Practical Mac / Glenn Fleishman
Apple's new iMac G5 deserves a second look

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Still awake from work and a late-night espresso, I tuned in to on-site reports from the show, where Apple Computer introduced the iMac G5. (Apple has made video of the address available online at www.apple.com/quicktime/qtv/expo04/.)

The new machine features a minimalist, all-in-one design that resembles (not coincidentally) a large iPod. After the keynote ended around 3:30 a.m., I viewed Apple's newly posted pictures (www.apple.com/imac/), found the iMac G5 to be fairly attractive but not dynamic, and went to bed.

In recent years, this has been my reaction to most of Apple's new machines: They're clean and cool, but not always awe-inspiring — at first. But the next morning, as I looked closer at the iMac's photos and specifications, and read reports from people at the expo, it was clear that Apple has done it again: Instead of simply building a box of circuits and ports, it has designed a piece of art that you want to use and keep near you.

The iMac G5 features a number of details, large and small, that prove Apple cares not only about the way in which the machine is used, but also about the person who uses it.

An anodized aluminum stand lifts the computer off the desk and provides for a smooth adjustable viewing angle of between -5 and 25 degrees (the negative angle positions the unit down toward children who would be looking up at the display). The screen, in fact, is the only feature facing the person using it: the slot loading optical drive accepts discs on the right edge, while the power button, power plug, and ports (three USB 2.0, two FireWire 400, 10/100 Base-T Ethernet, 56K modem, VGA/composite video output, headphone, and microphone) are found on the back.

The iMac is only 1.8 inches or 2.2 inches deep, depending on the screen size you choose, which is the same width as some older laptops. With the addition of a VESA mounting kit, available next month, you can remove the stand and mount the iMac on a wall. Add software such as Open Door Networks' Envision (www.opendoor.com/envision/) to turn the iMac into a digital picture frame when you're not using it.

Moving beyond the clean, minimalist appearance, the iMac G5 is powered by the same PowerPC G5 processor found in the PowerMac G5 line. An entry-level configuration, priced at $1,300, features a 1.6 GHz processor, while the two other configurations include a 1.8 GHz processor for $1,500 and $1,900.

A fast processor generates a lot of heat, and also shows off some of the best features of the design. Three internal fans cool the components quietly — Apple claims the iMac is quieter than a whisper when idle, though I haven't seen reports yet of how loud the fans get during normal use — while heat rises from a long slit at the top of the case.

Surprisingly, the iMac G5 is one of Apple's most internally accessible machines. The back of the case comes off to reveal its innards, nearly all of which are user-replaceable. A set of four diagnostic LEDs also help troubleshoot hardware problems if they arise.

You may still want an expert to perform things such as replacing the hard drive, screen, or logic board, but if you're more mechanically inclined, you'll be able to do these things without sending the computer off to Apple.
 
If you're thinking of ordering one of these beauties, keep a few suggestions in mind. The 256 MB of random access memory included with each model is barely enough to run Mac OS X 10.3 Panther and one or two other applications simultaneously, but it allows Apple to offer a lower price overall. You'll definitely want to buy more RAM, but don't pay Apple's prices; try ramseeker.com or dealram.com for better memory deals.

(That said, I recommend avoiding the cheapest, generic memory, since Mac OS X certainly favors higher-quality RAM to work properly.)

Also, if you think you might use Bluetooth networking in the future (for communicating with Bluetooth-equipped cellular phones or PDAs), add the optional Bluetooth module to your order. It can apparently only be installed internally by Apple during manufacture.

Apple says the iMac isn't shipping until the middle of this month, which unfortunately means that you won't start seeing them in significant quantities until next month or even November; Apple ramps up production after announcing products in order to maintain secrecy about them (which tends to generate press coverage, such as, well, this column). In the meantime, you can always stay up late looking at the photos on Apple's Web site.

Jeff Carlson is filling in for regular columnist Glenn Fleishman. Carlson is managing editor of the online newsletter TidBITS (www.tidbits.com) and the author of several books (www.necoffee.com). Send questions to carlsoncolumn@mac.com. More Practical Mac columns at www.seattletimes.com/columnists