Rating: 
Summary: No more hand-me-downs for the wife! I'm her hero now!
Review: I'm fast closing in on two full decades of being a Mac user. And, for once, I've finally broken my purchasing pattern of "one new Mac every five years" (more or less). Purchase of this 17" flat-screen iMac comes barely two years after I acquired my Titanium G4 PowerBook.But "breaking the pattern" was done in a good cause. A very good cause, in fact. For all the years we've had two Macs in our household, the older one always seemed to end up as the "hand-me-down" that my wife used. Needless to say, this didn't exactly endear my S.O. (a Windoze user when at work) to the Mac OS. (Most recently, the hand-me-down had been a seven-year-old Power PC desktop running OS 7.6; not exactly state-of-the-art, despite my installing a neat utility called Action GoMac that emulated the Windoze "Start" button and Task Bar.) Well, now she's got herself a state-of-the-art Mac, and one that in my opinion represents the best value of the entire product line. There is hardly a feature that this 17" flat-screen iMac doesn't have, including a number of small but significant upgrades over the iMac it replaces: Processor speed is bumped up to 1.25 GHz (with a matching increase in bus speed), USB ports (3 of them) are now configured to run the much-faster USB 2.0 protocol (nearly as fast as FireWire, for which there are 2 such ports), the standard hard drive is now a huge 80 Mb, and this iMac also comes with its own built-in CD/DVD burner. I just can't wait to give iTunes (Apple's proprietary and totally legal, moral and ethical approach to on-line music file acquisition) a try, with this capability as part of both the hardware and the OS X.2 software. (For the record, the only iMac having more than this model is the 20" flat-screen model, which, at about 400 smackeroos more, means that you're paying quite a bit for that extra display real estate; all other features and specifications are identical.) Once again, Apple has outdone itself in terms of industrial design. This is really a work of art for which other computer manufacturers can only look on with envy. The footprint is minimal, with everything built into the hemispherical base (no need to reach under the desk to find the CD drawer, or the power switch, for that matter). There is virtually no limit to the range of placement for the screen, which glides to one's desired position with just a finger touch. And the materials, and the "fit and finish," are top-grade throughout. Even the packaging is its own work of art! Set-up couldn't be any easier. Prior to its initial boot-up, I had already installed a Linksys BESFR41 cable-modem router so that "we could surf together." With the OS X.2 system software version installed on this iMac, "plug and play" reaches a new high in simplicity. Nothing needed to be configured in order to get on the Internet; everything was done automatically, as I found out when I launched the two browsers provided (Internet Explorer and Apple's own Safari): Simply launch, and "there you are." This is my first experience with Apple's OS X (my PowerBook is still running OS 9.2.2), and I wasn't sure whether I'd like it. Well, I LOVE it: Every bit as intuitive as the earlier "Classic" OS's yet refreshingly different. More to the point, OS X seems perfect for the Windoze user migrating to a Mac for the very first time: My wife took to it like a duck to water. I guess it's accurate and fair to say that the OS X dock provides the best features of the Windoze Start button and Task Bar combined into one useful palette. All of this would have gone for naught, had it not been for one simple feature nicely incorporated into OS X.2. (Like previous versions of OS X, this version will run "Classic"-mode programs, automatically booting up OS 9.2 as needed, but then automatically returning to OS X.2 mode when the Classic application is quit.) Nearly 20 years ago, I purchased (for, I think, five bucks or less) a single-sided (400 Kb) floppy disk containing a bunch of games that would run on the original (1984) Macintosh OS. One of those games was Klondike solitaire, a game which had become a near-addiction for my wife over that period of time. Had this game NOT run on her new iMac, I'm pretty sure that she'd have said "Take it back!" Well, this iMac's a keeper. Klondike booted right up (after a second or two required in order to run OS 9.2 on top of OS X.2). There, in its own window, in stunning 1984 black and white, was her beloved Klondike, running just like it always did. For nearly twenty years. I'm her hero now, Iyam. I don't have iMac envy. Well, at least that's what I keep telling myself. But I'll get my chance at iTunes. If and when she'll let me. :-)
Rating: 
Summary: Great for seniors
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Great for seniors
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: I am so glad I got this machine
Review: I've been told by my irritated PC using friends that I'm a walking switch ad, but you know what? I don't care. I'd had computers going waaaay back to 1981 with a TRS-80 model 3 with cassette tape drive. I knew about computers, but they never seemed to deliver on their promise of improving our lives. I lived with PC's up 'til last year and finally threw in the towel. Last year, I realized that I'd spent more time trying to get the various hardware and software to "play nice" with one another than actually doing anything useful. Fast forward to the recent past. I pay the rather hefty sum (yikes!) and I take my sexy new iMac home. I uncrate this thing and within ten minutes of power up I'm already burning a CD to iTunes. Cool! I didn't like the mouse that was supplied, so I plugged in my Microsoft (gasp!) optical mouse and away I went. Now, you need to realize that I plugged the mouse in while the computer was running and it just worked! If I tried that with one of my PC's, best case it'd just crash. Often as not, it'd necessitate a trip to the grocery store for Doritos, etc. One thing that my PC buddies like to remind me about (other than cost) is that my iMac isn't the last word in gaming performance. To that I say... so? If you're a hardcore gamer, the Mac platform isn't for you. For EVERY OTHER application, my little iMac can go toe to toe with a PC and usually come out on top. I use it for photoshop, I've used it to master my LP records and language tapes to CD and MP3. These are things that I dreamed of doing with my PC's but was never able to. I now have an iPod and I absolutely love it. I use my computer every day and don't regret the investment even the slightest bit. I play games (Warcraft III, Diablo II and Everquest) once in a while. I watch movies on the widescreen monitor, and on and on... Yes it's expensive, it's not for members of the upgrade of the month club, but if you want a computer that behaves like a reliable appliance and allows you to do the things you want to do without an IT certification, BUY A FREAKIN' MAC! Oh, and another thing. In several months, the computer has not crashed. Not once. Ever.
