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17-inch iMac Core 2 Duo/1.83GHz

The iMac plunges below the $1,000 threshold with this model, whose specs bear a strong resemblance to the 1.83GHz iMac Core Duo that Apple sells to education institutions. The main difference: this iMac is powered by the next-generation of dual-core Intel chips, the Core 2 Duo. Otherwise, this 17-inch model has many of the same features, including integrated Intel GMA 950 graphics that share RAM with the main memory and no built-in support for Bluetooth. It's also worth noting that memory on this model tops out at 2GB, as opposed to 3GB on the other Core 2 Duo iMac configurations. Apple's remote is a build-to-order option for this iMac.

 Reviewed Full Review

If you want a low-cost iMac to have around the house for everyday use, the 1.83GHz iMac is a nice system for the price (even factoring in a RAM upgrade from Apple). It also makes for an appealing system for many students, who can buy one for the same $899 price as the education iMac. However, the other iMac Core 2 Duo models out-perform this system.

Pros: Attractive price; good performance.

Cons: 2GB RAM limit; lack of free RAM slot makes for costlier memory upgrades; limited internal expansion options; missing some features of other models.

Basics

Reviewed Price: $999

Processor: 1.83GHz Intel Core 2 Duo

Information about this system on Apple's website

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Lab Tests

Speedmark 4.5 Score202
Cinema 4D XL 9.5.211:13
iMovie 6.0.21:02
iTunes 6.0.41:10
Photoshop CS22:17
Compressor3:07
Unreal Tournament 200421.7fps
Tested ConfigurationMac OS X 10.4.7, 1GB of RAM

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