Tags: 300, home, imac, mini

Filter by keyword: 1.42 ghz, 1.67ghz, 1tb, 2.0 ghz, 24-inch, apple, beta, boot, buying, buying guide, camp, computer, core, core 2 duo, desktop, diy, duo, guide, intel, laptop, leopard, macbook, network storage, notebook, operating, os, os x, pc, storage, superdrive, system, time capsule, tips, xp, 2, 24

Desktop digest: 13 things you need to know to buy the perfect desktop

Despite the laptop gaining strength as the PC du jour in recent times, the desktop still has a place in the home. Here are our top 25 things to consider before buying or building your own desktop.

Apple iMac (24-inch, 2.8GHz)

A slight bump to the specifications for the same price, the option to upgrade the graphics means the 24-inch iMac keeps the Editors' Choice it earned last year.

See all

Reviews

  • Apple Time Capsule (1TB) Network Storage

    Apple's hybrid 802.11n wireless router/networked hard drive offers some powerful data backup features for Mac owners, but Windows users and those who demand speed from their 802.11n network will be disappointed.

  • Apple Mac Mini (2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo)

    The Mac Mini remains unique as the smallest mainstream desktop, but competition from Dell and HP has narrowed the gap in features while also offering room for expansion, and at a better price.

  • Apple MacBook (Core 2 Duo 2.0GHz, 13-inch, black)

    The new MacBook, updated to Intel's Core 2 Duo CPU, compares very favourably with Apple's high-end MacBook Pro line, offering premium performance at a reasonable price.

  • Apple iMac Core 2 Duo (24-inch, 2.16GHz)

    Other vendors might offer more flexible configurations and better deals on components, and the specter of HD video looms darkly, but the 24-inch iMac's sprawling display and convincingly capable features should set most people's minds at ease.

  • Apple Boot Camp (beta)

    Apple gives the people what they want: Windows on Macs. Geeks proved it could be done through a variety of complicated hacks and now Apple makes it a breeze with a free download. We take Boot Camp for a test run.

  • Apple Mac Mini Core Duo

    Apple packs more media-specific features into the Mac Mini to make an inexpensive and useful entertainment-room computer. It's tremendously easy to use, although it surprised us with poor image processing.

  • Apple SuperDrive Mac Mini (1.42 GHz)

    The Apple SuperDrive Mac Mini addresses some of the shortcomings of its AU$799 predecessor, making it a well-rounded home PC at its base configuration.

Next »
See all

DIYs and How-to

  • DIY: Desktop buying guide

    What you need to know -- from finding the type of PC that fits your lifestyle to catching up on all of the latest trends.

Next »

The Explain Series