Product Description

iMac G5 Desktop, PowerPC G5 2GHz Processor, 512MB RAM, 250GB Hard Drive, 8X DVD+/-RW SuperDrive, Built-in 20-inch LCD Monitor, Mac OS X Tiger v10.4 ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Macking301
It has been three years since I bought my last Apple computer.

When I saw this G5 20" widescreen that now comes fully loaded, I was very impressed. It was loaded with TIGER (OS X.4) which ran like a Benz!

Thats before I got this big boy home!

Wow, loaded with wireless networking, bluetooth and a fast DVD double sided burner using a high speed connection, it is rocket fast and a state of the art machine!

It was easy to connect and all I needed for my own taste was an extra 512 meg of ram at $75.00.

I can now use Adobe Photoshop along with iPhoto and other applications all at the same time, and the spinning wheel is a thing of the past. The iMac is now a VERY fast aand smooth running machine.

I have the wireless Apple keyboard and mouse that came with mine and it only adds to the thrill of this zoom computer.

I could go on and on...but....

Pro's- the entire iMac !!!!
Cons? None!This is a thing of beauty and performs so well that I am truly amazed. Its the best computer I have ever owned or for that matter ever used!\

THIS IS A MUST SEE -MUST USE AND A MUST OWN!!!

Biggest fastest iMac G5 now even faster
Apple is, quite simply, the best and most innovative computer manufacturer. A recent article in Consumer Reports identified Apple computers as the most reliable computers and PC Magazine user surveys have reached the same conclusion. Furthermore, PC Magazine regularly designates the iMac G5 as the best all around desktop computer. Now the ultra-reliable, user friendly iMac G5 has an even faster G5 processor.

Yes, most people use Windows-based PCs, but do you really want to be just another member of the PC herd -- with all of the problems and frustrations presented by Windows-based PCs (including regular virus attacks) -- or are you looking for a computer which is user friendly, seldom crashes, and is virtually impervious to viruses? If these virtues are more important to you than being one of the crowd, please seriously consider buying an Apple computer. This new iMac G5 is Apple's latest and fastest iteration of the innovative iMac series of compact, user friendly computers at reasonable prices. Like all G5-powered Apple computers this new iMac is a very fast computer -- more than twice as fast as a Pentium 4 with the same clock speed -- and has a state-of-the-art 64-bit processor. All computers will have 64-bit processors some day but very few PCs, except for Apple G5s, have them at this time. If you're looking for a fast, versatile, easy to use computer, want to stop worrying abut virus attacks, and are willing to try something off the beaten path, you'll love this elegant and now faster new iMac G5. A less expensive model of the faster new iMac G5 is available with a 17" screen. ... Read more

Product Description

Mac mini, PowerPC G4 1.25GHz Processor, 256MB RAM, 40GB Hard Drive, 8X DVD / 24X16X24 CD-RW Combo Drive, Mac OS X Panther v10.3 ... Read more

Reviews (30)

Great computer for mom, dad, and grandparents
If you ever wanted to get a computer so that your parents and grandparents can keep in touch, get this one. The main reason why I wouldn't recommended a PC is because of all of the viruses and spyware that clog most machines today. My parents have 2 PCs in their home. A virus killed one machine. Spyware and popups slowed down the other machine to the point where web surfing is rendered useless.

Macs don't have to deal so much with viruses and spyware like PCs. Admittedly, you should double the ram. And maybe get a wireless keyboard to free up some USB ports.

Overall, this is the perfect PC replacement for mom,pop, grandpa, and grandma.

(...)

All in all, this machine is great for all the applications your parents will ever really use.

Base Configuration should have 512MB RAM
Very happy with the machine, but it should have double the RAM as part of the standard configuration.Anything more than 2 apps running at one time and it slows down noticably.

The software suite that comes with the machine is awesome.Easy to use and tightly integrated.I'm using this machine for digital photo management and for web surfing. No spyware/virus problems with my mini (so far!).

As much as I like it, this machine doesn't have the omph to run the apps I really love, namely 1st person games.My AMD Athlon 1800+ with the same graphics chip (Radeon 9200) runs Call of Duty at high res with acceptable frame rates, while the mini is choppy running a demo version of the same game at 800x600.

Oh well.That's why I'm running both my mini and my WINTEL machine with a KVM.I can always switch back and forth by tapping a few keys.

Great Mac, but you can't get it for free!
(...)

It is a well-known fact that these "programs" are run like pyramid schemes. Only the first few people to sign up actually got a Mac mini (it doesn't take a genius to see that you won't be the first sucker here). The rest just get heaps of telemarketing calls, junk faxes, and junk emails.

I ought to know--I'm one of the chumps that was foolish enough to try! Please, learn from my mistake and don't help these jokers rope in any more people.

The Mac mini is a great computer. (...)

Mac Mini Makes Sense
I have always been in love with Apple Computers. Whether its' the design, construction, or hardware, it always gets to me. When I purchased my Mac Mini, I couldn't believe it. The thing is so tiny, its' the size of my hands, and its' unbelievably light-weight. It is the perfect thing to put on your desk. Even if there is a lot of clutter on your work area, the Mac Mini fits like its' nobody's business. When I purchased my Mac Mini, I added two things that everyone needs:

1. Doubled Ram
2. Keyboard and Mouse

Why do you need both of these things? The Mac Mini performs poorly on the minimum ram. Sadly, most Mac's do. For the keyboard and the mouse, the keyboard comes with an extra USB port in the back of it strictly for the one button mouse that Apple has to offer. So, you get an extra USB port on the back of your system for a camera, printer, etc. PLUS, all Mac keyboards have an eject button, so you don't have to move to the edge of your system to get the disc out. Never the less, you can use your old keyboard and mouse without a problem. I just recomend you buy it for the Mac Mini. However, you still need the extra ram, because you are going to need it. For your monitor, most people would have to buy an adapter. The port on the system is the most different of most monitor cables. So, you have to check the wire. The Apple Store have a huge selection of adapters, so go there if you need help finding one. All monitors work well with Mac Mini.

I love my Mac Mini. But why did I give it four stars? Look back. Apple gives you nothing with the Mini. If you don't own a PC, you will have to buy a keyboard, mouse, monitor, and RAM! Although, after that, it's still cheaper than the next small priced Mac, the eMac. I recomend this computer over any PC (Dell, Gateway, WHATEVER!) because it is small, and has better applications than the other systems. In essence, the Mac Mini makes sense.

Recomended Software:

-TIGER: Mini comes with panther until April 29th 2005. It is important that you wait until then, or upgrade your Mini after. For more information on Tiger, visit the Apple Homepage.
-.Mac: Membership to a whole new experience with E-Mail, Advanced Tools, and Virus Protection.
-Microsoft Office: Excel, Powerpoint, and Word are must-haves.

