iMac G5 Recommended - Forget Dell, HP, Sony or Gateway Desktops - Make the Switch

"A New Gold Standard for PCs" WSJ.com - The Mossberg Solution: "A New Gold Standard for PCs"

According to a new review by Walt Mossberg and Katherine Boehret of the Wall Street Journal, no desktop on the market from the four largest Windows based PC vendors can match the new Apple iMac G5. My view on the review is that it will encourage those considering the switch to purchase their first Mac.

The following is a powerful quote from the article:

"We've been testing this new iMac, and our verdict is that it's the gold standard of desktop PCs. To put it simply: No desktop offered by Dell or Hewlett-Packard or Sony or Gateway can match the new iMac G5's combination of power, elegance, simplicity, ease of use, built-in software, stability and security."

The review has great comments about Apple's Front Row software. Front Row is seamlessly integrated with Apple's other software to allows iMac users to play music (from iTunes), view photos (from iPhoto) and watch videos stored on the iMac's hard drive. You can also control Apple's DVD player to watch DVDs. All this made possible with a remote control that comes shipped with the iMac G5.

For you potential switchers you'll like to know that the reviewers stated the following:

"From setup to performing the most intense tasks, it's a pleasure to use. And, contrary to common misconceptions, this Mac is competitively priced, when compared with comparably equipped midrange Windows PCs; and it handles all common Windows files, as well as the Internet and email, with aplomb."

The article demonstrates that most current Windows users no longer need to be reluctant to make the switch. Mac OS X handles all of your Windows based files. Be sure to read my previous post on how easy it is to make the switch, Part 7- It's Easy

Mossberg and Boehret go on to state, "The combination of the new, improved hardware, plus Front Row, makes the iMac G5 the best consumer desktop you can buy this holiday season, period."

The review also outlines the benefits of using a OS X over Windows:

"Like all Macs, the new iMac comes with Apple's excellent Tiger operating system, which hasn't yet attracted any successful viruses and has no reported spyware. Tiger already includes the key features Microsoft is promising for its next version of Windows, due in about a year. These include an integrated desktop search, parental controls and tougher security. And it comes with Apple's iLife suite of first-rate multimedia programs for managing and creating music, photos, videos and DVDs -- better than any similar software for Windows."

To top off the review, they state, "All in all, we can heartily recommend the iMac G5."

For those of you who are considering the Switch, this article speaks for itslef and demonstrates the benefits of using a Mac. No other desktop on the market from a Wintel vendor can give you all the features, software, security, and stability that the new iMac G5 offer.

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Computerworld Journalist Loves the New iMac

Computerworld > Dreaming of a White Christmas

Ulrika Hedquist of Computerworld, recently reviewed the new iMac G5. Her biggest complaint, "please, don?t make me part with this wonderful machine"

She was able to get the iMac unpackaged, setup, and in use in ten minutes. In addition, she was impressed with the overall design stating: "The Mac is beautiful ? shiny, white, minimalist. It is flat (about an inch deep) with a slightly convex back to fit in the whole computer behind the screen. Fancy." Her PC on the other hand suffered from a lack of design and was loud and bulky.

Ulrika also praised the included Mighty Mouse, built-in iSight camera, and Front Row remote control.

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A Switcher's Experience

The following is an experience from a someone who recently made the Switch. This person purchased thier first Mac, a new 17" Powerbook G4 and sent me an email describing the experience. The writer outlines their transition from a Windows user to one who truly enjoys Mac OS X.

My hope in posting his email is that thier experience will encourage those of you who are considering the Switch. I've removed thier name and email address for privacy reasons.

Impressions of Switching to my 17" Powerbook

- It looks awesome, the slim aluminum enclosure is better than any laptop that I've ever owned. It does have an inherent "wow" effect on others. When I take it to work, my co-workers tend to check out my system and ask what it is. The complements are a nice experience as I never got that from my previous Windows based laptops. Many have asked why I bought a Mac. On numerous occasions, I end up in a long discussion with and often find myself engaging in demonstrations showing it's ease of use and great features. I've launched the preinstalled iLife suite of applications and many are surprised how easy they are to use. My more technical colleagues find the UNIX underpinnings to be quite useful on a laptop when compared to it's Linux counterparts.

- It's easy to use. I find OS X to be a more intuitive operating system. It's easier to use and navigate. I like the interface. I am always working in multiple applications at any given time and therefore liked to use the "Show Desktop" icon in the Windows Quick Launch taskbar to minimize all open programs in XP. In OS X, I've come to love Expose as I can hide all open programs and windows with a simple keystroke. I am also able to switch from one running app to another in much less time than in XP.

- Logical and customizable. With OS X, I can launch the terminal application to access almost anything from a command line. I can easily do whatever I want from a UNIX perspective from writing and modifying scripts, navigating across directories, viewing log files, modifying permissions on files and directories, or anything else I want to do. Mac OS X gives me the ideal computing platform. I get a great looking, easy to use and learn GUI (thanks to Aqua) and I have the ability to customize the UNIX underpinnings. I can modify the OS to be as simple or as customized as I want. Thanks Apple!

- Integrated and optimized. OS X allows me to run those critical Windows based applications thanks to Virtual PC. I can stay productive with my colleagues by running Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac. We can easily share Word documents and Excel spreadsheets. My Powerbook allows me to work seamlessly with Windows-based systems in my employer's network. I can easily access the network; get email, and access files/peripherals that the Windows based systems use. Furthermore, there is a vast developer community out there that provides open-source applications/software. For example, the Firefox browser is available for OS X as well as chat programs, file transfer (ftp), and countless other software for free or minimal costs. I love checking out the http://www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/unix_open_source/ site and I highly recommend it.

- More stable than XP. I've had better stability with my Powerbook running OS X compared to my previous laptops running Windows XP. I constantly find myself more productive in completing my day-to-day and workload intensive tasks.

- Community. I love the friendly, intelligent, and open OS X/Apple community. I've found that Mac users go well beyond the "general" interest in using their systems. Most are technically savvy and are willing to assist fellow Mac users. I find the community to be extremely helpful and knowledgeable. I've found the Apple Discussion Forums to be a great resource and the people there helped me get up to speed on OS X as they answered my questions clearly and coherently.

Additional Comments
Those of you who are considering the purchase of your first Mac, I can say from personal experience that you will not be disappointed. The decision to invest in an Apple Powerbook, iBook, G5, iMac or Mac mini may provoke you to ask yourself numerous questions. You will likely be inclined to compare the specs with a Dell, HP, or other PC manufacturer. In most cases, those systems will be less costly than a Mac but the difference in functionality, ease of use, and overall computing experience speak for themselves. I have no regrets paying the Apple "premium" as my experience has surpassed my expectations, it was worth it. I encourage you to make the investment and to reclaim your computing experience.

My hope is that potential switchers will find this write-up beneficial to making their decision and you can post it on your blog.

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