New $1,099 21.5-Inch iMac Teardown

Lunas said:
http://www.amazon.com/Lenovo-IdeaPa...&ie=UTF8&qid=1403497928&sr=1-3#productDetails
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resolution sucks, you're 2 gigs under the iMac's 8.
http://www.amazon.com/HP-14-2050SE-...ref=sr_1_2?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1403498388&sr=1-2
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another suck resolution and missing 2 gigs of memory.
http://www.amazon.com/Lenovo-IdeaPa...f=sr_1_38?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1403498507&sr=1-38
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1366 x 768 is bad, ummmkay?
http://www.amazon.com/Toshiba-Satel...ref=sr_1_1?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1403498770&sr=1-1
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http://www.amazon.com/Acer-Aspire-E...pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1403498836&sr=1-8&keywords=a10
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worst by far.
http://www.amazon.com/Acer-Aspire-V...pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1403499000&sr=1-3&keywords=a10
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lol
throw a dart at walmart you will hit one with similar performance above i posted a list of better ones
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notwithstanding the fact that you seem glued to the idea that some *walmart* laptop is comparable to an imac (they aren't), they also aren't the same type of device. :rolleyes:
 
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rflcptr said:
notwithstanding the fact that you seem glued to the idea that some *walmart* laptop is comparable to an imac (they aren't), they also aren't the same type of device. :rolleyes:
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That's not what he said at all; he was pointing out that the iMac internals are essentially cheap laptop specs, yet its selling for over a grand.
 
Ducman69 said:
That's not what he said at all; he was pointing out that the iMac internals are essentially cheap laptop specs, yet its selling for over a grand.
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a) the total system isn't a spec-sheet
b) obviously there's more to the *system* than a subset of its internals
 
When you compare these iMacs to current PC all-in-ones, the iMacs fall in the middle in terms of pricing for what they are. You can go lower on the specs on the PC side for less money or higher for more money. But there are some PC models that will beat iMacs with lower pricing and better hardware specs.
 
Aluisious said:
c) All that Kool Aid isn't free.
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originality seems to be at a premium, too. :eek:
heatlesssun said:
When you compare these iMacs to current PC all-in-ones, the iMacs fall in the middle in terms of pricing for what they are. You can go lower on the specs on the PC side for less money or higher for more money. But there are some PC models that will beat iMacs with lower pricing and better hardware specs.
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my bet on these models is that the comparison still isn't *that* clear-cut.
 
rflcptr said:
my bet on these models is that the comparison still isn't *that* clear-cut.
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It's not clear cut at all. There's just so many options and price points with PC all-in-ones that's it extremely difficult to make comparisons to the much more limited iMac lineup. In the PC world we now have battery powered all-in-ones and most come with touch screens these days. There are even ChromeOS and Android all-in-one options now. As I said before, for the most part iMacs fall in line with PC all-in-ones hardware wise at the same price but if you look around you can find models that come in with better specs for equivalent or less money.
 
heatlesssun said:
...but if you look around you can find models that come in with better specs for equivalent or less money.
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that's my question: which ones and did they compromise on hardware (ie, IPS vs TN panel, for example)?
 
rflcptr said:
that's my question: which ones and did they compromise on hardware (ie, IPS vs TN panel, for example)?
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http://www.amazon.com/Lenovo-IdeaCe...psdc2_t2_B00HLVTBWY_B00HLVTBUG#productDetails

No Thunderbolt, heavier, thicker and not as stylish but $50 cheaper for better computer hardware with user serviceable memory, hard and optical drives with a 23" 1080P IPS touchscreen. I understand that Apple has a great reputation for support which I know this unit won't match so that's a consideration in favor of the iMac. But the iMac line these days is pretty average for all-in-ones.
 
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I was about to say there is usually tradeoffs these days but the AIO's are fairly comparable now.

Also not all TN panels suck :)
 
It's a Mac...why on Earth after tearing it down would you ever want to put it back together again???
 
An overpriced Apple machine? I'm shocked. It would be nice if Apple built a moderate system in the Mac Pro trash can case. The mac mini is the only Apple system that seems to be worth it these days and its back up to $599 (they were 499 last fall IIRC) with lots of competition from the NUC type machines.
 
Aluisious said:
c) All that Kool Aid isn't free.
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I'm pretty sure he could find Kool Aid cheaper (and just as refreshing) if he was willing to buy it somewhere else...

5mKEQz7.jpg
 
rflcptr said:
resolution sucks, you're 2 gigs under the iMac's 8.

another suck resolution and missing 2 gigs of memory.

1366 x 768 is bad, ummmkay?



worst by far.

lol

notwithstanding the fact that you seem glued to the idea that some *walmart* laptop is comparable to an imac (they aren't), they also aren't the same type of device. :rolleyes:
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So the on board screen is the issue attach any display you want issue solved also unlike the mac those laptops I can upgrade the ram.

You can buy the mac book in your sig for less than the base price of the base imac...

