iMac2015
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Apple unlocks 'billions' more colors in latest iMacs
The latest retina iMacs already display colors very accurately, but with El Capitan, Apple now uses their full potential. According to German publication Mac & i, the new OS X version outputs 30-bits of color instead of 24-bits. That means that you can potentially see over a billion colors instead of 16 million on 2014 or 2015 5K iMacs, according to tests by Mac & i, though it may also work on other models. The feature only supports Apple's Preview and Photos for now, but may come to Final Cut Pro and other apps that can take advantage of it.
Good luck repairing anything in the new iMac
If you've read our review of the new iMac, you already know that a majority of what's really new about Apple's latest all-in-one is its accessories. The destructive folks over at iFixit say that the 21.5-inch model has what "looks like" an LG ultra-HD display and a Texas Instruments chip, while the fan and HDD are the same -- the speakers are too. The logic board is where the surprises come in, and they might not make you too happy. Configure a machine without flash storage or a Fusion Drive? You won't be able to add one at a later date because those don't include an onboard connector to do so.
Apple iMac review (21.5-inch, 2015): 4K is optional, faster hard drives shouldn't be
No, it's not just a CPU refresh. Apple started selling a new line of iMacs today, and yes, while they have fresh processors and graphics cards inside, that's really the least of it. Going forward, all the 27-inch models have a 5K screen -- not just the flagship we reviewed last year -- while the 21.5-inch version now has an optional 4K panel. Across the board, too, these new 4K and 5K displays have a wider color gamut, although the difference is fairly subtle. Possibly more important than the iMac itself, though, are the input devices: Apple redesigned the wireless keyboard, mouse and trackpad, adding rechargeable batteries and, in the case of the touchpad, pressure-sensitive Force Touch gestures.I've been spending a few days with the new iMac, and chose to review the 4K 21.5-inch edition in particular since this is the first "small" iMac with a Retina display. Between the crisper screen, compact footprint and a lower price than the 27-inch models, it has the potential to hit the sweet spot for a lot of people. Just be sure to upgrade the hard drive before you place your order.
