New iMac G5 Announced

[Little Endian]

I agree totally. Besides, burning a full CD at 16x instead of say 32x takes only 2 1/2 minutes longer. Most consumer level users are not going to be put off by that one bit since they're not going to be burning dozens of CDs at a time or anything. Again folks, this is a consumer level machine, if you really need pro level features, then the Power Mac is what you need, not an iMac.

umm... it does matter when your are trying to backup your User Folder that is OVer 20GB. It does matter when burning with DVD's a 4X DVD Burn takes like 15 minutes and 8X burner takes about 8 Minutes and newly Released 16X DVD+/-R drives can Burn DVDs in about 5 minutes. I also hope you are aware that 8.5GB dual Layer Drives are also becoming the norm. Folks like you are the same guys who used to say who needs anything more than a 400K Floppy drive when 1.44MB floppies were becoming the norm. Bottom line is it does matter, it may not seem that big of a deal now but wait a year or two.

 

[Frobozz]

Apple has published a list of supported video cards for Core Image and the 5200 is on it. I can see the class action suits if Apple tries leaving this card behind. Since I purchased the 20: this AM, I'd join it.

The thing about Core Image is that it downgrades as needed, just like Quarts Extreme. Granted, I have no idea what Apple will do with their apps in the future.

You won't be able to run Motion on an iMac, and CoreImage won't run optimally. Then again, Tiger won't be out until probably late spring / early summer 2005. By then we will probably have another iMac revision that could support it.

To me, I don't see CoreImage as being that big of a deal on an iMac. Not sure why you'd buy a consumer machine to do high end video effect compositing.

 

[ezkimo]

I think it's ugly and the price is really not that good. I bought a new dual 1.8 G5 tower at an Apple Store for only $200 more. I was expecting something nicer looking. I think the best looking Imac was still the old white ones that this one will replace.

Did you get a 20" tower and display for $200 more?

 

[jsw]

I think it's ugly and the price is really not that good. I bought a new dual 1.8 G5 tower at an Apple Store for only $200 more. I was expecting something nicer looking. I think the best looking Imac was still the old white ones that this one will replace.

Thanks you. People like you give me hope that I can sell my G4 iMac for enough to make the leap to the G5 less painful.

 

[Frobozz]

Bottom line is it does matter, it may not seem that big of a deal now but wait a year or two.

I'd hope you'd be considering a new computer in a year or two. For most anyone on these forums, I'd bet a 24 to 36 month buy cycle is not that outrageous.

I have been on a 24 to 30 month cycle for the past 9 years. This is the first time I will stretch it out to 36 months.

 

[The Red Wolf]

Circa: The Last Melinium

lets not go that far
i still think its a joke because apple WONT EVER release a consumer machine that has a better cpu than the pro laptops

PowerBook G3 Kanga G3 MHz 233. Original Bondi iMac G3 MHz 233 months before the Kanga. I had a PowerBook 3200... 200 MHz 603ex chip. Apple jammed a G3 into it's body and said Weeee! Power! Two months after I bought mine. It wasn't Bondi either. Not to mention the wildly powerful PowerBook 520. 20 MHz. Top of the line, that PowerBook. How fast did a Quadra 700 go? Let's make this fair 9500, 9600... PowerPC 604 160-200 MHz Kanga? Oh yes, 233 MHz G3. But that would have to hang out with the Beige 333 Mhz G3 All in One. Wait a second? An entry level machine that's more powerful than a 300 MHz Wallstreet? What has Apple done!

 

[jsw]

umm... it does matter when your are trying to backup your User Folder that is OVer 20GB. It does matter when burning with DVD's a 4X DVD Burn takes like 15 minutes and 8X burner takes about 8 Minutes and newly Released 16X DVD+/-R drives can Burn DVDs in about 5 minutes. I also hope you are aware that 8.5GB dual Layer Drives are also becoming the norm. Folks like you are the same guys who used to say who needs anything more than a 400K Floppy drive when 1.44MB floppies were becoming the norm. Bottom line is it does matter, it may not seem that big of a deal now but wait a year or two.

So don't buy one. It'll make the wait shorter for the rest of us. I've yet to be inconvenienced by the 2X burner on my older iMac. I don't think a 4X one would bother me here. I'd just as soon back up to a cheap external HD than DVDs anyway - cheaper in the long run, and much faster. Dual-layer or not.

