Apple iMac 2 G4

I've had my Apple iMac 2 G4 for over two years now, and it has never crashed, or needed rebooting EVER!!

Friends and professional photographers told me this, but I never believed them after my lousy experiences with all Windows computers to date, but it's true, these Macs are a breeze to use, and are so reliable and solid on the operating system. I leave mine in sleep mode all the time, it has been running non-stop since I had it. The five year extended warranty I took out, seems to have been my one and only mistake.

In a nutshell... I hate Windows, and LOVE my Mac.

Add an iPod, and change the way you hear music for good! It is so easy, it's amazing! Plug in a camera (no drivers called for, and no tantrums) it just works!

I had broadband installed, and the guy said they don't issue a support disc for Macs and I went nuts, then he said, don't worry they usually sort themselves out, and work straight away. It did just that!!

I can honestly say, I have never been so impressed with a computer and software in my life, and I will never buy another stressful Windoze machine ever again!

The iMac in this form has been with us for a while now but it is still a beautiful machine to both look at and use. Apple os X is a really good solid operating system and ilife apps are a joy to use. Apple make thing simple. You can get it out of the box and be using the imac within 15mins. The design is like all Apple gear - just beautiful. It's relatively quick (although you could take into account the ease of use as an aid to speed). You don't feel like you have to slog through to make it work like a PC. The only real down side is expanablity, but if your short of space and can't afford a G5 then this is definately the answer. I've used both Macs and PC's for years and this is one of my most favourite machines I've ever used.

IMacs are the best and they cover all the rest, if you have the money and you desperately need one then get it go and treat yourself. They are really great and they look just amazing.

Overall the Apple iMac is a very nice computer to use but could do with a better keyboard which is backlit.

A big improvement from my old Apple Powermac 8600 250mhz which in itself was a good introduction and old machine which i have not got rid of.

Panther seems to be quite good but there may still be bugs to iron out either in it or in Safari the Browser Apple supplies with IMAC.

The looks of the computer is rather unusual looking and is very 21st Century unlike most PCs which are more box like and conventional.

Andy Williams

When the flat panel iMac first came out it said "you know you want me on your desk" and it was true I did. The Apple iMac G4 800MHz Superdrive is a consumer machine that appeals to techies alike. The spec of the iMac is excellent a 15" LCD monitor worth around £400 as well as a DVD & CD RW itself worth £500 you practically get the computer for free! It is space efficient and well designed. On the negative side a consumer machine that can be pitched at families with kids may have to be careful with the delicacy of the LCD screen. It would be nice to have a FW 800 port too, as for the expandability well I'm being picky you'd buy a G5 in all seriousness if you wanted that. The USB bus 1 shares power with the modem so beware if the modem is on it can knock out the adjacent port, but you do have another 2 to play with. For Windows users or home office Mac people as well as families this is a pleasure to use as well as to look at. The Apple OS is geared up to not have to be a qualified tech head to use and troubleshoot which is nice! Comparing like for like you will not find a better more equipped machine for this money.

I bought this six months ago, and I never knew how easy computers were to use before. I still use Windows machines at work, but they're slow, take up too much space and just aren't intuitive. Many people are put off Apple's for three reasons.

1. Lack of software. Not true. Apple has all of the major big releases, it doesn't have as many games (but that just means you don't get the bad ones), and Apples own software is so good you don't really need anything else.

2. The MHz myth. More MHz doesn't increase power, apple use different chips and it's software works so well with the hardware that a 800MHz machine is actually faster than a 2Ghz PC! Shocking but true.

3. Everyone else has a PC and the guy in PC World said that PC's are better and chaeaper. Think different, don't go along with the crowd. As for the guys in shops (they work in shops, is a guy in a polyester tie really an expert? didn't think so). As for being cheaper, you are buying a plastic box with a bunch of chips that have no manufacturer, no design and no imagination. Apple always use quality parts, are cheaper than you think, and won't be out of date buy the time you get home.

Buy an iMac and an iPod and get more than a computer, it's like a member of the family!