Apple iMac G5 (2.0GHz, 17-inch)

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Average user rating: 4.5 stars out of 17 reviews
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Product summary

Tiger's not the only story; the iMac G5 gets a complete hardware overhaul, too.

Specifications: Processor: Apple PowerPC G5 (2 GHz); RAM installed: 512 MB DDR SDRAM; Hard drive: 160 GB Standard; See full specs

See all products in the Apple iMac G5 (previous generation) series

CNET editors' take

Reviewed by: Matthew Elliott
Reviewed on: 05/12/2005

Apple's three iMac G5 models now ship with the new Tiger OS, a slew of new hardware, and in the case of the 20-inch model, a lower price. The low-end $1,299 model features a 1.8GHz PowerPC G5 processor and a 17-inch screen, and the midrange $1,499 model features a 2.0GH processor and a 17-inch screen. The 20-inch model's price dropped $100 to $1,799 and includes the 2.0GHz processor.

Upside: All three models boast twice the memory of the previous iMac G5 lineup, larger hard drives, better graphics, and Gigabit Ethernet. We've dinged Apple in the past for including only 256MB for its standard configurations; now 512MB is the standard allotment across the board. Also standard: 160GB hard drives for the two 17-inch iMacs and a 250GB drive for the 20-inch model. ATI's midrange Radeon 9600 graphics card replaces Nvidia's budget GeForce FX 5200 card. Also, all three models ship with wireless AirPort Extreme and Bluetooth, two features you had to pay extra for previously. The SuperDrive on the two 2.0GHz G5-based models is now an 8X double-layer drive.

Downside: There's not much in the way of negatives to report with the iMac G5's upgrades. We still don't like Apple's one-button mouse or the fact that the one-year warranty supplies only 90 days of free phone support. Also, though we appreciate the graphics boost, we wish Apple provided other graphics card options.

Outlook: Apple addressed our chief concern by making 512MB the standard memory allotment for all three iMac G5 models. Faster processors, better graphics, larger hard drives, and wireless features are also welcome. With the host of hardware upgrades, the Tiger OS-based iMac G5 definitely brings more to the table. Check back soon for our review of the 2.0GHz 17-inch iMac G5.

User reviews

Average user rating: 4.5 stars out of 17 reviews
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Showing 5 of 17 user reviewsSee all 17 user reviews
4.5 stars

6 out of 6 people found this review helpful

"Made the Switch to Apple and Love it"

by djgaryb11 on May 24, 2005

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4.5 stars

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful

"This machine is AWESOME!"

by defiantworf on June 19, 2005

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5.0 stars

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful

"Perfection. Sheer perfection."

by etrizzle on May 20, 2005

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4.5 stars

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful

"Beautiful design, great computing experience"

by drsachse on May 30, 2005

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5.0 stars

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful

"How's one word the GREATEST"

by iYet on May 19, 2005

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Apple iMac G5 (2.0GHz, 17-inch)

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Reviews from around the Web

machome.com

Editors' rating: 80

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computerarts.co.uk

Editors' rating: 80

Summary: As a design accessory for your home the iMac G5 is absolutely great. However, the aesthetics won't please everyone and the specification is on the skimpy side. If you're looking for a powerful computer for heavy use, then look at the more expandable and f

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macworld.com

Summary: When you press the remote's menu button, your Mac interface fades into the background and is replaced by a large, simple interface (reminiscent of the iPod or a TiVo digital video recorder) that you navigate via the remote's directional buttons. Although

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macintouch.com

Summary: The iMac G5 with iSight is an incremental improvement over the previous model, with a few high-profile new features. Front Row has a few rough spots, but is fun, functional and elegant. The built-in iSight camera, along with more nearly ubiquitous broadba

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pcmag.com

Editors' rating: 70

Summary: A more compact, affordable version of its 20-inch big brother, the 17-inch iMac should appeal to home users with a shortage of desk space.

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