Mac Mini comes with iLife, so you can play around with Garageband, listen to music on iTunes, enjoy pictures with iPhoto, and watch homevideos.

worst ever
this is most suckiest computer I've ever used.I wouldn't even call it a computer other than chips with programs.You cant even upgrade the thing after you by it. ... Read more

Product Description

iMac G5 Desktop, PowerPC G5 2GHz Processor, 512MB RAM, 160GB Hard Drive, 8X DVD+/-RW SuperDrive, Built-in 17-inch LCD Monitor, Mac OS X Tiger v10.4 ... Read more

Reviews (1)

New faster iMac G5 from Apple
Apple is, quite simply, the best and most innovative computer manufacturer. A recent article in Consumer Reports identified Apple computers as the most reliable computers and PC Magazine user surveys have reached the same conclusion. Furthermore, PC Magazine regularly designates the iMac G5 as the best all around desktop computer. Now the ultra-reliable, user friendly iMac G5 has an even faster G5 processor.

Yes, most people use Windows-based PCs, but do you really want to be just another member of the PC herd -- with all of the problems and frustrations presented by Windows-based PCs (including regular virus attacks) -- or are you looking for a computer which is user friendly, seldom crashes, and is virtually impervious to viruses? If these virtues are more important to you than being one of the crowd, please seriously consider buying an Apple computer. This new iMac G5 is Apple's latest and fastest iteration of the innovative iMac series of compact, user friendly computers at reasonable prices. Like all G5-powered Apple computers this new iMac is a very fast computer -- more than twice as fast as a Pentium 4 with the same clock speed -- and has a state-of-the-art 64-bit processor. All computers will have 64-bit processors some day but very few PCs, except for Apple G5s, have them at this time. If you're looking for a fast, versatile, easy to use computer, want to stop worrying abut virus attacks, and are willing to try something off the beaten path, you'll love this elegant and now faster new iMac G5. ... Read more

Product Description

Mac mini, PowerPC G4 1.42GHz Processor, 256MB RAM, 80GB Hard Drive, 8X DVD / 24X16X24 CD-RW Combo Drive, Mac OS X Panther v10.3 ... Read more

Reviews (41)

The worst computer experience i have ever had.
I had decided to try switching from PCs to macs recently, and thought the mac mini would make a good first mac computer.

I ordered my first mini with all the extras and when i got it, i tried importing all my cds to itunes. The optical drive was malfunctioning whenever i put in a cd with the slightest scratch on it. It would freeze up, making an awful skipping sound, and i would have to force quit itunes and sometimes shut down the computer and turn it back on just to get the sound to stop and get my cd out.

I called tech support, and the first man said there was nothing wrong with the drive, it was my cds that were at fault. Their solution was to take my scratched cd to my PC, burn it and take it back to my mac mini and then try to import it.

I said, ok, so my cds should work on other computers, but not the mini? and he kept saying how it was my cds and not the mini. I asked him if i could return my mini and he said no because i had bought extras like more ram and bluetooth. so i got off the phone with him and called back again.

The next tech support "help" also told me there was nothing wrong with the computer but i could return it (but not exchange it because there was nothing wrong with it). He transferred me to someone who told me i could exchange it, which i did.

Now, my next mini comes in the mail, without my bluetooth and airport extreme options. "Oops, sorry", they say, "we can return it and we'll send you another mini." I took it to my local store and they very nicely installed them for free in 45 minutes. So, now with less enthusiasm for my new purchase, i took my mini home, and tried out the optical drive again, which again had troubles. Now i should mention I took the same cd's that wouldnt work on my mini, and they worked on my PC and on my friend's mac.

I called back the apple store and all they would give me for compensation was a return for my mini (not the $60 keyboard i can no longer return at the store) and $100 credit for my next apple purchase. I said sorry, that's not enough for the hassle that i will probably go through again.

Never, never again will I buy an apple product. This whole hassle lasted for most of a month, and it is still not over yet. Time for me to buy another reasonably priced PC. My mac friends are all about their mac's, but first impressions are lasting, aren't they?

No free anything
Clicking your way past this barrage of come-ons finally gets you to the meat of the matter. Incentive Reward Center says you have to sign up for at least two offers from participating firms to get your hands on that free iPod.

It looks like there might be some freebies here, but most of the offers are for DVD and music services, credit cards and other such strings-attached programs.

according to sfgate.com

Amazing little machine
i'm really impressed at how fast this thing goes. it was ready to go out of the box after a 3 minute setup, it's really fast for only having 256mb of ram, i love the combo drive, tiger is great. it's practically silent unless the combo drive is running. and it's super easy to use. it also has a lot of programs for 600 bucks, i think it's great and highly reccomend it.

Don't make my mistake!
I made a big mistake by trying those "get a Mac Mini free" offers. Only 1 day after signing up, I was bombarded with over 500 junk emails and 15 telemarketing calls. Ugh!

I hope everybody here can learn from my misfortune--I guess it really is true that it is impossible to get something for nothing!

The Mac Mini is a great computer. It's too bad sleazy "marketers" are using them as bait for their fraudulent schemes.

Best Thing I Ever Got
my dad bought me this computer for my 12th birthday and i love it i will admit this im a spoiled brat.and i have tooo much crap in my room. but when i saw it im thinking what the heck is that because its soooo small. and it fits perfectly in my room. and the little sucker has a CD burner on it i couldnt believe that and a DVD Player! but over all this is the coolest thing in the world apple has done a great job with this one. ... Read more

Product Description

What if you could fit your whole lifeall your music, all your photos, all your movies, all your emailin a computer as fun and useful as an iPod? You can, with a 17-inch widescreen iMac G5. The entire computer, including G5-based logic board, slot-loading optical drive, hard disk, speakers and power supply, dwells inside the enchanting display. Modern living starts at an affordable price.

The Display is the Computer
Apple designers removed the extraneous, miniaturized the necessary, souped up the performance and concealed the result in immaculate perfection. The iMac G5 hangs suspended from a graceful anodized aluminum stand and its widescreen display lets you retouch photos and surf the web while you chat with friends or scan emailwirelessly, thanks to built-in AirPort technologyand see everything at the same time.

Technology Democratized
The iMac G5 brings the same innovative system architecture in Apple professional desktops to the home. The G5 processor makes everything zippierconnecting to email or the web, creating movies, songs and DVDs, arranging photos or playing music. Choose a 1.8GHz G5 processor that’s ready to run modern 64-bit applications under Mac OS X Tiger: the world’s most advanced, stable and secure operating system. What’s more, the G5 speeds up Mac OS X and all the other included software, such as iLife ’05, Quicken 2005 and World Book.

