[quote] The fact that OSX is a complete joke doesn't help either. The iMac is soo much faster in 9.x. I'd guess 50% faster. The screen on this iMac is really dim too, even with brightness all the way up. DVD playback is AWFUL!!! This is because of the slow OS and the crappy GeForce 2mx. Pro speakers lick balls too. <hr></blockquote>
OS X is such a joke I can do pro design work in it all day on a 12" iBook 500. It seems fine to me.
As for the screen being dim I've seen 2 iMacs so far and the screen is sharper and brighter than any LCD mac I've seen.
DVD playback was flawless through 5 full DVD's (that's how many we watched that day). No hops, skips, or jumps. PERFECT. And the pro speakers worked perfectly and sounded great, no where near Dolby but livable.
I love the keyboard, by far the most comfortable keyboard I have ever used.
As soon as I have the money I will have me an 800 MHz iMac on my desk.
compared to my 'old' PII 233, the scrolling of page in IE, Netscape, Mail ... is really slow!
and the icon 'disk' is always turning when switching windows. I found the brightness of the LCD display very nice, except the displays of characters (esp. the small fonts) very blurr,
always zoom + to read. Your expertise may help me here.
other than that I have no complain, the digital hub thing is all i want.
This is weird. I just set up a new SuperDrive iMac for my father about a month ago and I use it a lot. The screen is bright as hell, the drive always ejects, keyboard has been fine, speed has been excellent (512 MB RAM BTW), and DVD playback has never skipped a beat, even while playing a song in iTunes, running IE, iPhoto, Entourage, and exporting to PDF in Word X. (Try doing all THAT in OS 9) The Airport card works great as well, as we have a cable modem + Base Station setup. For bundled speakers the included ones aren't bad at all. Add an iSub and you've got a great sound system, or go all the way and get a whole new sound setup if you really want great sound.
The longest I've used this iMac for in one sitting is 5 hours straight, and I have had 0 problems with it so far. It has been an amazing computer. If I didn't need the expansion of a tower, I would definitely buy one for my next desktop.
<strong>...........simply because you are having these unfounded problems and dissapointments</strong><hr></blockquote> What do you mean my unfounded problems? They're based on experience right?
Sorry about your problems! However, I've only played with the iMac once and found it quite impressive, particulary the display. It was very bright indeed so I have to think yours is defect or something. But 1800 (not to mention 1900) is a lot of money and personally I wouldn't pay that amount of money for it. From my short experience I think applenut may well be right about it being one of the best all around computers Apple has ever made. I was very impressed.
Hey, I'm really sorry that you got what has to be a bad iMac. I've had NONE of the problems you listed. Quite the contrary, I've been pleased with all aspects of the machine, and I use it for long periods of time everyday and I've had it for almost 6 weeks now. I have to admit, it's actually my wife's computer. I've ordered a 933 G4 because I have to have a bigger monitor, but I will probably be using the iMac every chance I get. I love OSX and it doesn't seem slow. The screen is almost TOO bright, and very sharp. DVD's run perfectly, everything has worked well.
I feel really bad for you, but your case is not typical at all. I know that some people have had problems, but most haven't.
I'm going to take the iMac in to MacForce tomorrow when i go take in my keyboard. I can't believe these stories of the iMac not skipping while playing a DVD, mine skips like crazy.
<strong>I'm going to take the iMac in to MacForce tomorrow when i go take in my keyboard. I can't believe these stories of the iMac not skipping while playing a DVD, mine skips like crazy.</strong><hr></blockquote>
G4, are you sure it's an imac you've got? Don't recognise it from your description. I've had mine for about a month now and have hardly been off it. There is no problem playing DVDs, no stuck keys and i can't believe your comments on the screen. I'd agree that they are needing to do something about the mouse but even there its a big improvement on the hockey puck I had.
I'm sorry you're having problems but that's not typical of the new imacs.
I shifted from a Bondi Rev B with 8.6 and OSX seems much quicker to me. Apart from Dreamweaver I don't use 9.22 any more either.
Well, I think that the lack of cache and bus speed mean that this machine is much slower than the powermacs. In fact according to my macworld the 800MHz iMac is between the 450 & 533 Powermacs for speed.
