The Back Page - The iMac G5: The iPod for the Rest of Us
by - August 31st, 2004
This morning's keynote was a successful one, I think. Phil Schiller had some fairly big shoes to fill, and he frankly filled them better than some folks have done in the past.
Certainly the locals liked it, judging from the screams and cheers I heard when Brad Gibson was phoning his reports in, and from listening to the streamed keynote. Then again, the locals are also really keen on Jerry Lewis, but for my money, Mr. Schiller did a great job.
Congrats, Phil.
And how about that iMac? I love it. In fact, I think it's the bee's knees.
That said, its coolness is not what's important about the new iMac. Before I delve into that, however, let's look at the machine itself.
Looks and ports
The thing looks great. It's a sexy machine. It has nice lines, a tiny footprint, and is thin. Apple has preserved the all-in-one simplicity of the iMac product line, but really stepped it up in elegance. In fact, it stepped it up to iPodian proportions, but again, I'll get into that in a bit.
The iMac G5 also has an enormous amount of ports and other options. As usual, Apple is packing more into this model than most people will need. While that has its own price tag, if you'll pardon the pun, it's also an accomplishment.
I want to take a moment to specifically say that the new digital audio out is a particularly fine addition to this consumer product line, especially with Apple's newfound emphasis on music (GarageBand and iTunes).
Memory and speed
The unit is fast, with a smokin' G5, has a screaming front side bus of 600 MHz, and it can sport a healthy amount of RAM, with 2 GB max. The fact that it ships standard with 256 MB of memory, however, is lame, to be sure. With everything else that Apple packs into the iMac, to skimp on RAM is just silly. Still, if that's what it takes to keep the starting price down, then so be it.
Price
The iMac has a fairly aggressive starting price for all that the iMac has packed into it. A US$1,299 starting price isn't going to win market share for Apple, but Apple publicly wrote off market share earlier this year. As long as Apple's user base is growing, I am fine with that, but the reality is that Apple is going to find it hard to meet demand for this unit at US$1,299 as it is, so that starting price works for me.
Quieter than a whisper
I like quiet. I haven't heard the new iMac yet, but Phil Schiller says it puts out fewer decibels than a whisper, and that sounds quiet to me. I can't stand a noisy computer, and quiet has been a hallmark of the iMac from the beginning. As Greg Joswiak said in Apple's iMac G5 video, for the company to be able to put a G5 into an iMac and have it be quieter than the previous iMac G4 is quite an accomplishment. He's right, and I offer a big fat salute to the gearheads in Cupertino.
Video card
It seems to me that Apple skimped on the video cards, especially for the 20" unit. A 64 MB card is somewhat anemic when today's midrange cards are more often than not 128 MB. The high-resolution display on the 20" model definitely needs some extra push, especially if Apple wants people to play the growing number of cool Mac games on the market.
If Apple needs to offer this card as the default video option to keep the price down, fine, but the company needs to offer a 128 MB option, too. I imagine that such an option will be added at some point, but until then, this is the iMac G5's weak point.
Kick butt
See? It kicks butt. It looks great, is loaded with features, has a healthier price point than Apple has had with the iMac for some time, is fast, is quiet, and supports a mondo amount of RAM. Except for that video card thing, it's great, and even then it's still the bee's knees.
iPod
None of that matters, though, because what's important about the new iMac is the iPod.
Eh? What's that I said?
 Is the video iPod everyone has been so hot about (Photo by Brad Gibson) |
When Phil Schiller introduced the iMac G5, the first image he splashed on the screen was an iPod. When the iMac was added to the screen, it was just that, added to the screen, right next to the iPod, with the same angles, the same lines, and the same iconic look.
When he showed the obligatory (and very cool) new product video, the first thing you saw in that video was an iPod. It was enough to make me say "Eh?"
In each case, the iPod was mentioned first to establish the imagery in your mind, and then the iMac G5 was added to the picture.
