OK guys, the new iMacs are out...aluminum & glass...your thoughts?

[Desertrose]

Just got word the new iMacs are (finally)out.

NO MORE 17" and only GLOSSY screens...still OS 10.4.4 (no Leopard yet...)

But the rest all sounds good.Was waiting til they released the new ones to get a new Mac...now I almost wish I would've picked up a 17"...too late I'm afraid....gonna be really hard to find.

Currently have a G4 (daisy shape)

Thx
DR

[Poiuyt]

1. I'm very worried about the glossy screen

I had been planning on getting a new iMac, but it may not work well in my environment. I have two big windows behind me, and I'm afraid that's all I'd be able to see.

[B3Nut]

12. That screen makes me wish I could afford one.

I have an Acer 20" widescreen like that both at home and at work. I get less glare from that from my huge window in the office than I did from matte screens. My work-issued HP lappy has that coating as well...I'll never have an LCD without it now. Apparently the new MacBooks come with that too.

The new iMacs look yummy...

Todd in Cheesecurdistan

[TommyO]

2. I played with the new machines at the Apple Store today

The only thing that I didn't like was the glossy display. Yes, it increases the perception of contrast, but it's a near deal-breaker for me (not that I'm ready to get a new computer, my PowerMac G5 dual-core 2.3 is running well). I can only hope that when I'm ready for a new machine, a nice non-glare display will be an iMac option.

If you're still interested in the old style white iMac, they're available as refurbs at Apple's online store. The 17" machine is currently $849, $1099 for a 20" machine, and $1449 for the 24" monster.

[Desertrose]

3. Are refurbs any good?

Don't really know much about them.

My daughter wanted to upgrade, too- she has a blueberry clamshell iBook.(Does that qualify as an antique yet? LOL)She wanted a 17" iMac.

Thanks. I'm kinda bummed about that glossy screen.....

DR

[TommyO]

4. They have the same warranty coverage as a brand new machine

I wouldn't hesitate to buy a refurb, especially if it meets your needs and is only $849 vs the original $1199.

[Desertrose]

5. Really...thats good to know.

Thanks :)

What do you know about the Mac mini??

DR

[TommyO]

7. Mac Mini? Small, decent machine, but pricey if you want to go beyond the basics.

If it were my money, I would spend a few hundred more, and get the same performance with a MacBook.

[rocktivity]

6. There's nothing wrong with Apple refurbs

as long as they're refurbed by Apple.

:headbang:
rocknation

[TommyO]

8. Most of them are probably machines that were returned in perfect working condition

[moggie]

10. My first Mac was an Apple refurb

17" G4 iMac, back when those were current. It was in perfect condition, and I got a big discount on it.

[rocktivity]

13. DING DING DING! TommyO, you're our grand prize winner!

I can only hope that when I'm ready for a new machine, a nice non-glare display will be an iMac option.

Same here--especially since I just replaced my 15-inch tube monitor with a 19-inch LCD. Now that my window and lamp aren't reflecting off the screen, I realize how awful it truly was. (And my Mac is a lot quieter, too--it was the MONITOR that was making all the noise!)

I'm planning to buy a new Mac in about 18 months. Despite my new monitor, I was willing to get an all-in-one. But if there isn't a non-glare iMac by then, I'll be getting a Mac mini.

:headbang:
rocknation

[MilesColtrane]

9. Just from an aesthetic aspect...

...I'm not sure I like the black border around the screen.

It looks like an old monitor I used to have. Before it failed the viewable part of the screen got smaller producing black around the edges.

[moggie]

11. I don't like the keyboard

It's essentially a full-size laptop keyboard repackaged for the desktop, which means squishy flat keys with hardly any travel. And the Bluetooth version uses the laptop layout, so you lose the numeric keypad. Keyboards are very much a matter of taste, of course, but I wouldn't want to use one of these for long periods. Of course, there's nothing to stop you using a new iMac with a different (USB) keyboard, including the previous Apple models.

[Tracer]

14. I have one!!!

My old G4 worked great for 7 or 8 years,but was getting awfully tired -- so I bought the 20" aluminum one, and it's the coolest thing I've ever seen!

I have no problems with glare at all, but there are a couple of things that I could mention.

-- The screen is way too bright-- I was going half-blind. I had to reduce the lighting, the contrast and change the color profile (was too bluish white).

-- the interface takes some getting use to. I also stopped the dock from doing it's jumping up and down everytime I opened an app. That gets old fast.

-- type displays oddly. It doesn't look as accurate as on my old NEC CRT.

And those are the only three things that bother me.

I LOVE the keyboard.
I LOVE the fact that I can see two full 8 1/2 x 11 pages at once.

It's really fast too. Heavy-duty apps (Photoshop etc.)open up in a flash

[moggie]

15. Have you noticed any display hum?

My 24" iMac (one year old) has a slight hum when the display is dimmed: this is a common problem, apparently. I barely notice it, but it drives some people up the wall. I don't know whether the new iMacs are prone to this.

There's one feature of the white-case iMacs, going back to the sunflower design, which I've always been unreasonably impressed by: the "invisible2 sleep LED which shines through the display bezel. I've always thought that's a nice piece of design: an indicator which doesn't spoil the clean lines of the enclosure. Try that with a metal bezel!

[Tracer]

16. No Hum.

In fact, it's pretty darn silent.

I thought of something else that's annoying. Press slightly too hard on that little scroll button and the stupid Widgets pop up. I'm sure that I can fix that.

[sellitman]

17. I bought a iMac in Feb.

It's a 17" with the faster processor and the Super-drive. I want a new 20" iMac so this one is for sale. I would even re-format it back to it's original shipping state if you want. IM me if interested.