Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
When it comes to looks... iMac G4 or G5
- Thread starter corbin_a2
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Looks
iMac G4
Speed iMac G5(and intel)
and the iMac G3 original is the mac that "saved" Apple so it has its place in Apple History(IMO the G4 will be the least noted in Apple History)
iMac G4
Speed iMac G5(and intel)
and the iMac G3 original is the mac that "saved" Apple so it has its place in Apple History(IMO the G4 will be the least noted in Apple History)
The G4 iMac was one of the most beautiful/functional Computers ever.
I remember watching the release of the G4 iMac in 2001. I was floored! Bought one that same day!
The floating screen was AMAZING! If you were tired and slouching a little, just bring the screen down a little. If you sat a little to the left, move the screen to the left. If you want to show your wife something, angle the screen her way. GENIUS! The clear rim on the screen was so classy too.
I also remember when the G5 iMac came out. I though it was nice, but maybe too simplistic.
Of course, at this point I'd buy a Core Duo (or G5), because of speed, etc. But design-wise the G4 was a revelation!
I remember watching the release of the G4 iMac in 2001. I was floored! Bought one that same day!
The floating screen was AMAZING! If you were tired and slouching a little, just bring the screen down a little. If you sat a little to the left, move the screen to the left. If you want to show your wife something, angle the screen her way. GENIUS! The clear rim on the screen was so classy too.
I also remember when the G5 iMac came out. I though it was nice, but maybe too simplistic.
Of course, at this point I'd buy a Core Duo (or G5), because of speed, etc. But design-wise the G4 was a revelation!
I just got my iMac Core Duo, which is my first iMac (only owned Mac portables before it).
However, without question, my favorite iMac (even though I never used one) was the iMac G4. It is simply gorgeous, and it made so much sense, to have that adjustable display. I must say I wouldn't mind if my iMac looked like an iMac G4. That would be cool.
However, the G5/Core Duo looks good too. I find it more impressive from the sides though.
However, without question, my favorite iMac (even though I never used one) was the iMac G4. It is simply gorgeous, and it made so much sense, to have that adjustable display. I must say I wouldn't mind if my iMac looked like an iMac G4. That would be cool.
However, the G5/Core Duo looks good too. I find it more impressive from the sides though.
I've never owned any of them but I think the G4 has the most ingenious and funky design. The G5s are amazing also, but the whole concept of the swivel head on the G4 just really appealed to me.
In my opinion, the iMac G5. I dont really know why, but I really love the design of this machine, it's beautiful.
I almost voted for the G4, but my/the G5 iMac has grown so much on me - esp the 20" form factor.
As for maneuverability of the G4, I have a swivel base on my G5, which coupled with the natural pivot allows alot of customization - does the G4 really best that?
I will admit, however, to being blown away by the G4 iMac back in the day to a degree that the G5 didn't (initially) do...
As for maneuverability of the G4, I have a swivel base on my G5, which coupled with the natural pivot allows alot of customization - does the G4 really best that?
I will admit, however, to being blown away by the G4 iMac back in the day to a degree that the G5 didn't (initially) do...
Another vote for the G4 iMacs. They look brilliant from every angle. Very easy to work with. My mates are all amazed when they see it on the desk. They are even more floored when i press the eject button. They sit there for the next five minutes pressing it just to see the iMac poke out is tounge.
The G3s were deffinately the revolutionary machine. I love the line, "the back of our computers look better than the front of the competitions!".
That should be another poll, which one of the 5 flavours was your favourite?
The G3s were deffinately the revolutionary machine. I love the line, "the back of our computers look better than the front of the competitions!".
That should be another poll, which one of the 5 flavours was your favourite?
Other than the noise, I actually mostly prefer the imac G5. My folks still have an imac G4, and as cool as it is, it feels/looks a wee bit clunky in comparison (aside from the speed difference). The imac G5 is just sleek as hell. Now, if the imac G4 form was updated to 2006 aesthetics, speed, display resolution... 
I actually get plenty of "Holy sh*t, that's the whole computer!?!" with the imac G5. Like some others have mentioned, it was a logical progression towards a more self-contained, condensed unit. There's got to be some way to split the difference...
I actually get plenty of "Holy sh*t, that's the whole computer!?!" with the imac G5. Like some others have mentioned, it was a logical progression towards a more self-contained, condensed unit. There's got to be some way to split the difference...
I voted for iMac G4, but it depends... In pictures, the iMac G5 is ugly. The 20" REV A iMac G5 looked POS in a store I saw it in -though maybe because it had yellowed a bit too.. The latest iMacs are beautiful and in real life, IMO as good as the iMac G4s. Apple couldn't have the same design though, it was a revolution change.
blackfox said:
Like you have no idea! The iMac G4 screen "floats". You can literally angle it in ANY direction or angle with just the touch of a finger. It's intuitive. You don't think. "let me move the screen", you just do it as if it was natural to move this "lightweight" floating screen. It gives the screen the feeling of being in 0 gravity.
If you ever get the chance, use one for a few days, or at least hours. Get comfortable in your seat, adjust yourself, look up stuff with a friend. After a while you'll appreciate what a marvel of engineering it really was.
Most of us will take a G5 over a G4 iMac for actual use, but the style and aesthetics are a different story.
