The original iMac was something completely different from what people expected in a computer sitting on their desk. While everyone else was selling boring beige boxes, Apple said, “Hey, we have this translucent, gumdrop-shaped multifunctional computer that’s cool.” And it was.
It was nowhere near the most powerful computer you could buy at the time, but it was full of color and fun. It was accessible and friendly – you could lift everything with a handle at the top. He was, well, playful.
I think you could argue that the iMac’s personality has made it – in some ways – the most personal of personal computers. In the last 20 years, the iMac has evolved, but it has almost always kept that playful feeling, even if it has lost its color.
The G4 version, released in 2002, was one of the most iconic desktop models to date. This is the one with a 17-inch LCD display floating on a stainless steel arm, above a half-sphere dome that served as a base and housed the “gut” of the computer.
If we are really honest, however, in recent years, the iMac has lost this game. It still has a personality, but as its silver aluminum industrial design has become thinner and more sophisticated, the iMac’s personality has changed.
It’s still a better-looking computer than almost any other desktop, but it’s starting to show its age. It has large frames around the display and a chin that makes it look like a caricature of what a cool all-in-one might look like – seven years ago. Besides, he hadn’t seen a color that wasn’t gray or darker gray for years.
On Tuesday, Apple announced the latest version of the iMac. The highlight should have been that it now includes the Apple M1 processor. It is definitely a big problem and should not be overlooked. After all, Apple has promised to move all its Macs to Apple Silicon within two years and we are approaching half of that promise.
In addition, the M1 is an order of magnitude faster than the Intel chips it replaces, which makes the new iMacs an incredible computer. M1 even meant that Apple managed to lose, well, everything about the new iMac. It has thinner frames, a smaller chin, and there is no swelling on the back to house all the computer guts.
Honestly, though, I think a much bigger deal is that the new iMac is now available in seven colors.
Welcome back, personality.
It may not seem like the color addition is that great, but I think it’s great, especially for the iMac. If the explosion of personalization that took place on the iPhone when Apple made it possible to customize the home screen and add widgets is an indication, our devices are more an extension of our own personality than ever.
And most of us would probably prefer to believe that our personalities are colored – not gray. It’s like Apple telling its customers you no longer have to choose gray or gray-gray. Now you can choose any color that suits you – just like you can with an iPhone.
This latest design brings back what made the iMac so popular in the first place. In this case, along with the fun, you will also get one of the most powerful Macs the company has ever made. It’s not a bad deal at all, and I suspect Apple will probably sell many of them. It’s genius.