[Swordmaker]

Another review of the new iMacs... PING!

If you want on or off the Mac Ping List, Freepmail me.

[dan1123]

Microsoft's ClearType technology produces text that has better contrast and is more legible.

No, it's just heavily hinted. Cleartype has nothing to do with it. For those who don't know what font hinting is, it's basically custom versions of the font built in for small sizes. While that is great for screen legibility, it's not so great for your graphic designer who needs to know how something looks in print.

[antiRepublicrat]

I tested the middle model, but with an extra gigabyte of memory, which costs $150.

Where's he getting his memory, Apple?? I got an extra two gig chip for less than that. It only takes about 30 seconds to install it once you find your screwdriver.

I had problems accessing files on my home PC via the wireless network.

I have an easier time accessing files from the PC over a wireless network with a Mac than I do using the other PC.

Turning on a computer shouldn't be a guessing game.

No, it shouldn't. Hint -- never normally turn off your Mac. He must be used to how Windows gets unstable after too many sleep cycles and is afraid to use sleep. Only turn it off to move it, are unplugging power cords, or are adding memory.

In the iMac's favor, power consumption in operation is low, at around 75 watts according to my meter. That's comparable to a laptop,

Duh, that's because it has a high-end laptop CPU/mobo in it.

Microsoft's ClearType technology produces text that has better contrast and is more legible.

I can't stand ClearType for exactly the reason he says. Font designers go through great pains to make their fonts look perfect. You'd be surprised at how much information is in a font file. ClearType has the OS guessing what the font should look like, screwing it up, making it fuzzy and unreadable. It is not enabled on any of my Windows boxes.

[SunkenCiv]

However, unless you're shopping for a computer in preparation for the fall semester, wait to get an iMac in October, when Apple is to roll out a new version of its operating system, called "Leopard," with improvements to the user interface. If you've already bought a computer, the upgrade will cost $129.

That's good advice. And a memory upgrade before taking it home is probably a good idea, no?

[ken21]

i’m tempted.

but i cannot afford to buy an apple just yet.

meanwhile, i have problems with my microsnot xp.

it runs badly.

[DesScorp]

I keep hearing complaints about the glass screen, that it doesn’t have anti-glare coating like the CRT’s did, and is thus useless for serious graphics work. Haven’t seen it for myself yet...

[MovieMogul]

I purchased a HP XP Box last summer/fall. I enjoy it, but I should have waited a year and purchased the new iMac.

However, I did purchase a MacBook last fall, and love it to death. My first Mac! I use it mainly for writing and surfing, but I loved the way it just worked right out of the box.

Because of that purchase, my future PC purchases will probably be all Mac-based.

I always loved Apple as a company, but could never afford their products. Now I'm in a position where I can get the "good" stuff.