Simplify
Where once there was model chaos, Steve Jobs brought the four-product matrix. Where once there were
many Performas and entry-level models, Apple gave birth to the singular
iMac.
From one model in any color you wanted (as long as it was Bondi
blue) to one model in five colors to four models in five colors,
confusion replaced simplicity.
The confusion isn't completely gone, but the 2001 iMac models do
simplify the product line. There is no more confusion: "Doesn't the
iMac DV have DVD? The old DV did." (None of the new iMacs have DVD.)
Instead we have the iMac 2001 in three speeds: 400, 500, and 600
MHz.
Apple promotes them as fast, faster, and fastest.
Fast
The 400 MHz iMac
2001 replaces the 350
MHz iMac and 400 MHz
iMac DV (the DV without DVD), essentially offering
everything the iMac DV had with a $100 price reduction. It comes in
indigo - period. The new 400 MHz iMac is an excellent value, but there
is no longer a $799 iMac. That's a shame.
The 400 MHz model uses the same old PowerPC 750 (G3) processor as
all earlier iMacs. The CPU has a 512 KB backside cache running at 160
MHz. This model also has a 24x CD-ROM drive and the same ATI Rage Pro
graphics as the 2000 iMacs.
Apple is right: 400 MHz is plenty fast for most people. Avid gamers
might crave more horsepower, and graphic types will want bigger
screens, but for many users, this machine has lots of power and an
attractive price.
Faster
The faster models us the PowerPC
750cx, an enhanced G3 processor with a smaller, faster cache. The
256 KB cache runs at full CPU speed, providing very impressive
performance compared with the older PPC 750 and an external cache.
The 500 MHz iMac
2001 not only uses this more advanced processor, it also runs at at
the same clock speed as last year's fastest iMac. Beyond that, it
replaces the ATI Rage Pro with the newer Rage Ultra and doubles video
memory. This should be a very attractive machine for gamers.
The 500 MHz iMac 2001 is Apple's least expensive computer with
built-in CD-RW. The drive burns CD-R at up to 8x, CD-RW at 4x, and
provides playback at up to 24x. Unlike the iMac DV+, which it replaces,
it doesn't play DVDs.
As for value, it has every feature of the DV+ except a DVD drive,
adds CD-RW to the equation, improves graphics, and has a faster CPU -
all at US$1,199, a $100 reduction from the DV+ price. This is another
excellent value.
And you have your choice of indigo, flower power, and blue dalmation
- really.
Fastest
How can you improve on that? How about another 100 MHz of
performance and an absolutely huge 40 GB hard drive? Or replacing
indigo with graphite?
That describes the top of the line 600 MHz iMac 2001 SE,
which has the same US$1,499 price tag as last year's 500 MHz iMac DV SE. Again,
you give up watching DVDs, but you can burn your own CDs.
At 600 MHz, this is the one serious Mac gamers will be most
interested in. Like the other two iMac 2001 models, this one also
improves the value equation.
The Power to Burn
With iTunes 1.1, Apple
brings the power to burn not only to the Power Mac G4 and faster iMac 2001 models,
but also to over 25 popular CD-RW mechanisms already on the market.
I'll be trying the new iTunes with my SmartDisk's VST FireWire CD-R/W Drive later
today. (The old iTunes caused problems with Toast, the most popular CD
burning software for the Mac. iTunes 1.1 is supposed to address that
conflict. We'll see.)
And iTunes remains the best value in MP3 creation, management, and
burning - free is a hard price to beat.
