First Impressions of Intel iMac Core Duo

[Nermal]

Anyway, I timed it and it took appromimately 37 seconds, including typing the password.

A Power Mac is of course going to be faster than an iMac, but that's still a huge difference! 😱

 

[FadeToBlack]

A Power Mac is of course going to be faster than an iMac, but that's still a huge difference! 😱

Yep, a pretty big difference. I believe my eMac was pretty close to the same time as my Power Mac to boot up as well. I'd say it took a bit longer, but not by much.

 

[robg3176]

RE: video shwoing two iMac side by side boot up

What a crock of a video...my 1st generation iMac g5 with 10.4.4

(the one that's supposed to fry up because of its capacitors-but still hasn't)

boots up in less than 30 seconds; and boots up and loads up my desktop, MSN Messenger, Yahoo Messenger, and Safari, in less than 35 seconds!!!

I've only added 512mb of RAM; the iMac Intel Duo's come with 512mb. Something isn't consistent in his comparison. 😕

🙂 😀

 

[robg3176]

I too used keep mine running all the time too.

Why?

I've heard the pros and cons to this for years. I used to leave my computers on all the time, but now I just shut them off at night unless they're actually doing something like rendering or downloading. The stress the computer has from being turned on and off is about equal to the stress of the components/fans from being left on all the time.

In the old days this may have been true about the stress, but computers aren't built like that today and they're tough little buggers. Yes yes...for every horror story someone will tell me about the evils of turning your computer on and off I can tell them a horror story of leaving them on all the time. It all equals out in the end...save the electricity that's being wasted.

Agreed: Pluse the hard disk drives undergo undue stress of those metal platters continously spinning + heat = decreased lifespan.

 

[westsecond]

Delays in iMac Core Duo shipments...

I expect I won't be the only person to receive the following e-mail from the Apple Store, which just arrived:

* * *

We appreciate your recent purchase through the online Apple Store.

The following is an update regarding the status of your order
W186xxxxx.

Due to an unexpected delay, we were unable to ship your product(s) by
the date originally quoted to you. We now anticipate shipping the
following item(s) as follows:

Z0CY, IMAC 20/2.0/SD CTO
will now ship by Jan 25, 2006
and deliver by Jan 30, 2006

We regret any inconvenience this delay may cause.

A shipment notification, with tracking information, will be emailed to
you as soon as your order is shipped. You may check the status
of your order any time by visiting our online order status website
at http://www.apple.com/orderstatus.

If you prefer, you may change or cancel your order anytime before it
is shipped. If you choose to cancel your order, Apple will issue a
prompt refund.

We are happy to answer questions or provide further status regarding
your order. You may reach us by calling 1-800-676-2775 ext-55150,
Mon-Fri 8am-6pm (Central).

If we do not hear from you, we will continue processing your order.

We appreciate your business and your patience. Thank you for shopping
at the Apple Store!

* * *

I had placed my order (iMac Core Duo 2.0, 1G RAM) an hour after the keynote on Jan. 10. Original shipping date had been Jan. 18.

 

[BigHat]

Agreed: Pluse the hard disk drives undergo undue stress of those metal platters continously spinning + heat = decreased lifespan.

You only need to look at the stress Tivos put on HDs to agree with this. My high def Tivo has gone thru 3 drives in two years. I've never had a hard drive failure in any PC. Been lucky I guess.

 

[aristobrat]

Agreed: Pluse the hard disk drives undergo undue stress of those metal platters continously spinning + heat = decreased lifespan.

Why would hard drives spin continously when the computer's not being actively used?

Most modern OSs default to putting the drive to sleep after XX minutes of inactivity, no?

 

[aristobrat]

You only need to look at the stress Tivos put on HDs to agree with this. My high def Tivo has gone thru 3 drives in two years. I've never had a hard drive failure in any PC. Been lucky I guess.

Weird.

My house has 4 DTiVo's (HDVR2s -- each coming up on being 3 years old) that (knock on wood) haven't had any drive failures. 😕

 

[powerbook911]

Weird.

My house has 4 DTiVo's (HDVR2s -- each coming up on being 3 years old) that (knock on wood) haven't had any drive failures. 😕

Same here. I have two 4+ year old DirecTiVos. Furthermore, I have a 5 and a half year old regular TiVo, and they still work so far (knock on wood). 🙂

 

[skunkworks]

I returned my new imac, didn't find the speed worth the price at this point in time. I think I will hold off till the next version of imac comes out possibly in june. I think apple just shot itself in the foot by announcing those ridiculous speed claims.