 

[CubaTBird]

w00t~

stream now available !

 

[areyouwishing]

My Own Thoughts

They say they looked for the soul of an iMac, but missed a very important part. The last 2 iMacs were relatively cute (remember the cute commercials) and this isn't.

That being said, the new iMac is growing on me.

A 17in LCD from apple was 700 bux, now for 600 bux more you get a complete g5 computer, thats one heck of a deal.

In Design, In Function, In Price its growing on me. I only wish it had a 128mb video card to keep it future proof.

 

[itsa]

I'd hope you'd be considering a new computer in a year or two. For most anyone on these forums, I'd bet a 24 to 36 month buy cycle is not that outrageous.

However... that's a SAD fact! What ever happened to "built to last"?

 

[må¥å]

I have to agree with some and disagree with others on this new Apple product.

iMac G5:

Many small and mid sized offices will buy one for they front desk since it looks nice, futuristic, minimal, ease of use, and DIFFERENT.

Its got a nice price to it when compared to the G5 MT and Cinema Displays.

Its not a cheap consumer machine, nor is it a high end system, its in the Middle.

If you can afford an iPod or mini and like the design and feel of how it handles this is the next logical step.

This system also makes apple a hypocrite, as in when the G4 was introduced Mr.Jobs stated that optical and HD are better mounted horizontal and have a longer life that wasy than in a vertical stance.

If you are into Extreme gaming you can buy an expensive G5 MT since Alienware also sells they top gaming machines at those prices.

This new iMac was do well, it handles most of the creative apple applications as well as light to middle gaming needs.

Speakers and mic are all in the one piece its clean and less confusing, like the original plug the keyboard, mouse or have it BT, plug the RJ45 if you don't have WiFi g, and the Power cord and you are in business. If you have all the wireless products then One Cord and you are good to go even simpler than the original. No stereo wires to fangle with.

As much as the design is growing on me, I wish they had removed the hugh white block below the screen they should have placed it to the back where the stand mounts.

Please keep your negative comments to a M$ forum and site, its not needed here, if you are disappointed don't buy it. i am 70% for it and 30% not and that is due to the white block. The Video card as long as it can handle Tiger and the Creative iApps and Pro apps by Apple I am happy.

Things to improve in a revB of the iMac G5, remove the white block, internals will be upgraded as natural. That is pretty much it.

RAM issues well people how are they supposed to make a profit. Believe it or not companies buy all they upgrades for apple products from apple, thats why apple offers them. Comsumers well the budget ones buy they Ram else where.


The new iSight mounting system also fits in well with the display, the eMac is now the low end, iMac, PM. <--Hence the iMac has part of the eMac look and part Cinema Display look its fall in the middle.

Apple will have my money if the white block is removed.:-D


Take care.

 

[zyuzin4]

Did you get a 20" tower and display for $200 more?

haha i was just going to say pretty much the same thing but you beat me to it

 

[~Shard~]

In general, I like the new iMacs. When I caught my first glimpse of them I wasn’t too sure – they looked like a hacked up eMac in a way. But now the form factor has grown on me, ad I really like the concept. I think this is the proper direction for the iMac to be moving – and all computers, for that matter. From the standard tower+monitor, to the G4 iMac with it’s all in one dome and flat panel, and now to this – essentially just the monitor with the guts in the back (an improvement on the G3 iMac, I suppose!) – what more do you need, right? I really like the simplicity of the design, and if I didn’t already have a G4 iMac, I’d probably pick one of these up! The price point is excellent in my opinion as well.

Well done Apple!

 

[ScotRobson]

I think it's ugly and the price is really not that good. I bought a new dual 1.8 G5 tower at an Apple Store for only $200 more. I was expecting something nicer looking. I think the best looking Imac was still the old white ones that this one will replace.

and how much did the screen cost that you had to get to go with it?

ok i was beaten to it twice lol

 

[ericdano]

I too thought it was ugly at first, but it is growing on me, like all Apple products seem to do.

Initial reactions:

Con: No upgradable video card... UGH!

Pro: OMG it's tiny!

People said that about the G4 Cube and there are a LOT of mods out there to put in better video cards.

At least this iMac has the potential to be upgraded. I think when it comes out, people will begin the hacking..........

