17inch and 19inch iMacs

[MacRumors]

MacNN notes (http://macnn.com/news.php?id=16695) that China Times (http://news.chinatimes.com/) is reporting on 19-inch LCD iMacs:

Q-Run is currently on a test run for iMac, but delivery is due to begin from October... Monthly shipment is expected to exceed 10,000 iMac desktops in the initial stage [and] the PCs will be equipped with LCD panels provided by Samsung.

No link to the original article is provided.

[Shrek]

Well, what did I tell you all? I knew Apple wouldn't let us down! :p ;)

[arn]

I'm still surprised... I guess LCD prices are dropping...

Still, a 19" iMac seems a bit much.

arn

[Hemingray]

While I still refuse to acknowledge the possible existence of an awkward-looking 19" iMac, I will say that this is probably very good news to those of us PowerMac users who are waiting for a 19" LCD. If this 19" iMac really does show up, then almost certainly there will a standalone LCD of the same size for the PowerMac.

[JINX]

Its unlikely that 19" iMacs would mean that 19" LCD stand alone screens are coming. They may well be on the way, but the 17" imacs are not made using the screens from 17" stand alones so there's no reason to the 19" would be any different.

By the way, bizarre looking or not, I'd be excited by a 19" iMac. That would be a serious machine and it would probably mean that the 17" would come down the 15" prices with the 15" potentially disappearing altogether.

JINX

[scem0]

Originally posted by arn
I'm still surprised... I guess LCD prices are dropping...

Still, a 19" iMac seems a bit much.

arn

i totslly agree. The 17 inch right now already looks a little funny. I can only imagine how wierd a 19 inch iMac would look. I don't think it will sell very well - think of it this way:

What parent wants a little kid with a big head?

:D:D:D

[vniow]

Originally posted by JINX
Its unlikely that 19" iMacs would mean that 19" LCD stand alone screens are coming. They may well be on the way, but the 17" imacs are not made using the screens from 17" stand alones so there's no reason to the 19" would be any different.


JINX

I wouldn't be so sure, just because it comes out on the iMac first doesn't mean that a stand-alone display couldn't be made a bit later.:)

[Rocketman]

Originally posted by JINX
Its unlikely that 19" iMacs would mean that 19" LCD stand alone screens are coming. They may well be on the way, but the 17" imacs are not made using the screens from 17" stand alones so there's no reason to the 19" would be any different.

By the way, bizarre looking or not, I'd be excited by a 19" iMac. That would be a serious machine and it would probably mean that the 17" would come down the 15" prices with the 15" potentially disappearing altogether.

JINX

Firstly the main reason I read rumour sites is this type of subject. Glad to hear about product MANUFACTURING news.

I would like to see an iMac variant that has a super processor (ie quad G4/G5 with internal raid and mediaserver. DUAL external screen.

Rocketman

[Hemingray]

Originally posted by JINX
Its unlikely that 19" iMacs would mean that 19" LCD stand alone screens are coming. They may well be on the way, but the 17" imacs are not made using the screens from 17" stand alones so there's no reason to the 19" would be any different.

So you think the consumer Mac will be the first to have a 19" LCD screen? I doubt it. I remain a little more hopeful that Apple will give the professional PowerMac users a 19" LCD FIRST and then follow up with the consumer version (iMac).

[medea]

personally I wouldn't pick the 19" over the 17" anyways, the 15" was perfectly proportionate to the imac base and the 17" was pushing it already, 19" would be over the line.

[Shrek]

19" would rock! Then I can watch DVD-movies and play games on the "BIG SCREEN!" :D :D :D

[rjrufo]

Have you guys thought about the possibility that Apple might be increasing the size of the dome to hold the 19 inch screen? If they're upgrading the screen size, wouldn't it be a good idea to add some more power under the hood?

[vniow]

I'd like to see them actiavte extended desktop on the iMac so you could work on another (bigger) screen (TV perhaps?)
That would sorta negate a bigger screen though, since you could easily buy a cheapo 21" nowadayz.

