When I re-watched the prequels a couple years ago, I was really impressed with Episode III. The corruption of Anakin Skywalker was realistic. I could understand why he turned to the dark side.
io9 makes an error in #2. The Enterprise in The Search for Spock was a refit 1701. The 1701-A appeared at the end of The Voyage Home and was a renamed Constitution-class starship.
Aesthetically speaking, I find the refit 1701 to be the most beautiful, followed by the NX-01.
Aesthetically speaking, I find the refit 1701 to be the most beautiful, followed by the NX-01.