G5 What does the ambient light sensor do?

[Passive101]

http://www.apple-history.com/ I went here. I have found out the iMac is a 2nd gen iMac G5. It has an ambient light sensor. I put my hand over it and it doesn't appear to actually do anything.

What is it supposed to do?

Do new ones have it? I have a 20" aluminum one as well, but don't see a sensor.

 

[Vulcan]

I think that it adjusts the screen brightness.

 

[Passive101]

I think that it adjusts the screen brightness.

Why is it on the bottom of the iMac then?

 

[nakile]

I believe it was for the sleep indicator light on the front of the computer.

The idea was when you shut off all the lights in your house to go to bed, the light would go out so that you didn't have this flashing light during the middle of the night when you were trying to sleep.

The aluminum iMacs don't have any indicator lights on them at all, so they removed it.

 

[Passive101]

I believe it was for the sleep indicator light on the front of the computer.

The idea was when you shut off all the lights in your house to go to bed, the light would go out so that you didn't have this flashing light during the middle of the night when you were trying to sleep.

The aluminum iMacs don't have any indicator lights on them at all, so they removed it.

that makes sense. Thanks

 

[holden15]

On my MacBook Pro, the ambient light sensor adjusts the screen and keyboard brightness.