All-in-One Ease
iMac G5 tucks away modern amenities, such as a slot-loading Combo drive, inside its two-inch thin body. Back up your iTunes collection or make a mix CD for that special someone. Naturally, you can pop in your DVD movies and watch them in 16:10 widescreen letterbox format on the gorgeous LCD display. Delight in pristine audio from fully integrated stereo speakers. Cleverly pointed down, they bounce sound waves off your desk, counter or table into your ears.

... Read more

Reviews (1)

Faster processor in the user-reliable bargain-priced iMac G5
Apple is, quite simply, the best and most innovative computer manufacturer. A recent article in Consumer Reports identified Apple computers as the most reliable computers and PC Magazine user surveys have reached the same conclusion. Furthermore, PC Magazine regularly designates the iMac G5 as the best all around desktop computer. Now the ultra-reliable, user friendly iMac G5 computers all have faster G5 processors than last year's models.

Yes, most people use Windows-based PCs, but do you really want to be just another member of the PC herd -- with all of the problems and frustrations presented by Windows-based PCs (including regular virus attacks) -- or are you looking for a computer which is user friendly, seldom crashes, and is virtually impervious to viruses? If these virtues are more important to you than being one of the crowd, please seriously consider buying an Apple computer. This new iMac G5 is Apple's latest and fastest iteration of the innovative iMac series of compact, user friendly computers at reasonable prices. Like all G5-powered Apple computers this new iMac is a very fast computer -- more than twice as fast as a Pentium 4 with the same clock speed -- and has a state-of-the-art 64-bit processor. All computers will have 64-bit processors some day but very few PCs, except for Apple G5s, have them at this time. If you're looking for a fast, versatile, easy to use computer, want to stop worrying abut virus attacks, and are willing to try something off the beaten path, you'll love this elegant and now faster new iMac G5. If you want a larger monitor and even faster processor check out the 20" iMac G5. ... Read more

Product Description

Take a good look at eMac. What's not to like? All-in-one design, plug-and-play simplicity, great performance and an affordable price tag: you get everything you need to work, learn and play, right out of the box.You will appreciate eMac with a Combo drive, which lets you read DVDs and read, write and burn CDs. And you'll find lots of ways to enjoy your all-in-one digital hub. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A good machine... with its share of small problems
Got this new 1.42 GHz eMac a week ago.I won't tell you all the advantages of switching from PC to Mac (stable OS, no viruses, free softwares...) as they are well known.Instead, I'll start with the little annoyances.Don't get me wrong : I really like my new eMac and wouldn't trade it for a cheap PC, but there are a few tiny problems here and there... And tiny problems are always what you notice first.Let's just see the small things Apple should change to make the PC to Mac transition less annoying.

The first thing I noticed once the (heavy) computer was out of the box is the cable Apple is giving to plug your modem to your phone line.It's about one foot long, too short to ever use it.Why are they giving this useless thing ? Give a proper one (at least a few feet long) or just give nothing.It's not very important, but this little copper wire is a fine example of the "cutting around the edges" method Apple is unfortunately using more and more.

One of the reasons I chose a Mac is GarageBand, part of the ILife line of softwares included with every Apple computer.I took a cheap microphone to test this award-winning application, plugged it in the line in jack... and nothing happened.The reason : the line in is not powered (it doesn't give the electricity the microphone needs to work), so the mike wasn't working.What does it mean ? It means that you'll have to buy something like an Imic, a device using an electrified USB entry as a "real" line in or mic in on your computer.The line in works great with any electrified (or pre-amplified) machine (as a walkman to transfer your songs from tape to CD, etc.) but still, a fully working line/mike in is available on any PCs and should be there.And what's the difference in the manufacturing cost Apple ? 50 cents ? But if you're a serious musician, or if you just wanna record a few songs in your spare time, you'll need to get some USB devices anyway, whatever the system you're using.

Talknig about sound, the Harman Kardon speakers previously used on the eMac are now gone.The speakers Apple is now putting instead are not very good.Not very loud neither.Even a cheap PC has better sounding ones, or at least louder sounding ones, so it tells a lot.As said, the volume is not very loud (in fact, it seems to vary from an application to another), and if you crank it to the (very ridiculous) max, you'll see waves in your screen, resulting from the interference produced by the speakers on the very near screen. Only positive point : there's a bit more bass on these speakers than you'll get on most free PC speakers.

A strange one.I was thinking about getting an IPod Shuffle, both as a MP3 player and memory device.But guess what ? You can't plug the Shuffle on an eMac without a USB extension cable! There's not enough space to plug the shuffle in a USB 2.0 port on the Mac (the USB 1 ports on the keyboard are not sufficently electrified).Two Apple products! I know, the Shuffle wasn't existing when they designed the eMac, but still...

All these things (and a few others) are very minor problems on an overall very nice computer... except for the one button mouse... Very reliable, lots of options and configuration possibilities, strange but cool Space Odyssey design, excellent line of softwares included, more than sufficient G4 processor, nice 16 inches viewable flat screen. real graphic card (64 MB), adware-spyware and viruses free, firewall included (activate it!) and an overall excellent machine for the price (considering that it's an always more expensive than it should be Apple product).If you're a student with a small budget (like I am) and/or you doesn't need the G5's muscle, this is the way to go.The small problems described above keeps the eMac out of perfection, but still, I give it a very strong four stars. ... Read more

Product Description

Take a good look at eMac. What's not to like? All-in-one design, plug-and-play simplicity, great performance and an affordable price tag: you get everything you need to work, learn and play, right out of the box.SuperDrive-equipped eMac gives you double-layer DVD burning support - doubling the disc storage capacity to 8.5GB over traditional, 4.7GB single-layer discs. And you'll find lots of ways to enjoy your all-in-one digital hub. ... Read more

Reviews (15)

Greatest Computer In The World.
I have been using Macs for about 3 years now. I have bought all 3 generations of iMacs starting with the original bondi blue, and then an new iMac DV Indigo, and now finally this one. This has got to be the most beautiful and versatile computer I have ever bought. Everything is high-quality, even the way Apple packages it in the box, it lets you know you bought something special. I took it out and tossed aside the setup guide because I would know how to hook it up. After I plugged everything in, I turned it on. You are then greeted by the Mac OS X welcome screen.

Apple includes all the software to complete your 'digital hub'. iTunes for organizing, ripping, and burning your MP3's. iPhoto for organizing your photos, and downloading them from your digital camera, and ordering prints from Kodak, printing photos from your regular printer, or make a cool slide show for the whole family to watch. iMovie for making your own movies with your digital camcorder. Appleworks, for word proccessing, spreadsheets, presentations, and database. And if you buy the High-End Model you get iDVD, which well let you make and burn your own DVD's that will play in any standard TV DVD Player. It also comes with some games and other misc. software.

The design is brilliant. I sometimes wonder how did they manage to fit the whole computer in that little base. And screen looks as if it is floating in mid-air when you look at it from the front. The screen is beautiful too, it is a sharp, bright, and crisp LCD screen.

