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iMac G5 Pros and Cons

Hi,

I have admired Apple computers since I was a child and even used the old Macs in high school (15 years ago). Finally, 2 years ago, I bought my first Apple system. I bought an iBook G4 12". I was smitten with Mac OS X. The power and tools from the Unix world married with the ease of use and attractiveness of the previous Mac OS versions. I now find Windows to be extremely inferior.

Unfortunately, my iBook had several quality issues that required it to be sent in for repair a few times. The genius bar system has been an extreme pleasure to use for support and repair. Apple even felt bad about all the repairs my iBook had to endure and they recently gave me a new iBook. (Very cool!!)

I now want to throw my Windows desktop in the trash and get an Apple desktop. Power Macs are a little too expensive for me right now. So, I am considering a 17" iMac G5. To avoid any issues with quality I would appreciate it if those who already have this system could share the pros and cons with me. I would be interested in Pros and Cons related to performance and quality. Has anyone had any issues that required repair? How is the performance compared to PCs and compared to the Power Macs?

Does anyone recommend a different Mac? (Mac mini or Power Mac)

Has anyone else recently switched to Mac? Please share your experience.

Forgive me, if this has been repeated in this group before.

Thanks,

Michael

iBook G4, Mac OS X (10.4.3)

Posted on Nov 29, 2005 8:06 AM

Best reply

howwow

Level 4

3,538 points

Posted on Nov 29, 2005 9:53 AM

Hi Michael, I am very delighted to help you answer your queries, from one mac lover to another...

I think this is my 4th or 5th Desktop Mac that I owned, the last was the G4 Cube which I "loved to death" also I put in considerable upgrades, but the lure of the iMac G5 was simply just too powerful, I also had an iBook 12" and now own a PowerBook 12".

iMac G5 Pros
•Relatively "cheap", affordable - for everything you need in one sleek and extremely beautiful design, you can't find another in the market today
•Space Saver - takes up little space, light-weight, easy to carry around, even to the Service Centre
•Less wire clutter - if you go totally wireless with the keyboard, mouse and internet. But I would hold on to the Mighty Mouse
•For a consumer mac, its G5 power is more than adequate for your computing needs, from iLife apps to games etc
•You get a "free" iSight camera built-in

iMac G5 Cons
•Limited Expandability - Only supports up to 2.5G Ram right now, with just one Ram slot in the Rev. C, so you must choose your Ram wisely; Same goes with one Hard Disk, Graphics Card etc, it's all built-in, you will need to get external FireWire drives, should you one day run out of the (BTO) 500G HD space!
•Only up to 20" Screen Space, if you want something bigger, you might want to opt for the Mac mini
•Fan noise - this is really user-dependent, some suffer from constant buzzing and fan noise, especially from the Rev. As, some Rev. Bs, but others have absolutely quiet iMacs...
•Hard or Impossible to Upgrade - again, with everything in a sleek enclosure, but harder if you want to change or add a new HD, upgrade a new Graphics Card, add another PCI card etc etc... but then and again, if you need to do all that, you'd probably better off with a Pro Mac G5

I think that's about all I can contribute, but seriously, I would advice you to get the 20" iMac instead, the screen size is just nice, nowadays for home consumer computer needs, if you notice, LCD screen models are coming out with more and more 19" and above... You won't regret the 20", I love mine just the way it is...

Althought it is a G5 processor, of course the computing power cannot be compare to a Pro G5, which has higher processor speed, front side bus, video ram, dual core etc, those are meant for pro running applications, if you find yourself needing to run apps like FCP, Motion etc everyday, then you should be looking for the G5

Other than that, I think the iMac G5 20" is the "perfect home consumer" mac.

Cheers

iMac G5 20" (Ambient Light Sensor) Mac OS X (10.4.3) 250G HD, 2G Ram

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49 replies

hansa

Level 1

0 points

Dec 2, 2005 11:05 AM in response to dan31292

I used to have a 17" G4 PowerBook and replaced it with the iSight G5 iMac a few weeks ago.

At first it was working perfectly and I absolutely loved it, but now I am having issues with freezing. Constantly. Often I can't even turn it off. Today has caused so many problems that I am typing to you from my husband's DELLLLL!!!!

I know I am not the only one, so I would suggest waiting a short time for some of these VERY ANNOYING problems to be cured...then go for it. Because when it does work, I am in heaven.

oh...and I have no issue with the 17" screen. Its lovely.

Dec 2, 2005 4:20 PM in response to hansa

hansa,

I notice you refer to "turning it off" there. I know this is going to sound a little bit odd, but the thing with UNIX (the system that's underneath Mac OS X) is that it wasn't ever really designed to be turned off. There are all sorts of logs and accounting processes that go on continually and then there are timed jobs, usually set to activate during the small hours, that keep things tidy and sorted. Now, I have heard that there are freeware/shareware apps that will ensure that, if you're in the habit of turning your computer off at the end of each day, so the nighttime clean-up tasks don't get to run, they will do it when you next start up the system instead.

