The good: Giant LCD makes the iMac a home video champ; updated specs stay competitive with the rest of the desktop PC field; expanded upgrade options available at the time of purchase.

The bad: Configurator upgrades are expensive; limited aftermarket upgradability means you won't be able to add a Blu-Ray or HD-DVD drive down the road; no media card reader.

The bottom line: Other vendors might offer more flexible configurations and better deals on components, and the specter of HD video looms darkly, but the 24-inch iMac's sprawling display and convincingly capable features should set most people's minds at ease. We highly recommend this new iMac as PC that doubles as a secondary home entertainment system.

Read full review of the Apple iMac »