iMac is a family of all Macintosh desktop all-in-one computers designed and built by Apple Inc. It has been a major part of Apple's consumer desktop offerings since its debut in August 1998, and has evolved through seven different forms.
In its original form, the iMac G3 has a chewing gum or an egg-shaped display, with a CRT monitor, primarily covered by a transparent colored plastic box, refreshed from the start with a sleeker design known for its slot optical drive. The second major revision, iMac G4, transfers the design to the hemispherical hemisphere containing all the major components and the LCD monitor on the free moving arm attached to it. The third and fourth major revisions, the iMac G5 and Intel iMac, put all the components right behind the scenes, creating a sleek, sleek integrated design just up and down on a simple metal base. The fifth major revision (mid 2007) shares the same shape as the previous model, but is thinner and uses anodized aluminum and glass panels across the front. The sixth major revisions (end of 2012) use different display units, eliminating SuperDrive, and using different production techniques from older unibody versions. This allows it to be thinner on the edges than the old model, with an edge thickness of 5.9 mm (but the same maximum depth). It also includes multiple microphone settings, and includes solid-state drive (SSD) or hard disk storage, or Apple Fusion Drive, a mix of solid state and hard disk drives. This iMac version was announced in October 2012, with a 21.5 inch (55 cm) version released in November and a 27 inch (69 cm) version in December; this is refreshed in September 2013, with new Haswell processors, faster graphics, faster and bigger SSD options and 802.11ac Wi-Fi cards.
In October 2014, the seventh major revision of the 27-inch (69 cm) iMac was announced, whose main feature was the "5K Retina" screen at a resolution of 5120 ÃÆ'â ⬠"2880 pixels. The new model also includes a new processor, graphics chip, and IO, along with several new storage options. The seventh major revision of the iMac 21.5 inch (55 cm) was announced in October 2015. Its main feature is the "Retina 4K" screen at a resolution of 4096 ÃÆ'â ⬠"2304 pixels. It has the same new processor, graphics chip, and IO as a 27-inch iMac, along with several new storage options.
On June 5, 2017, Apple announced the working-class version of iMac, called "iMac Pro". IMac Pro shares the design and screen of the iMac 5K, but it is colored in Gray Space instead of silver. It comes with an Intel Xeon processor and standard SSD storage. Apple started sending iMac Pro in December 2017.
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Histori
The iMac announcement in 1998 was a source of controversy and anticipation among commentators, Mac fans, and critics. Opinions are divided into Apple's drastic changes to Macintosh hardware. At that time, Apple has experienced a series of setbacks as consumers increasingly opt for Wintel machines (Windows PCs) rather than Apple's Performance models. Many in the industry think that "beleaguered Apple" will soon be forced to start selling computers with a special interface built on one or more potential operating systems, such as Taligent, Solaris, or Windows 98.
Part of Apple's efforts to maintain the Mac platform is trying to improve its retail strategy; for this purpose, Apple got a deal with CompUSA to create a "shop in store" section in many CompUSA locations. However, as these stores expanded, they became a disadvantage for Apple's sales, as employees of Compusa were not familiar with the Macintosh and directed customers to the Wintel box.
The designer behind the iMac case is Jonathan Ive.
Ken Segall is an employee at L.A. who handles Apple accounts that appear with the name "iMac" and include it to Steve Jobs. Jobs wanted the product to be called "MacMan", but it was finally warmed with Segall's suggestion. Segall says that "i" means "the Internet", but also represents the product as a personal and revolutionary device ('i' for 'individuality' and 'innovation'). Apple then adopted the prefix 'i' across all hardware and software, such as iPod, iBook (later MacBook), iPhone, iPad and various software such as iLife suite and iWork and media player/corporate store, iTunes.