All I am saying is that if I'm gonna pay 1100 for a computer it is going to out preform anything I could buy at Walmart. But I guess that's why I don't own a mac I like performance over how thin and useless a device could be.
 
This is for the baby boomers who were bought an iPad by their kids.
 
rflcptr said:
six hours to reply and another kool-aid reference, haha.

seinfeld.gif
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You're awfully touchy about your "system as a whole" nonsense. It's an Ultrabook with iOS. Get over it, or at least post points that aren't vapid marketing garbage.
 
THRESHIN said:
so whats the actual hardware cost i wonder? $400?
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Ask Intel how much it costs in hardware to make a $280 i7 4770. Ask Microsoft how much it costs to manufacture that $100 Microsoft 8 disc. Maybe....there's more to it then just manufacturing costs..... :rolleyes:
 
Aluisious said:
You're awfully touchy about your "system as a whole" nonsense. It's an Ultrabook with iOS. Get over it, or at least post points that aren't vapid marketing garbage.
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lmao. "Get over it" tough-speak. :D I'd take a system with seamless usability and quality over "but the extra megahertz!!!11" any day.
 
SGA76 said:
Every time you buy Apple, a Foxconn intern is sacrificed and their soul consumed to appease the spirit of Steve Jobs.
Please...
Think about the interns......
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Intern? Aren't they cattle?
 
Ranulfo said:
An overpriced Apple machine? I'm shocked. It would be nice if Apple built a moderate system in the Mac Pro trash can case. The mac mini is the only Apple system that seems to be worth it these days and its back up to $599 (they were 499 last fall IIRC) with lots of competition from the NUC type machines.
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I don't think the late 2012 Mac Mini was ever $499 unless you were looking at refurbs. The Mac Mini is the Big CPU In A Tiny Box model, and it's really clear that its refresh has been severely delayed by Intel completely blowing up its Broadwell 4-core CPU schedule from late 2013 to who knows what quarter of 2015.
 
Reimu said:
Intern? Aren't they cattle?
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May as well be.
Makes me wonder though, if there's like 50 guys to every 1 girl over there, where are we going to get all of our cheap labor as they start dying off?
And really, if they're never going to be with a woman, isn't it kind of humane to put them down?:D
 
Apple creates "luxury" products, there are plenty of other options for half the price that at the end of the day do the same damn thing. You can buy a Honda Civic and get from point A to B or you can buy a Audi and do the same thing. Use to be only the wealthy could afford luxury and what Apple has done is made people feel that no matter their status or ability they have to have their products. The only thing that impresses me about Apple products is that they are so locked down that they are the Fisher Price of electronics and in general they have really good standby battery time and above average battery usage time.

*I don't own any Apple products, I am too financially responsible, luxury is a weakness.
 
rflcptr said:
resolution sucks, you're 2 gigs under the iMac's 8.

another suck resolution and missing 2 gigs of memory.

1366 x 768 is bad, ummmkay?

worst by far.

lol

notwithstanding the fact that you seem glued to the idea that some *walmart* laptop is comparable to an imac (they aren't), they also aren't the same type of device. :rolleyes:
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LXMtGTa.png


I didn't even really price shop so you could likely bring it down another $30-50, but as it is it leaves about $140 which is more than enough for a windows license, making the cost slightly cheaper than the iMac. The NUC mounts using VESA onto the back of the monitor, providing a DIY all in one if that is what you are after.

The above unit overall trounces that iMac, comparable CPU (1.3/2.6 turbo vs 1.4/2.7 turbo), double the ram, SSD instead of a 5400 rpm hard drive lol, bigger and better display, etc.

The iMac is overpriced compared to what you can do yourself. Period.
 
a Windows license places it at $1100, and you forgot a keyboard and mouse, at least. since assembly and setup requires time (you'll also have to find a flash/optical drive to get Windows installed), that's something of a disadvantage. I'll give it to you that it, on paper, is a comparable machine, but your evidence doesn't match your conclusion. :eek:
 
If it was a reasonable price, I could see this being okay for some people. At this price though..If you're stupid enough to buy it, then you deserve what you get.
 
canna said:
[IMGhttp://i.imgur.com/LXMtGTa.png[/IMG]

I didn't even really price shop so you could likely bring it down another $30-50, but as it is it leaves about $140 which is more than enough for a windows license, making the cost slightly cheaper than the iMac. The NUC mounts using VESA onto the back of the monitor, providing a DIY all in one if that is what you are after.

The above unit overall trounces that iMac, comparable CPU (1.3/2.6 turbo vs 1.4/2.7 turbo), double the ram, SSD instead of a 5400 rpm hard drive lol, bigger and better display, etc.

The iMac is overpriced compared to what you can do yourself. Period.
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They have nuc units with better cpu I was looking into the benches of the one in the imac there are i3 cpu that out preform it.

My biggest hangup is that for 1100 I could buy a pre made system with a faster cpu and still had money left to get a monitor that beats it. It should have been an i7 or at least a much faster i5 for that much I'll ignore the ram even though it would not have been that big of a deal to put an empty slot in the system in addition so that a second 8 gig could be added.
 
