It has to be said... (about the new iMac)

[whabang]

The base model is not worth very much, IMO.
1,531.79€ (Excange rates and prices from Sept 1st) for a computer with 256 Mb RAM, and an 80 Gb Hd???

Last Christmas, I paid less than 3500:- (aprox. 380€) for a full PC-system (without monitor, though) with larger HD, and more RAM.
Of course, the 1.6 GHz G5 would beat the crap out of my 2.4 GHz Celeron, but CPU isn't everything.

[Lando]

whabang wrote:
The base model is not worth very much, IMO.
1,531.79€ (Excange rates and prices from Sept 1st) for a computer with 256 Mb RAM, and an 80 Gb Hd???

Last Christmas, I paid less than 3500:- (aprox. 380€) for a full PC-system (without monitor, though) with larger HD, and more RAM.
Of course, the 1.6 GHz G5 would beat the crap out of my 2.4 GHz Celeron, but CPU isn't everything.

You choose the RAM and HD when you buy the computer.  You don't have to have 256/80gb.  256/80 is just the minimum config.

Here in the UK, a quality 17" widescreen TFT will cost you £400 up, almost half the price of the iMac already.

Sure you can build a PC from no-name parts for a couple hundred quid less... and you'd have just that - a no-name, non-descript PC.  The two just don't compare.  

If you want to compare it to as PC, the something like the Sony Vaio W700G (with 17.5" widescreen TFT display and computer built-in to the display, although without the elegance of Apple's product) would be the closest you could get.  This starts at $2000.

The new iMac is the best value Mac yet.  I would be buying one myself if I hadn't just bought a new iBook G4 3 days ago.

[whabang]

Yes, but when you chose the extras, the price goes far higher than a PC-counterpart.
On the other hand, one could buy the base model, and upgrade it yourself, if possible.

Either way. I can't afford it! :-P

[MaDDuck]

Personally, I LOVE the new iMac. HE77, I just ordered one!

What sold me are some neat features that nobody else even mentioned:
1. Serial ATA (me like FAST HDDs!)
2. Optional in-built Bluetooth, imagine having a BT KB & mouse under it, it'll look surreal! No really, where's the computer???
3. It doesn't have windows in it.
4. I can transfer my eMac (daily use computer) stuff over to it in one move ( http://www.apple.com/macosx/upgrade/upgradetonewmac.html )

So while not an Amiga, it'll do!

C.