## IMPORTANT NOTICE ##
Apple has upgraded the intel iMacs to the new Intel Duo 2 Core microprocessor. Compared to the previous Duo Core microprocessor, this hopefully should be a cooler machine to run and around 50 to 60 percent faster than before. We await the reaction from consumers who decide to take the bait on this latest offering.
You would be wise to avoid running too many dashboard widgets in the background as they will hog a significant amount of your computer's CPU making it get hotter. Widgets can be removed from the /Library/Widgets folders and restarting the computer.
And make sure the computer is properly asleep or shutdown when not in use or else your computer may accidentally stay awake will being carried inside a bag. Reports of laptops getting extremely hot and frying the logic board are not uncommon.
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About the original iMac Core Duo...
Before the Duo 2 Core came out, you could have enjoyed the original iMac Core Duo. Either way, you are likely to get a better video graphics card compared to say the Mac Mini. But do remember, you may encounter a couple of problems with the original intel iMac (Apple won't let you off the hook that easily):
(i) Several users have reported an unexpected restart of their iMac Core Duo after being awakened from sleep mode. We are led to believe this is a software-related problem. Solutions range from deleting the Power Management .plist file (ie. /Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/com.apple.powermanagement.plist); resetting the power management unit; to resetting NVRAM by turning off the computer, restarting it while pressing down the Command, Option, P and R keys simultaneously until after the second startup chime is heard, and releasing the keys.
(ii) And finally Airport network connections disconnect after sleep. Waking the iMac Core Duo does not necessarily cause OSX to automatically check for a local Airport network connection. Or if it does, throughput speeds can suddenly drop to a crawl. Best solution so far is to restart your computer and/or Airport base station, or wait until the next wireless card firmware version is updated beyond 101.3 (3.120.28.3).
Or try another channel on the wireless router.
Otherwise there has been surprisingly few problems to report regarding this particular model from Apple.
Maybe Apple is trying to convince users the desktop variety of Apple computers are better than the laptop variety (see MacBook Pro and MacBook). Clearly law enforcement agencies and software auditors would find it easier to check someone's hard disk in a desktop model than a laptop being carried around by the user!
About the new iMac Core 2 Duo...
It's too early to say for sure (and we are only too happy to start from scratch if all hardware issues are resolved with intel Macs). All we know is that the speed is at 2.16GHz and Apple has introduced a larger 24" model. Pricing may have dropped slightly for the smaller screen size models when you read this.
New models released in September 2006.
## SPECIAL UPDATE ##
25 September 2006
The first sign of the quality behind Apple's new intel iMac using the latest Core 2 Duo is starting to reveal itself. One MacFixIt reader has reported a very noisy hard drive in the latest model compared to the previous intel iMac model (the one with the original Core Duo processor).
For some reason, Apple isn't happy with the previous Maxtor hard disks and have decided to go for Seagate hard drives. But as one MacFixIt reader has said:
'I just received a 17" Intel Core2 Duo Imac (2.0) to replace my 17" Intel Core Duo (no Core2) 1.83. I do a lot of Mpeg2 rendering so the 20-30% speed increase I believe will make quite a difference (at least that is what I tell myself.) Regardless, the internal hard drive in the new iMac is a Seagate ST3250824AS Q and is very loud compared to the to the Maxtor 6L250MO that came in the original Intel Imac. The Maxtor is extremely quiet - I strain to hear it. The Seagate however is making a good deal of noise as it seeks and writes - especially as the iMacs themselves are so quiet.' (MacFixIt.com: iMac Core 2 Duo [Late-2006] (#2). 25 September 2006.)
So what's the problem with the Maxtor hard drives? Aren't they cheap enough for Apple?
In an age where fluid-dynamic hard drives are readily available to provide virtually whisper quiet operation, the decision to use a noisy Seagate hard drive must seem like a return to the dark ages and makes people think Apple hasn't learned from its past.
Mid-2007 20-inch and 24-inch iMac Core 2 Duo
The world has been blessed (assuming no manufacturing faults and a stable OSX to boot) with the fourth-generation iMacs (the other three being the CRT G3 iMac, lamp-shade looking G4 iMac, and the G5 iMac) as of 7 August 2007 ranging in price from US$1199 to US$1799. If you are strapped for cash (who isn't when it comes to Apple products?), you might wish to go for the 20-inch 1600x1050 pixel glossy widescreen display with its respectable 2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo (although for a new machine, why aren't they using 2.2 or 2.4GHz as in the current MacBook Pro?), 250GB SATA internal hard drive and a dedicated ATI Radeon HD 2400XT video graphics card (finally Apple has seen the light in separating the RAM requirements for accelerating graphics drawing on the screen from the standard RAM).
But you are better off going for the mid-range configuration with its 2.4GHz processor, a larger hard disk space of 320GB and a better ATI Radeon HD 2600 Pro video graphics card.