That is the highest end NUC, there is another version of this model that includes room for a 2.5" drive.

If you are talking about the BRiX that uses the 4770R, then yes it is much more powerful, it is also much louder :D but you get the trade off of getting the Iris Pro.

Canna's comparison is fair, the only real advantage the iMac has to that is that it is all in one, less cables and aesthetics.

With the NUC units that holds a 2.5" drive you could easily clone a windows ISO on it, as far as flashing from a USB drive I don't know, haven't done it since XP SP2 and it wasn't fun then.
 
Doesn't make financial sense to attach a monitor to a non-upgradable disposable computer. You can get a much better small form factor system with larger external display for less.
 
Sounds like half the people commenting here have no idea what an iMac even is.

This is an all in one computer.
 
Lunas said:
Just who do you think the target demo for this pos is? It doesnt have enough for what the typical mac user uses it for. It only really has no purpose in the home it has a purpose for the elitist office worker to use for spreadsheets and secretarial work but if i was an IT manager and i got an order in for a imac i would first make sure the revenue dept approved such a frivolous request then i would reject the order for this thing then order last years model for less.
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I think that's overstatement. I'm not sure about the 2 Cores, but 8GB is not a limitation for most users. I've FF open using 1GB. 2 Instances of LR (4 and 5.5) 2.8GB and several IE instances for about 1.2GB. There's other stuff, but those are the big hitters.

How many that don't work on Video, Photos or game heavily (assuming games need more than 8GB) are using more than 8GB? Honestly, I use more ram at work with DB Tools, Browsers, SoapUI and so on than I would ever use at home if I wasn't running PS and/or LR.

I don't like the fact that one has to toss out a monitor to upgrade a desktop machine, but I'm not convinced that iMac users need more.
 
Lunas said:
They have nuc units with better cpu I was looking into the benches of the one in the imac there are i3 cpu that out preform it.

My biggest hangup is that for 1100 I could buy a pre made system with a faster cpu and still had money left to get a monitor that beats it. It should have been an i7 or at least a much faster i5 for that much I'll ignore the ram even though it would not have been that big of a deal to put an empty slot in the system in addition so that a second 8 gig could be added.
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The other bonus is that after warranty ran out or three years you wouldn't have to toss it in landfill.
 
Trimlock said:
With the NUC units that holds a 2.5" drive you could easily clone a windows ISO on it, as far as flashing from a USB drive I don't know, haven't done it since XP SP2 and it wasn't fun then.
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Nothing is simpler than installing Windows 7 from a USB stick. Windows XP was never designed to be installed from USB, which is why you needed a packaged version (which was also widely available if you're tech savvy).

A true "Apples" to apples comparison would be only if you can find a big-box manufacturer all-in-one or at least tiny form factor device like this that is better for the money and just needs to be powered on nothing more.

There are plenty of tech-tards that have difficulty figuring out all the functionality of their car's keyfob, yet alone a computer, and for them an all-in-one turn key ready to go box like the iMac may have value. Not to say that all Mac users are dumb, as they might be brain surgeons, it just means they don't know anything about computers.
 
I dunno, the only thing I don't like about it is the video card. If it had a GTX760 equivalent, then $1200 for that machine would be reasonable to me.
 
Ducman69 said:
Nothing is simpler than installing Windows 7 from a USB stick. Windows XP was never designed to be installed from USB, which is why you needed a packaged version (which was also widely available if you're tech savvy).

A true "Apples" to apples comparison would be only if you can find a big-box manufacturer all-in-one or at least tiny form factor device like this that is better for the money and just needs to be powered on nothing more.

There are plenty of tech-tards that have difficulty figuring out all the functionality of their car's keyfob, yet alone a computer, and for them an all-in-one turn key ready to go box like the iMac may have value. Not to say that all Mac users are dumb, as they might be brain surgeons, it just means they don't know anything about computers.
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Well, I did have the package installer for the win xp installs but I didn't have to use it much (thank god).

Wasn't aware that Win7 was so easy to install from USB. I will have to buy another USB stick and put my ISO's on there just to have it around.
 
Ducman69 said:
There are plenty of tech-tards that have difficulty figuring out all the functionality of their car's keyfob, yet alone a computer, and for them an all-in-one turn key ready to go box like the iMac may have value. Not to say that all Mac users are dumb, as they might be brain surgeons, it just means they don't know anything about computers.
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This simply isn't true. I've worked with many s/w and system engineers that that prefer Macs. I'm not one of them, but claiming they know nothing about computers is ignorant. They tried both and decided the Mac was better. I don't think it's generally worth the price, but they do and in most cases, they could easily build a computer from scratch.
 
I have several cousins that converted from Window to Macs because...
iPhones and iPads.
They want the all in one ecosystem that effortlessly links everything they do on their phones, computers and tablets and are willing to pay extra for that experience.
 
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