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I live the digital lifestyle in my home, with over eight networked computers, a wireless hub that allows me to work from the backyard and over eight remote controls just for the television. We also have very modern taste in furniture with lots of glass, stainless steel and leather. We could certainly integrate the new iMac G5 with its clean design into our living room. But the designers were trying to make it functional as well. Apple has always designed beautiful machines, and the new G5 lives up to company's reputation for clean, minimalist design.
Re: iMac G5: Has Apple Lost its Design Edge?
Posted by: Meloman 2004-09-11 19:35:24 In reply to: Mary Enderle
The iMac G5 doesn't look tippy to me. The power supply is the heaviest part and is situated below the screen and behind the so-called "useless white area". The center of gravitity is low enough so that its not tippy at all.
If Apple had put the power supply behind the screen like some people seem to want, not only the iMac would have been much ticker, but the center of gravity would end up being too high so it -would- have been tippy.
Anyway I'm sure 3rd parties will have wonderfull things to do with the unused surface, unlike the G4 iMac which had a much bigger useless white surface that couldn't be used because it was curved.
If Apple had put the power supply behind the screen like some people seem to want, not only the iMac would have been much ticker, but the center of gravity would end up being too high so it -would- have been tippy.
Anyway I'm sure 3rd parties will have wonderfull things to do with the unused surface, unlike the G4 iMac which had a much bigger useless white surface that couldn't be used because it was curved.
Several baseless observations in this review...
Posted by: dvh 2004-09-10 20:04:47 In reply to: Mary Enderle
I'm sorry - but has the author really done her homework before writing this article? Has she seen the new iMac in person? Has she physically tested it's stability? Has she read the MacWorld interview with Apple V.P. Greg Joswiak which describes the design of the mounting arm and how it mounts at the center of gravity of the iMac? There's no reason to believe it will be any more or less stable than Apple's new cinema displays - which I have not read a single stability complaint about.
I completely don't understand the "lack of built-in wireless networking" comment. It's there, an internal add-on for those who want it. Airport Extreme is simple BTO or user-installed option.
I don't understand the "you can't raise and lower the screen" comment. It tilts from -5 to +25 degrees. If you wish you can add a VESA mount & arm which gives all the flexibility of the G4 iMac and more.
I don't understand the "poorly thought out" & "rushed" comments. Apple puts more thought & packaging design into it's products than almost any other company. When you read about and try to understand the design you'll appreciate that it's very very well engineered. The white area below the display is there for a reason, the I/O ports are located where they are for a reason, etc. And it's Apple's most user-servicable iMac yet.
I don't understand the "should remain attractive when fully configured" comment. The exterior of the iMac doesn't change one iota fully configured. The only change when configured may be I/O cables any PC has. This is strictly an issue of running the cabling neatly. If you just let the cables hang - it will look like a rat's nest. If you take the time to dress the cabling neatly through the hole/guide in the base - it should look acceptable. This is sort of like complaining that the tires on a car ruin it's aesthetics.
Fortunately user polls indicate about 90% of Mac users like the new design. Those who don't may have legitimate complaints and are the typical vocal minority. The G5 iMac is already the #1 seller at the Apple store. I bet it will outsell both previous iMacs and bring more happy users into the Mac family.
I completely don't understand the "lack of built-in wireless networking" comment. It's there, an internal add-on for those who want it. Airport Extreme is simple BTO or user-installed option.
I don't understand the "you can't raise and lower the screen" comment. It tilts from -5 to +25 degrees. If you wish you can add a VESA mount & arm which gives all the flexibility of the G4 iMac and more.
I don't understand the "poorly thought out" & "rushed" comments. Apple puts more thought & packaging design into it's products than almost any other company. When you read about and try to understand the design you'll appreciate that it's very very well engineered. The white area below the display is there for a reason, the I/O ports are located where they are for a reason, etc. And it's Apple's most user-servicable iMac yet.
I don't understand the "should remain attractive when fully configured" comment. The exterior of the iMac doesn't change one iota fully configured. The only change when configured may be I/O cables any PC has. This is strictly an issue of running the cabling neatly. If you just let the cables hang - it will look like a rat's nest. If you take the time to dress the cabling neatly through the hole/guide in the base - it should look acceptable. This is sort of like complaining that the tires on a car ruin it's aesthetics.
