iMac G5 17", loves and hates?

[Plastic Avatar]

Got my iMac yesterday, and I'm loving it.

It doesn't quite inspire me the way the Cube did, but it's close.

About the only 'hate' I've come across so far is more of a gripe- fan noise.

Based on threads in the forums, I was expecting MDD-type hairdryer-on-steroids noise.... but it's really no more intrusive than the fan noise on my wife's 12" PB. And, it comes and goes with processor load. I can deal with that.

So, yeah, less of a hate and more of a 'Gee I wish it was as quiet as my Cube was.... but then it'd probably burn up just like so many Cubes did.'

Anyone living with an iMac G5 come across anything about it that gets your goat? Anyone have anything in particular they love about their machines?

I'm just curious and giddy, what with new machine happiness and all :D

I got the stock upper-tier 17" with Superdrive. I added a GB stick o' RAM, though =)

[Vster]

Yup got my iMac G5 not too long ago and I love it! My only dislike is the fan (which is louder than I've expected), but I'm used to it now. :D

[mad jew]

Yeah, I thought my iMac was a little louder than expected but my other Mac is an iBook so pretty much everything sounds loud next to that. :)

[Eluon]

i bought my iMac G5 17inch with 250gig hd ... I can not wait to open it up! I am on vacation and the computer was shipped home. I will get to open it up in about a week! :)

fan noise is something i hear about as a complaint too... but, i haven't had the opportunity to witness that.

[RJP31484]

I got the stock upper-tier 17" with Superdrive. I added a GB stick o' RAM, though =)

thats exactly the one I got about 2 weeks ago, and I added 1 Gb of RAM too... we have the EXACT same machine! I love it as well.. The fans do ramp up when I do anythign processor or GPU intensive, but othewise its not so bad. Much better than the FRANKENSTEIN PC I built/ was using prior to this. I dont see any better value that these machines right now... you are basically getting a low end powermac, with a free LCD monitor in a super-slim package that is pretty much portable, for hundreds less than a powermac.

[Chip NoVaMac]

So far, day two with my iMac G5 20" and no noise complaints about the fan. I wish my eMac were this quiet!

My gripe? Wish it had dual processors! :D

[atakordie]

Yeah, I got the same model you did, Plastic, and it's a real nice looking machine (especially to these switcher's eyes). Yes, the fan noise is noticeable, but it is much quieter than my old windows desktop and my toshiba laptop. Only gripe is that the fan really gets spinnin' when I download images and whatnot from the web, like within a web page. Can't figure out why, I have the 2 GB RAM and I did a clean install right out of the box. Other than that, perfectly content.

[FoxyKaye]

My gripe? Wish it had dual processors! :D
Same here, or at least dual-core. :D

I'm in love with my new iMac (see below) - haven't had any fan or sleep issues so far (these seem to be the major complaints I've seen). However, it's less than three weeks old, so as far as I'm concerned, it's still in its "burn-in" time. I'll see what happens when I run a bunch of sound editing software all at once, or let it sleep for an entire weekend or so...

Actually, I was reading an old thread about iMac memory and the G5 - currently, the Apple Developer Supplement for the iMac indicates that its maximum RAM, No Matter What, will be 2GB. However, there are 2GB PC3200 memory chips out there - if ones that meet the iMac specs were to be made, could they, would they, might they work? This would mean you could possibly fit as much as 4GB of RAM in an iMac - something that would certainly extend its useful lifetime.

Knowing Apple has done this before with its previous computers - namely stating that their maximum RAM is the size of the maximum amount of chip slots times the maximum size of the chips currently available on the market, is the Developer Supplement stating the TRUTH, or the truth from a certain perspective? Might there be a firmware update (that may or may not be needed) in the future that could make an iMac G5 accomodate two 2GB PC3200 chips in its memory slots? Or, is the onboard memory controller fixed in stone with regard to how much it will ever see? This I wonder about...

Also, even though the VRAM is 128MB, which since I never play games should last me till the end of time, I kind of wish could be a user-servicable upgrade versus soldered to the Midplane. But that's just wishful thinking...

[mrzeve]

I hate the white area on the bottom of it.

[Chip NoVaMac]

I hate the white area on the bottom of it.