Attention is given to the out-of-box experience: users only need to go through two steps to set up and connect to the Internet. "No step 3!" is a catch-phrase in popular iMac ads narrated by actor Jeff Goldblum. Another advertisement, dubbed "Simplicity Shootout", pitted the seven-year-old Johann Thomas and his Brodie border kolie, with the iMac, against Adam Taggart, Stanford University MBA students, with the HP Pavilion 8250, in a race to set up computers. Johann and Brodie finished in 8 minutes and 15 seconds, while Adam was still working on it at the end of the ad.
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Update
In 2005, it has become increasingly clear that IBM's development for PowerPC desktop implementations stalled. Apple announced at the Worldwide Developer Conference that it would redirect the Macintosh to x86 architectures and Intel Core processors. The first Intel-equipped Mac was introduced on January 10, 2006: Intel iMac and its predecessor MacBook Pro. In nine months, Apple has smoothly transitioned the entire Macintosh line to Intel. One of the highly praised side benefits of this switch is the ability to run Windows on Mac hardware.
On July 27, 2010, Apple updated its iMacs line to showcase new "i-series" Intel Core processors across the line. The 21.5 "model now features Core i3 processors, but this can be upgraded to Core i5.A high end 27" featuring Quad-Core i5 processor, which can be upgraded to Quad-Core i7. On this date Apple also announced a new device "Apple Magic Trackpad", a trackpad similar to the MacBook Pro for use with the iMac or other Apple computers. Apple also introduced a NiMH AA battery charger intended to simplify battery usage in these peripherals. Apple offers the option to use a solid state drive rather than a large mechanical drive.
On May 3, 2011, Apple updated its iMac line with the introduction of Intel Thunderbolt technology and Intel Core i5 and i7 Sandy Bridge processors and a 1 Mega pixel High Definition FaceTime camera, the first feature introduced in the MacBook Pro line in February 2011.
On October 23, 2012, the new iMac is announced (for November/December release) with much thinner Apple Fusion Drive edges, faster processors (Intel Core i5 and i7 Ivy Bridge) and graphics along with updates to ports, but with depth the same overall (depth of stand: 8 inches (20.3 cm)). To reduce edges, SuperDrive has been removed on this iMacs.
On October 16, 2014, a new 27-inch (69 cm) iMac version was announced, whose primary feature is the "Retina 5K" screen at a resolution of 5120 ÃÆ'â ⬠"2880 pixels. The new model also includes a new processor, graphics chip, and I/O, along with several new storage options. The computer is designed with professional photographers and video editors in mind, with a 5K resolution allowing 4K video to be played at its original resolution in Final Cut Pro, with space for the toolbar on the side.
On June 6, 2017, Apple iMac 2017 21.5 inches, which has a full HD resolution screen and the latest generation 7th Intel i5 processor, was announced. IMac has Turbo Boost up to 3.6GHz supported, and 1 TB hard drive. Apple iMac with 4K display has quad-core Intel Core i5 processor with 3GHz or 3.4GHz clock speed. RAM on board is 8GB, and will support upgrading Turbo up to 3.8GHz. This IMac has 1TB hard drive option or 1TB Fusion Drive. The 21.5-inch IMac also has a Radeon Pro 555 option with 2GB of video RAM for graphics or Radeon Pro 560 with 4GB of video RAM. Apple's 27-inch IMac with 5K display comes with an Intel Core i5 quad-core processor, which is clocked at 3.4GHz, 3.5GHz or 3.8GHz. The IMAC supports Turbo upgrades of up to 4.2Ghz, and comes with an 8GB RAM option.
Influence
The original iMac is the first PC that is legacy free. This is the first Macintosh computer to have a USB port but no floppy disk drive. Furthermore, all Macs include USB. Through a USB port, hardware manufacturers can make products compatible with x86 PCs and Macs. Previously, Macintosh users had to look for specific hardware, such as keyboards and mice designed specifically for the unique and "old-fashioned" ADB interface and modem, with the MiniDIN-8 serial port. Only a limited number of models from certain manufacturers are created with this interface, and often come at a premium price. USB, as a cross-platform, has enabled Macintosh users to choose from a wide selection of devices marketed for the Wintel PC platform, such as hubs, scanners, storage devices, USB flash drives, and mice. After the iMac, Apple continues to remove the peripheral interface and floppy drive from the rest of its product line.
