14 DAY TRIAL // Here’s a cool iMac clone created (where else if not the land of all knock offs) in China and selling for $300 American (around 226 EUR). Too good to be true? Actually, no. It is true, but it’s not good at all.
Developed and created by Shanzhaiben in Shenzhen City (not Apple Inc. in Cupertino, CA) the all-in-one desktop system pictured above generates somewhat of a mixed feeling, mainly because it’s cheap enough to rival all similar solutions out there (save for the Apple iMac, of course), but such a huge rip-off that you can’t in good faith purchase it knowing what the real iMac looks like.
Of course, if you don’t know what a real iMac looks like, then you’re good to go. It also boasts some decent specs:
Configuration: Intel D525, processor, dual-core, four threads, clocked at 1.8GHz, 4GB DDR3 memory, 500G hard drive, 18.4-inch HD LED screen resolution of 1920 * 1080, built-in stereo speakers, support for Bluetooth, Wifi, 1.3 million pixel camera, product size 54 * 20 * 45, weight 9.3kg. Highly recyclable aluminum and glass enclosure to comply with the ENERGY STAR Energy Star 5.2 standard, EPEAT Gold Gold certification.
The creators mention the following benefits (Google translate): “streamline design, clean lines, with magnesium alloy material, the appearance can be comparable to Apple's iMac, excellent quality.”
The main advantage of using this 18.4-inch iMac-styled one is that it’s not messy, according to its creators. The magnesium alloy enclosure hosts everything in a “small size, space-saving, simple layout [which is] easy to manage.”
“[The] design is also quite good,” adds Shanzhaiben.
The system offers what Shanzhaiben calls a “strong iMac atmosphere, with a white mouse and keyboard set” and a 21.5-inch screen border, despite a smaller LCD display. Even the mouse is a knockoff (Magic Mouse).
It has a bunch of useful ports on the back, including numerous USBs, Ethernet, and three jack plugs for headphones and mic. Here it is, in case you’re interested.
