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iMac G5 Porn Roundup

Posted by pudge on Wednesday September 22, 2004 @05:57PM from the take-it-all-off dept.

boredMDer writes "Apparently someone who has already recieved their iMac G5 has decided to take it apart. Stupid if only for the fact that he's just voided his warranty." pjcreath writes "Apple has posted official pages listing the components that are 'easy' to install (including the LCD!) and describing how to troubleshoot hardware problems using diagnostic LEDs inside the case. For the very curious, you can download the high-resolution TIFF (10MB) of the iMac's innards from Apple."

72 of 530 comments (clear)

Didn't void the warranty by halo1982 · 2004-09-22 17:59 · Score: 5, Informative

This isn't an old iMac. Apple designed this one so that your grandmother could open it and replace its parts. This didn't void the warranty. It has quite an interesting inside. I like how they focused on the inside design as well (i.e. G5 heatsink that no one will ever see but still looks cool) as the outside.
1. Re:Didn't void the warranty by MrLint · 2004-09-22 18:17 · Score: 4, Interesting
  
  This is more interesting than one might be lead to believe. If the parts are easy to replace then this saves on repair labor costs and it also makes nearly the whole unit a collection of field / user swappable parts. Being a PC field tech for a number of years this is really a radical shift for apple.
  
  Now keeping this in mind i have seen many a screwless case come and go from both dell and gateway, and i would have preferred that they had screws as the mechanisms they used were so crappy it would have been easier to repair.
2. Re:Didn't void the warranty by Necro+Spork · 2004-09-22 18:21 · Score: 5, Funny
  
  But I did void the warranty on this iMac. The plants are happy and you can see the blueberry glow from a good distance! The old iMacs like this one seem much harder to gut.
  http://www2.hawaii.edu/~brandsbe/iPot.jpg
  
  --
  120 chars of filth!
3. Re:Didn't void the warranty by Tanlis · 2004-09-22 18:51 · Score: 5, Informative
  
  Actually he did void the warranty. There are brass colored screws for all the pieces that can be taken off by users. Remove any of the others and your warranty is gone.
4. Re:Didn't void the warranty by 10Ghz · 2004-09-22 19:40 · Score: 3, Insightful
  
  Yeah I know: it really sucks to have Apple force me to have all that quality when I buy a computer from them.
  
  You mean like chipping paint on Titanium Powerbooks, "Windtunnel" PowerMac G4's, logic-board failures on iBooks, failing lid-latches on Powerbooks, cracks on the Cube, overheating 12" PowerBooks etc. etc. etc.
  
  Apple makes very nice machines, but they are not the Holy Grail of quality.
  
  --
  Lesbian Nazi Hookers Abducted by UFOs and Forced Into Weight Loss Programs - -all next week on Town Talk.
5. Re:Didn't void the warranty by jcr · 2004-09-22 19:50 · Score: 5, Informative
  
  Apple's finally catching up to the NeXTStation with this machine. Disassembling a NeXT slab required removing a total of four screws: one to hold the case closed, one for the disk drive bracket, one for the floppy drive, and one for the power supply.
  
  -jcr
  
  --
  The only title of honor that a tyrant can grant is "Enemy of the State."
6. Re:Didn't void the warranty by 10Ghz · 2004-09-22 20:22 · Score: 4, Insightful
  
  Maybe not, but it's been a long time since you could buy an x86 machine that lasted as long.
  
  Sure you can. Well, I build my own machines and they last for a long time. And I have seen name-brand machines that are old, and still keep on working.
  
  It just seems to me that people remember the Macs that last for a long time, but forget the ones that fail sooner. And when it comes to x86, they remember the ones that failed soon, and forget the ones that keep on working after years and years of use.
  
  I guess it's because of the perception of the two: Macs are the expensive hi-end machines, whereas x86 is the cheap and crappy computer.
  
  --
  Lesbian Nazi Hookers Abducted by UFOs and Forced Into Weight Loss Programs - -all next week on Town Talk.
7. Re:Didn't void the warranty by The+Only+Druid · 2004-09-23 00:50 · Score: 4, Informative
  
  Ugh, iPods are NOT glued shut! You can open them quite easily with a thin flat object (i.e. the plastic spatulas you'll get with any of the variety of replacement batteries on the market).
  
  --
  "Stumble before you crawl"
8. Re:Didn't void the warranty by jcostantino · 2004-09-23 00:55 · Score: 4, Informative
  
  Actually you can do whatever the hell you want with your purchased equipment as long as any modifications you do to it don't cause other components to fail.
  From working in an Apple authorized service center, it didn't matter if a machine with Applecare or Apple's 1 year warranty came in with modifications as long as those changes didn't cause other components to fail. IE: A CPU upgrade fried the motherboard or a HD replacement broke a component off the logic board. Disassembling your Power or iBook would be a huge mistake due to the sheer number of different screws but a careful end user could disassemble his book and put it back together without causing anyone to become suspicious.
  If he disassembled the hard drive to take pictuers, then he would have broken a seal that would have voided his warranty. As it is, I'm sure his warranty is intact.
  I don't know if the Magnusson-Moss warranty act is directly applicable but I don't see why it wouldn't be.
  
