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Summary: The switch
Review: I made the switch to a mac after being a long time windows user that once hated macs. To say the least i did a 180 after spending just a few hours on a new iMac. To put it simply it is like trading in the old Ford for a Benz. I'll never go back.
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Summary: like no other computer
Review: I have had my new imac 800 mhz for almost two weeks-- i ordered it the day after they were announced!The computer is simply perfect. as good as it looks, i must say that i appreciate most the lack of noise. it has a fan, but i cannot hear it. the air conditioning in my office is much much louder. my old 350 mhz imac was fan-less, but there was a lot of hard-disk noise. this is as close to a truly silent computer as i have ever seen (or heard). the screen is also sharp as a razor. i have watched a dvd on it, seen digital pictures, and the experience is outstanding. the pro speakers are very good, but not excellent. they may not be enough for the hard-core gamer. Burning a music cd is literally as simple as people have reported: just open the program and swing away! plus, it seems quite speedy. disk reading and burning can be done while doing other work on the computer as well. very nice. everything just works so nicely. if you are considering it, i would not hesitate one bit!
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Summary: Long-time Mac user LOVES new iMac
Review: I'm glad to read about PC converts enjoying their new iMac. My perspective is as a life-long Mac user (about 12 years). In these 12 years I have used about 16 different Macs, from G3 towers to Powerbooks to iMacs to iBooks. I now use the iMac 800 at work, replacing a Powerbook G4 550 w/combo drive. The short of it is that I LOVE THIS NEW IMAC!!! It is the funnest and almost fastest Mac I have used to date. Others have pointed out many of the pros and cons of the new iMac, although every con I have read on any forum is either a 1-time occurance or something easily replaced (if you don't like the one-button mouse, buy a multiple-button optical mouse and sell your iMac mouse on ebay and MAKE money on the deal). Here are a few more subtle Pros about the FP iMac. For starters, I prefer a quiet computer in my virtually silent work environment. The fan on this new iMac is VERY quiet, the quietest fan I have ever heard (even quieter than a Powerbook G4 550 fan). The iMac fan is on all the time, as a steady, low, quiet hum. The 15-inch viewable screen at 1024 x 768 resolution is PERFECT. 1024 x 768 is a highly desirable resolution for many applications, and the fonts are very readable at this size on this monitor. The display is very bright, brighter than a Powerbook or iBook screen. The included Pro speakers sound great. Remember that all other external speakers require additional power cords, but not the Pro speakers. Others have written that the iSub makes the sound even better. I'm using one power cable to my iMac to power the computer, monitor, speakers, and even an external USB card reader as well as a 30GB FireWire bus-powered hard drive. With other setups I might need 4 power cables for this equipment, but with the iMac, only one. My iMac sits on my desk at work, so cable clutter is important to me. My final note will be about expandability. Virtually any peripheral can be added via USB or FireWire. Plus, even though Apple may not support nor recommend it, you CAN open your iMac computer to install a larger hard drive or more RAM. I received the stock configuration 800MHz/256MB/60GB, and opened the iMac to install a 512MB 168-pin DIMM as well as an 80GB Maxtor 5400rpm hard drive. P>The only thing you cannot upgrade is the video card. But a 32MB GeForce2MX is a pretty decent card. TWO THUMBS UP FOR THIS NEW FLAT PANEL IMAC!!!
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Summary: From PC to Mac
Review: I was a PC user. A loyal one at that. I was content with my Windows 2000 machine for doing all the things I do. Making this website, listening to music, writing PHP and MySQL statements, and even making the occasional movie or Flash presentation. I switched.
