If you're like I am, you'd love to have one of the new "where did the computer go?" iMac G5s. Of course my wife is right. I already have a 17" iMac G4 that's just a couple of years old, and I really don't have a pressing need for a new one. Still, is that the way we make our buying decisions when it comes to a new Mac?
A friend of mine was just about to replace his several-years-old B&W Power Mac with one of the latest models. Then he used his tried-and-true method for deciding about major purchases: Comparing it with what else he could buy for the same amount of money. Three weeks in Spain won out.
Last year Apple introduced a totally revamped version of the iMac. The powerful new G5 processor was used, and the works of the computer were moved from a dome-shaped base into the case behind the flat panel display. The 20" model weighed only 25.2 lbs., compared to its predecessor's 40.1 lbs., though the new version's display is not as easy to adjust.
Now, just a few months later, new models of the iMac G5s have been released The entry-level and middle-level configurations with 17" flat panel displays are still priced the same at $1299 and $1499,, though they now include 160GB hard drives, giving them twice as much storage.
All the new iMac G5s are equipped with 512MB of RAM, twice what was included before, and the first consumer models to have the minimum amount necessary for properly running OS X. The middle-level and top-level configurations still come with SuperDrives, though now, like the new Power Macs, these can burn double-layer DVD+R discs that hold 8.5GB of data, as compared with the 4.7GB on single-layer discs.
No doubt the best bargain among the three configurations is the top-of-the-line with a 20" display. The price has been reduced by $100 to $1799, and the hard drive now stores 250GB, up from 160GB. One factor that makes this model, along with the other two configurations, such a good deal for wireless users is that all three now include both Airport Extreme and Bluetooth capability as standard. Formerly, these were $79 and $50 options respectively.
So, what is it about the reconfigured iMac G5, at $100 off, that excites my personal passions? First of all, my top-of-the-line iMac from two years ago had only a 17" display, rather than the 20" included today. In addition, my current computer has a 1GHz G4 processor, instead of the current 2GHz G5, an 80GB hard drive compared to a 250GB, and 64MB of video memory as opposed to 128MB.
The treasurer of our family corporation uses a price comparison method somewhat less formal than that of my friend. She just says, "That money's going for the landscaping." So, I guess I'll just have to keep pining over the wonderful new G5 and be satisfied for now with my probably more-than-adequate G4. Perhaps some of the rest of you will be more fortunate.
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