The thinner all-in-one iMac G5
by Ryan Block 
posted Oct 12th 2005 at 2:33PM
Apple also updated the iMac G5 today, here's the scoop: it's thinner (the 20-inch version is now thinner than the old 17-inch model), has an iSight camera (and lighting) built-in, and has Front Row, their new media playback software package to be used with their new Apple Remote control (featured after the break). Mighty Mouses are now also standard, as well as Superdrives (aka DVD burners), Bluetooth—the 17-inch will retail for $1299, the 20-inch for $1699. Available today, so get 'em while they're hot.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Karan Lyons @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
Because it's faster and can have a bigger hd maybe?
Brian @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
Not everyone wants a laptop. I'm considering ditching my 15" PB + 2005FPW in favor of this hot little number.
ty @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
Because Apple hasnt figured out how to properly install a G5 into a laptop .. overheating and power consumption problems.
thepingofdeath @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
what about the emac?
Elias @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
You'll be hard-pressed to find a quality laptop with those specs and for that price.
The iMac may just be Apple's best product for the money.
Matt @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
You can't mount a laptop to a wall...
Nasim @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
Wow! great thin, sexy look. At last more than one one button mouse, good. Double-layer superdrive, very good. But built-in iSight, no. I like the iSight detached. :(
Twinaxx @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
i really dig the layout of the i/o ports.
im wondering though, why the shifting of the optical drive?
can't wait to see the innards.
Ricardo Chavarria @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
NICE!!
I wonder though, it says PCI-Express graphics, so PowerMacs with PCI-Express won't be too far away??
Hassan.L @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
So.......why isn't there a black iMac?
RRF @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
sure you can #8. Before the earthquake I had mine mounted on the wall. Now it is buried together with seven Pakistani children in the rubble. I hope the kids don't play with it and find my porn...
PDB @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
I must admit, I'm dissappointed. A friend and I had speculated they would make this a laptop, but instead they made a more expensive Media Center PC ...
0 Prime @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
Is it me or dose Apple just not want to sell Pro Machines anymore because now you have an iMac with a better graphics card & DDR-2 memory. I get that they may sell more iMacs then PowerMacs but last time I checked Apple didnt get any awards such as Emmy's or Grammys or whatever for editing movies, creating video games (X-box 360 Dev kits), or WorkStation for Pixar,or anything else by use the world fastest iMac c'mon Apple wheres my dual dual-core PowerMac w an ATI X1800 and DDR-2 800 ?????????????????
Vince @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
Yeah why isn't there a black one, but would people buy it? if they had a black one I'd want both
Baumann @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
#7 There are companies that'll make your iMac a touch screen, though I'm too lazy to look up the link. However, you still have the problem of the lack of an internal battery. (You generally don't plug in a tablet PC.)
It looks like a pretty nice system. Yeah, I agree with all of those who said it'd be better if they could fit all of that into a laptop, and for the last time, it's not cooling, it's power consumption. Sure, they could make one, but my guess is it'd last 45 minutes on a laptop battery.
As far as the lack updated PowerMacs, most of us don't want to run up debt when buying a computer anyway. PowerMacs are developer machines. Apple's trying to still grab a share of the PC market (PERSONAL computers). They're riding the iPod wave that they're on to try to get people to switch over. Something like "You love how easy our iPod is. Try one of our computers." People are more apt to switch to something like this that's easy and right out of the box.
turbo @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
Kinda strange, but I just noticed that Apple took out the 56k modem in the iMacs and is actually selling an external usb modem when you try to purchase one of the new iMacs.
Guess Who @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
Notebook? Well, it may be a bit bulky to carry a 20" notebook around. I bought my wife an earlier 20" iMac G5, and boy do I get jealous at times over the display. I have a 3-or4-y.o. (not sure anymore) 22" Apple Cinema Display with a Quicksilver with a souped-up graphics card and 1,4 GHz CPU acccelerator and 1.5 GB maxed out memory, and the iMac G5 has it all over my rig (speed, display, etc.). It's probably going to be my next computer, though I want to wait to see what Cupertino will be bringing out with Intel processors before making any decisions.
ug @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
Modems are going the way of the dodo. It makes sense for it to be optional.
Xbox360-forums.com @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
Damn. I've only had my imac for a few weeks now. Not to worry, the thickness is not of much interest, and I already have a webcam. i did however pay 30 for my mighty mouse! Least its not a huge update!
dirt @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
By the way, does anyone here speculate that AirPort Express may come out with a way to stream video wirelessly to a TV set? Not new technology obviously, but seems logical to me (although not in inferior resolution).