Mac OS X is a very easy to use operating system, and In My Opinion, much easier to use then Windows. It has a fun and fresh looking interface called Aqua. I would recommed this computer to anyone who wants to be creative, or just wants a futuristic looking computer that will fit almost anywhere because it takes up so little space.

ImMACulate
After being a Mac-basher for so many years, I finally gave in and bought one of these. After using it for only a short while, I'm a total convert. I don't think I'll be using the ol' PC much any more. This thing is incredible. How they managed to put so much cool stuff into this tiny little package amazes me. Apple really does pay attention to detail; even the box the computer comes packaged in is a work of art. As for the operation of the unit, QUIET. Only if you put your head right up next to it can you hear the fan blowing. The LCD display is beautiful. It took me all of about five minutes to get the thing turned on and connected to the Internet. Upon browsing through the programs that come preinstalled, I found Apple gives you a lot of programs to play with. They give you an Office-type suite (with a word processor, etc.), DVD player, iPhoto, etc etc.

I really don't have one negative thing to say about this computer. If you're a current Apple user or if you're thinking of buying an Apple for the first time, I highly recommend it.

My first iMac
The G4 flat-panel iMac is a joy to behold and a delight to operate. This is not only my first iMac , it is my first real computer. (...)

Apple knows how to design good-looking hardware. It also knows how to create first-class software and OS X is almost intuitive.

Now all of this is important for someone like myself who would be defined as a senior citizen. I have no time, patience or interest with "things that can go wrong". Mercifully, that is something you are unlikely to experience with an iMac, although I would suggest purchasing AppleCare... (AppleCare gives you coverage for a full three years and the right to call Customer Service for help with "how to" things you can't figure out for yourself for the full thre years.)

I have made some additions/changes to the iMac with the addition of Apple Pro speakers and iSub woofer (both made by Harman Kardon) and replaced the one-button mouse with a Microsoft optical trackball, along with purchasing a printer and scanner....but these are personal preferences.

I also installed an extra 256 megs of RAM myself by easily undoing four small screws on the bottom of the metal base and popped it in.

Apple has an undeserved reputation for being much more expensive than a PC. While it is true you can get a cheap PC for a lot less money than an iMac, comparable PCs are priced at about the same price as an iMac.

This is a machine you won't get tired of and one you can expect to keep and enjoy for several/many years.

Wowzers
When i first bought this beatiful imac, i was in awe. it starts up very fast, some people say 700 mhz is too slow, but thats comparing the same mhz with intel!! Power PC makes this proccesor in a totally diffferent way! everything about it is great: the programs, the hardware & its beautiful!!
The only reason i rated this 4 stars, is because i have a stuck pixel on the end of my screen, most of the time its invisible, but when i watch a dvd, i see a little red spot on the black part. But other than that, the new imac is the perfect computer!! Oh and if you get the lower end model without speakers, get the apple speakers! It sounds just like a boze radio/CD Player!!

Get this Machine
I'm a university professor and have long been familiar with Macs, which are growing in popularity in my department. Though I was currently using a Dell machine at work, I decided to make this iMac my new home machine. My uses are primarily professional: very heavy office work, making CD's, working with thousands of digital photographs, creating websites, and doing some design work. I can honestly say that in every way that matters, the iMac surpasses (and sometimes greatly surpasses) the other computers I have used.

The out-of-the-box experience is wonderful; much care was taken with packing materials (and I later found this to be representative of the overall attention to detail and quality). I immediately installed Microsoft Office. I know Office backwards and forwards and the Mac version has everything (unless you must use Access) and even some minor features the PC version lacks. I have sent hundreds of documents to students and coworkers and no one has had any problem opening them. The formatting is also preserved perfectly when opened with Windows computers - this had been a big concern of mine.

This machine is also compatible with everything I've thrown at it. Connecting my Canon camera brought up iPhoto (other options are possible) and my Sony Clie syncs instantly with Palm Desktop 4.0. I've also installed Virtual PC, which very capably runs Windows software in case the need arises. And there are thousands of titles available for the Mac, though you may want to go online to find them all.

The Mac, though, really shines because of the countless little things that make it more satisfying to use. Aside from the stunning ergonomic design of the computer itself, the operating system is very pleasurable. If you haven't spent time with a Mac before, you will be amazed at how quickly you can get around in the operating system and how the things you need seem to be where you need them. I was never convinced by the "simplicity" argument before (after all, Windows seemed simple enough), but if you take simplicity to refer to the ease and speed with which you can get real work done, then it starts to really mean something.

Do get extra memory. I added 256MB to what was already there and this sped things up considerably.

Great computer, highly recommended. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Start with an iMac. Trick it out with a big hard disk drive and a slightly faster processor. Voilà, you've got the iMac SE. This model includes a PowerPC G3 chip running at 700 MHz, 256 MB of RAM (expandable to a gigabyte), and a 60 GB hard disk drive. It also has a CD-RW drive, 56K modem, and 100 Mbps networking. The system's integrated case design, in a translucent white that Apple calls "snow," houses a 15-inch monitor with 13.8-inch viewable area. The system comes with both the classic Mac OS 9 and the slick new Mac OS X installed. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

This is not a computer.. This is iMac.
I don't understand much of computers, but I just can't think why do people use Windows PC if iMac exists... Let's start with the design, sweet, fantastic.. And Mac Os X is so much easier to use, so much better than Windows... Windows looks old-fashioned when compared to Mac Os X, looks really bad. The only thing that I do not enjoy about iMac is that there aren't many games for it. But this is still my favorite computer, so good, so beautiful, gorgeous.

If you want a good computer, this is what you've been looking for. Once you become an iMac user.. You'll never come back to Bill Gates again.

If you're looking for a computer get a Mac.
If you want a ... computer or you feel that you must have what virtually all your friends have, don't buy this computer. But if you want a good computer that is easy to learn and use and will out-perform and out-last your friends' PCs get this iMac -- or any other Mac for that matter. It's true: MACS ARE BETTER THAN PCs. They're easier to learn, easier to use, and far more reliable than PCs. Yes, Macs cost a little more initially (after all Toyotas and Hondas cost more than Kias) but studies show that PCs can quickly lose their initial savings in maintenance costs. And don't worry about the alleged shotage of Mac software; all of the major pieces of software are available in Mac versions -- which are easier to use than the PC versions. Also don't be confused by processor speeds; because of superior design, Macs are typically comparable in performance to PCs with twice the quoted processor speed. If you've got the courage to buck the crowd and go for quality and performance, do yourself a favor and get a Mac. This one is a great place to start.

yesterdays model
I have had this little machine for about 5 months now and Its workin great. The simplicity of the OS is wonderful! It literally took me less than 5 minutes to get connected and on the internet. While OSX is very, very stable It leaves me wanting the speed of 9. The programs I use this computer for are photoshop7, indesign2, and illustrator10. A G3 isnt exactly the best computer to be running for these programs. A new g4 imac is what I really wanted but my financial problems kept me from purchasing one. If you have the money and you will be doing animation, photo rendering, etc. then there is no doubt that you want a new g4. Check out the new emac, it's looking very nice and is the most affordable g4 on the market. (at the moment) But you should really find out what computer is best for your needs and what you can afford. Read alot of reviews and ask alot of questions, because buying a computer shouldn't be a trial and error situation. Know what you're buying!

iMac-An amazing computer!
The iMac is an excellent computer to use, especially at home. I own I 333 Mhz/Grape iMac which I think is great, but the 700 Mhz/Graphite blows it away. It is much faster and has many more accessories. You can now burn CD's on the iMac and there is much, much more memory space to make your iMac work at top-notch speed. I recommend that you get this iMac.

