It ’s been a little more than a year since Apple usher in the iMac G5 . While the update to the iMac reveal last hebdomad does n’t feature as many exterior change , there are enough young features on the inside to stump even the most informed Mac user .
To keep you on top of the latest iMac changes , we tackle some of your frequently call for questions about the fresh example below . ( You ’ll ascertain reply about thevideo - enable iPodandiTunes 6 updatethat were usher in along with the iMac at Apple ’s October 12 press case elsewhere on the site . )
What ’s really newfangled about the new iMac ?
According to Apple , this iMac ’s slimly thinner , tapered suit conceals legion component change that go way beyond bare improvements to processors and video cards . The iMac is the first Mac to utilise PCI Express , a growing link technology in the PC world that ’s quicker than the AGP technology antecedently used to connect a Mac to its telecasting card . It ’s also the first Mac to support DDR2 SDRAM , a faster RAM engineering . The screen door is brighter than the former iMac models . Oh , and it make out with a Mighty Mouse .
Then there ’s the built - in iSight camera , its included remote control , and the new Front Row and Photo Booth program , all of which are presently uncommitted only on the iMac .
Where ’s the iSight tv camera located ? Can I take out it and use it with other hardware ?
The iSight ’s not attached to the top of the screen like Apple ’s standalone iSight television camera — instead , it ’s in reality integrate into the iMac ’s charge plate case itself . The iSight ’s lens is locate stagnant - center on the iMac ’s face , just above the display . To the right is a little green light , which indicates whether the iSight is in operation or not . ( There ’s no physical lens cover . ) So , no , you ca n’t remove the iSight — it ’s baked powerful in .
Apple enounce the iMac ’s include iSight is slightly better than the current edition of the put up - alone iSight . But like its outside counterpart , the built - in iSight take on mental picture at VGA ( 640 - by-480 ) result , so do n’t expect to lug around your iMac as if it were a gigantic digital tv camera .
How does the remote control study ? Does it utilise Bluetooth ?
No , it ’s an infrared remote — the infrared pass catcher is hidden behind the Malus pumila logo just below the iMac ’s screen . There ’s also a little magnet veil beneath the charge card on the bottom one-half of the iMac ’s correct side , and another attracter in the remote itself , so you could park the remoteonyour iMac instead of lose it within your couch cushions .
The remote works in tandem with the young Front Row software program to allow you command the medium on your iMac , almost as if it was a TV set . When you push the Menu push , your Mac ’s port recedes into the distance and fades out , supervene upon by a remote - driven port that let you play music and DVDs , graze picture show trailers , reckon iPhoto albums and slideshows , and watch videos .
Apple ’s also selling the same remote as an iPod accessory . The new iPod dock has an infrared pass catcher on its front , and you may use the remote to assure your iPod from across the elbow room .
Is there a way for me to hook my iMac up to a boob tube and apply Front run-in there ?
Sure — you could expend the $ 19 Apple Video Adapter to output your iMac ’s video to a TV . But your iMac will need to be close enough so that you could attach a cable television service to both the reckoner and your goggle box , and the yield from the iMac will be at the much - lower resolution of standard television rather than at the native resolution of the iMac ’s video display .
Will Front Row appear on other Mac hardware ?
Apple is mum on the subject . It seems pretty likely that we ’ve not seen the last of the Front Row interface . Whether it appears on other Macs — how could it not?—or in other devices continue to be seen .
And I screw you did n’t ask , but it will also be interesting to see if there ’s any ability for external developers to stop up into Front Row . For instance , would n’t it be nice if you could link Elgato ’s EyeTV television - tuner / DVR merchandise to an iMac and be able to command it via Front Row ? And would n’t it be nice to see Front Row on a Mac mini , which could nestle right next to your telecasting bent ? Yes to both of my rhetorical inquiry . But for now , Front Row is an Apple - only , iMac - only experience .
How should the changes under the iMac ’s cap affect carrying into action ?
The faster processor , faster RAM , faster bus hurrying , and faster video plug-in should all make the iMac — you infer it — quicker . How much flying will have to expect until we get one in the Macworld Lab for testing .
What ’s the point of Photo Booth ?
Photo Booth is n’t meant to be an earth - shattering program . Bundled only with the Modern iMac , it ’s a scrap of fun that occupy advantage of a computer with a built - in camera . With Photo Booth , you may take icon of yourself ( or your friends ) using the iMac ’s build - in iSight camera . The screen winkle to white right when Photo Booth takes a moving picture , so the iMac screen behaves like a photographic flash . Photo Booth offer 16 unlike photographic effects in vary levels of weirdness , so your ego - portrait can be a minuscule less slow . With one button you may send your picture to iPhoto or Mail or Address Book or make it your drug user ikon . It ’s a pot like the Take Video Snapshot picture in iChat , with effects discombobulate in .
If what you ’ve just read piddle no sense to you , try this one instead : it ’s for the kids . It ’s a silly , crackers way of life for the kids to take movie and institutionalise ’em around . Nobody ’s go to make you use Photo Booth if you do n’t want to .
Is there really no modem on the iMac ?
It ’s true . First Apple countenance you buy a Power Mac G5 without a modem , and now the iMac G5 has no modem at all . Apple ’s rationale is that with an increase amount of people using broadband Internet , there are a tidy sum of wasted modems out there in the world . So to save some money and space , Apple ’s take away the modem from the iMac political party . Fear not : if you need a modem , you could buy the novel , tiny $ 49 Apple USB modem .
This development in all likelihood spell the end for modems in Apple ’s desktop Macs . It ’s a philosophical change a lot like the elimination of the floppy private road ; the good news is , as long as Apple ’s got a wide-eyed USB modem available as an option , you ’ll still be able to get on the net even if you ’re not a broadband user .
Are Bluetooth and AirPort Extreme options on these new iMacs , or are they built - in ? And what about the SuperDrive ?
Apple ’s formerly - optional wireless - networking and optic - campaign technology are all now built in . When you buy a new iMac , it will automatically come with AirPort Extreme , Bluetooth , and a SuperDrive . It appear like the Clarence Shepard Day Jr. of optional wireless networking and videodisc combustion are rapidly coming to an end .
