Dan's Papers - June 22, 2007

For any Hampton home, computers are a must. Not only do they provide functionality but they can also become aesthetic talking points. Computers are now being produced commercially that are both brilliantly fast and incredibly sleek and stylish.

For the classic Hampton beach house or summer getaway, the perfect machine would be the Apple iMac. This machine has all of the aforementioned qualities as well as features that many Hampton homeowners may find especially interesting.

Apple computers are known for being extremely well-built and because of this the iMac, or any Apple computer for that matter, is relatively maintenance free, meaning you won't be bothered with pop ups while browsing the web, or having your computer randomly slow down and crash. The Mac OSX (sometimes just called OS Ten) is based on UNIX, which makes it extremely reliable and virtually impossible for a wayward hacker to penetrate the system's security. The iMac has become Apple's best-selling product other than the iPod, not just because of its stark white enclosure, but also because of its simplicity. Turn it on by pressing the back of the unit and a pleasant tone emanates from the system's speakers. Then, within seconds you are taken to your desktop where a row of most often used applications greet you by raising up from the bottom of the screen, which is called the dock. Click an application icon in the dock and the desired program instantly "bounces" and opens. You are now ready to go about with work (finding the perfect BBQ chicken recipe) or other activities (editing the photos from that party last weekend at Barcelona Cove.)

All Apple computers come with the iLife package of software, with applications such as iPhoto, an easy to use photo organization and editing tool. Simply plug in your digital camera and the pictures are imported directly to iPhoto from which you can send them directly to an email or webpage. The application iMovieHD is a sophisticated video-editing program that will encourage your kids to become junior Spielberg's by the time summer is over. There are many other programs in the suite, but most importantly the complete versions of these titles come packaged into every new iMac. It's not trial software like you might find in your Dell that gives you 30 days to try and then requires you to make a purchase. With an iMac, the system comes complete and ready to go.

For the constant East End commuter who is concerned that their Windows programs aren't compatible with the iMac, they will find that running Windows on their Mac will be easy. Just simply download the Bootcamp software from Apple's website (for free), which is a program that permits you to run both windows and Mac OS, allowing you to run any software that may not be compatible with Apple's OSX operating system.

Now, for a little fun. With the computer comes a small, six-button remote control that is no bigger than a stick of gum. Press the menu button from any application and instantly the desktop falls into darkness, and you are greeted with Apple's media centric system called Front Row (like at the movies). Inside this you can access your television shows and movies that you may have downloaded from iTunes or play DVDs. Additionally, front row can play your music while displaying the album art in full screen while the music plays. All of these options could be used for parties as a background ambient sound system, perfect for those impromptu Hamptons get togethers that always seem to sprout up this time of the year. It would also be advisable to anybody purchasing an Apple product to always enroll in the Apple Care Protection Agreement. If anything breaks or something does crash they will pay for a DHL overnight box from your house to their facilities and usually will return it to you within a week of it being sent out. Without this service Apple gives you a one-year manufacturer's warrantee and three weeks of telephone support. Also, Apple will ship you the iMac free of charge, and if purchased through a student discount you will receive a rebate to buy an iPod Nano for free.