Posted on 11/30/2004 2:02:20 AM PST by Swordmaker
Apple Introduces “Bodyless” iMac Computer
by Staff Reports
The iMac G5 sets a new standard for compact desktops
When the original iMac was introduced in 1998, it was praised for it’s compact design and is often credited with saving Apple. There is no doubt that it revolutionized the computer industry, as witnessed by the copycat PCs that came out. It also spurred the USB industry, and influenced many new industries utilizing translucent cases, like the George Forman Grill.
In 2002, Apple reinvented the iMac, basing it on an impressive flat panel LCD, lifted over a domed base by an inventive articulating neck. Nicknamed the Lamp Shade iMac, it was physically smaller than the previous iMac, and used the faster G4 processor.
Now as 2005 draws near, and with over 10 million iMacs sold, Apple has again reinvented the iMac. This time, the entire computer is built into the LCD display, removing the base and in effect creating a body-less computer, the thinnest desktop computer ever. A common question that gets asked is “Where’d the computer go?”
Even smaller and lighter than it’s predecessor, and based on the even faster PowerPC 970 processor from IBM, this new model promises to be just as remarkable as the original. The new iMac is also much quieter than the previous models, at 25 dB during normal operation. And, Apple’s typical showmanship marks that it is quieter than a whisper, which they measured at 32 dB!
There are three stock configurations available: a high-resolution 17-inch widescreen LCD display, 1.6 GHz G5 processor, 256MB of fast 400 MHz RAM, 80GB SATA hard drive, and a CD writer/DVD player combo drive, for just $1,299 including the monitor. Upgrade to a 1.8 GHz G5, and a DVD recording SuperDrive for just $200 more. The stunning 20-inch widescreen model sports a 160GB hard drive, and sells for $1,899.
Custom options for the new iMac include up to 2GB of memory, or a 250 GB hard drive. And don’t let the clock speed fool you; the 64-bit IBM G5 performs at more than twice the speed of Intel’s 32-bit Pentium 4, making the 1.8GHz G5 about the same speed as a 4GHz Pentium. If a 4GHz Pentium even existed!
The marketing slogan that Apple is using for the new iMac is “from the creators of iPod”. For a Mac user, it’s kind of like “Duh, we know that”. However, for a large number of Windows-using iPod owners, it may be more effective.
Apple wants to convert more (PC users) to the Mac, and the runaway success of the iPod for Windows is a great step in that direction. Jobs even noted during a recent keynote that the iPod has a 82% market share of all hard-drive based music players, saying “it’s nice to be above 5%”, referring to the reported (and often disputed) percentage of Macs vs. Windows machines in the market. Windows users who like the design of the iPod might then be more inclined to purchase the new iMac G5.
Apple has developed, grown, and revolutionized the computer into a system we can all use today. Whether you use Windows, UNIX, Linux, or an older Mac, there is a new Macintosh that fits for you. You don’t have to worry about viruses, spyware, security holes, or hackers. The Mac works for you, not against you.
You can easily connect to Windows networks and share files with Windows users. If you really have to, you can even run Windows programs on your Mac using Microsoft’s Virtual PC software.
Today, with the new iMac, you can install it in your living room, den, or wherever fits your lifestyle. Put it in the kitchen and download recipes from the Internet. Put it in your home office and synchronize your calendar to your PDA or iPod. Put it in the family room and schedule the kids’ activities.
You can remove the foot and attach a wall-mount or arm-mount bracket and put it under a cabinet, or above a desk, and add wireless internet with Apple’s Airport Extreme card. Use Apple’s Bluetooth wireless keyboard and mouse, from up to 30 feet away. Mount the 20-inch iMac G5 on the bedroom wall and create a flat-screen home theatre with access to the Internet Movie Database!
For the music lovers, you can make your own home audio system using iTunes. Apple’s Airport Express wireless base station with AirTunes technology lets you stream your music from any Mac to any stereo in your home – never be without your tunes! Do away with all the 8-tracks, cassettes, vinyl, and CDs and put all your music under control with iTunes. Carry all your music with you on the iPod.
It’s amazing the power we all have access to and haven’t tapped into. If people could just be locked in a room with a Mac for a week, they would be amazed at the ease of use, the compatibility, and the capabilities of it. They’d “get it”.
Apple has created a small, powerful, aesthetically appealing, innovated, creative, workable, user friendly, attractive, reliable computer that everyone can use. The ultimate Internet machine. The ultimate music machine. The ultimate graphics machine. The ultimate computing machine. Stop by and try one out today!
Steve Rea is an Apple Authorized service technician at Jessi Group, (www.jessi group.com), Rochester, NY’s only Apple Specialist Store. Steve can also be heard on Sound Bytes, a weekly computer talk show on WHAM 1180 AM.
You stopped in just to say that?
My wife got an iPod for her birthday. 15 yr old daughter has a purple G3 iMac, 'cause that's what she wants (she cares less about the technology, but loves the 'grape' color- LOL)! We still use the old (bought it the first day they came out!!!)G4 desktop and 2-G4 PowerBooks because it makes it easier to keep up with email using our Airport system wherever we happen to be on the five acrfes, or in the house... It's an Apple item, that, like so much else, saw the first "ordinary consumer"light of day on Macs... and they are plug-and-play, as usual!
I half expected them to stick everything in the keyboard, ala the C64. I'll congradulate them though, that's a good looking machine. I hated the look of the first two iMacs, but this one is pretty nice.
Perhaps you might want to say how the box has built in obsolescence? also I would like to know how the G5 is underpowered. Do you feel the G5 does not hold up to the latest Pentium offerings?
It is expensive hardware but for many people the fact they have a box with only *1* cord (the power) is worth it. It's footprint on a desk is smaller than ant CRT monitor, and many LCD monitors. If you want to move the computer from the bedroom to the living room its as easy as moving a laptop..
You two think we should tell Mac that they made a big mistake not keeping the articulated neck on the iMac?
Dear Santa,
I've been very, VERY good this year, and . . .
iMacs rock!
I think folks stop by
these threads to laugh at people
who will, one year, buy
a big bucks machine
because of the bendy neck,
and then, the next year,
shell out more big bucks
for a different machine
because it doesn't
have a bendy neck!
Such well-trained consumers are
a cabaret show!
I much prefer this new design to the Lamp.
**I have already been looking around on eBay for a 17 or 20". BTW... How should I clean the FP display?***
Is the FP display the soft flat screen? If so, I can tell you how to clean it.
I agree that the new design is exciting, and takes up even less space, but the moveable screen is SUCH a sweetheart.
I have used macs since 1985 with a four year XP detour. Now I'm going back with a G-5 soon. No matter the technical aspects, apple is the leader with vision, style and human interface. I don't care what goes on inside the machine, give me the external benefits.
Yes, it is the soft screen. I think there is a section in the manual on cleaning does and don'ts but I can't find it.
Okay, you clean the soft screen with baking soda mixed with a little water to make a soft but not runny paste. Apply it with a soft cloth. Remove it with a soft. slightly dampened cloth with just enough water on it to NOT run into the frame. Then use a soft cloth to dry it.
I checked mine by doing a tiny corner of the screen. It worked like a miracle. In fact, I then cleaned the glass screen of my old computer the same way, and it was like magic.
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