Ten thoughts on the new Intel iMac

Somehow I ended up in an Apple store asking about the availability of the new Intel-based iMac. Yes, they had a few in stock, despite the lack of signage in the very crowded store (the employees manning the Genius Bar deserve a raise).

Long story short, I lugged home a 20-inch model with the Intel Core Duo, and I have some thoughts for anyone considering whether to pick one up.

This is not a review, replete with benchmarks and Photoshop filter times (shorter bars are better) and musings on Rosetta emulation software. Rather, it's a list of some initial impressions on the newest iMac. Because the machine is virtually identical to its predecessor in appearance and operation (the new chip runs most software, although through emulation), I've included some thoughts on the process of upgrading to a new machine.

Appearance
Jokes about the Jay Leno-sized chin aside, this is one striking machine. It's like a Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade version of the iPod, and we know how popular that's been. Many people say it's silly to talk about the looks of a PC, any more than you'd marvel about the eye-pleasing contours of a chain saw: "It's a tool, leave it at that."

Credit: Scott Ard

There's little to distinguish the Intel
iMac from its predecessor.

But computers are increasingly the focal point of the den--especially when they have 20-inch displays--and are often found in the kitchen or bedroom as well, so aesthetics are worth noting. After all, lamps are made to lighten a room, but people put a lot of time into finding one that is also pleasing to the eye and matches their decor. Why settle for a PC that looks like it was designed by Soviet carmaker?

As for the Intel iMac, there is little to distinguish it from its predecessor. Indeed, the one physical characteristic that is different in an iMac with built-in iSight is a mini-DVI port on the back, which allows a second display to extend the desktop rather than simply mirror it. By the way, the built-in display is beautiful: crisp letters, not a dead pixel that I could find, and bright enough to make you reach for the SPF30.

Memory
The Intel iMacs ship with 512MB of memory, which is enough to use the machine right out of the box, but probably not enough to judge the iMac's performance fairly. I noticed a slight lag in switching from one application to another, and an extremely annoying stutter when moving the mouse across the screen. For example, when opening a Web page and immediately moving the mouse, the cursor hesitates and then jumps ahead, usually well ahead of where I intended it to go.

I'm hoping a RAM upgrade fixes this, or I may be in line at the Genius Bar next week, or in line with my receipt to return it.

Of course, upgrading RAM is practically a requirement for any new PC. The problem here is that the Intel iMac RAM is hard to find and more expensive than memory for PowerPC iMacs. Apple's own Web sells 1GB of Intel iMac memory (PC2-5300 SO-DIMM) for $300, which is $100 more than the same amount for the non-Intel iMac (PC2-4200 DIMM). Many Web sites sell the memory for less, but most listed it as unavailable.

Cracking the case
Before Apple upgraded the flat-panel iMacs to include items like a built-in iSight camera, the company was praised for allowing people to easily open the case to do things like swap out the hard drive.

Not so with the new Intel and PowerPC iMacs: Apple has made opening the case much more of a hassle. That's worth noting if you are considering whether to get the 17-inch model, which has a 160GB hard drive, or the 20-inch, with 250GB. (Memory is easily added through an access door on the bottom that requires only a screwdriver to open.)

Noise
This iMac is remarkably quiet. I don't know how it stacks up against the PowerPC version, but it's significantly quieter than the G4 iMac it replaced or my Cube before it (which sounded like a biplane whenever I left a disc in the drive).

Sound
The speakers are small, but they sound quite good. They are not sufficient if you want room or house-filling tunes--that's what the "digital audio out" plug is for. But for listening to some music while working or cruising the Web, they sound great. Because they are located at the bottom of the case, facing down, it could be the way the sound bounces off the desk on the way to the ear.

[capfan12]

Stupid Desin in the iMac Series (all editions)

why would I put the money in for a 20 inch lcd that I must dispose of with the computer when it dies or no longer meets my needs?

talk about wasting your money. No OSX improvment over windows can make up for that stupid design. Nice looking design, but stupid as can be.