Excellent computer for home
This is an excellent computer for home, it provides all the things needed for any home task, it is also great for digital video an image management. The only thing it makes me not give it a five star rate is that is not to expandable, any way, if you are not planing to add more hard disck drives and there is no problem to add any other stuff as external peripherals, this is a great product. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

When it comes to the sleek Apple iMac models, the 800 MHz SuperDrive is the cream of the crop. Sporting the same space-efficient design as the other members of the iMac family, the 800 MHz SuperDrive nevertheless packs more power and features into its familiar dome-shaped housing than even some Power Macs. If multimedia performance and computing speed are just as important to you as a tiny footprint and clean looks, the latest iMac should warrant very careful consideration.

Driven by an 800 MHz PowerPC G4 CPU, 256 KB of on-chip Level 2 cache, and a generous 256 MB of SDRAM (expandable to one full GB), the 800 MHz SuperDrive is ready to handle most any standard computer task. To ensure the machine doesn't bog down even during the most graphically intensive operation, Apple has also included a super-fast nVidia GeForce4 MX graphics processor with 32 MB of DDR video memory.

However, the crowning touch on this model won't be found inside its case. Instead, it sits atop the slim adjustable neck that has become an iMac trademark. In lieu of the slick 15-inch, flat-screen LCD panels you'll find on other iMacs, the 800 MHz SuperDrive is capped by a crystal clear 17-inch widescreen display that helps deliver your applications, games, and multimedia like never before.

With the 800 MHz SuperDrive, saving, transferring, or sharing files and data is never a problem. The unit is equipped with a massive 80 GB Ultra ATA hard disk for permanent storage and a combination DVD-R/CD-RW drive through which you can back up files, burn and enjoy audio CDs, and record large-volume video and audio DVDs. The system also features two state-of-the-art FireWire ports for high-speed uploads and downloads from external devices such as video camcorders or Apple's own iPod, and no fewer than five USB ports (two of which are conveniently located on the keyboard) for peripherals such as digital cameras and joysticks.

For its size, the 800 MHz SuperDrive is very well connected. On the rear panel you'll find welcome perks such as a headphone jack, an external VGA monitor port, a speaker mini-jack for the enclosed pair of Apple Pro loudspeakers, and an Ethernet jack for broadband connections. Low-speed Internet and e-mail access is available through the unit's built-in 56K V.90 modem, and high-speed wireless access may be added with Apple's optional AirPort card. An optical Apple Pro mouse, a 108-key Apple Pro keyboard with 15 programmable multimedia keys, and an integrated two-port USB hub complete the hardware picture.

Your 800 MHz SuperDrive will arrive ready to go with pre-installed versions of both Mac OS 9 and Mac OS X. ... Read more

Reviews (22)

No more gray box of death
Apple gets a bad rap for having "pricey" computers, but I've never found them to be such. Just look at what this baby comes with:

256 MB RAM.
The wonderful G4 processor, at 800 MHz, which is deceptively fast.
80 GB Ultra ATA Hard Drive
The SuperDrive which lets me burn CDs and DVDs.
A crystal clear 17" flat panel display. Flat panel monitors run into the HUNDREDS of dollars by themselves (...).
10/100 Base-T ethernet port.
TWO FireWire Ports
FIVE USB ports (three on the console, two on the keyboard)
NVIDIA GForce 4 MX Graphics card
Apple Pro Optical Mouse
Apple Pro speakers, and they are outstanding.
Built-in Microphone
Built in Airport antenna, for wireless networking.
Mac OS 9 and the luscious, UNIX-based Jaguar (OS X 10.2)
AppleWorks, a convenient suite of Office-type apps. Their database app is one of the easiest and friendliest around. I store lists of books, CDs and other such things with it.
Explorer
Quicken
The amazing iApps: iChat, iMovie, iPhoto, iDVD and iTunes, all of which make computing so easy and fun in the digital age.
And still more apps--too many to list here.

To buy a quality PC with all of these things would cost about the same, if not more. The ports alone make this a good investment. Best of all, I know all the things in this computer will work together. That's what having a Mac is all about.

As always, Apple doesn't do anything on the cheap, not even with their "everyman" computers, like the iMac. Everything here is top of the line, and it all works beautifully. The most taxing thing about setting up the computer was getting it out of the box (the design makes it more fragile than most computers). Once I had that done, I had it up and running in about 15 minutes--and some of that time was spent upgrading to Jaguar. Connecting to my husband's Powerbook through our DSL router was as easy as clicking on Connect to Server, then clicking on his computer in the listbox. Jaguar even recognized my son's PC, and I was yanking mp3s off there, very fast.

The computer itself is very quiet, although the SuperDrive can get rather noisy at times. But the hard drive? Barely a peep out of it. The display is crisp and clean. The screen really does move with the touch of one finger--smoothly, effortlessly. The G4 processor screams through apps. Burning mp3s and CDs has never been easier, thanks to iTunes. Downloading mp3s and audio books to my iPod is a dream--and speedy indeed over the FireWire connection. I made a DVD the other day of just some clips that I'd collected over the years, and it was disgustingly easy with iDVD. I connected my new Olympus digital camera through the USB port; iPhoto popped right up and filled up the screen with thumbnails of my digital images--with only one click asking if I wanted iPhoto to always do that. Everything just WORKS with this computer, seamlessly, flawlessly, which has been the most refreshing thing about switching to Apple.

But let's face it: Besides the fact that it's a Macintosh, which means a user-friendly computer with quality hardware, the real reason anyone buys this new iMac is because its design is flat-out cool. It is so beautiful that, even weeks after receiving it, I'll just sit there staring at it, still amazed that THIS is a computer. Having my computer's circuitry nestled under a dome rather than entombed in yet another rectangular box is a delight. A round computer case! Who but Apple would have thought of it? Everybody will copy this idea (Gateway[snort!] has already tried), but, as usual, no one will come close to matching the sheer ingenuity of what Apple has done. Don't be fooled by wannabes. This is the real thing, and it's worth every penny you'll spend on it--and then some.