Why? It is a great place for post-it notes. :D

[wwooden]

I've had mine for 6 days now, by far the best computer I've had yet. I love that it has airport built right in, I could just plug it in and I was on my network in no time. The two things that sold me on the rev b iMacs were the built in wireless and the 128mb of VRAM. They really are the best deal out there for a new computer.

As far as the white area under the screen, I don't even notice it anymore. When I first say the iMacs released, I didn't like the look at all, I thought they looked like a pizza box. But when you sit right in from of one, they have such a clean look and with a wireless keyboard and mouse, I have no wires on my desk.

[JeffTL]

I've had my 17" since November, and have upgraded it to Tiger.

Great all-around computer, not too noisy (nothing iTunes can't cure, especially considering mine only gets noticably loud when I am running Classic or something). The built-in speakers are kind of weak, but I solved that with a 2.1 system off the computer it was replacing.

The unit itself is as small as a Dell Ultrasharp LCD from late 2002 that I have on another computer, except it has the computer inside it instead of on the floor.

Very convenient -- especially in an already cluttered computer area.

[Plastic Avatar]

So far, day two with my iMac G5 20" and no noise complaints about the fan. I wish my eMac were this quiet!

My gripe? Wish it had dual processors! :D

Duals.

That would rock, but then they'd have to switch to aluminum cases so they wouldn't melt ;)

I keep hearing 20" owners say the fan noise is significantly less compared to the 17". I don't have a reference 20" I can sit down next to my 17" for comparisons, though it would be nice to measure the difference.

Have you had a chance to do photo manipulation on your 20", Chip?

I'm going to play with that tomorrow :D

[Plastic Avatar]

Yeah, I got the same model you did, Plastic, and it's a real nice looking machine (especially to these switcher's eyes).

No doubt!

The more I look at it, the more I appreciate the design....

I bought 6 Blueberry versions (192MB RAM, 4GB HDs) at a university auction last Summer for $120 (total for all). I put 10.2 on them and gave them away as Christmas presents.

I look forward to the day I can buy 6 of the G5 iMacs at an auction, but I'll keep every single one for use in my home. They're awfully pretty :D

Yes, the fan noise is noticeable, but it is much quieter than my old windows desktop and my toshiba laptop. Only gripe is that the fan really gets spinnin' when I download images and whatnot from the web, like within a web page. Can't figure out why, I have the 2 GB RAM and I did a clean install right out of the box. Other than that, perfectly content.

I've heard that about downloading images. Strange.

Noise- The iMac is definitely quieter than the Quicksilver G4 I used to have. And it's nothing compared to the old Gateway or Aptiva we had from days of yore.

As a switcher, what is your favorite feature of the new OS?

My wife *really* loves Spotlight.

Me, I like all those useful amazing widgets =)

And I don't know about the rest of you, but I think the rippling-water eye-candy-thing when widgets hit the screen is pretty *$^@!#% cool :D

[Chip NoVaMac]

I've had mine for 6 days now, by far the best computer I've had yet. I love that it has airport built right in, I could just plug it in and I was on my network in no time. The two things that sold me on the rev b iMacs were the built in wireless and the 128mb of VRAM. They really are the best deal out there for a new computer.

As far as the white area under the screen, I don't even notice it anymore. When I first say the iMacs released, I didn't like the look at all, I thought they looked like a pizza box. But when you sit right in from of one, they have such a clean look and with a wireless keyboard and mouse, I have no wires on my desk.

I too did the BT keyboard option. Love the keyboard. The mouse is just OK. Now if Wacom would just come out with a graphics pad that is BT, I would be happy. I just got my Treo to work via BT, one less cable hanging around.

[Chip NoVaMac]

Duals.

That would rock, but then they'd have to switch to aluminum cases so they wouldn't melt ;)

I keep hearing 20" owners say the fan noise is significantly less compared to the 17". I don't have a reference 20" I can sit down next to my 17" for comparisons, though it would be nice to measure the difference.

Have you had a chance to do photo manipulation on your 20", Chip?

I'm going to play with that tomorrow :D

Not as of yet. But I am Folding, doing bit torrents, and having Mail running; so the system is running under a load.

[eXan]

and with a wireless keyboard and mouse, I have no wires on my desk.

