Apple Mac Pro MA970LL/A Desktop (Two 2.8GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon Processors, 2 GB RAM, 320 GB Hard Drive, 16x SuperDrive)

Boost your productivity with the Apple Mac Pro desktop PC--the fastest Mac Apple has ever made. Combining two of Intel's new 64-bit, 45-nanometer Quad-Core Xeon 5400 processors running at 2.8 GHz, the Mac Pro is an unbelievably powerful workstation that can handle even the most intensive graphics rendering. Its industrial-style enclosure offers improved functionality with a cable-free installation process and massive upgrade ability--up to 32 GB of 800 MHz RAM and four hard drive bays for up to 4 TB (that's right--terabytes) of storage under the hood. And while it comes standard with a 16x SuperDrive (compatible with burning DVD±R/RW and CD-R/RW discs), you can also add a second writing SuperDrive.

Technical Details :
* Two 2.8 GHz quad-core Intel Xeon processors with dual-independent 1600 MHz front side buses.
* 2 GB RAM expandable up to 32 GB, 320 GB hard drive, 16x Double-Layer SuperDrive.
* ATI Radeon HD 2600 XT 256MB (Two dual-link DVI).
* Two FireWire 800 ports, two FireWire 400 ports, five USB 2.0 ports, and two USB 2.0 ports on keyboard.
* Mac OS X v10.5 Leopard (includes Time Machine, Quick Look, Spaces, Spotlight, Dashboard, Mail, iChat, Safari, Address Book, QuickTime, iCal, DVD Player, Photo Booth, Front Row, Xcode Developer Tools), iLife '08 (includes iTunes, iPhoto, iMovie, iDVD, iWeb, and GarageBand).



Additionally, the Mac Pro MA970LL/A features a 320 GB hard drive, 2 GB of installed RAM, and the ATI Radeon HD 2600 XT (two dual-link DVI ports) graphics card with 256 MB of video RAM, both FireWire 400 and 800 slots, optical digital audio input and output, Mac OS X v10.5 Leopard, and iLife '08. The Mac Pro also includes a DVI to VGA adapter and an Apple keyboard and Mighty Mouse.
- Processor : Based on Intel's next-generation Core micro-architecture, the two 2.8 GHz 64-bit quad-core Intel Xeon 5400 processors are based on state-of-the-art 45nm Intel Core micro architecture.
- Graphics : This Mac Pro comes standard with the new, high-performance ATI Radeon HD 2600 XT graphics card with 256 MB of GDDR3 memory, PCI Express 2.0, and two dual-link DVI ports.
- Hard Drive : This Mac Pro (model MA970LL/A) comes loaded with a single 320 GB hard drive. It comes with four 3.5-inch internal hard drive bays for an enormous amount of internal storage--up to 4 TB.
- Memory : While this Mac Pro comes loaded with just 1 GB of 667 MHz DDR2 RAM--which is satisfactory--this Mac Pro has two memory riser cards with four fully buffered DIMM slots each.
- Expansion and Connectivity : The Mac Pro features four full-length expansion slots, including a high-performance PCI Express 2.0 graphics slot, with up to twice the bandwidth of PCI Express.

Apple iMac MB418LL/A 24-Inch Desktop

Speedier than ever with the latest Intel dual-core processor, the Apple iMac all-in-one desktop PC packs a complete, high-performance computer into its all-in-one design, sporting a sleek, professional aluminum enclosure that's joined precisely to a 24-inch glass cover to create a virtually seamless front surface. It's powered by a 2.66 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, which includes an amazingly fast 1066 MHz front-side bus speed and super-sized 6 MB L2 cache. This dual-core processor also provides an optimized, multithreaded architecture for improved multitasking, video, and gaming performance. And this iMac also gets a boost in video processing power from the NVIDIA GeForce 9400M integrated graphics chip with 256 MB of DDR3 SDRAM shared with main memory.

Technical Details :
* All-in-one Mac desktop with 24-inch glossy screen and sleek anodized aluminum enclosure.
* 2.66 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 640 GB hard drive, 4 GB RAM (8 GB max), 8x multi-format/dual-layer SuperDrive.
* Draft-N Wi-Fi (802.11b/g/n); Gigabit Ethernet; Bluetooth 2.1; NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics with 256 MB of shared memory.
* Four USB 2.0, one FireWire 800, Mini DisplayPort output (with optional adapters for DVI and VGA), audio line in/optical digital audio input.
* Pre-loaded with Mac OS X v10.5 Leopard and iLife '09; includes Apple Keyboard and Mighty Mouse.