My new flat-screened iMac arrived on Thursday... With OSX, DVD burners, iPods, etc I knew I wanted a Mac. My general feelings, so far, is very positive. This iMac makes me want to create things, change things, read things. I had a blast making that video with iMovie. It took me only about an hour to make. I love the dock. All my needs right there. I love the apple key. I love hiding windows, closing them, making a new one, switching to one app and hiding the rest (option-apple click app in dock), and quitting apps with apple-q. Granted Windows can do many of those things with key combinations, I even use them, but it's not the same. I played with the bright, clear, smooth icons for an hour. I downloaded a bunch of new ones and customized all my icons. It's so fun! My handheld syncs reliably. I put it in the cradle and hit sync and presto, it's synced. The email program nicely shows a number in the dock when I get a new message. Sometimes, I just stare in wonder at my desktop, it is so sleek. I can switch between the US keyboard and the Finnish keyboard with a simple option-apple-space bar. Pointing out things that I prefer on Windows is a challenge. The most obvious one for me is when writing HTML, PHP, etc the "end" and "home" buttons do not work the same. On Windows I use those a lot to go the beginning of a line of text or the end. On the Mac I have been using the mouse to do that. Perhaps there is another way? The only other thing I can think of at this time is the Favorites menu in IE. I don't like that I have to add the favorite and then organize it. On Windows I can add the favorite directly to the folder I want. Luckily, this problem I can still blame Microsoft instead of the Mac since it is their app. Lastly, I use the scroll wheel on my PC mouse when reading web pages. I miss that...sort of. Overall I am amazed. I even made a short movie to test out iMovie... Buy this Mac!
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Summary: The BEST in computing
Review: I recently received my new flat-panel iMac and I can only describe my feelings in one word - stunned. It is simply the best product I have seen from a computer manufacturer to date. From it's incredible speed to it's low cost and from it's surprisingly large screen to it's small base-size, this computer will enable you to take your computing to a whole new level. It is readily expandible, easy-to-use, and - with the new robust OS X operating system - crash-proof. Have I mentioned the gorgeous styling yet? Inside and out, this is a computer that you will want to display proudly. I can not recomment this product any higher and would suggest it to one and all... It simply doesn't get any better than this.
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Summary: Intelligent life is out there....
Review: ...and it thrives in APPLE COMPUTER. What a jewel of a machine. Stunning, fluid OS and amazing hardware. What more can you ask - the price is reasonable for a remarkable MAChine like this. I have mine on order now and I count the days to get it like the new Star Wars EPII opening!!! - THINK DIFFERENT
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Summary: my first mac
Review: I actually have a new imac now (ordered it jan 7 through apple and received it feb 1.) Yes it is my first time using a mac. I was looking to buy a mac but decided to wait to see if new models would be coming out after checking out some rumor sites (ie. macrumors.com.) This is a beautiful computer, nothing compares to it.
I decided to try a mac after visiting a new mac store, but before the new imac came out. I started computing even before the DOS days and can build a pc from spare parts. Now with windows dominating pc's, I figured I'd try a mac (something I wouldn't have done before windows.) I thought it would take a bit of time to learn the MacOS X, 9.? but since turning on the imac I have barely even touched my pc. To me its much simpler and quicker than windows xp. I didn't even know I could burn a cd on my pc and read the files right away on the mac. My brother who is computer illiterate was able to use it right away.
I'm still exploring much of the computer but for me its a simple choice from now on, i'll just be buying macs.
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Summary: The perfect computer?
Review: First, here's just some what you can do with this new iMac: (1) burn music CDs so easily you don't even need to look at instructions--pop your CD in, iTunes opens automatically, the name of the album and all of its song titles are downloaded instantly, the processor converts them to MP3's in seconds (or records them in full audio format), and burn 'em to a CD; (2) edit your home movies like a pro--again, so simple no need to even crack an instruction manual; (3) BURN YOUR HOME MOVIES TO PROFESSIONAL LOOKING DVD! Again, so simple and so STUNNING (with layouts and music for title screens, etc.) you'll be amazed with your own work; (4) hook in a digital camera--seconds later, without instructions, you have Kodak sending you prints from wallet to poster size, or publish your own photo book, or instantly put them ON A WEBSITE FOR ALL TO SEE (with no extra fees for the Web site!). The list goes on and on. This is the best Macintosh ever. Bright, gorgeous screen that pivots to any position you like with fluid grace. I've owned a bunch of computers, Windows and Mac, and this is the perfect one for the family--for everyone from the newbie e-mailer to the next Martin Scorcese or Brian Eno. This is a creativity enhancer for everyone in the family. Plus the form, fit, and function is like that of a high end luxury automobile. I'd like to give them as gifts to all of the creative children I know.
