The Best Apple Design Ever

[iMacZealot]

In your opinion, what was the best design of Apple's products?

I would have to say maybe the iMac G4. While I own the more powerful iMac G5 (as well as the G3), I think the G4 design had a great sense of personality to it. I think it'd be great if they cross-bred it with the intel mac mini and priced it under $1000. That would be an amazing computer.

I think it's amazing that Apple could take that 10.5" base of the G4 and put it behind the display for a computer less than two inches thick. The iMac G4 was not really an amazing technical computer, especially compared to the G5, but it certainly beats the G5 in design albeit the large base.

What's your favorite?

[iBookG4user]

I would have to say that the PowerMac G4 Cube is the best IMO. But the MacBook Pro design is a very close second.

[Daveway]

Toss-up between iMac G4 and Macbook Pro

[apunkrockmonk]

I used to think the emate was pretty cool when I was younger.

I remember in one Mac Addict magazine they had photoshopped a picture of it running Mac OS 8/9.

Then the clamshell iBook came out and I forgot about that mess.

I think that the G4 iMac is one of the best if not the best design.

[CanadaRAM]

The iMac G3 saved Apple,
Killed the Floppy drive and the serial port
Established the USB standard, and
Broke the beige-box mold.

[Cassie]

The iMac G3 saved Apple,
Killed the Floppy drive and the serial port
Established the USB standard, and
Broke the beige-box mold.

Well, except for the 2nd part, I agree. (NO THE FLOPPY DRIVE IS NOT OUTDATED! And neither is the serial port; I'm not kidding)

It's hard to pick, so I'll just list my favs.

1.iMac G3- redefined the mac
2.iBook G3 Clamshell- redefined the laptop
3.iBook G3, nonclamshell-cute. thats about it
4.Macbook- very sleek,and nothing needs to be said about the keyboard
5.Macintosh LC- just how it looks I guess. I love the pizza box macs

And don't forget those iPods!

4th Gen, hands down. That is where they perfected the iPod design.

[spicyapple]

The Mac mini.

The symbol of sheer elegance, simplicity and remarkable restraint. The design is timeless, too.

[bartelby]

The B&W G3 and the Quicksilver G4.
The B&W set a new design standard and the Quicksilver was the best version of that style.

[TheAnswer]

Powerbook G5: the thinnest, lightest and quietest notebook ever! :p

[mariahlullaby]

The iPod :apple:

[Dros]

Power Macintosh 7500. It seemed so far advanced compared to other computers at the time. To swap memory you just had to push a few latches, lift up the drive bays on a nifty hinge, and snap them in! Ingenious. Plus, a 100 MHz PowerPC 601+.

[SoldOutMatinee]

iPod Nano.

[Leareth]

G3 iMac - the entire computer in the screen, it was a breeze to set up, plug in keyboard, mouse and power the turn on. The handle on the top made it somewhat portable and the speakers were great.

G3 B&W - my first mac, a spent the first day just opening and closing the side door. it made upgrading so easy.

Airport express - the size of a power adapter, instant network, plug in printer and all can share.

The ibook or powerbook adapters - the prongs are so easy to change depending on which country you are in or for plane, car ect... I love it.

[siurpeeman]

The Mac mini.

The symbol of sheer elegance, simplicity and remarkable restraint. The design is timeless, too.

i'd have to agree with the mini. to me, it's far better looking than the g4 cube, with those awful external speakers and the external power brick practically the size of a mini itself. keep it simple, and the mini does.

[Markleshark]

iMac. The one with the neck. Quality design.

[mashinhead]

i'm going with the titanium powerbook. Think it really set the tone for a lot of the direction of the design now, and is still the thinest notebook. It looked great closed. It was also my first mac ever. And do i remember the day i opened it. Beautiful.

[®îçhå®?]

The computer I think is the best designed is the TAM. Granted it was bloody expensive and wasnt the best around but IMO, it looked fabulous.

My black macbook also comes close. IT is so pretty that i sometimes just gaze at it and not use it (sad i know)

[iMacZealot]

The computer I think is the best designed is the TAM. Granted it was bloody expensive and wasnt the best around but IMO, it looked fabulous.