  --
  Reviews with a twist! http://www.sardonicbastard.com
9. Re:Didn't void the warranty by speleo · 2004-09-23 01:16 · Score: 4, Informative
  
  "chipping paint on Titanium Powerbooks"
  
  Never happened to mine. It's been dropped a few times and stepped on once or twice and it's bashed and bent and held together with duct tape, but it still works just fine.
  
  ""Windtunnel" PowerMac G4's"
  
  I never understood the problem with these. The one I have is loud but it's no worse than your typical Dell PC.
  
  "logic-board failures on iBooks"
  
  Don't know about this one -- I never owned a iBook.
  
  "failing lid-latches on Powerbooks"
  
  Never had this problem on the 5 Powerbooks I have.
  
  "cracks on the Cube"
  
  Had two of these, one had small cosmetic cracks, the other didn't. Not a problem for me, but I can see how some folks would. Nice design, though; wish I still had 'em and didn't give 'em away.
  
  "overheating 12" PowerBooks"
  
  My wife has one of these -- she uses it all the time and hasn't had a problem with overheating. I don't think it gets any hotter than the 15" Powerbook I use everyday as my primary machine.
  
  Now, I'm not saying these problems don't exist. But I personally own a lot of Macs (about 10 in current use around the house right now) of nearly every model and I've had very few of the problems folks complain about. YMMV.
10. Re:Didn't void the warranty by bitswapper · 2004-09-23 01:22 · Score: 3, Funny
  
  You have a piece of shit Mac just for fun, and 3 PCs that probably do the real work.
  
  3 PCs to play games, you mean. Real work.
11. Re:Didn't void the warranty by Slurms · 2004-09-23 01:34 · Score: 5, Insightful
  
  While reading the parent and your reply I reflected that we have had similar sorts of problems with 100 or so Dell and Gateway laptops that we have at work over the past 2 years.
  
  Then it occurred to me that the Dells and Gateways are so anonymous and forgetable that people really don't seem to remember the problems.
  
  The Apple laptops tend to be memorable and more interesting. So I wonder if it is jut that people remember their problems more readily than they do when they have similar sorts of problems with more generic computers?
  
  --
  
  -----
  Pretty Bad Privacy (PBP) Public Key
  6
12. Re:Didn't void the warranty by pi+radians · 2004-09-23 01:55 · Score: 3, Informative
  
  "Have you wrestled with removing the case cover from a ... Beige G3 Desktop?"
  
  Why yes, all the time. Easy as pie. Two latches (basically two big buttons buttons to push up) on the front panel, then you pull the cover towards you. The rest unfolds easily giving you easy access to the PCI slots, RAM, and videocard. I little work to remove or add HDDs or CD-ROMs, but nothing worse than your average PC case.
  
  I think you may have it confused with another Apple system...
  
  --
  
  sin(6cos(r)+5A)
13. Re:Didn't void the warranty by magarity · 2004-09-23 02:11 · Score: 3, Insightful
  
  but we can tell 90 % of the time weather someone has been in their machine or not
  
  Umm, this is a logical contradiction. If you can't determine some of the people have opened their computers, it's impossible to say what percent you caught doing it.
  
  PS - Weather is whether or not it's raining.
14. Re:Didn't void the warranty by Squishy+Eyeball+Jeff · 2004-09-23 02:29 · Score: 5, Funny
  
  On a serious note: yeah, Apple isn't the holy grail, but so what. They are the best at what they do.
  Amen to that, brother -- Apple is indeed the best at making Apple computers.
15. Re:Didn't void the warranty by macslut · 2004-09-23 06:18 · Score: 3, Interesting
  
  I managed one of the largest Apple authorized service centers for a few years. Sure, sometimes we could tell that it looked like *someone* had been in the Mac before, but that doesn't mean the person was the customer. It would be one thing if we sold the Mac to the customer and they come back later that day or something, but if it was purchased at another store, we have no way of knowing what the actual history was.
  
  To be honest, we didn't really care much. If it was obvious that someone who didn't know what they were doing had done something that violated the terms of the warranty, and it resulted in damage, then we would start asking questions...but this was actually very rare...usually the customer would admit what they did because it was so obvious (like a broken ribbon cable).
  
  The bottom line (which most customers don't/didn't believe) was that it was always in our interest to go in favor of the customer. Apple *paid* us for warranty repairs and in our case, they paid us more than what we charged customers for the same jobs. We would really push the evelope with Apple warranties in terms of what we could get away with and what was ethical.
  
  YMMV
AAAaaAAArgh... by still_sick · 2004-09-22 17:59 · Score: 4, Funny

Putting the word "Porn" in the headline when no actual pr0n is involved is just CRUEL.

--
...Also, I didn't know Buggalo could fly.
1. Re:AAAaaAAArgh... by TheBurningDog · 2004-09-22 18:05 · Score: 5, Funny
  
  The problem is that 95% of /. users won't be able to tell the difference anyway. And just like real porn... lusting over a mac will leave you alone and feeling ashamed afterward.
Re:For those not using Macs... by Unordained · 2004-09-22 18:03 · Score: 3, Informative

well, winzip opens it just fine ... i'd guess it's not the only tool out there that can?
The Monitor is for the new iMac! by rogerborn · 2004-09-22 18:04 · Score: 5, Informative

Actually, he didn't void his warrantee by doing this. The new G5 iMac is extremely easy for customer troubleshooting, upgrading and generally messing around inside the thing. This is way better than even the big G5 PowerMacs.

