Cloning The iMac

They're new. They're trendy. They're relatively cheap. Three new computers from Dell, Gateway and Compaq are part of a growing segment in the PC market called Web PCs -- machines made so the user can compute and surf the Web 15 minutes after opening the box.

But let's get real and call them what they really are -- iMac clones.

Well over a year ago, the first iMacs were introduced to much fanfare -- and to a lot of griping and whining from traditionalists. "It doesn't have a floppy drive." "It's not expandable." "The monitor is too small." "The mouse sucks."

Well, the mouse does suck, but the iMac is a huge success because first-time computer users can take the machine home and surf the Web within minutes -- and it's a really fine computer.

And so, it came to pass that a "new concept" was born, the "legacy-free PC." Legacy-free is a fancy way of saying the computer doesn't have expansion slots for video boards, 3-D accelerators, sound cards, network interface cards, et cetera. It's uncomplicated. Suddenly, being limited has become a benefit.

It's 'Plug & Play' Unplugged

Said another way -- if you really want a PC to be "Plug-and-Play" compatible, just eliminate those annoying plugs.

Plug-and-Play is Microsoft's and Intel's concept of PC expansion.

• In theory, you pop open your PC, drop in an expansion board, and when you boot up -- voila, the computer automatically "sees" the card and runs perfectly.
• In practice (we'll use the example of my DVD hardware board), you pull out every board to get the DVD board between the video and sound boards, while making sure itty-bitty cables are attached between the DVD drive and DVD board as well as between the DVD board and sound card. When you reboot and get no sound, you call tech support and discover that you need to connect the itty-bitty cables to some other itty-bitty connections on the sound card.
  You reboot. The DVD works, but crashes every time James Bond is about to suck the sea urchin spine from Domino's heel. Several days later, after finally finding the correct troubleshooting FAQ, you discover that Windows probably caused an IRQ conflict (another techie term, not the "Trekkie" branch of the Irish Republican Army).

Yeech! Actually, my idea of a legacy-free PC would be a machine running something other than Windows, but I digress.

Knockoffs Or Improvements?

Two of the largest computer manufacturers have just released legacy-free machines: Dell's entry (pictured at right) is called the webpc (note the lack of capitalization -- very Internet!). Gateway's offering is called the Astro PC (Rerro, Rhonda!) and will be perfect for your boy, Elroy.

Compaq has a series of computers named iPaq (wonder where they thought that up) that will be introduced in January, except for legacy-free versions that will await the release of Windows 2000.

And speaking of butt-ugly, AMD has a concept legacy-free computer (pictured at left) that looks something like a sideways eyeball with a "Rev. Jim Jones Kool-Aid purple iris" (covering the CD-ROM) surrounded by an "optic green" bezel. It's an attempt at "shagadelia" that even Austin Powers couldn't stomach. The name: "EasyNow!" -- with an exclamation point.

None are exact clones. The iMac is "cool" because of Apple's innovative design team. The computer is unique because of Apple's aggressive legal staff: The company has already filed injunctions against companies like eMachines, which markets the eOne in the United States, an all-in-one computer strikingly similar to the iMac. There is a "new" eOne in the works. Apple won an injunction against Future Power and Daewoo that prohibits sale of the ePower machine, the most iMac-like of the clones, here in the U.S.

Let's see how the vaguely familiar faces stack up against the new, second-generation iMac.

The Astro PC from Gateway (pictured, left) is a lumpy, frumpy-looking, all-in-one monitor/computer combination that looks more like a TV/VCR combo than a computer. Dell's version, the webpc, and Compaq's iPaq come as a mini-tower computer with a separate monitor. The big advantage here? You can upgrade to a larger computer screen without paying for the small, all-in-one monitors of the iMac or Astro. Dell even offers an optional LCD display.

How about video quality?

Technically speaking, the iMac uses an ATI RAGE 128 VR 2D/3D graphics accelerator with 8MB of SDRAM graphics memory and AGP 2X support. Translation: The iMac is a really good game machine and has excellent graphics power for nearly anything else.

The Same Guts

All of the other legacy-free systems are based on the Intel 810 chipset. In other words, each of these machines is nearly identical in video and audio performance. The video quality is fine for word processing or surfing the Web, but when it comes to games, these machines are merely adequate. Sharky Extreme, a Web site dedicated to video gaming, said the video capability of the Intel 810 is "not meant to be targeted at power gamers. Not at all. Period ? .The 'free' video that the i810 includes is great (but only) in very low-cost systems or PCs that are destined for the workplace." PC manufacturers have complained that the i810 chipset has the effect of homogenizing the various models that use it, according to the British cybermag The Register.

Playing Well With Others

Can these machines be upgraded? How do they work with other devices?

The Gateway Astro is the least expandable of any of the machines. It comes with 64 megabytes of memory that can't be increased. It has an internal modem for Web connections and USB ports for external add-ons, like printers, scanners and other devices. Unlike the iMac, it doesn't have a network connection; for a fast Internet connection via a cable or DSL modem, you'll need an additional USB network adapter or USB capable DSL or cable modems, which are rare. On the other hand, it's the only machine in the group with a floppy drive.

Like the iMac, the Dell and Compaq computers will accept additional memory. The Dell can be purchased with up to 128 megabytes; the Compaq, up to 256 MB. The iMac weighs in with up to 512 MB. Advantage: Apple.

Dell's webpc comes with a phone modem but no network connection. Compaq's iPaq (left) comes with a network connector but no phone modem -- that's an additional upgrade. The iMac has an internal phone modem, network connector, an IEEE 1394 Firewire port for video accessories and fast external storage devices, and a slot for an Airport card, Apple's wireless network technology. Dell and Compaq have USB ports for external devices; so does iMac. Clearly, the Apple comes out ahead for connectivity.

Happy Apple

If you're looking for a new computer that's easy to use, go for the iMac. It takes more memory and has more options for expansion. Its only real drawback is the small screen.

Oh yeah -- and the mouse still sucks.

Linux Redux

Turning to the e-mailbag?

Reaction continues to our column "How Not to Install Linux."

Mark Soiseth of Ottawa, Ontario, writes:
"I installed Linux with nothing but a degree in French literature to help me. Sure, I screwed up, but the biggest problem (and the hardest thing to re-install) was Windows. It wouldn't re-install because, when it went down, it took its own CD driver with it, then it said that there was a grievous problem with the hard drive and refused to do anything until I fixed' it."

Kevin Forge of Kingston, Jamaica, wrote:
"People are switching to Linux and Mac from Windows for different reasons. You see, Windows has two sets of problems. One is that it's hard to use and doesn't hold your hand enough. The other is that it has a stranglehold on the market, and you really don't get to choose what you want to do with a PC.
"For the former, you get a Mac because, despite the horse-and-buggy implications, a Mac is much better technology than a PC, and Apple produces more solid hardware than your typical PC maker. Linux appeals more to the other set, the ones who want to do something that Microsoft and the big software makers haven't needed to do or thought about yet."

Finally, Cameron Spitzer of San Jose, Calif., said he picked his new employer because of Linux.
"I'm a hardware designer with about 20 years' experience in the computer and networking industry ? My skills are in demand, and I could go almost anywhere I want. One of the things that sold me on the company I chose was most people there had a Linux system in their offices. I mentioned it to the hiring manager and it was no big deal to him. 'You can do a lot with it, and it's cheap,' he said."

Thanks for the responses. I enjoy the feedback. If you want to chime in on iMac clones or other topics, e-mail egan@ibsys.com Please include your full name, city and state.