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Benchmarking is a term that most people that are “in the know” look out for. I like to think I’m one of those people, so I was very interested to check out how the newer iMac models tested. Primate Labs has provided the numbers of the new models, which has conjured up some interesting results. They used the Geekbench 2, to test each machine. All of the machines were used right out of box, with no upgrades, and at the default config.

These numbers above represent the overall score of each of the iMac models. Here are a couple of more “categorized” benchmark scores.

While the technical aspects of a machine are important, it’s just as important to know what kind of deal you’re getting. Luckily, Primate Labs also provided a “Cost Per Point” graph, showing which model was the best “deal”. They took the cost of each iMac and divided it by their Geekbench score. Going by this graph (the lowest number being the best), it looks as though the best deal is the base model. Although Primate Labs didn’t take into account the hard drive space, and video card each unit comes with.

Today, the iMacs get an upgrade. The first significant upgrade comes by way of the processor. The fastest of the new series is 3.06 GHZ, with the lower end now being 2.4 GHZ. The other significant upgrade is the video card. The three lower end iMac models, have ATI Radeon series cards, with 128 and 256 MB respectively. The higher end model, comes with NVIDIA’s GeForce 8800 GS, sporting 512 MB. Here is full list of specs for each model:

20 Inch - 2.4 GHZ: $1,199.00

* 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
* 1GB memory
* 250GB hard drive1
* 8x double-layer SuperDrive
* ATI Radeon HD 2400 XT with 128MB memory

20 Inch - 2.66 GHZ: $1,499.00

* 2.66GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
* 2GB memory
* 320GB hard drive1
* 8x double-layer SuperDrive
* ATI Radeon HD 2600 PRO with 256MB memory

24 Inch - 2.8 GHZ: $1,799.00

* 2.8GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
* 2GB memory
* 320GB hard drive1
* 8x double-layer SuperDrive
* ATI Radeon HD 2600 PRO with 256MB memory

24 Inch - 3.06 GHZ

* 3.06GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
* 2GB memory
* 500GB hard drive1
* 8x double-layer SuperDrive
* NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GS with 512MB memory

A few days ago, FreeMacBlog reported on an upstart company called PsyStar. This company was claiming it would release a cheap Mac OS X running PC. The more and more I hear about their company and practices, the more I’m starting to believe that it’s all a hoax.

If you’ve been keeping up with PsyStar news I’d most likely say you agree. For those not in the loop, here has been what’s happening with Psystar. When the PC first came available, PsyStar nearly stopped taking orders, claiming they were moving their physical address. They stated the reason for the move, was due to such a high demand of orders. Psystar then came out, and gave yet another excuse for not taking orders. Their vendor, Powerpay, stopped taking transactions through PsyStar. Louisa Deluca, in a News.com report stated that PsyStar violated their terms of agreement. “She declined to cite specific violations, but said ‘there are plenty of reasons why we shut the account off. We did not know that’s what he was selling, we learned that yesterday.”

All of this is just a huge red flag for anything relating to this company. I just hope that people didn’t actually send this company any money and get caught up in the scam. For anyone who did make the purchase, I’d like to hear back and see if you received the product. And if so does the computer run well at all?

One of the big gripes that most people have with Mac machines is their price tag. Anyone that can afford one usually loves the interface, and the security that Mac’s generally provide. An upstart company, Psystar , is releasing its’ own version of the Mac experience. Their machine is called the, “”OpenMac”, and has a much more affordable price tag than most Macs, at $399.99.

The system comes with Leopard pre-installed onto the system. The machine runs using PC-parts that are compatible with the Mac’s OS. It’s able to run the OS, using an EFI emulator (scroll to the bottom of the Wiki page). It should be noted that the use of Mac’s OS on a non-Apple system is prohibited.

It will be interesting to see how Apple deals with this. They could easily take the lawsuit road, and try to keep Psystar from releasing their Leopard powered machines. Or they could try and turn this into a business opportunity, and try to make Psystar pay some kind of royalty fee. They will more than likely, go with the first option, but it will still be interesting to see how this turns out.

The idea of going “green”, is really heating across major companies. You can’t go through a commercial break on TV, without seeing an ad about how some company is becoming greener. It looks like Apple wants to join in on the revolution, and it looks to start with the next release of the Macbook series.

The major updates for the Macbook line are being reported by numerous sites across the web. It looks like the notebook will be receiving significant physical upgrades. The Macbook will be gettin an aluminum redesign, taking inspiration from the iMac and Macbook Air models. It’s being reported that the large track-pad used for the Macbook Air, will be seen on the Macbook, Pro line.

The switch to aluminum is the major advancement in Apple’s “green” evolution. Aluminum is an easily recyclable material. Also, with the Macbook switching to aluminum, it will be a more cohesive look along with Apple’s other hardware series.

Today, Apple announced the release of it’s wireless networking hub, “Airport Express”. A quick glance at the Airport Express and you might mistake it for the power block for the MacBook charger, but this thing is definitely a Wifi device.

The AirPort Express can handle up to 10 users through it’s wireless network. You can use the AirPort Express to connect to the internet, or setup your home or small business as a cohesive network.

Probably its’ most “cool” feature is the program AirTunes that works with AirPort Express. With AirTunes, you can take the AirPort Express and plug audio cables from it to any speaker setup. Then AirTunes can then send your music library through the Airport Express and the music through the speakers.

The AirPort Express, will not only work with Mac equipment but allow PC users to be used as well. So for all your people rich enough to own a Mac and PC, the AirPort Express will work with both of your setups.

So with all of these features, and networking powers, probably the most impressive feature of the AirPort Express is its’ size. You can hold it easily in the palm of your hand, use it at any electrical outlet. The AirPort Express currently retails for $99 and can be bought from the Apple Store.

(Photo Credit: Apple.com)