Reviews (75)

Why don't more peole use Mac??
This iMac I bought two months ago is my first Mac ever and I'm really upset that I've waited so long to experience it's brilliance. Within minutes of setting it atop my desk I was online via cable modem with no glitches. As many PC users know, that alone is an achievement. I love the drag and drop way of saving files in OS X. No right clicking on a picture to save it, just drag the thing to your desktop and figure out where you want to put it later! Also your home file is where you store all your apps so you don't have to go about searching aimlessly in miles of folders to find that one thing you really want.

People tell me you pay more for Mac and get less in actual computer power. Well, I don't pretend to be computer savy enough to argue with this, but I counter with Apple's quality of craftmanship and software design. From the overall look of the system down the supple feel of the wires, and indeed even to the intergration of software packages like AppleWorks, Apple is ahead of the curve. That, coupled with the fact that this blazingly fast, DVD burning, fire wire equipped computer fits in just 10 inches of desk space (!) is enough reason to purchase it. And that's not to mention intuitive and award winning software like iTunes (I've ripped over 1,000 songs and haven't even used a third of my HD), iMovie, iPhoto (I've already made one hard cover, cloth bound photo album) and iDVD!

Don't be left behind, experience the digital revolution in all it's glory on the new iMac!

I like mine but I know I paid too much
I am pretty used to the MacOs so I stuck with it when I decided to buy a new computer. However comparing what I got to a Windows PC didn't make me feel good. For 1/2 the price you can buy a PC with the same features, flat screen and speed. So I paid over 500 more for the privilege of using the MacOS. If I knew how to use Windows I would have switched. I was pretty steamed.

World-class computing
It's such a pleasure to work in OS X, especially on such a beauty as my iMac. I dread having to test our sites on our PC--what a mess that poor thing is. Even our Linux technical administrator hates the PC, and is converting to the Mac.

I don't know how many nights I've simply stepped away, let the Energy Saver sleep the monitor and the machine, and come back in the morning and check my email int the near instant my iMac wakes up--with no crashes, wierd problems (that plagued OS 9 and Windows).

Why people choose to ignore the Mac, or make judgements without thoroughly investigating computing is beyond me.

Take a look at Gateway
I took a good look at this system and ended up choosing a Gateway. For the same price I got a much faster computer (2.4GHz P4), faster memory (DDR is 2x faster), a bigger hard disk (80GB) and a 17" LCD Monitor. You can also upgrade stuff on the Gateway, with Apple you are stuck until you buy a new one. It really seemed like an obvious choice for me: go for the Gateway. The only reason to go for the Apple would be it's a little smaller, so if you have a really small desk this might be your only choice.

Another wonderful Apple product
Why in the world would anyone want the hassle of Windoze when you can have an art piece like this? I guess some people like self abuse. A truly wonderful computer. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

The new iMac dazzles with its brilliant 17-inch widescreen flat-panel display that adjusts its height or angle with just a touch. But what’s more amazing is its compact base now packs powerful new features like a speedy 1 GHz G4 processor, more extreme nVidia graphics, a faster DVD-burning SuperDrive--and new advanced wireless options.

Inside the new 17-inch iMac, you get the 1 GHz PowerPC G4 with Velocity Engine, 256 MB of PC2100 266 MHz DDR main memory (expandable to 1 GB), GeForce4 MX graphics with 64 MB of DDR graphics memory, and an Ultra ATA/100 80 GB hard disk spinning at 7,200 rpm. You also get AirPort Extreme and Bluetooth wireless capability, and the best-of-breed digital lifestyle applications that have convinced so many PC users to switch to the Mac platform.

The iMac with SuperDrive (DVD-R/CD-RW) lets you burn your own movies and photos on a DVD disc that plays in almost any standard DVD player. Even better, the SuperDrive now burns DVDs at 4x speed, twice as fast as before. And of course you can pop in your DVD movies and watch them in widescreen letterbox format on the brilliant LCD display of your 17-inch iMac.

Pop the new AirPort Extreme Card into your 17-inch iMac and you’re ready for wireless networking from anywhere in your home or dorm--up to 150 feet from an AirPort Extreme Base Station.

The iMac comes with Apple Pro speakers that handle 18 watts of undistorted digital sound. It also features an internal speaker, internal tripath digital amplifier, Apple Pro speaker jack, headphone jack, and an audio line-in jack that lets you use it as a sound-editing studio. The bottom line is that you get to enjoy an incredible aural experience. ... Read more

Reviews (22)

Wonderful machine, excellent bundled applications
Apple's 1 GHz 17-inch iMac may not seem to keep up with the PC big boys, but the reality is that the elegance of the hardware and software really makes up the difference. The screen is beautiful, and you'll never want to go back to a "normal" (i.e. non-widescreen) monitor once you've used it. Otherwise, the hardware is so-so: The speakers aren't great, and the keyboard and mouse are sub-par. On the software side, Mac OS X 10.2 is solid and fast, and the iLife applications are good (iMovie, iPhoto) to excellent (iTunes, iDVD). You'll want a copy of Microsoft Office v.X to round out the software selection, and that's expensive, unfortunately.

All in all, an excellent all around computer, especially for those interested in multimedia, though you can spend half as much on a speedier Dell system. But that's not the point, is it? The iMac has the grace, elegance and--dare I say it--innovation to keep fans happy. Worth considering if the price tag doesn't scare you off.

Best Computer Ever!
I just got this computer about a month ago, and it's the best thing i've ever had! Well, of course it is, its a mac. All Mac's are good. Pc's are not nearly as good as mac's. My friend has a pentium 4 2.33ghz and my iMac runs at least 5 times faster. Mac's run faster because of their processors. Mac's have proccessors that process information by 128 b chunks. Pentium processors process information in 64 b chunks. So there. They are MUCH Faster. Plus, they look much cooler than a brown box (PC). If you look at all of the professional movie editiors, they don't use PC's, because they aren't reliable at all. Of Course, they use Mac's and Final Cut Pro. Name one PC that comes with a movie editing software, music software, music editing software, GOOD speakers, Quicktime, a DVD burner, and an optical mouse (just to name a small amount of of things that come with a mac). There's just only one thing that PC's are better at doing than mac's, CRASHING! If you want a real computer, get a mac! You'll love it! I Promise!

Really Great!
Not only is it great looking... it works great too! Painless switch from Windows... Haven't needed to purchase any addition software becuase the bundled software does everything... And it is super cool looking!