[Shrek]

I personally would like to see at least two expansion slots in the system: one AGP slot and one PCI slot. And have a GeForce4 Ti 4600 or GeForce5 graphics chip already integrated into the motherboard. This way you can add another graphics chip in the AGP slot to use instead of your integrated graphics card or to use for a second external monitor. They should also have integrated sound, but you can upgrade that with the additional PCI slot if you like. This would open the door for so many possibilities on the iMac! :D

[vniow]

Originally posted by Shrek
I personally would like to see at least two expansion slots in the system: one AGP slot and one PCI slot. And have a GeForce4 Ti 4600 or GeForce5 graphics chip already integrated into the motherboard. This way you can add another graphics chip in the AGP slot to use instead of your integrated graphics card or to use for a second external monitor. They should also have integrated sound, but you can upgrade that with the additional PCI slot if you like. This would open the door for so many possibilities on the iMac! :D

How 'bout they take some of the techlonogy in the iMac and make a new Cube?
If they did all that to the little dome, it would be huge!:eek:
I still think that they should make one anywayz (and price it right this tme!:mad: )
cuz a lot of people want a new Mac, but don't want to give up their old monitor. If you bought an iMac or an eMac you'd have to and a Powermac is too expensive for some.
Don't see it happening anytime soon though. The product line is alrready crowded.:(

[reyesmac]

How come now one here asks if they will actually update the speed of the machine when they update it this time? That is what matters most. Why should I buy an iMac, if it is already over 6 months old speedwise? Spending $2,000.00 on an iMac that will need upgrading in 3 years (if you like to be one the bleeding edge with programs/OS) is a little easier if you know you have the fastest machine when you buy it. The iMac is much less powerfull than the powermacs and it has been the same speed for too long.
That being said, if Apple does bump the speed up to either 900 or 1gig, this will be the computer I buy this Christmas. I would like more USB spots and an easily upgradable internal hard drive slot, but I can accept not having those if I can get a machine that is as fast as the last generation powermacs.

Also, if they sell this for less than $2,000, that means that the other iMacs would be overpriced. I think they could sell more iMacs if they just had better prices instead of bigger screens. Enough with adding on more things instead of lowering prices, if it costs less, more will buy it reguardless, just look at the original iMac. Great machine (at the time) for a great price. Flat panels are not mainstream enough for people to know what kind of a value they are truly getting with these big screens.

I hope this means that studio display prices are going to drop now that the rebate thing will expire. If they do and a Powermac that is as good a deal as an iMac is comes out, I will once again have to rethink what to buy.

[scem0]

I would much prefer a price drop to a larger monitor size.

[D*I*S_Frontman]

I saw the 17" iMac at a local CompUSA. The screen was big and gorgeous, bright and sharp. It was big but not too big for the current dome--still rock steady when tilting the screen around. 19" would be just too big, though.

What Apple should REALLY do is offer a 19" TRUE 16:9 monitor for video post guys and for home consumers to have correct aspect DVD display. It would only be about as tall as their current 15" LCD is, only a third wider or so. The market NEEDS one and Apple should deliver it. Keep the 23" HD 16:10 if you must, but all others should be 16:9. Make the entire line widescreen. Capitalize on the Hollywood vibe.

Hey FORMAC--are you listening? You guys should beat Apple to the punch on this one. The specs on Formac LCDs are stunning and if left with a choice I myself would have no problem buying one over an Apple offering, especially if they get some 16:9 options out there first...

[bombensington]

Originally posted by reyesmac
Why should I buy an iMac, if it is already over 6 months old speedwise? Spending $2,000.00 on an iMac that will need upgrading in 3 years (if you like to be one the bleeding edge with programs/OS) is a little easier if you know you have the fastest machine when you buy it.

Maybe you don't have to factor in price when you buy a computer, but some of us do. When I got my iMac, price was a huge factor...and I love how it looks. I know, I know, "speed is the key" - but face it, I'm not a professional user. I honestly don't need that much. Sure, it would be nice to open iChat 2 bounces quicker, but not for a few thousand dollars more.

The iMac is probably the best computer I could have chosen - it has all the bells and whistles to keep me satisfied, and was at a price I could afford. Who cares that in 3 years it'll be "too slow?" My PC was too slow a year later, and I hated it. 3 years to me seems like an eternity compared to that.

