Apple ’s consumer desktop lines were latterly updated and include faster processors , gravid hard drives , and novel graphics poster — not to mention a zippy new operating system . Macworld Lab tested the entire new batting order and the outcome are in — not surprisingly , the new auto top their forerunner .
First , the iMac : Apple announced an upgrade earlier this calendar month that give the top - of - the - line iMac a 2.0GHz G5 processor . In improver to the faster CPU , the update also added faster graphics with the ATI Radeon 9600 graphics CPU with 128 Bachelor of Medicine video computer memory , a new 8X SuperDrive with doubled - layer support , and 512 M of memory across the strain .
Here ’s how those modification affect the iMac ’s carrying into action , using an older 20 - inch , 1.8GHz iMac G5 and a unmarried - C.P.U. 1.8GHz Power Mac G5 as our credit systems .
iMac Benchmarks
good result inbold . Reference system initalics .
Speedmark 4 scores are relative to those of a 1.25GHz Mac mini , which is assigned a score of 100 . Photoshop , Cinema 4D , iMovie , and iTunes scores are in minutes : second . All systems were running Mac OS X 10.4 with 512 MB of RAM , with central processor operation set to Highest in the Energy Saver battery-acid in System Preferences . We converted 45 proceedings of AAC audio files to MP3 using iTunes ’ High Quality background . We used Unreal Tournament 2004 ’s Antalus Botmatch Average Frames Per 2nd score tested at a resolution of 1,024 - by-768 pixels at Maximum preferences . The Photoshop Suite trial is a set of 14 written labor using a 50 MB filing cabinet . Photoshop ’s computer memory was do to 70 percent and chronicle was set to Minimum . Go here for more information on Speedmark 4.—Macworld Lab testing by James Galbraith and Jerry Jung
With the help of degenerate processors in all but the entry - tier 1.8GHz 17 - inch iMac , it is no surprise that both 2.0GHz models out - perform the former top - of - the - line iMac . But with the help of the other inner melioration , the latest 17 - inch , 1.8GHz iMac also performed markedly better than last twelvemonth ’s model .
Apple announced update to the eMac line at the same time it unveil the revised iMacs . This rhythm of update bumped the eMac ’s processor to a 1.42GHz G4 buffalo chip and increased hard - campaign capacity for both the SuperDrive- and Combo Drive - outfit configuration . Both models now boast 512 MB of standard memory .
eMac Benchmarks
The two new 1.42GHz eMac G4s fare much better in our tests than their 1.25GHz G4 - power predecessor . However , the iMac turns in a much better execution than the eMac — not surprising given that it runs on a G5 silicon chip with a faster clock speed .
Look for more particular in a full Macworld review of both consumer desktop line soon . you could stay on top of the latest iMac and eMac news by visiting the Mac Desktops page .
