“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.
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.