Apple iMac MB950LL/A 21.5-Inch Desktop Review
November 9th, 2009
Apple iMac MB950LL/A 21.5-Inch Desktop Review from Paul C Huang Paul Huang. Worthy replacement for the 20″ AND the 24″, The trouble began when the aluminum-bodied 20″ iMac replaced the white polycarbonate 20″ iMac. Not only does it have a highly-reflective (albeit high-quality, very plane) glass, it has a TN screen that is 6-bit per channel. The TN screen found in the 20″ iMac was inferior to the IPS panel found in the 24″. Those who demand image quality had two choices: buy the 24″ iMac or buy the 20″, turn it toward the wall and make the wallpaper white so it lights up the user environment, and buy a quality IPS screen. This back-to-back solution may seem funny, but it does work. The TN screen displays different colors at different viewing angles (Unless the user moves his/her eyes directly over the pixel, the viewing angle variation relative to the pixel position causes the color to vary greatly.
The 21.5″ is a major leap forward, because the entry-level iMac has the same GHz rating as the old top-of-the-line model, has a new two-AA bluetooth keyboard, and a wireless mouse. These are the added value that used to be extra before, and the Magic Mouse wasn’t even available.
With the new 21.5″, the users no longer have to choose a larger screen simply for better image/color quality. The glass, however, continues to be highly reflective and uncoated (no anti-reflective coating, as you may find on camera lenses, MacBook Air, and even Audi TT’s speedometer/Tachometer).
Those who do not use the numeric keypad would definitely welcome the small-footprint wireless keyboard. It allows the user to bring the mouse closer to the keyboard and reduce wrist, forearm, and shoulder stress.
The Magic Mouse has finally done away with the problem-prone scroll ball found in the Mighty Mouse. I wish the top surface of this mouse were more matte/velvety than the glossy surface it is. The glossy surface is nothing more than cosmetic. Imagine if the trackpad on all the Mac portables turn glossy. I am sure there would be plenty of complaints. The glossy surface on the predecessor was OK because the fingers didn’t have to glide over the glossy surface. Although the glossy surface is not a problem for me, because I don’t use a mouse at all (Kensington Expert Mouse and WACOM, please), those with sweaty fingers would find it problematic.
Those familiar with the round iMac mouse will find this familiar: It’s symmetrical shape lets the user easily lose orientation, because there is not a cord attached to it. As a result, the user must look at the logo first to identify which direction is supposed to be pointing up.
The integrated nVidia 9400M is more than good enough for casual users. Those who may need 3D or gaming capabilities should choose the other models with independent video cards.
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Tags: Apple Imac, Audi Tt, Camera Lenses, Color Quality, Different Colors, Glossy Surface, Image Color, Inch Desktop, Line Model, Magic Mouse, Mighty Mouse, Numeric Keypad, Paul C, Paul Huang, Pixel Position, Reflective Coating, Two Choices, Wireless Keyboard, Wireless Mouse, Worthy Replacement
