I visited my local Apple Store today and checked out Apple's latest offerings, especially the 27" iMac, which I've got my eye on. Below are some random impressions.
The 21.5" iMac will fit the bill for many, but the screen of the 27" iMac looks to be about perfect for anyone who does a lot of work with photos, video or graphics. I compared it to Apple's 30" stand-alone monitor. On a side note, the 30" is looking long in the tooth next to the updated 24" monitor and iMacs; it's noticeably thicker and lacks the black frame of the newer screens, which I find more attractive. I mentioned the need for Apple to update the 30" to one of the sales staff, and he just stood there as if he was not allowed to give verbal agreement to anything negative about an Apple product. Anyhoo, the 27" iMac screen holds its own next to the 30" monitor. The 3" difference really isn't much. And given the price of the 30", the 27" iMac looks to be almost a bargain (relatively speaking--this is Apple hardware, after all...).
The Magic Mouse is certainly sleek and unique, but at the end of the day, it doesn't seem to offer any noticeable performance advantages over a regular mouse. I sort of like how my current Microsoft mouse fills up the palm of my hand better <gasp>. On the plus side, though, the Magic Mouse seemed to work as advertised. It was not a problem scrolling with it. And I like how if you give the surface a quick flick with your finger the screen will continue to scroll a bit, as if with inertia.
The Magic Mouse's 'clicker' was not what I was expecting. In order to click on something, the mouse doesn't register your tapping on the touch-sensitive surface. Instead, the entire top surface is effectively a giant button hinged at the back of the mouse. When you press down on the top of the mouse, it physically moves (just like a regular mouse button would when you click it). It even makes a tactile and audible 'click' when you do so. It works fine, I was just expecting it to be activated by the touch-sensitive surface.
Moving the mouse around the screen, it seemed the arrow's movement was a little slow compared to how I have my current PC mouse set up, but I assume that can be adjusted in some sort of control panel (I'm currently a PC owner).
Then there's the wireless keyboard. Cutting to the chase, it's a disappointment. It's perhaps the worst example of function giving way to form in the entire Apple lineup of products. It looks stylish and elegant just sitting there. Eventually, however, you're gonna wanna, you know, use it. The keyboard just doesn't feel good when typing on it. I can't imagine anyone who does a lot of typing--particularly someone who is a fast typist--would prefer it over a 'regular' keyboard. It's frustrating to think that I will have to shell out more money for something that Apple should have gotten right in the first place.
To sum up: The 27" iMac looks to be a nice machine. The 27" screen seems to be about the perfect size. The Magic Mouse is a cute novelty whose form doesn't get in the way of its basic function. Unfortunately, the same can't be said of the disappointing wireless keyboard.
The 21.5" iMac will fit the bill for many, but the screen of the 27" iMac looks to be about perfect for anyone who does a lot of work with photos, video or graphics. I compared it to Apple's 30" stand-alone monitor. On a side note, the 30" is looking long in the tooth next to the updated 24" monitor and iMacs; it's noticeably thicker and lacks the black frame of the newer screens, which I find more attractive. I mentioned the need for Apple to update the 30" to one of the sales staff, and he just stood there as if he was not allowed to give verbal agreement to anything negative about an Apple product. Anyhoo, the 27" iMac screen holds its own next to the 30" monitor. The 3" difference really isn't much. And given the price of the 30", the 27" iMac looks to be almost a bargain (relatively speaking--this is Apple hardware, after all...).
The Magic Mouse is certainly sleek and unique, but at the end of the day, it doesn't seem to offer any noticeable performance advantages over a regular mouse. I sort of like how my current Microsoft mouse fills up the palm of my hand better <gasp>. On the plus side, though, the Magic Mouse seemed to work as advertised. It was not a problem scrolling with it. And I like how if you give the surface a quick flick with your finger the screen will continue to scroll a bit, as if with inertia.
The Magic Mouse's 'clicker' was not what I was expecting. In order to click on something, the mouse doesn't register your tapping on the touch-sensitive surface. Instead, the entire top surface is effectively a giant button hinged at the back of the mouse. When you press down on the top of the mouse, it physically moves (just like a regular mouse button would when you click it). It even makes a tactile and audible 'click' when you do so. It works fine, I was just expecting it to be activated by the touch-sensitive surface.
Moving the mouse around the screen, it seemed the arrow's movement was a little slow compared to how I have my current PC mouse set up, but I assume that can be adjusted in some sort of control panel (I'm currently a PC owner).
Then there's the wireless keyboard. Cutting to the chase, it's a disappointment. It's perhaps the worst example of function giving way to form in the entire Apple lineup of products. It looks stylish and elegant just sitting there. Eventually, however, you're gonna wanna, you know, use it. The keyboard just doesn't feel good when typing on it. I can't imagine anyone who does a lot of typing--particularly someone who is a fast typist--would prefer it over a 'regular' keyboard. It's frustrating to think that I will have to shell out more money for something that Apple should have gotten right in the first place.
To sum up: The 27" iMac looks to be a nice machine. The 27" screen seems to be about the perfect size. The Magic Mouse is a cute novelty whose form doesn't get in the way of its basic function. Unfortunately, the same can't be said of the disappointing wireless keyboard.
I however love the wireless keyboard, it feels great and types very well, and of course it looks great! I only wish that they came out with a keyboard with a trackpad.
