Apple iMac Desktop with 17" Display MA590LL/A (2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 1 GB RAM, 160 GB Hard Drive, SuperDrive)

by Apple

Product Details

• Item Weight: 15.4 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 24.4 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B000EPHSLK
• Item model number: MA590LL/A
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (40 customer reviews)
• Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #2,251 in Computer & Accessories (See Top 100 in Computer & Accessories)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: September 6, 2006

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

Cast your gaze on the ultimate eye-opening experience: the new faster, bigger, and brighter iMacs. Starting at under $1000, the most personal of personal computers comes out packing a powerful punch. That's thanks to the new 64-bit Intel Core 2 Duo processor, you'll find in each and every new iMac.

The iMac's display pivots to whichever angle is best for you.

All in the family
The fastest iMac ever, the 24-inch iMac provides professional performance along with the convenience of an all-in-one design. Like its 17-inch and 20-inch siblings, it features the new 64-bit Intel Core 2 Duo processor with speeds ranging from 1.83 GHz to 2.33 GHz. The new processor delivers up to 50% more performance than the previous 20-inch iMac. It also doubles the amount of L2 cache, the twin cores sharing 4 MB between them. The result? Turbocharged performance, making it easier--and more fun--than ever to work with digital photos, movies, music, and the web.

The simple six-button Apple Remote gives you control over your music, movies, and photos from anywhere in the room--and it stows away neatly (and magnetically) on the side of your iMac when you're not using it.

Dazzling Displays
Whether you're surfing the web, editing video, managing photos, or enjoying face-time with far-flung friends, you'll thoroughly enjoy the lush visual experience of working on iMac. With excellent color saturation, all three models feature a cinematic 16:10 wide aspect ratio that's perfect for watching movies. And iMac delivers a beautifully bright display with the new 24-inch model lighting the way. In fact, it’s a full 40% brighter than the 20-inch model.

It's a wonderful iLife
iMac comes with iLife ’06, a suite of easy-to-use applications that make the spectacular a regular part of your everyday life. Enhance, organize and share your photos via iPhoto. Make an epic starring your kid in iMovie. Turn your photo and movie creations into professional DVDs with iDVD. Create original music in GarageBand, even if you can't carry a tune. Make podcasts and blogs. Then publish them online via your .Mac account and the all-new iWeb.

The ultimate see and say
There's an iSight camera built into every new iMac, so you can start a video chat (or join one) at a moment's notice. There's nothing extra to buy, nothing to attach, no cords to fumble with, no software to install or configure. Simply start up iChat AV, click your buddy's video icon and you’re ready to chat with sight and sound--with up to three friends at once. Proper attire suggested.

Now showing
With iMac, you've got the best seat in the house. The full-screen Front Row media experience--with i ts intuitive menus, large text and brilliant graphics--lets you browse the music, photos, and videos on your iMac as easily as you browse music on your iPod. And the new Apple Remote lets you do your browsing from anywhere in the room. So gather your friends and dazzle them with a slideshow of your vacation pics, a home movie or a DVD. iMac was born to entertain.

Product Description

Apple MA590LL/A 17 Inch iMac - Featuring the Intel Core 2 Duo Processor, this iMac gives you the power and speed that you need to fly through business and creative applications, like iLife, the suite of Apple apps that comes included. iLife has everything for, well, your life - your digital life that is. Seamlessly integrated with the Mac OS X v10.4 Tiger operating system, it lets you easily edit, share, and store your digital photos; play, edit, and create both audio and video, including your own DVD movies. This iMac also comes with an iSight camera built-in, which is perfect for video chats. Give your fingers a rest and :) for real with friends and family around the world. 160GB SATA 7200 RPM Hard Drive Slot-Loading SuperDrive - (write speeds) up to 2.4x DL DVD+R, 8x DVD-R, 8x DVD+R, 4x DVD-RW, 4x DVD+RW, 24x CD-R, & 16x CD-RW Slot-Loading SuperDrive - (read speeds) up to 8x DVD-ROM & 24x CD-ROM 17 Widescreen LCD Native Resolution - 1440 x 900 Built-in iSight Built-in 802.11g Wi-Fi Wireless Network Adapter Built-in Bluetooth 2.0+EDR (Enhanced Data Rate) module ATI Radeon X1600 with 128MB of GDDR3 of SDRAM Port - 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet, 3 USB 2.0, 2 USB 1.1 (on keyboard), 2 FireWire 400, Optical Digital Audio/Headphone Out, Optical Digital Audio In/Audio Line-In, Mini-DVI Out with support for DVI, VGA, S-Video, & Composite Video via optional adapter Built-in Stereo Speakers Built-in Microphone Built-in IR Receiver Unit Weight - 15.5 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

