Real Kato Blog: Apple Watch: iMac G5!

Apple announced the iMac G5 at the Paris Apple Expo today.

Apple today introduced the iMac G5, as most of the Mac community predicted. In line with rumors, it's an all-in-one device, with the computer components mounted behind the flat-panel LCD screen. (However, the picture on the rumor sites a few days ago turned out to be a hoax; just a third-party monitor in a Powerbook box, with the Apple logo Photoshop'ed in.)

The specifications are pretty much in line with my (and everyone else's) predictions: 1.6 or 1.8 GHz G5, 17" or 20" LCD screen, 80GB or 160GB hard drive, 256MB RAM, $1299 at the low-end to $1899 at the high end. Interestingly, the bus runs at a 1/3 ratio to the CPU speed (unlike the PowerMac G5's 1/2 ratio); this is probably to reduce heat generation. The graphics chip is an NVIDIA GeForce 5200 FX Ultra (64MB), a bit underpowered but probably purposely so, to keep the specs lower than the PowerMac G5.

The only required cable, if you get the optional Bluetooth module and optional Airport wireless networking card, is the power cable. Very clean. Too bad the wireless modules (and the wireless keyboard and mouse) are not included as standard.

The appeal of this thing is the small footprint. It's even wall-mountable, and it doesn't have a power brick. And the price is pretty reasonable. It's a compelling choice over an eMac if you want G5 power and an LCD screen under $2000. I'd say it's a good upgrade for folks who still have G3s or under-733MHz G4s on their desktop. But it's not a slam-dunk. Despite the fact that this machine fills an apparent hole in the portfolio, it's hard to say just who will buy this, except perhaps fashionistas with money to burn. (Come to think of it, I'd probably buy one, but my dual-1GHz G4 is still doing just fine.)

Then again, Apple is usually better than us at predicting market response, so who knows.

The interesting thing will be, how long before imitators come along? Yes, there are similar designs to this already, but none quite so thin or uncluttered. Will Apple again set the trend for desktop computer design?

Probably.

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