Praise from a new mac convert
It's been a little over a month since I bought this machine, and I'm only kicking myself for having kept my feet in the Gatesian concrete for so long before. The machine itself is brilliant in its design, look, and efficiency. I picked it up at an apple store in NYC, and didn't ask for any upgrades since I wanted to take it right home from there. However, I would recommend those who can spend $50 more to opt for 512MB of RAM rather than the standard 256, although it runs quite well on the latter. The graphics, for which apple is so famous, are everything they're cracked up to be and then some. The mac browser, on which I'm writing now, safari, is a cut above IE for speed, design, and interface. What truly distinguises the mac, however, is how it does more with small packages: OS X is about half the size of windows xp, and runs more efficiently and with more ease and sensitivity to what users really want to do with a computer. I've spent some 15 years with my head under the hood of Mr. Gates' dirty windows, and although I learned a ton of information and made myself look pretty smart at work in the process, it was dreary constantly having to work around or fix the bugs that the skinny billionaire could have easily taken out himself before he sold me his OS. For windows users who are looking at this with the same question in their minds as I had: "is it worth it, after all these years, moving to a completely new platform" the answer is yes, it is more than worth it, if you're willing to make a few comparatively minor sacrifices. Obviously, (unless you want to keep a windows PC on the side) software will have to be replaced or trashed--don't worry, the proprietary productivity software sold with these macs, called appleworks (which I believe is a reworking of the old Clarisworks), is extremely functional and versatile, and the way windows software is constantly being ramped up, a gradual transition won't be that much of an additional expense, in exchange for the beauties of working on a platform like OS X. One caveat about hardware, however: you will have to consider the possibility of replacing your peripherals: I had to set aside my HP Officejet R40 and buy a comparable all-in-one device that's compatible with the mac and uses USB cables rather than the parallel port (it was only $200, so it's not a back-breaker). If you can handle those passing challenges, you are not likely to look back ever again to the PC: the imac in particular, is a stroke of design genius, and OS X is the only computing environment I can ever claim to have actually enjoyed looking at and working with. Finally, if you're what they call a "power user" (i.e., you like to have the fastest and most loaded machine on the market when you buy), you may wish to wait for the vaunted G5 to appear (I think they're actually taking orders for it now). But the 1GHz G4 is a powerful enough machine to do everything that a PC is capable of, with as much speed and far more grace and balance than any PC I've owned can claim. And if the $2,000 price tag of an imac is rather too much for you, consider the emac, which starts at well under a thousand but uses the old CRT. In any event, you won't go wrong with the mac, and if you're like me, you'll only be wondering what took you so long.

Nearly Perfect...
I have had this computer for nearly 6 months (since March) and I have been very happy with it. I have added additional memory and have recently expanded the hard drive with the addition of an external 160 gig 7200 rpm drive.

I mainly use the computer for general office work (ie letters, spreadsheets, etc). But since I got the computer I have been editing video using IMovie and creating DVDs using IDVD. The ILife software is very nice and I have generally been pleased with it. The ease of use of the ILife software really makes the computer shine IMHO. ITunes, IPhoto, IMovie and IDVD make it possible for the average user to import and use the digital media that far outstrips the average PC. Things I struggled with on my Dell using windows 98, are easy with the Mac. Other people more technically savy than I can most likley do the same sorts of things I can, but average windows users are usually impressed that I can do things like make movies, etc...

This is not to say this is perfect, but it seems to be much closer to perfection than windows based machines.

Unlike one other reviewer, I have not had any hardware problems with my computer, nor have my parents (my father has a 17" powerbook and my mother has a 17" Ibook like mine). ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Descriptions

Unlike most desktop computer manufacturers, Apple likes to keep its lineup refreshingly simple. Even its most revolutionary computer of recent years, the iMac, exists currently in only two separate iterations. This model, the iMac Desktop 15" M9105LL/A, offers the same sleek, space-efficient design and strong esthetic appeal of its more capable sibling, the iMac Desktop 17" M8935LL/A, but with a little less power and a more friendly price point.

Driven by a powerful 800 MHz PowerPC G4 CPU and 256 MB SDRAM memory (expandable to one full GB), the iMac Desktop 15" M9105LL/A is ready to handle most any standard computer task. To ensure the machine doesn't bog down during most graphically intensive operations, Apple has included an nVidia GeForce4 MX graphics processor with 32 MB DDR video memory. Those who work primarily with complex 3D applications may want to look at this system's bigger brother, which includes, among other upgrades, a 64 MB graphics card and a 1 GHz PowerPC processor.

The iMac Desktop 15" M9105LL/A's miniature, dome-shaped housing (10.6-inch footprint) usurps very little desktop space, and its 15-inch flat-screen LCD viewing screen looks great on top of its swiveling, extendable neck. The system is equipped with an adequate 60 GB hard drive and a combination DVD-ROM/CD-RW drive 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 traditional USB 1.1 ports for peripherals such as digital cameras and joysticks, 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 Pro Mouse and Apple Pro keyboard complete the hardware picture. The iMac Desktop 15" M9105LL/A is bundled with Apple's next-generation operating system, Mac OS X v.10.2 Jaguar, and Mac OS 9. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

A spunky little computer
Our company is based in Japan, so we love using the small iMacs as terminals in our too-small stock room. They are prefect, very fast, connect to anything we need them to, and have all the features you expect of a Mac. The 15" model is great for people who need a compact machine that moves out of the way immediately, and the screen is also great for anyone with less than perfect vision (like me) since you can move the screen right up close to your face. Try doing that with a CRT. All in all, I love the current generation of iMacs to death.

Good bye PC's
For years I have dealt with PC's. The freezing up at inappropriate moments, the noise, how they often lag. With some nudging from my girl friend and mother who both have used Macs extensively, I looked into them, and purchased the iMac,, and I have never been so happy using a computer. It used to be a major headache just to open attachments on an e-mail, often times ending in a colorful proliferation of four letter words being bandied about. But with the iMac, the most simple things are just that simple. Sure there may be some drawbacks such as a couple of web sites have glitches when viewing, but the bottom line is that does not matter.

If you're tired of a non user friendly computer which is always crashing. A system to use at home which won't make you want to trash it, this is your answer.

HASN'T THE INTUITIVE EASE OF OPERATION OF PREVIOUS MACS
It pains me to rate my iMac so low because I have been a Mac booster for many years, after converting from a PC. I will say up front that I am not a computer nerd and need something simple that I can operate without reading a lot of books or going to school.

A long time ago I returned a new desktop PC to Gateway because I couldn't operate it intuitively (my fault), and Gateway graciously took it back, no questions asked. I then bought a new little Mac 160 notebook and was immediately able to operate it. I used it for years until it finally smoked its motherboard and had to be replaced. The next computer was another Mac notebook, a 5300 CS, which was not one of Apples finest products, but nonetheless it was fairly efficient and easy to operate. It finally lost the top half of its color LCD and ran out of memory and I was again forced to buy a new computer. The jazzy new iMac looked like just the ticket. I now own iMac serial number 0T213E6FMAY.

My iMac was trouble from the start and I got no help from Apple other than advice, and after 90 days I couldn't even get that unless I forked over an extra [$$$] for an extended warranty, which I did.

