linmk2's Full Review: Apple iMac 15 in. (M8535LL/B) Mac Desktop
Think Different. Apple's simple slogan tells the whole story behind the latest iMac computer. The iMac G4 is unlike any desk top on the market today. The amount of engineering that went into the product is truly phenomenal. Think just how difficult it is to place a whole computer tower, with disc drive, in a space about the size of half a volleyball!
I could cut and paste all the technical information about the new iMac from Apple's website in this review, but simply numbers just don't tell the story. For those so inclined, visit www.apple.com and click the iMac icon if numbers are your bag. How easy is the G4 iMac to set up and use? In about the time it takes for a TV dinner to cook in the microwave, your up and running right out of the box. Everything is already set up and ready to go. Just plug in the cables that are provided. There is nothing extra to buy. No software to install. Nothing to assemble. Just plug in and enjoy. On the first boot up, a welcome screen comes on to help you set up everything the computer needs to know to operate. One of the first things you will notice is that it operates with a cathedral hush. If the LCD screen did not light up, you would almost have to place your ear next to it to make sure it is running. The machine is so quiet, that the disc drive sounds downright noisy in comparison. The "floating" 15" LCD screen delivers a bright, clear picture with great color reproduction. The screen may be tilted up or down. Raised or lowered. Turned side to side. The screen is supported by a beautiful articulated chrome arm. This computer looks great even when it is turned off.
Apple has provided the new iMac with its latest operating system, OS X. Apple claims that this new operating system is the most stable its ever developed. OS X has some interesting features. For software that is not native to OS X, the OS senses this and opens what Apple calls the "classic mode". This allows older software to operate. I did discover that IBM's ViaVoice will not operate in OS X, classic or otherwise. One item of note, the new iMac does not have a external microphone jack. Another reason ViaVoice will not work with the new machine. However my printer and scanner and all other software titles have worked so far in the "classic mode". Mac OS X gives a visually stunning appearance to software that is native to OS X. The "look" is unlike anything you have seen before. They should have called it OS EC for "eye candy". OS X also does away with the reset key. In the event of a program freeze, you no longer have to shut down your computer in the restart mode. Just press the "option, control, and esc" keys and kill the offending program without bringing everything else to a halt.
Included with the the 800mhz iMac are additional Apple software. iTunes is your computer jukebox. It works seamless with Apple's iPod. Music has never been so easy. iPhoto works with most digital cameras. Just plug in your camera to either a USB or Firewire port, the Imac has 4 USBs and 2 Firewire ports, and the computer does the rest. Apple and Kodak will even arrange for you to print your photos in a coffee table book form for a small charge. For all you movie buffs out there, there is iMovie. Plug in your digital movie camera and with this editing software, you can make a very professional looking movie presentation. Once done, the 800mhz iMac lets you burn a DVD of your creation to share with family and friends.
Some question if the 800 mhz is fast. Yes, there are other computers out there that do have faster processors. Apple engineers have developed a system where by less is more. The operating system simpilfies how instructions are carried out, in addition to the computer's backside cache, Apple claims that the 800 mhz is as fast, if not faster that a Pentium 4 equipped computer.
All of this outstanding hardware and software is not cheap. With tax, the machine will cost very close to $2000. One drawback is, while a great deal of Mac software has been introduced in recent years, you just can't walk in to most stores and buy it. They simply don't carry Mac titles. Say hello to eBay or mail order. But, there is nothing on earth like the new G4 iMac. It will get you on the internet, play your music, burn your CD' s and DVD's, arrange your photos, produce your movies, and allow you to watch them too, and it looks sooooo good sitting on your desk taking up so little space. Think Different!
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 2149 Operating System: Macintosh Processor speed: 701-800 RAM: 256 Internal Storage: SuperDisk Hard Drive (GB): Over 50
For the same cost as the original iMac several years ago, the new iMac provides a host of breakthroughs, including a stunning flat-panel display, blaz...More at eBay
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