Find The Right Desktops

Apple iMac (21.5-inch, 3.06Hz Intel Core 2 Duo, Nvidia GeForce 9400M, Fall 2009)

Despite its good looks and a few useful new features, Apple's new iMac is all about business. You can find a larger screen for less, not to mention all kinds of digital entertainment features, but no other all-in-one at this price can boast similar performance. If you need a modestly priced all-in-one for getting work done, we'd recommend no other system.

Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo (3.06 GHz), 4 GB DDR3 SDRAM, 500 GB Standard, NVIDIA GeForce 9400M, EPA Energy Star, Apple MacOS X 10.6, Personal computer

Apple iMac (27-inch, 3.06Hz Intel Core 2 Duo, ATI Radeon HD 4670, Fall 2009)

Apple's new 27-inch iMac will charm plenty of you with its screen size alone. Fortunately, that won't lead you astray. Behind its expansive display, Apple has packed one of the fastest all-in-ones available, and added a few useful extras to sweeten the deal. This iMac isn't perfect, but its positives far outweigh its negatives. We can think of few users to whom we wouldn't recommend this system.

Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo (3.06 GHz), 4 GB DDR3 SDRAM, 1 TB Standard, ATI Radeon HD 4670, EPA Energy Star, Apple MacOS X 10.6, Personal computer

Apple Mac Pro (Two 2.26GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon, Winter 2009)

Apple's new eight-core Mac Pro demonstrates marked improvements over the older model in high-intensity digital media and multitasking scenarios. We also love the design tweaks that improve on Apple's already industry-leading sensibilities. Any Apple-bound design professional would welcome this new tool in his or her arsenal.

Specs: Intel Xeon (2.26 GHz), 6 GB DDR3 SDRAM, 640 GB Standard, NVIDIA GeForce GT 120, EPA Energy Star, EPEAT Gold, Apple MacOS X 10.6, Personal computer

Apple iMac (20-inch, 2.66GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, Winter 2009)

A few other all-in-ones make this 20-inch iMac look expensive on a dollars-per-screen-inch basis, but none are as attractive or as capable juggling multiple programs. With a fast dual-core CPU and a strong array of features, Apple's updated all-in-one will slide seamlessly into a variety of roles at home or at work.

Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo (2.66 GHz), 2 GB DDR3 SDRAM, 320 GB Standard, NVIDIA GeForce 9400M, EPA Energy Star, EPEAT Gold, Apple MacOS X 10.5, Personal computer

Apple Mac Mini (2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 320GB, Winter 2009)

Apple's newest high-end Mac Mini maintains its small, stylish footprint, and as with the cheaper version, this $799 model has impressive multitasking capabilities. You'll like this desktop if juggling apps with attractive hardware is important to you, but you get much better all-around value in a Windows PC for the same price.

Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo (2 GHz), 2 GB DDR3 SDRAM, 320 GB Standard, NVIDIA GeForce 9400M, EPA Energy Star, EPEAT Gold, Apple MacOS X 10.5, Personal computer

Apple Mac Mini (2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 120GB, Winter 2009)

While we're still impressed with the Mac Mini's ability to pack so much into a tight package, Apple can't get away from its PC competitors that offer more features for less money. If saving space and the Mac OS are dominating factors, then the new Mac Minis are a viable option, but your dollar will stretch much further with a budget Windows desktop.

Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo (2 GHz), 1 GB DDR3 SDRAM, 120 GB Standard, NVIDIA GeForce 9400M, EPA Energy Star, EPEAT Gold, Apple MacOS X 10.5, Personal computer

Apple iMac (24-inch, 2.66GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, Winter 2009)

Apple made a number of changes to this $1,499 iMac, but making a 24-inch screen available at this price is the most impressive. The rest of the updates are welcome, and Apple's multitasking capability remains unmatched. Provided you like your all-in-ones best as straightforward desktop computers, the iMac will meet your expectations with speed and elegance.

Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo (2.66 GHz), 4 GB DDR3 SDRAM, 640 GB Standard, NVIDIA GeForce 9400M, EPA Energy Star, EPEAT Gold, Apple MacOS X 10.5, Personal computer

Apple iMac (20-inch, 2.4GHz)

Apple's smaller-scale iMac remains our favorite all-in-one. And while its looks, its ease of use, and its performance are all selling points, Windows PCs are starting to catch up (at least with the latter). A few components could also stand an update, but in general you'll find the 20-inch iMac a remarkable computer for its price.

Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo (2.4 GHz), 1 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 250 GB Standard, ATI Radeon HD 2400XT, EPA Energy Star, EPEAT Silver, Apple MacOS X 10.5, Personal computer

Apple iMac (20-inch, 2.66GHz)

The aluminum-and-glass look remains the same, but underneath Apple makes some small but meaningful updates to its all-in-one iMac.

Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo (2.66 GHz), 2 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 320 GB Standard, ATI Radeon HD 2600PRO, EPA Energy Star, EPEAT Silver, Apple MacOS X 10.5, Personal computer

Apple iMac (24-inch, 2.8GHz)

A slight bump to the specifications for the same price in addition to a much appreciated option to upgrade the graphics means the 24-inch iMac keeps the Editors' Choice it earned last year when the brushed-aluminum-and-glass design was first introduced.

Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo (2.8 GHz), 2 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 320 GB Standard, ATI Radeon HD 2600PRO, EPA Energy Star, EPEAT Silver, Apple MacOS X 10.5, Personal computer

Apple Mac Mini (2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo)

The Mac Mini remains unique as the smallest mainstream desktop, but competition from Dell and HP has narrowed the gap in features while also offering room for expansion, and at a better price. If your goal is saving space, the Mac Mini is a winner. If you'd rather get the best deal, there are better options.

Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo (2 GHz), 1 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 120 GB Standard, Intel GMA 950, EPA Energy Star, EPEAT Silver, Apple MacOS X 10.5, Personal computer

Apple iMac (20-inch, 2.4GHz, 1GB RAM)

With its super-elegant new design and a strong configuration, Apple's new iMac competes with the PC desktop market better than perhaps any previous Mac to date. Unless you're a gamer or an upgrade enthusiast, we can think of very few reasons not to make an iMac your next desktop.

Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo (2.4 GHz), 1 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 320 GB Standard, ATI Radeon HD 2600PRO, EPA Energy Star, Apple MacOS X 10.5, Personal computer

Apple iMac Core 2 Duo 3.06 GHz - 24" TFT

Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo (3.06 GHz), 4 GB DDR3 SDRAM, 640 GB Standard, NVIDIA GeForce GT 130, EPA Energy Star, Apple MacOS X 10.5, Personal computer

Apple iMac PowerPC G4 (800 MHz, 256 MB, 60 GB)

Specs: Motorola PowerPC G4 (800 MHz), 256 MB SDRAM, 60 GB Standard, NVIDIA GeForce2 MX, Apple MacOS X 10.1 / MacOS 9.2 Preinstalled, Personal computer

Apple iMac PPC G4 800 MHz - 15" TFT

Specs: Motorola PowerPC G4 (800 MHz), 256 MB SDRAM, 60 GB Standard, NVIDIA GeForce2 MX, EPA Energy Star, Apple MacOS X 10.1.1 / MacOS 9.2.2 Preinstalled, Personal computer

Apple Mac mini Core Duo 1.83 GHz

Specs: Intel Core Duo (1.83 GHz), 512 MB DDR2 SDRAM, 80 GB Standard, Intel GMA 950, EPA Energy Star, Apple MacOS X 10.4, Personal computer

Apple iMac PPC G3 233 MHz - 15" CRT

Specs: Motorola PowerPC G3 (233 MHz), 32 MB SDRAM, 4 GB Standard, ATI RAGE PRO, Apple MacOS 8.1, Personal computer

Apple Mac mini PPC G4 1.42 GHz

Specs: PowerPC G4 (1.42 GHz), 512 MB DDR SDRAM, 80 GB Standard, ATI Radeon 9200, EPA Energy Star, Apple MacOS X 10.4, Personal computer

Apple Mac mini SuperDrive - PPC G4 1.42 GHz

Specs: PowerPC G4 (1.42 GHz), 512 MB DDR SDRAM, 80 GB Standard, ATI Radeon 9200, EPA Energy Star, Apple MacOS X 10.4, Personal computer

Apple Mac Pro Dual-Core Xeon 5150 2.66 GHz

Specs: Intel Xeon Dual Core 5150 (2.66 GHz), 1 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 250 GB Standard, NVIDIA GeForce 7300 GT, EPA Energy Star, Apple MacOS X 10.5, Personal computer