Regards
Roger Born
writing.borngraphics.com
"These are my principles. If you don't like them, I have others."
1. Re:The Monitor is for the new iMac! by KitFox · 2004-09-22 18:59 · Score: 4, Informative
  
  I suspect most PC owners here would not buy a machine from a manufacturer that prohibited the opening of the case.
  Actually at least -some- PC manufacturers definitely void the warranty based on opening the case. Anything from those funky self-destructing stickers to case intrusion switches can detect this, and they make way too much use of them.
  I'm looking at this computer here at work. Not sure what brand it is, as that information has all been removed *Grr*. Might be an off brand. But it has a big sticker on the back of it that reads: "WARNING: All guarentees and warranties are void if case is opened or main BIOS settings are modified in any way. This system contains modification-detection technology. NO USER SERVICABLE PARTS INSIDE. Please contact your dealer for service." This sticker has not one, but THREE little holographic self-detsructing fingers sealing the main siade of the case up, and there are two on the backside side of the case, and two on each side of the case between the front cover and the sides.
  Admittedly, this is a system bought by the US Federal Government, but still. I've done work on computers in private homes that had the same deal. It's scary to think about.
  At the same time, it makes sense. Most PC Owners honestly wouldn't know a DIMM from a CF card, let alone how to safely change even a PCI card. The vast majority of them are more likely to break something in trying. They just want a computer that works for what they want it to do, and not have to worry. Plus, if the manufacturer can convince people that they -must- return it to their service shops for service, then they can make a killing on labor.
  Honestly, it's VERY nice to see a computer of any type that ENCOURAGES ease of opening and meddling even for the people who are not completely tech savvy.
  
  --
  @Whee
2. Re:The Monitor is for the new iMac! by KitFox · 2004-09-22 20:30 · Score: 4, Informative
  
  This "you open the case, you have no warranty" belief is an urban myth.
  If you have a warranty contract that states that intrusion into the system voids the warranty, then what is the situation then? Where precisely is it REQUIRED for them to warrant their equipment? It's not here. If they said "you are buying this 'As Is'", then there would be no warranty anyway, with the exceptions of implied warrantee (Such as in product specifications, claims, etc.) Because a lot of places do not legally require warranties. (These are usually noted in the Warranty text as "Warranty void if ... except in or other places where prohibited by law.")
  It seems that you also come from AU, or are possibly thinking of that country, which likely has differnet laws in effect than other places. In the US, they can and do legally say "We will warrant this as long as you don't open it." So overall, it has a huge dependancy on where you buy it.
  It's right up there with the popular belief that stores have the right to search your bags just by sticking up a sign "a condition of entry is that we can search your bags". Nope. They still can't search your bags. They can't negate your right to privacy with a sign.
  Again, you seem to have forgotten difference in laws. It depends on whether 'search of personal property' requires implicit or explicit permission. In many places, it requires only implicit permission. As such, by entering a store with a PROMINENTLY placed sign stating "By entering this property, you give us the right to search your bags" or anything of the sort, then you have effectively given them permission to search your bags.
  In all cases, the permission issue is the key. If asked for permission to search your bags, and you give this permission, then you have just given up the right to privacy within your bags. You cannot then watch them search it, and say "How dare you search my bags!?" and sue them, since you directly gave permission. heck, this is even apparent with police officers, who, without due cause, cannot search your person. That is why they ask "Do you mind if I pat you down?" or somesuch, with the understanding that MOST people will just agree, which then means you have relinquished your right to privacy in that specific case. You -DO- technically have the right to say "I do not want you to search me." (Though of course this will make them suspicious of you, and could make matters worse in the future.)
  The other consideration is that if they require you to allow a bag search upon ENTRY, then they have another thing to go by. You cannot just walk in, refuse a bag search, and then expect to still be allowed in the store. They are private property, and they have the right to require you to waive any waivable rights (Right to privacy is a waivable right) you have in order to gain access to their private property. Failure to comply can and WILL result in denial of access to the property. And if you insist, then the owner or any agent thereof can have you arrested for trespass.
  I used to work at Fry's Electronics in California. Believe me, we were seen as the Gustapo just because we had signs like you mention, and because we looked through all outgoing bags. Now the funny thing is that the PRIMARY meaning of "By entering this premises, you agree that we have the right to search all bags" was for the shopping bags that were leaving the store. But we occasionally had to search backpacks too. When somebody objected (99% of the time they had stolen something if they did), we would simply place them under citizen's arrest and call the police. By entering the store, and staying in it with no intent to actually allow search after giving implicit permission advised by the prominent sign, they were trespassing. With the police present, they were given a choice. May we search your bags, or do you want to go to jail on charges of trespassing? The 1% that ddid not steal anything would generally allow a bag search at that point and be released, albeit g
  
  --
  @Whee
3. Re:The Monitor is for the new iMac! by Epistax · 2004-09-23 00:07 · Score: 5, Funny
  
  I'm surprised he needed a screwdriver. I thought those things would open on the user's sense of elitism alone.
Linkey to the blog by Gentlewhisper · 2004-09-22 18:05 · Score: 4, Informative

http://www.kodawarisan.com.nyud.net:8090/imacg5/im acg501.html

This is one server that really won't survive a slashdotting too well, so better use the CDN!

