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Apple's influential, iconic iMac turns 20
There are few individual computer models that have left a lasting mark on the industry, but you can definitely put the iMac on that list. Apple introduced its signature all-in-one desktop at a special event on May 6th, 1998, and it's safe to say the system has had a lasting impact on technology at large. At the same time, the iMac has also been a symbol of the cultural zeitgeist, including for Apple itself -- it shows how the company evolved from an underdog in a Windows world to a behemoth focused more on phones than PCs. The iMac has had a long journey, but it's worth following to see just how much the industry has changed in the past 20 years.
iMac G5 going bye-bye
Macenstein reports that the iMac G5 (both 17" and 20" models) is no longer available at the Apple Store UK.While the 20" is still for sale on the US website, it's common sense to assume that it won't be for long. So if you're looking to nab yourself one of them PowerPC machines before making the Intel Plunge (maybe as a collector's item?), then you better do it quick -- lest you wind up having to scavenge for one through the 3rd party folk.
Costco selling the 20" iMac G5 at discount
A Mac User Group email list that I'm on noticed that Costco of all places (think: Sams Club competitor) is selling the 20" iMac G5 with iSight for $1479.99. While the machine is listed on their site, they instruct customers to check their local stores for available stock; it looks like they don't have any available for web order.Aside from Costco beating out Apple by $20, I think it's a little strange that the iMac is the only machine they seem to carry. A search at their website for "mac" returns nothing but a few software packages (including Quicken 2006 for Mac for $60 with a $20 rebate), but "imac" actually returns this one lone model they're selling. There's no word on how long they'll be carrying these machines, but with the rate that PowerPC based machines are disappearing, I'd recommend you pick one up while they're hot if you're interested.[UPDATE: Wow, this price is even better than I thought. Turns out that $1479 includes a 3-year AppleCare program. Run, don't walk! Thanks Derek!]
Extended desktop for iMac G5's
This is a long shot, I know, but I just have to write about it. As we all know the new Intel based iMacs support monitor spanning (so you can extend your desktop across two monitors) as opposed to video mirroring only as the line of iMac G5's did. The latest iMac G5 and the new Intel iMacs have almost identical hardware (other than, you know, the processors), so my question is: do you think Apple will release a firmware update that will allow older iMacs to monitor span?I know there are hacks that allow this, but I would feel a little more comfortable using official Apple software, no matter how unlikely it is.What do you say, Steve? Could you do us iMac G5 owners a solid? Thanks.Update: This is why I love our reader! This post has been up for less than 10 minutes and people have already pointed out that I forgot that the Intel iMacs sport a new video card, which I did forgot to factor in. However, it is clear that the video cards in the iMac G5's support extended desktop, the firmware 'cripples' that feature. Heal my iMac, Apple!
Testing the iMac G5 vs. Intel video
An enterprising person over at Digg decided to time starting up his own iMac G5 alongside the video that I pointed to earlier, and while he found the Core Duo iMac to be the fastest, he didn't have as much of a gap as the clearly ailing G5 in that video: "The difference in boot times is such that one gets impression that Intel chipped iMac blows the G5 away. Not so, I%u2019m afraid. Whatever the guys did with the G5 it slowed it down considerably. And Intel iMac is actually hardly any faster than G5. How come? Simple, I used stopwatch, that video and then my iMac." Check it out
iMac G5 repair extension program
While I haven't experienced it, I know of a few people who have had video issues with their iMac G5's. Apple is now offering a repair program for the affected iMacs. According to Apple, a "specific component failure" may cause first generation iMac G5s to exhibit scrambled or distorted video, no video at all or no power. If this sounds like your machine, check to see if its serial number is within the following ranges:W8435xxxxxx - W8522xxxxxxQP435xxxxxx - QP522xxxxxxCK435xxxxxx - CK522xxxxxxYD435xxxxxx - YD522xxxxxx If so, your computer may be eligible for repair, free of charge. Good luck to anyone experiencing these issues. We hope you get it sorted out.