My black macbook also comes close. IT is so pretty that i sometimes just gaze at it and not use it (sad i know)

Also, the TAM was probably the only computer ever that had the option of being delivered to your door by a guy in a tux with a limo. :)

And yes, I do the same thing with my iMac G5. I moved my desk so that I can see that pretty back of it as I fall asleep. *sighs* :rolleyes: :)

[DMann]

The Mac mini.

The symbol of sheer elegance, simplicity and remarkable restraint. The design is timeless, too.

A design metamorphosis, if you will, starting with the Great GrandDaddy: The Cube -->>> The Mac-Mini -- The new Airport Extreme Base Station -- and The :apple: TV. - A lineage of strikingly subtle elegance, refinement, and exquisite design - yes, timeless all around, and the possibilities are endless.

[sunfast]

I've got a G4 iMac and it's pretty sweet looking. I've never seen a cube in real life but they do look great. Right now I'd be all over a MBP looks wise.

[Tymmz]

I like the PB's (especially the 12''er) and the Mac Pro.

[iBlue]

I think the iMac G5. A computer that looks like a flatscreen monitor. Ace.

[miniConvert]

The Apple Cinema Displays. They're just so gorgeous.

[Jaffa Cake]

I'd go for the G4 iMac myself – a fantastic piece of design.

I do have a bit of a soft spot for the G3 version as well though – they proved to be incredibly influential from a design point of view. You only have to look at the number of products and gadgets that started using candy-coloured translucent plastics in the wake of the iMac's release – everything from peripherals to grillers.

[®îçhå®?]

The old CRT displays that were transparent are also high. They looked stunning

[Chaszmyr]

XServe Raid is the most impressive looking, in my opinion, but the 5th gen iPod is the best. It's so hard to say though, because all of Apple's current designs are way better than the competition. Basically, you're saying "is the best MP3 player better than the best notebook?" etc.

[arkitect]

The best ever? Probably something Apple never released… a concept that was truly gorgeous but quite impractical…

So that leaves the:
Titanium G4 Powerbook — every Powerbook/MacBook Pro since just a refining of a beautiful concept.

Mac Pro — Perfection, both outside and inside.

Of course, the most original design would be the Bondi Blue iMac G3. That was so special Steve even wore a suit and tie! Ah happy days! :)

[dogbone]

er... the iPhone

[erasekid]

In chronological order:

1. The Powerbook Duo 2400 - merger of elegance and intelligence
2. The Performa 5200 series (all-one) - the distant cousin of the iMac
3. The iMac G3 (candy colors) - the Bondi color never worked for me
4. The Powerbook G3 Pismo - brilliant refinement of an established design
5. The iMac G4 Sunflower design
6. The Powerbook G4 12'' - an amazing design, light and sturdy
7. The iMac G5 is the essence of simplicity

More recently, Apple's metal products have been some of their best. iPod Mini, PowerMac/ MacPro, etc.

Not a big fan of the Mac Mini, new Airport, Apple TV. These designs fail to acheive iconic status (ie. if you saw a sillouette (or line drawing) of the product would you recognize it?). The old Airport meets this standard, as do most of Apple's designs.

[iGav]

Not strictly an Apple product, though they did have input in it's design.

I'm going to have to go with the Harman Kardon iSub. Simplicity perfected.

[bartelby]

Not strictly an Apple product, though they did have input in it's design.

I'm going to have to go with the Harman Kardon iSub. Simplicity perfected.

I didn't put the iSub because I was unsure as to who designed it. But I totally agree with you!

I'd quite happily have one as an ornament!

[iGav]

I didn't put the iSub because I was unsure as to who designed it. But I totally agree with you!

Pretty certain that Ive & Co. had a major a say in it, if not completely designed it (which I think they did, but I couldn't be 100%).

Truly timeless, even 7 years on. Sign of good design that. :)

[Allotriophagy]

The IIci. Supremely upgradable and expandable. Incredibly easy to open up and access the internals. First proper 32 bit Macintosh, first desktop Macintosh use of SMT. Even the chunky box style of it is cute today.

