Must agree with several posts here -- was about to start a thread along the lines of "the new iMac is not for you and me"... Reading through all the negativity surrounding the update ('downdate??) - I kept thinking why on earth would Apple release something so obviously open to ridicule from a significant portion of their user base?
Answer:
a.) They don't care what a significant portion of their user base think; and
b.) This is not meant for the significant portion of their user base...
Small business owners who want something that "just works", with little to zero fuss about having to upgrade, who simply want a good-looking machine for their niche/boutique shop/store, that must be able to read mail, handle surfing, and maybe a booking/stock/csm app or two -- look no further...
Education has been mentioned as well. In that context, it would sure be a no-brainer... This new update probably brings the pricing (particularly in bulk) closer to what might be available from competitors?
$200's cheaper over 2/3/4 machines, comes out at quite a saving - especially when it can seamlessly integrate with an already-existing OSX/iOS setup... Maybe Apple will even negotiate cheaper deals for bulk-purchases through some sort of financing programme, specifically based around the new Education/Enterprise iMac?
Personally, when I take the plunge on a desktop -- it will either be a decent-specced 21"/27" or a maxed-out Mini with a really decent 3rd party monitor (TBD is simply too pricey, no matter which way I look at it)...
I would not consider, even for a moment, this new iMac. And I'm sure there are countless more like me out there --- surely Apple knows this. But then this iMac is not meant for me...