Well guys,
I've had another chance to play around with our new iMac (you see, I've got to wait for the wife to go to her office at uni before I can sneak in and do some serious testing on our new iMac...).
Definitely, changing the processor setting to 'highest' (Energy saver, the 'options' tab) made a huge difference. I'm not sure, as I've said, whether it was because it picked the setting when transferring files from the Powerbook or whether it comes as default. Whatever the case, with the setting to 'highest' this baby flies like an angel. Everything is now palpably faster than on the 17" 1.25GHz G4, both in the FInder and within applications. 2GB of RAM surely help also.
And I'm getting to love the design also. I've discovered lots of new details which show how subtle this new machine is. I think the initial impression wasn't as 'warm' as with the previous two iMacs because both those machines were probably designed as home machines and felt immediately 'right' in a home environment. This new iMac is arguably more of a business machine and it takes some time to adjust to its presence. But joking I am not, when I say that every time I look at it, I like it more and more (am I repeating myself?).
In short: it is a truly fabulous machine and to the unconvinced I say: give it a chance and let it woo you in its subtle way. You'll be surprised how much it will mesmerise you after a while. It is such a new implementation of the idea of what a desktop computer can look like that it requires a realignment of expectations. And this is not a fancy way of saying that it is ugly but you can get used to it. No, no, it's such a radical kind of simplicity that your eye and mind must change the parameters by which they judge objects before you get the measure of this computer. The wealth of carefully crafted details is just hidden behind the linearity of the overall design. It's a 'whisper' computer not only when it comes to operating noise, but also by the way in which the finer details make their presence felt.
Right now, I went up to my wife's study and sat in front of the iMac. And I thought, my goodness, this is just wonderful. How lucky we are to be Mac users, when we get this sort of machine, for what is relatively little money.
So, thumbs up on all fronts. It's the quietest computer we've ever had (or seen). It's fast. It has a huge screen that is crisp and colour-true from all angles. It's fully user serviceable in a way that will make it a snip to upgrade it or (heaven forbid) repair it. It is fast (and you ain't seen anything yet if half the hype about Tiger is true). The Bluetooth keyboard and mouse, once you get the hang of it, are smooth and SO versatile (you can type while away from the computer, on another table, lying on the carpet, whatever). Did I mention the speakers' quality? I gave them a good blast with 'Also sprach Zarathustra' and I can tell you, it was quite something. The sound really bounces off the desk surface, and after fiddling about with the iTunes equalizer I got a fairly decent bass sound. Not top notch HI-FI of course, but very good nonetheless. It's much better than the G4 internal speakers of course, and I would say it is better than the G4 external speakers too. And much better, as far as I can remember, than our old DVSE. There is no distortion at top volume, although the volume is not too powerful, it has to be said. And you can't hear the superdrive when playing CDs. But the most incredible thing is that you can't tell where the sound is coming from. I tell you, this machine is just extraordinary.
I dearly hope I'm not tempting fate by saying this, but it's the best Mac we ever had (9 computers in twelve years...). In fact, if I think about our two other current machines (12" Albook, 17" FP), I don't think Apple has ever made better machines than now, despite the occasional lapse in quality control (white spots on some powerbooks etc.). I got burnt in the past with some Apple half-lemon, so I know whereof I speak. I'm firmly keeping my fingers crossed because I may regret saying all this. But I'm just so impressed by this new iMac, all the more so because it took some time for it to work its full impact. It's awesome beyond belief.
Sorry for the long blather. I just thought there may be people on the list wondering whether it is worthwhile going for it. And I'd say: you won't regret it at all.
Cheers,
Walter
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