Next Apple iMacs with "Striking New Industrial Design"? [Archive] - Page 2

DrGonzo2121

Mar 20, 2007, 05:13 PM

First off, I don't think there's any way apple can successfully implement touch screen functionality into the screen itself. I think a more realistic and effective use of multitouch would be to come out with a touchscreen keyboard with a built in display. Need a sound board when working with logic? your sliders appear on the keyboard/screen. Need to manipulate a film timeline? do it ala minority report.

Another advantage to this design would be the ability for older mac users to upgrade their keyboard along with leopard, instead of forcing users to bite the bullet and buy a whole new rig. This would create a huge user base rapidly, which is exactly what apple would need for something this revolutionary (i say that because even though toutch screen pcs have been available for years, it hasn't been done truly effectively)

Second, i think apple might re-incorperate the color schemes into the imac, but not in the way one might expect. I think they'll use fiber optics or an ambilight-like design which would allow users to create their own colors and change them at will.

Thoughts?

Balli

Mar 20, 2007, 05:28 PM

http://www.kromekat.nildram.co.uk/imac.html

If it looks like this, I'll be wanting royalties Steve! ;)

Adam

That computer has to be the most beautiful piece of technology ever! :) It's simply amazing.

agenda893

Mar 20, 2007, 05:29 PM

I wouldn't mind if Apple were to come out with a new keyboard like Microsoft's recent backlit sleek ergonomic ones. Taking this one step further, why can't a thicker keyboard be the whole computer, connecting to restyled Cinema Displays? Of course, it would have a built-in iPhone/iPod dock.

Thick keyboard computers are so 1982
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9d/Commodore64.jpg/320px-Commodore64.jpg

MrCrowbar

Mar 20, 2007, 05:34 PM

The mighty mouse.... Apple, get rid of the scroll ball. it sticks all time. it should be replaced with a touch nub, like a spherical touch pad ;)

Love the idea. A dome shaped scroll touchy thingy instead of that gray little clitoris. Maybe make it a little bigger and keep that clicker for the scrolling sound. Add some buttons (I'm a fan of loads of buttons, just cut a playstation controller in half, put a laser sensor where the cut is and I have 2 button for the fingers, and 4 buttons plus an analog stick for my thumb. The finger buttons would work as usual, the thumb buttons for various expose and spaces triggers and the analog stick for scrolling...) to the thing and you got some fine mouse.

Cult Follower

Mar 20, 2007, 05:41 PM

I get really excited over design refreshes, Apple always surprises me.

Ha ze

Mar 20, 2007, 05:46 PM

psychofreak

Mar 20, 2007, 05:48 PM

so.. let's say they remove the chin.. make it touch sensitive..

what's left? does it just then continue to get slimmer/more powerful? Cause to me, once the chin is gone it finally hits it's smallest form factor. Forget the computer in a keyboard, not even computer in a mouse...bring on computer in the mind-control device...

localoid

Mar 20, 2007, 05:55 PM

Touch screens? Mightier mighty mouses? Psssft! How quaintly 20-Century!

All the really mega-ultra cool people will soon be using a Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) (http://www.gtec.at/products/g.BCIsys/bci.htm) to input and interact with their computer. Walmart will probably have them on sale sometime before Christmas. :rolleyes:

http://www.gtec.at/products/g.BCIsys/images/ML_BCI_title.gif

xlii

Mar 20, 2007, 06:11 PM

Touch screens? A big negative in my book. I don't want crummy little fingerprints on my beautiful screen. Touch screens are nice if you're making a cash register but not on my computer. Touch screens are for people who can't type. Reminds me of those who dream that someday we will get rid of both the keyboard and mouse and 'talk' to our computer. Dictating a term paper... workers in a cube farm all talking to their machines at once...

SPARE ME!!!!!!

sikkinixx

Mar 20, 2007, 06:24 PM

I wish I hadn't read this. My family and I are in the market for a new desktop in a few months and now I will make us wait until a new revision comes out :D *doh* oh well! Winblows and my macbook will need to hold me out for another while

TheBobcat

Mar 20, 2007, 06:30 PM

But should I wait for Merom before getting these new iMacs?

But should I wait for Leopard before getting these new iMacs?

But should I wait for iLife '07 before getting these new iMacs?

But should I wait for the second coming of Christ before getting these new iMacs?

iBunny

Mar 20, 2007, 06:35 PM

http://www.kromekat.nildram.co.uk/imac.html

If it looks like this, I'll be wanting royalties Steve! ;)

Adam

No Doubt i would drop $3000 for this in an instant. Could they do something like this? Realisticly in 2007? Or is this tech that might happen in 2027?

sikkinixx

Mar 20, 2007, 06:39 PM

No Doubt i would drop $3000 for this in an instant. Could they do something like this? Realisticly in 2007? Or is this tech that might happen in 2027?

I know they have a screen that can be rolled into a tube because it is flexible :

Kinda like that http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/5366534.stm

I saw it on Discovery channel a while ago.

Maybe some type of tech like that could be used?

Kilamite

Mar 20, 2007, 06:44 PM

^ He got there before me

Well foldable LCD displays have already been developed, so who knows?

Darkroom

Mar 20, 2007, 06:58 PM

That computer has to be the most beautiful piece of technology ever! :) It's simply amazing.

i agree... this kid needs to get a job with apple's design department...

Thick keyboard computers are so 1982
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9d/Commodore64.jpg/320px-Commodore64.jpg

long live commodore64! *sigh memories*

AidenShaw

Mar 20, 2007, 07:01 PM

iTV's idea of throughput is from Mac via wireless, out through HDMI. There's no "signal in" anywhere else.

-Clive

Yes, the iMac is a wireless server.

If you've used an Xbox 360 as a Media Center Extender on Windows, you'd know the concept. The remote system can access the tuner and libraries as if they were local.

Having the tuner on the Mac doesn't imply watching TV on the Mac, at least if the iTV can work as well as an MCE.

Trout74

Mar 20, 2007, 07:15 PM

this is what I think it will look like:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/158/428415015_b5de62f9f1_o.jpghttp://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=428415015&size=o

That...........my friend IS the ticket! Pure Love and right on the money.

