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Apple Expo - Apple Announces iMac G5, 2" Thick, Starting US$1,299

by , 5:40 AM EDT, August 31st, 2004

PARIS, FRANCE - Apple announced new iMacs today, bringing the long-awaited G5 processor to the consumer product line. The iMac G5 includes a new all-in-one form factor similar to Apple's current line of Cinema Displays, and Apple is touting the design as "the world's thinnest desktop PC," at only 2" thick.

Apple is offering a 17" 1.6 GHz model with a combo drive, a 64 MB NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200 Ultra video card, two USB 1.1 ports, three USB 2.0 ports, two FireWire ports, 10/100 Base-T Ethernet, a built-in 56K modem, S-Video and composite video out, an 80 GB hard drive, and 256 MB of RAM.

The mid-range model will feature a 17" LCD display with a 1.8 GHz processor, a SuperDrive, and the other features from the entry-level model.

A 20" high-end model will sport a 180 GB of Serial ATA storage. The 20" model is 2.2" inches thick.


The new iMac G5

The company is offering a 17" education model that has no optical drive, nor a modem. It also has video card with only 32 MB of memory, as opposed to the 64 MB cards on the consumer models.

During the Apple Expo keynote this morning, Phil Schiller also said that the iMac G5 has built-in speaker at the bottom of the iMac that are designed to reflect sound off of the desktop towards the user. Apple's iMac G5 spec sheet also notes that the new model supports wall mounting through a VESA mount, an industry standard mounting system.

Mr. Schiller also demonstrated that the back of the iMac is accessible by removing three screws, which allows the user to take off the entire back of the unit. From there, one can easily add memory, or change the drive. In addition, Mr. Schiller showed that the iMac G5 has 3 fans, and that the unit is "quieter than a whisper."


The back of the new iMac, with the cover removed

Also of note is the fact that in a video for the new iMac, the introductory text used the phrase "From the creators of the iPod." To this end, Apple is comparing the way the iMac looks on its stand to the way that an iPod sits in its Dock.


The iMac and the iPod: Twins

Each iMac model can support up to 2 GB of RAM, a substantial increase over previous iMac models. The company has also added a digital audio output, the same output currently found on Apple's professional Power Mac G5 product line.

Pricing for the units is as follows:

None of the models include an AirPort Extreme card, though the card is available as an option.

You can find the entire product line at the Apple Store. You can find additional details on the iMac at Apple's iMac Web site.

Observer Comments

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Close Name:AFCdtLoeb Posts: 2533 Joined: 20 Jul 2004
Subject:

It's sooooo beutiful!!! ::::Weeps openly:::::

Close Name:DeepSouth Posts: 29 Joined: 20 May 2004
Subject:

I'm not sure what to think of these myself. - a little underwhelming for my taste - certainly they don't have the visual 'wow factor' of the G4 sunflower iMacs - they look a little 'eMaccy' from the front view.

I'm sure they will grow on me once I meet one in person - it'll be interesting to see the speed differences in the real world also.

View Name:Guest
Subject: ugly
Close Name:DeepSouth Posts: 29 Joined: 20 May 2004
Subject: yeah ok

they are kinda elegant on closer inspection - I just wish they were aluminium - oh well I guess I'll have to save for the PowerMac!

View Name:Guest
Subject:
Close Name:Semeyaza Posts: 130 Joined: 29 Aug 2002
Subject:

Don't really like it.. but who cares... I don't have to buy it anyway...

My double G4 is still powerful enough to suffice my needs.. heck is too powerful by far...
There's too much pressure on upgrading in the computer world sometimes and people tend not to be realistic on their needs in computing...

and yet.. we have to move forward and innovate... quite a conundrum...

View Name:Guest
Subject: YES
Close Name:Small White Car Posts: 1950 Joined: 02 Jul 2004
Subject: Very nice

Heh. Who would have thought that we already knew what the iMac looked like...they're just pro monitors but a bit thicker.

Nice.

You can buy a G5 tower and a monitor, or you can just buy a thicker monitor and forget the tower. I can see how that will appeal to the genearl masses. I like it.

EDIT: Oh, and what about the footprint...could this be the smallest desktop footprint for any home computer yet? Dunno...but I can't imagine what else would claim that title.



Last edited by Small White Car on Tue Aug 31, 2004 6:49 am; edited 1 time in total
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Close Name:mikewalters Posts: 18 Joined: 11 Nov 2002
Subject: big chin

Practically, it's an amazing thing indeed - I'm in the market for a flat-panel computer to replace my ageing Powerbook so I'll definitely get one.