Then I paid even closer attention. In the video, we see the following text.
First we asked ourselves, what if you could fit all your music in your pocket?
Then we wondered, what if you could fit your whole life into an impossibly thin computer?
From the creators of the iPod...the new iMac G5.
"From the creators of the iPod?" Come on, the iPod is cool, but the Mac is what Apple should be known for.
Ah, but as is so often the case, "should" and "is" don't often meet; and such is the situation here, because there are a couple of million Windows users out there who know Apple for one thing, and one thing only, the iPod.
After establishing that the iMac G5 is made by the very same folks who make the fabulous iPod, we are treated to a montage of imagery that switches back and forth between the iPod and the iMac. This culminates in a fever-pitched flashing between the two so that you (hopefully) can't even tell which is which.
That's just driving home the message, of course, that the iMac and the iPod are practically the same thing.
From there, we cut to interviews with Apple hardware gearhead Greg Joswiak and industrial design guru Jonathan Ive, with the latter's comments being the most relevant. Mr. Ive says:
An iMac is just the ultimate consumer product that is so integrated, it's so simple to use. The similarities between the iPod and iMac really stem from how they were both designed from exactly the same approach: To evolve a solution until it seems completely inevitable, completely essential. The iMac is so uncluttered, it's so quiet and serene, [and] it just lets you do the stuff that you want to do.
You know, like the iPod.
The message couldn't be more clear, at least to me, and I think that maybe this campaign will strike a resonant chord with consumers.
Apple is trying to leverage the success of the iPod to sell more Macs. That's fairly remarkable, considering the fact that Apple sells more Macs than iPods to begin with, but what's important to realize is that Apple sells more iPods to Windows users than it sells Macs to former Windows users.
It's interesting to me that Apple is taking this new approach. Looking back in time, we were first told that Apple hoped to use the iPod to sell more Macs, and so was keeping the iPod Mac-only. Then we were told that Apple could expose more people to the Apple way of computing by making a Windows version of the iPod. From there, Apple said that it had ceased to think of the iPod as a Switcher vehicle at all, but rather as a profit center unto itself.
Clearly, we've come full circle. Apple is now seeing the iPod as being such a smash hit with Windows users that if it can get consumers to think of the iMac G5 as the iPod of computing, they will buy an iMac to accompany their iPod.
Frankly, Apple is probably right about that, at least to some degree. As I said above, the price point on this thing is high enough that it will be beyond the range of many consumers, but the same thing was said by many (including me) about the iPod's comparatively high price tag.
We all know how that worked out.
Perhaps those who have found iPod and iTunes to be a whole new experience may well tune into the message that the iMac is the iPod of computing. If so, Apple could bring more people to the platform.
began using Apple computers in 1983 in a high school BASIC programming class. He started using Macs in 1990 when the Kinko's guy taught him how to use Aldus PageMaker, finally buying a Power Computing Power 100 in 1995. Today, Bryan is the Editor of The Mac Observer, and has contributed to the print versions of MacAddict and MacFormat (UK).
You can send your comments directly to him, or you can also post your comments below.
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The Back Page Archives
Observer Comments
Wed Sep 01, 2004 1:32 am Subject:
The new design plays well on the iPod success. On the market share issue, Apple's share of the $1,000+ market continues to grow. The iPod is finally achieving its much anticipated "halo effect" of brining iPod owners to the Mac.
Apple's strategy is to increase revenue per retail customer over the CPU sale on average by 30%. That's AppleCare, iPod, iSight, .Mac, Keynote, etc. So far the strategy is working.
The new iMac will bring renewed interest to the Mac market and entice Mac owners who upgrade on average every three years to consider the G5 iMac. There will be no shortage of buyers.
In all a good product at a good price and a
I think that Apple intended to eventually drop the G4 Flat Panel iMac to 999$ or even 899$ like they did with the original, but quickly they realised that the form factor was intimidating, people "loved it or hated it". Apple probably saw in their market research that those who loved it didn't mind the price too much, and that those who hated it wouldn't buy it even at a lower price.