Trout

psycoswimmer

Mar 20, 2007, 07:18 PM

I actually think the iPhone-shoved-on-Cinema-Display doesn't look that great.

What about an iMac with an extremely similar design as to the current design, but with more flexibility (like the G4)?

Zwhaler

Mar 20, 2007, 07:19 PM

I actually think the iPhone-shoved-on-Cinema-Display doesn't look that great.

What about an iMac with an extremely similar design as to the current design, but with more flexibility (like the G4)?

I agree completely (even the first part) that would be great, because I want some upgradability.

JNB

Mar 20, 2007, 07:26 PM

SeVeN

Mar 20, 2007, 07:59 PM

ever time i look at the current iMac, i wonder how they are gonna out do this one. but they have done it in the past, so im sure they can do it again

Kilamite

Mar 20, 2007, 08:02 PM

I wouldn't mind seeing an iMac with thin and sharp edges - I hate the whole curves style, seems so retro.

The distance between the screen and the actual screen surround should be minimal - making it a really slick to look at screen.

Dagless

Mar 20, 2007, 08:36 PM

Why in the world would an iMac need to be any thinner! It's like mobile phones in the early 2000's. They were shrinking and shrinking until they were more or less unusable, then they started adding serious features and they got bigger.

I've had an iMac since September 06 and I'm constantly amazed by the size, noise level and running temperature of the thing.

I'm very interested to see what they do. reminds me of this...

JGowan

Mar 20, 2007, 09:11 PM

I cry "BS". The next iMac is under the same tight wraps as the iPhone was and only those who don't talk have seen it. Sure it's probably in the design-phase but I feel this was just way for Apple Insider to generate some decent web traffic. That's it.

Zwhaler

Mar 20, 2007, 09:35 PM

Chef Medeski

Mar 20, 2007, 10:52 PM

Zwhaler

Mar 20, 2007, 11:09 PM

iPod Nanos anyone?

Very true. But the iPod Mini was a lot more poopular than the iMac G4 in terms of design... people bought the iMac G4 because it was the only iMac available in terms of design. People in the market for an iPod had more to choose from, and obviously loved the Mini's design. I personally don't think they will go back to the G4... but I know the new design will be amazing at the least.

richard4339

Mar 20, 2007, 11:51 PM

:eek:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/95/231249512_9eccfef387_o.jpg

Despite the fact that this mockup is for the Mac Pro, I would kill for the new iMacs to look like this.

badcrumble

Mar 21, 2007, 12:22 AM

this is what I think it will look like:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/158/428415015_b5de62f9f1_o.jpghttp://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=428415015&size=o

Though the edge is kinda thick-looking and the base doesn't match, I would buy something like this SO quickly. :)

badcrumble

Mar 21, 2007, 12:32 AM

Hey, here's a thought, and sorry for the double post - a while ago some site mentioned that Apple patented the possibility of touch-sensitive metal around the border of a device - so, for instance, you could slide your finger along the edge of an ipod to scroll. It looks like that got discarded in favor of multitouch in the iPhone. However, what if they put that tech to use in the iMac? You could control brightness or volume with the sides and top of a screen, or program them to respond to Spaces automatically (slide your finger in a particular direction to move to that Space), or any number of things. It'd probably be a lot cheaper to implement than multitouch hardware, but might still be quite useful.

aswitcher

Mar 21, 2007, 12:35 AM

Despite the fact that this mockup is for the Mac Pro, I would kill for the new iMacs to look like this.

Why?

Brushed metal wears better; Looks nice;

Whats not to like?

aswitcher

Mar 21, 2007, 12:37 AM

this is what I think it will look like:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/158/428415015_b5de62f9f1_o.jpghttp://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=428415015&size=o

Nice. I would be happy with a squarer look. I would also really like to see a return to the older arm and a potrait swivel option.

LoganT

Mar 21, 2007, 12:58 AM

Why?

Brushed metal wears better; Looks nice;

Whats not to like?

I don't think you are reading the quote right.

Slumbercub

Mar 21, 2007, 03:09 AM

http://www.kromekat.nildram.co.uk/imac.html

If it looks like this, I'll be wanting royalties Steve! ;)

Adam
You are the actual Adam that created that work of art - WOW? :eek: Stunning!

If Apple did come up with a beauty like that you would deserve royalties and I would sell my wife, mother, car and children to get one. :D

aswitcher

Mar 21, 2007, 03:28 AM

I don't think you are reading the quote right.

:o Ah yeah.

Multimedia

Mar 21, 2007, 03:42 AM

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/95/231249512_9eccfef387_o.jpgThis mockup was floated last pre-refresh last year and I was looking all over for it this time because I still think this is how the next iMac should look, especially if it's an "Industrial Design". I love this design a lot. Thank you Mac Fly for finding this. :)

Elrond39

Mar 21, 2007, 04:22 AM

a456

Mar 21, 2007, 05:03 AM

this is what I think it will look like:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/158/428415015_b5de62f9f1_o.jpghttp://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=428415015&size=o

This looks like an HP in sheeps clothing to me. Too much fuss over a pair of speakers.

matticus008

Mar 21, 2007, 06:19 AM

Well, actually, the post on MR front page talks about "major iMac design revision", which does not discuss generations of the product. Further, the word revision means to have "reconsidered and made changes to", so the first model is not the first revision. There have been three (significantly) different iMac designs: the original, the first revision, and the second revision. So, yes, the front page article should say '3rd', not '4th'.
So does 'third review' actually mean there have been four critiques? It's so prescriptivist to insist on outdated and overliteral notions of words. Common usage is that when someone refers to the first revision, they're referring to the first generation. The "vision" of the product, you could say, is the prototype phase.

Yes, it's confusing semantically because not everyone does it identically, and no, it's not really right to say "first revision" when referring to the original design. But that's language for you. Revision has become synonymous with iteration, generation, and edition when it comes to electronic/mechanical products.
This looks like an HP in sheeps clothing to me. Too much fuss over a pair of speakers.
I think it's a terrifying design. The imbalanced black in the four corners, the odd curves that are too soft for a device of its size, the mismatched speaker grilles, and Frankenstein stand are all arbitrary elements. I get that it's supposed to evoke 'iPhone' but it's possible to do that in a sensible and artful way.

