"Hey Mac! You Worth It??"
Written: Sep 09 '02 (Updated Sep 09 '02)
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Pros: Very small size. Great monitor is clear, and flexible.
Cons: Initial price. Hard to find software and hardware compatible with OS X.
The Bottom Line: A STEEP leaning curve for new Mac users. Expect to pay $$ for adding Mac-compatible software and hard to find hardware items.
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| AtlantaGreg's Full Review: Apple Flat Panel iMac 700MHz G4 / 15-in. TFT / 40G... |
I've been a Windows/PC user for going on nine or so years now. Visting my city's local Apple store, I decided to take the plunge one day and purchased the new iMac. I wanted to see what all the "Mac-fuss" was about. See "the better PC" as I heard it called on one ad.
From the start:
First comes cost. Yikes. Mac folks don't wince much as they're used to it, but with decent PCs going out doors now for under $1,000.00, it was a bit of a shock to dish out nearly $1,400.00 for the lowest model of the new iMac they had. The new Mac operating system (OS X) requires a bare minimum of 128 megs of RAM to run efficiently, so for $75.00 more, I had the store folks add another 128 megs to the system. Of course, there's the 3 year "Applecare" extended warranty too... at $149.00 extra (considering this unit has a thin flat panel monitor I felt the need for this warranty just in case).
So, now up to nearly $1,700.00 later, I get home with the new baby. Open the box. "Wooooooo". White, shiny things, flat panel monitor on a chrome pole.. again.. "woooo". So I took the new toy out of the box, and searched for the manual. Oh. Here it is. A very, very small, thin, color "brochure" which touts the joys of the new OS X, mentions a few of the features, and that's it. A few install CD disks the accessories, etc. No "manual" that I would expect from "the better PC".
Getting Started:
Setting the iMac up was very easy to do. Plug in the keyboard and mouse, plug the iMac in, and poof, it's up and running in short order. There are three USB and two Firewire ports on the back of the unit, along with speaker ports (but you do not get external speakers with this model.. another $60.00 if you want those).
The OS X main screen is spiffy, blue, and as they say in the country, "purdy". Easy enough to figure out the basics if you've used any computer at all. The keyboard is really, poorly done. As a man with larger hands, typing on it is actually almost painful. So, a Microsoft ergo keyboard was bought ($50.00) to fix this. The mouse? A single-clicking wigget. Out to the store for a two button mouse (OS X supports two buttons now) and another $20.00 for the mouse, and $20.00 for an "OS X Quick and Easy" book.
The Reality:
Now six or so weeks later, "Mac" is sitting on it's own desk, next to my Dell PC. Another $110.00 has been spent for the Mac version of Norton System Works (with antivirus), as no antivirus program came with my iMac. Some Mac users will say antivirus isn't needed as most viruses are aimed at PC/Microsoft product users, however, several store and tech employees have told me since OS X is "Unix" based, it is open to viral attacks moreso than previous Mac versions, so, an antivirus program IS needed.
OS X is attractive, but confusing for PC users. The help screen is extensive, but so far I've found correct hits to answer my specific issues very "off the mark". For example, one search to find out how to simply uninstall a program on OS X, resulted in nothing close to an answer, even with multiple tries of asking it in different ways was entered. In other words, go to your local bookstore like I did, and get a full book or two on OS X.
A brief note on the "fluff" programs that come with it - iTunes, iMovie, and iPhoto. They ARE neat. iPhoto immediately knew my digital camera model when I plugged it into the USP port, and downloaded images. iTunes downloads, sorts, and plays tunes well. Sorry, haven't used iMovie yet. Finally, something that works right.
A note to PC users. You know how on a PC with a CD Writer how you can use a CDRW disk to write to like a large floppy drive? Not so with the iMac. You can still use CDRW disks, but can only write to them ONE time. You must erase them and re-write to them if you want to use them again. Grrrrrrrr. Well, you can write to them more than once per session - with added software that costs another $90.00. More Grrrrrrr.
Next, time to add a few programs and accessories. Hmmm. Well, going to several local stores to buy a web cam so I can videoconference on my iMac, I found NONE of the popular USB cams with OS X support (even checking their web sites I found lack of any new OS X drivers). I had to purchase a "firewire" web cam at twice the cost which still didn't work correctly, so I took it back. Want to hook up a microphone? No mike jack on the iMac... you need a USB mike (hard to find). My existing scanner at home? No OS X drivers available. My favorite image editing program "Paint Shop Pro"? Nope.. PC only. You get the idea... finding hardware for OS X is incredibly hard, and software nearly as hard, too. Frustration is the key word now.
And The Verdict Is?:
Ok, new things take time to learn. I've called Apple tech support a number of times so far, and they've answered the phone quickly, and for the most part, seemed to know their stuff most of the time. Much smarter than the reps I've talked to at HP or Compaq for the office over time, but not as keen as the Dell folks (in my opinion).
In my opinion, Apple made a few big boo boos on the new iMac. Not including antivirus software with it. Not enough RAM in this base unit to really be effective on OS X. Running commericals on TV of people who have dumped their PCs for Mac, then not including a GOOD manual in the box so first time Mac users won't be freaked out - and my favorite boo boo.. not threatening to sue the butt off of hardware and software makers if they don't get off their butts and develop OS X drivers for their products!
I can't say this has been a totally "wonderful" experience for me. The costs of buying unexpected keyboards, mice, manuals, virus software, etc., has made this a very expensive experiment once added up. Still, I'm sticking with it and am sure those with previous Mac experience, or those needed a small computer that doesn't take up much space, will be more than happy with the new iMac system.
Now Mr. Jobs.. once again.. about a manual....
-end
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 1700.00
Operating System: Macintosh
Processor: PowerPC G4
Processor speed: 601-700
RAM: 256
Internal Storage: CD-RW
Hard Drive (GB): 31-40
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Epinions.com ID:
AtlantaGreg
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Member: Greg
Location: Powder Springs, GA USA
Reviews written: 81
Trusted by: 4 members
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