Darren @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
Looks nice - but once again Apple are releasing quality consumer products and ignoring their pro users.
blaxxun @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
i still like my old system 7 that could toast bread and tell me when my bong water needed changed
blaxxun @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
i still like my old system 7 that could toast bread and tell me when my bong water needed changed
Where my New PowerMac @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
Hey Baumann # 17 I'm sorry I seem bitter about not getting PM G5 updates I was foolish to want a machine that would help me make a living or maybe a workstation for a scientist who use them for chemical analysis to find cures for small problems like Cancer or for companies who do specail effect for the next blockbuster movie that doesnt suck like the crap Hollywood put out this summer because the only people know people who do iPhoto or word ,and who have pre-teen kids who do nothing more then talk on Myspace.com need faster machines .I mean when did Apple turn it's back on it's Mac user and just care about switch. Yeah I'm glad that people are switching but what about the people (Pro Users) who kept apple afloat during the dark days, and dont flame cause you know it's true!!!!
dirt @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
You "pro" users don't feed the Apple machine, unfortunately. I imagine as a corporation by nature Jobs is inclined to make money, and more consumer-y electronics is the way to go. I hope though he doesn't forget his current (and old) customer base, but you can't blame the man for riding the iPod wave and trying to increase revenue.
diggle @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
does this not begin to approach the "convergance television", just pop a cable port on it and replace your tv with an overall media center. Is that not what this is a step towards?
Michael Mendoza @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
I just bought a 20" iMac with SuperDrive, the whole thing loaded with goodies, and my return date was October 1st, if I would have waited about one month, then I would have bought this iMac for $100 cheaper!!! I'm wondering, will they sell the Front Row Software for other users, that reminds me of Windows Media Center 2005. That'd be cool if the sold a little package or something. I'm loving my Mac though! What upsets me a little bit is the revamping of the inside, now 2.1 GHZ, 2.5GB RAM Maximum, Radeon X600 XT Video card, those little things get to me, I could have had a better computer....
doug @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
those of you griping about pro machines not being announced...you need to remember this was a consumer event aimed at the christmas buying season just around the corner....my guess is you will see another minor bump to the pro machines and hopefully see something *new* at the macworld in january...
R @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
The real reason there is not a black unit such as the Ipod may be the fact that they know once their buying public goes black, they will not go back :)
Seriously though great products on all fronts announced today.
tomokun @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
Am I the only one noticing the lack of power button?
WillH @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
31: Its on the back.
Anyone else notice that www.apple.com is showing them at 1.9 and 2.1 Ghz? (.1 Ghz higher then before)?
Where my New PowerMac @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
Hey #26 & #29 I hate to throw hot reality soup in your face but it's Pro users who help build Apple (where were consumers then ?)Its Pro user who stuck by Apple and kept the company going (where were consumers then?)But now the ipod is here every consumer user want to play in the house Pro user built, I mean you don't see McDonalds cutting back on the sale of Big Mac's (no Pun Intended) & coke, and only selling Low-carb food & bottled water you dont ignore existing customer base
Daniel @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
Lol, you also don't see McDonald's making better (or even good) food. :)
It sounds like some of our "Pro" counterparts are feeling betrayed. Good Lord! I guess Apple shouldn't have announced any new products at all, so that the loyal and faithful "Pro" users wouldn't feel embarrassed.
This iMac, along with iTunes 6 and the video iPod, makes a VERY nice package. Once the Intel switch takes place, I'm buying the whole thing.
Also, I hope OS X 10.5 Leopard is a full-fledged Media Center OS. That would be nice. And I like #27 Diggle's idea about having a cable-input port so that we can watch TV directly through our iMacs. It would be really neat to use your iMac as a Tivo. I know the ability already exists, but to have it integrated with Front Row would be sweet!
Bob @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
i bought the imacg5 lst night before they updated it. They canceled that order and re did it with the new model. I'm so glad i didnt buy it a couple days ago or els i would be shit out of luck. BETTER, AND LESS MONEY. IM EXCITED AS HELL.
diggle @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
i guess i would consider myself a "pro" user and fully understand apple's approach to releasing different groups of products at different times. The next great advance in high-end macs wont happen until their intel processors are a reality (or the G5 laptop, whatever comes first). This release seems to be the "media" release and i think itll be interesting how Apple tries to obtain control over the digital video on demand market. I think its a substantial gamble with potentially cool results. make a 30inch imac with said cable/tivo abilities and i'll take out a lone for the puppy.