I hope that OSX is going to be optomised more, as the speed OF OS9 is quite acceptable.
I don't agree with the build quality comments, you've just been unlucky.
I am not disappointed with the machine, but I think it could have been better without adding to the cost. Why is the bus spped not 133? Why can we buy an 800mhz machine without a Superdrive.
[quote]The screen is almost TOO bright <hr></blockquote>
for me too...i've had mine since 2/1/02 and no problems...use mine a couple of hours every day (making movies and cds and such)...don't watch dvd's on it though...will check that out tonight...the only problem i have is that because the screen tilts i can change how bright an image is....it is nice for me because i can view a photo as lighter or darker just by re-positioning the screen...the down side is, people i send images to can't do this unless they have a new iMac....so i am never sure if the images i send out are dark, light or just right....g
G4Dude got a big stinking lemon. Sorry, 'Dude.</strong><hr></blockquote>
I think the fact that the system isn't that fast because of small cache and slow bus, and the other problems I've had have just combined to make me a really frusterated customer. I'm taking it to macforce today. Oh by the way, if anyone here lives in Oregon, I would highly reccomend MacForce over the Computer Store, this place is bomb.
Maybe also I am more of a 'pro' user than I thought, and these problems I'm having certainly don't help me like my new mac. To those of you that have your new iMac and like it, I'm happy for you.
Question: is there a way to open the Superdrive without pressing the eject key on the keyboard? I'm using an old Apple USB Keyboard w/o the eject key and I would really like to be able to put a CD in.
<strong>I'm going to take the iMac in to MacForce tomorrow when i go take in my keyboard. I can't believe these stories of the iMac not skipping while playing a DVD, mine skips like crazy.</strong><hr></blockquote>
My 500MHz iBook has never skipped playing a DVD, so I doubt the iMacs will. Definately see if you can get a new one.
Why is the bus spped not 133? Why can we buy an 800mhz machine without a Superdrive.</strong><hr></blockquote>
The iMac can't have the same bus as the PowerMac, or at least Apple thinks so. Once the PowerMacs get a faster one the iMac will move up to 133 or faster. I'm not sure why you have to get the Super Driver other than it brings in more money. I'll say again that I am happy with my iMac, but I'd have loved a 1Ghz G4, 133 bus, 80 GB or more 7200 RPM drive, and 512 MB out of the box in the highend.
Hmm, your comments seem pretty weird. When I went to get my DP GHz G4 I saw the iMacs and played on them and the screen was really nice, and it was pretty fast.
I don't like the keyboard too much though on my G4. Keys move around and sh*t. The mouse is fine although could be two button.
<strong>Question: is there a way to open the Superdrive without pressing the eject key on the keyboard? I'm using an old Apple USB Keyboard w/o the eject key and I would really like to be able to put a CD in.</strong><hr></blockquote>
I'm not sure why you would want to use one of the old keyboards with the new iMac, but I wouldn't recommend it. Have you experienced these same problems if you have the proper keyboard attached?
There were some issues with USB keyboards being swapped between improper machines in the past. I'm not sure if the older USB keyboard you have is from a B&W G3 or an iMac, but that may be causing some of your problems, believe it or not. Then again, it could be something else, but I'd try the proper keyboard.
See article #58241 at the Apple Knowledge Base for more info. Quote: "Apple has made slight modifications to the Blueberry version specifically for the Power Macintosh G3 (Blue and White). As such, to avoid any possible issues with earlier keyboards, you should only use the Blueberry keyboard which shipped with your Power Macintosh G3."
Again, not sure why you'd prefer the old style 'small' keyboard.
Have you any other bizarre peripherals attached?
EDIT: I see you've got a busted Pro Keyboard. That would explain the need for the older USB keyboard. My fault for not re-reading before I posted. I'd be curious to see if your iMac's skipping and speed problems go away if you have a regular keyboard/mouse setup. Give it a shot, when you can.