 

[TBi]

I returned my new imac, didn't find the speed worth the price at this point in time. I think I will hold off till the next version of imac comes out possibly in june. I think apple just shot itself in the foot by announcing those ridiculous speed claims.

And now apple loses money re-packaging your computer because you couldn't wait for real reviews of it to come out. I hate this "Oh if i don't like it i'll just return it" attitude. It drives up the cost for the rest of us. Unless you had a major problem or found some major flaw which meant the iMac could not do what you wanted (it could, just slower for the moment) then it was your decision to buy it and you shouldn't burden apple with the cost of you not being able to wait.

 

[skunkworks]

TBi,

you either work for apple or own apple stock...your comments surely reflect this.

Give me a break..... when someone promises something and they don't deliver i just don't buy it, period!

If you really feel bad about them repackaging perhaps you should send them a money transfer for me....dumb ass ! !

 

[TBi]

TBi,

you either work for apple or own apple stock...your comments surely reflect this.

Give me a break..... when someone promises something and they don't deliver i just don't buy it, period!

If you really feel bad about them repackaging perhaps you should send them a money transfer for me....dumb ass ! !

Don't wanna start any fights but it is just my opinion. I don't work for apple, never have either, and don't own any apple stock. I just believe in common courtesy.

Maybe you should take your own advice in future:
"when someone promises something and they don't deliver i just don't buy it, period! "

Why did you buy it if they didn't deliver? I know you didn't find out until after you bought it but you also would have found out in time from other users experiences. Instead now you are costing apple money which will be passed onto the consumer (or me if i paid that money transfer 😱 ) and stopping someone who actually wanted a new iMac from getting one (they are in short supply).

 

[skunkworks]

TBi

you really need to take a pill man and relax !!!

You are totalling out to lunch on this and really don't care for your stupid comments.

 

[skunkworks]

I've heard through a friend that 64bit macs will come but probably by years end and the graphics will blow you away ! ! This is a friend who has a friend that has some inside scoop.

 

[kbonnel]

I've heard through a friend that 64bit macs will come but probably by years end and the graphics will blow you away ! ! This is a friend who has a friend that has some inside scoop.

Really, I thought the G5 was already 64bit, guess they came early.

Kimo

 

[bluefire75]

Apple Delivers

I'm new to this forum, so to all of you Mac elites out there, bare with me. I switched to Mac computers about 5 years ago. To get to the point, I was just sick of Windows after 12 years. It's my own personal opinion that MS just doesn't seem to get it. Yesterday, I received my new iMac 20'. It's fully loaded. Upgraded the video card to 256, beefed up the HD to 500 GB, and last but not least upgraded the memory to 2 GB. To me, this thing 'screams' with speed. I also have my 20 inch cinema display hooked up as well and using the new extended display mode. It's just awesome. I, as a consumer, am very happy with this so far. Yes, I know it's not the fastest thing on the market, but I didn't purchase it thinking that it would be. Am I aware of the UB transition of software, yes. Am I patient, yes. Are my apps running in Rosetta going to lag, of course. Apple didn't set my expectations high and to me, they were honest about what they presented.

I don't own Apple stock nor am an employee of Apple. Just a satisfied customer.

 

[skunkworks]

I realize there is a difference between a mac and windows machine, but the price of the 20" is just too much to stomach, its almost the cost of dual core 2.3 in canadian dollars. ($2700). When I look at what I can get in the pc world for this price it just doesn't make economic sense. I hope apple releases a mac mini with dual core, I think I could stomach that. For you lucky enough rich people, damn I'm envious!

 

[TBi]

I've heard through a friend that 64bit macs will come but probably by years end and the graphics will blow you away ! ! This is a friend who has a friend that has some inside scoop.

That's all but a certainty. I bet they'll have upgraded graphics cards too. Oh and a bigger hard drive 🙂

 

[sjk]

Welcome, bluefire75. Glad to hear you're satisfied with your new iMac so far. Sounds like you've researched your purchase and have sensible expectations for current and future software functionality as the PPC->Intel transition progresses.

 

[wpwj40e]

I realize there is a difference between a mac and windows machine, but the price of the 20" is just too much to stomach, its almost the cost of dual core 2.3 in canadian dollars. ($2700). When I look at what I can get in the pc world for this price it just doesn't make economic sense. I hope apple releases a mac mini with dual core, I think I could stomach that. For you lucky enough rich people, damn I'm envious!

