The iMac is the first Mac computer line designed with a completely innovative approach, differing significantly from traditional Mac and PC designs. The iMac is an all-in-one system with an eye-catching design, impressive aesthetics, and a “budget-friendly” price point… This has contributed to the success of this product line and solidified the company’s reputation.
In this new version, the iMac G5 features a 20″ display, a 2.1 GHz processor, 512 MB DDR2 RAM, a 250 GB hard drive, and dual-layer DVD recording capabilities. The new iMac has a higher system bus speed than previous versions and supports PCI Express graphics. The price of the iMac G5 is $1,699. The 20″ screen delivers beautiful, sharp images. The integrated sound system is acceptable but not outstanding.
Designed to be slimmer, the iMac G5 has several distinctions compared to its predecessors. Firstly, Apple has added an integrated iSight webcam at the front of the iMac screen. Unlike the external iSight webcam that connects via FireWire (priced at $149), this built-in webcam operates at 30 frames per second and includes a built-in microphone. This webcam offers good quality, although it may blur with fast movements, making it suitable for video conferencing.
Apple also introduced a companion application called Photo Booth, allowing users to take photos using the webcam and send these images via email or messaging applications.
Notably, Apple has introduced an infrared remote control the size of an iPod Shuffle, which works with the Front Row entertainment software. To activate Front Row, you simply press the Menu button on the remote control. Then, you can use the buttons to navigate functions such as Video, Music, Photos, and DVD. This remote control operates effectively from a distance of up to 10 meters.
The remote control evokes thoughts of watching TV through the iMac, but unfortunately, the iMac does not come with a built-in TV tuner. While the iMac supports PCI Express graphics, there are currently no internal TV tuner cards available for Mac, and installing such cards can be complex. To watch TV programs on the iMac, you would need to purchase an external TV tuner like the EyeTV 200 from El Gato, priced at $329.
Despite the lack of a TV tuner, the iMac G5 is genuinely appealing not only for its sleek, modern design but also for its many attractive features. If you’re looking for a Mac computer with comprehensive features at an acceptable price, the iMac G5 is an excellent choice.
Minh Phúc