In conclusion, iMac = happy face worn by me.

[reyesmac]

Originally posted by bombensington

The iMac is probably the best computer I could have chosen - it has all the bells and whistles to keep me satisfied, and was at a price I could afford. Who cares that in 3 years it'll be "too slow?" My PC was too slow a year later, and I hated it. 3 years to me seems like an eternity compared to that.

In conclusion, iMac = happy face worn by me.

Thank you for your honest answer and I do appreciate it. What I want to know is, is there anyone reading this that has upgraded their computer from at least a Powermac B/W or G4 tower to any kind of flat panel iMac and been completely satisfied with it for semi pro work? Do you see it lasting longer than your powermac?

I bought my blue and white because at the time the iMacs stunk, it was money well spent because this machine is usefull in OS 9 and it still has some things I can upgrade. But I wont bother if an iMac/eMac would be a better investment.

[Telomar]

Originally posted by arn
I'm still surprised... I guess LCD prices are dropping...

Still, a 19" iMac seems a bit much.

arn It's worth mentioning a run of 10 000 doesn't mean too much. That could just be them testing a new manufaturing process as proof to Apple.

That said Price drops on LCDs are pretty well expected to appear early next year. The LCD market currently aims to run on two to three year runs. Every two to three years they are bringing on a new generation of production methods and moving to larger substrates. Each time they do yields of larger panels substantially increase resulting in lower prices.

Cost of LCDs shouldn't be the issue if they are aiming a 19" iMac towards 1st half next year. I also wouldn't be too surprised to see all but the lowest iMac go 17" and a new display line-up to accompany it. It could easily be done on the costs.

As for when 5G plants will be up that depends. Some companies already have them running but most are for TVs. I would assume 1H 2003 as a most likely delivery date.

I would like to see an iMac variant that has a super processor (ie quad G4/G5 with internal raid and mediaserver. DUAL external screen. Too much heat, too much size and too many accessability issues to do it in an iMac format. You could do it I suppose but you would have a huge dome, which isn't terribly space effective. Server design really wouldn't integrate well with the iMac design.

[Postal]

I can't help but think that the rumour's partially wrong, and that the real move is towards 17" and 19" widescreen substitutes for the existing Studio Display lineup. After all, if you're going for the "creative professional," they'll be more apt to appreciate it.

On the iMac, I'm not worried about the ratio (although at this pace, the display is going to overwhelm the base!), it's the cost. It'd make more sense to focus on performance components, I think... maybe a 933 or 1 GHz G4 on the high-end, GF4 MX video on all models, and so on.

[Telomar]

People are awfully caught up on price but a LCD built from a 5G substrate costs around 60% of the current equivalent to manufacture. Considering Samsung just brought their 5G plant online too I wouldn't expect cost to be the major issue that would prevent this.

[theaz]

According to Chipzilla.com (see http://www.chipzilla.com/?article=5267):

------

FIFTEEN INCH iMacs are apparently being phased out this month.

And 17-inch iMacs are being phased in, as we reported a while back.

But now it seems Apple will launch a 19-inch iMac in the fourth quarter, according to the Taiwanese press.

The machines will be built by Hon Hai, which is a major manufacturer also known as Foxconn and a favourite, it just so happens of the Intel Corporation.

Hon Hai will also make i-Books for Apple, according to the story in the Taiwan Economic News.

It staved off tough competition by Quanta Computer and Solectron to get the go-ahead to make the Big iMac. µ

------

This report was published back on the 5 Sept 2002...

Update: This report can also be found at http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=5267

[synergy]

Maybe this isn't a new iMac. Or maybe it is. My thinking is its a new Apple display using the same arm the iMac uses. It needs a heavier base for the weight. But leave the computer components out and slim down the dome adding only weight and you have a fancy adjustable display for desktop computers.

I would love to have one of those.