--
Online backup with Mozy, sounds like Ozzie, but more!
Coral cache link by p0 · 2004-09-22 18:07 · Score: 5, Informative

Save the guy's website! Use this coral cache link instead

--
This is my sig. There are thousands more, but this one is mine.
mirror of images by Anonymous Coward · 2004-09-22 18:08 · Score: 5, Informative

mirror of images here
Re:Coral CDN by Twirlip+of+the+Mists · 2004-09-22 18:09 · Score: 3, Funny

You're kidding, right? This is Apple, the company that runs the long-running movie trailer site and the iTunes Music Store. They've got more bandwidth than Jesus.

--

I write in my journal
pr0n? by riceslimbo · 2004-09-22 18:21 · Score: 4, Funny

I'm gonna void your warrenty allll night long!
Re:Coral CDN by Anonymous Coward · 2004-09-22 18:22 · Score: 5, Informative

Technically, Akamai has more bandwidth than Jesus. I know Apple uses them for their movie trailer site; they probably use them for everything else too.
Very nice by Chris+Pimlott · 2004-09-22 18:23 · Score: 3, Interesting

I was wondering around my local Microcenter the other day when I saw one of these. "Funny," I thought to myself, "I've never seen this style of Apple flatscreen. I thought they were all styled in the Cinema line." Little did I know it was a full computer! Very impressive.
Just in case it gets slashdotted, here is the text by Anonymous Coward · 2004-09-22 18:27 · Score: 3, Funny

Image Use Agreement
Important Image Use Information

By copying or making any use of the image below, you acknowledge that you have read and understand, and agree to, the Image Usage Agreement below that governs your use of the Image. If you do not agree to the Agreement's terms, do not copy or use the Image in any way, unless you have written permission signed by Apple.

Usage Agreement:

Subject to the terms of this Agreement, you may use the Image solely in whole for editorial use by press and/or industry analysts. This right to use is personal to you and is not transferable by you to another party. The Image cannot be used to promote or sell any product or technology (such as on advertising, brochures, book-covers, stock photos, t-shirts, or other promotional merchandise). You may not alter, or modify the Image, in whole or in part, for any reason.

As between you and Apple, Apple is and shall remain the sole and exclusive owner of the Image. You will not delete, alter, or obfuscate any proprietary legends relating to the Image, and each use will be accompanied by the applicable proprietary attribution shown next to the Image.
The Image is provided by Apple on an 'as is' basis, without warranty of any kind, including non-infringement or ownership. You, not Apple, are responsible for your use of the Image. Any misuse of the Image or breach of this Agreement will cause Apple irreparable harm. Apple is either an owner or licensee of the image, not an agent for the owner. We understand that you will give our company a credit line as follows: "Courtesy of Apple " and also credit the photographer if noted.

I have read and understand, and agree to, the Image Usage Agreement.
(Image will immediately begin download)

I disagree and would like to return to the Apple PR site.

--
Re:For those not using Macs... by bbdd · 2004-09-22 18:33 · Score: 4, Funny

i found that winzip de-compresses it as well.

funny thing is that the compressed .hqx file is 10,316 KB, but the decompressed .tif file is 7,582 KB.

as the new G5 suggests, those apple folks are sure good at packing a lot of hardware into a tight space. but looks like they still need some help packing the software...
G5 is aliiiive by jupo · 2004-09-22 18:34 · Score: 3, Funny

No disassemble G5, NOOOO!!!!

--
Me I'm a maker, mostly of axioms.
Re:For those not using Macs... by 706GL · 2004-09-22 18:38 · Score: 3, Interesting

I have no idea how, but Firefox took care of it for me when I downloaded it. After downloading it, it had the name 04imac_inside.tif.hqx.tiff and it opened fine.

--
...
Re:For those not using Macs... by Phroggy · 2004-09-22 18:38 · Score: 5, Informative

and for those not using windows and winzip?

StuffIt Expander is available for Linux/x86, Solaris/Sparc and Solaris/x86.

--
$x='S24;r)>63/* h@<5+oZ)32"5cz';$me='phroggy'x$];
$x=~y+ -xz+\0-Tx+;print$_^chop$me for split'',$x;
Taking apart by philoticjane · 2004-09-22 18:41 · Score: 5, Interesting

I took apart a 20" iMac G5 today. It took 45 minutes to take it 100% apart (well, at least 100% as far as under warranty replacement parts are concerned) and put it back together.

Easy as pie, as long as you don't strip the screws like an idiot.

Plus, the midplane isn't very heavy or awkward at all, I'm not a burly geek girl, and I could handle it all by me onesy.

--
Cthulu saves... in case he gets hungry later.
::helping geeks get laid since 1983::
iMac G5 Diagnostics by SeaFox · 2004-09-22 18:41 · Score: 4, Informative

Does anyone else find the iMac diagnostic page's instructions a little interesting?

If you follow the instructions exactly as specified, nobody is going to be able to diagnose their iMac.