Aesthetically, it's got a very big chin. What else can I say? It makes the screen seem small.

I'm reserving overall judgement until I see one in the flesh...

View Name:Guest
Subject: Cables
View Name:Guest
Subject: The Chin
Close Name:Biff Posts: 1479 Joined: 08 Apr 2004
Subject: The big secret!

Hey so are we gonna get to see a shot of that giant poster now that the mysterious black cloth has been removed?

View Name:Guest
Subject: Still not good enough
View Name:Guest
Subject: noise
Close Name:jimothy Posts: 581 Joined: 04 Jun 2004
Subject: Price

Our favorite troll assured us iLemmings that prices would be higher...and yet they are in fact significantly lower. The high-end model was around $2,200. It's now almost 14% less expensive, at $1,899.

Regardless, I'm sure we'll still be blessed with his insight before long.

Close Name:acdc1174 Posts: 677 Joined: 16 Apr 2004
Subject: First impressions

Leave it to Apple to give us yet another innovative design. At 2" thick, diminutive is the first word that comes to mind. Serious computer power without serious real estate. I'm already considering one as a wall-mounted TV alternative for my bedroom. I find the digital audio out to be a nice touch. I know it is small, but if they TRULY want the iMac to be a digital hub for the home, this puts it one step closer. Now I can truly see this iMac connected to my home theater, allowing me to enjoy my audio, video, computing, and internet all in one spot. Kudos Apple! One afterthought...I may be in the minority, but I for one will miss the prior incarnation of the iMac. I loved the display on the chrome arm. ::sigh::

View Name:Guest
Subject:
View Name:Guest
Subject: I love the chin!
View Name:Guest
Subject: About the 'chin'
Close Name:SonfoWan Posts: 2 Joined: 24 Dec 2003
Subject: Price

I think the price is still a problem. For the basic entry model to be £919 is good but I reckon they need it to hit the £700-800 mark. You can now get a Dell PC with a 15" LCD for £300, I'm not suggesting that Apple compete with this & yes you do get so much more for the extra £600 but it's still a hell of a lot for an entry level consumer computer.

Close Name:Billy K Posts: 297 Joined: 06 May 2004
Subject: A Great Day, A Sad Day

This is a great day in the history of Apple, but it is also a sad day. We've just reached a point where design will become less and less creative and impressive. From the iPod to the Cinema Displays, the Powerbook/iBook line and now the iMac; everything is a rectangle.

Yeah, it's small, it's brilliant, it's advanced; but there really is no form to get excited about. It's just a flat rectangle.

I'm missing the SE more than ever now.

Close Name:drjason Posts: 30 Joined: 28 Aug 2004
Subject: PowerBook?

If Apple can put a G5 in a 2in. thick space (including the display) and figuring out the heat problem.....the PB solution can't be far behind.....at least we can hope.

View Name:RealityCheck -   Troll Posts: 392 Joined: 06 May 2004
Subject: Told You So - Another Overpriced All-In-One
Close Name:jimothy Posts: 581 Joined: 04 Jun 2004
Subject: Powerbook

One problem Apple didn't have to solve with the iMac G5 is the power problem, since its not battery-powered. So they've still got that.

Also, they still have to about halve the thickness. The days of 2" Powerbooks is long gone. It may put Apple in an awkward position, but I'm banking on seeing dual-core Powerbook G4s before a Powerbook G5.

Close Name:steviant Posts: 9 Joined: 24 May 2004
Subject:

Quote
Billy K wrote:
From the iPod to the Cinema Displays, the Powerbook/iBook line and now the iMac; everything is a rectangle.


Silly wabbit, they're not rectangles... they're RoundRects!

http://www.folklore.org/StoryView.py?project=Macintosh&story=Round_Rects_Are_Everywhere.txt

Close Name:AyaSofya Posts: 137 Joined: 11 May 2004
Subject: It is for PostIt Notes

That space is for PostIt Notes, the paper kind, this way they don't hang down below the bottom edge of the monitor. Seriously I suppose there was an engineering reason for that space.

[quote=The long, wide space beneath the screen does look somewhat odd, but how they were able to fit a G5 in there with the components and ports so well-organized is quite a remarkable feat.[/quote]

Close Name:slinky259 Posts: 91 Joined: 24 Jun 2004
Subject:

i like it.
it's purty

plus, the g5 factor. thats just cool.

i'm assuming paul thurrott here used apple's ram upgrade form thing to jack up the price and prove his little point. only morons do that

Close Name:Billy K Posts: 297 Joined: 06 May 2004
Subject: Round Rects

Quote
steviant wrote:
Silly wabbit, they're not rectangles... they're RoundRects!