Hehe, look at my desktop ;)
http://usera.imagecave.com/eXan/IMG_1012.jpg http://usera.imagecave.com/eXan/IMG_1013.jpg

[xisforextreme]

The fan noise really doesn't bother me that much, probably because I'm used to the noise of my old desktop PC, the only thing about the iMac I don't like is its design. Cll me weird, but there was something about the old design which I really liked, as for performance and just about everything else, the iMac is a star (even though it still has the same 512 ram as when I bought it).

[CalfCanuck]

I'm pretty happy with my iMac - but am having major problems with awaking from sleep. I can't even deactivate sleep in my Energy Saver preferences and external drives are a real hassle.

But I'm hoping this is more of an issue with 10.4.1 - maybe a future update with help sort things out ... (definition of an optimist :p )

[Eidorian]

1.5 GB of RAM in my new iMac. I just wish the resolution was a little higher on the screen. Oh well...I wish I had the money for the 20" iMac but I'm a starving college student. :rolleyes:

[Chip NoVaMac]

1.5 GB of RAM in my new iMac. I just wish the resolution was a little higher on the screen. Oh well...I wish I had the money for the 20" iMac but I'm a starving college student. :rolleyes:

The $300 difference is well worth in long run IMO. It is a matter of choices and budgeting for students.

[shazammy]

I too did the BT keyboard option. Love the keyboard. The mouse is just OK. Now if Wacom would just come out with a graphics pad that is BT, I would be happy. I just got my Treo to work via BT, one less cable hanging around.

Have you been snoozing? Wacom DOES have a Bluetooth graphire tablet, it's really great.

http://www.wacom.com/graphire/bluetooth.cfm

[Chip NoVaMac]

Have you been snoozing? Wacom DOES have a Bluetooth graphire tablet, it's really great.

http://www.wacom.com/graphire/bluetooth.cfm

Guess I have been.
:)

[Eidorian]

The $300 difference is well worth in long run IMO. It is a matter of choices and budgeting for students.I was able to cough up enough for the SuperDrive tthough. I NEED my ability to burn DVD's.

[Plastic Avatar]

Hehe, look at my desktop ;)
http://usera.imagecave.com/eXan/IMG_1013.jpg

I love a good example of computer sprawl =)

Hey, are you really in Vladivostok? I ask because I recently purchased a lot of old pictures/picture postcards and some are labeled 'vladivostok'.... many others look like they were taken somewhere in Russia (circa somewhere between 1910 and 1930, my guess).

[Plastic Avatar]

The $300 difference is well worth in long run IMO. It is a matter of choices and budgeting for students.

Yeah, all you big and fancy 20-inchers say the same thing "It's worth the money, the screen is great, my Mac is bigger then your Mac."

Show offs ;)

[lol]

I was this close [holds finger and thumb really close together for reference] to getting a 20".... [sigh].... but I needed a few extra items more than the real estate and bigger HD.

I just keep telling myself that when I want more screen I can just buy an LCD and utilize that spanning hack.... over and over and over =(

[laughs]

[FoxyKaye]

Yeah, all you big and fancy 20-inchers say the same thing "It's worth the money, the screen is great, my Mac is bigger then your Mac."

Show offs ;)
LOL - it's not the size that matters, it's how you use it!

I had enough money for either the base model 20" or a really souped-up 17" - since one of my long-term goals is to never have to open the back of my Mac for at least two years, I opted for the souped up 17". I've also been working on 12", 15" and 17" CRTs my whole life, so to me the 17" feels ginormous. I never really understood to what people were referring when they said things like "high definition", "widescreen", and "core video/Quartz Extreme" until I saw the difference between OS X on my Blue/White and OS X on my iMac. Goodness, it was unbelievable to me when I popped in a DVD and watched Spiderman 2 on it as well.

Actually, I did think of a rant last night - AppleCare sent me TechTool Deluxe 3.0.3, which really doesn't function very well on my iMac. I think it's a sales ploy to get folks to upgrade to the much more functional TechTool Pro 4 for $60. C'est la vie...

[Plastic Avatar]

LOL - it's not the size that matters, it's how you use it!
[laughs]

I keep telling myself that, but Ego is a harsh mistress =(

I had enough money for either the base model 20" or a really souped-up 17" - since one of my long-term goals is to never have to open the back of my Mac for at least two years, I opted for the souped up 17".
2 years without cracking the case?

