced productivity and a clutter-free
desktop (thanks to the the redesigned 3D Dock with Stacks). |
Preloaded with Leopard and iLife '09
The biggest Mac OS X upgrade ever, the Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard operating system features over 300 new features, including:
- Time Machine, an effortless way to automatically back up everything on a Mac
- A redesigned Finder that lets users quickly browse and share files between multiple Macs
- Quick Look, a new way to instantly see files without opening an application
- Spaces, an intuitive new feature used to create groups of applications and instantly switch between them
- A brand new desktop with Stacks, a new way to easily access files from the Dock
- Major enhancements to Mail and iChat
Leopard's new desktop includes the redesigned 3D Dock with Stacks, a
new way to organize files for quick and easy access with just one
click. Leopard automatically places web, email and other downloads in a
Downloads stack to maintain a clutter-free desktop, and you can
instantly fan the contents of this and other Stacks into an elegant arc
right from the Dock. The updated Finder includes Cover Flow and a new
sidebar with a dramatically simplified way to search for, browse and
copy content from any PC or Mac on a local network. Time Machine
lets you easily back up all of the data on your Mac, find lost files
and even restore all of the software on their Mac. With just a
one-click setup, Time Machine automatically keeps an up-to-date copy of
everything on the Mac. In the event a file is lost, you can search back
through time to find deleted files, applications, photos and other
digital media and then instantly restore the file.
It also
comes with the iLife '09 suite of applications that make it easy to
live the digital life. Use iPhoto to share entire high-res photo albums
with anyone who's got an email address. Record your own songs and
podcasts with GarageBand. Break into indie filmmaking with iMovie and
iDVD. Then take all the stuff you made on your MacBook and share it on
the web in one click with iWeb.
Included Software
Mac OS X v10.5 Leopard (includes Time Machine, Quick Look, Spaces,
Spotlight, Dashboard, Mail, iChat, Safari, Address Book, QuickTime,
iCal, DVD Player, Photo Booth, Front Row, Xcode Developer Tools); iLife
'09 (includes iTunes, iPhoto, iMovie, iDVD, iWeb, GarageBand)
What's in the Box
iMac, Apple Keyboard, Mighty Mouse, cleaning cloth, power cord, install/restore DVDs, printed and electronic documentation
Customer Reviews
Simply Fantastic.
First of all, I am a software developer who primarily uses my home
computer for web development. I was previously struggling with a Dell
laptop that was running Windows XP, and gave me nothing but problems
from the beginning. Everything from the shoddy construction of the
computer itself, to the slow software bogged-down by antivirus software
made every task a chore. I was already in the market for a new desktop,
and was leaning towards an iMac. When the new lineup with the upgraded
RAM, hard drive, and nVidia graphics card was released, I decided the
time was right to upgrade.
I purchased the 24" 640GB/4GB iMac from Apple because I received a
substantial discount through my company, and one week later it arrived.
I was extrememly excited to open the box, and after doing so was not
disappointed. The computer comes packaged beautifully, and looks
awesome. Everything about the design and packaging exudes minimalism
and simplicity. I plugged in the keyboard, mouse, and power cord,
pushed the power button, and was off. The startup included a cool
animation followed by the typical registration/configuration screens.
About 5 minutes after pulling the computer out of the box, I was
exploring the massive desktop and checking my email. The software runs
smoothly, and everything loads instantaneously. The computer runs
silently, and restarting the computer takes about 15 seconds. The
keyboard is wafer-thin, and is not the most ergonomically-sound piece
of equipment I have seen, but it is still very nice, and the mouse is
the best I have used.
As a user who does more than just surf the net and check email, I
can say that there really is no comparison between my old computer and
this one- they are two different machines, and this one is just capable
of doing things that my old one wasn't. My old laptop actually had a
3GHz Intel P4 and 1GB of RAM, so we're not talking about a 386 here.
However the software and crappy hardware were a constant headache- I
actually had to solder together several wires in the motherboard due to
a widely reported design flaw which Dell would not fix. They actually
suggested that I mail the laptop in for $200 so they could diagnose the
problem. That one episode is why I will NEVER consider a Dell again.
They build crap and don't stand behind their products. Due to a virus,
I had to wipe my hard drive clean and reinstall Windows, losing about
two years worth of files in the process. I am with Apple for the long
haul.
So to summarize, if you are on the fence about this computer, and
don't care to wait for Snow Leopard to be released, get this computer-
there will be no buyer's remorse. Also, definitely opt for the 24"
model- the screen is enormous, and the display is just gorgeous. One
suggestion- Apple packages the new iMac's with a keyboard with NO
numberpad. If purchasing from Apple you can opt for the full keyboard
for no extra charge. Since Amazon typically sells these at a
substantial discount from the Apple store (and with no tax), it is
probably worth just dealing with the shipped keyboard (since I don't
think Amazon allows any customization). You can always use another USB
keyboard, but the Mighty Mouse has a cord that is about 6 inches long,
so it is really designed to plug into the keyboard, so if you are
subbing in a different keyboard and want to use the Mighty Mouse, you
will probably have to have a USB port on the keyboard.