Fortunately user polls indicate about 90% of Mac users like the new design. Those who don't may have legitimate complaints and are the typical vocal minority. The G5 iMac is already the #1 seller at the Apple store. I bet it will outsell both previous iMacs and bring more happy users into the Mac family.
Re: iMac G5: Has Apple Lost its Design Edge?
Posted by: davidlawless 2004-09-10 17:25:38 In reply to: Mary Enderle
Have you actually tested the G5 iMac and used it? It doesn't indicate in the article that you have one for testing, so I'm assuming you don't (and I haven't seen an actual one, either).
1) If you don't have one, than your comments about the base are premature at the least.
2) The base has a hole in it for the threading of all cables. While this doesn't eliminate the clutter totally, it should reduce the clutter substantially ESPECIALLY if you use the OPTIONAL wireless keyboard and mouse (No, Mary, they ARE NOT standard, a simple glance at the Apple Store would tell you that).
3) Wireless networking is easily added and I agree with Apple's decision not to include it as standard (lot's of people wouldn't use it and for those who would it's easily added).
I think you should do a little more fact checking before you start spouting your opinion as facts...
1) If you don't have one, than your comments about the base are premature at the least.
2) The base has a hole in it for the threading of all cables. While this doesn't eliminate the clutter totally, it should reduce the clutter substantially ESPECIALLY if you use the OPTIONAL wireless keyboard and mouse (No, Mary, they ARE NOT standard, a simple glance at the Apple Store would tell you that).
3) Wireless networking is easily added and I agree with Apple's decision not to include it as standard (lot's of people wouldn't use it and for those who would it's easily added).
I think you should do a little more fact checking before you start spouting your opinion as facts...
Re: iMac G5: Has Apple Lost its Design Edge?
Posted by: Sloets 2004-09-10 15:24:08 In reply to: Mary Enderle
Did Mary do any research before writing this article?
>
-It LOOKS tippy so it's a risk to her data. - Obviously she has not seen one in person.
>
-Since the CPU is built into the the screen the centre of gravity is raised. - Umm, no. More mass means heavier, not higher centre of gravity. A greater PROPORTION of mass higher up would mean higher centre of gravity. Where are the specs to show this to be true?
>
-You can't raise and lower the screen which is against the rules in Europe. - Did I miss something? Besides the G4 iMac, how many screens can be moved up and down? I haven't seen that v or w series Sony in person, but unless there is some hidden hydraulic system on-board, it can't move up and down either. Geeesh, I thought the tilt feature would be fine for most people ... even Europeans.
>
-She don't watch TV on her computer but the iMac needs this feature. - Logic, anyone??
>
-It bothers her A LOT that there is no built in networking. - It'll make her REALLY HAPPY then to just add BUILT-IN Airport Extreme and Bluetooth for the extra $130.
>
-"There is virtually no way to use it networked with out adding something that breaks the clean lines." - er, umm, see above. If ethernet is desired, just feed it through the little hole in the stand - no clean lines broken. Was that so difficult?
>
-The ports on the back of the computer break the clean lines. - What about the Sony? You prefer the ports to stick out of the side??? In my opinion if you're worried about clean lines then it's not ideal to have cables sticking out from the side and hanging down.
>
>
What happened with this article? There must have been some sort of major time crunch for getting it on-line. - not enough time to think before typing.
>
-It LOOKS tippy so it's a risk to her data. - Obviously she has not seen one in person.
>
-Since the CPU is built into the the screen the centre of gravity is raised. - Umm, no. More mass means heavier, not higher centre of gravity. A greater PROPORTION of mass higher up would mean higher centre of gravity. Where are the specs to show this to be true?
>
-You can't raise and lower the screen which is against the rules in Europe. - Did I miss something? Besides the G4 iMac, how many screens can be moved up and down? I haven't seen that v or w series Sony in person, but unless there is some hidden hydraulic system on-board, it can't move up and down either. Geeesh, I thought the tilt feature would be fine for most people ... even Europeans.
>
-She don't watch TV on her computer but the iMac needs this feature. - Logic, anyone??
>
-It bothers her A LOT that there is no built in networking. - It'll make her REALLY HAPPY then to just add BUILT-IN Airport Extreme and Bluetooth for the extra $130.
>
-"There is virtually no way to use it networked with out adding something that breaks the clean lines." - er, umm, see above. If ethernet is desired, just feed it through the little hole in the stand - no clean lines broken. Was that so difficult?