However, now we're at Tiger 10.4, I'm not sure to what extent Mac OS X now has its own inbuilt functions to take care of this - but your experiences do seem to suggest that something is happening that could be consistent with clean-up tasks not getting run at night. One way to 'prove' this comes to mind - namely, leave your system turned on for one night, and see how it is the next day. You never know.

One other suggestion - I suspect, like most people, you just went straight in and used the factory pre-installed system on the hard disk? Most of us who've been once bitten tend to ignore that pre-installed system and advise that you wipe it, re-zero the entire drive, partition it (if you want - and there ARE distinct benefits from doing this), and then do your own system install. Also, if you want your system to be fully up-to-date, there's one more glitch that many have reported. You will most likely have received the system with 10.4.2 installed, and the same version on the install CDs - to update to 10.4.3 however, the knowing advice is NOT to use software update. Instead, go to the apple/support/downloads webpage and download the 10.4.3 COMBO installer. Many people who had troubles after updating to 10.4.3 via Software Update have said that their troubles went away once they ran the COMBO updater over the top. I don't know what this should be the case (though I have my thoughts), but if you did, at some point, use Software Update to move up to 10.4.3, this may also be (at least partly) the source of some of your troubles.

I'm sure you will get further comments from other people here, but I hope mine will help you to resolve your issues and leave your husband's Dell alone. (You know it's not good for you!)

Nigel

iMac G5 (iSight 2.1GHz), PB G3 (WS 300 MHz) and 9600/350 Mac OS X (10.4.3) Also still running 10.2.8 and 9.1 (for posterity!)

Dec 2, 2005 8:51 PM in response to Michael McGarry

O.K. I get that the fan is noisy and such, but I am a gamer. I have the origional version of the mac mini( attatched to a beautiful 23" HD Cinima display). Gaming is grat(no problem at all. I have one GB of RAM thats all I need(probably because My computer is set to reboot right before I get home from school). The new imac is awsome. The exclusive software is sooo cool and the isight is better than the one i have on my mac mini, which is totally awsome 'cause now it's not blurry due to better lighting). I'm surprised that microsoft didn't get one of its ***** companies (dell) to make a duplicate computer. Ever notice how the only thing microsoft ever came up with by itsself was the xbox and the (non-working)xbox360(on e-bay for 11million dollars, no bs). They always copy off of mac. (including their current attempt to make a unix-like version of windows(windows vista), which, essentially will be a modified version of windows, which are the same os with added programs each time(yes windows xp is really windows 3.1 with better hardware support.) I"m also surprised the didn't make the Windows Capsul(win ipod)

Macsastic

Level 4

3,380 points

Dec 3, 2005 9:13 AM in response to Nigel Hamlin

Wow, having read some of your responses Im guessing you are either a 12 year old kid or just a reeeeealllly irritating individual.

0b81

Level 1

10 points

Dec 4, 2005 6:14 AM in response to hansa

I bought my imac g5 5 about 3 or 4 weeks ago now. I have never turned it off. It has never made any ridiculous noises. It froze on me 1 time, breifly, because i goofed it and the windows version of my printer software in by mistake. But I didn't have to reset it. It resumed after about 1 minute. I have a 200GB external harddrive that runs a back up each night. I burn 2 DVD's to ipod per day (one when I wake up, and 1 right before I sleep. Normal on most days) And I use itunes and front row almost constantly. I play a few games also. That idiot SL and currently Sims2. I have many photos on my comp, and I even installed the crap windows media player, and real player on my comp and I use them. Now my friend has basically the same setup as me. But he has this big Adobe Photo pro thingy on his comp. He has problems. We compared both of our systems, and the only thing we could see different was ventilation. My computer is between a window and a door. In the mornings, (nothing to do with the comp) I let in fresh air. This air being cool, as its winter now. His comp is in a corner not cluttered, but nowhere for hot air to escape. He has some noise issues sometimes, and his imac freezes sometimes during day usage. I am not implying that fresh air will fix your comp. But after I read the manual, even there it says that once your comp runs for a while and gets hot, you may get noises etc.
I have had no issue, and I find it odd that many people complain about noise etc, when all I have gotten was a low completly normal hummm. I experienced no issues updating to .3? via built - in software updater. And I most surely didn't swipe my entire drive and reload it before I used it, or ever.

DL Byron

Level 1

105 points

Dec 4, 2005 7:53 AM in response to Peanut's dad

Peanut's dad,

I had problems with my Rev a iMac G5 as well. All of them were dealt with in a timely, helpful, and responsive manner by AppleCare and eventually, the computer was replaced under warrantly with the iMac iSight. I'm absolutely pleased by the iMac iSight and agree with Mossbergs's review, even taking it further to say it's the best consumer computer ever made. Often in the message boards, you'll hear mostly complaints. It was frustrating to have fan and video problems with my computer, but AppleCare did the right thing.