In the US - when they first announced the iMac, went and tried to configure a similar system at DELL/SONY/HP/Gateway...Was not able to get it under 2000(US). Sony was the closest as well as having the closest form factor. Having built a few windows machines (for my kids) had a pretty good idea of cost...

250 - MB/Chips
400 - 20" WS Monitor
300 - Graphics card
100 - 250 Gig 7200 HD
50 - DVD Writer
150 - Case/Power supply
150 - 2 gig RAM
100 - OS

Most of these prices require some shopping around and are not the "best" but would certainly suffice. Of course outside of OS - no software - assume you must have what you want.

I was surprised to see that the similarly equiped iMac was so competative. Did not feel like there was a premium for the Apple experience. Of course none of the configurations mentioned or the build it yourself are "budget" pc's - but it was interesting. And of course I was using US pricing....But to my eyes it looked like the iMac was a good value - if you were in the market for that level of a machine...

 

[ffakr]

I realize there is a difference between a mac and windows machine, but the price of the 20" is just too much to stomach, its almost the cost of dual core 2.3 in canadian dollars. ($2700). When I look at what I can get in the pc world for this price it just doesn't make economic sense. I hope apple releases a mac mini with dual core, I think I could stomach that. For you lucky enough rich people, damn I'm envious!

I can't comment on the canadian conversion and I'm used to Educational prices ('bout 10% less than retail) but the iMac really isn't a bad deal.

You just have to look at it in the right way. I can wait until I get stacked Dell coupons for a 20" LCD and I can build a biege box with sale parts from Frys and sale parts from the web. I'd get a LOT more computer for the money. On the other hand, I'd be waiting for half a year on rebates.. half of which I'd never send in on time. I'd also waste hours and hours of my time trying to find deals and going out to Frys (time I could spend doing side work for $50/hr for a mac if I needed the cash). Then I'd have to build the thing.. install it.. tweek it.. tweek it more (because it'd end up being loud).. and in the end all I'd have is a crappy box PC with a decent monitor.

With the iMac I get OS X. I get a very fast system (Core Duo really is a very nice processor). I get it all in ONE nice package. If it breaks, I deal with ONE vendor. It will 'just work'. I even get wireless, bluetooth, and a video camera.. things that are nice to have but things I typically don't spring for with my pieced together PC.

You might be getting 'extra screwed' in Canada.. I'm just too lazy to find the conversion rate right now.
For me, especially with EDU pricing.. the iMac isn't cheap but it's a pretty good deal for an all in one that actually works.
The closest comparison that I've found to the iMac so far is an all in one from MPC (they mainly do enterprise sales). We've installed several but even with the best pricing from our account rep (well below their retail) the MPC all in ones are basically the same price feature to feature as the iMac. That was before the Core Duo iMac. The Macs are, again, cheaper than MPC which is amazing because MPC pricing for us always compares favorably with Dell.

ffakr.

 

[johnnybluejeans]

My 20" iMac

I got my 20" iMac yesterday and I love it. I will make a few comments about the speed though: it is sluggish with 512Mb of RAM. Apple should have swallowed the extra cost and put 1Gb standard in all of these machines. I've found that nearly everyone who has complained about performance has only had 512Mb of RAM. I think they hyped the speed up a bit too much, however it is without a doubt faster than the G5s when running Universal apps.

So why complain about performance? They are faster and they are the same price as the iMac ever was. Soon the pro apps will have universal binaries (believe me, it won't be long) and then the power of these machines will really be apparent.

Moving to a new platform is a really big task, and I think Apple is doing an excellent job at making a nearly seamless transition.

 

[MacinDoc]

I realize there is a difference between a mac and windows machine, but the price of the 20" is just too much to stomach, its almost the cost of dual core 2.3 in canadian dollars. ($2700). When I look at what I can get in the pc world for this price it just doesn't make economic sense. I hope apple releases a mac mini with dual core, I think I could stomach that. For you lucky enough rich people, damn I'm envious!

What are you talking about? The 20" iMac is $1999, in Canadian dollars, very comparable to the U.S. price (something relatively new to Apple Canada).

Of course, you could buy the Dell 5150C, with a 17" monitor, slower graphics card and Ethernet connection for CAN $2277, if you wanted to save money versus the cost of buying an iMac.🙄

 

[sjk]

I've found that nearly everyone who has complained about performance has only had 512Mb of RAM.

Have you noticed how much Rosetta is using?