“Cosmetically, the aluminum iMac represents the biggest change to the iMac line since the transition from the ‘iLamp’ iMac G4 to the iMac G5. Although the general form factor of the iMac G5 is still with us today, the new iMacs look much different than their predecessors,” Eric Bangeman reports for Ars Technica.
“The new look takes some getting used to. With its aluminum case, glass-covered LCD, and black bezel, the new iMac is reminiscent of an LCD TV. The metal case and black bezel have grown on me as I’ve used the machine over the past day or so, but I still can’t get used to the black Apple logo on the front,” Bangeman reports.
“My biggest areas of concern with the iMac going into this review were the new keyboard and glossy display. Both take some getting used to, but the adjustment period was brief—at least for me—and after a while the changes with the keyboard and monitor didn’t really register with me. If I had my druthers, I’d still go with a matte LCD, but Apple doesn’t offer that option with the iMac. If you really hate glossy screens, pass on the new iMacs. If you merely think you don’t like them, but are open to having your mind changed, give it a shot… it’s not as bad as I thought it would be,” Bangeman reports.
MacDailyNews Note: Or wait a bit for someone to produce custom-fitted anti-glare film to apply to iMac monitors — they’re already available for MacBooks, so it shouldn’t take long.
Bangeman continues, “As far as the keyboard goes, after spending the better part of a day using it, I think it’s an improvement over the Apple Pro Keyboard… In terms of performance, the iMac acquits itself very well. For the most part, it outdid a MacBook Pro with an identical CPU and FSB in my testing, and it was more than competitive with a Mac Pro.”
Bangeman reports, “The iMac is also competitive on price with other all-in-one PCs, so if you absolutely love the all-in-one form factor, the iMac is one of lower-priced options available. If you’ve been holding on to your Power PC Mac and waiting for the right time to make the big switch to Intel, the appearance of the new iMac marks an excellent opportunity.”
Full comprehensive review – recommended – here.
it’s not as bad as I thought it would be,” Bangeman reports.
That’s Microsoft-style thinking. Give us matte!
I wish I could. Just bought the 20″ back in FEB07.
So the Apple logo on the front is indeed black, and not shiny silver…? Hmmm.
The logo is not just black, the Apple logo on the new iMac is ‘The New Black’.
I’m starting to not like the way Steve is taking away my choices, making decisions for me. I don’t like the shiny little displays. I like the numeric keypad.
Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely. Imagine the choices we’ll be left with when Apple achieves 25% market share. Namely, take it or leave it.
Apple is becoming more like Microsoft every day.
@borg
Get over it you ass! There is a numeric keypad… look something up for yourself instead of just reading what others say. And, as you apparently cannot read at all; the MDN take says it clearly;
“Or wait a bit for someone to produce custom-fitted anti-glare film to apply to iMac monitors — they’re already available for MacBooks, so it shouldn’t take long.”
Oh… and the mouse has more than one button.
Ah, shut up about the glossy screen already. It’s like longin after the floppy drive. People nowadays use USB memory sticks, and that’s it. So, shut up. Matte displays are dead. Dead, I say, and they are not coming back.
Clearly the glossy screen is aimed directly toward the mainstream consumer. They’ll see the more vivid colors and higher contrast ratio and say, “ooooh!”
I have a glossy MBP and don’t mind the screen at all. I like the higher contrast too. If you are on the edge, I would at least try out the gloss before declaring it a loser.
Yes, the apple logo is “black”, not silver.
The machine is incredibly quiet too and really, the glossy screen is so bright that if there is glare, I can’t see it!
When the screen background is black though, it works like a mirror so it is very reflective. For normal use, where the screen is not a slate, I don’t notice any glare at all.
This machine seems to be significantly lighter than the previous iMac as well.
Also, fyi- I get 60 FPS in WoW with all the sliders and every video option set as high as any of them will go. Very nice!
I think that should be the new commercial..
“The New iMac – it’s not as bad as I thought it would be”
Steve isn’t taking away your choices on a whim, he is making business decisions based apon what is best for Apple and the feedback from the majority of consumers who would be in the market for this computer. Not every individual consumer.
If you don’t like the glossy display then let you voice be heard with your wallet. Trust me if the new iMacs don’t sell the option will become available.
But they had to make a choice on these to run one way or another, at least for the 1st rev. That is how EVERY business interested in turning a profit does. It makes decisions based apon many factors and in the best interest of the company and the majority of the consumers.