Incredibile!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I just recently purchased this wonderful piece of engineering and I
am very impressed with it. I have always been a user of Windows based
machines but I am currently learning programming and have branched out
to Linux based laptops in my studies. Sadly, the past five years I have
only used laptops because of the size of my apartment, I just could not
fit a tower. Even more discouraging, the all in one Windows based
machines only have Vista. I was actually in the market for a Macbook
but when I saw the new iMac I was in love. It was the perfect size for
me to finally have a desktop after all these years. The screen,
resolution and colors are beautiful. Even from few feet away I can view
the screen clearly. It feels so good not to squint at a laptop screen.
It has been easy to adjust to this OS and I find the experience
painless. The feel of the keyboard is like no other; I was apprehensive
about the small size but typing is incredible and quiet. I did have an
issue regarding iTunes but the customer support was fantastic and they
resolved the issue better then I imagined. Compared to Windows based
machine one may find the power in the iMac to be less but keep in mind
Mac's are very efficient with resources. For example, the new iMac is
ready to go after a few seconds after startup. My mother's HP with 4gb
of ram, same speed processor and dedicated video graphics
memory-requires a few minute to boot up to a usable environment. I am
able to open application(s) in the Mac very quickly after startup. I am
very impressed and I can't wait to play around with Xcode and other
development options. In the end I highly recommend to anyone looking
for a solid system for home use. Power users may want to consider the
iMac with dedicated graphics. Just one last note upgrading the 2Gb RAM
to 4Gb is very easy and cost around $60.
Great home/media alternative, a review from a PC user - 4 1/2 stars
This review is intended mainly for PC users who are new to the Mac.
I'm not a huge computer person, I've always had PCs, and frankly I've
always thought Macs were for hippies with ponytails. I pretty much have
to use a PC for my job functions, but over the last few years I've been
underwhelmed by both my home and work desktop (both dells) and my home
notebook (HP). I'm fed up with the windows BS - freezing for no reason,
slowing down for no reason, taking forever to shutdown/startup,
constantly nagging to update virus software etc. I'm ok putting up with
this for my work PC, but when it was time to replace my home desktop I
decided to take a look at the Mac. I'm glad I did. I went with the
2.66ghz iMac with 24" monitor and 640gig HD.
First Impressions: Coming from a Dell, the iMac was pretty damn
impressive right out of the box. The single box was smaller than I
expected, and Amazon packed it pretty good (important because Amazon
has dropped the ball on this before on other items). The 24" screen is
HUGE and looks great. Setup is a breeze - it took much longer to
disconnect my PC than to set this up. Just plug it in, connect to
router, connect keyboard and you are ready. No, I don't miss the
gigantic bundle of wires that used to be next to my desk. I was
connected and playing around with this within 5 minutes of opening the
box.
Pros: Beautiful screen, fast, easy to get set up and start using.
The display is impressive compared to a windows PC. No dealing with
virus software nagging for updates. The Time Machine feature makes it
extremely easy to back up. Great overall design w/ few wires and nice
touches like 2 USB inputs on the keyboard, camera built into monitor
etc.
Cons: No Bluray player option (why not?). No numeric pad on
keyboard (but I can't knock them for this since it is an option if you
order from Apple's website). Built in speakers in monitor are pretty
weak for music (I'll upgrade). I do think the "it's so intuitive to
use" hype of Macs is a bit overhyped today - I think the user interface
on a windows machine is just as intuitive, albeit much less visually
impressive.
Where to buy: I purchased this from Amazon and I'm glad I did, as I
saved about $150 vs. the Apple store. The downside to ordering on
Amazon is the apple store gives you a few choices (like a numeric pad
on the keyboard and wireless mouse) that Amazon does not. I initially
started to purchase this from the Apple website because I wanted the
numeric keypad, but as I was checking out I noticed they slapped me
with sales tax of about $100 - you normally don't pay sales tax when
you buy on the internet and the vendor is out of state. When I saw that
I immediately cancelled my order and purchased from Amazon (plus Amazon
was a bit cheaper to begin with in addition to no sales tax). Amazon
also shipped it to me faster (though I have Amazon Prime), and did a
good job packaging it. If you go w/ the apple store online, pay
attention to sales tax your results may vary depending on your state.
Bottom line: I'm glad I got this. It's a great alternative for a
home computer which I mostly use for internet and media purposes (I
won't be installing excel on this machine!). It is a bit pricey
compared to a PC, but it's worth it if you appreciate the impressive
design, nice asthetics, great monitor, and less headache vs. a PC.
