Research for buying a Mac desktop computer was conducted with the goal of selecting the best Pro Mac and iMac desktop computers for both high end and everyday users.
Purchasing a Mac Desktop is a big investment, so making the right choice is crucial in your purchase. As you begin your search, review all features and specifications which come in Mac Desktops to get an idea what is available.
Then review the minimum recommended features to meet today’s computer requirements for audio/video/gaming. Next take a look at the top recommended Pro Mac and iMac Desktops.
Mac Desktop Features and Specifications
The following are the key available specifications you can find in Mac Desktops (see the next section for optimum specifications):
Processor – Power PC G3, Power PC G4, Core 2 Extreme Dual Core Xeon, and Core 2 Duo
Processor Speed – 450 MHz through 2.8 GHz
RAM – 128 MB through 4 GB
Hard Drive – 20 GB through 320 GB, 5200 and 7200 RPM
When deciding which Mac Desktop to purchase there are a few key optimum features and specifications which are recommended:
Processor – Core 2 Duo with 2 GHz speed or faster
RAM – 1GB and expandable
Hard Drive – 100 GB or greater at 7200 RPMs
Graphics Card – NIVIDIA or ATI
Optical Drive – CDs and DVDs Dual Layer
Wireless – Bluetooth capable
Operating System – Apple Mac OS 10.5 X Leopard
Best Mac Desktops
The current best Pro Mac (high end users) and iMac (everyday users) Wireless Desktops are:
Apple Pro Mac MA356LL/A Desktop with Two 64 bit 2.66 GHz Dual-Core Intel Xeon Processors, 1 GB RAM expandable to 16 GB, 250 GB Hard Drive expandable to 2 TB, 16x SuperDrive, Apple Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard Operating System, NIVIDIA GeForce 7300 GT, 2 FireWire 800 and 2 FireWire 400 ports, 5 USB 2.0 and 2 USB 1.1 ports, and more. Monitor sold separately.
Apple iMac MA878LL Desktop with Core 2 Duo Processor, 2.4 GHz Processor Speed, 1 GB RAM, 24 inch Display, CD/DVD Optical Dual Layer Drive, 1 FireWire 800 and 1 FireWire 400 ports, 3 USB 2.0 Ports, and Apple Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard Operating System
Buying a Mac Desktop
Once you have narrowed your Mac Desktop choice, visit a store check for the following:
Keyboard – not all keyboards are created equal, make sure the one you want is comfortable
Review Rating – check the reviews given by current owners
Inputs – check the amount and type of inputs which are compatible with any other computer peripherals you may want to connect to the desktop.
Outputs – check the amount and type of outputs the desktop has for connecting to peripherals you have to ensure compatibility, such as: printers, external monitors, etc
Footprint – Pro Macs have a larger footprint that iMacs
Noise – Pro Macs are noisier than iMacs
Expansion – Only Pro Macs provide expansion capability
High End Users – Pro Mac better for HD video, graphics building, and top end games
Selecting the best Mac desktop is a matter of preference and purpose; however following the recommended guidelines above will make the selection easier. Other factors not mentioned above which need consideration are accessories, all-in-one printers, software, and compatibility with MS Windows.
The copyright of the article Mac Desktop Computers: Selecting the Best Model in Mac Hardware is owned by David R. Wetzel. Permission to republish Mac Desktop Computers: Selecting the Best Model in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