Here are just a few of my complaints:
1. The iMac functions pretty much like a PC and is no longer as intuitive as the earlier Apple products they built their ease of operation reputation on.
2. At times the screen locks up, the "OFF" button won't work, and the only way to shut it down is to unplug it from the wall.
3. The "OFF" button is located near the left-back of the body in a hard-to-reach place, accessible only with the left hand, not the right, a very poorly thought out location.
4. There is no "ON-OFF" switch on the keyboard.
5. The so-called "SLEEP" function doesn't always work like it should, certainly not like the earlier notebooks. It sometimes awakens hung up.
6. Sometimes when the shut-down command is given it only goes into the sleep mode, can't be shut down by the "OFF" button, and has to be unplugged from the wall for a forced shut-down. On re-booting after such a forced shut down the system has to go through an automatic hard drive assessment before it is again functional. Even after such a shutdown and hard drive assessment the system sometimes doesn't work right.
7. Apple has loaded so much unnecessary "bloatware" bells and whistles into their OX10 and 9.2.2 operating systems there is no way an ordinary user can operate it easily. Even my paid Apple authorized technicians have had difficulties working out the wrinkles. I never know what to expect next.
8. The optical mouse clicker was too sensitive, even at full adjustment for firmer spring resistance. I replaced it with a Logitech optical mouse.

After years of using Apple products I may go back to a PC because my iMac no longer offers the advantages Macs once had over PC's. It doesn't matter to me if the problems stem from Apple software or hardware; the trouble remains and is still real. Software unready for the market is just as bad as a defective motherboard design. A top notch professional computer technician recently told me that Mr. Steve Jobes' tech meddling is responsible for the newest G4 Macs no longer operating with the traditional intuitive ease of the earlier Macs, to say nothing of the continual technical glitches.

I have heard similar complaints from other iMac owners. You won't see this in the advertising, and some iMac users are reluctant to admit the weaknesses of their expensive new toys. I am not one of them.

I give the iMac two stars because of its very practical swivel head and clean looks (one star each).

A Great Stylish Computer
The Apple iMac is a great computer that has been nothing but an easy transition from the PC world. Its design is much more than a statement it actually has a very useful application, the swiviling screen allows you to move the scren anywhere and the small footprint of the base makes putting it on a cluttered desk easy. Having only one power cord even greatly limits the amount of desk clutter that is added by the computer itself. The imac is speedy and more than capable of performing any task I give it. Mac OS X is beautiful and speedy. Everything works like a charm. Even an after market MP3 player I bought worked fine with it right out of the box. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The iMac may be the epitome of a home system or entry-level multimedia desktop. This model, in a translucent white color that Apple calls "snow," offers a 500 MHz processor, 128 MB of RAM, and a CD-RW drive, all housed in an integrated case with a 15-inch display. Additionally, the system has 20 GB hard disk drive, an ATI Rage 128 Ultra graphics card, 56K modem, and 10/100 Mbps Ethernet interface. Both the classic Mac OS 9 and the slick new Mac OS X ship with the system. ... Read more

Reviews (18)

Great Little Computer!
This is my third iMac (moved up from a G3 400mhz) and it is simply wonderful.

It does everything I ask it to and didn't even brake the bank. Mine cam equiped with a 500MHz G3, 40GB HDD, 256mb pc100 sdram, 16mb ATI Rage 128 Ultra AGP 2x, and a Combo Drive (normally this model comes with a CDRW).

I burn all my cd's, watch tons of DVDs, run Mac OS 9.2.2 and Mac OS 10.3.x perfectly fine and play some older games (I'm not a fan of most new games, but love the older ones like Quake 1,2,3, Unreal and AvP!).

Mac OS X runs great, which I was very surprised about. I also run Adobe Photoshop 7 and Office X on this machine and it does it all very well.

Perfectly happy with this machine and I'm sure that when I go to upgrade again I will keep this one around for odd jobs.

nearly-perfect computer
im an avid fan of mac. i see how mac has evolved from simple, single-unit computers to a techy, all-in-one, super loaded one. i actually owned the classic one, which was later replaced by performa 580 and then upgraded to a new imac, in a dalmatian blue flavor. everything is great in this computer; speed speaks for it. true, when they said that mac is the fastest way to get you to the internet. right out of the box, all i need are simple configurations of my isp, hook up the tel line, and tada, im now online. i tunes is really a cool stuff; im able to rip all my cds. im also able to burn cds as well, though my cd broke just after weeks of using it. i haven't used the imovies yet, coz i dont own a digi video cam. the downsides of this machine are as follows - 1 excessive heat buildup, which seems to be quite normal for every apple masterpiece. i wonder if apple's gonna be introducing a frying pan on their next-generation computers. 2 frequent freezing of the os; the mac always hangs by itself, but within the next half minute or so, it goes running again. 3 incompatibility issues with pc standards. i tried using virtual pc, but i encountered some problems with the software, and i account connectix for that. also, techy people should also be aware of the compatibility of their gadgets with the mac/pc. like for instance, my digi cam (hp c215) is not compatible with mac. so i guess it will be stucked up with my pc for the rest of my life. 4 absence of floppy disk drive outdates my mac. though cd writer and internet connection is a good alternative for data transfer, floppy disks are still reliable and more convenient way for such purpose. extra cost for buying external one is hefty.
well i guess apple did a good wit this imac. i just hope that the next generation of their machines would be completely perfect. by the way, where the g4 cube has gone?

Macintosh Counterface
The Apple Macintosh G3 has revolutionized the way people interact with computers. The design that saved Apple, this machine features so much packed into a tiny microsystem. It is completely plug and play - Any device plugged in will automatically be detected without the use of drivers. Connecting to the internet and to networks is a snap, and professional applications are simulated only on the macintosh. Apple is rock solid UNIX, which delivers a powerful performance for any UNIX guru. Great software is included which is easy to operate. 'The new iLife is like Microsoft Office for the rest of your life'. Whether your just beginning with computers or are a professional, the Macintosh line of products is right for you.

BAD Computer
My friend showed me this computer, and I never really saw why heliked it so much. It crashed if you ran 2 or more programs and it has hardly any software. It may have virtual PC, but that crashes every time you do something useful. You may think I shouldn't be reviewing this, but I spent enough time on it to know it's a terrible computer. It has some upsides (like you don't need to type .com and the starting time is somewhat reasonable), but not enough to distract you from how terrible it is. If the monitor breaks, your whole computer is dead. Trust me, if you want a good operating system, you should get Windows 2000 Professional. It's the best operating system I've used, and Mac OS 9 is the worst.

Take a bite...
I have explored many types of computers. I ran my Parliamentary office off a Commodore 128 (the good version) and was the envy of all of my typewriter-bound colleagues; I had an Apricot (raise your hand if you've even heard of that!); I've had several IBM clones as well as the IBM XT (which stands for Xtra Terrible now) up to my Pentium III; but my love has always burned strongest for my Macs. Progressing from a Mac Plus to an SE to a IIsi to a G3, Macs have always been the way to go for so many things, especially when recommending to others on the basis of ease of use and learning.