Machines like the iMacs and Mini are certainly pretty, but in terms of design they are mainly about aesthetics and form at the expense of expansion options and upgradeability.

[Apemanblues]

I always loved the look of the Cube.

Yeah yeah, it wasn't practical ...but it looked cool.

[rijiMacDij]

The iMac G4 was definitely the bravest, and still makes me smile when I remember the one I had. I loved the way it made most windows users totally freak out, they couldn't understand it.

They couldn't grasp the concept. I loved the way you could spin the monitor around to show your work to the client.

I have often considered getting a 20"er and planting a macintel mini inside!:o :apple:

[gkarris]

The Apple PowerCD.

Such a beautiful design in the face of all the other ugly external CD-ROM drives of the day...
(except for Apple's, of course)

[Plymouthbreezer]

Here's my list:

1) iMac G4 - Stunning design. Revolutionary just as much as the G3 all-in-one's it replaced. I can't tell you how many people have come into my home, seen the iMac G4, and remark about how awesome it is. And then when I show them what it can do...

2) TiBook - Thin. Sleek. Powerful. My six year old TiBook looks cooler than most people's brand new PC notebooks. And it's still a usable machine to boot (pardon the pun).

3) iMac G3 - Classic. It started the new trend in Apple's design. While I do look at it as clunky and bloated now, they are still perfect machines for most people, and the design is ingenious. Anyone remember the setup manuals??

Interestingly enough, all three are computers I currently own. I suppose I might be slightly biased, but it's the reason I purchased the computers in the first place.

[iMacZealot]

I agree with everyone's thoughts on the original iMac. It was an amazing computer and really got Apple back on their feet.

I'm slightly surprised nobody said the original iBook, or any iBook/MacBook at all.

I noticed that since the introduction of the iMac G5 with iSight, they've sort of "beveled" the back. I think I like my flat back better. How about you?

[®îçhå®?]

I'm slightly surprised nobody said the original iBook, or any iBook/MacBook at all.

Now that isnt true. Look back through the thread, I for one said my macbook and there are others (Cassie said the clamshell, the white G3 and the macbook)

[iMacZealot]

Now that isnt true. Look back through the thread, I for one said my macbook and there are others (Cassie said the clamshell, the white G3 and the macbook)

Oh, oops. I guess I wasn't paying attention!

[mrkramer]

My favorite design would be either the iMac G4, or the cube. The black MacBook is pretty close to those also.

[Xeem]

I REALLY like the Pismo, and the Twentieth Anniversary Mac was quite impressive, but I think I have to vote Cube on this one. It is the only computer that my many PC friends have ever considered really "beautiful," it is silent when it runs, and it was upgradeable by replacing the video card or processor. Still Apple's best marriage of function and art in my opinion.

[MacRy]

The Cube I reckon although the iMac G4 is a very close second. I love the way my iMac G4 looks even after all these years and it still draws ooh's of appreciation from friends who see it for the first time.

[evilgEEk]

I must admit, I never cared much for the G4 iMac. :o

It was a bold decision, and it struck a definite chord with a lot of folks, but it never really grabbed me. Though I will give it credit for being the precursor to the G5 iMac, now that is a beautiful machine!

The G5 PowerMacs and Mac Pros are beautiful as well, but in a different way. When you see a PowerMac G5 or Mac Pro you can just feel the power it has under the hood. It grabs your attention and gets your respect right away, and when you actually put it through it's paces you'll never want to use anything else!

Of course having said all that, I'm still going to have to go with the Mac mini as my favorite design. It's so simple, so elegant... it's just gorgeous.

[Chris Bangle]

The imac G4 is definatly the most awesome apple design. I also love the ipod mini, it feels so right in your hands. The problem with the imac G5 is the blasted chin. It really pees me off. Apart from the chin the G5 is pretty cool. but my list then consists of

1)imac g4
2)ipod mini
3)iphone
4)mac pro
5)imac g5

[iAlan]

:p

[leekohler]

i'm going with the titanium powerbook. Think it really set the tone for a lot of the direction of the design now, and is still the thinest notebook. It looked great closed. It was also my first mac ever. And do i remember the day i opened it. Beautiful.