LoganT

Mar 21, 2007, 06:29 AM

I really don't understand the appeal of a touchscreen display. I mean yeah on a laptop it would be great, but as a desktop? And yeah we've all seen those videos on Youtube, but it seems kinda pointless. Besides, I really don't want the iMac to get more expensive.

FleurDuMal

Mar 21, 2007, 06:41 AM

My friend who works at Apple HQ took this pic of the new iMac on his mobile phone"

http://www.indwes.edu/Faculty/bcupp/lookback/manchest.jpg

Apparently the graphics card is replacable.

povman

Mar 21, 2007, 07:39 AM

My friend who works at Apple HQ took this pic of the new iMac on his mobile phone"

...

Apparently the graphics card is replacable.

lol!

that's a bit bigger than my ibook.

johnmcboston

Mar 21, 2007, 07:53 AM

I would also really like to see a return to the older arm and a potrait swivel option.

aaaaahhhhh!!!! Please, not another ilamp. They were terrible!

Lepton

Mar 21, 2007, 08:15 AM

For all you fools expecting the imac to suddenly become a half-price widescreen wacom cintiq with a computer thrown in for free, i suggest you take pause.
That's just about exactly what I do think will happen. But I think of it as a computer with multitouch thrown in for (almost) free. I think that the new line of displays will have multitouch as well - that's why they've been delayed so long!

I think you will be able to use a finger, and also a conductive stylus for finer drawing. I think the iMac and displays will be virtually all screen on the front, with a completely smooth glasslike surface. I think the stand will be removable to allow a stand as usual, a wall mount without fuss, and sitting it flat or at a low angle on a desk. The Mac easel...

I think the entire line of computers will go multitouch eventually. :apple: Mike from myallo.com (http://www.myallo.com)

iReilly

Mar 21, 2007, 08:20 AM

Maybe they are going to redesign the keyboard to have a large multi-touch pad on it. Similar to the touch pads on the laptops...:cool:

®îçhå®?

Mar 21, 2007, 08:20 AM

Personally, i would love to see it happen but i cannot see it. I think that they are just guessing by the fact that it has had that design since September 2005?? and that it needs an update

fixyourthinking

Mar 21, 2007, 09:10 AM

"This would represent the 4th major iMac design revision since its introduction. (Original, iMac G4, Current)"

I consider the move from tray load to slot load a major design change too for several reasons:

* well ... the tray load optical drive went to a slot load optical drive - giving a MUCH more clean look and offering the option of CDRW

* the plastics changed with a much more translucent - fluid design

* no side door hiding the connection panel - just an integrated side connection panel

* the colors were dramatically updated (made more vibrant) and Apple even went overboard with the Dalmation and Flower Power designs

* the keyboards and mouse changed to the pro design and no longer matched in color

* the motherboard finally dropped legacy support/got a HUGE 50% or more VRAM Upgrade/and had firewire

I consider:

Rev A & B to be the same = 1st design (tray load)
Rev C = 2nd design (slot load)
Rev D = 3rd design (dome)
Rev E = 4th design (slab)
Rev F = 5th design = which does actually equal #5

zen

Mar 21, 2007, 09:19 AM

I consider:

Rev A & B to be the same = 1st design (tray load)
Rev C = 2nd design (slot load)
Rev D = 3rd design (dome)
Rev E = 4th design (slab)
Rev F = 5th design = which does actually equal #5
That's not quite right - Revs A - D were all tray loading. I had a lime Rev D, which was a tray-loading 333Mhz G3. Slot-loading began with Rev E, and then there were the DV, DV+, DV/SE versions before the iMac G4 (lamp) was introduced.

Looking at images of the last G3 iMacs, the design was actually really pretty good. Plus the colours sage, graphite and snow were absolutely beautiful. I hope they introduce some colour variation with the upcoming revised iMac.

fixyourthinking

Mar 21, 2007, 10:50 AM

That's not quite right - Revs A - D were all tray loading. I had a lime Rev D, which was a tray-loading 333Mhz G3. Slot-loading began with Rev E, and then there were the DV, DV+, DV/SE versions before the iMac G4 (lamp) was introduced.

Looking at images of the last G3 iMacs, the design was actually really pretty good. Plus the colours sage, graphite and snow were absolutely beautiful. I hope they introduce some colour variation with the upcoming revised iMac.

You are correct - I was more classifying revisions by major changes but your table is more accuarate as far as model variation/differentiation.

johnee

Mar 21, 2007, 11:17 AM

aaaaahhhhh!!!! Please, not another ilamp. They were terrible!

I know! I really didn't like that design, thought it was too.... bulgy.
lots of people did like it though, guess it's just personal pref.

kromekat

Mar 21, 2007, 11:55 AM

You are the actual Adam that created that work of art - WOW? :eek: Stunning!

If Apple did come up with a beauty like that you would deserve royalties and I would sell my wife, mother, car and children to get one. :D

indeed! ;)

I wish I could have marketed it for real, I'd be a millionaire by now I think! :D

Adam

siurpeeman

Mar 21, 2007, 12:08 PM

this is what I think it will look like:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/158/428415015_b5de62f9f1_o.jpghttp://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=428415015&size=o

ugh. i doubt you'd see speakers protruding like that in an apple display. if anything, it'd be incorporated like the imac where the speakers are hidden.

My friend who works at Apple HQ took this pic of the new iMac on his mobile phone"

...

Apparently the graphics card is replacable.

graphics card? it looks like it would be more of a graphics cabinet. :eek:

seashellz2

Mar 21, 2007, 12:11 PM

glossy-ugh-I like the black (or a white) matte finish-looks less
Hollywood glitz to me.
so is the photo last seen by myself on post 288 a mockup or a leak?-I dont have time to read through all 300-odd posts...