It says in step one to turn off the machine and remove all cables. Then in step seven it describes how to read the status LED's. The problem is the instructions never tell you to plug the computer back in and turn it on while it is open, so none of the LED's are going to function.
1. Re:iMac G5 Diagnostics by CountBrass · 2004-09-22 19:04 · Score: 4, Funny
  
  Why can't we mod posts stupid?
  
  Lucky for you we can't.
  
  --
  Bad analogies are like waxing a monkey with a rainbow.
Haiku Porn by andy55 · 2004-09-22 18:41 · Score: 5, Funny

"They say porn!", I shout.
Only circuit boards I see.
But wait, slot loading?

--
G-Force music visualization
Why were you surprised at the porn heading? by commodoresloat · 2004-09-22 18:42 · Score: 3, Funny

This is what you wrote:
But carrying on looking at the box, it seems very tightly fitted.... I wish the guy could show some more important images ... like how well it sucks .... But definately a nice thin client is very appreciated.... my sweaty feet... I give it 4 out of 5. ...sweaty feet ... ass. But thin clients are the way to go for the home. So much easier to move around and easy ... to knock [up]. :)
Re:For those not using Macs... by Anonymous Coward · 2004-09-22 18:46 · Score: 5, Informative

The point of hqx isn't compression.

hqx does two things. First, it allows the resource fork of a file to be transported along with the data fork (remember that all Mac files can potentially appear as two files to the file system). Second, it then allows for the resulting mess to be sent over systems that can only handle the low 7-bits of a byte.

Think of it as a way to uuencode two files into one.

I'm so happy I'm using Linux today.
Forget diagnostics...Apple to the Rescue! by flaneur · 2004-09-22 18:50 · Score: 5, Funny

LED diagnostics? That's way too complicated...

I think THIS Apple tech note is much more helpful.

Thanks for the tip!
Re:That is fucking cool by System.out.println() · 2004-09-22 18:56 · Score: 3, Insightful

Ok, let's turn the 17-inch iMac into a laptop. First, the thing weighs 18.5 pounds, compared to the already weighty Powerbook G4 at 6.9 pounds. Second, the iMac's weight is entirely in the screen - assuming you'd want to put it on your lap, it would fall over backwards. Third, it would be hideously un-portable as the computer is bigger even than the 17" screen (note the chunk at the bottom). Throw in a battery of some sort and you've got either a 30-minute laptop or a 3-inch, 25 pound machine.

Yes, that's a 'no'. I want a G5 laptop too, but turning an iMac into one is far from a good idea.

--
I've got more mod points and GMail invi
Re:Another limitation by Anonymous Coward · 2004-09-22 19:06 · Score: 3, Interesting

Yes, there's only one HDD, but it's actually not that big of a deal since the iMac ships with USB 2.0 and Firewire 400 ports. Simply add an array of firewire drives if you need more storage. I personally have two 250MB LaCie D2 drives connected to my mac laptop via firewire and it's an ideal solution an extremely convenient. Yeah, it may add to desktop clutter, but the iMac has an extremely small footprint so it's not a huge deal.

I do, however agree with you on the GPU. If it were upgradeable, it would be okay, but since it's soldered to the logic board, Apple should have at least thrown in an ATI 9600XT or even a 9700/9800 Mobility if heat were an issue. I know I'm dreaming, but I keep hoping the next iMac will feature the new mini PCI-e slots ATI and NVidia are developing... As for people recommending Macs for hardcore gaming, I really don't know who you talk to. Most avid mac fans would probably say that gaming is adequate, but if you're a hardcore gamer you'd be better off buying a console or designated PC since it takes forever to get games ported.
When will we... by KitFox · 2004-09-22 19:09 · Score: 4, Interesting

Combine a G5 type thing with a Wacom Cinteq so that we can have some seriously scary tablet computer stuff for artists? I mean, the G5 is almost completely a Tablet computer, it just lacks a way to point directly at the screen. So why not do overkill? The only problem is that if you straight out combine the prices, it gets pretty sick.

--
@Whee
Cruel? by Pan+T.+Hose · 2004-09-22 19:16 · Score: 5, Interesting

Putting the word "Porn" in the headline when no actual pr0n is involved is just CRUEL.

This is not only cruel but also quite dangerous as it has just caused Slashdot to be firewalled here in my lab. Not that it would be a bad idea productivity-wise... Maybe whitelisting it wasn't so good idea after all.

--
Sincerely,
Pan Tarhei Hosé, PhD.
"Homo sum et cogito ergo odi profanum vulgus et libido."
Re: Coral CDN by Omniscient+Ferret · 2004-09-22 19:36 · Score: 3, Funny

Technically, Akamai has more bandwidth than Jesus.

Really? What does Jesus have?
Re:Pomp and circumstance... by ender81b · 2004-09-22 19:39 · Score: 4, Interesting

While they aren't the first in alot of things they are usually the first to perfect a concept, or make it usable to the vast majority of people.

