View Full Version : iMac G5
Nico_from_Paris
2004-09-01, 14:47
ok ok ok ok, there has been a lot written here about pros and cons of the new iMac G5. I won't add anything to the argument. I saw the iMac on stage and on screen during the keynote yesterday and I loved it. I used it this afternoon on the Apple Expo. Ok, now I know it is time. I am gonna switch and it is going to be the iMac G5. The 20" not the 17" which has a too small screen for the Jay Leno chin.
Maybe you have been all for too long with Apple to understand how a Wintel user (victim ?) feels when the iMac G5 stands there on the desk.
Too bad Apple did not find clever to come to Paris with truck-loads of iMacs and iPods, I am sure they would have sold thousands. Playing with the stuff is so tempting you have ur CC almost in hand.
But since these new DVI Cinema Displays coming on the scene, I've recently become quite interested in getting a 12" PowerBook and a 20" or 23" Cinema Display. THAT, I feel, would truly be a "best of both worlds" situation. Ultimate in portability (small size/weight) and ultimate in screen space while at home, while I'm doing real work.
Ha, ha. You need to downgrade to a 12-inch PowerBook, pscates!
In all actuality, I'll have the 15" for a good while. I really do like its performance and features (and the attention it gets when I pull it out...uh, wait...), and maybe if I just added an external display for home use (and bought a more comfortable, padded carrying bag for travel), that would be the solution.
That's the pragmatic solution, which you figured out months ago already. You know exactly what's best for you (and your wallet).
The 15-inch is a very nice notebook. If you get an ACD for when you're doing serious work at home, you won't be able to tell the difference between the 15-inch and a 12-inch. In fact, I have recently become so fed up with my 12-inch's noisy fan, that I just stuck it under my desk next to the Wintel box! I don't see it anymore at all. Finally, I remember that you occasionally moved your iMac G4 to a friend's house, so the 15-inch PowerBook couldn't be all that bad. ;)
Escher
I am gonna switch and it is going to be the iMac G5. The 20" not the 17" which has a too small screen for the Jay Leno chin.
Good decision, Nico! If I didn't already have my PowerBook, the 20" iMac G5 is what I would have picked, for exactly the same reason as you.
Good luck!
Escher
Nico_from_Paris
2004-09-01, 15:14
Good decision, Nico! If I didn't already have my PowerBook, the 20" iMac G5 is what I would have picked, for exactly the same reason as you.
Good luck!
Escher
Thanks Escher !
Yes, but I already have a BT mouse. My question is this: do I need to get the bluetooth module if I get that $89 option that says BT module+keyboard+mouse?
I dont want 2 BT modules, obviously.
Thanks Paul
Yes, it includes the BT module. So you would have an extra bluetooth mouse... Why don't you ebay it WITH your powerbook?
probably get an extra $40 or so...
Apple offers a standard wired Apple Keyboard and Mouse with all iMac G5 models. Options include a wireless bundle, which includes an Apple Wireless Keyboard, Apple Wireless Mouse, and a built-in Bluetooth module. If desired, also choose a keyboard in other languages offered. (from the little blurb below the BTO options) or if you prefer, the "learn more" link:
Or, go completely wireless and choose the Apple Wireless Keyboard and Apple Wireless Mouse which includes the Bluetooth module built-in to your iMac G5.
Looks like maybe you should read a bit more before bashing Apple's website ;).
futuretheory
2004-09-01, 16:36
After my last post's nigh-poeticism, though, I think I'll actually give the iMac a breakdown. First up - the price. It's great. I can see the headlines now - "CUSTOMERS STOP BUYING 20" CINEMA DISPLAYS WHEN THEY FIGURE OUT THEY CAN GET THE COMPUTER FOR $600 MORE."
But due to no external signal input those same customers realize 2 years later that their screwed if they want to keep using the screen with a new mac. I mean by then they might be pro users and want to buy a tower yet keep the screen and keep iMac CPU in reserve for itunes, rendering, or the kids. A natural upgrade path has been engineered out of the design...damn it put video INPUT on that thing and I'll buy it.
Actually, futuretheory, I'm pretty sure one could buy a TV tuner for the iMac with DVI - or HDMI, which is compatible with DVI - if one looked...and if not now, then soon. I mean, those ports are being used in TVs now.
It took me a while to warm up to the iMac G4, too. I still like the G4 more, personally, and I probably always will...but I can't deny that the iMG5 is a very worthy successor.
Showed the new models to my boss yesterday for a possible role as our printing and scanning workstation. Might actually fit the bill pretty well because of thee raised screen, extra ports and faster processing ability than any of Apple's laptops.
pscates2.0
2004-09-02, 09:38
For a place like I work (small, print-based design/layout/ad-building/Photoshop), a couple of these 20" iMac G5s would be the PERFECT solution! :eek:
Small footprint, super powerful (remember, I'm on a 400MHz Sawtooth G4 and piece-of-shit old CRT with a bubbly screen and OS 9.2, for crying out loud!), more than enough horsepower to run the Adobe CS stuff, etc.
I'd LOVE to come to work with one of these every day! It would be enough, actually, to quell any personal desire I might have for one.
;)
I'd be happy enough, just using it for 8 hours a day: Mail, iChat, iTunes 4, Safari, Sherlock, (Safari on Panther vs. Internet Explorer on 9.2...you tell me which one sucks), etc.
:D
If I ran a small graphics shop, I always said I'd outfit the joint with eMacs. As of Tuesday, I might have to amend that plan...unless there was just massive high-end Photoshop work, animation, digital video, etc. going on, I'd stick these iMac G5s in there in a HEARTBEAT!
trailmaster308
2004-09-02, 09:53
I'd LOVE to come to work with one of these every day! It would be enough, actually, to quell any personal desire I might have for one.
