Apple's new iMac almost a media PC

Apple's new iMac almost a media PC
Apple has launched an updated version of its iMac. The new 20-inch iMac G5 is faster, lighter, slimmer and more affordable and has several new media features.

iMac G5 has a faster, 2.1GHz processor than its predecessor which had a 1.9GHz processor. This $1699 system is not just a PC; it is also a home entertainment center. The main feature of the new iMac is a small, white, six-button infra-red remote that turns the PC into a home theatre. The remote that can control the iMac from a distance of 30 feet works with the help of Apple's own software Front Row.

Clicking the remote's Menu button displays a Front Row interface with different menus on it. The Music menu allows you to select and play stored songs. Photos Menu allows you to surf through stored photos and even run slide shows.

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If the iMac is connected to the internet, using the Movies Menu, you can watch Apple Quicktime's movie trailers. You can also play other videos that you have downloaded. The second media feature is an iSight Webcam inside the iMac.

This Webcam has highly sensitive sensors. The webcam can be used to take quick pictures. It can also be used for Internet-based video-conferencing as it has a built-in microphone. Another interesting feature is a Photo Booth with which you can take photos of yourself.

Another improvement over the previous model includes a faster DDR2 RAM. The new iMac also comes with Apple's two-button Mighty Mouse.

Except for a few downsides like the absence of built-in TV tuner and some shortcomings in Front Row like slow buffering of movie trailers, inability to use special effects in slide shows and inability to bookmark videos, the new iMac comes very close to a media PC. In view of the hope that Apple will release updates of the upgradeable software Front Row, iMac G5 is sure to become a perfect PC cum home entertainment center.