Gift Tip 46: Ultimate Apple 27-inch iMac Intel Core i7

Dec 5 2009, 8:00pm CST | by Luigi Lugmayr

The Apple 27-inch iMac Core i7 is the biggest all-in-one computer Apple has ever offered, not to mention the fastest and most media-centric. It’s pretty much guaranteed to hypnotize anybody wandering into his or her local Apple Store. Sporting the latest in unibody design, the all-new iMac is forged out of a single piece of aluminum for stability and durability that is virtually unmatched by other computers. The iMac’s display is the best and brightest yet: 27 inches of glass that reaches from edge to edge, immersing you in the iMac experience.

Never before has the iMac line come so close to matching the Mac Pro in terms of power and features. The Apple 27-inch iMac Core i7 comes with a 2560 x 1440 16:9 display, 2.8GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 processor, 8MB shared L3 cache; Turbo Boost dynamic performance up to 3.46GHz; Hyper-Threading for up to eight virtual cores and 1TB hard drive (Optional 2TB hard drive). It comes with a blazing fast 4GB of DDR3 SDRAM and four SO-DIMM slots with support for up to 16GB. An ATI Radeon HD 4850 graphics processor with 512MB of GDDR3 memory can handle the latest in high-performance gaming and graphics.

The Apple 27-inch iMac Core i7 includes an integrated memory controller, which allows faster access to data stored in memory by connecting the memory controller directly to the processor, eliminating the middle man and significantly increasing memory bandwidth. Turbo Boost, a dynamic performance technology, automatically speeds up the cores in use when other cores aren't needed. The new iMac is the smartest and most powerful yet.
The Apple 27-inch iMac Core i7 provides built-in stereo speakers with two internal 17-watt high-efficiency amplifiers. It also includes a built-in microphone and support for the Apple Stereo Headset with microphone. Connectivity includes one FireWire 800 port, four USB 2.0 ports, and an SD card slot. It can communicate through the built-in AirPort Extreme 802.11n Wi-Fi wireless networking (IEEE 802.11a/b/g compatible), built-in Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR (Enhanced Data Rate) and built-in 10/100/1000BASE-T Gigabit Ethernet (RJ-45 connector). The 27-inch iMac Core i7 is built to handle anything.

Some say that 27-inches is too big, but I know it is just a matter of getting used to and then you are hooked. I currently work with a 26-inch Monitor and have a 19-inch as a 2nd display next to it. The first 2 days I got seasick looking at the 26-inch screen, but now I can't work on anything smaller. Therefore 27-inch just sounds very right to me.

Great Gift For
The Apple 27-inch iMac Core i7 is perfect for gamers, graphic artists, Mac lovers, and the home office.

Price and Where to Buy
The Apple 27-inch iMac Core i7 is starts at $2,199 on the Apple Store.

This gift tip is part of the I4U News Top 100 Holiday Gift Guide. Find many more tech gift recommendations across 10 categories and shopping tips here.

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Luigi Lugmayr
Luigi is the founding chief Editor of I4U News and brings over 15 years experience in the technology field to the ever evolving and exciting world of gadgets. He started I4U News back in 2000 and evolved it into vibrant technology magazine.
Luigi can be contacted directly at ml@i4u.com. Luigi posts regularly on LuigiMe.com about his experience running I4U.