;)
I'd be happy enough, just using it for 8 hours a day: Mail, iChat, iTunes 4, Safari, Sherlock, (Safari on Panther vs. Internet Explorer on 9.2...you tell me which one sucks), etc.
Sure sure..but what happens if you don't get one @ work?
<opens trench coat>
just get one man, everyone's doing it! you want to be like the rest of the cool kids right? Just try it one time and you'll love it! :smokey:
Messiahtosh
2004-09-02, 09:53
Ditch the PB, get a 20 incher and be happy. :D
Powerdoc
2004-09-02, 10:20
Ditch the PB, get a 20 incher and be happy. :D
We will see that at the end of the month. I expect that it will not like the G5 dual shipping fiasco.
pscates2.0
2004-09-02, 10:26
Nah, I've already overcome that desire to own one, thanks to Escher for setting me straight.
;)
Totally cool, and I'd recommend them to anyone else OR would love to have it at my job. But I dig my PowerBook too much. In fact, something happened just last night that made me realize having a PowerBook is good for me: my friend e-mailed me and she's wanting to take video tapes of the first five years of her daughter's life, digitize them and put them on DVD. When I told her about iMovie, iDVD, my SuperDrive, etc. she got all wound up.
So I can just go to her house, whenever we feel like working on it, to do all this. She's got a balcony on the lake and a boat dock, so we could sit out there and do this kind of stuff on a nice autumn evening. Or in her room, or the kitchen or wherever.
THAT beats the stationary desktop iMac thing all to hell, IMO.
:)
It's almost as if her e-mail was a sign from above..."Paul, thou shall keep thy PowerBook, for it is good...ignore the temptation, Messiahtosh is of the devil...".
:p
trailmaster308
2004-09-02, 10:32
...told her about your superdrive and she got all wound up huh? :eek: ;)
pscates2.0
2004-09-02, 10:41
Chicks dig the SuperDrive. And when you've got one that fits in your lap and can go anywhere you want it to, that just sends 'em over the edge. :lol:
So I can just go to her house, whenever we feel like working on it, to do all this. She's got a balcony on the lake and a boat dock, so we could sit out there and do this kind of stuff on a nice autumn evening. Or in her room, or the kitchen or wherever.
So you tell about your SuperDrive, and she starts telling you about the balcony... dock... kitchen... and her bedroom?? I think something might get driven superly, and it ain't no stinkin' DVD-R.
:lol:
LudwigVan
2004-09-02, 11:51
In fact, something happened just last night that made me realize having a PowerBook is good for me: my friend e-mailed me and she's wanting to take video tapes of the first five years of her daughter's life, digitize them and put them on DVD. When I told her about iMovie, iDVD, my SuperDrive, etc. she got all wound up.
You've got equipment to suck the video from the VCR to the iMac? How is that done? I'm curious...
Messiahtosh
2004-09-02, 12:16
You've got equipment to suck the video from the VCR to the iMac? How is that done? I'm curious...You can hook up a digital camcorder to a VCR, capture the video from the VCR to the mini DV tape, then export that footage onto the computer through iMovie or whatever editing app.
pscates2.0
2004-09-02, 12:22
Actually, I was hoping to use my new toy (http://elgato.com/index.php?file=products_eyetv200), which should be arriving in a few days.
:confused:
Messiahtosh
2004-09-02, 13:59
Messiahtosh says, iMac is good, pscates must get. G5 is speedy, G4 is outdatey. :D
Luca says, Messiahtosh doesn't have an iMac quite yet, he should wait to pass judgment, and the G4 is actually pretty good.
Powerdoc
2004-09-02, 14:32
Luca says, Messiahtosh doesn't have an iMac quite yet, he should wait to pass judgment, and the G4 is actually pretty good.
Yes and it's a good new, because the Imac G5 is even better ;) (according to Apple test, under Photoshop, Imovie, Final cut express, and games)
I think that the Imac G5 1,8 will be slighty slower than a single G5 1,8 tower ( there is a chance that the new Imac has a better HD, but the single channel memory will hurt a little), and slighty faster than the G5 1,6 tower (the singles ones of course).
Messiahtosh
2004-09-02, 14:37
And you have a 1.5 GHz G4 to speak about, Luca? Didn't think so. This PowerBook is a slow machine when doing video-intensive things.
I don't have a 1.5 GHz to speak about... I have a 1.33 GHz. 'Course, it has a Radeon 9800 in it that has been overclocked from 380 MHz to 420 MHz (just got a sweet video card cooler yesterday :D).
Personally, I've never run into a slowdown in any area, save gaming. But I guess I don't edit video.
Messiahtosh
2004-09-02, 15:06
I don't have a 1.5 GHz to speak about... I have a 1.33 GHz. 'Course, it has a Radeon 9800 in it that has been overclocked from 380 MHz to 420 MHz (just got a sweet video card cooler yesterday :D).
Personally, I've never run into a slowdown in any area, save gaming. But I guess I don't edit video.Fair enough.
I'm going to start saving. I'll have $700 from selling my laptop, $200 from what other people owe me...I think...I just might be able to pull this off. Maybe. I'm obviously not going to save every penny I have, but factor in all my Christmas and birthday (Dec. 27!) money I'll be getting (screw the season of giving :D), and I think...maybe...I just might be able to pick one up in January. Of course, unless something cooler is announced at Macworld. ;)
DMBand0026
2004-09-03, 17:37
Fair enough.
Slow in video editing? What in the world are you talking about? I've got a 1.33 12" Rev. C, this thing hauls really well with FCP 3.
pscates2.0
2004-09-03, 20:12
Hey, there's a GREAT interview with Joswiak at MacCentral.com (http://www.macworld.com/news/2004/09/03/joswiak/index.php) about this new iMac. He gets into some specifics, regarding cooling, the display tilt, the plastics, etc.
