August 31st, 2004
Apple iMac G5 first impressions
First look at the new iMac from CNET.com’s Rich Brown:
Upside: Gone is the big half-dome base. Instead, the parts are hidden right behind the wide-screen LCD. Opt for either of the two higher-end models, and you get a DVD-R drive, as opposed to the base model’s DVD-ROM/CD-RW combo drive, although both drives feature the ever-cool slot-loading mechanism rather than the typical disk tray. Optional upgrades to an AirPort Extreme wireless networking card and a Bluetooth module can turn the iMac G5 into a nearly cable-free desktop, though you’ll still need to plug the thing in. This, combined with the sub-20-pound weight of the 17-inch models, means that you can move the unit from room to room with relative ease. And if mobility isn’t a concern, an optional mount lets you hang the iMac G5 on a wall.
Downside: As with any PC, the display will nearly always outlast the computer, so when it comes time to upgrade the all-in-one iMac G5, you may need to stomach throwing away a perfectly good 17-inch LCD. Further, bargain hunters should keep an eye out for the benchmark charts in our forthcoming full review, because for $1,299, you can build a fairly powerful Windows box if you shop around. Also, when you hear people hyping the Apple Power Mac G5 and its speedy processor, keep in mind that the Power Mac not only features dual G5 CPUs, the frontside bus (the mechanism on the motherboard that moves data between the processor and the system memory) runs at nearly twice the speed of the iMac G5’s. Dialing down the operating speeds keeps the internal heat to a minimum, allowing for the iMac G5’s compact design, but you can bet we’ll see a noticeable performance drop-off, as well.
