Rodney O. Lain - 1999.10.10
This article was originally published on The
iMac.com, a site which no longer exists. It is copyright 1999 by
RAC Enterprises, which also seems to no longer exist. It is thus
reprinted here without permission (which we would gladly obtain if
possible). Links have been retained when possible, but many go to
the Internet Wayback
Machine.
I don't own an iMac, let me make that clear. So, how can I write
about it, then?
Well, the reason I'm in no rush to buy one is because I get to
play with them whenever I want, for as long as I want.
And tonight, I wanted to.
Out of the Box
I went into the CompUSA tonight (Friday) to set up a G4 display.
We were also to set up the iBook demo machine, but couldn't since
we didn't have any in stock. I was surprised to find a good number
of customers milling around the Mac section. One lady wanted to see
one of the new iMacs, so I suggested that I could bring one out,
since I just saw that we had several of the iMac DVs and DV SEs in stock.
"Oh, you don't have to do it for me," she countered.
"Oh, I'm not," I replied. "I'm doing it for me."
She wasn't offended. She smiled, understanding my excitement.
(By the way, I don't normally speak so straightforwardly with every
customer, but most Mac customers are more relaxed and more willing
to laugh and share in my giddiness.)
Anyway, as the Apple rep (who suggested that we set up the
demos) dealt with arranging the B/W G3
towers (to the back of the section) and setting up the G4 demo
(at the front of the Apple store), I went to grab an iMac.
Decisions, decisions. Should I get a blueberry or a graphite
machine? Graphite, yes.
Upon opening the box, I could tell that Apple took as much care
at packaging and packing the product as creating it. Clear,
shrink-wrap plastic covered the iMac's handle, monitor and other
vital parts. I unwrapped it and pulled it out, noticing immediately
that it really is lighter than the previous iMacs - and I should
know, for I've carried my share.
There was a crowd, so I didn't rush setting it up. We each took
turns fondling the iMac as we casually talked about the Mac,
Apple's comeback, etc. I overheard an Epson rep marvel that Apple's
market share doubled by with the iMac alone. The Canon rep asked if
she could demo their new all-in-one machine tomorrow. One customer
worried aloud about Apple's ability to supply the iMac channels
adequately. I reassured him that we'd have plenty iMacs, it being
the company's cash cow and all. He was pleased that the Mac section
had such confident and Mac-knowledgeable people, to which I said,
"Aw, shucks...."
I plugged in the power cable and turned on the iMac. I
intentionally didn't plug in the mouse and keyboard so the
customers could see me plugging them in after turning the power on
. . . Ah the user-friendliness of USB!
I inspected the iMac. Did you know that you do not need the
paper clip anymore? I said aloud. The iMac now has the reset
buttons (near the USB and FireWire ports) just like the B/W G3 has.
Now, I could have just overlooked the pinholes, but it would be
redundant now, right?
I noticed that there was no door covering the ports (USB,
FireWire, ethernet, etc.) like on previous models. I inspected the
back door where you access the RAM slots, but didn't open it (must
save something for tomorrow).
Next, I pulled out the DVD copy of "A Bug's Life" that came with
the iMac. I installed it and noticed that it ran on version 2.0b4
(or something like that) of the DVD software. Turing the movie, I
was pleased that the speakers sound so much better than the
previously tinny ones. Even so, I still plugged in a set of Cozo
speakers. I inserted and ejected the disk several times to see how
the front-loading slot worked. Sweet.
I then installed iMovie, the digital-video-editing software that
comes with the iMac. After that, I went to help a customer, and
when I got back, one of my friends had a crowd around him. He was
amazed at how easy to use the software was. I'd installed the 160
MB iMovie demo files that he was using. He'd edited a video about a
dog and a family by adding a transition to two scenes. Without a
manual. We noticed that the application only plays with Digital
Video - in other words - only for FireWire equipped Macs. We
figured that all FireWire-equipped Macs will come with the program
in the future, then.
Personally, I think the graphite color was too translucent (and
a customer agreed with me). I mean, you could see virtually every
part of the computer's innards. Ironically, it was also cool at the
same time. I can't quite explain it. I noticed on the boxes (which
have new artwork, also) that the other iMacs appeared to be not as
translucent as the graphite-colored one.
To be honest, I'd have a hard time deciding which one to
buy.
Overall, the machines are works of art - moreso than the
original iMacs. I think Apple will sell far more of these than the
previous models. And I honestly believe that each of them is a big
deal for the money - even the high-end iMac DV SE. The Wintel world
erroneously believes that the secret to iMac's success is merely
color (take a look at the eOne when you get a chance - I did was
not impressed at all). The iMac is a total package; a totally
integrated package. This is not Apple cheer leading. I went and
looked at the PCs in the store and the Apple lineup beats them all,
hands down.
Now, I could have given you a more formal, "professional" review
of the iMac. But it doesn't take formality to tell you that you
should buy one of these beauties if you are on the market for a new
computer.
The current crop of iMacs are the Macs that most of us were
waiting on, back when we felt that something was missing from the
iMac. You won't have that feeling after test driving one this go
round.
Proof, Pudding, Eating
As I set up the iMac, one customer who was there for a while,
talking and watching, decided to buy one. I went to get a blueberry
model for him "for his daughter's birthday" on October 26 (remember
that today is October 8). I joked that his holding the computer
that long would be like the fat kid being assigned to watch the
candy stash, suggesting that he'd "play with" the iMac so much
before giving it to his daughter that it would no longer look new.
After some thought, he decided not to buy the iMac that I'd brought
out for him. So I took it back - and I brought out the graphite
iMac, per his suggestion. I wonder if it is still "for his
daughter."
It was a great night. We spent more time than we'd planned
playing around with the iMac and the G4 (which is a story for
another column unto itself). Technolust reigned supreme.
Oh, and remember that comment at the beginning about not being
in a rush to buy an iMac? That is no longer true. Because now that
I've played with it myself, all I can say is one word:
"sweeeeeet."
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Rodney O. Lain, a former university English and
journalism instructor, works full-time as a software developer and
works part-time at a local CompUSA Apple Store Within A Store. A
card-carrying member of the local Macintosh User Group Mini'app'les, Rodney writes this
column exclusively for theimac.com. His greatest desire is to
become an African-American Guy Kawasaki. A self-professed
"workaholic writer," he waxes prolifically about race, religion,
and the "right OS" at
"Free Your Mind & Your Behind Will Follow", his unabashedly
pro-Mac website. When he's not cranking out his column, he collects
John Byrne comic books, jogs, and attempts to complete his first
novel. He lives in Eagan, Minnesota, a southern suburb of St.
Paul.