So, when the Indiana Literacy Foundation needed to upgrade their out-of-date Macs, we ordered iMacs. These are fast machines (we got the 500MHz variety) that are easy to learn and easy to set up. They connected with no problem to our Ethernet network which ran the printers and the internet connection. The office runs primarily on MS Office and a 4D shared database; the iMacs performed marvelously in these tasks, too.

The biggest drawback would have to be the lack of ports (they really do need to have at least one more UBS port); and there needs to be a disk drive -- hard to transport data to off-network (or, when the network is down, no-network) computers; but perhaps the most user-conscious problem lies with the mouse and keyboard. The mouse is round, it slips to easily under the hand; the keyboard is small (feels cramped to use) and doesn't tilt up enough.

However, these iMacs have served the Foundation well for a few years, and everyone was aglow with happiness (having been released from bondage to PowerMac 6100 slow pokes).

Ah yes, we got the blueberry kind (because they were on sale). ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

With a PowerPC G3 chip running at 500 MHz, 64 MB of RAM (expandable to1,024 MB), and a 20 GB hard disk, the iMac covers all the basics admirably for aprice that compares extremely well with similarly equipped desktops. Alsoincluded in this iMac is a CD-ROM drive, an ATI RAGE 128 Ultra 3D graphics card,a 56K modem, and a 10/100 Mbps Ethernet NIC. The system is housed in anintegrated unit that includes a 15-inch display with a 13.8-inch viewable area,and comes with both the classic Mac OS 9 and the slick new Mac OS X operatingsystems installed.

... Read more

Reviews (3)

good machine
the iMac is a beautiful machine. Speed is not great for gaming purposes, but a solid generalist computer.

Mac makes a comeback (or two)!
When I bought my first Macintosh almost 6 years ago, I thought it was the most amazing computer ever. Of course, I was in the 7th grade at the time....

When it came time to buy me another computer for college, I thought this entry-level iMac would be perfect, and I was right!

Mac OS X is incredible. Not only is it simple and aesthetically pleasing, but it's also remarkably efficient as well. Instead of a cluttered desktop, simply drag the stuff you would normally have there into the dock and presto! you have a nice clean desktop and one location for all the programs and documents you need.

Digital imaging has also never been easier. I briefly had an inexpensive digital camera, and instead of all the hassle of installing the software to just download all the images into the computer, I just plugged it into the USB port and let my Mac do the rest!

As in the past, the selection of readily-available games leaves A LOT to be desired. But most of these can be purchased online (like right here at amazon.com!) But don't expect to go to your local computer store and find aisles and aisles of games for Mac...

I've had my new iMac for about 2 months now, and I have absolutely no regrets!

The best "First Computer" on the market, bar none.
First Computer or not, this is the one for you. I've purchased Three iMacs for family members and my Church. (I've owned 5 Macs myself.) The iMac comes with software, games and more capabilities than many higher end models. Macs are simplier, faster and easier to use than any other computer on the market. How do I know? I work at a Major PC manufacturer in the IT department. But I use Macs at home. (I sometimes even have to use my Mac at work, just to get the "job done.") (...) Enjoy! ... Read more

Reviews (16)

I'm happy...
I've been using IBM-compatible systems since committing to the platform in the Apple II days. After one too many (pick one: crashes / blue screens / errors), I decided to take the plunge on my latest replacement. I have never been as pleased with a new computer purchase. At first I was apprehensive, thinking that you could never get anything done with a 1GHz processor. Well, things are a little different in the Mac world. This is as fast (or at least I can't tell a difference) as my 2.4GHz Dell. I did get 1 gig of RAM. One of the reasons I needed a new computer was that my PC did not have a DVD burner. Within hours I was editing movies and burning DVDs. The interface is great (I'm also using Windows XP on another computer, and it is LAME compared to Panther). I love the Expose feature. Windows users will think it is the coolest thing. Switching users is effortless. I have since added an external LaCie 200GB HD, effortlessly, and and am using the iSight. The iSight works fantastic with other Mac users, but is very sluggish with PC users so far (that's with Yahoo! Instant Messenger, AOL has a beta coming out that may fix it, but I haven't tried it yet). iTunes is awesome, you can listen to radio, download, organize, and burn without even thinking about it.
All in all, I am very pleased. I actually enjoy using my cumputer again, and am eyeing the G5 as a replacement for my last PC (you know, "more power").

Great for seniors
I'm retired and I while I wanted to get email I did not want to learn about computers. I bought an i-Mac because I heard they were good for novices and they were right! My grandson hates it because he can't play his games... one more reason I love it! :^)

So I think this is perfect for retired people who don't need all the latest gizmos but just want to write letters and send email. Of courrse all the ladies in my golf circle think it's darling and I think it's just really cute. In fact I am trying to get my husband to paint it pink!

I did subtract one star because the first one I took home broke down in the first week. But I took it back and got another one and it's working just fine.

All looks, no power
This is a very pretty system but it's under powered for the money.

1. Get a G5, or don't bother getting anything. The G4 is a very out of date CPU.
2. Get 512M of RAM. You can get by on 256M, but you'll be sorry.
3. Get a 128MB video card if you ever plan on running any of the 3D games coming out this year.

This system doesn't meet any of these specs so I suggest moving on to a higher-end Power Mac. If you can't afford a G5 you can buy a more powerful P4 system (with a 17" LCD) for ¼ of the cost. I prefer the G5, but if you aren't ready to spend 2-3 grand, don't bother.

I have the 20" iMac
I've had my iMac now for nearly a month & I absolutely LOVE it! I had initially purchased a Dell Insperion 8600 laptop and it was faulty. I was upset & their customer service line was a complete joke. After waiting nearly a month for a full refund, for a machine that only last 2 days, my friend recommended I purchase an imac. I still thank her to this day. The main gripe about the Mac and any Apple products is the price, but seriosuly I saved $200, so it all depends on what you want. If you want cheap, then by all means buy a PC...just expect to have cheap service and periodic maintenance. If you want excellent performance, then Mac is the way to go. You get more bang for your buck!

Everything you're reading - and more.
I admit to being a little skeptical . . .the reviews have been almost too enthusiastic. Is there anything this machine doesn't do?

Well, after using it for a weekend, I can say it's a great purchase (thought I take issue w/ another reviewer below who calls this machine "inexpensive"). It's an outstanding value for all that you get - great large screen, fast, super easy to use (not vastly different from Windows, if you're switching and you're concerned about such things), and world class software included (IPhoto, Itunes, IDVD, Garageband, etc). Garageband was the coolest surprise - it's a blast if you're into music. The only additional things you need to buy are Applecare extended warranty (you're crazy not to buy this on a $1800 machine) and the only things you'll want to buy are .Mac (webhosting and virus protection, among other things, on special now for $69 if you buy at Apple.com or store), and Microsoft Office (for better or worse, it's what the world runs on). MAC MS Office is fully interchangable w/ the Windows version, so bringing homes applications from my Windows PC at work to work on at home is not a problem.