Borrowing from the Macintosh Twentieth Anniversary 1997, various LCD-based iMac designs continue the all-in-one concept first envisioned on genuine Apple Macintosh computers. The successful IMac allows Apple to continue to target the Power Macintosh line in the upscale market. It foresees the same strategy in the notebook market when the iMac-like MacBook was released in 2006. Since then, the company has continued this strategy of differentiating its consumer versus professional line of products. Apple's focus on design has enabled each of the next products to create a different identity. Apple avoided using cream colors â ⬠<â ⬠Apple's use of translucent and candy-colored plastic inspires similar industrial designs in other consumer products. Apple later introduced the iPod, iBook G3 (Dual USB), and iMac G4 (all featuring white-coated plastic), inspired similar designs in other companies' consumer electronics products. The color rollout also features two different ads: the so-called 'Life Savers' featuring Rolling Stones song "She's a Rainbow" and an ad for the white version has the introduction of "White Room" Cream as its support lane.
Reception
iMac has received many critical acclaim, including praise from Walt Mossberg technology columnist as "Gold Standard of desktop computing"; Forbes magazine describes the original candy-colored line from an iMac computer as "an industry-changing success". The 24 "Core 2 Duo iMac first received the CNET" Must-have desktop "in 2006 Top 10 Holiday Gift Choices .
Apple faced a class action lawsuit filed in 2008 for allegedly deceiving the public by promising millions of colors from the LCD display of all Mac models while its 20-inch model has only 262,144 colors. This problem arises because of the use of Twisted 6-bit nebic LCD display per pixel. The case was dismissed on January 21, 2009.
Although not a critique of iMac per se , integrated design has some inherent sacrifices that have garnered criticism. In Mythical Midrange Mac Minitower, And Frakes of Macworld shows that with an iMac that occupies the midrange of Apple's product line, Apple has little to offer consumers who want the ability to expand or upgrade their computers , but do not need (or can not) Mac Pro. For example, the integration of monitors and iMac computers, while convenient, binds owners to replace both simultaneously. For a while before the introduction of the Mac mini, there were rumors about the "headless iMac" but the G4 Mac mini as it was introduced had a lower performance compared to the iMac, which at the time featured the G5 processor. Some third-party suppliers such as Other World Computing provide an upgrade kit that includes special tools to work on iMacs.
Similarly, although the graphics chipsets on some Intel models use removable MXM, neither Apple nor third parties offer an iMac GPU upgrade, with the exception of the original iMac G3 iMacine PCI slot. The model after the iMac G5 (excluding the iMac update August 7, 2007) makes it difficult for end users to replace hard disks or optical drives, and Apple's warranty explicitly prohibits upgrading the socketed CPU. While acknowledging the possibility of minitower sacrificing sales of the Mac Pro, Frakes argues there is enough frustration with the restriction of iMac to make such propositions worthwhile. This gap becomes more apparent after the G4 era since Power Mac G5 (with one brief exception) and the Mac Pro model has all prices in the range of US $ 1999-2499, while the basic model of Power Macs G4s and earlier is the US. $ 1299-1799. The iMac generation currently has the fifth generation Intel i5 and i7 processors, ranging from quad core 2.7 GHz i5 to a 3.4 GHz quad core i7ac processor, but it is possible to upgrade iMac edition 2010 quite easily.
The timeline of the iMac and Macintosh models
- For a more detailed timeline, see the article for each individual generation.
References
External links
- iMac - the official site
- Apple - Support - Specifications
- Apple - Support - How to identify your iMac
- Apple Developer Connection - Full technical details (Latest developer notes)
- Watch introduction of iMac introduction
Source of the article : Wikipedia