Really neat stuff, and an informative read!
Good read... thanks for the linkage.
Messiahtosh
2004-09-03, 21:14
Slow in video editing? What in the world are you talking about? I've got a 1.33 12" Rev. C, this thing hauls really well with FCP 3.How much RAM do you have? Are you using Motion as well? DVD Studio Pro?
DMBand0026
2004-09-03, 21:45
How much RAM do you have? Are you using Motion as well? DVD Studio Pro?
768MB, FCP 3, iDVD.
Runs like a dream.
Messiahtosh
2004-09-03, 21:57
768MB, FCP 3, iDVD.
Runs like a dream.That's curious. Although I do only have 512 MB of RAM, though it is in just the one DIMM.
This eBay buyer has not yet claimed the PowerBook, so I'm thinking it's a cold fish or something like that. :p If he ends up not buying the PowerBook, I am really thinking I should hold on to it.
It's one of two things. I can keep the PowerBook or buy an iMac now and then get an iBook in addition to the iMac, sometime next year.
In any case, I'll have a great Mac to be using.
I mean, if this thing came out and was as sleek and gorgeous as I've imagined, I would've been in a fierce tug-of-war with myself.
Sleek and gorgeous has gotten me into many a fierce tug of war with myself too, never over a computer though, well, maybe the screen... :lol:
OK, it's time for me to lower the boom on this iMac.
Price. :mad:
Just because it's better than the last, which was horrible, doesn't mean that it's good.
At the price, the real glaring errors are the anemic RAM/HDD spec, both about half of what they should be (on all models, from low end to high end) Let's have mac that's usable.
This needs to be address. No dektop mac, with the exception of the eMac should ship with anything less than 512MB of RAM.
Either they drop the entry price or they bump the entry spec to include the proper doses of RAM and HDD or a superdrive. iLife doesn't really count without one.
The 20" is actually a good deal ATM, though it too needs to ship with more base RAM. It's the bottom end where this machine is not what it should be.
Therefore, only one :mad: on price, ok, well, that's two, but it's better than the old version, which had us hitting the rev limiter on the graemlin tach.
Whinging aside, the CPU and GPU are fine. They're future proof in that they'll support tiger well. dx9 means nothing, get over it, a 5200 is more than adequate. That said, the 20" model could do with more VRAM.
It doesn't have FW800 and it should. This is a machine without means of internal storage. If Apple wants FW to be supported, then they have to roll it out in as many machines as possible. Plus I see the 20" as a good option for graphics houses -- FW800 is needed.
BT. WTF? It's like a $2 part. It came standard on my PB, quit fvcking around and just include it in everything rather than nickle and dime.
4X superdrive? :no: Shoud be an 8X unit. Has nothing to do with vertical or horizontal -- it's about that slot loader -- we'll have to wait for an 8X unit. Apple could end this silliness by just letting iDVD work over firewire.
Looks...
Looks, it looks good, but it could look better. I don't mind the chin, nice place for photos, a coupe of post-it's... I'm a little perplexed about why they didn't run the ports along an edge. The best choice would have to be the bottom edge, but the speakers and vents are there.
http://www.eyegonomic.com/active/images/T17_window.jpg
http://www.eyegonomic.com/active/images/T17_studiotable.jpg
and check out their site, they sell stands and arms. http://www.eyegonomic.com
Would be perfect for he new iMac, accomplishes the range of motion of the Sunflower. They actually pivot, but I've read that macs have issues with this? If it could work, it'd be cool, though pivotting might mess up the iMac's airflow.
How to make it better, within the AIO context. Lets get a TV tuner in there.
This seems like a perfect candidate for a handle -- Give the base a flare/flange that accepts a wrap around powercord aswell. Now you have a mac that you can pick up and take from room to room.
DMBand0026
2004-09-03, 23:15
That's curious. Although I do only have 512 MB of RAM, though it is in just the one DIMM.
This eBay buyer has not yet claimed the PowerBook, so I'm thinking it's a cold fish or something like that. :p If he ends up not buying the PowerBook, I am really thinking I should hold on to it.
It's one of two things. I can keep the PowerBook or buy an iMac now and then get an iBook in addition to the iMac, sometime next year.
In any case, I'll have a great Mac to be using.
Three words that all Mac users should live by: Get, More, RAM!
pscates2.0
2004-09-04, 07:45
Yeah, I've been praising and showing off those Eyegonomic displays for almost two years now...I think they look great and was hoping a new iMac would involve some sort of mobility like those above displays do. Or that the new Cinema Displays looked kinda like those (although I'm happy with Apple's designs too).
As for the wraparound cord thing, that's actually kinda a neat idea. On those power cords for PowerBooks (the ones that look like an AirPort Express), you have those two "L-shaped" tabs that pop up and let you neatly wind the cord around them, making for a really tight, compact thing you can drop into your laptop bag and go.
If on the back of that aluminum support let for the iMac, if two little pieces like that popped up/out, that would be pretty neat. Because, yes...if you have AirPort and a Bluetooth mouse and keyboard set-up, all you'd have to do to move this to another room is unplug it, pick it up and go. That's impressive.
Look, this iMac has actually got me thinking about iMacs again. I had sworn off all desktops, but there are a couple of projects for which a desktop may be better.
It will take a few bumps to get me to bite though.
MUST have 512MB (in one slot), and at least 120GB, minimum, but more like 160GB. I stand buy these two issues on principle. In the volumes Apple accesses, this at most 20 bucks. At the prices they charge, its shameful that the computer doesn't have these. Furthermore, assume that the Powerbooks will get at least a FAST G4 in the next rev, but also that they will eventually get something G5 like at some point next year, same time frame for my possible mac desktop purchase. To get me to forego the portability, the desktop is going to have to offer better performance than the equivalent laptop, otherwise what's the point?
