“For six years, iMacs have set the standard for the PC industry with eye-popping designs, clever utilization of space and leaps forward in usability. Lately, though, Apple Computer Inc. seems to be making more waves with iPod music players than its venerable consumer PCs,” Matthew Fordahl writes for The Associated Press. “But fear not, Apple fans and design aficionados. The iMac line whose debut machine looked like a giant egg, and that later morphed into something resembling a table lamp, now has a third generation. It looks sort of like an oversized iPod.”
Fordahl writes, “The iMac G5 is Apple’s most streamlined and polished design yet, squeezing all the innards into a white plastic flat-panel display. It distances Apple even further from the bulk of Windows-based PC world, where variations of gray, beige and black are all too common. Still, style alone does not a great computer make. Though Apple uses its most capable processor ever, it skimps on memory and other extras. Out of the box, a new iMac is an incomplete masterpiece. You can finish the job, but it’s going to cost you.”
Fordahl writes, “Only after it’s fully accessorized – and unsightly cords have been replaced by wireless connections – does the iMac G5 fulfill its promise of an uncluttered, zippy 21st century computer object d’art. And it’s something to behold.”
Full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: Fordahl obviously can’t find anything wrong with the new iMac as he criticizes the “paltry” amount of RAM (256MB) Apple ships standard, the need to buy a wireless keyboard and mouse if you want those options, and the need to buy an Airport card if you want that option. “Options” is the operative word here, because that’s why Apple ships the iMac the way it does. Why charge everybody for options that some buyers might not want? People who want a wireless keyboard, mouse, and Wi-Fi Internet connectivity have the options to do so, while those who do not won’t have to pay for them. The RAM issue is meaningless because it is one of the few perks Apple throws to their resellers. Apple resellers want to help land sales by offering “free” extra RAM (with an installation price, of course) with the purchase of a new iMac G5. We half expected Fordahl to criticize Apple for not including the articulated arm and VESA mount for the new iMac G5, so he could “totally complete the masterpiece” by hanging his new iMac from the wall or clamp it to his desk. Sometimes writers, in misplaced attempts to appear “balanced,” try too hard, nitpick, and invent “negatives” that aren’t really there.
For the record, MacDailyNews believes that Apple should ship the new iMac G5 with 512MB base RAM, but where would that leave Apple resellers? It’s a Catch-22 that Apple and the resellers will have to work out pretty soon.
A little more ram would be nice. But they need to hit the price where they do and adding things make that hard to do, so you do your best. It does work with 256mb so if you what more you add it.
What’s with IMPRO certificate approval that you have no press NO five times to get to go away? The additional little pop-up that says to press YES to download the junk has an OK button I don’t want to press (implicit YES?). Just closing the window brings back the IMPRO certificate pop-up window.
It’s about as annoying as the Safari users being asked to unlock their keychain when they visit this site.
Otherwise, nice site.
That IMPRO certificate is very annoying. Please ban that AD service or people will stop visiting MDN.
Yeah unfortunately I have to use an XP machine at work and it’s getting annoying. I have the SP2 so it’s always questioning the install of some strange active X media software. My computer beeps and blips and I have to click away before I can get here!
zup, what the hell are you talking about?
I think the 512MB RAm should be included (no extra charge) for the 20″ iMac. It offers more of an incentive for an upgrade, and people willing to pay the extra will be inclined to accept an upsell from the reseller.
also… ALLOW BLuetooth to be installed by the reseller! It’s RIDICULOUS that it isn’t.
Either that or make it a standard option.
Bluetooth is a CHEAP technology to implement. We’re talking a few dollars here.
What is with MDN!!!
I have tried accessing this site with IE on an XP machine and Safari on a mac.
With IE, I get this window asking me to install crap on my computer. You have to say no about 3-5 times before it stops or Kill the process.
With Safari, MDN doesn’t always come up.
FIREFOX has NONE of those IMPRO problems.
I’m running Safari 1.2.3 on OS X 10.35 and don’t know what you guys are talking re: IMPRO. Can someone describe what you’re seeing?
I just discoverd that this site (pop-up advertising?) is installing “Coolweb” spyware which hijacks my browser to iwantsearch.com This is a link for one that was blocked by my company, who knows if there are others.
http:// isg01.casalemedia.com/V2/38788/39374/index.html
If I could only convince IT to switch.
Glad I don’t see IMPRO with Safari!
Hey, the new iMac got another switcher! My brother was originally a Mac-head, but switched (boo!) to Windoze about a decade ago. Buying a new computer, he asked my opinion as to why he should get a Mac over a $499 Gateway POS. After I asked him, “How’s your Yugo running?” and getting a laugh, I expounded upon the virtues of the Mac, both in hardware and in OS. Easy movie editing, no viruses, last longer, better OS, etc.
Last night, I received the call. He bought the new 20 inch iMac with all the options. I’m sure he’ll be happy!
Only MDN could take an honest article and turn it into Apple bashing. I guess that’s why I keep coming back. =)
yes if you want the most fantastic computer ever youve got to buy some accessories, whats new? sure we wish apple included more ram, but the stock imac g5 is best all-in one out there. so, boo hoo, add another 256, that is what bto is for. be happy, its money well spent
I found the biggest flaw in the new G5 iMac – I don’t have one!!! Boo hoooo!
I think the press should leave the RAM issue alone. If you want more RAM, buy it! The thing runs OK with the 256MB. Personally, I have 1GB of RAM in my G4.
The reality is that not everyone has, or needs a ton of RAM in their computers. I have clients with G4 Macs with OS X and only 256MB. They are happy.