My only small complaint is that Itunes doesn't work easily w/ my Rio MP3. After several hours I made it work, but ITunes doesn't want to know you if you're not using an IPod. IPods are great, but don't lend themselves to distance running due to skipping.

Get this machine and a fast internet connection, you won't be disappointed. Unless you have applications you must run that are PC based only, I don't know why anyone would buy a PC over this beauty.

Two Notes:
1) If you have a student or teacher in the family, Apple.com and retail stores offer great educator discounts.

2) The website and Amazon customer service says the computer is shipping w/ the older "Jaguar" operating system. Mine however came w/ the reportedly superior "Panther" OS. A relief b/c the ... Read more

Amazon.com

The iMac may be the epitome of a home system or entry-level multimedia desktop. This model, in a deep-blue translucent color that Apple calls "indigo," offers a 500 MHz processor, 128 MB of RAM, and a CD-RW drive, all housed in an integrated case with a 15-inch (13.8-inch viewable diagonal) display. Additionally, the system has 20 GB hard disk drive, an ATI Rage 128 Ultra graphics card, 56K modem, and 10/100 Mbps Ethernet interface. Both the classic Mac OS 9 and the slick new Mac OS X ship with the system. ... Read more

Reviews (18)

Great Little Computer!
This is my third iMac (moved up from a G3 400mhz) and it is simply wonderful.

It does everything I ask it to and didn't even brake the bank. Mine cam equiped with a 500MHz G3, 40GB HDD, 256mb pc100 sdram, 16mb ATI Rage 128 Ultra AGP 2x, and a Combo Drive (normally this model comes with a CDRW).

I burn all my cd's, watch tons of DVDs, run Mac OS 9.2.2 and Mac OS 10.3.x perfectly fine and play some older games (I'm not a fan of most new games, but love the older ones like Quake 1,2,3, Unreal and AvP!).

Mac OS X runs great, which I was very surprised about. I also run Adobe Photoshop 7 and Office X on this machine and it does it all very well.

Perfectly happy with this machine and I'm sure that when I go to upgrade again I will keep this one around for odd jobs.

nearly-perfect computer
im an avid fan of mac. i see how mac has evolved from simple, single-unit computers to a techy, all-in-one, super loaded one. i actually owned the classic one, which was later replaced by performa 580 and then upgraded to a new imac, in a dalmatian blue flavor. everything is great in this computer; speed speaks for it. true, when they said that mac is the fastest way to get you to the internet. right out of the box, all i need are simple configurations of my isp, hook up the tel line, and tada, im now online. i tunes is really a cool stuff; im able to rip all my cds. im also able to burn cds as well, though my cd broke just after weeks of using it. i haven't used the imovies yet, coz i dont own a digi video cam. the downsides of this machine are as follows - 1 excessive heat buildup, which seems to be quite normal for every apple masterpiece. i wonder if apple's gonna be introducing a frying pan on their next-generation computers. 2 frequent freezing of the os; the mac always hangs by itself, but within the next half minute or so, it goes running again. 3 incompatibility issues with pc standards. i tried using virtual pc, but i encountered some problems with the software, and i account connectix for that. also, techy people should also be aware of the compatibility of their gadgets with the mac/pc. like for instance, my digi cam (hp c215) is not compatible with mac. so i guess it will be stucked up with my pc for the rest of my life. 4 absence of floppy disk drive outdates my mac. though cd writer and internet connection is a good alternative for data transfer, floppy disks are still reliable and more convenient way for such purpose. extra cost for buying external one is hefty.
well i guess apple did a good wit this imac. i just hope that the next generation of their machines would be completely perfect. by the way, where the g4 cube has gone?

Macintosh Counterface
The Apple Macintosh G3 has revolutionized the way people interact with computers. The design that saved Apple, this machine features so much packed into a tiny microsystem. It is completely plug and play - Any device plugged in will automatically be detected without the use of drivers. Connecting to the internet and to networks is a snap, and professional applications are simulated only on the macintosh. Apple is rock solid UNIX, which delivers a powerful performance for any UNIX guru. Great software is included which is easy to operate. 'The new iLife is like Microsoft Office for the rest of your life'. Whether your just beginning with computers or are a professional, the Macintosh line of products is right for you.

BAD Computer
My friend showed me this computer, and I never really saw why heliked it so much. It crashed if you ran 2 or more programs and it has hardly any software. It may have virtual PC, but that crashes every time you do something useful. You may think I shouldn't be reviewing this, but I spent enough time on it to know it's a terrible computer. It has some upsides (like you don't need to type .com and the starting time is somewhat reasonable), but not enough to distract you from how terrible it is. If the monitor breaks, your whole computer is dead. Trust me, if you want a good operating system, you should get Windows 2000 Professional. It's the best operating system I've used, and Mac OS 9 is the worst.

Take a bite...
I have explored many types of computers. I ran my Parliamentary office off a Commodore 128 (the good version) and was the envy of all of my typewriter-bound colleagues; I had an Apricot (raise your hand if you've even heard of that!); I've had several IBM clones as well as the IBM XT (which stands for Xtra Terrible now) up to my Pentium III; but my love has always burned strongest for my Macs. Progressing from a Mac Plus to an SE to a IIsi to a G3, Macs have always been the way to go for so many things, especially when recommending to others on the basis of ease of use and learning.

So, when the Indiana Literacy Foundation needed to upgrade their out-of-date Macs, we ordered iMacs. These are fast machines (we got the 500MHz variety) that are easy to learn and easy to set up. They connected with no problem to our Ethernet network which ran the printers and the internet connection. The office runs primarily on MS Office and a 4D shared database; the iMacs performed marvelously in these tasks, too.

The biggest drawback would have to be the lack of ports (they really do need to have at least one more UBS port); and there needs to be a disk drive -- hard to transport data to off-network (or, when the network is down, no-network) computers; but perhaps the most user-conscious problem lies with the mouse and keyboard. The mouse is round, it slips to easily under the hand; the keyboard is small (feels cramped to use) and doesn't tilt up enough.

However, these iMacs have served the Foundation well for a few years, and everyone was aglow with happiness (having been released from bondage to PowerMac 6100 slow pokes).

Ah yes, we got the blueberry kind (because they were on sale). ... Read more

Amazon.com

If you like the all-in-one design of the iMac desktop but need more power than entry-level units offer, this enhanced model may be right for you. It includes a PowerPC G3 chip running at 600 MHz, 256 MB of RAM (expandable to a gigabyte), and a 40 GB hard disk drive. That's big enough to store thousands of MP3 music files, for example--and the included CD-RW drive makes it easy to burn your own CDs. A 56K modem and 100 Mbps networking are standard. 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 (18)

Great Little Computer!
This is my third iMac (moved up from a G3 400mhz) and it is simply wonderful.