Please buy an G4Imac. I always buy first generation macs. Never had a problem and I always enjoy being in the cutting edge of technology. I had a a LcII when they appeared, a power mac, an imac (rev. A), an Ibook (rev A)a G3 (same), A G4 400, a tibook... and now an 800 imac. Applenut once came in my carracho server and advised me to buy it. So i sold the Tibook and went for the imac.
I ama Illustration profesional in Europe. Never had a better computer. Not to say the looks and feeling.
It is VERY fast. Much more than the G4 400 and the Tibook 400 .I have it with 768 (so the others had) and OSx goes not acceptably... goes very very well. Could it be faster? Does your mind run faster? Can your creativity makes ideas faster?
Come on.
It is fast, stable, DVD playback is just sharp. And the Keybord feels better than the black ones.
Just my opinion... and I have "played" with it for long periods of time
After 11 Macs, and 5 presently in operation, it took the iMac G4 to make me fall in love with OSX and finally move over to it on my G4 Cubes. I stick to 9.x on my G3 iMac SE Snow, Japanese 9.2.2 on the Japanese iBook, and 9.1 on my PowerBook G4 f/w, BUT I cannot see any reason to even suggest that there are problems on the iMac G4 in OSX. Besides, some of us liked the white mouse and keyboard for style that I've ordered another set from Apple!
But, if all the stuff you claim went wrong <img src="graemlins/hmmm.gif" border="0" alt="[Hmmm]" /> really did, then you did get a lemon and go back and get your money back, but an iMac cannot be a PowerMac G4 dual with Ti video board running with a Cinema HD display, THAT will cost you a bit more...
ok i will be the first one to admit it-- i am the big loser who sits in front of the computer for 5 hours or more a day. since i got the imac g4, it's been harder to kick the habit. if anything, it's gotten worse. the design on the chair cushion is now tattooed into my ass from sitting there so long.
i dont think your imac experience is normal. i keep my screen at 50% brightness since it is blinding. i may have retinal damage already. watching dvds is on the imac is SO much fun, i actually prefer it to my big screen tv. im coming from a 233mhz rev A powerbook g3 (wallstreet), and i have no complaints with the imac's speed. i know it could be faster, but there's a point at which the additional payoff doesnt warrant the financial investment. i could have spent more and gotten something faster, but for what i do...this is just fine. i said to myself last time i want a computer that is upgradeable. but in reality, i never upgrade anything. i dont want the hassles, and i would much rather just buy a new machine in a few years. (i'm not rich...im just lazy...hahaha.)
what i use: photoshop, iphoto, imovie, itunes, aol, ms office, diablo2, rtc wolfenstein... call me your average user. i doubt i will ever be using mathematica or final cut pro3. i dont even think i will really burn dvd's too often, but i just like telling people i have a dvd-burner. haha, so sue me. i do burn a lot of cd's though. but the imac really is my digital hub, and it does the job nicely. i am sure i was the target buyer for the new imac campaign.
the keyboard is nicer to type on than i thought (although nothing beats a laptop keyboard IMO) and the pro mouse is a joy. it's actually smoother than my kensington optical, but i do need the 4 buttons and scroll wheel... the pro speakers are not bad, and i hope to add an isub and an external amplifier someday. i was also limited by space, so the imac was exactly what i needed. anyway, i think i bought the right computer (i upped the ram to 768mb). i have given up crying over the fact that technology becomes obsolete the minute it comes out, and i am just going to enjoy my imac g4 for as long as i can.
Comments
OS X is such a joke I can do pro design work in it all day on a 12" iBook 500. It seems fine to me.
As for the screen being dim I've seen 2 iMacs so far and the screen is sharper and brighter than any LCD mac I've seen.
DVD playback was flawless through 5 full DVD's (that's how many we watched that day). No hops, skips, or jumps. PERFECT. And the pro speakers worked perfectly and sounded great, no where near Dolby but livable.
I love the keyboard, by far the most comfortable keyboard I have ever used.
As soon as I have the money I will have me an 800 MHz iMac on my desk.
Mac Guru
i switched to mac 3 weeks ago,
compared to my 'old' PII 233, the scrolling of page in IE, Netscape, Mail ... is really slow!
and the icon 'disk' is always turning when switching windows. I found the brightness of the LCD display very nice, except the displays of characters (esp. the small fonts) very blurr,
always zoom + to read. Your expertise may help me here.
other than that I have no complain, the digital hub thing is all i want.