How many times do you throw out perfectly good displays because you need a faster computer?

[r124c41]

Aesthetic Design of Devices.

I am reminded of a friend who visited an older relative. Being ushered into the living room for coffee and conversation, my friend noted that the televsion had a emerald green color to it. My friend offered to adjust the color balance for the relative. Puzzled at the polite decline of the offer, my friend asked further and was told that the relative had specifically had the television picture adjusted that way because it matched the decor of the room.

[Mehboob Alam]

Rosetta issues with embedded code

Safari is native, Flash and the Java plugins may not be. Hence, some issues will arise.

[Lucky Lou]

Possible reason for mouse jumping

This seems obvious but maybe the reason for the cursor
jumping was the mousing surface. The included Mighty Mouse
should not be used over reflective surfaces or anything else that
might confuse the optical tracking device. This includes surfaces
that are usually fine but actually build up a subtle reflective
sheen from hand oils or even the process of mousing over time.
I've most often seen this be the main reason for jumpy cursors.

[norbert_sf]

Where to get RAM...

1st: All you need is more RAM. Apple has always been very bad
about putting in the MIN. amount of RAM they can get away with
just to boot and surf. It's Probably a good idea, cause that way
you can buy cheaper 3rd party RAM after the fact.

2nd: Never get RAM from Apple (unless you have $$$$ to spare).

1 Gig $119:
<http://eshop.macsales.com/MyOWC/Upgrades.cfm?
model=242&type=Memory&TI=%23TimeFormat%28Now%28%
29%2C+&shoupgrds=Show+Upgrades>

[SCKarl]

Macs are great... for people too stupid to operate Windows

Other than that, people need to get over their "Mac Superiority" delusions. I have a fair background to make this call also. I started off on Macs because I did graphics for years. They were great for that, but then PCs caught up in that 1 aspect that they were behind in. For years now the PC has been superior in all aspects. This article was obviously written by a Macophile and I feel is biased...

[kmashraf]

It may be great but....

Mac's always were that much of snoot. You basically bought a box that you could not fiddle with much. You paid for the Apple mystique. They possibly could not sell you a mess like WinTel for the prices they charge. But they were one up on low cost and functionality, read more software. And high prices usually mean higher asthetics and well made stuff. But of course the **** put paid to such a concept many years ago and gave us low cost = quality + asthetics. The WinTel duo definitely did not toe this line especially the Win of the Tel who decided to pile bad on top of bad inspite of quite reliable Tel hardware (GNU/Linux on x86 proves this). So if you ask me I will stick to my trusty old x86 (PC) platform and the coming 64 bit versions of it and have the freedom of using GNU/Linux on them.

[kmashraf]

Message has been deleted.

[thedevilbegone]

I hope

I do own a Mac "PC" too but now am unable to use the Fortran compiler? Why because I now have 10.4.3. I no longer can do the development I could earlier. All because.. it's another stupid Pc. And if you state that I should go get another compiler (like Benser), please feel free to buy me a new compiler. Don't give me the class act..

I own the revb imac g5 which came with tiger installed. It is buggy, things would freeze and I often required a reboot, but after 10.4.1 things seemed to settle down. I think it's an average operating system and after the next up... (10.4.3) its....
But, you jokers still don't get it? Why crib about something you don't have? Why don't you realize it's just another OEM PC?

My Mac "PC" no longer supports the Fortran compiler. (Tiger 10.4.3) So what's the point of a Mac "PC"? If you still intend to use the standard response of which serious Mac "PC" user would want to use Windows?? then matey let me know what you use it for? For running virtual PC for enabling other applications? If so, why a Mac "PC"? I can complete the task in under 500$. If your grouse is performance, then forget it, Windows XP beats the new Tiger hands down. By the way, you guys have to see the responses at the Apple site before you actually crib back to me about windows.

Why buy something for 3000$ when I can run more applications at around 500$? What's the deal paying? Why do I need virtual PC or a third party emulator as others have pointed out?

