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It definitely IS a triumph in my personal opinion! I've been a MAC fan for ages, I can just picture my buddies asking 'where is this thing connected to'!!

I know at least a couple of Windows users who will be buying these.. ironically, I have the money ready to upgrade, but this is no use for me since I don't want to scrap my lovely Samsung monitor! Apple NEEDS a small headless Mac in its line-up; this will surely further tempt Windoze people in a similar situation.

And the way it still tilts is bloody clever - who needs swivel anyway?!

Speakers pointing downwards ? Is that innovation ?

I don't know how anyone could complain about the price. Try finding a comparable quality PC with a 17" widescreen LCD monitor for $1,299 and you'll have a very difficult time doing so. The 20" model is the best deal though. Basically you're getting a 20" Cinema Display ($1,299) and for only $600 more getting a 1.8 GHz G5 computer with a 160 GB hard drive. So price isn't the problem with these. Now if you want "cheap" that's a different issue. Dell is the king of "cheap" so you might well be better off with one of theirs if cheap is your goal. Macs aren't ever going to be "cheap" thank God.

Very nice, and yes, it's very evocative of the iPod. They should have stuck a scrollwheel where the Apple logo is, and the effect would be complete. I can imagine a whole range of smaller devices similar in shape that fill the gap between iPod and the iMac, like a mobile pad or videoPod. Of course, we probably won't unless Steve wants it.

I'll have to see the 20" at the Apple Store and wait out the initial surge of buyers and bugs, then I'll put one in my new kitchen. I was going to get a 20" LCD tv for that space, but this will be even better. Hook it up to a EyeTV hidden in a cabinet and voila, tv and mac at the ready.

Panther, the speakers are designed that way so that the sound reflects off of the worksurface. That actually is pretty innovative. Especially when you think about the fact that you don't necessariy need external speakers unless you will be seriously listening to music or watching video. It keeps the design compact without the extra clutter of external speakers or cables.

I'm loving the new design. I'm going to go completely wireless with this setup!

First let me say I like it. And if it brings more people to the Mac OS because it looks like the iPod, I like it even more. I also think they will sell a boatload of these. It doesn't have the wow factor that the flat panel did but I think with size reductions this is the direction desk top computers are going and that in 5 years most will be along these lines. The ones that are left that is. With the technology advances we are seeing today, I think that in 5 years most people will be on laptops.

That said, I also think that coming out with a cheaper priced headless Mac would make a LOT of sales too. I have heard people screaming for it for so long I have become convinced there is a good business opportunity for Apple there. They should revive something along the lines of the cube with a G5 in it priced some where in the the 600-1000 dollar range. There are bucketloads of wintel users who would like to switch but already have a monitor that they don't want to waste.

The "reflecting speakers" are a great idea but not newly innovative. The Powerbook line already has pretty much the same thing; the sound bounces off the lcd.

Good job Apple. Looks like a great product!

my first concern is stability on this little aluminum stand. plugging or unplugging things from the back, the idle careless hand knock, other things I can't even think of yet, make me concerned about balance.

maybe this concern will disappear when i see one in person. i was concerned about the tilt arm in the previous generation but it has held up beautifully, even in the larger screens.

the design is extremely plain, which is fine by me.
the price is impressive.


on balance (*wink*) high marks! keep it up apple!

Here is an idea to improve the iMac for potential switchers: a DVI-in port on the back so that any DVI capable computer could use the G5 iMac as a monitor. Users could then have the best of both worlds (a Mac and their familiar PC) before choosing to switch.

Actually the 20th Anniversary Mac had the power supply and the subwoofer as the remote unit not the CPU.

Does anyone actually know if you can disconnect the stand and hang it on a wall? If so, does this open the option to transport it reasonably easily from home to work, much like a laptop but with the power of a G5 chip?

sol.. WTF!??!?

"Chicklet Mac." Brilliant naming. I hope it sticks.

Good form ol' chap. Good form.

Gooseberry, this is from Apple's website:

The iMac offers the smallest footprint ever, but you can make that zero with an optional VESA mount. Hang it from the wall or swing it around on your desk.

Does anyone actually know if you can disconnect the stand and hang it on a wall? If so, does this open the option to transport it reasonably easily from home to work, much like a laptop but with the power of a G5 chip?

...and hang it on a wall?

It has a VESA mounting capability so yes.

it is cool, but Apple still needs another headless mac, bring back the cube. Not a big deal to me since I prefer to stick with my PB, but there seems to be a demand so whats the hold up?

It looks great. The only change I might suggest would be to take the ports and turn them 90 degrees so the external connections are on the side of the unit (and maybe recessed), below the DVD slot. This would give easy access for the wall mounted setup so people could plug their iPod in.