It does everything I ask it to and didn't even brake the bank. Mine cam equiped with a 500MHz G3, 40GB HDD, 256mb pc100 sdram, 16mb ATI Rage 128 Ultra AGP 2x, and a Combo Drive (normally this model comes with a CDRW).

I burn all my cd's, watch tons of DVDs, run Mac OS 9.2.2 and Mac OS 10.3.x perfectly fine and play some older games (I'm not a fan of most new games, but love the older ones like Quake 1,2,3, Unreal and AvP!).

Mac OS X runs great, which I was very surprised about. I also run Adobe Photoshop 7 and Office X on this machine and it does it all very well.

Perfectly happy with this machine and I'm sure that when I go to upgrade again I will keep this one around for odd jobs.

nearly-perfect computer
im an avid fan of mac. i see how mac has evolved from simple, single-unit computers to a techy, all-in-one, super loaded one. i actually owned the classic one, which was later replaced by performa 580 and then upgraded to a new imac, in a dalmatian blue flavor. everything is great in this computer; speed speaks for it. true, when they said that mac is the fastest way to get you to the internet. right out of the box, all i need are simple configurations of my isp, hook up the tel line, and tada, im now online. i tunes is really a cool stuff; im able to rip all my cds. im also able to burn cds as well, though my cd broke just after weeks of using it. i haven't used the imovies yet, coz i dont own a digi video cam. the downsides of this machine are as follows - 1 excessive heat buildup, which seems to be quite normal for every apple masterpiece. i wonder if apple's gonna be introducing a frying pan on their next-generation computers. 2 frequent freezing of the os; the mac always hangs by itself, but within the next half minute or so, it goes running again. 3 incompatibility issues with pc standards. i tried using virtual pc, but i encountered some problems with the software, and i account connectix for that. also, techy people should also be aware of the compatibility of their gadgets with the mac/pc. like for instance, my digi cam (hp c215) is not compatible with mac. so i guess it will be stucked up with my pc for the rest of my life. 4 absence of floppy disk drive outdates my mac. though cd writer and internet connection is a good alternative for data transfer, floppy disks are still reliable and more convenient way for such purpose. extra cost for buying external one is hefty.
well i guess apple did a good wit this imac. i just hope that the next generation of their machines would be completely perfect. by the way, where the g4 cube has gone?

Macintosh Counterface
The Apple Macintosh G3 has revolutionized the way people interact with computers. The design that saved Apple, this machine features so much packed into a tiny microsystem. It is completely plug and play - Any device plugged in will automatically be detected without the use of drivers. Connecting to the internet and to networks is a snap, and professional applications are simulated only on the macintosh. Apple is rock solid UNIX, which delivers a powerful performance for any UNIX guru. Great software is included which is easy to operate. 'The new iLife is like Microsoft Office for the rest of your life'. Whether your just beginning with computers or are a professional, the Macintosh line of products is right for you.

BAD Computer
My friend showed me this computer, and I never really saw why heliked it so much. It crashed if you ran 2 or more programs and it has hardly any software. It may have virtual PC, but that crashes every time you do something useful. You may think I shouldn't be reviewing this, but I spent enough time on it to know it's a terrible computer. It has some upsides (like you don't need to type .com and the starting time is somewhat reasonable), but not enough to distract you from how terrible it is. If the monitor breaks, your whole computer is dead. Trust me, if you want a good operating system, you should get Windows 2000 Professional. It's the best operating system I've used, and Mac OS 9 is the worst.

Take a bite...
I have explored many types of computers. I ran my Parliamentary office off a Commodore 128 (the good version) and was the envy of all of my typewriter-bound colleagues; I had an Apricot (raise your hand if you've even heard of that!); I've had several IBM clones as well as the IBM XT (which stands for Xtra Terrible now) up to my Pentium III; but my love has always burned strongest for my Macs. Progressing from a Mac Plus to an SE to a IIsi to a G3, Macs have always been the way to go for so many things, especially when recommending to others on the basis of ease of use and learning.

So, when the Indiana Literacy Foundation needed to upgrade their out-of-date Macs, we ordered iMacs. These are fast machines (we got the 500MHz variety) that are easy to learn and easy to set up. They connected with no problem to our Ethernet network which ran the printers and the internet connection. The office runs primarily on MS Office and a 4D shared database; the iMacs performed marvelously in these tasks, too.

The biggest drawback would have to be the lack of ports (they really do need to have at least one more UBS port); and there needs to be a disk drive -- hard to transport data to off-network (or, when the network is down, no-network) computers; but perhaps the most user-conscious problem lies with the mouse and keyboard. The mouse is round, it slips to easily under the hand; the keyboard is small (feels cramped to use) and doesn't tilt up enough.

However, these iMacs have served the Foundation well for a few years, and everyone was aglow with happiness (having been released from bondage to PowerMac 6100 slow pokes).

Ah yes, we got the blueberry kind (because they were on sale). ... Read more

Amazon.com

If you like the all-in-one design of the iMac desktop but need more power than entry-level units offer, this enhanced model may be right for you. It includes a PowerPC G3 chip running at 600 MHz, 256 MB of RAM (expandable to a gigabyte), and a 40 GB hard disk drive. That's big enough to store thousands of MP3 music files, for example--and the included CD-RW drive makes it easy to burn your own CDs. A 56K modem and 100 Mbps networking are standard. 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 (18)

Great Little Computer!
This is my third iMac (moved up from a G3 400mhz) and it is simply wonderful.

It does everything I ask it to and didn't even brake the bank. Mine cam equiped with a 500MHz G3, 40GB HDD, 256mb pc100 sdram, 16mb ATI Rage 128 Ultra AGP 2x, and a Combo Drive (normally this model comes with a CDRW).

I burn all my cd's, watch tons of DVDs, run Mac OS 9.2.2 and Mac OS 10.3.x perfectly fine and play some older games (I'm not a fan of most new games, but love the older ones like Quake 1,2,3, Unreal and AvP!).

Mac OS X runs great, which I was very surprised about. I also run Adobe Photoshop 7 and Office X on this machine and it does it all very well.