The iMac will get you a bigger display, but the powerbooks span, so call it a wash. The powerbooks cost more, but they're portable, so even that up too. The iMac has to be faster, and offer a lot more storage and RAM/capacity or it simply isn't worth it. On that it note, it needs an 8X DVD unit too. The design necessitates the slot loader, which most likely pegged them to 4X speeds, but it needs fixing. That's too slow. Again, Apple could solve all this by just letting iDVD work over firewire! That, however, is a rant for another day.
It must have FW800. For any AIO, it is of paramount importance to have the fastest external I/O available. Besides, I want it for music and photography work, and the more FW the better. USB2 is a neutered 3-legged dog by comparison. This could be a really neat little studio machine, but it needs that FAST I/O.
I will wait for the fast G5's, and some more stand options, and what I have mentioned above. I'm looking at sometime early in the new year. It will also depend on what the PB's look like at that time, if they give most of the same spec as the iMac, I'll just get another 12" and a nice external display. I may simply sell mine and get another, but we do need two machines.
pscates, BTW, eyegonomic sells their stands for use on third party displays. Would be ideal on an iMac, perhaps Apple should commission an iMac exclusive aluminium and lucite version? Yumm...
If the iMac comes up to par, and it's a lot closer than it's ever been, I'll be looking at a 20". I can return my 19" LCD at any time over the next 2 years, no questions asked, and put the money against a desktop purchase.
futuretheory
2004-09-04, 20:19
So, you realize that you as a Powerbook guy are solidly NOT in the market Apple is going for with the iMac, right?? You're complaints don't make a lot of sense from a marketing perspective, even though I agree with you on most points.
Really for us Powerbook people, it would rarely be a Powerbook vs. iMac buying decision and more of a Powerbook "in addition to" an imac decision. (Which is why I'd love to see video input on the iMac so I could it's screen with my laptop).
Messiahtosh
2004-09-05, 00:04
So, you realize that you as a Powerbook guy are solidly NOT in the market Apple is going for with the iMac, right?? You're complaints don't make a lot of sense from a marketing perspective, even though I agree with you on most points.
Really for us Powerbook people, it would rarely be a Powerbook vs. iMac buying decision and more of a Powerbook "in addition to" an imac decision. (Which is why I'd love to see video input on the iMac so I could it's screen with my laptop).Or the power of the PowerBook does not do enough for you. I sold my PowerBook for $2600. I can now afford a loaded mid range iMac, and have tons of money to spare and/or spend on extras like software (motion) and other hardware (Airprort Express) etc.
And anyway, next year Apple will be giving me a free iBook.
Well, I need two machines for the household. Two laptops seems like overkill. I'm happy to demote the 12" PB to travel duty, and have a desktop, IF that desktop gets me a lot more (performance, storage, screen real-estate) than a more expensive pBook would get me. If it doesn't, then I'll just sell my book and get another machine to replace it. It's up to Apple. I could have two macs, two sales over the last two years, or I can have one mac -- whereupon Apple indirectly loses a sale to the resale market, ie, they get my sale, but lose a potential sale to the guy who buys my machine.
I'm secretly hoping Apple will pull some "2005: Year of the G5" thing and launch the Powerbook G5 at Macworld, the eMac G5 around spring-ish, and the iBook G5 in time for the back-to-school crowd. Of course, they'll be a redesigned iPod (Generation 5) to round out the year :D
Seriously, though. It's very, very, very, very unlikely, but hey - I think Apple wants to get the entire Mac line on to the G5, so that all this 64-bit thing actually gets real.
pscates2.0
2004-09-05, 08:05
I'm happy to demote the 12" PB to travel duty, and have a desktop, IF that desktop gets me a lot more (performance, storage, screen real-estate) than a more expensive pBook would get me.
For $1899, don't you get a 20" iMac with a 1.8GHz G5, 160GB 7200 hard drive (BTO to 250GB), etc.?
The closest you could get from a portable would be the 17" PowerBook...3" less display size, a 1.5GHz G4 and 80GB hard drive (you could BTO to 5400rpm, but the iMac comes stock with 7200) for $2799 or thereabouts. That's $900 more for nowhere near the "performance, storage, screen real-estate" you seem to crave.
:confused:
I think your problem is already kinda solved/answered. I think you just like to bitch and hold out for this elusive "perfect Mac", that, according to everything I've ever read from you, doesn't seem to exist.
So you get the closest thing you can. You, one person, aren't going to "show Apple" by not buying this iMac and holding out until 2005 (because whatever comes then probably won't be enough for you either). There are going to be thousands and thousands of people, thrilled with this new iMac and standing in line to get one.
Yeah, the iMac G5 might come up a tad short in a few areas (people keep pointing to the graphics card, in particular), but a) it whips the shit out of the previous iMac...AND for less money, b) it also whips the shit out of any PowerBook you could buy...for MUCH less money.
Things like "no FireWire 800" mean zilch to the average consumer, who'll just be owning an iPod or camcorder anyway. If absolute FireWire 800 goodness is truly required by a demanding creative pursuit, you've got three gorgeous towers (or two nice PowerBooks) to look to.
:confused:
Somewhere between murbot (who buys everything Apple releases) and you (who buys nothing because it's never up to snuff), lies some perfect, sane middle ground.
:D
And my discriminating taste has got me a 30GB iPod and a PB12". I haven't done that badly, or would you disagree?
How many computers a year do you buy? Honestly, I buy what I want/like when I need it, then I bitch about everything in between. :D
PS...
