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The article titled "PRODUCT REVIEW: Latest iMac tiptoes into Media Center domain" by Mr. Matthey Fordahlap, as seen at this web address this morning (http://news.tmcnet.com/news/2005/dec/1216496.htm)
has a few glaring mistakes that I think you should be aware of.

Mr. Fordahlap writes :
"Apple's way of dealing with the TV problem was to simply ignore it. Front Row doesn't display live TV and, more significantly, it can't output anything -- videos or pictures -- to an external display such as a big-screen plasma."

Mr. Fordahlap's lack of research is exposed, as a product reviewer should have known that the iMac does in fact output video, which can be viewed on a television screen. Apple's own product webpage states this clearly : (http://www.apple.com/imac/graphics.html)
"Mirror, Mirror - Mini-VGA
Treat your friends to a slideshow of your latest vacation photos right on TV. All iMacs offer a mini-VGA port so you can use the Composite/S-Video adapter to mirror your iMac display on television. You can also mirror your creative output to an external projector via the Apple VGA Display Adapter (adapters sold separately)."



Later on in the article he makes the following incorrect statement:
"The entire program is actually just a shell that makes it easier to control the Mac's underlying programs from a distance with the remote. Each option opens up an underlying library from iTunes (music and video downloads), iPhoto (pictures) or iMovie (home movies)."

The error is small, but significant. The video option in Front Row's interface is in fact not a link to "an underlying library from ... iMovie (home movies)", as iMovie has no such library. Both iTunes and iPhoto are 'database' or 'outline' applications, which keep a database that allow the user to catalog their content, while iMovie has no such ability. The only purpose for iMovie is for the creation (post production) of video content. The Front Row 'Videos' option does use the iMovie icon, but essentially it just provides a '10-foot interface' to the movies in the user's 'Movies' directory, in their home directory (which, incidentally, also uses the same icon).


As well, nearer the end of the article, Mr. Fordahlap makes the statement:
"Of course, the all-in-one design and lack of a video output seriously limits the expandability -- and means you'll be stuck with a dorm- or studio apartment-friendly display even if Apple someday introduces TV capabilities in Front Row."

This may be a matter of perspective, but I think you would be hard pressed to find a computer accessory or addition that did not come in either a USB or FireWire version, or both. Most people would agree that with 2 FireWire ports and 3 USB 2.0 ports, the iMac could hardly be considered to have 'limited expandability', despite it's all-in-one design.

Apple lists the following connectivity options on it's iMac webpage: (http://www.apple.com/imac/)
"# Banish clutter with built-in AirPort Extreme wireless networking
# Go cable-free with Bluetooth for a wireless keyboard and mouse
# Capture video from DV camcorders or add external hard drives via two FireWire 400 ports
# Connect printers and peripherals with three USB 2.0 ports
# Mirror video to your TV, display or projector with mini-VGA"

I hope that steps will be taken to remedy this situation. There can be no excuse to justify such alarming misrepresentation. Especially when considering that Mr. Fordahlap states in his article that he actually tested the 20-inch version of the product, which implies to me that he would have, at least for some time, had the product in his possesion.

Thank you for your time.

-Joel Dunham

posted by JD @ 12/02/2005 09:23:00 a.m. |