Apple iMac G5 Desktop with 20" M9250LL/A (1.80 GHz PowerPC G5, 256 MB RAM, 160 GB Hard Drive, SuperDrive)

by Apple

Product Details

Product Manual [1.87mb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 20 x 2 x 16 inches ; 5 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 36 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B0002OG6NY
• Item model number: M9250LL/A
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: August 30, 2004

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

Welcome to the future.
The iMac G5 offers all-in-one elegance that’s delightfully affordable. Take in the view on a widescreen flat-panel display. Proudly display the iMac G5 in any room of your house — it’s lightweight enough to move from your kitchen to the den or bedroom. The 20-inch model shows more than two full pages of text and graphics side by side — with twice the brightness, sharpness and contrast. Hidden behind the display, you’ll find the entire computer: central processing unit (CPU), logic board, hard drive, optical drive, speakers, microphone and power supply. But you’ll actually find that the computer just fades away as you organize music and photos, or compose tunes and edit movies with the iLife suite of integrated applications for your digital lifestyle. What’s more, since the iMac is wireless-ready, you don’t even have to place it near a phone jack. Simply pop in an AirPort Extreme Card, hook up an AirPort Express to your DSL connection or cable modem, and you can surf the Internet wirelessly, listen to tunes in another room and print wirelessly.

The new iMac G5 includes power supply, stereo speakers, and a slot-loading SuperDrive enclosed within the widescreen flat-panel display.

The Display is the Computer Apple designers removed the extraneous, miniaturized the necessary, souped up the performance and concealed the result in immaculate perfection. The iMac G5 hangs suspended from a graceful anodized aluminum stand and its widescreen display lets you chat with several friends while you retouch photos, surf the web or scan email — and see everything at the same time. In fact, the 1680 x 1050 pixel resolution 20-inch display can show more than two full pages side by side. That’s 36% more screen area than the 20-inch, at 1440 x 900 pixels. Technology Democratized The iMac G5 brings the same innovative system architecture in Apple professional desktops to the home. The G5 processor makes everything zippier — connecting to email or the web, creating movies, songs and DVDs, arranging photos or playing music. The 1.8 GHz G5 processor is ready to run modern 64-bit applications under the secure and stable Mac OS X operating system. What’s more, the G5 speeds up Mac OS X and all the other included software, such as iLife ’04, Quicken 2004 and World Book.

All-in-One Ease
iMac G5 tucks away all the modern amenities in its two-inch thin body, such as a slot-loading SuperDrive. Burn DVD slideshows of vacation photos or send friends a DVD with a special movie for the holidays. Back up your iTunes collection or make a mix CD for that special someone. Naturally, you can pop in your DVD movies and watch them in 16:10 widescreen letterbox format on the gorgeous LCD display. Your ears will hear pristine audio from built-in stereo speakers. Pointed down, the speakers bounce sound waves off your desk, counter or table into your ears.

A Place for Everything Remove the back cover on the iMac G5, and you’ll discover that perfect order is not just a requirement, but also candy to the eye. Thoughtful touches abound its dense layout, since Apple engineers considered the placement of every bit of technology — several times. Inside, you’ll find enough modern technology to make even nerds drool. That’s a 1.8 GHz G5 processor, 600 MHz frontside bus, 256 MB DDR SDRAM running at 400 MHz and NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200 Ultra with 64 MB graphics memory. So you’ll be able to play Worlds of Warcraft, Doom III and other fantastic entertainment. Power to Spare What’s more, the thin enclosure even holds the power supply, so you won’t need to accommodate a huge power brick. Obsessed by the drive to offer you the best personal computer, Apple engineers strove to add fit and finish in every detail, down to the power switch located on the back panel. When you remove the panel, the button goes with it. But with the case closed, the button makes contact with the power supply.

Quieter than a whisper, the iMac G5 measures less than 25dB when idle and a slit in the back of the case allows heat to rise out the top

 

Ports include: Two FireWire 400 ports, three USB 2.0 ports, two USB 1.1 ports, VGA output, S-video and composite video output.