Perfectly happy with this machine and I'm sure that when I go to upgrade again I will keep this one around for odd jobs.

nearly-perfect computer
im an avid fan of mac. i see how mac has evolved from simple, single-unit computers to a techy, all-in-one, super loaded one. i actually owned the classic one, which was later replaced by performa 580 and then upgraded to a new imac, in a dalmatian blue flavor. everything is great in this computer; speed speaks for it. true, when they said that mac is the fastest way to get you to the internet. right out of the box, all i need are simple configurations of my isp, hook up the tel line, and tada, im now online. i tunes is really a cool stuff; im able to rip all my cds. im also able to burn cds as well, though my cd broke just after weeks of using it. i haven't used the imovies yet, coz i dont own a digi video cam. the downsides of this machine are as follows - 1 excessive heat buildup, which seems to be quite normal for every apple masterpiece. i wonder if apple's gonna be introducing a frying pan on their next-generation computers. 2 frequent freezing of the os; the mac always hangs by itself, but within the next half minute or so, it goes running again. 3 incompatibility issues with pc standards. i tried using virtual pc, but i encountered some problems with the software, and i account connectix for that. also, techy people should also be aware of the compatibility of their gadgets with the mac/pc. like for instance, my digi cam (hp c215) is not compatible with mac. so i guess it will be stucked up with my pc for the rest of my life. 4 absence of floppy disk drive outdates my mac. though cd writer and internet connection is a good alternative for data transfer, floppy disks are still reliable and more convenient way for such purpose. extra cost for buying external one is hefty.
well i guess apple did a good wit this imac. i just hope that the next generation of their machines would be completely perfect. by the way, where the g4 cube has gone?

Macintosh Counterface
The Apple Macintosh G3 has revolutionized the way people interact with computers. The design that saved Apple, this machine features so much packed into a tiny microsystem. It is completely plug and play - Any device plugged in will automatically be detected without the use of drivers. Connecting to the internet and to networks is a snap, and professional applications are simulated only on the macintosh. Apple is rock solid UNIX, which delivers a powerful performance for any UNIX guru. Great software is included which is easy to operate. 'The new iLife is like Microsoft Office for the rest of your life'. Whether your just beginning with computers or are a professional, the Macintosh line of products is right for you.

BAD Computer
My friend showed me this computer, and I never really saw why heliked it so much. It crashed if you ran 2 or more programs and it has hardly any software. It may have virtual PC, but that crashes every time you do something useful. You may think I shouldn't be reviewing this, but I spent enough time on it to know it's a terrible computer. It has some upsides (like you don't need to type .com and the starting time is somewhat reasonable), but not enough to distract you from how terrible it is. If the monitor breaks, your whole computer is dead. Trust me, if you want a good operating system, you should get Windows 2000 Professional. It's the best operating system I've used, and Mac OS 9 is the worst.

Take a bite...
I have explored many types of computers. I ran my Parliamentary office off a Commodore 128 (the good version) and was the envy of all of my typewriter-bound colleagues; I had an Apricot (raise your hand if you've even heard of that!); I've had several IBM clones as well as the IBM XT (which stands for Xtra Terrible now) up to my Pentium III; but my love has always burned strongest for my Macs. Progressing from a Mac Plus to an SE to a IIsi to a G3, Macs have always been the way to go for so many things, especially when recommending to others on the basis of ease of use and learning.

So, when the Indiana Literacy Foundation needed to upgrade their out-of-date Macs, we ordered iMacs. These are fast machines (we got the 500MHz variety) that are easy to learn and easy to set up. They connected with no problem to our Ethernet network which ran the printers and the internet connection. The office runs primarily on MS Office and a 4D shared database; the iMacs performed marvelously in these tasks, too.

The biggest drawback would have to be the lack of ports (they really do need to have at least one more UBS port); and there needs to be a disk drive -- hard to transport data to off-network (or, when the network is down, no-network) computers; but perhaps the most user-conscious problem lies with the mouse and keyboard. The mouse is round, it slips to easily under the hand; the keyboard is small (feels cramped to use) and doesn't tilt up enough.

However, these iMacs have served the Foundation well for a few years, and everyone was aglow with happiness (having been released from bondage to PowerMac 6100 slow pokes).

Ah yes, we got the blueberry kind (because they were on sale). ... Read more

Reviews (1)

I love my little iMac!
I got this iMac a few months ago, and it has never given me a moment's trouble. Well, sure, there have been a few software difficulties (old scanner software that made the iMac burp) but the iMac itself has been solid. And wonderful.

It's fast, it's quiet, and it's agreeable. Installing hardware is almost always a breeze and everything seems to work right without much troubleshooting. The few times I've had some software trouble, a quick visit to a Mac fix-it site told me what I needed to do to resolve the problem.

I come from the Wintel side, and while I think PCs have their strengths, nothing is quite as sublime (as far as I am concerned) as a nice Macintosh computer. It is reliable and stable. It runs Photoshop, Dreamweaver, and all my other "arty" graphics apps beautifully. The screen is clear and bright. The built-in speakers sound pretty darn good. I haven't even bothered to hook up external speakers (though some people probably would prefer to have them).

The price is right. It's so inexpensive, you can afford to get a lot of extra RAM added-something I heartily recommend. (I have a total of 768 megs, which is quite wonderful!) I had the shop add my RAM, but I have been told that adding RAM to these models of iMacs is very easy, even for the newbie.

I love my little iMac! ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

If you like the all-in-one design of the iMac desktop but need morepower than entry-level units offer, this enhanced model may be right for you. Itincludes a PowerPC G3 chip running at 600 MHz, 256 MB of RAM (expandable to agigabyte), and a 40 GB hard disk drive. That's big enough to store thousands ofMP3 music files, for example--and the included CD-RW drive makes it easy to burnyour own CDs. A 56K modem and 100 Mbps networking are standard. The system'sintegrated case design, in a translucent white that Apple calls "snow," houses a15-inch monitor with 13.8-inch viewable area. The system comes with both theclassic Mac OS 9 and the slick new Mac OS X installed. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

iMacs are Great
If an emac or flat pannel imac is just too much, this is a great choice! Imacs come with MAC OS X v10.2, their new operating system that is bound to crush the PC buisness. I really like them for kids, schools, and especially adults who just need a simple computer for internet and some multimedia. And their size is nice if you have limited space. Too bad they dont come with combo drives...

Slow, small screen, can't upgrade it
Evade, escape, don't buy. This slow piece of plastic won't run any software other than the four year old kiddie games you find in the bargain bin. I can't believe they still sell this thing with a G3 CPU. It's a rip at any price.

An inexpensive iMac with beauty and speed
If you can't quite pull the dough together for a LCD iMac, this is your best option... the Snow look is gorgeous, and pictures can't do it justice. Depending on your angle of viewing, it is an opaque flurry of white which quickly goes to complete transparency.

Not to focus on the look too much (with the traditional iMacs, it's one of the biggest differentiators), but all the advantages of the iMac apply. It takes little room on a desk, reduces cable clutter to just power cord, USB keyboard cable, and cables for modem or ethernet. For high-speed storage and video work, you've got FireWire. The CD-RW is good for burning files to CD, or making mix CDs for your car CD player.

Snappy performance in Mac OS X, and all of the great software Apple includes... plus the vast amount of third-party software.

