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Mac Happens

iMac Flaws

10 February 1999 - Evan Kleiman

Every computer has its flaws. The iMac is a computer, but, unlike other computers, you can very easily fix the iMac's minor flaws. Oh, the iMac is also different than other computers because it's really cool looking. Today I'll give you some easy tips to fix the problems you might have with your iMac.

1 One of the biggest (and one of the easiest fixable) problem that the iMac has is its lack of floppy drive. For a mere Us$150 (or less) you can get an Imation SuperDisk drive. This drive is not only Bondi blue and ice colored, it is three drives in one. This drive will let you use 120 MB SuperDisk floppies (one comes with the drive) and 1.4 MB floppy disks in both Mac and that other format. What was that format called? Trash? Junk? Oh no, it was DOS. Also, if you think that $150 is too much to spend, Newer Tech will be releasing a 1.4 MB floppy drive with serial ports on the back for about $70 US. (Currently estimated for March release.)

2 Another problem with the iMac is its keyboard and mouse. When you first look at them, you can see that both of these input devices are rather small. But we can fix that. First, we'll start with the keyboard. The iMac's keyboard is about the size of a laptop's keyboard. So if you're used to the keyboard one a PowerBook, Duo, eMate 300, or older Mac, you'll feel right at home. If you've been using a extended keyboard (the one with the power key on the right side) you won't feel as comfortable with the new keyboard. But, after about a week, you'll get used to it. If not, you can buy a full size keyboard from Microsoft.

3 The mouse, on the other hand, is not as easy to get used to. After about a week of using it, you might want to buy one. Microsoft sells their mice in USB format. Also, MacSense sells an add-on for the iMac mouse, the $10 iCatch. It is a piece of plastic that is the size of a regular mouse bottom. It attaches under your mouse button, and changes your weird mouse into a full-sized one.

4 Another problem is that the iMac has only USB ports. If you don't own any peripherals that use serial or SCSI, than you're lucky. If you have thousands of dollars of equipment, then the solution isn't as cheap. Keyspan sells a product that you attach to one of your USB ports and it will give you two serial ports. There is no SCSI (Small Computers System Interface) adapter yet, but should be soon.

Every computer comes with flaws (for example, all PC's come with a bad virus called Windows), but, unlike other computers, you can easily fix the iMac's problems.

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