Flexiblity and Power in an All-in-One Package

Intro
The Apple iMac has become the ubiquitous symbol of innovation. Every iteration of the product brings new designs, features and usability to consumers. Coupled with the outstandingly successful OS X operating system, the iMac contains a wealth of features and power to drive home and business applications alike.

I think the iMac is a great fit for virtually anyone looking for their next Macintosh. Let me tell you why.

Setup
The iMac is the all-in-one solution of the Apple line. The CPU and monitor components are combined. Some users consider this a drawback, but consider that an advanced video card will often require a monitor with a matching native resolution. The iMac guarantees this. The form factor of the iMac is such that the entire unit can sit comfortably on any desk and take up only as much space as a typical LCD monitor.

Setting up the iMac was as easy and plugging in the power, keyboard, and mouse then pressing the power button. Mac OS X began to boot and Apple's masterful setup wizard began it's work.

I was migrating to the iMac from my old Mac Mini. I have been using Apple's Time Machine backup utility and was impressed when the setup wizard asked me if I had one to transfer all my data. I did so I plugged in my external USB drive and did the migration. After about 20 minutes transferring my data I was surprised to see the setup wizard finish. I fully expected to be asked to setup my user account/time date etc... Upon starting up again, I was surprised to see my new iMac with EXACTLY the same setup as my old mini. Files, user accounts, applications, desktop settings, widgets. They were all there. This tiny feature just saved me hours of work.

Apps
Included with the iMac is Apple's latest operating system, OS X 'Leopard' and the home application suite iLife. OS X comes loaded with utilities and applications that make using the Mac easier. iLife is a home media applications suite that includes iPhoto, iMovie, GarageBand, and iWeb. Each of these applications enables users to exercise their creative skills in an entirely Macintosh way.

To further help organize your life, Apple includes the most up to date versions of Safari (web browser), iCal (a calendar app), Mail (for e-mail), and Address Book (to keep your contacts).

New to OS X Leopard is Time Machine, Apple's backup utility. Time Machine allows you to store snapshots of all your data months into the past. If you delete or modify a file, you can go back and retrieve your file as it was. Time Machine backups can also be used to restore a damaged Macintosh or as a one-touch migration source to a new Mac.

Features/Usability
The iMac comes loaded with ports for peripherals. Included are 4 USB 2.0, 1 Firewire 800, a speaker out, mini DVI, and a line in port. If this isn't enough, the included keyboard comes with 2 more USB ports.

The iMac comes loaded with power. The Intel Core 2 Duo processor is a strong performer. If needed, the memory can be expanded to 4GB to support pro applications like Logic or Photoshop. The video capabilities are admirable and should easily support any game or Pro application. The beauty of the iMac line is it's variety of processor, video, and memory combinations. This product will support everyone from home users to professionals. About the only thing the iMac won't do is high end video rendering or server applications. For this Apple offers either the Mac Pro or XServe, which utilize Intel's Xeon processors and the extended memory capabilities of the Xeon platform.

The iMac also comes equipped with a high quality iSight camera integrated into chassis on top of the monitor. I find the camera great for video blogging or chatting. Another nice feature from Apple.

Support
Apple support is legendary. On top of the standard 6 month warranty, you can purchase an extended all inclusive 3 year warranty with includes free telephone support. I had exactly 1 support experience with Apple involving a corrupted track I downloaded from the iTunes Store. They resolved my issue within a day and made me feel like an important customer. 5 stars for Apple support.

Serviceability
The iMac is barely serviceable. About the only thing a user can do for themselves is install memory, and this was a chore. I upgraded my iMac from 1GB memory to 4GB memory. To remove the existing memory module, you have to pull on a plastic tab that resembles photographic film. To say this was a chore is an understatement. The film was slippery and took a lot of force to pop out the module. I had to use pliers.

Overall
The iMac is a highly flexible platform from Apple. It can be configured to suit home and Pro users alike. It's mix of integration, power, and user experience make the iMac a 5 star offering from Apple.