Rating:
Summary: Now I use my computer instead of the other way around!
Review: I've been told by my irritated PC using friends that I'm a walking switch ad, but you know what? I don't care. I'd had computers going waaaay back to 1981 with a TRS-80 model 3 with cassette tape drive. I knew about computers, but they never seemed to deliver on their promise of improving our lives. I lived with PC's up 'til last year and finally threw in the towel. Last year, I realized that I'd spent more time trying to get the various hardware and software to "play nice" with one another than actually doing anything useful. Fast forward to the recent past. I pay the rather hefty sum (yikes!) and I take my sexy new iMac home. I uncrate this thing and within ten minutes of power up I'm already burning a CD to iTunes. Cool! I didn't like the mouse that was supplied, so I plugged in my Microsoft (gasp!) optical mouse and away I went. Now, you need to realize that I plugged the mouse in while the computer was running and it just worked! If I tried that with one of my PC's, best case it'd just crash. Often as not, it'd necessitate a trip to the grocery store for Doritos, etc. One thing that my PC buddies like to remind me about (other than cost) is that my iMac isn't the last word in gaming performance. To that I say... so? If you're a hardcore gamer, the Mac platform isn't for you. For EVERY OTHER application, my little iMac can go toe to toe with a PC and usually come out on top. I use it for photoshop, I've used it to master my LP records and language tapes to CD and MP3. These are things that I dreamed of doing with my PC's but was never able to. I now have an iPod and I absolutely love it. I use my computer every day and don't regret the investment even the slightest bit. I play games (Warcraft III, Diablo II and Everquest) once in a while. I watch movies on the widescreen monitor, and on and on... Yes it's expensive, it's not for members of the upgrade of the month club, but if you want a computer that behaves like a reliable appliance and allows you to do the things you want to do without an IT certification, BUY A FREAKIN' MAC! Oh, and another thing. In several months, the computer has not crashed. Not once. Ever.
Rating:
Summary: I'm happy...
Review: 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").
Rating:
Summary: Excellent choice for digital music/photo/video work
Review: I've been using my new iMac with the 17" screen and 1.25 ghz G4 processor for digital photography, video and music. I am extremely pleased with it! Much of the credit goes to the software included with the computer (iPhoto, iMovie, and iTunes, respectively), which makes it easy to get started in digital photograpy, video and music. The hardware doesn't hurt either - it has a large and vivid flat-panel screen, and a built-in DVD burner for creating DVDs of your favorite digital videos. The small but unique speakers sound great, too. The iMac has been "plug-and-play" with my Kodak digital camera, Sony camcorder, and HP printer - no drivers or software installation required! One tip: choose an iMac with the larger 17" screen over the 15" model - it makes a big difference when working with digital photos and videos. Are there any weaknesses? Not really - some may say it's more expensive than computers running Windows, but I think the iMac delivers great value considering the excellent software included with it.
Rating:
Summary: I have the 20" iMac
Review: 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!
Rating:
Summary: I have the 20" iMac
Review: 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!
Rating:
Summary: A thing of beauty, and the fastest of it's kind!
Review: The latest upgrade for the iMac is great. More speed, with the 1.25gHz G4 processor. More space, with the 80gB hard drive. And more functionality than ever. Mail- Apple's POP3 mail client still has a few bugs to work out, but it's pretty much the only game in town for OS X. You could still run Outlook Express under Classic. Safari- Apple's browser software also needs to get upgraded a bit. But, it's fast and with a keystroke or click you can block pop-up ads. iLife- The iLife suite (iMovie, iTunes, iPhoto and iDVD) is the real treasure here. Editing your video and burning a DVD for friends and family is a cakewalk. The iTunes library function is great, but being able to listen to any number of radio or internet stations froma around the world is a kick. iPhoto make simple photo editing a breeze. Add to that a cool design, a crystal clear flat screen, and the click and find-it ease of Sherlock 3... the iMac is indeed the hub of your digital lifestyle.
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