[IJ Reilly]

Does anybody remember Steve's famous Mac product matrix? We haven't seen it for quite a while -- since the introduction of the Cube in fact. But that's when Apple opened up a column between the consumer iMac and pro PowerMac. With the eMac now occupying the consumer column, Apple can afford to push the iMac into the pro-sumer position formerly occupied by the Cube, and at virtually the same price-point, ironically. By that logic, dropping the 15" iMac entirely and introducing 19" iMacs priced at around two grand makes pretty good sense, provided they can also sell an entry-level 17" iMac at around $1,400.

[gooddog]

HHHHEEYYYYY !!!!!! HHEEEYY !!!

STOP THAT !!!!!!!!

Stop badmouthing the 19" iMac PPPUUUHHHLLEEEZZZZ !

I am adrool for this babe at X-mas time.

And I am extatic with my 15" FP iMac too.

Those of us who are not actually "pro" but would like to start on

FinalCutPro .. etc. need the LCD realestate to see content and panels in one

screen. We do NOT want a CRT either so don't mention it.

We should not worry about the looks -- trust Apple designers to handle that.

They could easily tighten the tension on the arm, add another drive or a lump

of lead (jokie, jokie, jokie) and take care of stability.

The only wish I would have, is for UPGRADEABLE GRAPHICS & SOUND , and an

aspect ratio of 16 X 9 . If it is not 16 X 9, then it should be

WIDER (not taller as 16 X 10) because there ARE some anamorphic DVD's that

have wider-than-16X9 ratios, but none that have this taller (16X10) ratio.

---gooddog

[SilvorX]

Originally posted by arn
I'm still surprised... I guess LCD prices are dropping...

Still, a 19" iMac seems a bit much.

arn
$2500 US ATLEAST...a lil too much for the canadians...so apple better keep the 15" screen (would be great for ppl who dont mind screen size n such...aka ppl who dont know squat bout puters :p)

[NHMac]

I have to say I would be very tempted by a 19" iMac. I would replace my 19 CRT and circa 2000 Dual 500G4 and get the DVD burning function I crave. Go for it Steve.

[reyesmac]

Why does everyone think this 19in iMac will cost more than $1,999? You can get a 19in studio display for $999, and you know Apple makes a big profit on those. Ad that to the fact that the iMac is based on technology that they have been using in Powermacs since the year 2000. Subtract the cost of the 15in screen from the cheapest iMac and the base comes out to around $1,000, I am sure it costs Apple much less to manufacture it than that. Ad a $1000 screen (with profit margin already added) and you have the $1,999 iMac.

What worries me however is that if Apple wants to maximize their profits on it, they will not update the internals of the base with a speedbump. If they do, this will be a great machine to own.

[daRAT]

Originally posted by medea
personally I wouldn't pick the 19" over the 17" anyways, the 15" was perfectly proportionate to the imac base and the 17" was pushing it already, 19" would be over the line.

*blink*

So you are saying because the iMac wouldn't look good, that you prefer a smaller screen?

[daRAT]

Originally posted by reyesmac


Thank you for your honest answer and I do appreciate it. What I want to know is, is there anyone reading this that has upgraded their computer from at least a Powermac B/W or G4 tower to any kind of flat panel iMac and been completely satisfied with it for semi pro work? Do you see it lasting longer than your powermac?

I bought my blue and white because at the time the iMacs stunk, it was money well spent because this machine is usefull in OS 9 and it still has some things I can upgrade. But I wont bother if an iMac/eMac would be a better investment.

I haven't upgraded my Cube to a new iMac, the 450 Cube with Jag still rocks on. Due to the new processor upgrades from Sonnett and Powerlogic, I doubt I will upgrade the whole machine.

Stay away from the eMac, my local Mac dealer showed me the horrible breakdown in the video, the screen crunched to half it's height and was tappered on the bottom. Plus those eMac's sound like a f-14 tomcat in volumne of noise.

BTTT, I think a 17" iMac could be used for semi-pro work, espeically as a lower end "second machine", and have a G4 tower crunching data/compling etc.

I use my Cube for the serious stuff and my brand new P4 2ghz for not so critical stuff.... I don't trust XP alone with my work :P


Thats one rat's opinion :]

[Billy_ca]

This is great news! A 19" iMac would almost certainly mean a price drop on the 17" widescreen I'm looking at lustfully.