[hrm]

I guess that's more than realistic, after thinking about it. Other than putting in another Gig stick when I get a chance, there's really no reason for me to open up mine, either. All my important stuff is spread out over multiple external FW drives.

That's kind of a different mode of thinking for me. For 4 years I was all about stuffing my Quicksilver with everything I could- pci cards, extra drives, 2nd video card for 3 monitor madness, etc. None of that really applies with an iMac.

I've also been working on 12", 15" and 17" CRTs my whole life, so to me the 17" feels ginormous. I never really understood to what people were referring when they said things like "high definition", "widescreen", and "core video/Quartz Extreme" until I saw the difference between OS X on my Blue/White and OS X on my iMac. Goodness, it was unbelievable to me when I popped in a DVD and watched Spiderman 2 on it as well.
I, too, am impressed by the screen.

After playing Warcraft 3 the past 2 days on it, I'm *AMAZED* by the color. Everything in the game has this vibrant, almost neon, quality that just begs to be stared at.

Actually, I did think of a rant last night - AppleCare sent me TechTool Deluxe 3.0.3, which really doesn't function very well on my iMac. I think it's a sales ploy to get folks to upgrade to the much more functional TechTool Pro 4 for $60. C'est la vie...
I haven't checked my AppleCare box yet. I assumed it would ship with TTP 4. That is a little lame.

[ebow]

Glad to hear that several users are quite happy with the 17" displays. I'll be joining the ranks of iMac G5 owners soon, and while I'm sorely tempted to get a 20" model, my practical side will probably win and I'll stick with 17 inches. I still haven't resolved the issue of whether to upgrade the HD or not... $68 (with ed. discount) for an extra 90 GB sounds pretty good, but I've been managing with my current 30 GB for 5 years now. Of course, if I could find the 2 GHz 17" model with 250 GB HD in the New Hampshire Apple Store (I'm in MA) and successfully use my wife's ed. discount there, the tax savings would cover the upgrade cost. Hmm... :p (that face is supposed to be "exasperated")

[Plastic Avatar]

Glad to hear that several users are quite happy with the 17" displays. I'll be joining the ranks of iMac G5 owners soon, and while I'm sorely tempted to get a 20" model, my practical side will probably win and I'll stick with 17 inches. I still haven't resolved the issue of whether to upgrade the HD or not... $68 (with ed. discount) for an extra 90 GB sounds pretty good, but I've been managing with my current 30 GB for 5 years now. Of course, if I could find the 2 GHz 17" model with 250 GB HD in the New Hampshire Apple Store (I'm in MA) and successfully use my wife's ed. discount there, the tax savings would cover the upgrade cost. Hmm... :p (that face is supposed to be "exasperated")

Even though it's a hack, you can add screen estate if you use the spanning utility. Just something to keep in mind =)

30GB for 5 years?

[makes gasping sound]

I don't know how to make do with 300GB!

[laughs]

I don't think the cost for the HD upgrade is bad at all. But it sounds like you should use that money on something nice for missus, what with her letting you use her Edu. discount and all :D

I know, go pick up the Mac and take her to a nice dinner/lunch somewhere for $70 =)

[eXan]

Hey, are you really in Vladivostok?

Yes :D

[ebow]

I don't think the cost for the HD upgrade is bad at all. But it sounds like you should use that money on something nice for missus, what with her letting you use her Edu. discount and all :D

I know, go pick up the Mac and take her to a nice dinner/lunch somewhere for $70 =)

Not a bad idea, especially since we have 3 (soon to be 4) Apple Stores here in Massachusetts and I'd be dragging us up to New Hampshire.

Of course a better idea would be checking with her first on the whole using her EDU discount. ;) Kidding; I'm pretty sure I mentioned the idea to her already.

[Chip NoVaMac]

Even though it's a hack, you can add screen estate if you use the spanning utility. Just something to keep in mind =)


And with Tiger, we can now enjoy portrait mode with our beloved Dell PF2001, FP2005. and FP2405 monitors.

[Plastic Avatar]

Yes :D

Once I scan these old pictures in (probably a few months away), think you might take a look and see if you can identify any landmarks?

I'll put them up on my web site as I archive them.

[eXan]

I'll put them up on my web site as I archive them.

Ok, but can you send me and e-mail with notification of upload? You can find my e-mail on my web-site (Contact button)