Stay Connected Of course the iMac G5 offers all the right ports to connect to your universe with ease. Starting with the new headphone jack that’s also a mini-optical plug. So you can watch DVDs and listen to them in 5.1 surround sound. You’ll also find a passel of USB 2.0 and FireWire 400 connectors for your camera, camcorder or gamepad. Or if you want to connect your iMac to your TV or a digital projector, the mini-VGA port gives you the option. The line in jack lets you record an electric guitar into GarageBand. iMac offers Ethernet for wired networking as well as a modem for dial-up Internet. Your modem can also double as a fax machine. Extreme Graphics The sizzling graphics processor and next-generation high-bandwidth architecture kicks 3D games and graphics into high gear, with three times the frame rate as the previous iMac in Unreal Tournament 2004. NVIDIA graphics provides hardware transform and lighting (T&L), per-pixel shading and drop-dead gorgeous effects at high resolutions. All models deliver over a billion textured pixels per second and an advanced Live FX engine engineered to generate the most lifelike characters. With Quartz Extreme, the graphics processors take over transform and lighting calculation functions from the CPU, freeing the G5 processor to perform essential system tasks faster than ever before.

Product Description

I am leaving for the Peace Corps and have to get rid of everything I cannot take. I absolutely love this computer, and have saved this item for last to sell because I really wish I did't have to sell it. It has been taken care of very well, and has primarily been used to watch DVDs. It is both Wifi and bluetooth compatible, and DOES NOT have a camera installed. The keyboard and the mouse will be included. The computer is a little bit slow, but it is something that can be easily fixed with a check up from a computer expert. If you have any questions please email me. I am not very computer savvy, so be patient with me =).

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

56 of 59 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Why use a review for an excuse to bash Apple?, September 12, 2004

By 

D. B. Parker (RENO, NV USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Apple iMac G5 Desktop with 20" M9250LL/A (1.80 GHz PowerPC G5, 256 MB RAM, 160 GB Hard Drive, SuperDrive) (Personal Computers)

Isn't it amazing that people will take the time to bash a product they know nothing about and they haven't even tried? Makes you wonder where the motivation comes from. It's interesting to note that "Bob" has posted only 3 reviews, each one identical and posted for each model of the new iMac G5. I guess I'll do the same. Normally, I'd rather not take the time to write this, but as a totally satisfied iMac user, I feel I better get my two cents in so any potential users don't get the wrong idea. I must admit that I haven't tried the new iMac yet (they haven't even started shipping yet!), but it looks like a worthy successor to the previous model. Frankly, I'm tempted to switch to the new iMac G5 but I'm going to stick with my 2-year-old iMac G4 for a year or two more. That machine has performed flawlessly and it shows no sign of slowing down. One huge plus for the new machine is how user accessible the innards are. It looks like most users will be able to replace many malfunctioning components themselves. One thing I would miss is the articulated arm of of the older machine. That really does come in handy sometimes.

Several points made in Bob's "review" need rebuttal, however. First of all, his argument about the all-in-one computer makes no sense at all. Face it, the WHOLE computer is worthless if something breaks. Does he find some comfort in having a blank monitor if he has to ship the computer? He also says the virus-free claim is silly. Well, it just happens to be true. I still haven't heard of any OS X virus being found. Sorry Bob, but if you want a safe and secure computing environment, without spyware and viruses, switch to Apple. I keep hearing the virus woes PC users seem to be plagued with and I wonder why someone would put up with that. I don't get it, but if they don't mind, so be it. As for Mac software being scarce...well, just go to an Apple store or the Apple website and check. Frankly, I've had to buy very little software because Macs come with most of the software an average home user will use built in, and the software just plain works GREAT. Making movies, managing your photo and music collection, recording your hit composition, it's all there and plenty more. No, the new iMac G5 isn't for the hardcore gamer, and it's not meant for that market, but the casual gamer will be very happy. I don't play computer games so it's a mute point with me. As for expandability, the Apple website says that the user can replace the following on this computer: AirPort Extreme Card, Memory, Hard drive, Optical drive, Power supply, LCD display, Modem card, Mid-plane assembly (contains the main logic board, the G5 processor, fans, NVIDIA graphics processor, and so forth). Who knows what third-party manufacturers are going to come up with? Bob is correct about one thing: Macs do crash, even in OS X. My iMac goes down about once ever two months, and it's pretty much on all the time.

As for price, I've read many people who have taken the time to compare the iMac with a comparatively equipped Dell and, believe it or not, the Apple actually comes out ahead. Those 20" flat panels don't come cheap! And Macs are well known for their quality. Comparing one to a Wal-Mart special is silly.

Please, think first before you listen to an Apple basher like Bob. There's a hidden agenda there and only he knows what it is. And Bob, Panther IS the current version of OS X. The next one is Tiger and it looks great. Interested buyers? Go to the Apple website and check out the switcher section. They can explain all this much better than me. I'm just a happy user.

