In
our tests, the 2.7GHz 21.5-inch iMac’s Iris Pro graphics put in a mixed
performance. It ran Doom 3 at an impressive 172.8 frames per second compared to
the 2.9GHz model's 222fps, and its 3D rendering capabilities tested using
Cinebench's OpenGL benchmarks were also pretty close. When we tested the graphics
using the Unigine Heaven 4.0 benchmarking tool, however, it only managed 9.7
frames per second, compared to the 19.1fps in the more powerful machine. It was
a similar story using NovaBench; the Iris Pro iMac scored a mere 79, whereas
the model featuring the GeForce GT 750M discrete GPU achieved 246. In the real
world, this will make very little difference to your web surfing, emailing, and
word processing, but if you want to play games at higher resolutions, including
the native 1080p of the 21.5-inch iMac's screen, or do any other 3D work, we'd
say you're definitely better off paying extra for the costlier version.
The
27-inch IMac Back and Front
The
3.2GHz 27-inch iMac proved incrementally faster than the 2.9GHz 21.5-inch
model. Our Doom 3 frame rate benchmark took a modest step up to 232.6fps using
all four cores, and its Cinebench score was around 6 percent faster. Comparing
it to the similar model from as recent as the mid- 2010 upgrade, it was over
123 percent faster in the Cinebench multi-core CPU test, which goes to show how
much the iMacs have increased in power over the last few years.
The
iMacs have increased in power over the last few years
The
late-2013 refresh sees the iMac range go from strength to strength, with great
new processors, better graphics, and faster wireless networking when paired
with an 802.11ac-capable router such as Apple's own AirPort Extreme. The 3.2GHz
27-inch model reviewed here is definitely worth the extra dough, especially
since it's a bigger step up in value for the money compared to the previous
generation, and because its processor is no longer identical to that of the
more-expensive 21.5-inch model.
But
we question whether the cheaper 21.5-inch model is an ideal value for money.
Intel's new Iris Pro graphics are broadly an improvement over last year's
models, but still struggle slightly against the newer dedicated GPUs. It's
absolutely a very good computer in its own right, but if you're interested in
games or other graphics-intensive tasks, the upgraded 2.9GHz model with Nvidia
750M graphics is the way to go.
The
2013 iMacs offer a solid update to Apple's most popular desktop computer.
They're gorgeous to look at, and powerful, too.
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Details
·
Product: 27-INCH
iMac (LATE 2013) ·
Manufacturer:
Apple ·
Price: $1,799 ·
Specs: 3.2GHz
quad-core Intel Core i5, Nvidia GeForce GT 755M graphics with 1GB video
memory, 8GB 1600MHz DDR3 RAM, 1TB hard drive, FaceTime HD camera. SDXC card
slot, four USB 3.0 ports, two Thunderbolt ports. Mini DisplayPort output,
Gigabit Ethernet. 802.11ac Wi-Fi. IEEE 802.Ha/b/g/n compatible, Bluetooth
4.0, stereo speakers, dual microphones, headphone/optical digital audio
output, choice of Apple Wireless Keyboard or Apple Keyboard with Numeric Keypad,
choice of Apple Magic Mouse, Apple Mouse, or Magic Trackpad
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