The iMac is dead; long live the iMac. After ringing up reported sales of 6 million units, Apple has retired its famous teardrop-shaped consumer computer and replaced it with a visually striking device that has to be seen to be appreciated. The revised model's 15in. LCD screen hangs suspended by a stainless-steel articulated arm above a dome-shaped white base that looks like it was designed for a table lamp.

The base is topped with large cooling vents. The power switch and all connection ports sit at the rear. The base sports three USB ports (up from two in the previous model), two FireWire (IEEE 1394) ports, plus Ethernet and modem connections. Aside from attaching external devices, the only possible user upgrades are increasing the amount of system memory and adding the optional AirPort 802.11b wireless networking card. You can open the case by removing four screws and a cover plate at the bottom of the unit.

Beyond radically redesigning the iMac, Apple has finally updated the G3 processor to the G4 and upgraded to the nVidia GeForce2 MX graphics chip. During our session with the new model, performance seemed quite snappy. The G4 processor and the nVidia graphics card combine to make Mac OS X feel fast and fluid. The LCD is bright and ultra-clear, and is reminiscent of Apple's regular 15in. Studio Display.

The new iMac will be available in three configurations. The top-end model, at £1,360.85 (ex. VAT), comes with an 800MHz G4, 256MB of RAM, a 60GB hard drive and the SuperDrive, a CD-RW/DVD-R combo drive previously available only on Apple's Power Mac line. This model is expected to ship at the end of January. The mid-range model, due in February, carries a £1,105.53 (ex. VAT) price tag and includes a 700MHz G4, 256MB of RAM, a 40GB hard drive and a DVD-ROM/CD-RW combo drive. The cheapest iMac, which won't be available until March, will cost £977.87 (ex. VAT) -- like the original Bondi blue iMac. This model will include the 700MHz G4, 128MB of RAM, a 40GB hard drive and a CD burner.

Bundled software includes Mac OS X 10.1.2 as the default operating system, plus Mac OS 9.2.2 for older Mac software. Productivity software includes AppleWorks 6, iPhoto, iMovie 2, iTunes 2 and iDVD 2.

Although we await a complete labs-based evaluation, the new iMac appears to have great potential for both home and small-business users -- that is, of course, if buyers can embrace the daringly different design.

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