Por ejemplo, these all-in-ones have been around for a few years. They have also universally sucked. We got a chance to demo two models (one from Omnitech now MPC and another from Gateway) back in June. Each one was nearly 40 pounds. They were *beasts*. Each was constructed mainly of plastic and felt very flimsey - the gateway model had a few little plastic panels that fell off while we were demoing it (yeah, we're gonna buy this for University students to use...). In addition, each one had a - basically - notebook cdrom drive with a tray. Ever try putting a cd in a tray that's sideways? It sucks. Apple realized this and came out with the nice slot loading concept. There were also a lot of little things wrong with them (buttons placed on the front that weren't very easy to read at a distance, ports on 3 sides left, right, front, etc).

Basically every single thing wrong with the all-in-ones we demo'd apple fixed. *Directly because of this* for the first time in forever we are going to add apple's to our public rotation of computers. Good job apple!
Parts left over? by panda+attack · 2004-09-22 19:39 · Score: 3, Funny

Question is how many bits did he have left over when he put it back together?

You always end up with a few spare widgets, I think they put them in just to confuse you.
Re:Flamebait my ass by CountBrass · 2004-09-22 19:51 · Score: 4, Insightful

Personally I think you're talking out of your arse.
Sure some iMacs are probably bought to pretty up a reception area. But most are bought by people who want: A Unix-like with a usable GUI, a computer that just works, a computer that does take hours of frustrating effort just to plug in a standard peripheral, etc etc etc.
If you don't want to pay for an Apple, fine stick with your Dell. I decided not to have a Porsche Boxster as my company car (yes, I really had that option) I decided to have extra cash and a Ford Focus. But you don't hear me bitching about how a Boxster is overpriced because it has a pretty engine (it has).

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Bad analogies are like waxing a monkey with a rainbow.
Re:Another limitation by serviscope_minor · 2004-09-22 19:51 · Score: 4, Informative

Is it just me, or does that thing only take 1 HDD? If this is the case, how do you upgrade?

1 connect a USB or FireWire drive.
2 Go out on a limb and *replace* it.

Seems like in some ways, Apple clearly favours form over function.

In some maybe, but not all. Form _is_ function in other ways. The iMac is quite and requires a small amount of space. That is being functional without intrusive.

My current, beige-box PC has 4 hard drives... if I run out of space, I just slap in a new one for $50-$200 depending on what size I need and how rich I am. As far as I can see, if you run out of space on the G5 iMac, you have to buy a new iMac or at least replace your hard disk with a new one.

1 Your beige box is noisier, takes up a lot more space and probably has a rats-next of wires coming out the back.
2 4 Hard drives ?! That must be noisy as sin. I used to have 3 and that was bad enough.
3 Well, you can just slap in a new one too, as long as you "slap out" the old one first. So, your point is...?

But the 5200 is not exactly a sizzling card. Meybe that's why they chose it -- for thermal reasons.

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SJW n. One who posts facts.
Re:That is fucking cool by CountBrass · 2004-09-22 20:05 · Score: 3, Interesting
"good" and "dell" in the same sentence? What are you smoking?
I'm typing this on my work Dell Latitude (yes they put a gun to my head:( ) and let's see:
- Work Dell: the case is super-cheap plastic;
- My Powerbook: shiney aluminium.
- Work Dell: Cheap keyboard that flexes.
- My PB: Metal keyboard that does not flex.
- Work Dell: Comes complete with not 1, not 2, not even 3 but 4 mouse buttons. Well 2 pairs of 2 really. One with the nipple and the other with the trackpad.
- My Apple: only comes with a trackpad and one mouse button (wait for it...)
- Work Dell: Of the 4 mouse buttons NONE work reliably (2 don't work at all). The nipple is unreliable to the point of being unusable. The track pad works but is small and cramped.
- My PB: Trackpad works flawlessly, every single time, and so does the button.
- Work Dell: Bluetooth radio: doesn't work. At all. With any of my BT devices.
- My PB: Bluetooth works seamlessly with all my BT devices including my MS mouse & P900.
- Work Dell: Comes with XP. worst. operating. system. ever. (yes I think it's worse than ME).
- My PB: Comes with OSX. best. operating. system. ever.
So you can understand why I laugh in the face of anyone that describes any consumer computer made by Dell as good. They're not. They are the epitome of why Wintel PCs are shit.
--
Bad analogies are like waxing a monkey with a rainbow.
Re:Important Part of Aesthetics by CountBrass · 2004-09-22 20:15 · Score: 4, Informative

It's literally quieter than a whisper. All those fans are there so that the Mac can turn on only the ones it needs for the bits that need cooling at that moment. The PowerMacs have something similar (although on mine it's spoilt by the crappy, loud fan on the 9800pro video card.)

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Bad analogies are like waxing a monkey with a rainbow.
Messianic Connectivity by Farley+Mullet · 2004-09-22 20:19 · Score: 5, Funny

[Apple's] got more bandwidth than Jesus.

Unlike Xerox, GE, IBM, Ford Motors, Halliburton (what the fuck?) and, yes, Apple, Jesus doesn't have a Class A NetBlock. Plus, alongside seemingly half of the Fortune 500, Apple has it's backend provided by Akamai, and frankly, that sort of setup wouldn't ever need resurrection, because it'd never go down.

However, Jesus does have the edge in RFC 2629: Delivery of Packets via Archangel and Shepherd.
Photo of the 20 inch version here. by Amiga+Lover · 2004-09-22 20:24 · Score: 5, Informative

I've seen many photos of the 17" iMac, from Apple's own documentation (the 10MB tiff) to some other disassemblies, but This spymac image is a picture of the insides of the 20" version.