 

[~Shard~]

Oh, and I am also surprised and impressed that Apple managed to somehow engineer a G5 into such a confined space. Perhaps the G5 PowerBooks aren’t as far off as I have predicted. Nah, I won’t back down – I stand by my claim of no G5 PowerBooks until MWSF ’05, with shipping dates a few months afterwards… (especially just for you, Squire...)

 

[bond2]

Awesome!!!

I have a 1.2 ghz G4 tower and a 20" cinema display. These new imacs make me want to sell my current system. I mean a 20" cinema costs $1299, for an extra $500 you get a whole G5 system and sacrifice no additional desktop space. Unreal, major props to Apple!!!

 

[Bendit]

I am waiting for the second revision to buy it. I want the faster optical drive and better video card.

 

[pyrotoaster]

umm... it does matter when your are trying to backup your User Folder that is OVer 20GB. It does matter when burning with DVD's a 4X DVD Burn takes like 15 minutes and 8X burner takes about 8 Minutes and newly Released 16X DVD+/-R drives can Burn DVDs in about 5 minutes. I also hope you are aware that 8.5GB dual Layer Drives are also becoming the norm. Folks like you are the same guys who used to say who needs anything more than a 400K Floppy drive when 1.44MB floppies were becoming the norm. Bottom line is it does matter, it may not seem that big of a deal now but wait a year or two.

Most consumer PCs are only getting DVD burners now, and only as an add-on option (and yes, I'm aware the base-level iMac has a Combo Drive). Only the highest-end pro-machines are even dealing with dual-layer DVDs now. Dual-layer media would simply make a consumer-level machine confusing, not to mention how it would drive up the cost (it's nice to see the iMac at very reasonable prices again).

 

[kotovasii]

SO TRUE!!!

......

From rage 128s to rage pro's to FX5200's, they've consistently crippled their computers (or at least their entry level computers) with crappy video cards. Why release a game for a system it wont run on?

The issue with gaming is important! Some posters here say if u want to play games buy an Xbox. Firstly, it is another “box” in the house, then it also needs a TV – not everybody has one – a lot of people (here in Europe ) just do not watch TV as it is full of cr*p. On another note, why should I buy an Xbox if my neighbour can run *any* game on his ugly wintel pc?! If we could specify the size of the video memory then it would up to us what to pay and do with the computer.
Also I think that old iMac was the best design ever especially from the point of view of ergonomics. It is shocking that they have done away with such a great design.
On a positive note – the price is excellent.

 

[sspitsbergen]

Tablet

(Now watch... people will take off the foot and put the thing in their laps... the Mac tablet is here...)

This is exactly what I have been thinking since I heard about the all in the screen idea - so, can you get a vesa arm that extends from the wall, then a connection that would allow you to pick up the screen, some mechanism to disconnect all the cords at once, then software to make the thing work like a touch screen?

I would think a computer that could be a tablet or a desktop would be a great idea.

 

[iomar]

I think it's ugly and the price is really not that good. I bought a new dual 1.8 G5 tower at an Apple Store for only $200 more. I was expecting something nicer looking. I think the best looking Imac was still the old white ones that this one will replace.

Very good! But did you get a 20" LCD monitor with it? I guess not. People don't forget your also getting an LCD monitor with these iMacs.

 

[CmdrLaForge]

Hi,

are there any real pictures from the Expo available ?

Cheers
CmdrLaForge

 

[CmdrLaForge]

Very good! But did you get a 20" LCD monitor with it? I guess not. People don't forget your also getting an LCD monitor with these iMacs.

I am not sure if this comparison has already been posted.

 

[iomar]

umm... it does matter when your are trying to backup your User Folder that is OVer 20GB. It does matter when burning with DVD's a 4X DVD Burn takes like 15 minutes and 8X burner takes about 8 Minutes and newly Released 16X DVD+/-R drives can Burn DVDs in about 5 minutes. I also hope you are aware that 8.5GB dual Layer Drives are also becoming the norm. Folks like you are the same guys who used to say who needs anything more than a 400K Floppy drive when 1.44MB floppies were becoming the norm. Bottom line is it does matter, it may not seem that big of a deal now but wait a year or two.

If it doesn't matter now. Than it is a sweet deal in two years we are going to replace the computer or get a faster external drive for it. The deal is good for now and that matters.