Take off the tinfoil hat and relax.
@7over
“I get 60 FPS in WoW with all the sliders and every video option set as high as any of them will go. Very nice!”
That’s what I wanted to hear! Which model are you using?
Borg, i agree with you, nice to see your not a lemming like most.
My friends MBP 17inch gets the same fps in WOW I can’t wait to get a new mac to replace my PB.
Does anyone remember how the whole world cried out in terror when Steve removed our ‘choice’ of having a floppy drive? Cursed little things, what a lovely technology to kill. But no, it was the end of the world at the time. “What will we do without floppies!?”
I’m only partially kidding, because I don’t think I’d go for a glossy screen either. Sure, your movie look nice because all that almost-black artifacting vanished nicely, but that’s no kind of way to work on color-crucial imagery. I need to see accurate shadow detail and I haven’t seen a glossy screen yet that makes me happy.
I’ll know in a week when my father’s machine comes. I’m sure he’ll love it.
I will say that “not as bad as I thought it would be” is not an option for me.
It’s the $1,499 model, stock.
I have not been to IF yet so I don’t know what frame rate I’ll get when I fly into the Great Forge room. I am in Tanaris atm so ymmv at some other location.
Still it’s faster than my DP PowerMac G5 even with a significantly upgraded video card.
You want Glossy I’ve been using a NEC OptiClear LCD for a year or so. I love the color depth and richness of the display. OptiClear is a process of polishing a special plastic and then applying a special coating to the LCD I have found that for Photo color correction the glossy display of the OptiClear is much more accurate then most matte LCD panels even then Apple’s Cinema Displays.
My Glossy Crystal ball tells me the New Apple Cinema Displays will be glossy glass covered Aluminum. I see 2 no make that possibly 3 Apple Cinema Displays a 24″, 30″ and maybe a 42″. All will be released when the new Mac Pro is released at Mac World 2008.
“I’m starting to not like the way Steve is taking away my choices”
Why is it that when the matte screen was the only choice we weren’t limited?
Personally I was not sure about glossy screens, but once I used one I really liked it.
Ars Technica: “The New iMac: It Doesn’t Suck.
The black on black back that Ars raves about will see plenty of eyes…on TV sets this Fall when all the new shows contain shots with them in it. Sweet!
I wish I could get a black-on-black backlit keyboard with black keys that light up black to let you know you’ve pressed them.
The glossy thing is really no big deal, people. Sheesh. If you can hold on to your wallet for a month and somehow forbid yourself from buying something as soon as it comes out, there will be matte film for the iMac. If enough people want it, it will happen.
The thing that bothered me about the review was the reviewer’s dislike of Firewire.
There is no numeric keypad on the new Bluetooth keyboard. The regular wired keyboard has a keypad.
In the Keynote, Steve said people who buy the bluetooth kb want to have it in there lap the keypad made it too big or something.
(Don’t know if I agree with that thinking, but whatever…)
Regarding the glossy LCD screens, people have it backwards. Glossy screens on desktop computers is natural.
The matte finish on LCD screens was the compromise, from the days when LCD screens were monochrome and had low pixel density. The matte finish made them look better, and since LCDs back then were typically used in laptops, it had the added benefit of reducing glare. The matte finish “tradition” carried on to bigger and brighter LCDs through momentum.
Remember the CRT. The great ultra-sharp CRT monitors with flat screens did not have a matte finish on them. You looked through a perfectly clear glass surface. Why? Because CRT monitors are bright and reflections are not a problem. You could buy an anti-glare filter if desired, but that was the choice of the user.
The glossy LCD is perfect in an iMac. Why? Because the screen is extra bright; reflections are not a problem (I tried it yesterday at the Apple Store). And like with those old CRT monitors, you are looking through a perfectly flat and clear glass surface at the LCD inside. It enhances the sharpness and color.
Also, Apple’s sales figures have obviously indicated that most customers want the glossy display. Apple is not stupid; the new Apple believes that limiting customer choice (confusion and later buyer’s remorse) actually increases sales and satisfaction. The minority of customers who really want a matte finish should (1) actually try the glossy display and (2) if it must be matte, buy one of those filters. See, you have a choice. If the screen was matte, you can’t buy a “glossy filter” for it.
Personally, I like the new wireless keyboard. I agree that with Steve that it is a better form factor for your lap, but I think they should have included a trackpad to make it truly lap-friendly.
What do you guys think?