57 of 64 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The REAL 17-inch iMac, September 29, 2006

By	Joseph Ekaitis "author of Collinsfort Village" (Southern California) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Apple iMac Desktop with 17" Display MA590LL/A (2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 1 GB RAM, 160 GB Hard Drive, SuperDrive) (Personal Computers)

When friends and family see my 20-inch iMac and decide it's more than they need, I recommend this one.

They're still thanking me.

Yes, there's a lower-priced 17-inch Apple computer called "iMac" but it's really Apple's replacement for the eMac classroom computer. It comes with a 1.83 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor and 512Mb of system RAM. The Intel Graphics Media Accelerator takes a minimum of 64 Mb from the system RAM plus up to 16 Mb for 3D graphics, leaving 432Mb for the operating system. The optical Combo drive reads CDs and DVDs but only burns music and data CDs. Airport Wi-Fi is built in but there's no Bluetooth, Front Row media or Apple Remote. It's a workhorse but hardly a thoroughbred.

Maybe Apple wanted to go head-to-head with the cheapie PC makers and say "Look! We did it! An iMac for under a grand!" And like a loss-leader Windows PC, once you add all the upgrades you really, really want, you'll come pretty darn close to the price of this iMac. Some items like Bluetooth and a DVD-burning SuperDrive aren't even available as upgrades.

For an extra couple of C-notes, this iMac shares the goods with its 20- and 24-inch siblings: a zippier 2.0 GHz Core 2 Duo processor with a 4Mb L2 cache (translation: it's a rocket sled on greased rails), a full Gigabyte of system RAM, both AirPort and Bluetooth wireless, a SuperDrive that burns CDs and DVDs, an ATI Radeon X1600 graphics processor with its own 128 Mb of video RAM, and Front Row entertainment center with Apple Remote. Like the bigger iMacs, this one already supports every major feature in OS X Tiger like Core Image and Core Audio, and that means it's ready for Core Animation in OS X Leopard without any hardware upgrades. About the only thing you'll want to add is a good set of speakers and if you're not crazy about the Apple Mighty Mouse (an acquired taste), any USB mouse or trackball will do. The iMac won't care. Just plug it in and get on with your life without so much as a reboot.

In another review, I dubbed the 20-inch iMac "Still THE computer for the rest of us." That makes this iMac "The OTHER computer for the rest of us."

UPDATE: On August 7, 2007, Apple discontinued the 17-inch iMac. For the price of this iMac, you can now buy the Apple iMac Desktop with 20" Display MA876LL/A (2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 1 GB RAM, 250 GB Hard Drive, SuperDrive). Bigger screen and hard drive, snazzy good looks inspired by the Apple Cinema Display, and the latest ATI graphics.

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Compact yet Powerful, November 26, 2006

By	M and G (Dover, NH) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Apple iMac Desktop with 17" Display MA590LL/A (2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 1 GB RAM, 160 GB Hard Drive, SuperDrive) (Personal Computers)

This is not designed to be a technical review stuffed with a lot of jargon and technical data. This is a snapshot summary of what I think to be important to know for the average consumer looking for a more real summary of the iMac often omitted in a technical spec sheet offered by Apple, including set up, ergonomics, etc.