Goobimama @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
thank God I didn't buy the iMac a month ago like I was supposed to (got the Logitech Z5500 instead). This is a sure shot buy of mine...
dirt @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
#33, let me reiterate - you are part (unfortunately) of Apple's past. If as a businessman Jobs has to choose between [much] less numerous yous and more numerous (and profitable) mass consumers, what do you think his focus will be?
hobgoblin @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
give me a tablet hybrid with a good stand and it will kick this setups ass :P
mdftx @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
As a pro user I too want a badly needed update. Many of us are stuck between holding on to our older machines.... (heck lots of my peers are still using Quark under OS9.) and getting the power we truly need. Are the SATA drives new for the iMac...just noticed that.
But #38 is right. This is about Christmas buying season, and the subsequent momentum and revenue to stay ahead of the Wintel pack. Few pros base their buying habits around Christmas.
One day soon we'll have a Pro Mactel pack and it will be brought to us by consumer generated dollars I'll bet.
Oh well, back to work.......an I hope cooling is no longer an issue in this design remake.
Dave @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
That's Jobs' way of doing business, lying out his a$$ to his customers and the public in general. He can't tell you there will be a new iMac, or you wouldn't buy his outdated version. Oh, don't act like you haven't noticed. Read the posts above.
You remember, this is the same guy that said, "Nobody wants video on a small screen to take with them, we would never make an iPod with video!", don't you remember, or is it you don't want to remember??
Fact is, you can't believe anything that Jobs says!
Right now, you're setting there thinking that Apple is going to build their computers with 'INTEL INSIDE', now aren't you?
Professionals? Don't you mean one small category of professionals, those that work with images? That user base is so small, Apple can quit manufacturing anything for them and never notice the loss. Apple is basically the iPod company now!
maim @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
#31 I was wondering the same thing.
#34 Where exactly on the back is it? It's not where the "old" iMacG5 had it.
maim @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
#31 I was wondering the same thing.
#34 Where exactly on the back is it? It's not where the "old" iMacG5 had it.
Ben @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
all you pro users were far too impatient!! check out the latest specs of the new power macs! you've got your quad core system with ddr2. enjoy!
Vic @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
I think we are losing sight here of just who Steven Jobs works for. Yes, he works for us, or we would not buy the oh so hot products. But Jobs is a businessmen with a company to run, and he must run it well if he wants to continue developing really coolstuff. So, he has to make business decisions that make the company go. I am disappointed when I buy an iMac G3 and two months later the incredible iMac G4 work of art is released. But, that's the state of this game now. No matter when or what you buy, in a short time, something much better is coming out. But don't you just hate being the last one to buy the model you've always wanted and have it instantly become a has been, when the new one arrive. You can go broke trying to always have the latest, greatest Mac n stuf, so pick a model you like and load it up. Enjoy it, and wait another generation to do it again. You'll be ahead for a while, and behind for a while, and it all be woderful fun. Enjoy. Don't annoy.
exo @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
Any chance that in the not too distant future there will be an iMac G5 with some version of a HD Cinema screen? Anyone out there with a crystal ball?
Sumer @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
I am just wondering...
wouldn't the screen vibrate a little bit
when the hard drive or the cd rom is busy spinning stuff...
Rudolph @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
Apple has found the cleanest design for the iMac. It's simply perfect. A true example of the engineering addage "form follows function". I wouldn't mind if they kept the same basic design for another 30 years. I think is beautifull!!
Rudolph @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
The iMac G5 is quiet! Many nights I actually fall asleep right next to it without knowing that it is still switched on. It's whisper quite and by far the best personal computer I have ever had! Apple provides a very pleasant computing experience, especially with the new iMac G5. My Windows pc on the other hand sounds like a vacuum cleaner when you switch it on, a true screeming banchee!
Peter @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
Is it just me or has most everyone seemed to forget that Apple just switched over to Intel from IBM? A huge upgrade to the PowerMac G5 wouldn't be so great for "pro users" if they were going to switch processors in the next year. I mean, if you really do want to shell out $3000 for a PowerMac G5 when the PowerMac G6 (or something akin to it) is on its way, then keep complaining. Otherwise, let the good people at Apple do their job. I'm sure they haven't "forgotten" about anyone.
Pat @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
That apple remote control SOOOO doesn't look like an iPod Shuffle. Apple should sue themselves.