Hilarious! I love that story.

Once Steve gets something in his head, he doesn't let it go. He did the cube at Next, then at Apple. And actually, the new iMac is really pretty simmilar to the TAM and other conceptual Macs from that time.

Round Rect....ha.

http://tam.axon.net/spartintro.htm

(Check some of these out - you'll see that this new iMac design has pretty much been what Apple's been working up to for a long time. And check out the Tizio...it's like the lampshade iMac's grand-dad.)

Close Name:YuleLogger Posts: 5 Joined: 03 Apr 2002
Subject:

Quote
RealityCheck wrote:
Let's check that deal at $1899 for the new 20" iMac. The 256MB standard memory isnt't usable. Upgrade memory to 1G and with AppleCare your new iMac is $2,293, ouch. You can get a 3GHz Pentium 4 with 1G memory, 3 year warranty for less than half the price.


Yes, and you would get exactly what you paid for. Windows.

Close Name:mshoaf Posts: 112 Joined: 02 Dec 2002
Subject: Gig & FW800

Kind surprised they "only" have 10/100 Ethernet. Guess they don't think gigabit is that big of a deal to the iMac market?

Also seems to be a little against Apple's tradition that they don't have FireWire 800... but I think it makes sense. Maybe Apple is seeing the "Pro" market very differently from the "discerning consumer" (read "iMac") market?

Close Name:gopher Posts: 271 Joined: 28 Mar 2002
Subject: Wall Mountable!

Yes, they finally did it. You can hang the computer from the wall, use their wireless keyboard and mouse and have zero footprint! Now that is slick!

Close Name:pyxl8 Posts: 171 Joined: 24 Dec 2003
Subject: Great execution

While the minimalist design won't cause the outrage and heated discussion that the first 2 iMac designs did (and that's always fun), I think it'll be an bigger seller because it just, well... pleasant. It's clean and simple and doesn't scream "look at me" like the old love-it-or-hate-it form factors did. It seems familiar because of its iPod-like design (a connection that NONE of the pundits anticipated, btw!).

MINOR questions/points:

-Any mention of VESA mounting adaptors? I imagine the iMac is a bit heavier than your avarage LCD screen, but for those of us who miss the ol' swivel of the previous iMac, it'd be nice to clamp this on the edge of the desk.

-CAN you actually wall mount this iMac? I see a little ridge along the top back edge. This would be the perfect KITCHEN computer if you used a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse!

--If they had only gotten it a teensy bit thinner it could have fit into a 1U (1.75") rackspace. Hello, Marathon?!! Where's my new iMac slide out, tilt up adaptor so I can stuff this puppy into a road case... making it perfect for us Mac musicians?

--As a designer, I would have at least put ll the I/O jacks in the MIDDLE of the case above the stand, so at least any cable clutter could be nicely tucked behind the base. And it REALLY needs at least one USB port on the FRONT where it'd be convenient to all the iPod users Apple's trying to attract! Reaching around the back is sooooo twen-cen!

Oh well, as I said, minor issues. And while it's not quite the headless pizza box some of us were wishing for, I think we'll quickly get over it it! Hey, they DID throw the monitor in for FREE!

-Ken P



Last edited by pyxl8 on Tue Aug 31, 2004 10:10 am; edited 1 time in total
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Close Name:pyxl8 Posts: 171 Joined: 24 Dec 2003
Subject: The "chin"

You realise that all that blank real estate below the display will quickly be filled with all manner of odd stick-on accessories from all our favorite peripheral makers!

Just wait a few weeks! Any predictions??

-Ken P

Close Name:kenaustus Posts: 601 Joined: 27 Jun 2003
Subject: Double check the pricing

A 20" display is $1,299 and a 20" iMac is $1,899 - that means the computer is $600 - not a bad price for a 1.8 G5, SuperDrive, 160GB HD and a little bit of memory that you can double for $75.

Think of it as a $600 computer ($550 if you take out iLife) and compare that with what you get from Dull. We don't even need to factor in OS X against Windows because everyone but RC already understands that. I have a feeling that this will be a very hot seller and anyone that doesn't order today (mine went in at 6:30 AM) will be in a waiting line longer than the iPod mini.

