I think it depends upon what you define as "first." The iMac wasn't the first computer in the sense that it wasn't the first machine with a keyboard, mouse, and

I think it depends upon what you define as "first." The iMac wasn't the first computer in the sense that it wasn't the first machine with a keyboard, mouse, and operating system. But it was the first along many important dimensions including beautiful packaging and marketing, great software, etc. that are very difficult to pull off for companies attempting to create replicas (just look at how hard HP is trying to rip off the Macbook Pro). I think being first is absolutely important if you define first as being the first to create a well-executed specific product offering within a larger category. In many ways this sums up the evolution of products- one comes along that does things differently and much better than its predecessors. That in my opinion is what has made Apple so successful over the past decade- they have been the first in phones, desktops, laptops, tablets, and music sales along several very important dimensions.