17 inch Mac OS X (10.4.3)

Dec 4, 2005 11:27 AM in response to Nigel Hamlin

Thanks Nigel. I would still argue that the commitment to quality leaves a lot to be desired. The iMac G5 Rev.A is just one example, the problemetic printer support in Tiger another, the battery problems in the laptops another, and the scratching screens on the iPod Nano yet another.

Because the competition in the WinTel segment is much tougher, companies there have much more incentive to ship quality. If they don't, they die. That is with the exception of Microsoft naturally, which has a pretty tight grip on it's market. Come to think of it, with Apple owning both the hardware and the software, within the Mac market they are more of a monopoly than MS.

Anyway, it is both good and frustrating to hear that Apple has been replacing Rev.A machines with Rev.C. It seems they are recognizing the problem. Unfortunately, they have known about my problems for quite some time and have not acted with similar generousity. Effectively, I am now writing off over 2000 dollars worth of hardware in a single year, because I can no longer trust my iMac G5. Now I am not a gamer, I just wanted to buy a reliable and usable computer for at home, so I did not expect to have to replace my Mac for another 2 to 3 years.

I'll see if I can find a nearby Apple Store and can get some resolution. But honestly, I am not sure if I want to work with this troubled platform any longer.

In the mean time - Apple employees - you know where to find me. This account links straight to my .Mac subscription.

Dec 4, 2005 11:34 AM in response to Peanut's dad

Because the competition in the WinTel segment is much tougher, companies there have much more incentive to ship quality. If they don't, they die.

I'd be awfully interested to know what PC maker you consider to have better quality than Apple.

joeuu

Level 5

5,089 points

Dec 4, 2005 12:56 PM in response to Peanut's dad

the problemetic printer support in Tiger another

It is my understanding that it is HP's responsibility to code HP printer drivers for Tiger, not Apple's.

Joe

Dec 4, 2005 3:57 PM in response to Peanut's dad

That is just bull!!! If what you say is true, then just about all windows vendors would be gone by now, to include microsoft.

If you don't like the platform, then by all means leave. You will not be missed.

Glor

Dec 4, 2005 7:16 PM in response to 0b81

Anyway, the 17" screen is VERY good.
Perfect for veiwing from acroos the room. The
lighting is great and everything. My friend has a
20". You really can't notice the difference until
you are about 10-15 ft away. besides size, the 20"
screen is the same as 17" when it comes to clearness
and resolution, although my friends does seem a
little bit brighter than mines for some reason.

I own the 17" revB and love it. But just to make sure misinformation isn't spread, the 17" screen on any of the imacs is not the same quality as the 20". The brightness is greater on the latter, and the refresh-rate seems higher too when you scroll.

Dec 4, 2005 8:00 PM in response to Michael McGarry

Michael,

Go with the 17 inch iMac.

I too am a Windows switcher, and I have had a long strange switch.

Bought a Mac Mini back in April, got it home, found out it was used (cables were thrown in a heap, manual written in). Took it back.

Got another Mini, started into my normal routine (iTunes running, Word going, email going, Firefox running) and the computer was too slow. Threw it back in the box and took it back. Great machine for my mom, but didn't have enough power for me (yes, I could have added memory and that would have helped, but I tend to avoid any operation that involves prying open the machine with a putty knife -- funny that way.)

Gave up on Apple and decided to wait for the Intel machines, but saw the discontinued iMacs on closeout and couldn't resist.

I bought a 17 inch iMac rev B, had the dreaded fan buzz, took it back.

Bought a 17 inch iSight, had a big freaking cluster of dead pixels on the right hand side of the screen. Took it back.

Swapped that for another 17 inch iSight, which I have had for just over three weeks now, and I can assure you that this is the finest computer I have ever owned. I fired up my Dell Dimension 8400 earlier today and I honestly don't know how I ever worked on that machine on a daily basis. The iSight iMacs are an absolute pleasure in every way.

I have to use XP for work, but this household will never, ever, purchase anything other than an Apple computer ever again.

I know the quality issues can be scary, and I had my problems. All my purchases were not direct from Apple but instead from an authorized Apple reseller with a little more generous returns policy -- don't know if I can name them in this forum so I won't. I'd recommend going that route if you can.

Happy switching,
Dave

Dec 5, 2005 1:50 AM in response to Paul Csibrik

Can you return the computer within 14 days? Even in Australia?

Dec 5, 2005 4:20 AM in response to Glorfindeal

After more than 15 years of using the Internet, and ten since it first went 'commercial', it never ceases to amaze me how, in any intelligent discussion, there's always some offensive, abusive idiot that comes along to spoil the party.

Anyone else ever noticed that?

Nigel

Dec 5, 2005 8:48 AM in response to Nigel Hamlin

Likewise....

iMac G5 Pros and Cons