The longest I've used this iMac for in one sitting is 5 hours straight, and I have had 0 problems with it so far. It has been an amazing computer. If I didn't need the expansion of a tower, I would definitely buy one for my next desktop.
G4Dude, I'm sorry about your bad experience.
<strong>...........simply because you are having these unfounded problems and dissapointments</strong><hr></blockquote> What do you mean my unfounded problems? They're based on experience right?
Sorry about your problems! However, I've only played with the iMac once and found it quite impressive, particulary the display. It was very bright indeed so I have to think yours is defect or something. But 1800 (not to mention 1900) is a lot of money and personally I wouldn't pay that amount of money for it. From my short experience I think applenut may well be right about it being one of the best all around computers Apple has ever made. I was very impressed.
I feel really bad for you, but your case is not typical at all. I know that some people have had problems, but most haven't.
philip
[quote]Originally posted by G4Dude:
<strong>I'm going to take the iMac in to MacForce tomorrow when i go take in my keyboard. I can't believe these stories of the iMac not skipping while playing a DVD, mine skips like crazy.</strong><hr></blockquote>
I'm sorry you're having problems but that's not typical of the new imacs.
I shifted from a Bondi Rev B with 8.6 and OSX seems much quicker to me. Apart from Dreamweaver I don't use 9.22 any more either.
[ 03-22-2002: Message edited by: jimdad ]</p>
I hope that OSX is going to be optomised more, as the speed OF OS9 is quite acceptable.
I don't agree with the build quality comments, you've just been unlucky.
I am not disappointed with the machine, but I think it could have been better without adding to the cost. Why is the bus spped not 133? Why can we buy an 800mhz machine without a Superdrive.
for me too...i've had mine since 2/1/02 and no problems...use mine a couple of hours every day (making movies and cds and such)...don't watch dvd's on it though...will check that out tonight...the only problem i have is that because the screen tilts i can change how bright an image is....it is nice for me because i can view a photo as lighter or darker just by re-positioning the screen...the down side is, people i send images to can't do this unless they have a new iMac....so i am never sure if the images i send out are dark, light or just right....g
G4Dude got a big stinking lemon.
<strong>Summation of this thread:
G4Dude got a big stinking lemon.
I think the fact that the system isn't that fast because of small cache and slow bus, and the other problems I've had have just combined to make me a really frusterated customer. I'm taking it to macforce today. Oh by the way, if anyone here lives in Oregon, I would highly reccomend MacForce over the Computer Store, this place is bomb.
Maybe also I am more of a 'pro' user than I thought, and these problems I'm having certainly don't help me like my new mac. To those of you that have your new iMac and like it, I'm happy for you.
Question: is there a way to open the Superdrive without pressing the eject key on the keyboard? I'm using an old Apple USB Keyboard w/o the eject key and I would really like to be able to put a CD in.
Mac Guru
<strong>I'm going to take the iMac in to MacForce tomorrow when i go take in my keyboard. I can't believe these stories of the iMac not skipping while playing a DVD, mine skips like crazy.</strong><hr></blockquote>
My 500MHz iBook has never skipped playing a DVD, so I doubt the iMacs will. Definately see if you can get a new one.
<strong>
Why is the bus spped not 133? Why can we buy an 800mhz machine without a Superdrive.</strong><hr></blockquote>
The iMac can't have the same bus as the PowerMac, or at least Apple thinks so. Once the PowerMacs get a faster one the iMac will move up to 133 or faster. I'm not sure why you have to get the Super Driver other than it brings in more money. I'll say again that I am happy with my iMac, but I'd have loved a 1Ghz G4, 133 bus, 80 GB or more 7200 RPM drive, and 512 MB out of the box in the highend.
I don't like the keyboard too much though on my G4. Keys move around and sh*t. The mouse is fine although could be two button.
<strong>Question: is there a way to open the Superdrive without pressing the eject key on the keyboard? I'm using an old Apple USB Keyboard w/o the eject key and I would really like to be able to put a CD in.</strong><hr></blockquote>
I'm not sure why you would want to use one of the old keyboards with the new iMac, but I wouldn't recommend it. Have you experienced these same problems if you have the proper keyboard attached?
