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Q
& A:
iMac
G3/G4 Q & A:
Purchasing & Additional Info
Although these models have been discontinued, some resellers may have iMac G3/G4 systems available at clearance prices. If you want to purchase a refurbished or used system, check out site sponsors PowerMax and OHS for a good selection and eBay for direct person-to-person sales.
Are custom configurations available?
Originally, in order to keep the manufacturing time to a minimum, Apple decided not to provide custom configurations of the iMac. However, starting with the iMac "266", you could choose the color, the amount of RAM, and related accessories for each of several models.
For the "Flat-Panel" iMacs, Apple provided the ability to custom configure the amount of RAM, AirPort wireless networking, and related accessories. For details regarding these systems, please refer to the applicable specifications page for the model of interest.
What is the iMac's target audience?
According to Apple's original 12-page advertising insert the iMac's target audience is "Everyone who thinks computers are too complicated, too costly, or too beige." While that would be just about everyone, Apple hopes that the iMac appeals to existing Mac users who haven't upgraded their systems in years, new users who either haven't used a computer or have used Windows PCs at work, or even Windows users who are looking for an alternative.
As the "i" in "iMac" stands for "internet," Apple is positioning the iMac as a computer that makes the internet easy-to-access, makes computing fun, and still packs serious power. Later iMac models also are designed to make editing home and "pro-sumer" level audio and video quick and easy. The iMac is not targeted to replace "professional Macs", but rather fill the "consumer space" with style.
Apple dubbed the "Flat-Panel" iMacs as "the ultimate hub for your digital lifestyle". The combination of the fast PowerPC G4 processor, fast graphics processing, and a flat-panel display in a sleek, stylish case pre-installed with MacOS X, iMovie, iDVD, iTunes, and iPhoto made creating, editing, and organizing multimedia easier than ever.
Is the iMac right for my needs?
[10.04.2004 Update: Now that all models in the iMac G3/G4 series have been discontinued, this answer is no longer particularly relevant. However, the answer remains for "historical" reference.]
Of course only you can determine if the iMac is the right Mac for you, but you should compare the pros and cons of the iMac, and if the pros win, then purchase an iMac.
Pros:
Super simple and
easy-to-use, setup, and get online.
Early adopter of USB technology.
Early adopter of FireWire technology. (All "DV" and
later revisions include FireWire).
Early adopter of Bluetooth ("1.0"
15" (FP),
"1.25"
17" (FP),
"1.25"
20" (FP)
).
CD-RW support.*
("500"
FP/BD,
SE
"600",
"500"
Indigo,
"600"
Graphite,
SE
"700",
"700"
(FP)).
DVD-ROM support.*
(Some models: "DV",
"DV"
SE,
DV+
"450",
DV
SE "500",
"700"
(FP),
"800"
(FP),
"800"
17" (FP),
"1.0"
17" (FP)
"1.0" 15" (FP),
"1.25"
17" (FP),
"1.25"
20" (FP)
).
SuperDrive support
(DVD-R/CD-RW).*
("700"
(FP),
"800"
(FP),
"800"
17" (FP),
"1.0"
17" (FP),
"1.25"
17" (FP),
"1.25"
20" (FP) ).
Relatively fast. Faster than many Windows PCs.
Attractive, non-traditional case.
Inexpensive.
Cons:
No internal
expansion, no PCI slots.
No internal re-writeable removable storage in early
models (later models feature internal CD-RW or
SuperDrives).
No ADB, SCSI, or serial support.
No FireWire. (All "DV" and later revisions include
FireWire).
No DVD.*
(Some models incl. DVD: "DV",
"DV"
SE,
DV+
"450",
DV
SE "500",
"700"
(FP),
"800"
(FP),
"800"
17" (FP),
"1.0"
17" (FP)
"1.0"
15" (FP),
"1.25"
17" (FP),
"1.25"
20" (FP)
).
Slower than some models in the Power
Macintosh G4
series (substantially slower than the
Power
Macintosh G5).
Relatively small display (the iMac "Flat-Panel"
series includes a large 15.0" or 17.0", or huge
20.0", TFT active-matrix display).
*The "2002 Flat-Panel" iMacs shipped with either a CD-RW drive or a SuperDrive, and the discontinued "Spring 2003" and current "Flat-Panel" iMacs ship with either a DVD/CD-RW Combo drive or a SuperDrive. The SuperDrive supports CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-ROM, DVD-Video, and DV-R. For details, please refer to the specifications page for the particular model of interest.
So, if you need an expandable high-end Mac, then the iMac is not for you, get a Power Macintosh G4 or Power Macintosh G5. But if you need an inexpensive, powerful, and relatively simple Macintosh, as Apple's original advertisement explains, it as "Amazingly simple. Simply amazing.", then the iMac should be your top choice.
Where can I find additional information on the iMac? iMac-related websites?
In addition to this Q & A and specifications provided by EveryMac.com, and Apple's own iMac site, of the dozens of iMac sites that once were, none remain. For the latest iMac news, you may wish to check out general Mac news sites such as MacMinute and MacInTouch.
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