(addendum-never mind...)

agenda893

Mar 21, 2007, 12:20 PM

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/154/429449406_bdda123d33_o.jpg

Ultimately I didn't like the speaker grills or legs either - here's an updated mock-up.

ejl10

Mar 21, 2007, 12:30 PM

That's great news. I loved the G4 lamp design, but the G5 simply blew it away. Hopefully this new design can do it again.

siurpeeman

Mar 21, 2007, 12:36 PM

Ultimately I didn't like the speaker grills or legs either - here's an updated mock-up.

it looks like an iphone turned sideways.

agenda893

Mar 21, 2007, 12:39 PM

it looks like an iphone turned sideways.

Yhea - that's because the current iMac looks a lot like the iPod. With that logic the new iMacs might carry some design elements of the iPhone.

CoreWeb

Mar 21, 2007, 12:41 PM

twoodcc

Mar 21, 2007, 12:41 PM

Yhea - that's because the current iMac looks a lot like the iPod. With that logic the new iMacs might carry some design elements of the iPhone.

maybe. but i'm not sure about the side things

agenda893

Mar 21, 2007, 12:55 PM

Regardless how it looks I do hope they incorporate touch technologies. Here's a video demonstrating a multi-touch enable LCD: http://youtube.com/watch?v=RPwaUp4gepU
(http://youtube.com/watch?v=RPwaUp4gepU)couple that with the new touchless input method used by this monitor and OSX will pull even further away from Vista: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jLmwjN4wwE

AppleMan101

Mar 21, 2007, 12:56 PM

Please stop with the "Bring back the G4 iMac design".

It will not happen. Apple will never take a step back. There may be elements that get incorporated into the new design...like adjustable screen height and tilt, but the old design will never come back. It was too expensive to produce...period.

Don't get me wrong, I had no problem with the G4 iMac, but I have no problem with the current design either.

Why do people want to go back? I am excited to see what NEW things Apple has to offer.

Was it just me or did the ever-so-popular iPod minis have a coloured aluminium shell. Then i believe the iPod nanos that replaced the minis were cased in acriylic. and oh my, i do think the current nanos have a coloured aluminium - déja vu? peut-être...

if it's good, apple will use it.

personally i dont have much of an idea about what the next iMac will look like. I love my iMac G5 20", maybe the next ones will be made of ice...

DrGonzo2121

Mar 21, 2007, 01:13 PM

indeed! ;)

I wish I could have marketed it for real, I'd be a millionaire by now I think! :D

Adam

I guess i'd like to market something as beautifully impossible too. Too bad they can't make magic computers that have three inch speakers, no wired power, and a display which somehow can go to translucent when not in use.

Don't get me wrong, it's gorgeous, but totally impossible with today's tech.

let's all stop macsturbating...

localoid

Mar 21, 2007, 01:22 PM

In 2007 Apple will redefine the personal computer and wow the critics with its simple but elegant redesign of the the company's iMac line. An innovative industrial design will allow the reinvented iMac to function as a TV snack tray as well as a personal computer. The limited-edition 24" iElvis model (shown below) is expected to be available in fall of 2007.

http://www.tvtraysetc.com/images/47047.jpg

DavoMrMac

Mar 21, 2007, 01:42 PM

I think we are more likely to see just slightly revised designs.

Definitely a little more rounded, and black and white options.

BenRoethig

Mar 21, 2007, 01:50 PM

The one thing that I would like to see is the MXM graphics options extended to the 20" model. If I have to be stuck with an all in one, I would like to have some decent graphics capability for under $2100.

Zwhaler

Mar 21, 2007, 02:16 PM

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/154/429449406_bdda123d33_o.jpg

Ultimately I didn't like the speaker grills or legs either - here's an updated mock-up.

:eek: That thing is going to fall backwards!

lindygamer

Mar 21, 2007, 03:23 PM

I would like to see a touchscreen iMac shaped like a wedge that sits on your desk. The thinnest part of the wedge, closest to you, has a normal (non-touch-screen) keyboard. Above the keyboard is a 16:9 touchscreen display at a convenient slant, following the angle of the keyboard part of the computer. There will surely be people who compare such a design to the Commodore 64 of the 1980's, but I am convinced that apple could make it look completely elegant. Also, the Commodore 64 was just a fat keyboard with the computer integrated underneath, wheras this would also include a screen.

The wedge iMac would still come with a mouse as an alternate input device. Also, many users would buy a regular LCD screen as a second monitor sitting behind the new iMac (for smudge-free viewing of photos, video, etc). Then the integrated touchscreen monitor could be used more as an input device.

This idea seems terrific to me. After all, the original iMac integrated the computer with the screen. Why not integrate the keyboard as well? As long as the whole computer is small and light enough to be easily moved around.

Please tell me what you think!

badcrumble

Mar 21, 2007, 03:29 PM

My opinion:
another in-display computer, but with a twist: the display is mounted on something that will allow it to sort-of slide to a more horizontal orientation, for using multi-touch. Instead of having the screen at a 80-90 degree angle from the desktop, one could slide it to be 10-20 degrees, and then work on it with multi-touch. The keyboard would be, perhaps, on screen - but maybe not, as it would become somewhat difficult to type at high speeds without messing up. Perhaps one on screen and one off?

Windows, etc. will be resizable using fingers.

It would be perfect for migration to touch-screen displays, as the fact that it could slide into a vertical orientation would mean that it could be used like a normal computer just as well. But when you want to use the new features, simply slide it back down.

Actually, that would be neat. It could perhaps slide down on some sort of base so that it would be near-horizontal, but suspended a good 2-3 inches above the space one would probably use for the keyboard. However, going back to having a base like that might be seen as backward progress, so I think something looking similar to the iPhone is more likely for the new model.

lindygamer

Mar 21, 2007, 03:38 PM

A user at appleinsider.com posted this mock-up. It looks nice. I was actually thinking of a much smaller touchscreen display integrated with the computer and the keyboard, with the keyboard more integrated -- and the idea being that one would use a regular LCD screen standing behind it as the large, beautiful smudge free screen. The touchscreen display would be more used as a control interface.

mrthieme

Mar 21, 2007, 03:47 PM

I know many disagree, but touchscreens are an exciting concept to me. Here are a couple rough ideas, the first would be largely similar to the g4 imac ( everything in the base) with the screen swinging down to the desktop to put it in a hands on position. The second would be a tablet with a docking base that allows for holding it upright or at angle on the desk. This could be a portable with the optical drive still in the base. I'm working on the photos, I can't upload the jpeg for some reason.

mrthieme

Mar 21, 2007, 03:54 PM

MatthewCobb

Mar 21, 2007, 03:57 PM

I think we are more likely to see just slightly revised designs.