Please give it up when it comes to the "headless Mac" because folks, it ain't coming back. The Cube was a disaster (although it would have helped had it been priced better) and Apple isn't going to repeat that mistake again. Having said that, these new iMacs are great and even my Windows only using co-workers that have seen it this morning are very impressed. The lower pricing helps immensely as well.

Hopefully the Chicklet won't be like some chicks I have known. You turn your back and they are gone. How is the security issue addressed?
Charlie

Yep, this puppy has enough personality. Might even be the biggest ever selling iMac in a couple of years -- and be obsolete in three years, as usual.

I'll make a trip to the store as soon as I read some hands-on reviews.

To reilly:

The iMac G5 mount looks like the mount on the new 20"/23" Cinema Displays. Those mounts are solid and heavy, creating a very sturdy base; it takes great force to knock over.

So if these are the same, then the iMac should be similarly sturdy.

K

Lance, careful about saying to anybody who uses a PC. Definitely a nice design. However, there are others who can build PC's for cheaper and with more firepower.

But one the size of that? No way.

PC/Mac user.

This is a fantastic computer, it's neat, stylish, matches the iPod, makes a Dell look like the ugly boxy piece of underpriced sh*t it is.

Apple has done very well. One thing begs the question.

Notice the metal stand? Guess this means later there will be a all metal design in future iMacs.

I already have a Dual 2Ghz G5 and a 23" Cinema, but I just have to have me one of these babies.

Now what kind of computer maker makes computers so desireable that you would want to buy one when you don't actually need one?

Apple.

Apple accepted my order at 3:04 a.m. PST. 20" iMac G5. Can't wait for it to arrive.

The online store stated "3-4 weeks" once the order was accepted.

Anyone else order one -- either before or after that time? Did you get a different estimated shipping time?

Thanks for any feedback.

The price is no objectionable. There are a few quibbles--making Bluetooth and Airport modules optional instead of built in--particularly on the 20" models--and the 256MB of memory. Should have been 512, but the upgrade to 512 doesn't cost that much. One thing that is kind of stupid about Apple always leaving the as-shipped amount of memory short is that it gives Apple dealers an easy way to give a price break--doubling the memory at no extra charge.

The only real downside is the crappy graphics card--sure, there will the usual Mactard "I don't play games" comments, but it is a machine for the home and families play games. Used to be a lot of them played Apple II games, which lead to lots and lots of families having Apple II's. But I guess having 50% of the market and lots of games isn't as good as having 3% of the market and few games. The graphics wouldn't be objectionable if, for instance, you could upgrade to a better card OEM or install a better card. But of course you can't in the iMac, which is why the Mactards annoy me--again, the highest end 20" machine should have a better graphics board.

The deisgn is great, but shows how much work is needed before a G5 portable--like removing an inch from the machine!

Anyway, great machine, but geez--shouldn't a 20" iMac have a significantly better graphics board than the 12" PowerBook?

Sorry, MDN. The page never refreshed so I kept hitting submit. Mac sites are busy today.

So this is a fat "laptop" without battery and built-in keyboard. Who cares?

To gatorron:

My order stated the same timeframe. So, instead of torturing myself and pressing the buy button, I will sit patiently for 3-4 weeks to see if any delays pop-up at that time. I hate forking over money like that to just sit and wait.

JadisOe wrote " I hate forking over money like that to just sit and wait."

Apple doesn't charge your credit card until the product ships.

BTW, I already got a confirmed shipment on my G5 iMac order at the Apple Store. Too bad it's only the AppleCare part of the order. The iMac itself is 3-4 weeks, the only time period I've read about so far for all Apple Store orders.

It's a winner. They've finally got a form factor which they won't need to majorly revise for a very long time (eg from G3 -> G4).

This is as significant as the first hinged laptops - on which all laptops are now designed.

Of course, of those first laptops, the first thing that began to happen was they started to get thinner...

With a few iStreaming apps to replace TV, video over wifi, your home iMac system could replace all current multimedia. Apple knows their market. Forget competing in the low end market, Apple intends to replace that market.

This is in answer to Gatorron's question. I ordered my 20" at 11:00am PST and I was given a 3-4 weeks delivery time. And this one is in answer to Opinionated Jerk. Blue tooth+wireless keyboard and mouse are standard at least in the 20". You get a credit of $85 dollars if you go back to USB keyboard and mice and eliminate blue tooth. Read the option list carefully please when you buy the computer on line.

"After all, in a world without fences and walls, who needs Gates and Windows?"

I like your form, SteveJack!

hehe.

Saw both models in the SF Apple store this afternoon. To me, they looked like big versions of the iPod and I was not wowed, on first impression; too much white, boxy plastic. Think I'll keep my 20" iMac G4.....

Hey, thanks for the information.

