The iMac G5 Cereal Box

Apple just released their new iMac today. G5 processor, 17" and 19" LCD screen, with everything built into the screen. Pretty much the standard evolution from the original iMac and Mac Classic with everything in the screen. It actually looks a lot like a descendent of the 20th Anniversary Macintosh released in 1996 as a bit of a novelty.

Personally I was a lot more taken with the design of the desk-lamp model, but I haven't seen this one in person yet. I still love being able to adjust the iMac G4's screen so easily. But this new model's 64-bitness and super-fast system bus are as good as anyone could ask out of a consumer computer. It certainly couldn't take up any less space on a desk, which is pretty amazing in itself. Especially compared with my current laptop + bulky CRT setup. If you added the wireless keyboard and mouse you'd have an amazingly slick looking workspace.

Having gone through several moves and a lab migration I definitely have more respect for the all-in-one form factor. This new iMac also seems to be a lot more user-serviceable than the previous versions, as you can just take the whole back panel off and can see all the parts all layed out across the back of the LCD panel. Sort of like an XServe with a screen glued onto it and propped up so it's vertical.