iMac, Apple, iPod

20-inch iMac Core Duo 2.0GHz

<<<... Nitpicking aside, setting up the iMac was a painless process. My biggest challenge was locating the power switch, but the iMac's clean, buttonless bezel is worth this one-time hassle. The iMac boots very quickly in about 44 seconds, which compared to a minute and three seconds for the dual-2.0GHz Power Mac. The first thing about the iMac that will catch your eye is its display -- a brilliant, 20-inch flat panel that puts many other monitors to shame. The 1680x1050 resolution offers enough pixels to fit plenty of information, while leaving standard text very readable. Next to this machine, my 19-inch LaCie Electron Blue III appears drained and blurry. Another thing you'll probably notice is the built-in iSight camera. At first, it may feel a bit like Big Brother is watching you. A privacy shutter like the one on the original iSight would be nice. Of course, that would detract from the iMac's seamless exterior, which Apple has worked so hard to maintain. In terms of quality, the camera-phone-sized iSight is impressive. Like the iPod nano, Apple reduced a once bulky device into something surprisingly small, all while maintaining full functionality. Speaking of seamless enclosures, the company also found an ingenious and simple way to attach the Front Row remote to the side of the iMac -- with hidden magnets. Only Apple could make something so rudimentary seem so profound. The only downside is that the remote quickly begins to create scratches on the machine's glossy surface. Like the iPod, the iMac looks beautiful out of the box, but its glassy surface is easily marred by other objects.

Front Row disappointment

Unfortunately, all is not well in the world of Front Row, Apple's new media software that offers a simple and centralized way for users to play their music, enjoy photo slideshows, and watch video such as DVDs, iMovies, and programming purchased from the company's iTunes Music Store. ... more>>>