An outstanding example of innovation and ease of use can be found in the Apple PowerMac G4. Though the design is not new, it remains one of the best, especially for people who like to get under the hood for upgrades and tweaks. The chassis side flips down to reveal the motherboard, which is attached to it, and the drives, which are installed in the opposite side in the case. The motherboard components are within easy reach, making memory or add-in card swapping a snap. But the use of slide-out drives, for example, could make this the perfect chassis.

The new titanium-colored casing and the return to buttonless CD and DVD drives add polish to the familiar look. Forsaking the plain panels on unipod stands, the Apple Studio and Cinema displays come in a stylized clear-and-white design on a tripod stand.