The fans are laid out differently, the HD and inverter in a slightly different position, and looks like there would be room for a dual CPU if apple were so inclined.
Rackmount this by Arcady13 · 2004-09-22 21:11 · Score: 3, Interesting

This looks like a great form factor motherboard to place in a nice 1U rack. It would make a great entry-level server. If you get rid of the LCD, there would be plenty of room to fit it all in. The only thing that would need work is the ports which would end up facing the top, but that could be solved with right-angle connectors that run to a new backplate.
If anyone at Marathon is listening, I'd buy a rack kit in 2 seconds. Include a power supply to install in the iMac case and power the LCD, plus add a DVI port, and you end up with a great rackmounted Mac and a nice display to use on some other Mac.
I wonder if I can order all the parts except the case and LCD, and get the computer cheaper that way. Probably not.
Re:Geforce FX 5200 Ultra? by cgadd · 2004-09-22 21:29 · Score: 5, Interesting

I wasn't trolling, just very suprised that a machine that looks like it's intended to be fairly high-end would use a very weak video processor....

The Geforce FX 5200 processors, while supporting the latest features, are slower than the previous generation Geforce Ti4200. Lots of people in the PC world were suckered into buying a 5200 based card in the recent doom upgrade craze, only to find out that they are amazingly slow.

I guess any comment that points out a shortcoming must automatically be a troll.....
Re: Coral CDN by NoMaster · 2004-09-22 21:32 · Score: 3, Funny

Technically, Akamai has more bandwidth than Jesus.

Really? What does Jesus have?
More importantly, what would he do with it?

--
What part of "a well regulated militia" do you not understand?
A theory as to why it's BinHex-ed.... by edw · 2004-09-22 21:52 · Score: 5, Interesting

You're right. BinHex II (.hqx) is a format from the early days of the net and online services. Back when people would e-mail programs to a repository, get them through FTP-mail getways, or using Kermit. In this case, as someone else noted, all you're getting is the file meta-data, including icon.

The file was probably made available as a .hqx simply because its intended use is to be downloaded and used in Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, Freehand, Quark, or other design tool. Making it an .hqx file has the virtue of making it go to your hard drive, not perhaps a browser window. As a son-in-law of a graphic designer, I can say that the overhead of the BinHexing the file is more than worth not having to explain how to save an image in a browser window, especially if a designer's browser shows nothing but a broken image icon, because it can't display TIFFs.

Dragging and dropping as well as right- or control-clicking are, sadly, not techniques used extensively by many people. Of course a designer is dragging and dropping all the time in e.g. Illustrator or Photoshop, but the idea that you can drag a picture from a browser window to your desktop or to a folder can be mind blowing.
So tiny, what is there to see ? by billcopc · 2004-09-22 22:05 · Score: 3, Interesting

I just "accidentally" visited the apple wwwstore a few days ago and needed all of my restraint to not call Visa and extend my credit a couple G's :) Those tiny G5's are damn sexy, and if they didn't cost so much I think I'd crack one open as well. I have a hunch they're using notebook technology in there. Heck, my P4 notebook is bigger than this G5 =)

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-Billco, Fnarg.com
Re:Pomp and circumstance... by Udo+Schmitz · 2004-09-22 22:57 · Score: 3, Informative

Por ejemplo, these all-in-ones have been around for a few years. They have also universally sucked. We got a chance to demo two models (one from Omnitech now MPC and another from Gateway) back in June. Each one was nearly 40 pounds. They were *beasts*.
For everyone to compare here are pics of an iMac G5 and a Sony Vaio all-in-one:
http://www.macbase.de/Xchange/vaio_vs_imacg5.jpg
From a site called Sonystyle:
http://www.sonystyle.com/intershoproot/eCS/Store/e n/imagesProducts/MoreImages/PCVV100G_4.jpg
And a sideway tray-loading CD-ROM:
http://www.sonystyle.com/intershoproot/eCS/Store/e n/imagesProducts/MoreImages/PCVV100G_7.jpg
Porn. Porn?! by ayeco · 2004-09-23 00:14 · Score: 3, Insightful

Poor use of the word. How silly. What is this, Fark? Surely you geeks could come up with a better headline / summary.

Main Entry: pornography
Function: noun
Etymology: Greek pornographos, adjective, writing about prostitutes, from pornE prostitute + graphein to write; akin to Greek pernanai to sell, poros journey -- more at FARE, CARVE
1 : the depiction of erotic behavior (as in pictures or writing) intended to cause sexual excitement
2 : material (as books or a photograph) that depicts erotic behavior and is intended to cause sexual excitement
3 : the depiction of acts in a sensational manner so as to arouse a quick intense emotional reaction
- pornographic /"por-n&-'gra-fik/ adjective
- pornographically /-fi-k(&-)lE/ adverb
Re:porn roundup by magarity · 2004-09-23 02:14 · Score: 3, Informative

Duh, people porn is people with their covers removed. Computer porn, in this case iMac porn, is a computer with its cover removed. This should be stunningly obvious. Please feel free to think before posting for a change.
Re:Flamebait my ass by Trespass · 2004-09-23 02:21 · Score: 5, Funny

"What sort of fool chooses a Focus instead of a Boxster?"

