Filed under: iMac
PC Magazine likes the new iMac
PC Magazine has been reviewing Mac for awhile now, but it still strikes me as rather novel when they recommend a Mac. That's just what they did for Apple's latest iMac. PC Mag doesn't find anything too groundbreaking on this new model, but the speed improvements are welcome.But why mess with success? The current design of the iMac is serving it well, and similar computers from other companies still haven't caught up with the iMac in terms of looks.
However, not everything is rosy in iMac land. PC Mag disses the Mighty Mouse (I usually toss the included Mighty Mouse aside myself), and would like to see an integrated media card reader.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
BB said 10:31PM on 5-06-2008
I can't stand integrated media readers in computers
They look bad and there's like 20 different types of cards so ya need all this extra space for them. Blech.
Just get a third party USB reader if ya really need it.
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Frankie Teo said 1:02AM on 5-07-2008
And why use a mouse when their TrackPad is so nice with gestures support. So Apple pls built a wireless TrackPad with multi-touch, so we can do away with your horrible mice. Heck, most of your notebook users are really attached to the trackpads already!. Give the desktop users some laptop joy with that wireless trackpad.
PS: I use TouchPad Pro on the iPhone as a wireless trackpad. Works well exccept for that annoying wifi lag!. Apple, please give it some bluetooth connection capability so I can use the iPhone nicely with TouchPad Pro the way it should work with my multiple Macs at home!.
Rowdehaj said 9:06AM on 5-07-2008
I'll have to disagree with you there, as much as I like using my touchpad on my (Windows ... :C ) laptop whenever it's inconvenient to do otherwise, it doesn't beat my mouse.
And my mouse, in turn, doesn't beat my WACOM, which is my favorite input device :D
Trimalchio said 11:09PM on 5-06-2008
Integrated card readers are disgusting wastes of space. If I want to get pictures off of a card, I plug in the camera. If plugging in the camera isnt for you, then get a small card reader, they cost 10 bucks, and just plug it into the usb. But different people have different cards and generally a card reader is a useless accessory for people that you don't really want to have on your computer all the time.
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Jeff said 4:03PM on 5-07-2008
Many, many people – including myself – love the Mighty Mouse. I've tossed aside the others. Once you learn how to clean the scroll wheel (turn upside down and roll on paper) it is awesome.
Howie Isaacks said 11:11PM on 5-06-2008
I find it offensive that they would picture the iMac with Windows Vista installed. Although it's great for some customers that they can run Windows on the iMac, it is not the default, official operating system for the Mac. To me, it is totally irrelevant how well the Mac runs Windows. I use a Mac because Windows is crap. I have no desire to compare a Mac running Windows to the hoards or crapware PCs on the market.
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Luigi193 said 12:18AM on 5-07-2008
Don't be a TOTAL fanboi
ianlive said 4:17PM on 5-07-2008
Lugi, your reading the wrong blog for that comment.
Ian Littman said 11:24PM on 5-06-2008
Hmm, +1 for the integrated media reader. Just make it high-speed, with CF and SD support. That way only pro Olympus cameras will work, and Sony cams won't work at all. Typical Apple, and it saves space.
Though in all seriousness I only use SD-based and CF-based stuff and having those two readers (or at the very least an SD card reader) in a computer is a big boon for me.
As to the iMacs, I'm lusting after the 3.06 8800 24" model. Mostly about the better graphics...put a terabyte HDD in that thing, add 4GB of memory (currently ~$80) and rock & roll. I have the 20" 2.4GHz...but this one looks to be about one-third faster, and the graphics are probably 2x as good, at least.
Thanks, Apple. Now I don't have to think about the choice between performance (Mac pro) and power\size constraints. Though octo-core is still awesome. And on my 4GB memory iMac I still can't run Vista, XP and S X simultaneously. Get to work on that, VMWare, woncha?
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Duscrom said 11:33PM on 5-06-2008
It's just too bad that Apple's Windows support is terrible, and that Apple hides that information. I own a MBP, and in widows, the Drivers suck, the battery life is horrible, and for some reason, my system stays too damn hot.
OSX is great and all, but iPaid $2000 for a great laptop. One that can run both OSX AND Win XP for games and other things I need.. like Zune, and Outlook for my WinMo phone... and the other things that Apple doesn't support. This is supposed to be the best, all in one computer.
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André said 10:09AM on 5-07-2008
Is this a joke?
Windows has horrible Power Management! That's why it runs like crap in Windows.
Besides, this is about the iMac. Not the MacBook/Pro/Air.
Vince said 11:36PM on 5-06-2008
I agree the wired Mighty Mouse is a piece of mighty rodent dung, but the Wireless Mighty Mouse is much better. It seems to differentiate between right/left clicks much better, though the side buttons are still weird. Another thing is that the weight of the batteries really makes it a stable mouse; strange though it may seem, having that much more weight really changes the way the Mighty Mouse works.
And no, no integrated card reader. Sure gluts of pro photographers use them, but it would totally take away from the look and feel of the iMac (*awed silence*). USB is better for the card readers, and a peripheral can most likely accept more types than a built-in one.
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Ray said 6:33AM on 5-07-2008
I agree. How about more USB ports? That would make a huge difference. My 20" has 3 (not counting the ones on the keyboard), but 4 or 6 would be a real selling point.
Oliver said 12:32AM on 5-07-2008
guys, if you're so scared of a media card reader screwing up the looks, it would probably be a good idea for them to put it in the bottom of the imac (remember, you saw it here first!!)
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Eideard said 12:39AM on 5-07-2008
In the course of continuing my role as "switcher", I've fallen into the habit of using keyboard shortcuts with my left hand whilst mousing with the right.
Used to do it a bit in days of yore [Windoze]; but, the ease of this while cranking through OS X and Apple-std software has really increased the habit.
Saying all that because when I got my Al iMac, I figured I'd try to Mty Mouse [corded]. Nice and light - light touch - and though the right-click occasionally sucketh, I've added the ancient ctrl-click regimen to my life and the problems disappeared.
Now, I like the wee critter.
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noza said 12:46AM on 5-07-2008
Agreed - Mighty Mouse is pure awful.
Apple = Good Keyboards (my full-size Al keyboard is the best I've ever used), Terrible Mice (original iMac, anyone?)
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Frankie Teo said 12:56AM on 5-07-2008
I can tell you *where* Apple can place the media reader. At the base of the aluminum stand make it bulge with a sliding lid so it is covered when not in use. A bit like the reverse MBA flap for the ports. Cool eh ?. Yes, it will cost a few bucks but will make the iMac much much more desirable!.
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Owen Bronson Marmorek said 1:08AM on 5-07-2008
The only thing I don't like about the mighty mouse is when the scroll ball gets stuck, which is happening more frequently now.
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K said 2:09AM on 5-07-2008
just saying if your looking to get rid of that mighty mouse, my imac g4 would love and upgrade from the one button pro. =). Though I do have a wireless one for my macbook, so I shouldnt complain.
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starwxrwx said 2:09AM on 5-07-2008
No integrated card reader (too many formats, etc) but they could really do with a BUNCH more USB ports - maybe even some on the *gasp* side - for easy thumb drive use. I'm all for USB-everyithng, but you NEEd lots of built in ports, especially on a desktop with printer/scanner/keyboard/mouse/cardreader/external hdd(s)/ipod(s)/etc all wanting to be hooked up permanently. usb hubs are OK, but built in ports are better!
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