HIGHLIGHTS :
- Power on a Pedestal : With its anodized aluminum frame set upon a sleek pedestal, the new iMac instantly transforms your workspace from cluttered desktop to brilliant display podium.
- Intel Core 2 Duo Processor : Experience faster, more nimble application performance and improved energy efficiency with this 2.66 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor.
- Hard Drive and Memory : The 640 GB Serial-ATA (SATA) hard drive (7200 RPM) quickens the pace with a higher speed transfer of data--akin to FireWire and USB 2.0. The 4 GB of DDR3 RAM (two SO-DIMMs of 2 GB) have an industry leading 1066 MHz speed, and the RAM capacity can be increased to 8 GB.
- Graphics and Video : The 24-inch widescreen TFT active-matrix LCD offers a resolution of 1920 by 1200 pixels. It has a brightness rating of 385 cd/m2 (candela per square meter), a contrast ratio of 750:1, and a viewing angle of 160 degrees (both horizontal and vertical).
- Wired and Wireless Connectivity : The iMac gives you plenty of room to grow, accommodating as many as six peripherals at a time thanks to its four USB 2.0 ports and the two USB 2.0 ports on the Apple Keyboard.
- SuperDrive : Integrated neatly into the iMac is a slot-loading SuperDrive that lets you play and burn your own CDs and DVDs--including double-layer DVDs. And there's no disc tray--just slide the disc right in.
- Built-in stereo speakers with internal 24-watt digital amplifier.
- Simultaneously supports full native resolution on the built-in display and up to a 30-inch display (2560 by 1600 pixels) on an external display.
- Headphone/optical digital audio output (minijack).
- Audio line in/optical digital audio input (minijack).
- Built-in microphone.

CUSTOMER FEEDBACK :
PROS:
Beautiful screen, fast, easy to get set up and start using. The display is impressive compared to a windows PC. No dealing with virus software nagging for updates. The Time Machine feature makes it extremely easy to back up. Great overall design w/ few wires and nice touches like 2 USB inputs on the keyboard, camera built into monitor etc.

CONS:
No Bluray player option. No numeric pad on keyboard.Built in speakers in monitor are pretty weak for music. I do think the "it's so intuitive to use" hype of Macs is a bit overhyped today - I think the user interface on a windows machine is just as intuitive, albeit much less visually impressive.

HP TouchSmart IQ816 All-in-One Desktop PC (2.1 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T8100 Processor, 4 GB RAM, 750 GB Hard Drive, Blu-ray Drive, Vista Premium) Black

HP Touchsmart IQ816 All-in-One PC. Touch-screen technology puts your digital life at your fingertips with fast, easy access to info, entertainment and social networks. Next generation HP TouchSmart software simplifies access to photos, videos, music and applications. Quick and easy touch access to your digital world. Sleek, next-generation design combines a 25.5 inch diagonal hi-def widescreen with a powerful energy efficient Intel Core 2 Duo processor. Plug one power cord into the wall and you¿re ready to go. Wireless keyboard and integrated WLAN offer a truly wireless experience. Low profile wireless keyboard stows away when not in use, freeing up valuable desk space. Colored HP Ambient Light lets you select a color lighting to set a mood, or see your keyboard in the dark. Sleek piano black design with elegant espresso side-panel highlights. Watch your favorite shows on the integrated 25.5 inch diagonal hi-def widescreen makes for amazing slideshows too. Enjoy high quality sound through the integrated premium stereo speakers. Watch and burn your personal videos with the built-in DVD burner. Add an additional hard drive, HP Pocket Media Drive, easily and without any tools. Next generation HP TouchSmart software brings a new level of fun to your photos, videos and music. The IQ816 ships with Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium with Service Pack 1, Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T8100, NVIDIA GeForce 9600 M GS HD graphics module with 512MB dedicated video memory and support for Blu-ray, and Microsoft DirectX 10, 4GB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM memory (2x2048MB), 750GB 7200RPM 3Gb/s Hard Drive (SATA), Slot-load Blu-ray player and SuperMulti DVD burner, and Wireless LAN (802.11b/g/n) with built-in WLAN antenna and Integrated Bluetooth. Dimensions: 26.04" (W) x 5.47" (L/D) x 19.63" (H) approx., weight: 35.28 lbs approx.

Technical Details
* All in One PC with 2.1 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T8100 with 3MB L2 Cache.
* 4GB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM memory (2x2048MB), 750GB 7200RPM SATA 3Gb/s hard drive.
* NVIDIA GeForce 9600 M GS HD graphics module with 512MB dedicated video memory and support for Blu-ray, and Microsoft DirectX 10.
* Slot-load Blu-ray player and SuperMulti DVD burner, Wireless LAN 802.11b/g/n with built-in WLAN antenna and Integrated Bluetooth.
* Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium, dims in inches: 26.04" (W) x 5.47" (L/D) x 19.63" (H) approx., 35.28 lbs approx.



Networking, Connectivity & Expansion:
* 5 USB 2.0 ports for connecting a wide range of peripherals--from digital cameras to MP3 players (2 front, 3 rear).
* 1 FireWire (also known as IEEE 1394 or i.Link) port for connecting digital video camcorders and other peripherals.
* 2 headphone jack (front).
* 1 line-in and 1 line-out jack(back).
* 1 IR receiver.
* 10/100/1000 Ethernet.
* 5-in-1 memory card reader (Secure Digital, MultiMedia, Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO, xD Picture Card).

PROS:
1.The touch screen is awesome to use as are the included wireless keyboard and mouse.
2.The touchsmart interface is easy to learn and has many customizable features.
3.The PVR with live tv works well with my standard cable signal and was easy to setup.
4.Fast and responsive.
CONS:
The only difficulty is getting the available hd channels to show up as the standard definition signal is adequate at best on the 1080p resolution 25.5" screen.