iMacs Freshened with 2.0 GHz G5, Bluetooth, WiFi

amichalo writes "Apple has updated the popular consumer level Mac, the iMac G5. So better support the now standard Mac OS X Tiger, Apple has made significant improvements to all standard configurations including 512MB RAM, Radeon 9600 128MB graphics, and on 2.0 GHz models (17" and 20"), a slot-loading dual-layer 8x SuperDrive is standard. The 1.8 GHz 17" model includes a slot-loading Combo Drive. Also standard are Apple's AirPort Extreme 802.11g WiFi and Bluetooth. Pricing remains at $1300, $1500, and $1800 respectively for 1.8 GHz 17", 2.0 GHz 17", and 2.0 GHz 20", though 2.0 GHz models include additional upgraded features. These improvements are significant as this line has not seen a refresh in about a year and the upgrade to a Radeon 9600 graphics card will allow the new iMac to take better advantage of Tiger features such as Core Image, which is significant because the video card cannot be upgraded. Lastly, Apple is continuing the interactive chat and QuickTime support program for the iMac G5."

Comments

One significant thing about the iMac

[8127972]

is that it now comes with gigabit ethernet. It basically makes this machine usable in a variety of environments such as graphic arts and rich media where throwing around tons of data is a daily fact of life.

Re:One significant thing about the iMac

[Ubergrendle]

Given that a 9600 (not even a 9600 pro) is at least a generation behind in terms of graphics chipset, at the bottom of the line for that ATI generation, marketing this as a significantly upgraded video card would be a bit disingenious IMHO.

Apple may have upgraded the bundled videocard just on the basis of component availability/price point, but I doubt this is a significant selling feature.

Re:One significant thing about the iMac

[hunterx11]

Given that a 9600 (not even a 9600 pro) is at least a generation behind in terms of graphics chipset, at the bottom of the line for that ATI generation, marketing this as a significantly upgraded video card would be a bit disingenious IMHO.

You mean it's one generation behind the latest, which most people haven't adopted yet. As for bottom of the line, that's simply untrue--what's a Radeon 9200? This card isn't going to play Doom 3, but it's fine for what most computer users will be doing, and it certainly a welcome upgrade over the GeForce 5200 FX.

Re:One significant thing about the iMac

[Have Blue]

That is a valid point, but neither you nor your brother-in-law represent the average user. "Normal" people see computers as appliances; they don't know what a video card is or what Quartz 2D Extreme is or anything like that. To them, paying for a new computer that comes in a box and is easy to set up is far preferable to buying and installing a video card. And you can upgrade the memory and hard disk in all Macs.

Also, as a large number of people have pointed out, the low-end Power Mac now costs exactly the same as a midrange iMac, so you really can make a pure tradeoff between expandability and a free monitor.

looks like the end of the PowerMac

[jest3r]

Am I missing something or is the PowerMac severely under spec'd and overpriced compared to the new iMac? I mean the iMac even comes with a display. I really wish they would take a look at improving the PowerMacs price / performance. It is sad when the iMac outpowers the PowerMac and comes in at the same price even after the recent PowerMac updates. These are the latest specs from the Apple store:

iMac $1,499.00
17-inch widescreen LCD
2GHz PowerPC G5
667MHz frontside bus
512K L2 cache
512MB DDR400 SDRAM
160GB Serial ATA hard drive
Slot-load 8x SuperDrive (double-layer)
ATI Radeon 9600
128MB DDR video memory
56K internal modem

PowerMac $1,499.00
1.8GHz PowerPC G5
600MHz frontside bus
512K L2 cache
256MB DDR400 SDRAM
Expandable to 4GB SDRAM
80GB Serial ATA
8x SuperDrive
Three PCI Slots
NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200 Ultra
64MB DDR video memory
56K internal modem

What about DVI

[BibelBiber]

What about DVI? Is it now part of the iMac? This is my personal long awaited feature. Without DVI it's only half the fun. A second display is always a good thing.

Low level design flaws? Hold off buying.

[am46n]

Until today, the eMac G4 could outperform the iMac G5 due to some low level issues, see http://www.macintouch.com/perfpack/comparison.html .

If it hasn't been fixed, the eMac may still give better bang for buck. If this matters to you then hold off buying until you see an accurate performance comparison.

Re:don't forget the emac

[FidelCatsro]

Speaking as someone who got an emac last month i must say this , GAHHHH.

And does anyone have any info on if apple still runs an upgrade program(if it was bought just before a refresh , i think this one was purchased in february or so ) and how long before the refresh would count. I am going to dig around and call apple myself , but any insight would be much apreciated.

Must find a way...

[DoctorPepper]

To break existing 800 MHz iMacs! Those damn things just keep running!!! How is a self-respecting hardware junkie supposed to talk his wife into letting him purchase the latest and greatest from Apple, when they just keep working :-(

We have two matching 17" LCD, 800 MHz iMacs, purchased in November, 2002. They have run 24x7 since we purchased them, with the exception of the power outages caused by the hurricanes in September of 2004.

Re:game

[Perl-Pusher]

Funny, but I have both an iMac G5 and a PC. My two kids are always playing games on the PC. But when they do their homework it's on the Mac. One is in college and the other starts in the fall. I have asked both of them what computer do they want for school. They both wanted powerbooks, like mine. I talked to them about games, they said that their playstations are much better at gaming than either the Mac or the PC. So I guess a PC has alot of games, but to do real work it's best to have a Mac.