The top of the range model bumps up the display resolution to 1900x1200 pixels and adds a 2.8GHz Intel Core 2 Extreme processor.
Apple has been a little stingy on the RAM side of things for all three models, at 1GB. All models can be expanded to 4GB. And all come standard with an 8x SuperDrive.
Physically the computer is housed in a thinner box making for an easier to carry computer.
If there is one criticism in the design, it would have to be in the glossy widescreen display. The mirror-like glossy surface has caused problems for professional users because of reflective glare of lights which can make it difficult to see the screen contents.
Perhaps Apple wants to direct these new iMacs at consumers, or are hoping professional users will work in the dark?
## SPECIAL UPDATE ##
8 August 2007
Apple quickly released the iMac (Mid 2007) Software Update 1.0 at 5.1MB in size (sensible for downloading purposes), providing important bug fixes allegedly to the graphics card (although Apple again remains cryptic — isn't the company proud of the improvements by saying what they have done?).
The improvements may be a smart move. The last thing Apple needs now is bad publicity for its quality control measures. Now if only the customer service skills were better.
NOTE: Users are better off downloading iMac Software Update 1.1 for better improvements to the ATI Radeon graphics card extensions and possible improvements to Rosetta through changes in the OpenGL behaviour
## SPECIAL UPDATE ##
12 August 2007
One minor annoyance of the latest intel iMacs is how the Expose F3, Dashboard F4 and multimedia function keys don't work. You may be forced to download the Keyboard Software Update 1.1. But if you do, you'll discover something else: if you want to lust after the latest aluminium "super slim" keyboard, beware! Although Apple claims the Keyboard Update is designed to activate certain special features, you will also discover how Apple has quietly designed it to disable certain key sequences for booting the machine from an external drive or into single user mode. And you may find it difficult to wake up a computer that has been put to sleep using the new keyboard together with the Keyboard Update version 1.1. You win some, and you'll lose some. The latest Keyboard Software Update 1.2 appears to show no evidence of fixing the boot key sequence issue. Is this a permanent feature from Apple?
One user has discovered, by chance, how reinstalling OSX can solve the F3, F4 and multimedia funtion keys issue (assuming you haven't installed the Keyboard Software Update). Unfortunately no indications the same method will solve the latter issue after applying the Keyboard Update version 1.1. But why should reinstallation of OSX be necessary? What's causing corruption to OSX files during normal use?
Unless a hard disk has collapsed (eg boot block errors etc) or a virus has damaged system files, or a poorly-designed third-party software application has corrupted a preference file, no user has ever reinstalled the classic OS8 or 9. The brand-spanking new OSX appears to be the exception. Why? Where's the quality control in OSX?
Under the classic environment, trashing a few preference files (if corrupted), updating third-party extensions, and maybe restarting the computer (as a final course of action) and everything would work fine. So why would the current iteration of OSX (Tiger 10.4.10) suffer corruption problems despite clearing caches using OnyX 1.8.3 and presumably .plist files, check file permissions, check hard disk integrity, updated the firmware and the latest Apple updates, restart the computer, and when all that's done still get a misbehaved keyboard which only a reinstallation of OSX may fix? How many average Mac users are prepared to go to this level when they could be doing more important things like doing their work or enjoying life?
Again Apple has got to improve its customer service and quality control by ensuring all related files affecting a particular feature in OSX such as the keyboard are the latest and free of corruption through its software update installers.
It's a basic piece of advice for all software developers.
The world does not revolve around software developers (including Apple). There are more important things in life than dealing with software problems from shonky developers.
The new keyboard from Apple released late 2007, viewed edge-on — perhaps the only view worth looking at when you realise what the Keyboard Update 1.1 and 1.2 will do for the more experienced users!
## SPECIAL UPDATE ##
16 August 2007
Another minor annoyance for anyone wanting to connect an older G4 computer to their latest Intel iMac 24-inch 2.0/2.4GHz machine concerns transferring files via FireWire Target Disk Mode. If you want to transfer files across to the new iMac, FireWire Target Disk Mode (where the G4 computer acts as an external drive) may not work. It has been suggested connecting another FireWire device between the two computers in a daisychain fashion will solve the problem. Or updating the firmware for your particular Macintosh computer model may help. But even if the problem could be solved, why the extra hassles for experienced Mac customers? And why aren't customers told of the difficulties in connecting to an older computer for one of the most logical and important things an experienced Mac user would ever do? Another classic example of poor customer service from Apple, or a hint from Apple of how much it wants new Mac users to prop up profits.
## SPECIAL UPDATE ##
17 August 2007
Sounds like users must be technically-savvy in finding the following quote from the Apple web site:
'Mac OS X 10.3.9 or earlier cannot mount volumes from an Intel-based Mac in Target Disk Mode.