I just checked my order status at 8:24 PM EST (5:24 PM EST) and it now says that the iMac portion of my order will ship by Sept. 29 or earlier.

It no longer simply states, "3-4 weeks."

So, looks as if they have a handle on the first day of orders versus supplies on hand plus processing time.

I've waited all summer to place this order, so I'm content that they're processing it on the first day and have stated an expected shipping day.

Good luck.

Viviana: that's strange. When I went through the options for buying online there was no standard wireless anything. There was an option to buy keyboard/mouse/bluetooth as a combination for $99. That's actually not bad at all. I was going to write that it would have been better on the high-end iMac to keep it at $2099 and include bluetooth w/ keyboard and mouse and 512MB, but with the wireless package an extra 256MB added on, the price is only $2,073.

btw, what is the fate of the emac? I've seen guesses that the optical drive-less iMac means the end of the emac, but I can't imagine going to a CRT-less line because you would think that there would be many schools (and parents) reluctant to set younger children loose on an LCD-based machine, and certainly in a school setting even in high schools you'd have to wonder how many LCD's would be broken a year. CRT's are big and bulky, but tough.

Jimbo,

Moving the connections to the side and having the cables hanging down would ruin the form, not to mention the balance. Having them on the back nearer the center of gravity makes more sense.

Besides, the dock like battery pack that you will want to buy for portability will look much better on the back, not the side. :>)

I want a 20" iMac with wireless keyboard and mouse and an Airport connection to broadband, printer and stereo. Completely wireless except power cord and useable all over the house and on the deck.

The last revision of the emac was not bad at all really. Nice Bang for the buck, probably better deal than Luxo iMacs. And you could get it with SuperDrive even. I thought the first version of them had crummy monitors though.

eMac may stay around, and be updated further. Also, education is tending to shy away from burnable optical drives because kids can get too distracted burning stuff that has nothing to do with their schoolwork.

Re: Cords

The hole in the stand is designed to be more than large enough to fish all of your cables through before plugging them in. By doing this, the cords will not inhibit the tilting of the computer on the stand. It will also keep them neat and organized as they drape out of sight behind the stand.

Chiclet iMac? Cool, different flavours, diferent colors! This calls for case design.

Excellent iMac editorial. Bravo!

Hey RC nice try, you'll have a hard time trying to find ways to ridiculize this iMac...it's hard to come with something better than "there is a white unused space at the bottom of the monitor!"... Sorry RC, no iBoob jokes for you this time...

Where else can you buy a 64-bit "fat laptop" with a high quality 17" lcd monitor for 1299$ or with a 20" lcd and at 1899$? Oh right you never answer back because what you say is always debunked here one way or the other.

I would be glad to exchange my PowerMac G5/1.8 at work for the new 20" G5 iMac.

The key, however, is that this is the first iMac that truly appeals to me as a home machine. In the past I kept sliding back to the PowerMac line due to some iMac limitation or another. The release of the G4 eMac was more tempting because the upgrades to the eMac design made it a true value in mid-level computing. But the new iMac G5 has virtually everything that I could want in a compact design. The only issue that I could possible raise is that Apple could have used something a little better than the 5200 Ultra. The only decision that I have to make is whether to go for the middle of the line 17"/1.8 or spend the extra few hundred for the 20" with a larger hard drive.

Apple learned a less from the previous iMac and haas delivered a powerful and reasonably priced machine that will appeal to potential Windows switchers. Great job, Apple. Im sorry that I sold AAPL at $30.

This one's a WINNER. Good one Apple! I'll be plunking down my green in a few months. Good-bye Windows!

It looks like a gateway from 98. Please, Everyone I've talked to is Preturbed about the design. Personally, I like the last iMac Better.

Nothing but a Gateway with OS X on it...Big Deal.

My only quibbles are the lack of display mobility relative to the G4 version, which seems like a backwards step to me, and the failure to put one each of the USB and FireWire ports on the front, like on the G5 towers.

Other than that, these are well-designed machines with great specifications at attractive prices. Apple will sell tons.

Somehow, I didn't get the same impression of several others -- expressed here as "a step back" -- when the machine was finally unveiled. I was struck by the clear evolutionary step forward that was communicated by its form, which follows its intended function. I immediately ordered one.

Here's what someone else who intended that the machine be seen that way said in the NY Times, 9/1/2004:

Apple's head of design, Jonathan Ive, described how the company had struggled to fit all of the components of the computer into the display case, while keeping fan noise minimal.

He said that the goal had been to redesign the system to make it appear extremely simple. The result is a display screen that balances on a thin metal stand and that can function with only a single power cord.

"You're left with a solution that is so essential and so inevitable that it seems like it wasn't designed," he said.

Apple will sell tons.

If they can get them out the door

I wonder if I could use new IMac as a monitor for my windows box. Does anyone know if this is an option?