14 DAY TRIAL // CNET has reviewed the new iMac Core Duo (20-inch, 2.0GHz) and has given it a score of 7 out of 10, which in their own words translates to: "While the strengths of a product scoring in this range certainly outweigh its weaknesses, it has some minor faults that certain users should be aware of."
To find out why the iMac received this score, one needs to take a close look at the review?
"Our Mac tests focus exclusively on multimedia performance, so for less-demanding programs such as Microsoft Office, the nonnative performance picture might not be as dire. But if you want to run Photoshop or a nonnative video-editing program such as Sorenson Squeeze, we highly recommend you wait until the software catches up before purchasing a new iMac Core Duo."
For one thing, it is unclear why the CNET Mac test focus exclusively on multimedia performance. The iMac is an entry level computer, intended as a home personal computer to be used for everyday tasks. It is in no way intended to be a professional computer to be used for high-end work. This is something apparently missed by the reviewer since both Photoshop CS and Sorenson Squeeze are high end applications. A simple Google search for anyone who has never heard of these programs reveals that Photoshop CS can be acquired for $449.35 while Sorenson Squeeze ranges comes for $449.00 or $799.00 depending on whether you want the 'Regular' compression suite or the 'Power Pack'. That's software that adds up to half the cost of the computer itself, and by no means is it software to be used for heavy duty work on an entry level computer. A photo script that takes 3 minutes and 36 seconds is also not really in the home-user range of using the software.
At no point did Apple intend the new iMac to replace the Quad G5 PowerMac, maybe the reviewer was a little confused. The review focusing "exclusively on multimedia performance" is a huge bias in itself. This is a home computer, intended to be used for everyday tasks. The fact that the review tests the performance of high end applications takes this bias one step further.