An absolute delight to use
I've used Windows PCs for 10 years, I'm a "switcher". The main thing that kept me from switching before was the perceived hassle of being a Mac user, which is no longer the case...I can how share Microsoft Office documents with PC users. Additionally, there is no longer an Apple premium, as there was in the past. Try pricing out a Pentium 4 2.x Ghz with 512 MB SDRAM, 80 GB hard drive, 5 USB ports, 2 firewire ports, 17" flat-panel LCD, DVD-R/CD-RW drive, with real software (not "lite" versions or shovelware) and you'll see what I mean. You get iPhoto for managing your pictures, iMovie for DV editing, iDVD for burning DVDs, and iTunes for managing MP3s. Everything works right the first time and it doesn't crash several times a day. Unlike Windows, OS X is a true multi-tasking operating system. You can copy files, burn CDs, surf the web, etc. at the same time without the computer locking up. I highly recommend this product. You'll have a hard time finding a PC that can perform like the iMac...

Best computer I've ever owned
Before purchasing my iMac, I was a PC user, but I always thought that it would be great to own a Mac. Since I got my iMac, I have never looked back. I can honestly say that this is the best computer I've ever owned.

The operating system, Mac OS X, is extremely stable and almost flawless. And the applications that come built into OS X (iTunes, iPhoto and iMovie to name a few) are wonderful. I have over 1100 songs on iTunes which automatically syncs with my iPod when I plug it in.

Of course, I also love how beautiful the iMac is. The screen looks as if it just floats in mid-air.

I am so glad that I "switched" to a Mac. I absolutley love this computer, and I know the next time I buy a computer, it will be a Mac.

Avid PC User Switches to iMac
Awesome product! I own a desktop and laptop(Win xp) in a wireless network. I recently purchased an iMac with 17"FP/1.25 GHz/1 GB RAM/160 GB HDD/DVD-RW/CD-RW drive/Bluetooth/Extreme wireless card. It took less than 10 minutes to set it up and have it connected to my wireless network. iMac detected the wireless connection in a second! What an awesome computer! What a great product! Thanks, Apple!

Irresistible but with a few catches.
(Since writing the following, I notice that Apple has just reduced the number of catches: they've knocked 10% off the price and increased the speed of the processor by 20%. Still I'd gladly trade the extra little speakers for either a Sound-In Jack or the option of an external USB sound-processor such as the iMic. The speakers are throwaways if you're running your computer through a good stereo system. Moreover, it's not clear to me that they're compatible with iSub.)

If you must have the chic, compact, dream machine with the beautiful screen, this no doubt is it. But don't be surprised if Apple makes a few changes come July. For one, unlike the eMacs and old iMacs the new iMacs don't have a Sound-In jack (should you plan to digitalize your tapes and LP's), and external USB audio processors can be less dependable. For another, the Apple discussion boards show some owners complaining about "burned out" pixels and proclaiming the superiority of good old-fashioned CRT's (the eMac). And finally, G4 processor or no, to expect this lightweight to perform up to the speed and efficiency of a Power Mac with its floor-standing CPU is testimony to the effectiveness of Apple's promotions department. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Start with an iMac. Trick it out with a big hard disk drive and a slightly faster processor. Voilà, you've got the iMac SE. This model includes a PowerPC G3 chip running at 700 MHz, 256 MB of RAM (expandable to a gigabyte), and a 60 GB hard disk drive. It also has a CD-RW drive, 56K modem, and 100 Mbps networking. The system's integrated case design, in a translucent gray that Apple calls "graphite," houses a 15-inch monitor with 13.8-inch viewable area. The system comes with both the classic Mac OS 9 and the slick new Mac OS X installed. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

This is not a computer.. This is iMac.
I don't understand much of computers, but I just can't think why do people use Windows PC if iMac exists... Let's start with the design, sweet, fantastic.. And Mac Os X is so much easier to use, so much better than Windows... Windows looks old-fashioned when compared to Mac Os X, looks really bad. The only thing that I do not enjoy about iMac is that there aren't many games for it. But this is still my favorite computer, so good, so beautiful, gorgeous.

If you want a good computer, this is what you've been looking for. Once you become an iMac user.. You'll never come back to Bill Gates again.

If you're looking for a computer get a Mac.
If you want a ... computer or you feel that you must have what virtually all your friends have, don't buy this computer. But if you want a good computer that is easy to learn and use and will out-perform and out-last your friends' PCs get this iMac -- or any other Mac for that matter. It's true: MACS ARE BETTER THAN PCs. They're easier to learn, easier to use, and far more reliable than PCs. Yes, Macs cost a little more initially (after all Toyotas and Hondas cost more than Kias) but studies show that PCs can quickly lose their initial savings in maintenance costs. And don't worry about the alleged shotage of Mac software; all of the major pieces of software are available in Mac versions -- which are easier to use than the PC versions. Also don't be confused by processor speeds; because of superior design, Macs are typically comparable in performance to PCs with twice the quoted processor speed. If you've got the courage to buck the crowd and go for quality and performance, do yourself a favor and get a Mac. This one is a great place to start.

yesterdays model
I have had this little machine for about 5 months now and Its workin great. The simplicity of the OS is wonderful! It literally took me less than 5 minutes to get connected and on the internet. While OSX is very, very stable It leaves me wanting the speed of 9. The programs I use this computer for are photoshop7, indesign2, and illustrator10. A G3 isnt exactly the best computer to be running for these programs. A new g4 imac is what I really wanted but my financial problems kept me from purchasing one. If you have the money and you will be doing animation, photo rendering, etc. then there is no doubt that you want a new g4. Check out the new emac, it's looking very nice and is the most affordable g4 on the market. (at the moment) But you should really find out what computer is best for your needs and what you can afford. Read alot of reviews and ask alot of questions, because buying a computer shouldn't be a trial and error situation. Know what you're buying!

iMac-An amazing computer!
The iMac is an excellent computer to use, especially at home. I own I 333 Mhz/Grape iMac which I think is great, but the 700 Mhz/Graphite blows it away. It is much faster and has many more accessories. You can now burn CD's on the iMac and there is much, much more memory space to make your iMac work at top-notch speed. I recommend that you get this iMac.