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Summary: Once you go IMac - you never go back
Review: Considering the new IMAC and you are a PC user. Well I took a plunge last week with this new unit. I got one of the first ones in Houston - yea for me. Since day one I have been able to learn the operating system, manage programs and files with NO difficulty. Its is more windows like then you think. Moreover , It has not crashed, given me a blue screen of death or locked up point where you have to pull the plug. The new OS X (the only apple OS I know) is wonderful. I added an extra 128 Megs of ram to the 256 that came with the machine and the performance improvement was terrific.
I am not a PC gamer, I use computers for a living. I have one athlon 1 gig laptop, a 1.2 gig athlon desk top both running xp, and a win 2000 600 MHZ corporate laptop. If only these other computers behaved anything like the mac. The mac is virtually silient and generates only minor heat (compaired to the blast furnace of the athlon desk top). The flat screen is all digital and so is the signal from the graphics card. This gives the screen its tremendous clarity (my other computer screens are all blurry and dark by comparison). The screen does not tire your eyes as an analog display does. Let me be candid for a moment at simply say for those using an analog display with a high end graphics card - YOURE MISSING THE BOAT. The graphic representations may be better but the limitiation in crispness and color defination is in your screen - not the graphic card - nothing you do will make your screen look better! BTW - you cannot use apple screens on PC's. Apple screens are designed with graphic card manufacturers for digital output. This is why apple tends to use "older generation cards".
For a compairson - I went to compusa and a PC DIGITAL flat panel monitor will run near 1100 dollars, then you need to purchase a card to support the monitor. This alone is closing in on the price of the IMAC - can you say BARGIN in the IMAC? For those who would like to see a 17inch monitor. The 15 has the viewable equalivent of a 17 inch standard CRT screen. If you are prosumer graphics specialist, you may opt for a power mac and a larger flat panel screen. The 17'' screen is 1000.00. For me the 15'' this is not a problem and I own a 19 inch viewable CRT screen . I love that the screen goes were you want it! A huge quantum leap in design and function.
Downside to the Imac: if you like to add on to your system you will need external devices. Software: there is a lot of it out there but not as much as there is for a PC. But how much do you use? Personally I use an office suite, photoshop and web design software and accounting. All done easily and effectivly Running applications and the internet: is there a difference: - I have run side by side compairsons with the internet. The only difference I see is the mac outperforms the PC's with streaming video - both speed of download and improved visual quality: Using the quicktime download movie trailer site and MSN's entertainment site. Applications - using ms office X is a far better experience then using windows office XP (Remember I am a PC person) In summary - quiet, virtually no heat, fast, a terrific adjustable screen, DVD - R and CD-RW, stable and sensible operating system - Wow we have a winner. It is really an easy computer to work with, and that my friends is the beauty of it. PS I have not touched my desktop or lapot in the last week unless I had to use specific software.
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Summary: A Member of My Family
Review: This IMac (I refuse to use the little "i" - it's too diminutive) is my fourth or fifth Mac. I started out on a little Quadra 605, with 8 powerful megs of RAM and a behemoth 250 megabyte hard drive. A two speed external CD player completed my array. It has always been a friend, the Mac, something most PC users will never understand. It has allowed me to communicate in ways I never thought possible. Why would you NOT want this new computer? If you're a hardcore gamer, maybe not. But then, if you're a hardcore gamer, why aren't you using any of the superior game consoles out there? So, you see, there really is no reason to not want the new IMac. Even with the titanic 2-Gigahertz G4 it will fair well. The vast majority of people out there would not notice the difference between it and the IMac. Only the High End users will notice, and even then, Dual Gigs isn't THAT much faster than the IMac's 800 Megahertz, not in most real world application uses. The only thing I'd change is the monitor. I'd prefer a 17 incher. That will come, I'm sure. But I didn't want to wait. I mean, hey, I can always find room for a fifth or 6th Mac. In case you think I'm a wimpy user of the Mac, I happen to use Photoshop pretty aggresively, and am known to push it and my processor to its limits. By any measurement this is a fast computer. I have previously scoffed at using the IMac because of its wimpiness, and have been upgrading an 8500 and 8600 for years now. It is time to change. Don't worry though, I've found a very good home for my 8600, and I'll be able to visit it whenever I want. Yes, yet another tower has been toppled. Computers will never be the same now. Thank God.
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