So Apple continued to sell the base model at 1299$ and extended the eMac to the wide public, while they designed a successor for the iMac. Now this major redesign had a cost and they know that people will initially pay 1299$, but if 17" lcd panels and the rest of componments price continue to drop, and that IBM ramp up the production, we may see a reduced base price. Maybe to 1099$, then later 999$, and maybe someday the eMac will be dropped.
This can only happen if the G5 iMac is a hit, and I think it will be, because you just can't call this one the "iBoob"...
QuoteGuest wrote:
Now this major redesign had a cost and they know that people will initially pay 1299$, but if 17" lcd panels and the rest of componments price continue to drop, and that IBM ramp up the production, we may see a reduced base price. Maybe to 1099$, then later 999$, and maybe someday the eMac will be dropped.
This can only happen if the G5 iMac is a hit, and I think it will be, because you just can't call this one the "iBoob"...
I completely agree - the new iMac isn't as stylish as the old one but it is less devisive and is very boringness will help it sell well, hopefully.
Perhaps the issue is that they cannot yet fit all that stuff behind a 15" LCD. Perhaps down the line, with a laptop hard drive, laptop memory, cooler G5 it will be possible (i.e. when the PowerBook G5 is ready). And perhaps we will see in place of the eMac an iMac G5 15" with mood-lighted coloured enclosure .... iMac mini anyone?
Great analysis, Bryan. I do have some issues with the new iMac G5, several of 'em in common with ya, but then again, I'm not only an Armchair Apple Critic, I'm also an Armchair CEO! I had my doubts about the system when I first heard about it, but as I gathered more info and thought about it some more, the more apparent it was to me how truly incredible this system really is, on just so many levels. You could almost compare it to the "entry-level" BMW 3- and 5-Series models -- you could always use more power under the hood, and there might be a few amenities you'd never actually use or really care about missing, but otherwise, it's one of the best damn products on earth. 
"Clearly, we've come full circle. Apple is now seeing the iPod as being such a smash hit with Windows users that if it can get consumers to think of the iMac G5 as the iPod of computing, they will buy an iMac to accompany their iPod.
Frankly, Apple is probably right about that, at least to some degree. As I said above, the price point on this thing is high enough that it will be beyond the range of many consumers, but the same thing was said by many (including me) about the iPod's comparatively high price tag."
Perfectly said, Bryan. Those Windows users who shelled out a bit more for the iPod now are realizing its value, and that will sell some of them on the value of Apple's other product lines. Then again, those are exactly the customers Apple wants - those who shop value and not price.
I bet a tablet is on the way; a tablet that will mimic the looks of the new imac & Ipod--desktop/ipod on the go. Small enough to pull out anywhere, check your mail, watch a video, do some im'ing, update your blog, keep notes--and then run to catch your train. I'll admit that I was underwhelmed when I first "saw" the new imac, but after a little thought and reflection I am amazed. It is just right; it's what a computer should be; simple, intuitive, powerful and unobtrusive. I would have liked more ram and a better video card if only to say: "yes, this computer does it "all" right out of the box!" I am writing this from the faculty room of my school; newly outfitted with three banks of black boxes. I feel like I'm in a morgue.
Nobody seems to be talking about the fact that this is really a return to the original iMac. The biggest difference is that it is an LCD monitor instead of a CRT. I think they did a great job with it and I plan on owning one by Christmas but the design is only evolutionary from the original bondi blue. Not too much of a big deal except that it is a G5 and is quiet.
I am tired of reading about not enought RAM, no BT, no WiFi. Please go and check out from Dell what an equivalently equipped PC will cost you, and please include the software that comes with the iMac that you cannot get for the PC, i.e. iLife, AppleWorks, etc. As somebody else pointed out in elsewhere in this Forum, you can get the extra RAM yourself, and most resellers will throw in free extra RAM (for a minimal installation fee).