'However, if a computer running Mac OS X 10.3.9 or earlier is connected to an Intel-based Mac and started up in Target Disk Mode, its volume(s) appear as expected on the Intel-based Mac.'
Perhaps users are running an older version of OSX when connecting to an Intel-based Mac in Target Disk Mode? Or users have not tried the reverse of using the other machine in Target Disk Mode so that it can be mounted on the Intel-based Mac. Despite this advice, not all users have managed to get the reverse working on their new iMacs, or only briefly.
Another thing to be discovered is how those few users who are able to connect and transfer files over FireWire Target Disk Mode have noticed how the transfers can fail part-way through, especially with system migrations.
This brings back memories of the Classic OS9.2.2 failing to transfer files after a gigabyte or so to an OSX machine (eg. through ethernet) until only the core OS9 extensions are loaded up where you will discover the file transfer process will be perfect.
Also this article suggests Apple is warning users FireWire Target Disk Mode may not work for older Macs. Better late than never. As one MacFixIt reader said:
'I was told by Apple target mode no longer works with older macs. I have a G4 Quicksilver 933MHz and it failed to work. My new Macbook worked fine.'
Again we can only reiterate what we've said: Apple has got to improve its customer service.
NOTE: Apple is hinting to users how OSX Panther will no longer be supported. Signs of this new policy can be seen in the new iPods released in mid-2007 (transfering files to the iPods can only be done through OSX Tiger). Of course, you won't find that out until you buy the iPod and read the instructions. Then you have to fork out extra money to upgrade OSX to the Tiger version.
## SPECIAL UPDATE ##
23 August 2007
Another issue worth noting but easily remedied if you know what you are doing is the slight rendering differences exhibited by the new iMac mid-2007 model when it comes to certain fonts and the position of characters in iPhoto or in some Dashboard widgets. Fortunately Apple has got its act together on this issue by stating promptly in Knowledge Base article #306305 how the user should send to the Trash the Apple Type Services cache located at:
/Library/Caches/com.apple.ATS
Or use Apple's slightly complicated approach using the Terminal and the following UNIX command:
sudo rm -r /Library/Caches/com.apple.ATS
Or with a bit of luck, the utility OnyX or Font Finagler will do the job for you.
Well done!
## SPECIAL UPDATE ##
26 September 2007
The mid-2007 iMacs have been put through their paces by some brave users wasting risking their money on this machine. Fortunately there isn't anything major to report in terms of something requiring a replacement of logic boards or power supplies as had been the case with earlier iMacs. But when it comes to "minor" issues, we can unfortunately report two hardware-related concerns. The first problem concerns a random or mysterious shutdown of the iMac. It is not clear whether this is an overheating safety feature or perhaps the external FireWire and/or USB devices are grabbing too much power from the computer. Some observers have been reminded of a similar issue with the consumer MacBook only to be solved by an SMC firmware update. Will the mid-2007 iMac need a similar firmware update too? Alternatively you may wish to try reseating the RAM modules.
The second problem concerns a possible change in the FireWire chipset. Some users have noticed a change in the FireWire 400 port of the new mid-2007 iMacs. Users who have always successfully plugged several external devices via FireWire in a daisy-chain fashion with earlier iMacs may discover the new iMacs will no longer accept this configuration. Again Apple remains quiet on this change forcing users to discover the new manufacturing decision after purchasing the machine.
We must assume there are good reasons for making these changes.
## SPECIAL UPDATE ##
7 October 2007
Have you installed Apple's recent EFI Firmware updates for your particular Intel Mac (MacBook Pro, MacBooks, iMac etc) and discovered sluggish system performance? You may discover the speed improves when disconnecting USB devices. This undocumented problem from Apple and discovered by users almost immediately may be resolved by creating a new user account and logging into it. Apparently some system file is corrupted or not compatible with the new firmware conditions. Unfortunately the updates cannot fix the offending system file for total stability. OSX has become too complex for Apple to do the quality control work.
## SPECIAL UPDATE ##
9 May 2008
The mysterious random iMac shutdowns continues to this day for users and it now appears to be related to faulty power supplies inside the iMacs with news that their replacement by Apple seems to resolve the issue. If you have this issue on your mid-2007 intel iMac model, immediately take it to your nearest Apple store for repairs (we suggest removing the hard disk and replacing it with something else if you want to protect your privacy).
## SPECIAL UPDATE ##
18 July 2008
Compared to Apple laptops, it must seem the desktop variety are more likely to last the distance. Either that, or Apple wants to sell more desktop machines. The latest news shows the latest 20-inch intel Imac is currently going out the door for A$1250 (a sudden price drop of A$250). We hope the newer price isn't a reflection of the quality of the iMac.
We suspect the real reason is because more consumers are seeing the benefits of a portable laptop design in terms of less materials and flexibility in working/playing in any location rather than being stuck to one spot with a desktop machine.
