(Image Source: AnandTech)

BY DANNY MATTESON

ANCHOR AUSTIN KIM

You're watching mutisource tech news analysis from Newsy.

Headed back to school this fall? You may be greeted by new computers. SlashGear explains.

“As expected, Apple has quietly announced a new iMac variant targeted at education users, bringing the sticker price down to under $1,000.”

But according to Wired -- at the new low price -- buyers are getting what they pay for.

“...for that relatively small saving you get a lot less Mac. The processor is a dual-core Core i3 running at 3.1GHz, against the quad-core Core i5 at 2.5GHz, RAM is just 2GB instead of 4GB, the hard drive is a pathetic 250GB (Vs. 500GB)... It also lacks a Thunderbolt port.”



And writers at AnandTech have more harsh words for the cut-rate computers.

“There are some very, very limited-use cases in which a Mac is needed and every dollar counts (think kiosk computers or basic computer lab machines), but to me this seems like a poor choice for your money - stay away from this thing unless you have a really good reason not to.”

Writers at ZDNet also think the computers may be a bad bargain -- but for a different reason.  

“Institutions must purchase at least ten or more of the neutered iMacs to qualify for the deal, making the deal seem more expensive than it should.”

But GigaOM sees some promise in the discount desktops.

“That may not seem like a great savings to some... but for volume shoppers purchasing 10 or more machines...the extra savings will add up quickly. And if the computers are primarily being used for brief sessions made up of less-specialized tasks, the extra muscle in the $1,149 Mac isn’t necessary.”

Debatable details aside, CNET points out that Apple has a history of offering low-price products to schools.

“This isn't the first time Apple has offered a cheaper iMac for educational institutions. In 2006, the company announced a 17-inch iMac for education customers that cost $899."

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