iBought the iMac

The decision was already made before I walked into the Apple store. I had no doubts. I'd done all the research. This configuration perfectly fit my needs, and my budget. My resolve disappeared as effectively as if someone had pulled the plug on the bathtub, and I could almost hear it gurgling as it swirled down the drain.

They just had to place the 20" iMac on display adjacent to the 24" iMac.

If I had never seen the two placed side by side, I wouldn't have hesitated. But now that 20" screen looked too diminutive. My mind erroneously reasoned that bigger must be better. Surely there was more processing power in the 24". Even that was untrue, for the hardware options were identical at the price point I was looking at.

It took over an hour of staring, thinking, watching videos, watching other people play with the machines, and interrogating the patient salesman (and even the store manager), until I finally decided that my original plan was the best; I purchased the 20" iMac (see below for the complete spec list).

I hadn't thought the decision would be difficult. As a 10-year veteran Mac user, I'd mostly based purchasing decisions on the operating system and performance; aesthetics were a bonus. But the acuity and exactness focused on the design of the new iMacs nearly had its intended result on this buyer as it made me ponder an upgrade the larger, more aesthetically pleasing screen.

Specs

20-inch screen
2.66GHz processor
320GB 7200-rpm Serial ATA hard drive5
NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics processor with 256MB of DDR3 SDRAM shared with main memory3
Slot-loading 8x SuperDrive (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
Built-in stereo speakers with internal 24-watt digital amplifier
Built-in iSight camera
Built-in AirPort
Built-in 10/100/1000BASE-T Gigabit Ethernet (RJ-45 connector)
Built-in stereo speakers
Internal 24-watt digital amplifier
Headphone/optical digital audio output (minijack)
Audio line in/optical digital audio input (minijack)
Built-in microphone
Support for Apple Stereo Headset with microphone
Built-in AirPort Extreme Wi-Fi wireless networking (based on IEEE 802.11n draft specification);2 IEEE 802.11a/b/g compatible
Built-in Bluetooth 2.1 EDR (Enhanced Data Rate)
Built-in 10/100/1000BASE-T Gigabit Ethernet (RJ-45 connector)
Height:            18.5 inches (46.9 cm)
Width:        19.1 inches (48.5 cm)
Depth:        7.4 inches (18.9 cm)
Weight:        20 pounds (9.1 kg)1

Out of the Box

The packaging illustrated the careful thought applied to its multi-purpose design:

·    To showcase the new purchase in an intriguing way (heads turned enviously as I walked out of the store with my new purchase)
·    To make the purchase easy to carry with a box-top handle
·    To protect the purchase en route from bumps and shock

True to form, it was very easy to remove the iMac from the box and get it booted up. Once the singular power cord along with the keyboard and mouse were attached it was just a matter of pressing the power button to turn it on. Admittedly, it took me a moment or two to find the power button, hidden away inconspicuously on the back, lower left-hand side of the unit.

After booting the OS for the first time there commences a 20 minute personalization and setup period which includes confirming personal information for warranty purposes, detection and configuration of internet settings, and setting up of POP3 e-mail accounts.

Those familiar with the iMac know that the "monitor" holds all of the computer's components. However there were people in the Apple store who were unfamiliar with this fact and wondered where the "rest" of the computer was. To clarify, the "monitor" portion of the unit (which sits on a brushed aluminum base) contains the CPU, RAM memory, hard drive, DVD drive and all connection points. It has an articulated pivot that allows the user to adjust the angle, while the height is fixed.

Looks and Interface

The monitor is the focal point of the iMac. Many resolution ranges are supported, but at the standard setting of 1680 by 1050 pixels even the desktop is dazzlingly crisp. Photos and videos are rendered sharp and full of rich color. The difference was startling as I compared my flat-glass Sony Trinitron (no slouch itself) side by side with the new iMac.

I'm very fond of the Apple's new keyboards: flat, brushed aluminum, with ivory-colored keys, they evoke a sense of sturdiness, elegance, and simplicity. More importantly, they are a pleasure upon which to type! The key stroke is very short, responsive and natural.

The ostensibly-named "Mighty Mouse" falls short in my opinion. It has finally, over many years, evolved a second button (second button is activated by squeezing both sides simultaneously). However, I find it to be uncomfortable and unnatural for use in normal applications that I use on a daily basis. The scroll feature is accomplished by a small round ball (like those on Blackberries), rather than a wheel. Scrolling is less precise for this user, evening after tinkering with various settings. To be fair, the ball does allow you to scroll in more than one dimension, though.

Operating System (OS)

Leopard (OS 10.5) is the latest iteration Apple's OS, and includes more than 300 new features as well as a software suite called iLife, consisting of a photo management program call iPhoto; a movie creation program called iMovie; a musical creation program called GarageBand; and a web creation program called iWeb (do you see a theme emerging?).

I won't go into great detail on each program in this review, but iPhoto has always been easy to use, and this latest version includes a few more cool tricks and capabilities.

I actually found iMovie to be more complex and difficult to use than previous versions which was a bit of a disappointment, as it's a departure from the anyone-can-use-it mentality Apple uses to market to new users. I had trouble figuring out how to do simple things, like slowing a video down, that were easy to accomplish in the last version.

I don't find myself using iWeb or GarageBand much at all.

Leopard includes two new concept features in its dock aimed at better file management. One is a expanding list that manages your documents, and the other downloads. I'm not very keen on them, but they can be removed and customized to some degree.