Definitely a little more rounded, and black and white options.

Well, I remember my MacPlus was in B&W and, to be honest, I don't think I'd go back to it. But I suppose only having two colours would save on processing power. Eh? Oh.

Telp

Mar 21, 2007, 03:58 PM

I really hope this computer looks amazing. Personally i love the present iMac look and it would take a lot to beat this. I know apple can do this, but there are always the possibity of a fluke...Well see, but im sure it will look just as amazing as the present line.

Telp

Mar 21, 2007, 03:58 PM

Well, I remember my MacPlus was in B&W and, to be honest, I don't think I'd go back to it. But I suppose only having two colours would save on processing power. Eh? Oh.

haha :D

matticus008

Mar 21, 2007, 04:08 PM

That's not quite right - Revs A - D were all tray loading. I had a lime Rev D, which was a tray-loading 333Mhz G3. Slot-loading began with Rev E, and then there were the DV, DV+, DV/SE versions before the iMac G4 (lamp) was introduced.
Maybe I'm confused, but I think his A-F referred to all iMacs. A and B were G3, the "dome" refers to the G4, and the "slab" refers to the G5. In that case, the later, slot-loading iMacs would indeed be "revision B" in that scheme.

A user at appleinsider.com posted this mock-up. It looks nice. I was actually thinking of a much smaller touchscreen display integrated with the computer and the keyboard, with the keyboard more integrated -- and the idea being that one would use a regular LCD screen standing behind it as the large, beautiful smudge free screen. The touchscreen display would be more used as a control interface.
The whole point of touchscreens on desktop computers is to interact with your computer directly. Why have a touchscreen as a "control interface" when a keyboard and mouse work exactly the same for a fraction of the price? The mockup as is represents the only way I can see a touch screen being successful--used just the way it is on the iPhone and making computers more like "Minority Report" or "The Island." We already have touchpads and Wacom tablets for the other parts.

If you can't drag with your fingertip or zoom with gestures, the only real advantage to a touchscreen interface is a customizable keyboard, which could just as easily be accomplished with a keyboard with a bunch of little LCDs on it--as was prototyped a year or two ago.

Worrying about smudges is silly. Don't people clean their displays and keyboards regularly anyway? I know I do. Even failing that, you don't avoid putting food on artsy plates because they'll get dirty--you just clean up after yourself.

Eidorian

Mar 21, 2007, 04:23 PM

http://www.math.purdue.edu/~abarreno/HP%20TouchSmart%20IQ770%20PC.jpg

Relevant to our interests.

TheManOfSilver

Mar 21, 2007, 04:28 PM

http://www.math.purdue.edu/~abarreno/HP%20TouchSmart%20IQ770%20PC.jpg

Relevant to our interests.

That is interesting ... but the bottom part looks a bit too much like a DVD player hooked on to the display.

I already posted this in another thread, but ...

http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/2007/03/meivo.jpg

I think these examples are good proof that other manufacturers will eventually catch up to Apple if they simply rest on their laurels. But, thankfully, knowing Apple they already have something really good up their sleeves for the next revision.

macmike47

Mar 21, 2007, 04:30 PM

Ok, someone was talking about subnotebooks recently. Now it's radical new iMacs. What if the subnotebook was part of the iMac? Just lift off the screen and take it on the road :D

I wouldn't put it past Apple to combine these. After all, the "revolutionary mobile phone" and "widescreen video iPod" were rumoured to be separate devices...

lindygamer

Mar 21, 2007, 04:41 PM

The whole point of touchscreens on desktop computers is to interact with your computer directly. Why have a touchscreen as a "control interface" when a keyboard and mouse work exactly the same for a fraction of the price? The mockup as is represents the only way I can see a touch screen being successful--used just the way it is on the iPhone and making computers more like "Minority Report" or "The Island." We already have touchpads and Wacom tablets for the other parts.

If you can't drag with your fingertip or zoom with gestures, the only real advantage to a touchscreen interface is a customizable keyboard, which could just as easily be accomplished with a keyboard with a bunch of little LCDs on it--as was prototyped a year or two ago.

Worrying about smudges is silly. Don't people clean their displays and keyboards regularly anyway? I know I do. Even failing that, you don't avoid putting food on artsy plates because they'll get dirty--you just clean up after yourself.

My thoughts on this: Touchscreen displays are expensive. A 24+ in multitouch display would not be price-able at a consumer price point. Having a smallish touchscreen and a large monitor behind it does not prevent you from interacting directly with your computer, in my opinion. The small touchscreen *is* your computer, and you will drag, zoom, etc on it. If you choose to flick a finger to send a window up to the bigger screen to see its contents better, you are relinquishing fingertip control in favor of mouse control (which will still be present, as an option). The touchscreen can be used to feed images, windows, etc up to the bigger screen, and can switch easily to become a software-driven control surface. Most of the time, though, you will have the option of working with your computer entirely on the touchscreen. Of course, the OS would have to support all of this...

kontheur

Mar 21, 2007, 04:44 PM

Or maybe it will look like this:

http://forum.macosx.nl/album_pic.php?pic_id=17930

A combination of multi-touch and desktop ;)

steve_hill4

Mar 21, 2007, 05:26 PM

http://www.math.purdue.edu/~abarreno/HP%20TouchSmart%20IQ770%20PC.jpg

Relevant to our interests.

We'll be stocking those shortly at John Lewis. Seems all manufacturers are trying to change our computing lives at last. Hopefully Apple won't fall behind with touchscreens, most people almost expect the 24" to be already.

steve_hill4

Mar 21, 2007, 06:04 PM

Or maybe it will look like this:

http://forum.macosx.nl/album_pic.php?pic_id=17930

A combination of multi-touch and desktop ;)

Out of all the artists renditions, that by far appeals to me the most. The foot seems to be unattached to the machine, but I get the general idea. Perhaps even rather than detachable touchscreens, you could have 90 degree tilt so as to lay it horizontal and then perhaps attach extra stands for stability. Could have great use in design fields.