I also have clients who run Windows XP with 128MB. In fact, a couple of them just upgraded to 256MB.
Not every iMac G5 is going to be doing video editing day 1. Many of them are going to be running email, web browsing, and word processing.
I think the memory gripe is a fairly defendable position. But where there is more ground to argue solidly, I believe, is the graphics card position. I know that for most people it will be all they will ever need. But it would be nice to have the OPTION to upgrade to a better one on the high end 20″ iMac. Look at it this way, all of the Core Image/Video technologies in Tiger will require major GPU intensive processes. While the iMac’s graphics card is on the list of supported cards it is noticeably on the bottom of the list. I know the first suggestion will be: “Just get a PowerMac.” To which I respond, “I know but I can’t afford/justify getting one of those fabulous Apple displays.” Response, “So get a third party one.” My response, “You’ve got to be kidding. . .”
My only point is that, according to the PowerMac G5 customization options on the Apple Store, the next higher up graphics card (ATI Radeon 9600 XT) is a mere $50 more than the chip that comes standard w/ the iMac. But the big difference is that you’ll get 128MB DDR SDRAM with it versus the 64MB you’ll get w/ the iMac’s chip.
Why not give us the OPTION? Would the chip run too hot??
There’s no excuse for shipping the iMac with 256 MB of RAM. Without at least a 256 MB RAM upgrade, it will run pretty damned slow from all the page outs.
As for wireless keybooards and meeses, ptah.
In Apple’s defense, most PC vendors do not sell their machines with “enough” memory–especially those that have Intel’s integrated graphics. Those that do usually scrimp someplace else (e.g., crappy monitors, no DVD, etc.) For example, the Dell Dimension 8400 has 512MB of RAM but a crappy display, no speakers, analog mouse, and no FireWire.
I think it would have been cool to make the wireless keyboard standard for that cost. The iMac G5 does look like it doesn’t want cords. This is not to say that the iMac G5 is a failure or that I don’t want one for my folks. Just that it would have been cool…
Airport, though, is still best left as an add-on. Why? Because it’s useless unless you have a $129-$199 base station–and don’t think for a minute that reviewers wouldn’t lambaste Apple for “misleading consumers” and not including one for free.
What Peter said above! I have an IBM laptop purchased a few months ago and it came with a “standard” 128m RAM. All of this has a PC “spin” to belittle Apple for doing what PC makers do without the criticizing of PC makers.
I also think Airport should be optional on all but the TOL as not everyone needs or wants wireless yet. A waste of a LOT of money if as little a 10% don’t or can’t use it.
ON MDN’s SITE: I too, Have the same problem accessing it at times. This Site has a few Quirks for sure!
Does Virtual PC work on an iMac G5?
I was under the impression that Virtual PC does not work with a G5 processor, but the AP writer says
“Microsoft’s Virtual PC, which lets Mac users run Windows programs, was so slow that it was unusable. It dramatically improved after I reinstalled the extra 256 megabytes of RAM.”
Yeah, I noticed the VPC reference also. He’s either got a beta from MS or he’s full of crap. =) I prefer to believe the beta story, but you think he would have mentioned he was testing it with beta software.
Brad
Technically VPC 7 was just released and (if you believe Microsoft) should address the problems between the architecture of the G5 and previous chips. In other words, VPC 7 was made for the G5, but Microsoft probably castrated it like Shorthorn. I’d wait before buying it. I can see a problem, I have no iMac G5, no wireless keyboard and mouse, and no Airport Extreme with Airport Express. My ultimate setup. I guess I’ll have to settle for a 15″ Powerbook G4, shucks!
I am a longtime macuser, and am delighted about the new iMac, The 20″ 1.8 is definitly going to replace my G4 400 Sawtooth, now almost 4 years old. And, to enhance the experience that is possible with this iMac, I am going to add more ram as well as bluetooth. It is a sensible option that clearly hightens the userexperience. So if the writer of this article states it likewise, it seems to me that the writer has had a good look at it, and voices some accurate and just observations. Nothing wrong with that, in an otherwise also Apple-positive article.
I agree with coolgrafix, how MDN manages to turn this article into some form of Applebashing is beyond me. But unlike coolgrafix, I keep coming less and less back.
For some time, MDN seems like becoming a Billy Graham style site aimed at ‘religious’ aroussal – and more and more in unfair ways, like their ‘take’ above – than aimed at their original broad scope as a Mac news site. The original approach attracted a lot of people, and for good reason. Great site, back then.
Perhaps this wasn’t good enough? So now zealotism and their own kind of FUD is embraced with its accompanying dishonesty – a proven Microsoft tactic – as well as their aggressive ad schemes – which when at work I also encounter – which would even put Redmond to shame. Well, allmost, that is….
The ‘D’ in MDN seems more and more to stand for Double-standard, and it seems only a matter of time before MDN will release their own fatwa’s.
I really hope they return to their senses and thus to their original approach, and stop with their own home-brewed Microsoftian actions. Back to some honest, fair journalism…
for those seeing pop-ups at MDN while using WinCrap and IE….
Recently, I went to the Doctor, and told him…
“…Doctor, .. it hurts when I ‘go like this’…”
To which he replied….
“…. Well,… dont ‘go like this’..!”
You got IE ?? try Camino, or Firefox…sheesh…anything else but that virus magnet IE !!
Saw a 17 inch iMac at CompUSA tonight. First thing I tried was to tip it over. It was much harder to start to tip than I was expecting. In fact, it felt like it was secured to the display stand, which it was not. Pretty easy to pickup with two hands.
Another winner from Apple.