Including a basic yet sufficient feature set and power enough for most everyday computing tasks, the Apple iMac is a good option for those seeking an affordable desktop. Powered by a 500 MHz PowerPC G3 chip and including 64 MB of RAM (expandable to 1,024 MB) and a 20 GB hard disk, this system has the fundamentals covered. Its 24x (read), 8x (write), and 4x (rewrite) CD-RW drive helps out in the multimedia department, as does the ATI Rage 128 Ultra graphics card. The system is housed in an integrated unit that includes a 15-inch display with a 13.8-inch viewable area. Both the classic Mac OS 9 and the slick new Mac OS X come installed.

REVIEWS:
1) A Great CPU-Screw Clock-Speed!: Most people probably look at this computer and scoff, "Oh, 500-MHz! That is so cute. But it"s not of any use." They"re wrong VERRRRRY wrong.
I have been a Mac user since I was 5. We got a Performa 550. 33 MHz, 180 MB hard drive. Pathetic? Yes. Slow? Yes. Beige? Yes. Useless? Absolutely not. Even with all of the constraints, the trusty Performa pulled through-it did essays, stories, reports, made pictures, printed KidPix stuff, and even made smoke (that last one was an accident...) The moral of the stroy is that someone who wants a good computer needn"t look too far. 1 GHz--wow, but do you REALLY need it? Think about that

Ahem, back on subject. The 500-Mhz iMac is sort of the same as the Performa (but it"s not beige-yippee!) It may not have incredibly fast clock speed, the latest hard drive, or the biggest screen, but for entry-level, and even maybe mild business, the iMac come through. It works hard, supports a GB of RAM, and can store movies, AND Mp3 tunes, AND documents, AND games, AND applications of all sorts and run fine. Only under very severe stress does the iMac up and quit. I"ve had mine for a year and a half now, and it has never, EVER failed me. It has always pulled through, and deserves that sacred spot next to the ol" Performa. Not to mention it looks cool. If you want a Mac, the iMac is a viable solution.