The iMac G5 sets a new standard for compact desktops

When the original iMac was introduced in 1998, it was praised for it’s compact design and is often credited with saving Apple. There is no doubt that it revolutionized the computer industry, as witnessed by the copycat PCs that came out. It also spurred the USB industry, and influenced many new industries utilizing translucent cases, like the George Forman Grill.

In 2002, Apple reinvented the iMac, basing it on an impressive flat panel LCD, lifted over a domed base by an inventive articulating neck. Nicknamed the Lamp Shade iMac, it was physically smaller than the previous iMac, and used the faster G4 processor.

Now as 2005 draws near, and with over 10 million iMacs sold, Apple has again reinvented the iMac. This time, the entire computer is built into the LCD display, removing the base and in effect creating a body-less computer, the thinnest desktop computer ever. A common question that gets asked is “Where’d the computer go?”

Even smaller and lighter than it’s predecessor, and based on the even faster PowerPC 970 processor from IBM, this new model promises to be just as remarkable as the original. The new iMac is also much quieter than the previous models, at 25 dB during normal operation. And, Apple’s typical showmanship marks that it is quieter than a whisper, which they measured at 32 dB!

There are three stock configurations available: a high-resolution 17-inch widescreen LCD display, 1.6 GHz G5 processor, 256MB of fast 400 MHz RAM, 80GB SATA hard drive, and a CD writer/DVD player combo drive, for just $1,299 including the monitor. Upgrade to a 1.8 GHz G5, and a DVD recording SuperDrive for just $200 more. The stunning 20-inch widescreen model sports a 160GB hard drive, and sells for $1,899.

Custom options for the new iMac include up to 2GB of memory, or a 250 GB hard drive. And don’t let the clock speed fool you; the 64-bit IBM G5 performs at more than twice the speed of Intel’s 32-bit Pentium 4, making the 1.8GHz G5 about the same speed as a 4GHz Pentium. If a 4GHz Pentium even existed!

The marketing slogan that Apple is using for the new iMac is “from the creators of iPod”. For a Mac user, it’s kind of like “Duh, we know that”. However, for a large number of Windows-using iPod owners, it may be more effective.

Apple wants to convert more (PC users) to the Mac, and the runaway success of the iPod for Windows is a great step in that direction. Jobs even noted during a recent keynote that the iPod has a 82% market share of all hard-drive based music players, saying “it’s nice to be above 5%”, referring to the reported (and often disputed) percentage of Macs vs. Windows machines in the market. Windows users who like the design of the iPod might then be more inclined to purchase the new iMac G5.

Apple has developed, grown, and revolutionized the computer into a system we can all use today. Whether you use Windows, UNIX, Linux, or an older Mac, there is a new Macintosh that fits for you. You don’t have to worry about viruses, spyware, security holes, or hackers. The Mac works for you, not against you.

You can easily connect to Windows networks and share files with Windows users. If you really have to, you can even run Windows programs on your Mac using Microsoft’s Virtual PC software.

Today, with the new iMac, you can install it in your living room, den, or wherever fits your lifestyle. Put it in the kitchen and download recipes from the Internet. Put it in your home office and synchronize your calendar to your PDA or iPod. Put it in the family room and schedule the kids’ activities.

You can remove the foot and attach a wall-mount or arm-mount bracket and put it under a cabinet, or above a desk, and add wireless internet with Apple’s Airport Extreme card. Use Apple’s Bluetooth wireless keyboard and mouse, from up to 30 feet away. Mount the 20-inch iMac G5 on the bedroom wall and create a flat-screen home theatre with access to the Internet Movie Database!

For the music lovers, you can make your own home audio system using iTunes. Apple’s Airport Express wireless base station with AirTunes technology lets you stream your music from any Mac to any stereo in your home – never be without your tunes! Do away with all the 8-tracks, cassettes, vinyl, and CDs and put all your music under control with iTunes. Carry all your music with you on the iPod.

It’s amazing the power we all have access to and haven’t tapped into. If people could just be locked in a room with a Mac for a week, they would be amazed at the ease of use, the compatibility, and the capabilities of it. They’d “get it”.

Apple has created a small, powerful, aesthetically appealing, innovated, creative, workable, user friendly, attractive, reliable computer that everyone can use. The ultimate Internet machine. The ultimate music machine. The ultimate graphics machine. The ultimate computing machine. Stop by and try one out today!

Steve Rea is an Apple Authorized service technician at Jessi Group, (www.jessi group.com), Rochester, NY’s only Apple Specialist Store. Steve can also be heard on Sound Bytes, a weekly computer talk show on WHAM 1180 AM.