iMac revisited
Since Apple has announced extended coverage
concerning issues with the rev A iMac G5s, I thought I'd pull out my original
review of it. Copyright MediaCorp Today, yada, yada, yada.
From the creators of the
iPod...
The new iMac G5 gets smaller and more powerful
Rand Miranda
rand@newstoday.com.sg
SOMETIMES, less can be more as is the case with Apple's revamped iMac.
Now sporting an impressive PowerPC G5 processor chip that delivers considerable more punch that the previous models.
But what really makes the new iMac stand out is its size, or lack of.
Apple's designers followed the design of the popular iPod mp3 player and have come up with a bodyless home computer, so to speak.
With the entire machine stored vertically behind the monitor, the iMac's depth is about 2 inches thick, making it the world's thinnest desktop computer.
"Extreme simplicity with power," is how Mr Tony Li, Apple's Asia Pacific product marketing director, described it at a press conference on Tuesday officially launching the iMac G5 in Singapore.
The new line offers 17- and 20-inch active matrix widescreen LCDs and G5 processors running up to 1.8Ghz starting at $2,488.
The entire computer, including the power supply and full array of I/O plugs, is tucked away neatly and virtually invisible on the back of the machine. In fact, even the power button is tucked away in the back as not to mar the white iPod-like finish of the front.
Having the power button in the back is part of the Apple strategy as the company suggests people put their computer to sleep rather than shutting it down and restarting it everytime, increasing wear and tear on the hard drive.
Which brings us to the hard drive. Apple claims the computer was designed to be "whisper-quiet".
Other styling details include the placement of the speakers and microphone at the front bottom of the machine. This serves two purposes, one the sound is bounced off a desk and reflected back to the user, and it preserves the pristine appearance of the front.
The CD/DVD slot, which can be configured, with the DVD-burning Superdrive, is mounted via a slot on the upper right-hand side of the computer.
In fact, with the AirPort Extreme wireless card and Bluetooth (either purchased as an internal module) or with a dongle attached to one of the three USB 2.0 ports, the entire computer can function perfectly with just the power cable attached.
Add in the AirPort Extreme station for added wireless functionality such as streaming your iTunes music to a stereo in any room in your home or connecting a printer to the station and being able to print wirelessly, and a wireless keyboard and mouse and the only attachment you'd have with the iMac is the personal bond.
Coming in October will be VESA-compliant mounts that will let you even hang the iMac on a wall, making it a very functional piece of art as well.
With all of that, about the only other thing a person needs is an iPod, you know, those nifty devices from the creators of the iMac G5.
The new iMac G5 gets smaller and more powerful
Rand Miranda
rand@newstoday.com.sg
SOMETIMES, less can be more as is the case with Apple's revamped iMac.
Now sporting an impressive PowerPC G5 processor chip that delivers considerable more punch that the previous models.
But what really makes the new iMac stand out is its size, or lack of.
Apple's designers followed the design of the popular iPod mp3 player and have come up with a bodyless home computer, so to speak.
With the entire machine stored vertically behind the monitor, the iMac's depth is about 2 inches thick, making it the world's thinnest desktop computer.
"Extreme simplicity with power," is how Mr Tony Li, Apple's Asia Pacific product marketing director, described it at a press conference on Tuesday officially launching the iMac G5 in Singapore.
The new line offers 17- and 20-inch active matrix widescreen LCDs and G5 processors running up to 1.8Ghz starting at $2,488.
The entire computer, including the power supply and full array of I/O plugs, is tucked away neatly and virtually invisible on the back of the machine. In fact, even the power button is tucked away in the back as not to mar the white iPod-like finish of the front.
Having the power button in the back is part of the Apple strategy as the company suggests people put their computer to sleep rather than shutting it down and restarting it everytime, increasing wear and tear on the hard drive.
Which brings us to the hard drive. Apple claims the computer was designed to be "whisper-quiet".
Other styling details include the placement of the speakers and microphone at the front bottom of the machine. This serves two purposes, one the sound is bounced off a desk and reflected back to the user, and it preserves the pristine appearance of the front.
The CD/DVD slot, which can be configured, with the DVD-burning Superdrive, is mounted via a slot on the upper right-hand side of the computer.
In fact, with the AirPort Extreme wireless card and Bluetooth (either purchased as an internal module) or with a dongle attached to one of the three USB 2.0 ports, the entire computer can function perfectly with just the power cable attached.
Add in the AirPort Extreme station for added wireless functionality such as streaming your iTunes music to a stereo in any room in your home or connecting a printer to the station and being able to print wirelessly, and a wireless keyboard and mouse and the only attachment you'd have with the iMac is the personal bond.
Coming in October will be VESA-compliant mounts that will let you even hang the iMac on a wall, making it a very functional piece of art as well.
With all of that, about the only other thing a person needs is an iPod, you know, those nifty devices from the creators of the iMac G5.
Posted: Sat - August 20, 2005 at 12:56 AM