I think I actually wrote that the high-end machine is a pretty good deal, less so in Canada, where PC's are much cheaper. It is absolutely critical to get enough base RAM (512) and HDD space (120-160)
FW800, should be on everything. A connector might cost them 25 cents. They own the tech -- ultra cheap implementation, huge wow factor. This is more a question of advancing the state of the art and future-proofing the machines they sell.
As for teaching Apple, there's nothing you can teach them that they haven't refused to learn for the last 10 years already. They still cost too much, they still don't offer the headless desktop format people really want -- yeah, we can argue it, but that's what they buy. The market share is still shrinking. They still don't advertise their mac products... Some things are getting better, others aren't. Whinges are your best friend, as is judicious use of the pocketbook.
You'd be surprised how much impact anonymous web banter has on the mac community, and by extension on the product and the company.
Messiahtosh
2004-09-05, 13:06
Don't most people here agree that the 17'' mid range model is probably the best overall bang for your buck in Apple's present line up?
It's pretty good, but that high end model gets you a 20" Cinema display, a big improvement over the 17" (both in real estate and quality) for just a few hundred more. You also get a larger hard drive, though if you're editing video you might want to bump it up to 250 GB anyway.
Powerdoc
2004-09-05, 14:59
It's pretty good, but that high end model gets you a 20" Cinema display, a big improvement over the 17" (both in real estate and quality) for just a few hundred more. You also get a larger hard drive, though if you're editing video you might want to bump it up to 250 GB anyway.
I agree with your opinion, but I'll had that if you want to do video, an external HD will be better.
I looked at a Sony AOI. With a 17.5 in LCD display it is $2000 US. It has an attached, fold-up keyboard and is not very attractive IMO. The only improvements over the stock iMac is 512 MB of RAM, a 200 GB hard drive and a built-in TV tuner. On the negative side, it has only 32 MB of video memory.
Messiahtosh
2004-09-05, 15:38
It's pretty good, but that high end model gets you a 20" Cinema display, a big improvement over the 17" (both in real estate and quality) for just a few hundred more. You also get a larger hard drive, though if you're editing video you might want to bump it up to 250 GB anyway.The difference between the models is not enough for me. I have a 15'' PowerBook, and editing video on it has been fine as far as screen real estate is concerned. I can only imagine that a 17'' would be even better, a 20'' would be great, if not slightly overkill. The savings that I will have from the 17'' will leave me with the ability to buy software and other things that will actually add real computing value to the computer itself.
So I guess for me, the 17'' mid range model is the best value.
applenut
2004-09-05, 16:11
The difference between the models is not enough for me. I have a 15'' PowerBook, and editing video on it has been fine as far as screen real estate is concerned. I can only imagine that a 17'' would be even better, a 20'' would be great, if not slightly overkill. The savings that I will have from the 17'' will leave me with the ability to buy software and other things that will actually add real computing value to the computer itself.
So I guess for me, the 17'' mid range model is the best value.
i think the ibooks are a better value personally.
i think the ibooks are a better value personally.
They're in a totally different category. You can more easily compare an iBook to an eMac. The iMac is a lot faster than either of them, and also more expensive.
Messiahtosh
2004-09-05, 17:37
i think the ibooks are a better value personally.FLAT-OUT COOL!
I just placed my order but was turned down for an Apple Credit Account... :(
so I'm waiting ;).
$2499 plus tax
4-year AppleCare Protection Plan, iMac
S1762Z/A
Same bus.day
1
$185.00
$185.00
iMac 1.8GHz w/20" TFT
Z096
3-4 weeks
1
$2,116.00
$2,116.00
SuperDrive (DVD-R/CD-RW)
065-4705
512MB DDR400 SDRAM - 1 DIMM
065-4713
AirPort Extreme Card
065-4718
Bluetooth Module + Apple Wireless Keyboard & Mouse + Mac OS X - U.S. English
065-4721
Accessory kit
065-4979
Power Supply
065-5257
250GB Serial ATA drive
065-4720
iSight
M8817LL/B
1-3 bus.days
1
$129.00
$129.00
.Mac Promotional Bundle
B8747LL/A
1-3 bus.days
1
$69.95
$69.95
Anyone think it will be available in the Apple Stores anytime soon?
ok ok... so I finally gave in.
After being handily denied an apple credit account I decided to just put it on my own CC and start to build my credit faster so this won't happen next time...
got the 17" stock with the bluetooth upgrade... and a bunch of extras for less then the 20" above... :D
Part Number: S1762Z/A
Product Name: 4-year AppleCare Protection Plan, iMac
Unit Price: $185.00
Quantity: 1
Net Price: $185.00
Estimated time to ship: Same bus.day
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Product Name: .Mac (Retail Box)
Unit Price: $69.95
Quantity: 1
Net Price: $69.95
Estimated time to ship: 1-3 bus.days
Part Number: Z095
Product Name: iMac 1.8GHz w/17" TFT
Options:
065-5255 Power Supply
065-4711 256MB DDR400 SDRAM - 1 DIMM
065-4702 80GB Serial ATA drive
065-4705 SuperDrive (DVD-R/CD-RW)
065-4717 None - Bluetooth Module
065-4721 Bluetooth Module + Apple Wireless Keyboard & Mouse + Mac OS X - U.S. English
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The AppleCare, iSight, Armband, Dock, iCarPlay, and .Mac have all started shipping. I'm just waiting for the other goodies (iPod mini, Airport card, and iMac).
Edit: seems everything is shipping now, just waiting for the iMac (on or before 11/2)
AppleCare is four years now? Nice.
no, just mine :D
did chris ever sell his laptop?
Messiahtosh
2004-10-02, 13:59
no, just mine :D
did chris ever sell his laptop?Me? I sold it for $2650 but the guy never came through afterwards. I decided to keep the PowerBook. I've used the iMac G5 and it's nice, but well, it still can't beat the fact that you can use it (the PB) all over the campus, and even on the throne.... :p
did you have to pay ebay anyway?
