Issue #6 - May 1999

A Few Words on the iMac

By Teemu Masalin

How to upgrade your iMac?

Apple's iMac is truly amazing computer. It's fast as a lightning, thanks to powerful PowerPC G3 processor. It's really beautiful whether it's Bondi blue or tangerine and most importantly the iMac is affordable. It's no wonder it has been the most successful computer ever. I couldn't resist it either, I bought one right away when they came available. And I couldn't be happier, it's just such a wonderful little machine.

But is the iMac enough for everyone and if not, can you upgrade it? The answer is yes and no. The iMac is perfect for home and education use. It comes with good software package and is very easy to set up and use and it takes very little space. But for graphic professionals the new PowerMac G3 is better alternative. How about upgrading it then? Well, you can upgrade it but not that much.

Apple made very controversial decision to go for USB and USB only. No SCSI, ADB or PCI-slots. Only two USB-ports on the machine and two on the keyboard. Original Bondi blue iMacs have also IrDA-port that you can use with PowerBooks and Palm organizers and the mysterious Mezzanine port, where you can plug for example a Voodoo 2 card, but doing that could void your warranty, so be careful. Fortunately there is more and more USB-devices and peripherals coming out every day, like printers, scanners, adapters and disk drives. Adapters lets you use even some ADB or SCSI-stuff. For a complete list check out Apple's iMac website. You can also plug a set of speakers to sound out port, if you don't like the standard speakers. And of course you can upgrade iMac's memory from 32 MB up to 256 MB. Another 32 or 64 MB should be enough though. However, the easiest thing to update is the operation system to Mac OS 8.5.1. If your iMac shipped with 8.5 you can download the update straight from Apple. If you have Mac OS 8.1, contact Apple and they will send you the 8.5 CD for only $19.95. Also check out for any other modem, CD and firmware updates from Apple's support website.

The best iMac peripherals

iMac is great computer, how about making it even better! Here is a list of some cool stuff for your iMac.

• More memory! Web browsers and games wants more and more memory. 32 MB or 64 MB is adequate for home users, Photoshop users can all the way to 256 MB.
• I want voodoo! Then choose Voodoo 2 card from MicroConversion, currently it is available for only Bondi blue iMacs, though.
• Games, games and more games! My favourites are MacSoft's Klingon Honor Guard, Tomb Raider II and Tomb Raider Gold from Eidos and Starship Creator from Simon&Schuster.
• I said more games! Connectix's Virtual GameStation, it turns your iMac into a Playstation!
• I need to back-up! Iomega USB Zip drive. For file transfers and back-ups this translucent Zip drive is great.
• Where's the floppy drive? Imation Superdisk reads and writes old floppies and 120 MB superdisks.
• What's that CD? Ever wanted to make your own CDs? With Sony Spressa CD-R/RW you can. Just be sure to choose your favourite flavor!
• Scan this! Agfa Snapscan 1212u Blue. This scanner is like the iMac. Easy to use, affordable and translucent!
• Print this! Epson Stylus Color 750 - Epson 750 is a brand new inkjet printer that prints photo realistic colors and is quite fast, too.
• I need more ports! Entrega USB hub gives you 4 or 8 more USB ports.

Just because Teemu violated the 'no unsightly cables behind you iMac' rule doesn't mean that we're going to raid his house. Are we all suited up boys?

Oops, did I type that?

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The Menagerie of Macs is published by Brad Harrison. This site has no affiliation, actual or implied, with Apple Computer, Inc. It exists solely to provide information about Apple Macintosh computer. Any logos, slogans, names, or representations used or made are done so in the above context. All information on The Menagerie of Macs is copyright © 1998-2000 by Brad Harrison unless otherwise noted and may not be reproduced in any form without prior consent. All Rights Reserved. Apple and the Apple Logo are trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective holders.

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Contents

• Editor's Note
• Letters
• The Mac's Secret Weapon
• A Few Words on the iMac
• MacFlagstone Creek State School
• Jokes

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