The new 27″ Core i7 iMacs are a glaring example that the Mac Pro lineup are showing their age, both in price and performance. Although the iMac is not as expandable as the Mac Pro, the amount of options one needs can usually be taken care of via USB or FireWire. So what’s in store on the desktop for the new Apple, a “mobile device company” as Tim Cook put it?

The new 27″ Core i7 iMacs are a glaring example that the Mac Pro lineup are showing their age, both in price and performance. Although the iMac is not as expandable as the Mac Pro, the amount of options one needs can usually be taken care of via USB or FireWire. So what’s in store on the desktop for the new Apple, a “mobile device company” as Tim Cook put it? And where does the Hackintosh fit in?

Apple makes superior products, there is no doubt about it. Customer service and reliability are consistently at the top of the industry. and there’s a reason why Macs are more expensive. Are they too expensive though?

The 27″ iMac is very reasonably priced, especially when one figures in the cost that the gorgeous 27″ HD display at 2560 by 1440 pixels. Is the iMac priced higher than a comparable system in the PC world? The question is really; “Is there a comparable system out there?” Considering we are talking OS X versus Windows I would have to say no, until you get into murkier waters with a Jackintosh. For most however, the technical challenges can make Windows look fairly easy, so again it really doesn’t compare.

Of you are a techie and a Mac freak though, comparing the cost of a Mac Pro with a Hac system you can build and maintain yourself, the seduction of getting 98% close to the features and functionality of a Mac Pro (without the build quality of course) is, for many, too hard to resist.

Expansion, as the title mentions, is key. If you have to have tons of internal storage, pro level graphics (although that line has blurred too) and extra PCI Express slots, then the Mac Pro is the way to go. If however you can get away with external Firewire and USB devices, the iMac 27″ is a compelling choice.

Choice is a good thing, and although Apple can be faulted for not having enough, they do at least cover most of the bases. Maybe the day will come when Apple’s self proclaimed “mobile devices company” mantra will see them release OS X as a retail operating system for use on any PC, but I am not holding my breath.