Messiahtosh
2004-10-02, 18:12
Nope.
stevegong
2004-10-03, 01:23
Me? I sold it for $2650 but the guy never came through afterwards. I decided to keep the PowerBook. I've used the iMac G5 and it's nice, but well, it still can't beat the fact that you can use it (the PB) all over the campus, and even on the throne.... :p
As a college student myself, I find it difficult to justify having 2 up to date machines at the same time. Do you feel like it's a bit of a waste? Certainly you can accomplish everything on the powerbook even if you didn't have the iMac.
What is your reasoning behind having 2 computers? I'm just curious.
Read what he said. He didn't say he owns an iMac G5, he said he's used one. I have used one too, doesn't mean I bought it.
stevegong
2004-10-03, 09:04
Read what he said. He didn't say he owns an iMac G5, he said he's used one. I have used one too, doesn't mean I bought it.
I just remember seeing somewhere that he actuallly ordered it.
pscates2.0
2004-10-03, 13:33
Well, I finally saw - in one fell swoop yesterday - the things I've been wanting to see for a while now: went to the Alpharetta, GA Apple Store and saw the 20" iMac G5 (saw the 17" model last weekend in New Orleans) and the 20" Cinema Display.
Very nice.
I have to say that 20" is tempting as can be. So nice and big, on both the Cinema Display and the iMac.
However, in a weird turn, I found the 17" iMac G5 somehow not nearly as ugly in person and, dare I say, nicer looking than the 20"?
:eek:
The JLC (Jay Leno chin) of the 17" is nowhere near as obnoxious and glaring in real life as the photos make it seem. As usual, you can't judge this stuff until you see it in real life. We should all know that by now, but I always forget.
:)
The 20" was a bit thicker than the 17", and its surface just looked HUGE.
If someone held a gun to my head, right now, and forced me to do something...as much as this will totally irk some of you, I think - for MY purposes, MY work habits, MY set-up, etc. - I'd have to get the 17" iMac G5 SuperDrive AND a 12" iBook for casual travel.
I've got this EyeTV 200 thing, but one of its best features - digitally recording shows - is rendered useless because, guess what...I TAKE my PowerBook with me when I go somewhere, so it ain't home to record the stuff.
:D
Dig this PowerBook, but it's overkill for travel (e-mail/surfing only) and doesn't really do much good with EyeTV if it's not home to be hooked to it, recording things I'm missing while out of town.
:err:
I see an inexpensive (refurb or eBay) 12" road-friendly iBook and mid-range iMac G5 in my 2-3 month future, honestly. Might not suit some of you ("PowerBook and G5 tower or nothing!" types specifically), but this single 15" PowerBook just isn't exactly meshing with my life and work/travel habits as nicely as I'd hoped (isn't as tough, compact and road-friendly as an iBook AND does me no good whatsoever to have the EyeTV if I can't put it to use when I travel).
Nullpunkt
2004-10-03, 14:16
haven't seen the new iMac in person.... yet.....
I only have videos (from the apple site and another -unnamed for certain reasons- site) where I've seen it.
Regardless, I'd snap one up in a second (not too worried about which set of specs, as I'm not fussy.) If I ever had the chance to.
Sounds crazy, I know, but it seems like a superb investment.
haven't seen the new iMac in person.... yet.....
I only have videos (from the apple site and another -unnamed for certain reasons- site) where I've seen it.
Regardless, I'd snap one up in a second (not too worried about which set of specs, as I'm not fussy.) If I ever had the chance to.
Sounds crazy, I know, but it seems like a superb investment.
Can you post a link to the site that has other videos of one? I've yet to see one in the flesh anywhere in the UK yet...
I see an inexpensive (refurb or eBay) 12" road-friendly iBook and mid-range iMac G5 in my 2-3 month future, honestly. Might not suit some of you ("PowerBook and G5 tower or nothing!" types specifically), but this single 15" PowerBook just isn't exactly meshing with my life and work/travel habits as nicely as I'd hoped (isn't as tough, compact and road-friendly as an iBook AND does me no good whatsoever to have the EyeTV if I can't put it to use when I travel).
Why do you say it's not that tough? Are they flimsy/delicate or something? I ask because I've just sold my refurb 12" iBook to get a refurb 15" Powerbook because I fancied a bit more power whilst out on the road (and I've ordered FCE as part of a bundle with the 20" iMac I'm hoping will turn up this week...). I've seen a friends 15" PB and have been really impressed with it so far (although bizarrely the screen didn't seem as bright as my iBook).
I'd hate to think I got rid of it for nothing...
Paul, its like you read my mind...
I haven't seen the iMacs in person yet, but that was exactly the impression that I got... eerie.
well, that and I wanted to get it with the minimal specs possible for upgradeable components so I don't get reamed by apple's markups... That $400 for 3" was just a bit too much for me to swallow
pscates2.0
2004-10-03, 15:55
Gizzer, the PowerBook 15" is awesome! Enjoy it, because it's a fine machine. Damn near perfect, in fact (that wonderful "sweet spot" between the 12" and 17", IMO). But, fact is, on weekends and when I travel I really only e-mail and surf. And I do tend to baby the PowerBook. It's not "flimsy", but as much as I go on weekends these days (and considering what a accident-prone klutz I can be), I don't mind "downgrading" to an iBook since I'm really only doing super light duty when I'm away from home anyway.
It's overkill power/features for what I do on the road, AND I do tend to spend a lot of time being careful with it. I'd rather travel with a $900 hunk of durable plastic than a $2599 slab of aluminum that I'm constantly looking at and being careful with, frankly.