Perhaps we should also be looking to Wacom's tablet screens for PC/Mac for inspiration and usability. No doubt building it into the OS would be much better, but it's certainly something that is already around.

LoganT

Mar 21, 2007, 06:53 PM

Or maybe it will look like this:

http://forum.macosx.nl/album_pic.php?pic_id=17930

A combination of multi-touch and desktop ;)

So the screen floats in mid-air?

BenRoethig

Mar 21, 2007, 08:40 PM

We'll be stocking those shortly at John Lewis. Seems all manufacturers are trying to change our computing lives at last. Hopefully Apple won't fall behind with touchscreens, most people almost expect the 24" to be already.

That would take a large bite out of Apple's profit margins. Despite having component costs similar (or even less than) to the 2ghz iMac, it's $500 more expensive. A lot of the cost difference is the touch screen.

matticus008

Mar 21, 2007, 10:57 PM

My thoughts on this: Touchscreen displays are expensive. A 24+ in multitouch display would not be price-able at a consumer price point.
That's what they said about micro-sized hard drives and about flash memory. Demand drives prices (as it stands, the componentry of a touch panel is not prohibitive given the falling prices of other components), so Apple can afford to and does make bold moves. Since the rumor suggests that the 17" is not being updated to the new style, it's also possible that only the larger iMacs will feature this technology at higher prices--possibly leaving only updated specs for the 17" and a low price.
Having a smallish touchscreen and a large monitor behind it does not prevent you from interacting directly with your computer, in my opinion. The small touchscreen *is* your computer, and you will drag, zoom, etc on it.
It would be cheaper to make one large touch screen than the combination of a moderately sized touch screen and a whole second LCD. I don't see the advantage. If you want a large, permanently upright display, you could always add an external display ($300) for a lesser total cost than the needless two-screen interface.
Most of the time, though, you will have the option of working with your computer entirely on the touchscreen. Of course, the OS would have to support all of this...
People don't buy 24" computers to work on a scaled-down 10-12" version of it. They buy them to use that 24" display.

Zwhaler

Mar 21, 2007, 11:16 PM

So the screen floats in mid-air?

I noticed that too :D New iMacs with Santa Rosa! They literally float in mid air!

kontheur

Mar 22, 2007, 02:59 AM

So the screen floats in mid-air?

Yes..... Uhm, no!

I would to make clear that the screen is detachable and that you can work on it as a desktop computer as well. :)

nurfen

Mar 22, 2007, 03:31 AM

I honestly don't get people who think that touchscreens are a good way of working, I mean.. What would I rather do? Move my finger 2 cm and click on an icon (or just use a shortcut button on my keyboard), which takes less than a second, or reach out to my brand new screen, touch it with my greasy fingers (as I'm drooling all over the place since I've got the latest iMac) and clean the screen every other minute..

Nah, touch screens is just too hitech for creativity and functionality. I mean, it takes *way* longer to to stuff than the traditional way, and all you get is a greasy screen, unless your hands are washed 100% of the time you use your computer...

:(

matticus008

Mar 22, 2007, 04:53 AM

...or reach out to my brand new screen, touch it with my greasy fingers (as I'm drooling all over the place since I've got the latest iMac) and clean the screen every other minute..
I don't understand. You don't care about touching your keyboard or mouse or trackpad (which is quite difficult to clean) with your "greasy fingers" but touching the display suddenly becomes a problem? Do you not touch your chromed utensils and your handcrafted glasses out of fear of fingerprints, too?

Obviously displays designed to be touched are coated differently, in such a way as to reduce fingerprint smudges, which should be apparent to anyone who's actually used a touch panel made in the past two years. They need to be cleaned every once in a while, but so do keyboards and regular displays.

nurfen

Mar 22, 2007, 05:45 AM

I don't understand. You don't care about touching your keyboard or mouse or trackpad (which is quite difficult to clean) with your "greasy fingers" but touching the display suddenly becomes a problem? Do you not touch your chromed utensils and your handcrafted glasses out of fear of fingerprints, too?

Obviously displays designed to be touched are coated differently, in such a way as to reduce fingerprint smudges, which should be apparent to anyone who's actually used a touch panel made in the past two years. They need to be cleaned every once in a while, but so do keyboards and regular displays.

Eh.. The difference being that I don't have to look through my mouse, or keyboard. A fingerprint is not visible on my black plastic keyboard, but is sure as hell is visible on my LCD screen when my girlfriend touches it to point at something - that's where I look!

And why the hell does all the girlfriends touch your screens with their fingers?!

surferfromuk

Mar 22, 2007, 05:51 AM

http://www.math.purdue.edu/~abarreno/HP%20TouchSmart%20IQ770%20PC.jpg

Relevant to our interests.

I hope I'm not alone in my sincere desire that Apple NEVER makes anything that looks like this.

FleurDuMal

Mar 22, 2007, 06:14 AM

I hope I'm not alone in my sincere desire that Apple NEVER makes anything that looks like this.

You're not alone. It looks awful. Apple would never make something like that. Apple is all about clean straight lines and simplicity. That thing just looks like some cheap non-branded twenty quid Chinese DVD player.

mccldwll

Mar 22, 2007, 06:58 AM

The floating iMac (#332) is beautiful design. And #322 is very functional, could be dockable/expandable, "G4-like." What if flat 1/4" x 5" riser (or arms on either side) near front of base attaching to display back near top--the "zMac." Display folds down flat to reduce shipping/packaging/environmental costs. Modular, transportable, but heavy/bulky enough not to be too portable and cut into laptop sales (very important). Use a power brick to make it even more of a hassle to transport. While the below depiction is "Dellfugly" the Apple design team certainly could clean it up and make it work. Same color scheme as Apple TV and mini.

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kontheur

Mar 22, 2007, 08:01 AM

The floating iMac (#332) is beautiful design. And #322 is very functional, could be dockable/expandable, "G4-like."

Thank you! :cool:

Squidly

Mar 22, 2007, 08:29 AM

Touch-screen desktops are on of those ideas that sound great but suck in practice. It's uncomfortable, apps have to be re-written, and your screen gets gunked up (yes, even the "special ones" designed for touching.)