Compare this to cars. Most of us will take a current VW Beetle for daily use. They have AC, disc brakes, fuel injection, etc. But can we actually say it looks better than a mint 1960's Beetle? All that chrome, character, etc.
When it comes to looks and design, it's not always about specs or how new something is.
blackfox said:
As neonart said, you have absolutely no idea - it's one of the many reasons I prefer the G4.
Le Big Mac said:
Actually, there's no reason not to go back to the G4 design now that Apple's moved to Intel. The G5 design was built out of necessity for all the G5 cooling technology. The Core Duo is a much cooler chip, the current iMac design is overkill.
Yep, the iMac G4 all the way!
I fell in love with the design from the first time I saw it and still think it's the prettiest mac ever built.
I fell in love with the design from the first time I saw it and still think it's the prettiest mac ever built.
neonart said:
God I miss my old G4 iMac ... as someone who writes for a living, I sometimes need to sit for six, seven hours at a time to finish a manuscript. The G4 screen allowed me to make minor adjustments to the screen angle to accomodate any posture. It was an ergonomic miracle. Combined with a bluetooth keyboard, it was the best computer for writing that I've ever had.
And this is something that only G4 iMac owners appreciate -- those who didn't own it always pictured the computer as a base with the screen hanging directly over it. But in truth, the way I used it at least, you never even noticed the base was there, it just looked like a screen floating in space.
Didn't see this thread before. I just posted a new thread on combining the best features of G4 and G5 iMac into the next iMac.
For me, the G4 wins hands down. I love the adjustable screen and the fact that the LCD is almost as thin as it can be. Everyone else has "flat" screen LCDs that are 4"-6" thick! My iMac G4 is whisper quiet and runs all that I throw at it including FCE and Soundtrack Pro these days. It is a joy to use.
I just don't like the G5, especially since I can't get Jobs' comments from the G4 introduction out of my head. He basically bashed the computer-behind-an-LCD designs pretty good. His main point was "let each part be true to itself". If it is a flat LCD, let it be a flat LCD.
The iMac G5 is a great computer and a great design but I really expected more from apple. They need to get rid of that chin and put it on a diet to make it thinner.
Someday I'll own one of the new iMacs. My kids use an iMac G3 DV that I got on craigslist for $125. I have the 17" iMac G4 1Ghz. I have a personal goal to own at least one of every iMac Apple makes. I'll pick them up years later on ebay or CL. It will make for a nice collection.
For me, the G4 wins hands down. I love the adjustable screen and the fact that the LCD is almost as thin as it can be. Everyone else has "flat" screen LCDs that are 4"-6" thick! My iMac G4 is whisper quiet and runs all that I throw at it including FCE and Soundtrack Pro these days. It is a joy to use.
I just don't like the G5, especially since I can't get Jobs' comments from the G4 introduction out of my head. He basically bashed the computer-behind-an-LCD designs pretty good. His main point was "let each part be true to itself". If it is a flat LCD, let it be a flat LCD.
The iMac G5 is a great computer and a great design but I really expected more from apple. They need to get rid of that chin and put it on a diet to make it thinner.
Someday I'll own one of the new iMacs. My kids use an iMac G3 DV that I got on craigslist for $125. I have the 17" iMac G4 1Ghz. I have a personal goal to own at least one of every iMac Apple makes. I'll pick them up years later on ebay or CL. It will make for a nice collection.
I love the G4 iMac in photos but it always seems a little too bulky in the flesh. I didn't really like the G5 at first but since getting one, I've grown to love it's look.
Thumbs up for G4 iMac
As many have said, the design was/is pure Apple!
I have a 15" G4 iMac (version A) 800MHz, 768 MB RAM, Super Drive, OSX 10.3.9, AirPort, iTunes 4.9, iPhoto.
Mine looks and functions without a flaw from the day I received it from the Apple Online Store. The fit and finish (like a Rolls Royce) of that solidly built, movable, double-jointed, chrome neck between the cool dome base and the really flat LCD (no lines or spots) is remarkable.
Oh yes, nobody has mentioned the two excellent external spherical stereo speakers that were included.
When I put it to sleep at night (or whenever), it's completely protected as royalty should be!
Apple, where oh where has such quality gone?
DIXIE
As many have said, the design was/is pure Apple!
I have a 15" G4 iMac (version A) 800MHz, 768 MB RAM, Super Drive, OSX 10.3.9, AirPort, iTunes 4.9, iPhoto.
Mine looks and functions without a flaw from the day I received it from the Apple Online Store. The fit and finish (like a Rolls Royce) of that solidly built, movable, double-jointed, chrome neck between the cool dome base and the really flat LCD (no lines or spots) is remarkable.
Oh yes, nobody has mentioned the two excellent external spherical stereo speakers that were included.
When I put it to sleep at night (or whenever), it's completely protected as royalty should be!
Apple, where oh where has such quality gone?
DIXIE
I've loved the design of the G4 iMac ever since I first saw it on the Drew Carrey show.
The G5s just don't have the same flair.
The G5s just don't have the same flair.
Xephian said:
What "ball thing" are you referring to?
Personally, I prefer the hemisphere of the G4, but I agree, a "ball thing" would indeed probably be a little weird...