It's not flimsy, but it does feel a bit more delicate than the iBook (thinner screen, etc.). I love my PowerBook, in and of itself. There's not a thing wrong with it and I'd recommend it to anyone. It's just not the exact best fit for me, I'm coming to realize, in how I work, live, play, travel, etc.
pscates2.0
2004-10-03, 16:07
well, that and I wanted to get it with the minimal specs possible for upgradeable components so I don't get reamed by apple's markups... That $400 for 3" was just a bit too much for me to swallow
Yeah, I've been looking at the specs and apparently the only differences are the 3" screen size and 160GB harddrive vs. the 80GB on the mid-range 17". I've only filled up about 24GB on my 80GB PowerBook, so what in the hell would I ever do with 160GB?
:p
I don't think that's worth $400, to me. I'm not saying it ISN'T number-wise (or to others), mind you. Just a leap I don't think I'll make, IF I wind up going that particular route at some point.
Yeah, I've been looking at the specs and apparently the only differences are the 3" screen size and 160GB harddrive vs. the 80GB on the mid-range 17". I've only filled up about 24GB on my 80GB PowerBook, so what in the hell would I ever do with 160GB?
Uh, aren't you planning on recording TV a lot more now that you'll have a computer at home? That's one. :)
You also spent a lot of time convincing yourself to get a nice 20" display for your PB a while back... and with all the freelance work you say you've been doing, I'm sure a few hundred bucks isn't going to kill you. Get the big display brother, you know you want to.
:)
Yeah, I've been looking at the specs and apparently the only differences are the 3" screen size and 160GB harddrive vs. the 80GB on the mid-range 17". I've only filled up about 24GB on my 80GB PowerBook, so what in the hell would I ever do with 160GB?
I've no idea what compression/file format EyeTV uses, but I can say that I use Sky+ (there's no lossy transcoding because it records the exact bitstream that the Sat dish recieves) at home (in the UK) rather than say TIVO and that comes with a 40Gb drive which equates to approx 20hrs TV so even with an 80Gb drive you should be okay...
applenut
2004-10-03, 17:32
eyeTV uses MPEG 2. so yea, 80GB seems like a lot but id beg to differ. you can easily amass 20GBs of music, a couple GBs of tv shows, 20+GBs of applications, a couple GBs for the OS, several GBs of photos and then a couple GBs of files.....and if you're like me, you like to keep even old stuff on your drive for easy/fast access. 80GBs will fill faster than you think
pscates2.0
2004-10-03, 18:03
I've got 80GB now. I'm using 24. That's with ALL my projects (freelance and otherwise), my entire CD collection encoded, the Adobe Creative Suite Premium installed, Office v.X, several third party utilities and shareware, a gob of photos, etc.
When I speak of "recording shows", I'm talking a very small number: like maybe six, tops. And all I'll do is watch and fling them. If it's something I want to keep, then I'll burn it to a disk.
So no, I DON'T think I'll be hitting my hard drive ceiling any time soon at all. Not with having ALL my work, ALL my software that I use, ALL my music encoded (I buy MAYBE 3-5 songs/month on iTMS), etc. already present and accounted for...and only totalling 24GB. There's no way! The only new thing I'm introducing to the mix is the EyeTV, and I'm definitely not going to be recording (and archiving on the hard drive) every damn show on TV. It'll be watched and trashed, or burned to DVD.
In any case, I MIGHT crack the 40GB barrier by this time next year. Maybe. But I highly doubt it. That, my friends, is the beauty of being an Adobe Illustrator monkey, as opposed to a Photoshop guy...I can have all these huge, elaborate 20"x30" poster designs that only total about 650k. And things like logos or infographics or diagrams are practically non-existent in terms of file-size! Not being a Photoshop or video guy does that. In nearly 12 years of doing what I do, I've never even approached half of any given hard drive's capacity. So I've got THAT going for me...
:D
Yeah, murbot...the freelance stuff is really steady in 2004 (thank goodness...just fell out of the blue!) and the money is there (the money is there for a 23" if I wanted to). But there's more to me than Macs, and I can think of about 11 things I'd rather put that $400 into these days.
I truly think I might've "overbought" on this PowerBook (FireWire 800, PC slot, DVI, etc.). All nice and certainly "future-proof" (my reasoning at the time), but I don't use ANY of it, so that's a lot to lay $2599 out for. I don't think I want to do that again. I think I'm better off staying in the mid-$1,000's "iRange", which has been my stomping ground for years and years (never bought a Mac costing more than $1799 until last year). In fact, that plays a lot into my "taking it with me" queasiness lately: something about taking $2600 worth of laptop out into the cruel, cold world kinda bugs me. I'd rather take $999 and not worry nearly as damn much, since I'm not using those features OR the processing/graphics power anyway.
:)
That's also the beauty of not being a Spec Whore. I know my needs, I know my limits...and strive to buy accordingly (with last year possibly being an exception).
Nullpunkt
2004-10-04, 10:59
Can you post a link to the site that has other videos of one? I've yet to see one in the flesh anywhere in the UK yet...
sure thing..... ask and ye shall receive......
Here's one (http://themacobserver.com/article/2004/08/31.7.shtml)
and another (http://themacobserver.com/article/2004/08/31.6.shtml)
both videos are imbedded on the page, there's no video-only link unfortunately.
A broadband connection is recommended (as both are 6+ Megs) .....and well, of course the latest and greatest in quicktime is needed, too.
Nice vids! Leno's chin doesn't seem as pronounced in the vids either.
...This a has raised my expectations a couple of bars now 'cos I checked the Apple Store & mine shipped at lunchtime today (a day early) so fingers crossed I'll be a happy chappy by the end of the week :D
trailmaster308
2004-10-04, 13:16
I just got the okay from the wife to order the iMac G5. I haven't told our iMac G4 yet...poor little guy will be so upset, but we have found a good home for him at my mother inlaws house. Its bitter sweet.
