Get yourself an Apple - an Apple iMac (Apple iMac MA589B/A)

Member Name: dbarcl10

Product:	Apple iMac MA589B/A
Date:	30/08/08 (199 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Fast, ease of use, low risk of viruses, great design, space saving

Disadvantages: Not all software will work, unfamilar layout for PC users

The iMac is a machine that sells itself. It was only a few months ago that a new Apple store opened in Glasgow, until then I never considered an Apple iMac as our main computer at home. However using the iMac's in the store showed that they were very easy to use, powerful and user-friendly. The sales staff were also friendly, and unlike most similar places, not in the least bit pushy.

I went for the 20" iMac with a wireless keyboard and mouse, which costs £833. The same iMac with a wired keyboard and mouse comes in at £799. The spec is:

20" LCD widescreen display (1680 by 1050 resolution)
2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
1GB memory
250GB hard drive
8x double-layer slot loading SuperDrive
ATI Radeon HD 2400 XT with 128MB memory
Built in AirPort
3 USB 2.0 ports (a further 2 USB 2.0 ports are available on the wired keyboard)
FireWire 400 port
FireWire 800 port
Built in iSight camera with microphone
Wireless Keyboard
Wireless Mighty Mouse
Apple Remote

Now, £833 is a lot of money considering places like Asda are now selling desktop PC's are around £250. What is it worth the extra money? I think it is. An iMac is basically just a screen, there is no base unit, therefore saving space and using less electricity than powering a screen and a base unit. The iMac comes with a good range of software, including iTunes, and has a free 30 day trial of iWork (the Apple version of Word, Excel and Powerpoint) and a 30 day trial of Microsoft Office for Mac.

SETTING IT UP

Easy! Open the box, take the iMac out, plug it in! Done! All the software comes preloaded so it simply is a case of plugging it in and the start-up program will start automatically asking for information such as your name, address etc for registration purposes, will search for and connect to a wireless network and download any available updates. Within less than 10 minutes the iMac was ready to use.

EASE OF USE

If, like me, you're used to the Windows operating system, it will be a little awkward using the iMac at first, as nothing is where you're used to it being. For example, the button to close a screen is on the top left corner rather than the top right, but you'll soon get used to these small points within a few days.

SOUND AND VISION

The 20" screen is very capable and delivers crystal clear displays whether using a word processer, viewing videos or watching TV online. There is no blurring or distortion of the picture as I was used to on my old laptop. Also the built in speakers are excellent. In store we were told that they were very high quality, but quiet, but in our house they deliver both a great sound and at a good level of sound. True, we have them at maximum, but they are loud enough and wouldn't want them any louder. Of course, if you like your music loud, Apple does a range of speakers to suit the design of the iMac.

INCLUDED SOFTWARE

The iMac comes with the Apple operating system MAC OS X v10.5 Leopard, which included the standard applications such as Mail and Safari (internet browser) and other applications such as iChat, Cover Flow, Quick Look, Front Row, Photo Booth, and the iLife '08 suite, which is for creating movies, designing DVDs, websites, composing music etc.

VIRUSES

As the majority of computers worldwide are PCs, viruses are designed to work on PCs. As Apple Mac's use an entirely different language, a PC virus won't affect an iMac, so there is no need for anti-virus protection. For added protection, the main system files in the iMac are protected by a padlock, for which you need to enter a password to allow any changes to be made. Therefore is a virus did get into you're system, it wouldn't be able to change or delete any of the system files unless you enter you're password into the pop up box asking for authorisation.

SUMMARY

The Apple iMac is a great machine, with many advantages over PCs, such as the clarity of display and speed of operation, however if you are used to using PCs, changing to an iMac will take time to adjust. In saying that, if you live near an Apple store, they hold a range of classes and workshops for free, or you can arrange to see them for personal training and advice on using your new Apple computer.

Highly recommended.

Summary: A great computer, highly recommended

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