>
-The ports on the back of the computer break the clean lines. - What about the Sony? You prefer the ports to stick out of the side??? In my opinion if you're worried about clean lines then it's not ideal to have cables sticking out from the side and hanging down.
>
>
What happened with this article? There must have been some sort of major time crunch for getting it on-line. - not enough time to think before typing.
Re: iMac G5: Has Apple Lost its Design Edge?
Posted by: MacVet 2004-09-10 12:42:15 In reply to: Mary Enderle
This seems like the typical (expected) anti-Apple drivel from "The Endele Group."
Strawman Arguments and Failure of Imagination
Posted by: Kmark 2004-09-10 12:24:23 In reply to: Mary Enderle
Your article puts up strawmen (not real) arguments about the iMac. Let me answer each of your main points:
1. The iMac is not an iPod accessory.
Did Apple say it was an iPod accessory? You asserted that. Apple only said at the Expo and in the video that it has a similar design genesis and creator as the iPod leading to the same clean-minimalist, functional, easy-to-use design as the iPod.
2. The iMac doesn't include TV capabilities, but "we don't watch much TV on the Sony either."
When even someone with very modern taste doesn't use their computer as a TV, then there's no need to say more.
3. The iMac design seems top-heavy, so I might ruin my hard drive and lose my data if it gets knocked over.
First, I think you haven't seen one or touched one, so you're purely speculating. Regardless, if you've seen Apple's Cinema Displays, you would know that its base weighs much more than the LCD, thus creating a very solid platform. I'm sure that is the case here even with the extra 6 or 7 pounds for the "PC functionality." Also, hard drives these days are pretty good even when being moved or bounced; you know, like the ones in laptops and tablets; Scoble says we can walk and write at the same time - seems there is some bouncing going on if we're doing that!
4. The iMac lacks built-in wireless networking which causes its clean lines to be ruined by cables. The ports would be better on the floor or on the base.
Apple didn't make wireless networking a part of the standard configuration but you can easily add WiFi and Bluetooth with a couple of check marks at the Apple store. The WiFi antenna is already built-in.
In any case, if you connect cables to all the ports, clip them together (20 cents), and run them across the back and through the hole in the base, they can run straight back to the wall and under the table and down to the floor if that's where you like them. You could even put them all in a pretty white minimalist sleeve and leave it on the table. (I would rather my iPod dock be on the table rather than put my good-looking iPod on the floor. And it would be more accessible too!) And you wouldn't see them at all. Sounds more like a "failure of imagination" on your part. I'm sure many innovative companies will have products available to make it all look pretty. And going from pretty to functional, I haven't even mentioned that the whole iMac can be removed from its base and attached to a wall or a swing arm (with all the cables running through the swing arm). And if the ports were in the base, there would be a big problem with disconnecting the base, wouldn't it?
5. The iMac can't raise and lower the screen.
Umm, how many CRTs allowed you to do that? And very few LCDs allow that as well. And couldn't you just adjust your desk or your chair? Steelcase and HermanMiller makes some very modern, leather, and adjustable-in-200-ways chairs.
6. And finally, the iMac is not attractive when fully configured.
Well, fully configured with what? Fully configured could mean adding WiFi and Bluetooth - looks attractive to me! Or fully configured could mean adding pretty USB hubs and Firewire docks (iPod!) and hard drives at the end of those sleeved cables (since I'm sure you know that USB and Firewire aren't wireless just yet for any computer even the Sony).
So without looking at the Sony, you've thrown up some strawman arguments against the iMac; tossed up, just to be shot down. Come up with some real ones for your next article; I can think of at least one about the iMac but I'm not telling you.
1. The iMac is not an iPod accessory.
Did Apple say it was an iPod accessory? You asserted that. Apple only said at the Expo and in the video that it has a similar design genesis and creator as the iPod leading to the same clean-minimalist, functional, easy-to-use design as the iPod.
2. The iMac doesn't include TV capabilities, but "we don't watch much TV on the Sony either."
When even someone with very modern taste doesn't use their computer as a TV, then there's no need to say more.
3. The iMac design seems top-heavy, so I might ruin my hard drive and lose my data if it gets knocked over.
First, I think you haven't seen one or touched one, so you're purely speculating. Regardless, if you've seen Apple's Cinema Displays, you would know that its base weighs much more than the LCD, thus creating a very solid platform. I'm sure that is the case here even with the extra 6 or 7 pounds for the "PC functionality." Also, hard drives these days are pretty good even when being moved or bounced; you know, like the ones in laptops and tablets; Scoble says we can walk and write at the same time - seems there is some bouncing going on if we're doing that!