I just got the okay from the wife to order the iMac G5. I haven't told our iMac G4 yet...poor little guy will be so upset, but we have found a good home for him at my mother inlaws house. Its bitter sweet.
I've not told my iMac G4 either - I couldn't think of a way to tell it that a shiny new big brother with a 20" screen is going to come along, plug into it's Firewire port without asking, then suck it's brain dry... :eek: :( Poor fella, I'm going to miss it but it too is going to a good home... (I'd have been gutted to see it go to an anonymous buyer on eBay...)
trailmaster308
2004-10-04, 14:44
The new iMac's wouldn't happen to come with a firewire would they? I hate that the new iPods don't have the same pins on both sides.
What do you mean: Do they come with firewire sockets (in which case, yes - 2 of them), or does it come with a firewire cable? (In which case, no. my Firewire cable is from a 2G iPod so it's full size at both ends.
Edit: seems everything is shipping now, just waiting for the iMac (on or before 11/2)
:D it just left the Shanghai factory...
the deadline is the 19th (dad's b-day and I am trying to pin the computer as a gift. noone knows about it yet)... apple says max 10 days... gonna be close...
Bought my iMac G5 with an AppleCare. It broke down twice after 3 weeks with a logic board problem (bought it for 7 months). I had terrible time with AppleCare as they said that I did not register but the local office confirmed that I did (I reside in Singapore). Hence, little assistance was rendered and the customer service just sweeps you aside without assistance (if you call that customerservice?). I managed to contact someone in the local office (after much difficulty) and was later informed that there's a worldwide shortage of logic board! Hence, my iMac cannot be serviced for weeks (using my laptop now)!!!!
This is my 1st Apple product and to experience such horrndous aftersales service and product in the 1st place, I will consider twice purchasing another Apple product.
BarracksSi
2005-03-06, 11:35
This is my 1st Apple product and to experience such horrndous aftersales service and product in the 1st place, I will consider twice purchasing another Apple product.
My G3 2002 iBook had its logic board replaced four times, and one of those repairs took roughly a month because of logic board shortage of its own. Then, when it went out for the fifth time about three weeks ago, Apple sent me a brand-new G4 iBook as a replacement (with, yes, the newest GarageBand and everything, just as you can buy from the store).
Apple will come through for you, I'm sure.
you are not alone (http://forums.applenova.com/showthread.php?t=2304#post157456) :\
I had trouble with the applecare that I bought with it not registering automatically as well... I actually had to call a few times to get it resolved. But now I'm all set with 4 years of applecare :D (see my above posting). They just need to send out TTD4 and the AppleCare CDs...
I do hope that Apple will come through for me, but for now, it seems that i cannot trust Apple anymore.First, why did such a 'reliable' producy fail twice? Next, why was contacting them so difficult and lastly, they failed to see through this case committedly. So Apple really rots here......
wait, you said there were two separate problems-but you only mention the logic board problem... are you sure the problem was fixed in the first place? I wasn't able to place the problem until the computer completed refused to stop working, but I had been having problems for a few weeks before it stopped...
torifile
2005-03-07, 22:33
I do hope that Apple will come through for me, but for now, it seems that i cannot trust Apple anymore.First, why did such a 'reliable' producy fail twice? Next, why was contacting them so difficult and lastly, they failed to see through this case committedly. So Apple really rots here......
Every time I've had a problem, Apple's come through for me. My brother had a situation similar (though not as bad) as BarrackSi and also got a free iBook G4 out of it. That was 2.5 years after his purchase.
It takes some perseverance and some polite firmness to get what you need but I bet you'll be happy in the end. Like I said, I've never been unsatisfied with Apple's after purchase service.
Quagmire
2005-03-07, 22:39
I do hope that Apple will come through for me, but for now, it seems that i cannot trust Apple anymore.First, why did such a 'reliable' producy fail twice? Next, why was contacting them so difficult and lastly, they failed to see through this case committedly. So Apple really rots here......
Apple came through for me for the 1st time I needed apple service for 11 years of use of Apple products. Sent iPod in Wednesday and got a brand new one Saturday. Only one hiccup which was fixed by a system restore and it works perfectly.
wait, you said there were two separate problems-but you only mention the logic board problem... are you sure the problem was fixed in the first place? I wasn't able to place the problem until the computer completed refused to stop working, but I had been having problems for a few weeks before it stopped...
Yap, the 1st required a PMU reset (although I tried the 4 buttons command on reset) by a technician even though it was initially suspected as a logic board failure. 3 weeks later, it really is a logic board problem.
Every time I've had a problem, Apple's come through for me. My brother had a situation similar (though not as bad) as BarrackSi and also got a free iBook G4 out of it. That was 2.5 years after his purchase.
It takes some perseverance and some polite firmness to get what you need but I bet you'll be happy in the end. Like I said, I've never been unsatisfied with Apple's after purchase service.
I was polite to them and when I purchased my iMac, I also purchased an AppleCare. However, when I called the helpline, they refused to provide assistance as they insisted that I did not register for the AppleCare (although the local office have confirmed that my particulars are indeed in the database). Worse, the helpline was routed to India and the customer service to Australia and hence, it was difficult for anyone to follow up the case. The custome service just sweeps the issue off saying that they will check all issues but the next moment, they will send an email saying that I still need to register 1st (happened twice). When I emailed them queries, there would be no reply. Thus after numerous 'ding ding dongs dings' or being passed around, I believe anyone would get irritated especiallly when you spend more time trying to sort out the administartive stuff (would should not even have occurred) than the broken down com.
Also, I was informed that there was a shortage of logic board and my Mac cannot be serviced.
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