Apple iMac DV Special Edition

I have an iMac sitting on my desk but if I close my eyes I wouldn't know it; the machine is almost completely silent. The new, much anticipated iMac has one incredibly novel feature, especially for the home user who may put such a system in their lounge or bedroom - no fan. So, what else has Apple's new baby got to offer?

The new model comes in three flavours: the basic iMac, iMac DV (Digital Video) and iMac DV SE (Special Edition).

Starting at the bottom, the basic model has a 350MHz G3 processor, 64MB of SDRAM, a 6GB hard drive, 24-speed, slot-loading CD-ROM, an 8MB ATi Rage 128 graphics subsystem and one colour option - blueberry.

Moving up the scale the iMac DV comes with a 400MHz G3 processor, 64MB of SDRAM, a 10GB hard drive, four-speed, slot-loading DVD-ROM, two FireWire ports and a choice of colours: strawberry, blueberry, lime, tangerine and grape. On the top rung of the ladder is the iMac DV SE which has the same spec as the DV except it comes with 128MB of SDRAM, a 13GB hard drive and, more importantly, is only available in super-sleek graphite. Also, all the models now feature standard PC100 SDRAM DIMMs. This is all very interesting, but iMacs are generally not bought on their raw specifications.

What is more important is its usability.

The iMac is still incredibly easy to set up - from the box to the Internet took a little under 15 minutes. Click the 'Get me on the Internet' icon and after some 'funky' music and dancing iMacs you are taken through the steps. The setup currently offers four UK ISPs, two free (Virgin and Demon) and two subscription (Direct Connection and BT Internet). After signing up for the service of your choice, the settings are then downloaded to the machine and configured for you - all very neat.

In terms of software, the machine comes with pretty much everything you need to get going. Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.5 and Netscape Communicator 4.6 are installed as standard along with Outlook Express 4.5 for email (although version 5.0 for the Mac should be available when this hits the streets). The AppleWorks 5 office suite is enough to give the novice user something to play with. For those who need a bit more, Microsoft Office is available in a Mac version. The package is rounded off with a copy of Adobe's PageMill 3 web page creation software and Pangea's Bugdom game.

The review machine came with Mac OS 9, which features a new version of Sherlock to help you find things, not only on your own computer, but on the Internet as well. You can download plug-ins for popular search engines, such as Altavista and Excite, as well as searching online shops, news and reference sites. The list of plug-ins is expanding all the time, allowing you to create, in effect, your own personal search engine.

The DV models also come with a copy of iMovie, an easy-to-use video-editing package. You can import clips from a DV camcorder via the FireWire interface and edit them with the drag and drop interface, adding transitions, sounds and titles along the way.

On the whole, the new iMac lives up to our expectations. If you want a stylish machine that is simple to use, the iMac is definitely worth considering.

Contact - Apple 0870 600 6010 www.apple.co.uk

See also:

Judge issues injunction against producers of iMac lookalikes

A Silicon Valley federal judge plans to block two companies from making, selling and distributing lookalikes of Apple Computer's iMac boxes by issuing injunctions against them.  09 Nov 1999

PC vendors are dazzled by colour

PC manufacturers are looking to ape Apple's fruit-coloured iMacs, as they rush to release machines in various colours and designs.  08 Oct 1999

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