A tablet pc..yeah. A laptop...*maybe*. A Mac desktop? Never.

kontheur

Mar 22, 2007, 08:46 AM

surferfromuk

Mar 22, 2007, 09:43 AM

You're not alone. It looks awful. Apple would never make something like that. Apple is all about clean straight lines and simplicity. That thing just looks like some cheap non-branded twenty quid Chinese DVD player.

LOL!! Thanks goodness for that!.

£20!! - Your optimism knows no bounds! more like £2 quid! :)

iBunny

Mar 22, 2007, 10:52 AM

Or maybe it will look like this:

http://forum.macosx.nl/album_pic.php?pic_id=17930

A combination of multi-touch and desktop ;)

I would buy this.

It looks very sleek and smooth. Now it needs to have a Quad Core 2.4GHz, 4GB of Ram, GeForce Mobile 8000 Series w/ 512MB Video Memory, and the Ability for (2) 1TB SATA2 Hard Drives, and we are in business!

pilotError

Mar 22, 2007, 10:54 AM

Now it needs to have a Quad Core 2.4GHz, 4GB of Ram, GeForce Mobile 8000 Series w/ 512MB Video Memory, and the Ability for (2) 1TB SATA2 Hard Drives, and we are in business!

All for just $999 :D

Eidorian

Mar 22, 2007, 10:56 AM

Or maybe it will look like this:

http://forum.macosx.nl/album_pic.php?pic_id=17930

A combination of multi-touch and desktop ;)Best mock up ever.

I would buy this. Even if it does float.

It looks very sleek and smooth. Now it needs to have a Quad Core 2.4GHz, 4GB of Ram, GeForce Mobile 8000 Series w/ 512MB Video Memory, and the Ability for (2) 1TB SATA2 Hard Drives, and we are in business!Where do people come up with these specifications seriously?

iBunny

Mar 22, 2007, 11:05 AM

Best mock up ever.

Where do people come up with these specifications seriously?

Hey thats a legitimate request. That is a High End, Mid Range Computer now in Days.

The Mac Pro will soon Have the Ability to run (2) Quad Core Xeon CPUs at upwards of 2.66Ghz or Even 3GHz... Run on a faster 1333FSB. The Ability for up to 16GB of Ram, 4+ Hard Drives, 2 or More Higher End 768MB 8800GTX's... etc... Much Much Higher Specs than the Above Proposed iMac... so whats the problem?

Eidorian

Mar 22, 2007, 03:09 PM

Hey thats a legitimate request. That is a High End, Mid Range Computer now in Days.

The Mac Pro will soon Have the Ability to run (2) Quad Core Xeon CPUs at upwards of 2.66Ghz or Even 3GHz... Run on a faster 1333FSB. The Ability for up to 16GB of Ram, 4+ Hard Drives, 2 or More Higher End 768MB 8800GTX's... etc... Much Much Higher Specs than the Above Proposed iMac... so whats the problem?That's not something an iMac would have.

1. Quad-cores: not until Gilo (still not completely confirmed) or Penryn
2. GeForce Mobile 8000: Don't expect anything higher then the 83xx/86xx.
3.2 x 1 TB drives: Apple has never had more then one drive on the iMac

It's fun and all but people tend to post insane specifications much too often. Quad-core I can see maybe in 2008. The 8 or X2000 Series launches with Santa Rosa so that's easily possible within the next few months. In some magical future sure, just around the corner with everything you want? No.

LoganT

Mar 22, 2007, 03:42 PM

That's not something an iMac would have.

1. Quad-cores: not until Gilo (still not completely confirmed) or Penryn
2. GeForce Mobile 8000: Don't expect anything higher then the 83xx/86xx.
3.2 x 1 TB drives: Apple has never had more then one drive on the iMac

It's fun and all but people tend to post insane specifications much too often. Quad-core I can see maybe in 2008. The 8 or X2000 Series launches with Santa Rosa so that's easily possible within the next few months. In some magical future sure, just around the corner with everything you want? No.

Exactly. And I would love to see mobile 8300 or 8600 GPU's in it. That way you can future-proof yourself for DirectX 10.

sam10685

Mar 22, 2007, 05:26 PM

Take a look at the Sony Vaio VGC-LS25E--it makes the iMac look like a clunker.

looks to mo like the Sony Vaio VGC-LS25E is a bit thicker and and less powerful than the iMac (http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wa/RSLID?mco=C1211F78&nclm=iMac). do i sense a PC user in denial?

jord93

Mar 22, 2007, 06:56 PM

Should I keep my current 17" C2D or sell it and get one of these new ones.

Any Advice would be very helpful.

Jordan:apple:

DMann

Mar 22, 2007, 06:58 PM

looks to mo like the Sony Vaio VGC-LS25E is a bit thicker and and less powerful than the iMac (http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wa/RSLID?mco=C1211F78&nclm=iMac). do i sense a PC user in denial?

Also, the Sony Vaio VGC-LS25E has a lower quality screen with lower res, is less bright, and cheap looking to boot (Vista, that is)

Peace

Mar 22, 2007, 06:59 PM

Should I keep my current 17" C2D or sell it and get one of these new ones.

Any Advice would be very helpful.

Jordan:apple:

Wait till mid-June then sell it for a newer model.

sam10685

Mar 22, 2007, 10:51 PM

Should I keep my current 17" C2D or sell it and get one of these new ones.

Any Advice would be very helpful.

Jordan:apple:

you have a C2D and your thinking of selling it for a newer model? i have a PPC G4; 3 years old-- i want a new model but i'm going to keep this for a while because it still is working fine.

deasine

Mar 23, 2007, 02:04 AM

Haha I would buy anything apple offers. I like the concept, but I'm sure Apple won't do that. Reason is that Apple surprises us with the iMac. Just look at each generation, the big design change.

I still love iMac G4. =D

powkang

Mar 23, 2007, 10:01 AM

And why the hell does all the girlfriends touch your screens with their fingers?!

maybe because your girlfriends are idiots. sorry to take offense, but i'm a girlfriend and i'm not retarded and know how to behave with other peoples' machinery. how the hell did your girlfriend escape from chains to get close enough to your lcd anyways?