This is a great machine for an unbelievable price. The comparison with BMW is actually quite on the mark. This is equivalent to the 3 series, which is at entry level. This is NOT a Kia or a Toyota like Dell. You get what you pay for in this world.
"Nobody seems to be talking about the fact that this is really a return to the original iMac."
Not just that, but the white space under the screen harks back to the original Macintosh, as well. My mind keeps wanting to put a drive slot on the lower right side....
I'm still not sure about the new design, but I've a sneaking suspiscion that with a little time, it will seem the most natural and inevitable design the new iMac could have had. It's already better than all the pre-Expo speculatory mock-ups.
Oh, and to everyone complaining about a mess of wires dangling from those side ports: That's why the hole in the stand is so big; you're supposed to feed all your wires through there, where all the rearward-running ones will be nicely concealed by the aluminum. Poof! wires gone.
--rueyeet
Wed Sep 01, 2004 7:41 pm Subject: it's the aesthetics -- not so hot
i've belabored the point in another thread, but will summarize:
overall aesthetics and no telescoping screen are a big minus and a step back. the front face is white and that's it other than the apple logo, no other distinguishing feature that can't and won't be copied at a lower price elsewhere and soon.
and now we have a "tilt" screen instead of the free motion of the g4. gee whiz what a de-novation! features and ooh it's new will sell very well nonetheless, but i'd bet this imac will sell at a slower pace than the g4 as soon as upgraders have upgraded.
would i buy it? only if i had too to keep up with system performance. sorry.
QuoteGuest wrote:
Did everyone forget about Apple's other consumer desktop? Yes, I am talking about the eMac. I have never figured out why or how it is rarely mentioned. It's there just waiting. Inexpensive. All-in-one. Any speculation on when upgraded to a G5?
Yeah man I TOTALLY agree with this - many Mac-heads simply don't rate the eMac at all but it is a terrific computer for the $ and has brought heaps of people to the platform here in NZ - where the iMac was (and still is) very pricey! - I reckon the eMac really was the G4 version of the original CRT iMac - very utilitarian.
The author seems to be confused about video cards and performance.
Yes, the iMac's vid card is dead slow, but that has *nothing* to do with the fact that it has 64 megs of memory. A GeforceFX5200 with 128 megs RAM would be *exactly* as slow, both in 2D and 3D.
Being that MacOS X doesn't exactly use video cards' 3D capabilities to the max, even having a faster video chip would have nil effect on interface speed on the 20" display vs the 17" display. 2D speed does not vary noticeably in today's video adapters.
The only difference is in 3D speed, and for that we would need a faster chip, not more video RAM. The GF-FX5700 could be nice and only marginally more expensive, but I suspect it might be a bit hot for the iMac. Hopefully we'll get a BTO option for a faster video chip sometime.
Ok it looks cute but what does it really do?
Its laptop size can only make it suspicious to a desktop user?
A laptop at a desktop price?
The graphics card is at the very bottom of the GeForce FX range. The very FX range is outdated. Ever heard of the 6800 series? 64 Mb Ram? You're kidding?
And the Ads with ghetto superstars.. how cheap is that?
I can build a full AMD64 system for the price.
With 256 Mb graphics..
Also when it comes to car comparisons.
BMW is sooo boring..
Wouldn't you rather drive a Ferrari or a Porsche?
Well the lastest AMD socket is socket 939.
Now doesn't that sound like a Porsche model??
(.)
Thu Sep 02, 2004 3:50 pm Subject: Re: it's the aesthetics -- not so hot
Quoteboodle wrote:
and now we have a "tilt" screen instead of the free motion of the g4. gee whiz what a de-novation!
What's stopping you from rotating the new iMac G5 from its stand to face 30 degrees to the left to show your work to the guy next to you? You still get up and down and left and right, just like in the last iMac, except now there's no big clunky base.
