David Sudjiman

I’ve been thinking of what kind of computer I would have for my family. Well, right now, it’s just me and my wife, but still it is a family I need something that doesn’t look like a weird machine so I can put it on my living room. Less cable makes the table looks clean, and an all-in-one solution where I can watch DVD, mp3, TV, communicate using video conference, and a remote control to make these things simpler.

I like the new iMac G5 that comes with quite affordable price to amalgamate the above-mentioned need.

The Design
Shortly after watching the website for the ‘12 October 2005 announcement’ of new iPod I begin to pick up that new iMac G5 comes with better design. Not exactly much better but I can see there are some improvements on the design which this is the Apple people taking proud of it.

The cable connector for Ethernet, Firewire, and USB still on the back but instead of putting if vertically, they putting it horizontally so just in case you want to use all of the ports you can still have your cable not mount up to the top. However, this design makes people to look further back if someone wants to plug the cable. Before, having the cable line up on the side vertically acctually makes it better for usability. We have to sacrifice the beauty over usability yet I like the horizontal one.

Notice the remote control. That is fabulous! Why nobody ever think of that having the remote controlle magnetically attached on the side of your screen so you don’t haveto sacrifice the look of your beautiful iMac. This is just perfect!

Now the iSight. I’ve been thinking that Apple still makes a good design for that iSight that looks like Startrek gadget. It’s good though, but I need something that do not obstruct the design of iMac itself. Finally, Apple comes with this idea to built-in the iSight into the new iMac so you don’t have to attach this iSight that looks like a outer space laser pointer what would vaporise you just in case you have a wrong video conference channel.

This new iMac G5 comes with Apple Keyboard and Mighty Mouse which connected with cable. You can buy the wireless keyboard and mouse to keep your desk cable free. Well, the only cables would be the power cable and probably your iPod docking station.

The Hardware
The 17 inch iMac G5 comes with these specifications.

17-inch widescreen LCD
1.9GHz PowerPC G5 processor
512MB / 2.5 GB memory (533MHz DDR2 SDRAM)
160GB / 500 GB Serial ATA hard drive
Slot-load 8x double-layer SuperDrive
ATI Radeon X600 Pro graphics with 128MB DDR memory


and the 20 inch iMac G5 has these specifications.

20-inch widescreen LCD
2.1GHz PowerPC G5 processor
512MB / 2.5 GB memory (533MHz DDR2 SDRAM)
250GB / 500GB Serial ATA hard drive
Slot-load 8x double-layer SuperDrive
ATI Radeon X600 XT graphics with 128MB DDR memory


All the models are equipped with built-in 54 Mbps AirPort Extreme Wi-Fi (802.11g)3; built-in Bluetooth 2.0+EDR (Enhanced Data Rate) module, Two Firewire 400 ports; three USB 2.0 ports, two USB 1.1 ports (on keyboard); VGA output(2); S-video and composite video output(2), and built-in stereo speakers, built-in microphone, headphone/optical digital audio output, audio line in.

The price for 17 inch and 20 inch are 1,999 AUD and 2,649 AUD, respectively. The difference is not much and I would suggest the 20 inch one would be the most bang for the buck.