With Borg on this one. If you look at the breakdown photos, the front glass is removable. “Which would you like, gloss or matte?” Surely that can’t eat into profits much.
Howard Hughes was a genius but got a little crazy towards the end. Hope SJ doesn’t become a megalomaniac, imposing his vision only. The iPhone smacks a little of that.
If anyone is crying over the limited choice of glossy screen, dont buy it. Its that easy! Wow! Democracy at its greatest ever!
Steve B,
I think they should ship (as an option) a small numeric side keypad that would match the wireless keyboard.
It would be powered with one battery and have the ability to be magnetically attached to the keyboard.
@Nickbob
“That’s Microsoft-style thinking. Give us matte!”
Arstechnica is one of the most Mac friendly sites on the web. They’re not Apple Fan Boys like us…their view is fair.
MDN Word of the day “Issues” “Nickbob has issues.” haha
Their site also takes many cues from Apple’s style and color scheme.
let me guess; 100% of all people here claiming glossy screens are great doesn’t have to work with color adjustment for a living. BTW, why is it that everytime someone in a thread at MDN has something against Apple’s decisions etc. they’re being called idiots etc. ?
> let me guess; 100% of all people here claiming glossy screens are great doesn’t have to work with color adjustment for a living.
That’s probably true. We just want the screen to be bright, sharp, colorful, and a pleasure to view.
I’m not sure what “work with color adjustment” means exactly, but CRT’s (including the really nice ones with 21-inch flat screens) did not have a matte finish. I don’t recall those monitors were a problem for graphics professionals and others who “have to work with color adjustment for a living” (whatever that means).
I ordered a 19″ NEC LCD monitor recently and didn’t realize that it was a glossy screen since it only referenced their trade name and didn’t state glossy. I freaked since it would be used in a room with big windows behind and to the right. But it isn’t even noticeable unless it’s turned off. And it really is sweet. Very vivid and sharp. I wouldn’t hesitate to buy a new iMac with the glass covered screen. But I could NOT use a laptop with a glossy screen. I have a problem with my iBook where I use it when the sun shines through the window behind me. And I sure can’t move my beloved LazyBoy. Oh well.
ken1w –
“I’m not sure what “work with color adjustment” means exactly…”
He means doing post-production work on photography and video, where accurate display of color and contrast are critical.
“…but CRT’s (including the really nice ones with 21-inch flat screens) did not have a matte finish.”
They most certainly did. It was described at the time as “anti-glare coating”.
> They most certainly did. It was described at the time as “anti-glare coating”.
But it was not the norm. It was the option. I’m using a 21-inch Sun-branded CRT right now, with useable resolution up to 1600×1200. It would have probably cost $1000+ when new (I got it for about $100 a few years ago at a computer surplus store). It’s obviously intended for graphics work. It has a perfectly flat shiny surface (looks better than most current LCDs BECAUSE it is glossy), just like the new iMac. The minority of customers who want matte should get an “anti-glare coating.”
A few years from now, all LCD’s on larger and larger desktop displays will have a glossy finish. And this debate will seem silly.
…When the screen background is black though, it works like a mirror so it is very reflective. For normal use, where the screen is not a slate, I don’t notice any glare at all.
Dang, my kids won’t be able to use it for abnormal use then. And sitting in front of it with with the screen off – an activity that a few are known to indulge in – will be distracting.
But what will the effect of watching a dark movie be? Or playing a game with a dark background? Can the brightness of black kill reflections?
MacDailyNews Note: Or wait a bit for someone to produce custom-fitted anti-glare film to apply to iMac monitors — they’re already available for MacBooks, so it shouldn’t take long.
Forget it. It wouldn’t work.
If you add a matte finish to the outer surface of the glass pane in front of the actual LCD panel, you would not just diffuse reflections but you’d also diffuse the image of the LCD itself, giving you a blurred image where the nice resolution of the screen becomes meaningless.
The matte finish only works when you’re looking directly at the panel itself; With a transparent layer several millimeters in front of the actual screen it is just not possible.
The only option is a clear anti-glare coating that combats reflections without blurring the image, but I’d expect that Apple already thought of that.
i’ve never wanted an imac since my original blueberry gumdrop model, but this one has changed my mind.
my likey.
Choices? you have more choices know then you EVER had with a Macintosh. If you’re a real MAC user you’ll know how things were 15 years ago, ten years ago, even five years ago. MAC is about high performance not choices – go back to PC and choose your fate.