Date: Thursday, August 16, 2007

The launch of the new iMac

The launch of Apple’s new desktop reminds the public that the company doesn’t just make iPods.

As with any new Apple product there was a lot of hype surrounding the newest version of their flagship iMac, but commentators were quick to point out that the new computer only features very subtle changes. The biggest change is the appearance of the new iMac which is thinner than previous models, and features brushed aluminium and glass, which replace the iconic white plastic model, as well as a super-slim keyboard. The materials used to create the shell of the new model iMac were especially emphasised by the company’s chief executive, who pointed out their positive recyable qualities. The new 4GB memory also impresses, but the subtlelty of the changes to the screen display, such as the ‘open apple’ key being changed to the ‘command’ key, have disappointed many enthusiasts. Many expected to see more fundamental changes, but these have not been forthcoming.

New additions to the iMac software include the Numbers application which is a spreadsheet program with templates for the most common types of graphs and charts, and a drag and drop option for photos. Heralded by Apple as the best home computer the company has ever made, the new iMac does have some other new features as well. The iPhoto application has a new feature called Event, which organises photo libraries accroding to the day they were taken on and represents that day with a single photo. Other innovations include the Web Gallery, which allows users to share their photos and movies from iLife instantaneously with Mac, PC or iPhone owners; and the capability of including live web widgets, such as Google Maps, into websites created using iWeb. There has also been a total revamp of iMovie with the ability to upload clips straight on to YouTube and the ability to create iTunes versions of videos. Will the new iMac increase Apple’s already firm hold on the market? The figures seem to indicate it will, as recent reports show that Apple computer shipments were nearly three times that of PCs in the last quarter.

Sources: Times Online, Guardian