Cool! 6 Flavors for the iMac!

The new iMacs are going to pick up the pace where the original left off.

This section compares the iMacs available in 1998 - 1999 only.

The Original - $1299 US (Original price in 1998)

Processor and memory	233-MHz PowerPC G3 processor (Rev.A) / 266-MHz PowerPC G3 processor (Rev.B) 512K backside level 2 cache on processor module; 117-MHz dedicated 64-bit backside bus 66-MHz system bus Integrated floating-point unit and 64K on-chip level 1 cache (32K data and 32K instruction) 32MB of SDRAM; two SO-DIMM slots support up to 128MB 64-bit memory bus
Storage	Internal 4GB IDE hard disk drive Internal 24x-speed (maximum) CD-ROM drive
Interfaces	Connectivity Two high-speed Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports (12 Mbps), which support USB devices such as keyboard, mouse, printer, storage devices, and USB hubs Communications Built-in 10/100BASE-T Ethernet connector (RJ-45) Built-in 56-Kbps modem supports K56flex and V.90 standard (RJ-11)** Infrared technology port (4-Mbps IrDA)
Media capabilities	Display Multiple-scan, tiltable shadow mask color display: 15-inch (13.8-inch diagonal viewable image size), .28 dot pitch Video Built-in ATI RAGE IIc accelerated 2D and 3D graphics chip (Rev. A) 2MB of SGRAM video memory; supports up to 6MB via SO-DIMM slot (Rev. A) ATI RAGE PRO accelerated 2D/3D graphics controller (Rev. B) 6MB of SGRAM video memory (Rev. B) Sound Two built-in stereo speakers with SRS surround sound Built-in microphone Two front headphone jacks Minijacks for 16-bit CD-quality stereo input/output; 44.1-kHz sampling rate
Keyboard and mouse	Apple USB Keyboard Smaller keyboard with function keys and a keypad Serves as USB hub with two USB ports Apple USB Mouse Round mouse with one button
Video Display Modes	Mode  Refresh rate Maximum on-screen resolution    2MB SGRAM  6MB SGRAM   640 by 480  117 Hz  24-bit, millions of colors  24-bit, millions of colors  800 by 600  95 Hz  24-bit, millions of colors  24-bit, millions of colors  1,024 by 768  75 Hz  16-bit, thousands of colors  24-bit, millions of colors

The first of the new color iMacs - $1199.00 US (Original price in 1999)

Processor and memory	266-MHz PowerPC G3 processor (Rev.C) / 333-MHz PowerPC G3 processor (Rev.D) 512K backside level 2 cache on processor module; 117-MHz dedicated 64-bit backside bus 66-MHz system bus Integrated floating-point unit and 64K on-chip level 1 cache (32K data and 32K instruction) 32MB of SDRAM; two SO-DIMM slots support up to 256 64-bit memory bus
Storage	Internal 6GB IDE hard disk drive Internal 24x-speed (maximum) CD-ROM drive
Interfaces	Connectivity Two high-speed Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports (12 Mbps), which support USB devices such as keyboard, mouse, printer, storage devices, and USB hubs Communications Built-in 10/100BASE-T Ethernet connector (RJ-45) Built-in 56-Kbps modem supports K56flex and V.90 standard (RJ-11)** Infrared technology port (4-Mbps IrDA)?? - Nope! Here is a picture.
Media capabilities	Display 15-inch (13.8-inch viewable) high quality display with 1024x768 resolution Video ATI RAGE PRO TURBO accelerated 2D/3D graphics controller 6MB of video memory Sound Two built-in stereo speakers with SRS surround sound Built-in microphone Two front headphone jacks Minijacks for 16-bit CD-quality stereo input/output; 44.1-kHz sampling rate
Keyboard and mouse	Apple USB Keyboard Smaller keyboard with function keys and a keypad Serves as USB hub with two USB ports Apple USB Mouse Round mouse with one button
Video Display Modes	Mode  Refresh rate Maximum on-screen resolution - 6MB SGRAM   640 by 480  117 Hz  24-bit, millions of colors  800 by 600  95 Hz  24-bit, millions of colors  1,024 by 768  75 Hz  24-bit, millions of colors

iMac, iMac DV, iMac DV Special Edition
$999.00, $1299.00, &$1499.00 US (Original price in 1999)

