iMac

red dot: best of the best
red dot award: product design 2008

Transformations – the evolution of form
The iMac has changed the way computers are perceived: With its half-transparent housing and models such as the “Ruby” or the “Flower Power”, it presented a computer that was suddenly no longer a grey box, but looked friendly and simply beautiful. It was, above all, the “all-in-one” idea of accommodating the hard drive and screen into one single unit that embodied an novelty of form. Furthermore, this computer was easy to operate, and thus also interesting to less technically experienced users. With the iMac G5, launched in 2004, the Apple design again set out on new paths. This too was a user-friendly all-in-one computer, but had a substantially modified form. The TFT display, the optical drive and the power adapter were integrated into a slim, white housing of graceful appearance – this iMac was only 5.5 cm thick. The current model of the iMac now continues the slim and gracious language of form of its predecessor model in a highly consistent manner – with its enclosure made of anodised aluminium and a glossy display, it looks elegant and well proportioned. The enclosure has become even slimmer and features a 20” or 24” widescreen display, while the back of the iMac consists of a matte black plastic moulding featuring the embossed Apple logo. The keyboard too has been retouched, it is thinner and its aluminium design is well matched with the high-quality appearance of the new iMac. The technical specifications too have changed with the new model, which is equipped with Intel Core 2 Duo processors and offers the user many creative possibilities. The computer comes with the Mac OS X operating system as well as the iLife ’08 package pre-installed, users can make their own films with it or create their own homepage, etc. – and, once again, an iMac creates a new reality for everyday digital experiences.