By the way, if you look at the open back of the iMac shown above you can see the reason for the "chin". The fact that it looks similar to the iPod will only help iPod uses in the Windows world (RC excepted) to take a long, hard look at the iMac.

If only IBM could deliver the chips APple stock would hit $50 by Christmas.

Close Name:pyxl8 Posts: 171 Joined: 24 Dec 2003
Subject:

Quote
Biff wrote:
Hey so are we gonna get to see a shot of that giant poster now that the mysterious black cloth has been removed?


TMO makes it happen...thanks to Bryan & co! http://www.macobserver.com/gallery/Booth-MacG5/IMG_0289

-Ken P

View Name:Guest
Subject: The Headless Horseman
Close Name:edtekker Posts: 56 Joined: 13 Dec 2002
Subject: VESA Mount vs. backside ports

I will want to see one in the flesh. I love the idea of wall mounting one, and they seem to have the cables (including power) neatly wound together to make that easier. However, if I want to use my USB drive (and EVERYONE has USB drives now), I want that connector in the front. Heck, and FireWire, too, for my video editing. The wall mount is a really slick concept, but not if I have to take it down everytime I want to quickly plug in a peripheral attachment.

Oh, well, nothings perfect.

Close Name:John F. Braun -   TMO Staff Posts: 227 Joined: 11 Jun 2001
Subject: Computers Cost Money

Hey let's all have fun creating a system that is as far away from the $1,299 entry-level model as possible.

If you get the iMac G5 20" model with 2GB of RAM, a 250 GB HD, an AirPort Extreme card, the Internal Bluetooth module, the Bluetooth keyboard and mouse and AppleCare, it comes to a whopping $3,521. Yikes!

Apple has some nerve charging money for these computers!

View Name:Guest
Subject: Previous gen imac still attractive
View Name:Guest
Subject:
View Name:Guest
Subject: An Improvement... Or not?
Close Name:Biff Posts: 1479 Joined: 08 Apr 2004
Subject: Comments

Yeah I agree that Apple's approach to comparing it with the iPod will do very well. But unfortunately, there won't be much reason for Apple to start marketing this puppy, since they won't ever have enough in stock to satisfy that kind of demand.

It's too bad Apple still considers DVI to be a "pro" feature. My non-Mac friend was about to order one for his living room until he noticed there was no DVI. And the mini-VGA port only does analog video signals, so there is no hope for anything to come from that.

Love it or hate it you have to respect the engineering that went into this. Not only did they fit evertying including the power supply in there, but they had to take center of gravity, cooling zones, and who knows what else into account at the same time! Well done!

Also if you look at the base, you'll see it has a hole in it on the back. I think thats for routing all of the cables through so they will drop down behind the base. Very slick.

Close Name:deepkid Posts: 13 Joined: 31 Aug 2004
Subject: Jay Leno imac?

Quote
Guest wrote:
Yeah... The chin. I love what they have done, but that chin... I guess once it's set up and you're using it, you'll not even notice it, but still, that chinnnnn.... But boy what a great way to get the power of a G5 for that sort of entry price. Even the 17-inch model would be fantastic.

But there is that chin...


That's what the "chin" of the new imac reminds me of. I can just see him in a print ad with one of these and a bag of Doritos.

Close Name:deepkid Posts: 13 Joined: 31 Aug 2004
Subject:

Quote
Guest wrote:
If the idea was to tie in with iPod, why in hell didn't Apple add a CLICKWHEEL to control the iApps and/or otherwise vol/brightness, smack-dab on the iMac G5's 'chin'? It would certainly reinforce the association (big-time), looking like the 17/20" color 'mother of all iPods'.

Vaughn


That's a great idea. However, I wonder how much more it would have added to the price.. mabye someone could whip up a concept image...

Close Name:deepkid Posts: 13 Joined: 31 Aug 2004
Subject:

Quote
gopher wrote:
Yes, they finally did it. You can hang the computer from the wall, use their wireless keyboard and mouse and have zero footprint! Now that is slick!


That's great but what would that be possible with all of the cables jutting out of the back of it?

Close Name:see3d Posts: 16 Joined: 29 Jun 2004
Subject: Wall mounting requires a better monitor

One of the reasons I did not buy the last iMac (went for the G5) was that the iMac displays have an industry substandard viewing angle. Photos and Movies look lousy unless viewed straight on. All the adjustment arm freedom was required to get the display angled just right for viewing.

Wall mounting would be great if the display had a wide viewing angle. T