I agree! The best notebook design and the titanium was SO much better than the aluminum. Much more durable. Beautiful machine. I was sad when it got discontinued.

[patrick0brien]

PowerBook 500 series...

... Because of the design influence it has, all the way through today.

First computer with a trackpad
Stereo speakers on the monitor
Swappable bays and all of the funky configurations that come with it
Risers in the rear for ergonomics

[zephead]

I have to say, the iMac G4 is the most unique computer I have ever seen. I LOVE the design of my MacBook as well. I might get an iMac G4 off eBay just for the coolness factor of it :D.

[yojitani]

I have to say, the iMac G4 is the most unique computer I have ever seen. I LOVE the design of my MacBook as well. I might get an iMac G4 off eBay just for the coolness factor of it :D.

I agree. I was disappointed at the design of the imac g5's. I still am not all that keen on them (or the intel iterations). Also, as someone mentioned, the imac g5 monitors are not flexible.

IMHO:
(top five)
1. iMac G4
2. Cube
3. PowerMac G4 (the last models - can't remember the name)
4. iPod 5 Gen
5. iMac G3

YT

[TheBusDriver]

Heres my favorite

http://www.sami.com.tn/imagesproduits%5CiMac%20G4.jpg

that and the iPods

NEW PAGE!!!!!!!!!

[mashinhead]

The old CRT displays that were transparent are also high. They looked stunning

yeah the ones that looked like the nose of a plane at the back.

[mashinhead]

I agree! The best notebook design and the titanium was SO much better than the aluminum. Much more durable. Beautiful machine. I was sad when it got discontinued.

For some reason this is about the only major product that i can't a video for of the product introduction. I can find the Macworld intro for the ipod, first and all imacs, ibook, new ibook, cube, but not the titanium powerbook, when was that introduced?

[Mammoth]

12" Powerbook. Groundbreaking when it was new, and still is in a way.

[puckhead193]

the headless imac, man when i first saw that i was like :eek: So different, so unique

[dllavaneras]

iMac G4, no doubt about it. Jaw-dropping design, and the marketing campaign (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rk5Ei8hFRdc) was just awesome. One of the best ads I've seen!

[Cassie]

3) iMac G3 - Anyone remember the setup manuals??

You mean the one with like 35 words and 3 pictures? Yeah.:)

5. The iMac G4 Sunflower design

Uh.. don't you mean iMac G3?

[dllavaneras]

You mean the one with like 35 words and 3 pictures? Yeah.:)

6 small steps :)

Uh.. don't you mean iMac G3?

No, the G4 iMac was designed based on a sunflower and it's ability to face the sun in any direction :)

[johnmartin78]

The G4 iMac was perfect.Not only beautifull design,but functional.

[dllavaneras]

The G4 iMac was perfect.Not only beautifull design,but functional.

I wouldn't call it perfect, as the base was mighty big, but beautiful and functional yes, definitely :)

[Cassie]

6 small steps :)



No, the G4 iMac was designed based on a sunflower and it's ability to face the sun in any direction :)

Oh right, sorry, I was thinking of the "flower power" iMac G3.

[dllavaneras]

Oh right, sorry, I was thinking of the "flower power" iMac G3.

Oh, no! That and Blue Dalmatian are possibly the most horrible computer paint jobs I've seen :eek:

[Shadow]

I dunno. I never really liked the iMac G4. Then again, I've only seen a handful of Mac's in person. I like iMac G5's. I think I'd like the PowerMac G4 Cube if I was it in person.

The most successful is easily the iPod 3G. It was the iPod which made them popular.

[-::ubermann::-]

imacG3
imacG4
macbook

[squeeks]

Macbook Pro

sexiest computer ever

[CRAZYBUBBA]

My faves

1. iMac G3
2. iMac G4
3. 20th century Mac

[squeeks]

3. 20th century Mac

umm...be more specific?