If you intend to use it somewhere and not realize where a Mac "PC"'s original position should be then just read the grouses on Mac forum before coming to windows. Start reading about the Grouses about Macs at the Apple site. (Scroll down to bottom of the page)
http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore?productLearnMore=MA190Z/A

It's not less. It's more. Besides the loss of functionality of most applications, do you really want to spend 3000 dollars for a snob value "PC"?

Also if you are in the multimedia, gaming, design, publishing, the Mac "PC" can be beaten by any custom made Pc. (That's the beauty of a Windows,Unix,Linux or any other operating systems) Below is my advice.
With a 3 Ghz processor and 800 FSB, with DDR 2 memory at 4200 (1-2GB) and a 7800 (6800 or above with 256 MB of video RAM) you have a configuration to handle any application. So why an underpowered Mac "PC"?

If you want to, you can configure any system to run fine on any operating system subject to user's understanding. And as Mac "PC" fanatics you are entitled to respond. But I have only one point to make. Why crib about something you don't have? You guys must seriously be wanting it.... (Remember the old adage, join them if you can't beat them :))

Now you can continue your grouse, Earl, Schmoe(K),Crusoe,Shauheen, Orazzi and the rest of your dumb marooned morons.....

[darrius3365]

Windows: Patches, Viruses and Spyware

The first computer every used (back in 4th grade or so) was a Mac, and although my family and I have always owned PCs, I still respect Macs for what they are and everything.

However, I don't understand the constant patch/virus/spyware argument against Windows. Yes, the OS is more prone to this. But personally, ever since I stopped using Kazaa P2P software (which I shouldn't have never been using anyway), I've never had spyware issues, and I have never had any viruses. My anti-virus software hasn't even told me that I "almost" got infected. Yes, I've received infected emails and infected AIM messages from others, but I think it is a matter of common sense rather than something that you are inevitably going to get if you go Windows.

Yeah, I guess it is better if you don't have to worry about it at all, but if you take the simple precautions like you have to do with everything else in life, you shouldn't have to worry about a thing.

The Windows patches (which may happen every two weeks or so) are basically background work and I don't have to do a thing. I just get a small notification that it is being installed. And for the supposed reinstallation, I've been using a Windows XP computer for 4 years, and have never had to reinstall it.

I am not saying that what is true for me in regards to this issue is true for the other ca-zillion people that use Windows, but i just had to say that.

Quick note:

The intel iMac is intended to replace the PowerPC iMac. The intel
version of the G5 Tower will be openable and have all the features
required for that. Remember, the iMac is for the user who wants an
all in one computer, not so much the user who wants to install his
or her own memory, etc.

[mcritz]

Re: "Mac Superiority Complex"

> people need to get over their "Mac Superiority" delusions.

I think we should have a support group for "Defensive Windows
User Complex."

Though, it should be more of a twelve step program.

[bobshandon]

you are dumbest!

dell?

Why is it that the comparisons are always done against dells?

I can configure a machine that is leaps and bounds more powerful than both the dell and thousands of lightyears more powerful than a mac of equal price.

It's the dumb people who buy apples and dells, and choose not to invest their money wisely on PROPER computers with UNLOCKED ASUS/MSI/SOLTEK etc. motherboards, PERFORMANCE OCZ EL/Kingston HYPERX/etc. memory, Geforce 7800GTXs, ENERMAX/ANTEC/FORTRON/etc. power supplies, (the list goes on).

You don't need expensive tech support for such a computer because the parts are of such high quality, that you very rarely run into any problems. Not to mention, if there ARE any problems, you can just send the parts in question back, and still have your computer with you.

Give me any apple or dell computer, and I'll configure a much more powerful one, and show you that apples are absolute garbage that are better used as boat anchors.

[valleeboila]

iMac Trade

Hello;

I have the chance to make a straight trade on my 15in Powerbook (the one with the Double Layer DVD burner) for the iMac Core 2 Duo 2gig model.

Should I do it? I don't know why the person with the iMac wants to do the trade because his iMac is far faster than my Powerbook