IMac

The iMac is the name of the range of Ordinateur S monoblocs general public of Apple since 1998. The model with cathode screen started again Apple since it was the model of computer more sold with the world (more than 6 million iMac G3).

Design

Carved by Jonathan Ive, the iMac created a true shock in computing industry, by proposing the use of the Design in this sector. First of all the esthetism exploits at the same time the round form, the hot colors, the soft plastics and whose color does not pass with time. Keyboard and mouse is matched with the color of the iMac; the keyboard is tiny room to 88 keys, in order not to be broader than the screen.

Design with the direction full with the term, esthetism doing nothing but accompany by the ergonomic functions : cast solid format facilitating the catch in hand, handle for transport, hearing for ventilation, sites of the processor, the food and the graphics card (independent sources of heat) selected on the mother chart to allow an optimal dissipation (with the vertical) of the heat, and thus the removal of the ventilators (in the three most powerful versions), independent source of noise. The connections all are gathered with range of the hand, on the right-sided of the computer (when it is looked at), therefore accessible for a droitier: ports USB, Ethernet, Modem, entry and left its, then the addition of the ports FireWire; in frontage, two catches additional helmets allow a use two of an educational software, for example, which still adds a real note of user-friendliness (i.e. of division of pleasant things) to the use of this computer.

Various models of iMac of the beginnings at our days

The iMac G3

The very first model, the version has , was with the given rhythm departure with 233 MHz (PowerPC G3), only one color (blue Bondi ). It profited of more than one internal port (known as mezzanine ) whose specifications were not revealed by the manufacturer, this port being intended to disappear on the later models, and being a remainder of the phases of development. It could be used with certain component makers to sell specific charts making it possible to connect peripherals of the type SCSI for example. This port was not available indeed on the following models.

Its power gradually increased with the appearance of new versions ( B , C , D ) while diversifying in the colors: tangerine, green lemon, strawberry, grape and bilberry for the versions C, D and following, then indigo, ruby, sage, snow, anthracite, and even two versions with reasons: dalmatien, blue at points towards, and flower power (these two last being sold very little) for the versions left after 2000. The choice of the colors was even proposed like argument marketing by Apple, turning in derision makes it choose its computer on purely technical characteristics like the speed of the processor. This choice offered to the consumers also was with the source of some frictions between the manufacturer and his retailers, because of the franker success of certain colors, and of the difficulty of satisfying the request for sets by certain customers.

In October 1999, the iMac underwent a major revision. As well as a faster processor, two port FireWire high banc were added to make it possible to connect a numerical video camera (from where the name of iMac FD). A video out was added, making it possible to defer the posting of its screen towards a second display device ( video mirroring ): larger screen or video projector for example. In parallel, the internal organization was re-examined to improve circulation of the flow of air - authorizing the removal of the ventilator and making the computer quiet (except the noise of the hard drive) - and to facilitate the installation of modules of RAM by the users, handling which was relatively not very easy on the first models. Apple also replaced the enclosures by products manufactured by Harman Kardon, thus getting a true possibility of listening to music. The reader of CD-ROM passed from the model to drawer to a loading to slit.

First generation of iMac G3

Second generation of iMac G3 (with “slot-in record player”)

IMac G4 (flat panel display, design “sunflower”)

In 2002, Apple leaves the iMac G4 equipped with a processor PowerPC G4, with a design even more advanced and a power increasingly larger, the whole being concentrated in a hemispherical base of a diameter of 27 cm, surmounted by a directional flat panel display thanks to a hinged jib, which was worth to him its nickname of sunflower . The top-of-the-range model has an engraver of DVD. Equipped at the origin with a screen of 15" , the range was packed gradually with the exit of models to screen 17" then 20".

IMac G5

The August 31st 2004, with the Apple Expo of Paris, Phil Schiller - defect chair Apple - announces the iMac of third generation. This one is equipped with a design even more compact: the computer holds in what seems to be only the screen, dish in addition. That is made possible by the use of components of computers transportable, which points out the Twentieth Anniversary Macintosh; the unit does not make more than 5 cm thickness and is carried by a single foot allowing the vertical adjustment of the screen. Did the slogan is “where pass the computer? ”, exploiting the confusion which a person could feel believing to have only the screen opposite it and seeking the central processing unit. The IMac G5 is equipped with a processor PowerPC G5, of a flat panel display of 17" or 20" and of an engraver of CD-ROM or DVD-ROM with slit (“slot-in record player”) positioned on its section.

iMac Core Duo

The January 10th 2006, to the Macworld Expo of San Francisco, Steve Jobs presents a iMac identical to its predecessor, but having a processor Intel Core Duo (1,83 GHz or 2 GHz). It starts in 25 seconds (against 46).

iMac Core 2 Duet

The September 6th 2006, after a short closing of Apple Store, the visitors of the site could discover iMac with a processor Core 2 Duet, and in particular a model 24".

iMac Core 2 Duet Aluminum

August 7th, 2007, at the time of a press conference, Steve Jobs presents a new model, the iMac Core 2 Duet Aluminum; it differs by the design from the computer (of the plastic to aluminum and glass) as well as accessories provided with, keyboard and mouse.

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