One with a functioning penis and a full head of hair?
Re:Flamebait my ass by Rasta+Prefect · 2004-09-23 02:24 · Score: 4, Insightful

Sure some iMacs are probably bought to pretty up a reception area. But most are bought by people who want: A Unix-like with a usable GUI, a computer that just works, a computer that does take hours of frustrating effort just to plug in a standard peripheral, etc etc etc.

As someone who spends a most of his time supporting Macs (College thats all-Mac for faculty and staff) I have to disagree. The majority of Macs are bought by people who have always bought Macs and aren't going to buy anything else, damnit. That said, I'd say that their _new_ market growth is about half techies who like OS X and about half artistically oriented types who like the new look. (Based totally on my personal experience)

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Why?
NeXTstation still beats them all by green+pizza · 2004-09-23 02:27 · Score: 3, Interesting

The NeXTstation slab was built with the precision of a swiss watch and the strength of a bulldozer. The 4 screws were just about perfect -- they kept tool-less folks from poking around inside, and the prevented the need for cheap "easy to use" latches and such.

Still, my favorite part of the NeXTstation was the airflow design. Air was pulled in through a row of holes across the top of the rear of the case, flowed past the CPU heatsink, pushed out via a downward-facing fan near the front of the case, then back under the case past the power supply heatsink, and finally out the lower left rear of the case.

The NeXT keys and mouse were awesome too -- control key where it belongs, no traditional "caps lock" key. Full size power, brightness, and audio keys above the arrow keys. And the best part? The keyboard and mouse were surrounded by a thin rubber bumper to muffle any plastic "clump" sound that would otherwise be made if the mouse were to bump into the keyboard.

Oh, and the price matched the engineering! :)
Actually... by MachineShedFred · 2004-09-23 02:32 · Score: 3, Interesting

While I see where you are coming from on this (I build every non-Apple box I use), some of the perception probably comes from the software that they run.

For example, I've had this PowerBook for two years, and I've had to reinstall the Mac OS once and that's only because I wanted to start fresh... there was nothing wrong with it.

However, the reference-platform dual Xeon workstation that I have in my home office has had four reinstalls of Windows 2000 and XP during the same time period, due to irrecoverable failures of the OS.

With that track record, I would say that my Mac lasts for a long time, where the x86 box fails sooner.

However, if I mix in Linux on that x86 box, we're in a whole new ballpark...

--
Slashdot still doesnâ(TM)t support Unicode after it was added to the HTML standard in 1997.
Re:porn roundup by TheGatekeeper · 2004-09-23 02:36 · Score: 4, Interesting

I dunno, I always thought of computers and people with their covers removed as simply being 'in the nude', and it's not actually 'ponr' per se, unless of course the subject is turned on at the time.

This leads to the dubious example of situations in which the subject is likely not actually turned on, but made to appear so in order to increase the appeal of the picture.

Granted the line between nudity and porn is a thin one, and in America one might construe mere nudity as porn, but in more progressive nations actual Software EXchange has to be taking place to be classified as pornographic.

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'The staff in the hand of a wizard may be more than a prop for age,' -Hamá, the doorward
Re:porn roundup by LikelyStory · 2004-09-23 02:51 · Score: 5, Insightful

For probly the best example of what inspired the "porn" moniker, see http://www.billnoll.com/g5/

This guy's "photo essay" of his then-new cheesegrater G5 borders on the obsessive. He's a pro photographer, so...

For the flavor, his opening caption reads:
"If beauty is only skin deep, nobody told the industrial designers at Apple - the new Power Mac G5 is stunningly gorgeous - both inside and out. I used a Sony DSC-F717, handheld with available light, to capture the metallic textures and elegant curves...."

Actually, some nice shots!
warranty, schmarranty... by capsteve · 2004-09-23 03:22 · Score: 3, Insightful

you all noticed kodawarisan is japanese, and fearlessly, he tore into his brand new imac g5, without a care for the warranty...

culturally, the japanese have a fetish for "brand new" things (a.k.a. atarashii), so breaking the "seal" on a new product, even if it voids the warranty, is not a threat. the worry is to be embarrassed by having old things, almost counter to american ideology that old/vintage is cool... to the japanese old/vintage is shameful and embarrassing, not to be flaunted at all.

kodawarisan will probably get new imac in the next 12 months.

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three can keep a secret, if two are dead - benjamin franklin
Re:porn roundup by d474 · 2004-09-23 03:53 · Score: 4, Funny

Porn? It's more like Surgery, I think.

Porn is like when the CD tray "ejects" a CD in your girlfriends face, or you "insert" a 3.5"er firmly into the warm, purring disc drive.

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Authority questions you. Return the favor.
Stupid? by Cloud+K · 2004-09-23 10:28 · Score: 3, Insightful

"Apparently someone who has already recieved their iMac G5 has decided to take it apart. Stupid if only for the fact that he's just voided his warranty."

What kind of attitude is that for Slashdot?! The first thing *any* true geek does with a new piece of electronics like that, regardless of warranty or expense, is take the thing apart and take a look around!

Tsch, kids nowadays. Don't even know they're born!