Computerworld: 27-inch iMac is "stunning"

Look, everyone knows this thing is the best desktop computer money can buy.  But that doens’t mean we get sick of hearing about it.   Ken Mingis at Computerworld got his review in today and had some very interesting observations:

• It’s important to note that the 27-in. model is $100 less than the $1,799 24-in. iMac that preceded it…or the $1799 30-inch Cinema Display that only has 10% more pixels.
• It is so good, it could bring back the desktop [nah!] But with an absolutely stunning screen, a lot of under-the-hood performance improvements, the wireless keyboard and the new mouse, and flexibility that makes it fit in at work or at home, this new iMac could lead to a resurgence in desktop sales for Apple.
• The screen, which manages to crowd in 109 pixels per inch, is the biggest selling point[Agree!]

• [BluRay is biggest omission.]  According to Apple, it’s possible to connect up an external Blu-Ray player — but an adapter will be needed to convert the HDMI signal coming from the player to the MiniDisplay Port on the iMac. And a scaler would be needed because of the screen’s high resolution. Apple doesn’t sell those, though, so it’ll be up to another company to come up with a solution.
• [Re: Magic Mouse] I’m less enamored of the two-finger swipes, because you have to hold the mouse in place with your thumb and ring fingers while swiping with your index and middle fingers.
• The body of the iMac is now made entirely of aluminum. The flat black plastic used on the back in earlier models is gone, allowing Apple to use its unibody design process to carve the chassis out of a solid block of aluminum.

• "Does this thing belong in the office or living room?’

Great question.  Maybe it is best to get two.