27-inch Quad Core iMac

Reports are beginning to come in on the 27-inch Quad Core iMac, and most are glowing -- as long as you are not on a strict budget. Benchmarking tests reveal this all-in-one computer to be a powerful performer in its base configuration, driven by a quad-core Intel i5 processor, and you can opt for an even more powerful Intel i7 processor along with more memory, bigger hard drives and other upgrades. One thing you can't upgrade is the ATI Radeon HD 4850 graphics card, which is a good midgrade graphics solution, but won't impress hard-core gamers. Image quality on the 27-inch display is called impressive, though some note that the screen is a bit prone to giving off glare and reflections. Like other Apple computers, upgrades over the base configuration can get very, very expensive.

Though they are a touch slower, Apple's dual core iMacs, such as a 27-inch version powered by a 3.06 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor (*Est. $1,700), still provide more than enough power for most everyday and business computing and are very worth considering instead if you are on a tighter budget. If you are looking for a Windows 7 all-in-one, the HP TouchSmart 600-1055 (*Est. $1,400) is a touch-capable PC with great multimedia features, including a Blu-ray drive -- something still not offered at all by Apple.

Reports have begun to accumulate on the 27-inch Quad Core iMac. The best is at Macworld, which provides a testing-backed review that compares the 27-inch Quad Core iMac to other Apple computers, including the latest Mac Pro models. Gizmodo.com covers much of the same ground, though in a more limited review. Likewise, BareFeats.com tests performance of the Quad Core iMacs and compares to other Mac computers. Eschewing presenting benchmarks, MacsimumNews.com provides a good hands-on evaluation.