Excellent computer for home
This is an excellent computer for home, it provides all the things needed for any home task, it is also great for digital video an image management. The only thing it makes me not give it a five star rate is that is not to expandable, any way, if you are not planing to add more hard disck drives and there is no problem to add any other stuff as external peripherals, this is a great product. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Affordable and versatile, the iMac desktop is a great choice for thoseseeking an entry-level Mac that performs most everyday tasks admirably. Includedis a 400 MHz PowerPC G3 processor, 64 MB of RAM (expandable to 1,024 MB), and a10 GB hard disk. Its 24x CD-ROM drive helps out in the multimedia department, asdoes the ATI Rage 128 Pro graphics card. The system is housed in an integratedunit that includes a 15-inch display with a 13.8-inch viewable area. Theinstalled operating system is the Mac OS 9 rather than the new Mac OS X. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Difficult to Use If You're Used to a Windows Machine
I used this computer for a high school graphics arts class. Most of the computers my school had were Gateways with Windows on them, with the expection of one student lab and the graphics arts department.

I had a custom built Windows mutt at home and found using an Apple to be a bit of a challenge because the shortcut codes I was used to using didn't work.

However, after about a week, I was proficient in both. Even though I use primarily an HP Pavilion at home, I can use the Apple computers we have at our college newspaper office pretty well, with only having to ask for help occasionally. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

The iMac has come a long way. No longer a wedge-shaped conversation piece, the latest versions of Apple's mid-level desktop series retain the sleek new suspended-display design introduced in late 2001 and add even more firepower than ever before. This model, the iMac Desktop M9285LL/A, features a slightly smaller viewing screen and hard disk and somewhat slower performance than its just-launched sibling, the pricier iMac Desktop M9168LL/A, but is still a step up on the previous entry-level iMac and therefore fits well in any home and home office environment.

Driven by a powerful 1 GHz PowerPC G4 CPU and 256 MB of high-speed 333 MHz PC2700 DDR SDRAM (expandable to 1 full GB), the iMac Desktop iMac Desktop M9285LL/A is ready for most any standard computer task. In fact, Apple claims its PowerPC G4 processor's 'Velocity Engine' handles data far more efficiently than traditional processors, thus giving it a significant edge in digital video, music, graphics and 3-D gaming performance. Nevertheless, serious gamers and 3-D artists may need more 3-D graphics rendering speed than this unit's 32 MB nVidia GeForce 4 MX chipset can deliver. For them, the iMac Desktop M9168LL/A and its 64 MB NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200 video card may be a more suitable choice.

To store and transfer your data, the iMac Desktop M9285LL/A features a large 80 GB hard disk and a combination DVD-ROM/CD-RW SuperDrive through which you can backup files, burn and enjoy audio CDs, and watch the latest movies. Apple has added two ultra-high speed FireWire 400 ports for fast interaction with external devices such as video camcorders, five USB ports (three USB 2.0 ports on the computer and two USB 1.1 ports on the keyboard), an integrated speaker, headphone jack, and built-in microphone. Connectivity options include an integrated 10/100BASE-T Ethernet port, a 56K modem, and wireless support (with the addition of an Apple AirPort card).

An Apple Mouse and Apple Keyboard and a set of tabletop Harman/Kardon-developed Apple Pro Speakers complete the hardware picture. Bundled software includes the Mac OS X operating system, Quicken 2003 Deluxe, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4, and an impressive assortment of multimedia utilities. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

The new personality: Different AND compatible
So you thought Macs were still those computers that Apple produced where you would never be able to send files that your friend on a PC could open. Well, welcome to the new world of Macs, in this case the iMac. This piece of technology is the sleekest and cutest personal computer around, in my opinion, and the value for money is just great. Whilst other PC's claim to be cheap, they quickly become costlier than the iMac when you compare the processing power, harddrive and RAM. And why would you want an ugly, humungous thing in your living room, when you can have a computer that has a personality?

The trouble with entering a Mac store is not that it looks light and airy and full of designer fun, but that it's difficult to exit the store. It's almost equally difficult to choose which model to buy, once you're finally convinced that Apple's are no longer so different that they're incompatible with the rest of the world. The store is full of fun models and choices, ranging from the budget to the massively expensive. In terms of buying a perfectly servable computer that has all the bells and whistles you need, is affordable and has a little bit of a personality, the iMac is the way to go.

I love this computer. It has a 15 inch flat screen, that conveniently tilts in any direction you want it to, and comes attached to a small base which contains all your hardware (yes! no more huge lumps of iron under your desk that you knock your knees against). It even contains a DVD/CD-RW drive - and if you want to go for a DVD writer, you just go up one model. In truth, this computer does everything I've ever wanted from a computer and more. I've never been one to get sucked into technology, but the iMac has adorable features, like iTUNES (I've completely stopped buying music on CD's and even bought an iPOD to replace my minidisk), iMOVIE (for editing film clips you made of your new puppy), and other fun programs.

If you are smart, you will by the mac.com package that costs only $70. This deal has given me more free software than I care to recall, and provides me with online support (not that I need it often in this user friendly environment), my own webpage and much more. For traditionalists, you can buy the Windows for Mac package, which has all the software you know and understand, such as Word, Excel, Powerpoint and Entourage (equivalent to Outlook). The advantage of this is that you can open the same files as everyone else, and send them the files as they are, without having to convert them first. This was a huge selling point for me on the new operation system OS X.

So what, if it takes you 10 minutes to figure out the little oddities that you're not used to, like clicking on the top left instead of the top right to minimize a window, or holding the control key in order to left click. All in all, the iMac software is MUCH easier to navigate than Windows once you spend 10 minutes on the Mac.

If you're fed up with the Bill Gates monopoly and the viruses Windows seems prone to, and wish for a little bit of umph in your life, the iMac is for you. I wish I could convert the whole world, but then ... the iMac wouldn't be special anymore.

Great Computer, Old OS X
I paid $50 less then if I'd bought it from APPLE direct but the one from Amazon has OS X Jaguar not the newer OS X Panther if purchased direct from APPLE. The upgrade to Panther costs $129 after Jan 30 2004. I just barley made the free "$19.95 for shipping" offer through APPLE. I would have much rather bought a computer with Panther on it instead of having to go through the whole process of upgrading. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

iMac is solid again
The new iMacs offer a stylish choice of desktop computer. They are much faster than the old color iMacs. The LCD Monitor is sharp and crisp with a wide viewing angle. Like all Macs, it is easy to use, and the operating system crashes far far less than any PC system out there (I use PCs at work, trust me). OSX is a bonus as well, a good operating system, but you can still run older (classic) programs. The iMac has been poo-pooed by some "power users" as being cliche. Trust me, you can be a power user on one of these. It's faster than most users will ever need, has plenty of RAM and hard drive, and is easily upgradable. My only quibble is the sound - I recommend the inexpensive external speakers if you listen to music or play games. I also have not found a convenient way to input music from my stereo into the iMac (no Microphone jack) to record my old LPs onto CD. Still, worthy of a 5 star, as I am sure the sound input problem will be solvable through the USB port or some other technique in the near future.