Processor and memory	350-MHz (iMac) 400-MHz PowerPC G3 processor (iMac DV models) 512K backside level 2 cache on processor module; 117-MHz dedicated 64-bit backside bus 100-MHz system bus Integrated floating-point unit and 64K on-chip level 1 cache (32K data and 32K instruction) 64MB of SDRAM (128MB of SDRAM DV Special Edition); two SO-DIMM slots support up to 512 64-bit memory bus
Storage	Internal 6, 10, or13GB IDE hard disk drive Internal 24x-speed (maximum) CD-ROM drive (iMac), Internal DV-ROM drive (iMac DV models)
Interfaces	Connectivity Two high-speed Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports (12 Mbps), which support USB devices such as keyboard, mouse, printer, storage devices, and USB hubs. On seperate USB busses. Two 6-pin FireWire (IEEE 1394) ports running at up to 400Mbps (iMac DV models). Each Fire Wire port provides 6 watts of power to support bus-powered devices. Communications Built-in 10/100BASE-T Ethernet connector (RJ-45) Built-in 56-Kbps modem supports K56flex and V.90 standard (RJ-11)** Airport ready (wireless networking) - runs at up to 11Mbps. 150-foot maximum range.
Media capabilities	Display 15-inch (13.8-inch viewable) high quality display with 1024x768 resolution Video ATI RAGE 128 VR accelerated 2D/3D graphics controller 8MB of video memory Sound Two built-in stereo speakers with SRS surround sound, Subwoofer ($1299 & $1499) Built-in microphone Two front headphone jacks Minijacks for 16-bit CD-quality stereo input/output; 44.1-kHz sampling rate
Keyboard and mouse	Apple USB Keyboard Smaller keyboard with function keys and a keypad Serves as USB hub with two USB ports Apple USB Mouse Round mouse with one button
Video Display Modes	Mode  Refresh rate Maximum on-screen resolution - 8MB SGRAM   640 by 480  117 Hz  24-bit, millions of colors  800 by 600  95 Hz  24-bit, millions of colors  1,024 by 768  75 Hz  24-bit, millions of colors

Which one to get if you have the chance...

Speed - 400Mhz. I am lucky to have been into computing for the past 15 years. 10 years ago for 33Mhz of additional speed you would of been blazing! Nowadays it is not that critical, going 100mhz is blazing.

Video - The Rage IIc, Rage Pro or Rage Pro Turbo. Get the best card installed - Rage Pro Turbo. If you are going to play games or graphic intensive apps, the newest card will rock you. Get the new iMac DV.

Software - Don't purchase a computer based on the included software. Most people will not use every app that came with the computer. If there is something you need in there, consider it a bonus.

Memory - All iMacs can go up to at least 256MB of RAM. If you need 512MB get a DV model. A draw here.

Storage - You can always add more. A draw here.

Color - Bondi or (Blueberry, Tangerine, Grape, Strawberry, Lime or Graphite) If you like the Bondi best get it, if not pick a new color. Remember, you have to look at it. 

Well if you have not purchased one yet, get one of the new iMac DV. The better graphics, faster processor and more hard drive storage makes this a bit better then the original. (The iMac 512's opinion)

Some of you think I am a bit unhappy with the new iMacs, nope. The concept of the iMac is an affordable, powerful computer.

CPU - I was hoping that Apple would expand the minimum CPU to a 400Mhz chip. I understand the reasoning behind the 350Mhz with the 100Mhz bus. I still would like a CPU expansion option. This move is ok.

Expanadability - The 400Mhz models is a worthy successor to the current iMac line. They are much faster with more capability. The addition of FireWire and two USB buses is going to keep the iMac expansion happy! The built-in DVD-ROM is a good move, this will let you watch and capture movies. I hope the software industry starts to make software available on DVD instead of CD-ROM. This move is Great!

RAM - The bump is RAM is where the iMac should of had. 128MB in the SE version is good. This move is Great!

ATI RAGE 128 VR 2D/3D graphics accelerator - The iMac with the G3/G4 graphics card (minus 8MB). This card will help games fly buy! This move is Great!

iMovie - This will help people create video events in time. This move is Great!

Price - I think the price of the low end iMac is ok. The price of the regular iMac increased back to the original iMac price from 8/15/98. The high end iMac needs a higher price for what you get.

Overall - The new iMacs will hit their mark. I was a bit skeptical about the rumors of Apple using the 13.3" LCD panel for the monitor, this move would of crippled the iMac. It would of made the screen look smaller then it really was. The illusion of comparable PCs having the larger monitor would of driven off consumers. I would of liked the 17", however 15" is still a good choice.

As one of the early iMac supporters, I am in the position where I can fairly made a judgement on the new iMacs. If you have not used the iMac to it's fullest, how can you accurately make a judgement where it falls short? I wish other iMac reveiwers were this informed. I supported the iMac from its inception, I am proud about this!

I know the new iMacs are cool! I need more expansion capability in my next Macintosh, the Power Mac G4 supercomputer is what I need. My trusty iMac has been with my since this past year. Doing its part, if my needs did not change I would get a new iMac!

Unless you need the extra oomph or expansion of the Power Macintosh G4, an iMac DV is a great choice.

The opinions of The iMac 512 are clearly the opinion of gYounk and not in any way Apple Computer, Inc.; the ISP provider or anybody else. Thank you for your time!

All iMac images are Courtesy of Apple Computer, Inc

The iMac 512 is a gYounk design & programmed site.