4. The iMac lacks built-in wireless networking which causes its clean lines to be ruined by cables. The ports would be better on the floor or on the base.
Apple didn't make wireless networking a part of the standard configuration but you can easily add WiFi and Bluetooth with a couple of check marks at the Apple store. The WiFi antenna is already built-in.
In any case, if you connect cables to all the ports, clip them together (20 cents), and run them across the back and through the hole in the base, they can run straight back to the wall and under the table and down to the floor if that's where you like them. You could even put them all in a pretty white minimalist sleeve and leave it on the table. (I would rather my iPod dock be on the table rather than put my good-looking iPod on the floor. And it would be more accessible too!) And you wouldn't see them at all. Sounds more like a "failure of imagination" on your part. I'm sure many innovative companies will have products available to make it all look pretty. And going from pretty to functional, I haven't even mentioned that the whole iMac can be removed from its base and attached to a wall or a swing arm (with all the cables running through the swing arm). And if the ports were in the base, there would be a big problem with disconnecting the base, wouldn't it?
5. The iMac can't raise and lower the screen.
Umm, how many CRTs allowed you to do that? And very few LCDs allow that as well. And couldn't you just adjust your desk or your chair? Steelcase and HermanMiller makes some very modern, leather, and adjustable-in-200-ways chairs.
6. And finally, the iMac is not attractive when fully configured.
Well, fully configured with what? Fully configured could mean adding WiFi and Bluetooth - looks attractive to me! Or fully configured could mean adding pretty USB hubs and Firewire docks (iPod!) and hard drives at the end of those sleeved cables (since I'm sure you know that USB and Firewire aren't wireless just yet for any computer even the Sony).
So without looking at the Sony, you've thrown up some strawman arguments against the iMac; tossed up, just to be shot down. Come up with some real ones for your next article; I can think of at least one about the iMac but I'm not telling you.
Re: iMac G5: Has Apple Lost its Design Edge?
Posted by: znosko 2004-09-10 11:11:00 In reply to: Mary Enderle
I've seen the Sony line, and you clearly haven't a clue as to what you speak of.
Let's compare the new iMac to the V line. The V line has a big bulbous bottom. It has a smaller screen. It has integrated video with only 32 megs of shared memory. It lacks iLife. It lacks 64-bit processing. Ok, fine, the iMac lacks a TV tuner, but I, for one, don't really want one. And for this clearly inferior, design-challenged machine (the V line), you will pay $200 more than the 17", superdrive-enabled iMac. Or $150 if you bump the iMac up to 512 megs memory like the V Line. Or $50 if you bump up the memory AND buy a 250 gig replacement hard drive from Fry's that will provide almost double the capacity of the V line and can be easily user-installed in the iMac.
As for the W line, the same problems apply except for screen size, for which you pay an additional $500 premium.
The G5 iMac lines are simpler and cleaner, and more importantly, the iMac packs way more computing punch per dollar. It is the hands-down, clear winner.
P.S.: As careful as Apple is in its design ideals, I doubt seriously that they would release a tippy computer. My guess is that the center of gravity of the machine was taken into account when the sytand was designed.
Let's compare the new iMac to the V line. The V line has a big bulbous bottom. It has a smaller screen. It has integrated video with only 32 megs of shared memory. It lacks iLife. It lacks 64-bit processing. Ok, fine, the iMac lacks a TV tuner, but I, for one, don't really want one. And for this clearly inferior, design-challenged machine (the V line), you will pay $200 more than the 17", superdrive-enabled iMac. Or $150 if you bump the iMac up to 512 megs memory like the V Line. Or $50 if you bump up the memory AND buy a 250 gig replacement hard drive from Fry's that will provide almost double the capacity of the V line and can be easily user-installed in the iMac.
As for the W line, the same problems apply except for screen size, for which you pay an additional $500 premium.
The G5 iMac lines are simpler and cleaner, and more importantly, the iMac packs way more computing punch per dollar. It is the hands-down, clear winner.
P.S.: As careful as Apple is in its design ideals, I doubt seriously that they would release a tippy computer. My guess is that the center of gravity of the machine was taken into account when the sytand was designed.
