How to switch on an iMac (sic!)
OK, this is just plain embarrassing.
I just spent several minutes trying to figure out how to switch on an iMac. Seeing there is no power switch on it, I figured this was some sort of Apple design decision - probably you just use the keyboard. So I pressed all the keys on the keyboard, wiggled the mouse, made sure there was power in the socket, etc. Nothing.
Eventually I had a closer look…
The power button is on the back!
The reason I didn’t find it is that it’s not where the connectors are, but down in the lower right corner (seen from the back). Silly.
Update: Mike - I was feeling a tad embarrassed myself, failing to live up to my generally tech-savvy self image. On second thoughts though, I guess the general designer rules apply to Apple designers as well: if “the user” can’t even find the power button, your work is not really ideal.
January 21st, 2008 at 15:11
Don’t feel silly; I had a similar experience with the iMac G4’s. A long-time PC user, I encountered these machines at the art center where I teach photography. The class found it very amusing that I had no idea how to turn a G4 on. As far as I could see there was no button and I did all the things you did, hit the keyboard, etc. Finally, I found it, by feel, invisible to the eye, on the right side,towards the back. Later more merriment was caused when I tried to find out how to load a CD. This time the keyboard did help. Great design and common sense and/or ergonomics rarely collide in the world of Apple.
Ps. I get my first Apple computer Friday - a 24″ alum iMac!
January 22nd, 2008 at 07:04
Silly boys! The way you turn on any computer is you get up close to it and whisper, “I love you, I love you!”
January 22nd, 2008 at 09:19
I’ve found myself pressing down for minutes on end on some innocent screw on the backside of iMacs, wanting to do the hard reset thingie. “Darn, this thing crashed so hard doesn’t even respond to a hard reset”
January 22nd, 2008 at 11:54
Do you consider it personally embarrassing (failure to read manual or look closely) or embarrassing for Apple (design flaw)? Your post really isn’t clear on that.
January 22nd, 2008 at 14:47
CLASSIC!!!
HAHAHAHA. You really made me crack. I have been there some time ago looking for the button, reminded me of that day.
I pull that trick on everyone who tries to use my iMac, it really makes me have fun for a few secs.
Congrats for your iMac, and trust that you will enjoy the experience.