iMac 21.5" Teardown Reveals...

[TheStu]

Aliens!

Ok, not aliens, but it does show that the RAM and the CPU are removable, which makes it much more interesting assuming you can get a better CPU in the same thermal envelope for not too much money. Of course that absolutely violates the warranty since opening the iMac is not exactly something that they expect the user to do.

 

[Eug]

1. Usually the CPU speed is not a big concern these days.
2. What about the CPU temp monitoring. Is that built into the package?
3. It's lame that memory is not (usually) user upgradable.

 

[Atty]

1. Usually the CPU speed is not a big concern these days.
2. What about the CPU temp monitoring. Is that built into the package?
3. It's lame that memory is not (usually) user upgradable.

The memory is on the 27''. In my experience you could monitor CPU temps from various programs, I used one for my 15'' for a while, do not anymore.

 

[mmntech]

iFixit says the display is glued in place, instead of using magnets like the old models. Huge letdown. You win some, you loose some. At least the CPU, HDD, and RAM can all be replaced. You just need a heatgun to get at them.
http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/iMac+Intel+21.5-Inch+EMC+2544+Teardown/11936/1

Dell looks like they've got a nice iMac alternative now with the XPS One. Similar specs, much cheaper, touch screen option available. Supposedly noisy though. All-in-ones just have too many compromises.

 

[TheStu]

iFixit says the display is glued in place, instead of using magnets like the old models. Huge letdown. You win some, you loose some. At least the CPU, HDD, and RAM can all be replaced. You just need a heatgun to get at them.
http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/iMac+Intel+21.5-Inch+EMC+2544+Teardown/11936/1

Dell looks like they've got a nice iMac alternative now with the XPS One. Similar specs, much cheaper, touch screen option available. Supposedly noisy though. All-in-ones just have too many compromises.

Apple already told us that the LCD is laminated to the glass.

 

[Syrome]

I just went into the Apple store to play around with the new iMac and I must say it is quite impressive. I still believe that the Retina Macbook Pro is just a better buy due to the screen. I mean the iMac is a great desktop, but if you max out the settings, its around $2,600 which is about the same price as the upgraded rMBP. The screen, all SSD, and portability in my opinion suffices that the rMBP is just a better product for the same money. Even with that being said, the new iMac is a great machine and you really cant go wrong with it.

 

[dagamer34]

I just went into the Apple store to play around with the new iMac and I must say it is quite impressive. I still believe that the Retina Macbook Pro is just a better buy due to the screen. I mean the iMac is a great desktop, but if you max out the settings, its around $2,600 which is about the same price as the upgraded rMBP. The screen, all SSD, and portability in my opinion suffices that the rMBP is just a better product for the same money. Even with that being said, the new iMac is a great machine and you really cant go wrong with it.

Yeah, I wouldn't buy an iMac until it got a high DPI screen. We all know it's coming...

 

[Syrome]

Yeah, I wouldn't buy an iMac until it got a high DPI screen. We all know it's coming...

I wouldn't expect a Retina level iMac for at least 1 year most likely 2. I believe the customer base for the iMac as it is right now is good enough. But I would expect Apple to bring the Retina display to its iMac platform since its pretty clear Apple is very committed to the Retina Display.

 

[Subyman]

A retina desktop display isn't nearly as important as it was on mobile devices. The 27" already has a good PPI compared to other monitors. A typical 24" 1080p monitor is around 92 compared to the 109 of the iMac's. Considering that the iPad is meant to be used at around 1-2ft and a 27" monitor is used at 3-4ft, the PPI is right in line with what it should be.

I'd rather not tax the GPU 2x more while just surfing the net, especially when I typically sit 4ft away. Just my opinion of course.