[dongmin]

Originally posted by reyesmac
Why does everyone think this 19in iMac will cost more than $1,999? You can get a 19in studio display for $999, and you know Apple makes a big profit on those.

If you're referring to Apple Studio Displays, they haven't released a 19" yet. The 17" goes for $999.

And unless you've seen a part by part breakdown of the cost of manufacturing an iMac, I'd be careful in throwing out numbers like that. It's possible they'll introduce the 19" for $2000 but knowing Apple, I would say two grand is a bit wishful thinking. More like $2199.

I too am hoping that the 19" imac rumors mean 19" Studio Displays are on their way. I've been lusting for an Apple LCD for a while. $999 for a 17" seems a bit much. I'd probably get one for $799. If they released a wide screen 19" for $1099, I'd be tempted for that as well.

[Sherman]

Isn't that like $25 US? Which is still negative money in canadian $.

Damn, this is really starting to annoy me. All these new products that are being rumored and still no actual new PowerBook G4.

I want it! I need it soon! EEEEEEEE!!!!!

[gooddog]

Just saw the 17" iMac at the CompUSA Macintosh Graveyard Corner.

First impression: it's not as huge as I expected. By no means does it dwarf the dome base. It could easily stand a 19" version.

Either way, anamorphic DVD's in 16 X 9 should look quite lovely in the new aspect ratio.

The clear plastic halo has now been placed in front of the white frame (I guess to keep the white part clean) BUT IT DOESN"T LOOK NICE ---

The off-offf-off white border around the 15" iMac CAN be kept pretty by not pawing it (use Seal's technique) . The 17" looks kinda cheaper for the change.

APPLE : Please put it back as it was for the 19" model so I won't have to glue a
picture frame matte border around my 19" FPiMAC !!!! PPPLLLEEEEEZZZZZ !

Since the OS installed at these stores is restricted so you don't have access to System Preferences etc. --- I cannot speak for any performance boost.

They had only one 30 second cheesy song demo for iTunes and I tried it with the visualizer at full screen , large. It was great as usual.

I found no pics in iPhoto. The QT movie previews could not be maximized as in my home version of Jaguire and could not be saved to later enlarge as in mine.

Also, my favorite Jag feature -- ZOOM VIEW - in Universal Access---- did not ZOOM the QT screen of movie trailers as it does at home.

It is as if someone deliberately hid the Jag's lights under a bushel basket at every turn... I don't get it.

My only gambit to get folks to look at the 17" beauty was to leave it on visualizer, with no sound.

A SoundStick JellyFish subwoofer sat unconnected under the table , so the litle "PRO" crystall ball speakers farted away horribly when any bass came to them.

SAD , BUT --- I WOULD HAVE LOVED THE FIRST FP IMAC I BOUGHT TO HAVE BEEN THIS ONE !!!!!!! :) :) :)

And when it grows up to 19" , ---- I SHALL PURCHASE ONCE AGAIN--- MMMUUUAAAHHH HHAAAAA HHAAAAA :) :) :) :) ;)


---gooddog

[mcrain]

You know what I would like to see?

People here have talked about duel monitoring the iMacs and have also talked about stand alone 19" screens.

I'd like to see a 17 or 19 inch screen on an imac base that is just the screen on top of a base that just holds the screen and arm, and connects to the iMac (with computer) with a base to base connector.

I'd buy a 19" iMac and a second 19" iScreen. Connect the two and you'd then have two floating screens on your desk. Put the iPod dock between the two, and you've got a system I'd buy in a heartbeat.

From a marketing standpoint, 19" should sell better than 17" despite how it might look. Lots of consumers just want MORE of whatever. More Mhz, more screen size, more ram, more hard drive space, whatever. Many people look at the tags in front of the computers and select whichever one has the biggest numbers that fits in their budget regardless of form or functionality. I mean, haven't you seen someone walking around with a 15" screened notebook with dvd, thick base, huge hard drive, removable media, etc., etc., when all they really needed was a lightweight computer like a 12" imac?

I can tell you I'm one of those people who goes for the numbers, and I'm not alone.