Provides the cool-factor of the new LCD iMacs for those who can't rationalize spending more money, or for those worried kids might damage the arm-mounted LCD display. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Including a basic yet sufficient feature set and power enough for mosteveryday computing tasks, the Apple iMac is a good option for those seeking anaffordable desktop. Powered by a 500 MHz PowerPC G3 chip and including 64 MB ofRAM (expandable to 1,024 MB) and a 20 GB hard disk, this system has thefundamentals covered. Its 24x (read), 8x (write), and 4x (rewrite) CD-RW drivehelps out in the multimedia department, as does the ATI Rage 128 Ultra graphicscard. The system is housed in an integrated unit that includes a 15-inch displaywith a 13.8-inch viewable area. Both the classic Mac OS 9 and the slick new MacOS X come installed. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A Great CPU-Screw Clock-Speed!
Most people probably look at this computer and scoff, "Oh, 500-MHz! That is so cute. But it's not of any use." They're wrong VERRRRRY wrong.
I have been a Mac user since I was 5. We got a Performa 550. 33 MHz, 180 MB hard drive. Pathetic? Yes. Slow? Yes. Beige? Yes. Useless? Absolutely not. Even with all of the constraints, the trusty Performa pulled through-it did essays, stories, reports, made pictures, printed KidPix stuff, and even made smoke (that last one was an accident...) The moral of the stroy is that someone who wants a good computer needn't look too far. 1 GHz--wow, but do you REALLY need it? Think about that

Ahem, back on subject. The 500-Mhz iMac is sort of the same as the Performa (but it's not beige-yippee!) It may not have incredibly fast clock speed, the latest hard drive, or the biggest screen, but for entry-level, and even maybe mild business, the iMac come through. It works hard, supports a GB of RAM, and can store movies, AND Mp3 tunes, AND documents, AND games, AND applications of all sorts and run fine. Only under very severe stress does the iMac up and quit. I've had mine for a year and a half now, and it has never, EVER failed me. It has always pulled through, and deserves that sacred spot next to the ol' Performa. Not to mention it looks cool. If you want a Mac, the iMac is a viable solution. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Powerful and versatile, the iMac DV SE is designed to appeal to theall-around Mac user who seeks a reasonably priced desktop. The system has a 600MHz PowerPC G3 processor, 128 MB of RAM (expandable to 1,024 MB), and a 40 GBhard disk. Its 24x (read), 8x (write), and 4x (rewrite) CD-RW drive helps out inthe multimedia department, as does the ATI Rage 128 Ultra graphics card. Loadedwith software--including AppleWorks, Quicken Deluxe 2001, QuickTime, PalmDesktop, and FAXstf--this package covers all the basics and then some. Thesystem is housed in an integrated unit that includes a 15-inch display with13.8-inch viewable area, and comes with both the classic Mac OS 9 and the slicknew Mac OS X installed. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

A user-friendly computer
I'm a research scientist who has been using computers since 1958. Although I needed to use computers for my work, I didn't particularly like them. In fact, sometimes I strongly disliked them. And then, several years after Apple introduced the Macintosh, I tried one and fell in love with it. At last there was a computer designed to serve my needs rather than demanding that I cater to it's idiosyncracies as non-Macs do. At work my PC-using colleagues tease me for using a Mac, but I seldom encounter the crashes and other problems which they seem to accept as routine. Stated quite simply, MACS ARE BETTER THAN PCs. They're easier to use and more reliable. Also Macs are much faster than their MHz ratings imply because Mac processors do more operations per cycle than PC processors do. This particular iMac is a terrific buy. It is very reasonably priced, very easy to set up and use, and will do everything most people want a computer to do. If you want a larger screen and even more computing power get the M8812LL/A iMac. It is awesome. But most people should be very happy with this bargain model. As one who has decades of experience with computers, and uses Macs both at work and at home, I highly recommend it -- and, indeed, all Macs.

If you want a user-friendly computer, get an iMac.
I'm a research scientist who has been using computers since 1958. Although I needed to use computers for my work, I didn't particularly like them. In fact, sometimes I strongly disliked them. And then, several years after Apple introduced the Macintosh, I tried one and fell in love with it. At last there was a computer designed to serve my needs rather than demanding that I cater to it's idiosyncracies as non-Macs do. At work my PC-using colleagues tease me for using a Mac, but I seldom encounter the crashes and other problems which they seem to accept as routine. Stated quite simply, MACS ARE BETTER THAN PCs. They're easier to use and more reliable. Also Macs are much faster than their MHz ratings imply because Mac processors do more operations per cycle than PC processors do. This particular iMac is a terrific buy. It is very reasonably priced, very easy to set up and use, and will do everything most people want a computer to do. If you want a larger screen and even more computing power get the M8812LL/A iMac. It is awesome. But most people should be very happy with this bargain model. As one who has decades of experience with computers, and uses Macs both at work and at home, I highly recommend it -- and, indeed, all Macs.

a classic
Don't let the pc troll scare you off - he writes the same nonsense about every Mac, but has probably never used one. I use one, and in spite of its modest specs, this computer hasn't failed me yet. I can play games like Jedi Knight 2 and Return to Castle Wolfenstein wothout problem. OS X is awesome, rock solid, beautiful, and the i-apps are also intuitive, easy and fun to use. Just ask my 11 year old son who has been making movies in imovie 2. Extra ram would be a good idea, but it's cheap and easy to install yourself. These probably won't be around much longer, so grab one while you can, especially at this price.

Don't even think about it
Do not even think about getting a G3 based Mac. An 800MHz G4 is the very slowest Mac you should even think about buying. The G3 was out of date years ago. The only thing this is good for is checking your email.

Beginners delight!
I was looking for a computer for my 8 year old daughter. I didn't want to spend a lot, but I also wanted the computer to have enough features to cover what she needed it for. This machine not only had the entire package..... but, plus some. It also was the perfect compact size and easy to use system that I have ever encountered. The set up was so easy as 1, 2, 3 Just like the instructions say. You literally take it out of the box, plug it in, and turn it on. It's that easy.

But ease of use isn't the main attraction to this system. It has all of the extra features that go along with it. Such as a speedy G3 processor, 40 Gb Hard Disk, and great software like iMovie 2, iTunes 2, AppleWorks, Mac OS X Mail, Quicken 2002 Deluxe, Mac OS X Chess to name a few. Way more than anyone who's starting off would ever need.

The only suggestion I would have is to increase the memory to at least an additional 256 mg (expandable to one full GB) This will speed this already fast machine way beyond what you are use to.

I also use a Dell PC at work that has similar features, and it doesn't even compare to the EASE of use and speed as this machine provides.

If you never used a Mac before, and are hesitant, don't be. This will be the easiest transition you could ever imagine. Also there's more than adequate software available for the Macs than is lead to believe. Just surf the web you will see.

Downfall: Not much except that I suggest you installing the OSX instead of relying on the OS9. The OS9 seems to crash every once in a while which makes surfing a pain sometimes. But the OSX is virtually crash proof.

I would have given it a 5 for a score if it had that additional memory, plus the 5 status I believe is reserved for the more advanced Macs.

This machine is a must get!! ... Read more