-Set up was a few minutes initially since I knew all my information. The computer took another 20 minutes or so to automatically download 7-8 updates to the iPod, OS, Quicktime, etc.
-Stand for the monitor is built in, plugged in the mouse and keyboard, power, and off I went! (No tools except fingers and arms!)
-No desktop, everything is built into the flat screen
-In the box the unit is about 25 pounds, including the mouse, keyboard, cables, etc. (I was so surprised how light it was!)
-8x DVD/CD burner
-Super fast start up after turning the computer on in as little as 15 seconds (although it seems to vary in certain situations). Shutdown is consistently quick at 13-15 seconds
-Runs 10.4.8 which offers several advancements over other Mac OS versions
-5 USBs!!! Three 2.0 USB needed for new iPods and other devices, and two 1.1 USB ports on the keyboard for a mouse or other low speed (or older) devices (plus you get 2 firewire ports... I use one fire wire for my iPod)
-Runs Windows XP if you buy "Parallels" or Apple's "Boot Camp" (Beta)... both have received high marks for compatibility, speed, and ease of install. Biggest difference is Boot Camp requires a reboot to use but offers almost full compatibility and the best speed, Parallels can run in parallel (can be launched like any program) but is slower for high end applications (games) and I don't think offers quite the same external device compatibility (I don't own Boot Camp, but really like Parallels... see my review of it for more details).
-160 GB hard drive is roomy for us, OS and everything that we have right now including 804 songs for our iPod is 43 GB leaving us 117 GB free still
-Built in wireless internet
-Built in Bluetooth (i.e. good for wireless keyboard or mouse)
-Ethernet connection for networking computers without wireless/Airport
-Super clear and bright computer screen and loud speakers (2 built in)
-1GB memory which I think can be upgraded to 3GB. I also think that this could be upgraded without assistance from a pro using only a Phillips type screwdriver and your fingers. However, as always, seek advice before doing anything like this on your computer.
-"Mighty Mouse" has a scroll wheel which is super handy. I thought it to be a gimmick but am delighted to find it so useful. My computer also works very well with my Sony Memory Stick Mouse/Drive (see my other reviews for this must have)
-Built in camera which can take stills or video (it appears as the little 1/4" x 1/4" black square at the top center edge of the unit)
-Extremely friendly to customize, including extensive availability of widgets (I was surprised to see so many different ones so quickly, reminds me of the pre-System 6 days with all the 3rd party freeware)
-iTunes!!!!
-Blazing fast internet (we have a high-speed wireless T1 line)

Con:
-Price
-Headphone jack is in the back (although it's the first plug and thus the easiest to access)
-I could still use another one or two USB 2.0 ports, keyboard has USB 1.0 connections that aren't very useful any longer with newer power hungry devices
-Unable to get bluetooth functionality working
-Screen saver and energy saver functionality overlap but controls/settings are in different locations so if you turn off the screen saver, energy saver may kick in and turn off your screen... took me a while to figure this out while I chased false system software problems

Bottom line: you get what you pay for and I highly recommend this item. We liked it so much that Mom got a 20" version 2 days after we did. Our Grandfather liked it so much he also got the 20" version about 10 days after we did and will be using it to run Windows XP. We'll browse the internet safely using Mac OS and then use "Parallels" to emulate XP to do everything else.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best 17" desktop computer, January 22, 2007

By	D. R. Schryer (Poquoson, VA United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Apple iMac Desktop with 17" Display MA590LL/A (2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 1 GB RAM, 160 GB Hard Drive, SuperDrive) (Personal Computers)

Recently I have been looking for a new computer for my daughter. As a former NASA research scientist I have been a fan of Macintosh computers for many years and find that they keep getting better and better for quite reasonable prices. Naturally, my first consideration was an iMac. But I felt that I should at least check out some of the PCs being advertised at super low prices. To my surprise I found that a PC advertised for $500 would actually cost several hundred dollars more when configured with adequate RAM and software and still be far less of a computer than any iMac. In my opinion Macs in general are still better computers -- and better buys -- than PCs. They are far more user friendly, will readily run Office and other Microsoft software -- even Windows -- as well as the powerful and convenient Mac OS X software, and are still the best way to avoid problems with viruses. I recommend all of the computers in the iMac line, but this one has a lot of value per dollar.