Intel Core Duo processor
The tech speak goes like this. The new processor is Intel's first "65
nanometer" chip, which means amazingly small transistors packed densely
into the processor. Two of these processors are packed onto a single module,
sharing a 2MB L2 cache.
Apple claims that this new processor (actually, new processors) outstrips the
previous G5's by a factor of 2 (that's a 2.0GHz Intel machine running against a
G5 2.1GHz).
Design
Externally, the iMac keeps the same clean and attractive appearance as the iMac
G5. Everything is somehow crammed into a 17x17x6 inch package without causing
heating issues (though I would be careful to ensure that a few inches of space
is available above the machine to allow effective venting). The all-in-one unit
swivels easily on its smooth base, and tilts with just a bit more than a
breath's touch top or bottom. When you pick it up, though, you have no doubt
that it's a full-up computer. The compact design and easy movement conceal the
weight - nearly 16 lbs!
The only things exiting the back of the iMac before you start adding
peripherals is the power cord (no bulky power supply, just a cord) and the USB
cord to the Keyboard (unless you chose the Bluetooth wireless version). On the
right side at the bottom is the mount for the remote control. Everything else
is internal - including the speakers, DVD/ROM drive and bluetooth/wireless
antennas. The iSight video camera peeks out of a tiny square lens aperature at
top center, flanked by the microphone on the left and green "camera
on" LED on the right. Even the IR port for the remote is hidden (behind the
Apple logo).
Output ports: As before, the iMac sports "five" USB ports - three
2.0s behind, and two 1.1s in the keyboard. However, this is really three
available ports, because the keyboard plugs into one of the ports in the back,
and the mouse takes up one in the keyboard. It also has two FireWire 400 ports
in the back, as well as headphone and optical digital audio outputs, an audio
input, and Mini-DVI output.
Screen and Graphics
The 17" illuminated TFT active matrix LCD is still as bright and beautiful
as before (I believe the 20" model has a newer, brighter screen). It is
viewable clearly from a broad angle, both left-right and up-down. A light
monitor auto-adjusts the screen for ambient lighting, though you can change it
yourself also from the "System Preferences."
Graphics run by the outstanding ATI Radeon x1600 processor with 128MB of GDDR3
video memory.
Other components
- Memory: 512MB of RAM standard, like before. However, the new stuff is 667MHz
and has two replaceable modules, not one. The old iMac had a built-in 512MB
with one slot that you could load up to 2GB in, for a total of 2.5GB. The new
one has two slots that each can take up to 1GB. After this impressive demo, I
am ordering it with 1GB on a single module (a $90 upgrade from the Educational
Store), leaving the empty slot for future upgrades, if needed. The 2GB upgrade
(2 x 1GB) costs another $180, which is much better than the G5 (I believe the
2GB module which brought it to 2.5 total was over $1200).
If you choose to install new memory yourself (about the only internal DIY
upgrade available), it's a simple operation which involves dropping a panel on
the bottom of the machine, pulling the old module out (if necessary), clicking
the new one(s) in, and replacing the panel. Only tool required is a small
screwdriver, and it's probably a full 5-minute job (remember to GROUND
yourself!).
- Hard Drive: A 160GB drive is standard, running at 7200RPM. This is upgradable
to 250GB for $75 (70 through the Educational Store).
- Optical: The same 8x "SuperDrive" is standard (DVD+R
DL/DVD+/-RW/CD-RW... EIEIO). What this all means is that you can read and burn
stuff fast (Double Layer writing at 2.4x, "Normal" DVD ops at 8x, CDs
at 24x).
- Wireless: Built-in AirPort Extreme (802.11g) and Bluetooth 2.0+ Enhanced Data
Rate remain as built-in, and standard.
- A standard 10/100/1000 Gigabit BASE-T Ethernet port is included.
- Apple Remote: The same six-button Apple Remote (which looks similar to the
iPod Shuffle, with an IR cap on one end) mounts on the lower right side of the
computer. With it, you can control DVDs, slideshows, music,
- Keyboard/Mouse: The Apple Keyboard and Mighty Mouse remain unchanged. Typing
is smooth and accurate, and feedback is excellent. Those of you who want the
IBM click will have to look elsewhere for an exchange. The Mighty Mouse is so
much better than the old one-button model Apple clung to for so long. Pushing
left or right clicks the appropriate button (there's still only one actual
buttons - sensors detect if you're pressing the left or right). Squeezing the
two force-sensing buttons on the base gives you a third option (default is to
launch "Expose"). The coolest thing, however, is the scrollball on
the top, a tiny clickable trackball that rolls in 360 degrees, so you can
scroll left, right, up, down, or in circles. Very cool. The optical sensor
tracks smoothly and correctly. All buttons are set so that you can program them
through the Keyboard and Mouse Utility.
A bluetooth wireless keyboard/mouse combo is a $54 upgrade, but I'm not sure I
see much utility in it for a desktop in my office.
- Power Supply: The internal power supply automatically adapts to 100-240V
input, so those of us who move across oceans (I'm going back soon) don't have
to worry about frying a power supply because we forgot to throw a tiny switch.
I've never done that, but our resident Computer Technician did last year...
ouch!
- iSight: The tiny iSight port hides a fixed camera which provides outstanding
fixed and video resolution for such a device - up to 2.3MegaPixels Digital and
3.2MP Analog (though I confess I'm not sure I understand how one grabs true
analog from a digital device). The iChat AV software is slick, and compatible
with AIM so you can video chat with your PC-chained friends and associates.
With a .Mac membership, you can do so while your text is encrytped.
Impressions
This machine is definitely a Mac. Sure, it's faster, but what has sold me on it
is that I believe it retains its Mac-specific user-friendliness and robust
architecture. In addition, Mac's OS-X remains more resistant to viruses (which
combines with the fact that fewer viruses are written against Macs in the first
place).
The user-interface remains the same. You plug things in to the firewire or the
USB, and they work. It is a rare occurrence when you'll need to search for a software
patch or driver, or play the PC configuration file game.
With the MightyMouse, my chief annoyance (the primitive one-button mouse) is
gone, and now I will find myself on the PCs at work wishing I had the
"magic button" on their primitive click-wheel mice.
The design, while low on my priority list, remains incredibly far ahead of most
PC-clones. Everything fits in a small footprint, and you don't have Medusa's
hair sprouting everywhere.
Bang for your buck is one place Apple has really improved. I went to look for a
similar PC system, and here's what I found. You can buy a Dell XPS400, with a
similar Core Duo processor (2.8GHz, 2MB L2, which will be pretty a bit slower
in performance in most cases than the iMac 1.83GHz), upgraded to 1GB of DDR memory
(slower - 533MHz vs 667MHz), 160GB hard drive, and a 256MB ATI PCI Express
card. By deleting the 3.5 inch floppy, you end up with a similar Windows
system. They'll throw in a 19" upgrade to the monitor for free. Cost?
$1700 shipped, vs $1300 for the iMac from the Ed Store. For the same $1700 as
the Dell, you could get the 20" iMac, which would blow it out of the
water.
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