Regardless of your feelings about Apple, it's hard not to look at almost any Apple hardware and not be impressed. The iMac is particularly gorgeous now, though I do miss the gesticulating screen on the second generation version. This morning, Apple announced a small update to the iMac in that they're not changing the enclosure at all. What they are offering however is a nifty speed bump to 3.06 GHz:
Apple today updated its all-in-one iMac line with the latest Intel Core 2 Duo processors and the most powerful graphics ever available in an iMac. With prices starting at just $1,199, iMac includes faster processors with 6MB L2 cache and a faster 1066 MHz front-side bus across the entire line, and 2GB of memory standard in most models. The 24-inch iMac now offers a 3.06 GHz Intel processor and the high-performance NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GS graphics as options, extending iMac’s lead as the ultimate all-in-one desktop computer for both consumers and professionals.
Well, that's interesting.
Now the iMac is positioned for both consumers and professionals. (That sliver and black look should have been a clue.) Certainly, the new CPU and graphics options make this a reality. As does the base price for a 3.06 GHz iMac: A whopping $2199. That's the upper end of the PC market. And God is it gorgeous.