We just compared these side-by-side:We decided to publish this news as it illustrates how the success of the iMac among Pro users can be a problem with Apple when Cupertino decides to use low-end components (such as LCD panel) in its customer-oriented hardware. Here, iMacs are being used in a Pro environment (medical imaging, MRI) including defined procedures, and not simply evaluated based the glare of the flashy display or he aluminum design. This information associated with the previous report about the low quality 20" LCD panel in the new iMac 20" make us suspecting that Apple is either having problems with some series or supply for components, or simply forgot that before being a nice device to watch, a computer is primary a working tool for most users.
1. The new iMac is significantly LESS bright at maximum setting than the older model, contrary to what I have seen written on the Web.
2. The ATI GPU in the new iMac is about 1/2 to 1/3 as fast as the NVIDIA GPU in the old iMac for volume rendering (tested with a 3D data set in OsiriX).
3. The glare from the new screen is a distraction for professionals in the medical and graphics industries. I sure looks handsome, though, and will likely attract PC converts.
4. The 2.8GHz processor speeds routine computing tasks by about 20%, as expected. We like this, but it does not make up for the shortcomings.
5. Overall, I am quite disappointed in the new iMac for my intended use---medical imaging.
We will keep following the story as it is still unknown if the new ATI drivers included in today's Mac Software Update 1.1 could significantly improve 3D rendering and GPU performance.