And, I must confess, only have one iPod! :-(

55 of 64 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THINKING OF SWITCHING? HERES THE MACHINE TO DO IT ON!, October 6, 2004

By 

Dean "http://web.mac.com/deank812/iWeb" (NJ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Apple iMac G5 Desktop with 20" M9250LL/A (1.80 GHz PowerPC G5, 256 MB RAM, 160 GB Hard Drive, SuperDrive) (Personal Computers)

This is the best machine Apple has put out in a long time. In terms of shear build quality, thats always there with a Mac. Apple builds the best computers in the world. They are stylish yes, but more importantly they just work. And keeps on working and working. If you are coming from a pc here's why I think this may be the machine for you to switch to. Apple has made computing easy from an operating system. No viruses, no spyware, no worms, no trouble. Just easy computing doing teh things you want to do without alot of garbage on your screen from advertisers. I have never had a pop up on my screen in two years since I switched to Macs! Amazing right? Well its just teh way it is with Macs. so now with the iMac G5 not only do you get an easy operating system you get an easy to operate computer too. ONE Cord into the wall and with the optional ( $79) airport extreme card that you can install you dont even have to plug into a router, Turn it on and about 90 seconds later you are online. This will be the easiest switch you ever make. The OS makes it easy, the computer makes you look good doing it.
The G5 processor is faster than any Windows based machine out there. Now more programs that wont respond. I have never ever ever had a program stop responding. The G5 handles four or five tasks with ease. No bottlenecks or slow downs. yet another reason why your switch will be easy. If you have a Mac already you knnow why you should buy this machine. Its amazing. Its fast, compact, runs cool amd whisper quiet, is attractive in any room and light enough to unplug and move to the bedroom for a movie while in bed. ( 20" model reccomended for this) I love mine and cant belive how cheap it is with all the things it comes with. 160gb drive, DVD-R drive, G5 processor smokes any Pentium out there now, the only thing I would add is more memory. I added 2 gb for a total of 2gb. I woudl say that the minimum for this machine would be 512 and at current ram prices that can be had for 50 bucks. I sa y go for it! They has never been a better time. this is a perfect computer at a reasonable price. This one will stay relevant for years to come.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful computer but one I would hesitate to buy now., March 30, 2005

By 

Wayne Fogel (The Villages, FL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Apple iMac G5 Desktop with 20" M9250LL/A (1.80 GHz PowerPC G5, 256 MB RAM, 160 GB Hard Drive, SuperDrive) (Personal Computers)

My original review follows this paragraph I still love this machine, its ease of use, backup and beauty. However, Apple just announced that it is moving from the Power PC chip produced by IBM that powers this machine to Intel chips that power the rest of the PC world. They maintain that all future programs will work on both the Power PC chip and the Intel chip. That is easy to say, but since the architecture of the two chips are entirely different, making the claim reality may prove to be difficult. Certainly if one system is sacrificed it will be the one Apple will no longer be making in either 2006 or 2007 at the latest. I am concerned that Apples claim may be similar to 'the check is in the mail and I will still respect you in the morning.' You can this machine with the knowledge that it is a wonderful desktop system...but. I would hesitate to buy now even at the reduced price.

I purchased my 20" iMac with the Bluetooth mouse and keyboard. After a small glitch at startup that Apple Tech support was able to correct over the phone, I was up and running. I was able to easily import the files from my PC since I had backed them up to CD's. My HP printer and Dymo LabelWriter connected easily. The cables hook up to the back of the computer, snaking through a hole cleverly placed in the stand. Result - no wires showing and no wires on my desk. Much improved appearance - this makes the wife happy, and a totally free desktop for projects that are not computer based. That makes me happy.

Others have covered well the beauty and ease of use of this machine. I can only add that the display is not to be believed until you see it. Do upgrade your ram. I put in a gigabyte. It can make a serious difference in performance. Do not believe you are immune to viruses because you have a mac. Go to .mac and buy your virex protection and get auto upgrade. Viruses may be rare for the mac, but they are not unknown. Do not, like one of my friends who bought a mac mini, try to load your PC programs on the mac. They will not work. Do play with your mac and its software. Iphtoto is an amazingly versatile program. If you have a digital camera, learn and use it. It will be rewarding. Do join your local mac users group. There you will find a group of people that will help you through any problems you may encounter. Plus, mac users as a group are used to thinking outside the box and you may well meet some interesting and fun people.