G5 Imac

The Apple G5 iMac represents a paradigm shift in personal computing. While the iMac G4 was certainly a state-of-the-art machine, with its single-fan, whisper-quiet operation and sleek design, the G5 is a truly sublime piece of equipment. It contains a CPU, drives, and everything else under the hood in a 2-inch space, and the monitor delivers a whopping 20 inches of viewing space.

The entire G5 machine is elegantly situated atop an anodized aluminum stand. You can purchase a 17-inch monitor G5 iMac instead for about $600 less than the 20-inch model. The 17-inch model weighs a little more than 18 pounds. The 20-inch model weighs slightly more than 25 pounds. A similarly equipped Windows computer, the Gateway Profile XLC, retails for more than $2,000.

The G5 iMac is extremely easy to set up. It features Bluetooth connectivity and a vast range of ports, which are neatly lined up in the back of the computer. You get a FireWire 400 port, an Ethernet connector, two USB connectors, and, of course, a modem. Some reviewers suggest that the G5 runs slightly hotter than its G4 predecessor, but the fans on both machines are quiet enough to blend in with the ambient noise of any room.

Don't expect the G5 iMac's sound system to blow you away. It's located in the chassis, and, oddly, it points downwards. Still, you get decent sound, if you don't mind the lack of bass. Since both the keyboard and mouse get connected via Bluetooth, you don't have to worry about extra cords cluttering up your desktop or gathering dust underneath your computer.