However I don't like the old iMac and it being quiet, Being a PC user im not up-to-date with the MAC world however when using hte iMac's at school I expected better. There was no way to turn the computer on from the keyboard, and the power button is at the back of the base, so you have to reach behind it to press the button, however the screen does not come on immediately so its very hard to tell is the computer is actually on.
I didn't like the whole swivel thing with the screen with the heavy base, its not all that easy to move the screen, this new imac will be alot easier to move around.
The lack of RAM is really stupid, RAM is cheap however it is a huge selling point. One thing Mac and PC users share is the need for lots of RAM, PC's are targeted more for gaming (we get the latest and best 3D graphics solutions before the MAC does for many reasons) which needs a fair amount of RAM, while Macs are tageted at audio + visual applications where you can never have enough RAM.
This looks alot better than the last iMac however I am not prepared to pay that price, I prefer to customize my own PC's as they do everything I need them to do and are alot cheaper (don't talk about software, there is plety of freeware available that can do everything that comes with the Macs)
Quoteboodle wrote:
and now we have a "tilt" screen instead of the free motion of the g4. gee whiz what a de-novation! features and ooh it's new will sell very well nonetheless, but i'd bet this imac will sell at a slower pace than the g4 as soon as upgraders have upgraded.
The innovative design and style of the G4 line and a user configurable BSD back-end are what got me interested in Mac. I've got a PB12" and it's just the best.
The cube, the lamp stand iMac, the PowerBook G4 12" - 17", and the iPod are all innovative and inspirational. I want to see more of that. This new iMac is clunky, visually unbalanced and backwards. I agree with what boodle has to say about the screen mounting, it has devolved. The screen doesn't have any other cool new features such as a tablet style input. No user related improvements to the placement of ports, every single one of them is hidden on the back, what about an accessible headphone jack?
This looks like an attempt to ride on the coat-tails of the iPod. Either Apple has run out of ideas or the courage to bring them to the market.
Make something we haven't seen before that's what I really want. Cool new toys not clunky remakes of the past.
It's sad to listen how people compare graphic cards basing their opinion on the memory it has. Bullshit. There is about, whoa, 3% of current games that really uses more than long forgotten 32Mb's of graphics memory. Everything more is just a luxury and very, very tiny performance improvement.
What really IS sad is the fact that the whole line is limited to GeForce FX5200. I obviously don't wan't to point out the fact that 5200 is seriously underpowered... Because it is, not because it has 64 mb of ram. Apart from the rest, if I see an apple iMac with something like Ati Radeon 9500 (app the same price, same power requirements) I will have to buy it. For now, it don't delivers me anything more than my iBook. ;D
It's currently the main sore point in whole line. Everything else - a nice, balanced and promising system. Graphics card - a worst example of it's class.
QuoteGuest wrote:
The cube, the lamp stand iMac, the PowerBook G4 12" - 17", and the iPod are all innovative and inspirational. I want to see more of that. This new iMac is clunky, visually unbalanced and backwards. I agree with what boodle has to say about the screen mounting, it has devolved. The screen doesn't have any other cool new features such as a tablet style input. No user related improvements to the placement of ports, every single one of them is hidden on the back, what about an accessible headphone jack?
This looks like an attempt to ride on the coat-tails of the iPod. Either Apple has run out of ideas or the courage to bring them to the market.
Make something we haven't seen before that's what I really want. Cool new toys not clunky remakes of the past.
It's just a different attack at the market. Apple now has the brand and image it requires to be recognized, but, none of them will buy them corporate market or switching pc users. Actually, yes, I was displeased with the look of new iMac too, when I first saw it (and I still am), but I cannot ignore the fact that this is a clear attempt to gain recognition in corporate market (again). Actually I'm surprised that Apple has the bravety to do it now.
It's just a big boys games. Yes, we will suffer. But remember how pleasing it would be to see MacOSX on your company desktop.
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