Also new to this OS is an update of Apple's media center / management tool called Front Row 2. In a nutshell it manages all your media, and allows you to play music, videos, podcasts, streaming video, and more with the option of controlling it all via the small infrared remote included with the computer.

The OS automatically checks for software updates against Apple's website. These can include patches, security updates, and well as updates for the local software (iTunes, etc.). Over the years I've watched these updates grow from a megabyte or two to dozens, or even hundreds, depending on how many programs are being updated. It's true that hard drive capacity has grown, but it's annoying to watch it get eaten up with memory intensive software updates. I would recommend vying for the larger hard drive on your initial purchase (it's only $50 more) or investing in an external drive, which is also good for backup.

Performance

Apple's theory about processor performance can be summed up this way: "More cores, not faster clock speeds, drive performance increases in today's processors." This unit is a double core, single processor. Start up from sleep takes only about 2 seconds. I experience very little lag opening programs (iTunes seems to be one of the slower apps), and even memory-intensive apps like Call of Duty 4 run very smoothly at high-res settings. However, my memory and graphics settings are the minimum recommended for that particular game. I can see a RAM upgrade within a year as new programs and updates come out.

Connectivity

Five USB ports, a fire wire port, Ethernet hookup, and built-in wireless antenna provide lots of options to connect things to your Mac. However, many of us have numerous gadgets (cameras, iPhones, MP3 players, printers, etc.) so even with a plethora of options, you may need a USB hub. It will also be a little more convenient than blindly reaching behind the computer to try to find the appropriate jack.

The built-in camera works great with iChat, although I've had some difficulty connection with PC users on AOL Instant Messenger. It has a sharp resolution displaying up to 1920 by 1200 pixels.

Energy Consumption

Apple's newer iMacs are more energy efficient than previous models, and that's good because it saves money. How much depends on your usage. New units are shipped with Apple's Energy Saver enabled. Using Apple's calculator, provided at:

http://www.apple.com/environment/resources/calculator.html

I was able to calculate the following based upon my average weekly usage (3 hours a day x 7 days a week), at an average of .05 cents / Kwh:

Annual cost of computer running 24/7 with no energy-saving features $/yr:    $29.00
Annual cost with Energy Saver* enabled $/yr:                $6.00
Total Savings $/yr:                            $24.00
% saving from Energy Saver feature:                    81%

Although the new iMac still achieves processor cooling with a fan, it is so quiet I can't even detect when it's running. After long periods of use, the back of the computer radiates heat, but not a substantial amount.

Warranty and Support

New Macs include a one-year limited warranty and 90 days of complimentary telephone technical support. Nearly any modification or upgrade (from hard drives to RAM) can be made in your local Apple store. More complex repairs require it to be shipped to a factory. If under warranty, this can be coordinated through your local Apple store. I'm told by Apple store employees that RAM upgrades to the iMac are very easy and can be accomplished with minimal tooling by users at home. Apple's extended warranty, known as the AppleCare Protection Plan, extends coverage to two years from date of purchase. My last Mac (a quicksilver G4 tower) had worked flawlessly for 7 years before I upgraded to the new iMac. While not a guarantee that any new Mac will function just as dependably, it does give a good indication of the reliability of these machines from a hardware perspective.

Price

Macs are notorious for being more costly than their PC cousins. I won't attempt to do a comparison with a similarly configured PC here because many would argue that it's like comparing apples and oranges. However, I will quantify what points I think merit the higher cost, and those that don't.

The good:

·    The Mac OS is based on the stable, time-tested UNIX foundation.
·    The Mac OS and hardware are co-developed by the same company. This means fewer crashes because of integration and compatibility issues.
·    The intuitive design of the operating system user interface means it's easy to use for people of all skill levels.
·    The attention to detail in the finish and manufacturing yields a more aesthetically pleasing product.
·    The iMac in particular takes up a much smaller physical foot print in one's home than a traditional CPU tower and monitor combo.

The bad:

·    Apple has been producing computers for decades now; they ought to be able to pass savings along to consumers resulting from improved efficiencies in manufacturing and design.
·    Apple has long marketed to a niche consumer group; as this group grows and they sell more units, they should be passing these savings from scales of economy onto consumers.
·    Purely from a psychological perspective, Apple should revise its pricing strategy so that more of its product line is competitive. For example, it markets heavily in the education sector, yet students and schools are known for having budgetary limitations. (The 6% student discount is probably not going to be the impetus for a cash-strapped college student to go ahead and by that new iBook.)

A Word on the Environment

Like many companies, Apple is concerned about its impact on the environment, or at least the public's perception of its concern for the environment. They have achieved a number of goals that reduce environmental pollutants in their manufacturing process for the iMac and which also encourage recycling:

·    Arsenic-free display glass
·    BFR-free
·    PVC-free (internal cables)
·    Highly recyclable aluminum and glass enclosures
·    Meets ENERGY STAR 5.0 requirements
·    Rated EPEAT Gold

The Final Word

So, it's expensive, it looks good, it's arguably of higher quality... but is it worth the money? A lot of sports car owners probably ask themselves the same thing. My verdict is, if you're cash-strapped and need a word processing or internet workhorse, go buy a PC. However, if you've got the money, and are ready for a new a new kind of computer experience, or if you are already a Mac user, the iMac is a well-designed product that will hopefully last you years to come.

Now for the big question... will it be the 20" or the 24"?