Very Disappointed with the IMAC
We purchased an IMAC for it's supposed amazing digital photo and DVD capabilities. We were very disappointed. iPhoto has crashed twice. We have lost entire folders of photos. Simple children's games screwed up settings and contiminated preference lists. It has never been the same after a simple upgrade. Would not recommend this one to anyone. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

I love this computer!
I have not had this much fun with a machine since my days with an Atari 800 back in the early 80s. Apple got it completely right on what a computer should be like.

I never owned or even operated a Mac until a few months ago. I decided to get one just for the heck of it. Man, what a machine!

OS X is awesome. I am a Linux geek and have been for years, so switching to a Mac was no big deal. I can still play *nix if I want, but the interface on OS X is really something else. It just makes sense. Don't want a program installed any more? Drag it to the trash. None of this "Add/Remove Programs" junk.

I have no problems at all playing with any video editing stuff. The CPU is more than capable of doing any task.

I am also very impressed with Apple's tech support. The hard drive on mine crapped out after 60 days. I called Apple and the guy on the phone walked me through a bunch of tests. He was extremely helpful and a total pleasure to deal with. The best part of it all was that they sent a guy to my house to fix the drive. I did not have to take it anywhere or send it anyplace.

Never again will I use a PC unless it is a Linux box. And my client machines will always be Macs.

Great monitor, weak CPU
This monitor is a work of art. The CPU is 2 years out of date. Buy a 2GHz G5 and a 20" LCD instead. This system is too out of date.

Not perfect, but still better than any PC
This is my first Mac of any kind. I had high expectations, especially considering the price.
So I was a little disappointed to find that the screen was lop sided. Only a little, but very noticeable. There was also a stuck pixel.
I decided to live with these (no choice in the case of the stuck pixel) and soon learned to ignore them and concentrate on the good points.
Panther is such a pleasure to use after using Windows. I quickly started to wonder why anybody would buy a Windows machine. Panther is so slick, and the iLife programs are everything Apple claim they are. Connecting to broadband was easy through the buillt-in ethernet.
The 20 inch screen, lop-sided-ness and stuck pixel aside was worth the extra, just about. All other screens seem small to me now.
Three months' use has thrown up a few points. There aren't enough powered USB ports. The supplied mouse is possibly the worst I've ever used and the keyboard isn't much better. That's a shame, because I'm going to have to replace them with ones that work properly and that'll ruin the look of the machine.
Unfortunately, my iMac, three months old, had to go into the repair shop with a misbehaving superdrive mechanism that turned out to be a very minor software glitch. Apple Care (I paid extra for the three years) was a HUGE disappointment. They had no idea how to fix the problem (they should have suggested a very simple fix which would've meant I didn't have to pack it off to the service centre), were the epitomy of the helpline pits, and now I appreciate why PC manufacturers offer on-site repairs: apart from the fact that it's a pain in the neck taking your computer to be repaired, do you really want some repair shop having access to your files?
At least they fixed the lop-sided screen while they looked at the superdrive, but I think the lack of on-site service is a major drawback to Apple ownership.
Oh dear, the shine has been well and truly taken off this machine for me. At this price, I think I have every right to be disappointed.
But still, now it's back home, and I've forgiven it. The honeymoon is definitely over, but I think the marriage will be pretty solid.

Apple is getting it right!
First, let me provide a bit of background. I have been a computer nut for about 25 years. I started banging out Basic programs on the original Commodor PET in elementary school. Since then, I have suffered the irresitable compulsion to purchase every "next great computer" offered. I have been through TRS-80s, Ataris, Amigas, Apples, and of course, many ubiquitous "PCs."

I had strayed from Apple since owning a Color Classic in 1993 until 2001. At that time, the new Apple Cube caught my eye, as well as the beta version of OS X. I love the FreeBSD operating system, and was very excited about running a Unix distribution on a well-integrated consumer desktop. Alas, I must admit I was disappointed. The original OSX was far to slow for any reasonable work. Worse yet, it lacked the support to allow me to do simple tasks "what do you mean I can't play DVDs and my printer isn't supported?!?!" Nevertheless, I decided to try to stick with it. I sold the Cube and bought a DP 533 and 17 Studio display. Better performance, but still many nagging problems doing things that were a snap on a garden variety PC. I sold the DP 533, and bought two more PCs in the following two years.

My last system was a AMD XP 2800+, DVD-R, 1 GB of ram and a 19" LCD. Performance was satisfactory expect for three things (1) the system was unacceptably loud for my home office, (2) it was nearly impossible to create a decent DVD despite trying a number of software packages (I have a two year-old daughter and new son on the way--lots of video), and (3) I HATE WINDOWS. The system required constant tweaking and chasing down glitches.

Finally, I broke down, sold the PC and bought a 20" iMac. Unlike my experience two years ago, I am happy to report that Apple has got it right. The system works as advertised. The machine is quiet, well designed, and beautiful (had to mention that in any discussion of a mac). As a bonus, the system came with a suite of applications that cover almost every common task, often much more smoothly then their Windows counterparts. (Quicken, AppleWorks,iTunes, iPhoto, iEtc...) Add to that the huge collection of open source unix-based software available for free and you will find you need to buy very little additional software.

While I was concerned about the speed of a 1.25GHZ G4 vs. my PC juggernaut, this was unwarranted. I am sure in pure processing speed, my new mac is not as fast. However, I have no complaints about speed and responsiveness when editing video, developing java applications on Netbeans, or playing the occasional game. The large screen makes it easy to juggle many windows, and Safari offers the best web browsing experience I have seen to date. I would recommend that you order your iMac with the 160GB drive and at least 512MB of memory for best performance.

I find the 20" iMac to provide a very enjoyable overall computing experience. One caveat -- I would make sure your essential applications and peripherals will work with the machine. There are still some voids in hardware support, but not nearly what it was two years ago. Check out Apple's excellent web site for more information. If the 20" iMac fits the bill in that regard, go for it, it is an excellent machine.

Powerful, user-friendly computer with big wide screen.
Apple is quite simply the best and most innovative computer manufacturer. Their various Macintosh computers are very user-friendly: easy to set up and use and (unlike most PCs) seldom crash or malfunction. Furthermore, the new iMac computers, although full-featured, are very compact and, thus, take up little desk space. The new iMacs all have adjustable flat-panel displays with exceptionally bright, sharp images. Now Apple has increased the processor speeds of these strikingly-attractive new iMacs and reduced their prices. This model has a big 20" wide screen display plus a 1.25 GHz G4 processor. Please don't be put off by the fact that the processor clock-speed is "only" 1.25 GHz. The G4 processor accomplishes more than twice as much per clock cycle as Pentium 4s do and, thus, is faster than a 2.5 GHz Pentium 4. All things considered, this new iMac is a terrific, versatile wide screen computer at a reasonable price. Highly recommended. ... Read more