There were some issues with USB keyboards being swapped between improper machines in the past. I'm not sure if the older USB keyboard you have is from a B&W G3 or an iMac, but that may be causing some of your problems, believe it or not. Then again, it could be something else, but I'd try the proper keyboard.
See article #58241 at the Apple Knowledge Base for more info. Quote: "Apple has made slight modifications to the Blueberry version specifically for the Power Macintosh G3 (Blue and White). As such, to avoid any possible issues with earlier keyboards, you should only use the Blueberry keyboard which shipped with your Power Macintosh G3."
Again, not sure why you'd prefer the old style 'small' keyboard.
Have you any other bizarre peripherals attached?
EDIT: I see you've got a busted Pro Keyboard. That would explain the need for the older USB keyboard. My fault for not re-reading before I posted. I'd be curious to see if your iMac's skipping and speed problems go away if you have a regular keyboard/mouse setup. Give it a shot, when you can.
[ 03-22-2002: Message edited by: seb ]</p>
I ama Illustration profesional in Europe. Never had a better computer. Not to say the looks and feeling.
It is VERY fast. Much more than the G4 400 and the Tibook 400 .I have it with 768 (so the others had) and OSx goes not acceptably... goes very very well. Could it be faster? Does your mind run faster? Can your creativity makes ideas faster?
Come on.
It is fast, stable, DVD playback is just sharp. And the Keybord feels better than the black ones.
Just my opinion... and I have "played" with it for long periods of time
Just buy it.
And excuse my English...
<img src="graemlins/oyvey.gif" border="0" alt="[No]" />
How could you?
After 11 Macs, and 5 presently in operation, it took the iMac G4 to make me fall in love with OSX and finally move over to it on my G4 Cubes. I stick to 9.x on my G3 iMac SE Snow, Japanese 9.2.2 on the Japanese iBook, and 9.1 on my PowerBook G4 f/w, BUT I cannot see any reason to even suggest that there are problems on the iMac G4 in OSX. Besides, some of us liked the white mouse and keyboard for style that I've ordered another set from Apple!
But, if all the stuff you claim went wrong <img src="graemlins/hmmm.gif" border="0" alt="[Hmmm]" /> really did, then you did get a lemon and go back and get your money back, but an iMac cannot be a PowerMac G4 dual with Ti video board running with a Cinema HD display, THAT will cost you a bit more...
i dont think your imac experience is normal. i keep my screen at 50% brightness since it is blinding. i may have retinal damage already. watching dvds is on the imac is SO much fun, i actually prefer it to my big screen tv. im coming from a 233mhz rev A powerbook g3 (wallstreet), and i have no complaints with the imac's speed. i know it could be faster, but there's a point at which the additional payoff doesnt warrant the financial investment. i could have spent more and gotten something faster, but for what i do...this is just fine. i said to myself last time i want a computer that is upgradeable. but in reality, i never upgrade anything. i dont want the hassles, and i would much rather just buy a new machine in a few years. (i'm not rich...im just lazy...hahaha.)
what i use: photoshop, iphoto, imovie, itunes, aol, ms office, diablo2, rtc wolfenstein... call me your average user. i doubt i will ever be using mathematica or final cut pro3. i dont even think i will really burn dvd's too often, but i just like telling people i have a dvd-burner. haha, so sue me. i do burn a lot of cd's though. but the imac really is my digital hub, and it does the job nicely. i am sure i was the target buyer for the new imac campaign.
the keyboard is nicer to type on than i thought (although nothing beats a laptop keyboard IMO) and the pro mouse is a joy. it's actually smoother than my kensington optical, but i do need the 4 buttons and scroll wheel... the pro speakers are not bad, and i hope to add an isub and an external amplifier someday. i was also limited by space, so the imac was exactly what i needed. anyway, i think i bought the right computer (i upped the ram to 768mb). i have given up crying over the fact that technology becomes obsolete the minute it comes out, and i am just going to enjoy my imac g4 for as long as i can.