Captain Planet

Mar 24, 2007, 11:32 PM

Hello everyone,

I've been a PC user my whole life, but now I would like to join the Mac family. I am interested in the iMac, and I was thinking of purchasing one very soon. But more and more, after having seen many threads like these, and also reading about rumors that there should be a new design coming out anytime soon, I'm unsure about what I should do. At first, I was going to get a 20-inch 2.33 GHz, 2GB, with the ATI X1600/256MB VRAM. So I guess what I'm asking is, should I be patient and wait a few weeks (months?) before getting an iMac? I don't exactly need it right away, but the sooner the better. Thanks in advance.

matticus008

Mar 24, 2007, 11:38 PM

So I guess what I'm asking is, should I be patient and wait a few weeks (months?) before getting an iMac? I don't exactly need it right away, but the sooner the better. Thanks in advance.
It boils down to this: buy the computer you need at the time you need it. Don't try to get into the rumor mill...it's a gong show and you'll never end up being satisfied with your purchase.

The only time it's really useful is to check and see how likely an update in the next month is. You can usually tell when something's about to change, but then again this forum over the past year has steadily grown to its most ridiculous depths ever.

I wouldn't expect new iMacs until Leopard, and Leopard is more than a month away (you can start the anxious clocks next time Apple previews Leopard; until then, it's nowhere close to release).

Captain Planet

Mar 24, 2007, 11:44 PM

Like I was thinking of getting it around Easter. If I would wait 'till let's say, end of April, beginning of May, could it possibly be released around that time? Or is it only around mid June?

Captain Planet

Mar 24, 2007, 11:52 PM

I know I could use a new computer now, but if the new release is this close from arriving, I wouldn't want to have bought an iMac at this moment. And also, could there be some sort of price drop with the new designs or would the computers just be more powerful and around same price?

PCMacUser

Mar 25, 2007, 12:01 AM

Like I was thinking of getting it around Easter. If I would wait 'till let's say, end of April, beginning of May, could it possibly be released around that time? Or is it only around mid June?

I'm not sure when they'll bring it out, but I'd recommend waiting for a couple of months before buying anything. Unless you really need it now!

Something to remember with the iMacs is that they are basically laptops in a desktop-ish enclosure. So they utilise laptop hardware which is slower than desktop hardware. Currently Apple do not have a standard desktop computer (the Mac Pro is based on server hardware), and it's something that they really should hurry up and bring out.

potatis

Mar 25, 2007, 04:58 AM

seing leopard going resolution independent would it be a safe to bet the new imacs will have a high dpi? like that ibm t221 monitor.
and maybe ditching the mighty mouse and ship with these instead? http://www003.upp.so-net.ne.jp/hat/mouse/img/sensa.jpg

oilster

Mar 25, 2007, 05:41 AM

same here... (with iBook G4)
- carried for two years on a daily basis, also ET-like on a rather shaky bike
- heavy load of water while djing in the garden and umbrella colapsed under rain showers
- dripping over power cord, throwing it off from about 1 and 1/2 meters

still working as intended ,-j

Powerbook G4 1 ghz. It's been dropped, bashed and had tons of water spilled all over the keyboard and grill surface, but except for the power cord and the screen naturally getting dimmer over the years, it's still 100% functioning. In fact, I'd really enjoy having a new computer, but I can't even come close to justifying it because this bad boy is still rockin' the house!

localoid

Mar 25, 2007, 05:43 AM

I'm not sure when they'll bring it out, but I'd recommend waiting for a couple of months before buying anything. Unless you really need it now!

Something to remember with the iMacs is that they are basically laptops in a desktop-ish enclosure. So they utilise laptop hardware which is slower than desktop hardware. Currently Apple do not have a standard desktop computer (the Mac Pro is based on server hardware), and it's something that they really should hurry up and bring out.

Exactly... a "real" desktop.

I don't need/want/desire a computer with some new artsy fartsy design inspired by someone's stroll through a Zen Garden. Give me a system with decent upper-mid-range specs, don't feed me marketing hype. Vista doesn't make me go "Wow!" and neither will a new iMac design (if this *rumor* does come true at all).

"Form and function should be one, joined in a spiritual union", to quote Frank Lloyd Wright. OS X achieves that sort of illusive union... if only Apple's hardware could come as close...

Plymouthbreezer

Mar 25, 2007, 10:32 AM

Or maybe it will look like this:

http://forum.macosx.nl/album_pic.php?pic_id=17930

A combination of multi-touch and desktop ;)
Stunning design. I personally think Apple's will be more revolutionary, but this one is simply amazing.

kontheur

Mar 26, 2007, 02:52 AM

Stunning design. I personally think Apple's will be more revolutionary, but this one is simply amazing.

Thanks for the compliments!

matticus008

Mar 26, 2007, 03:16 AM

Something to remember with the iMacs is that they are basically laptops in a desktop-ish enclosure. So they utilise laptop hardware which is slower than desktop hardware.
What exactly is slower about them? The Intel 945GM is used on desktop motherboards, the Core 2 Duo is certainly desktop-grade performance, and last I checked they took full-size DDR2 RAM at full speed.

So no, I don't agree with that assessment for the current crop of iMacs.

reflex

Mar 26, 2007, 04:00 AM

What exactly is slower about them? The Intel 945GM is used on desktop motherboards, the Core 2 Duo is certainly desktop-grade performance, and last I checked they took full-size DDR2 RAM at full speed.

They use the laptop variant of the Core 2 Duo. And laptop memory as well (SO-DIMM), even though it is 667MHz DDR2. Not to forget the graphics chip.

The only non-laptop component is the hard drive, as far as I know.

wanderlust4ever

Mar 26, 2007, 12:33 PM

BenRoethig

Mar 26, 2007, 12:55 PM

The retail stores don't have any kind of access to future product information.

Captain Planet

Mar 26, 2007, 12:56 PM

Went to the new Apple store in Manchester last weekend, the rep there told me there that Apple have no plans what so ever in bringing a new Imac out. I think it is about time that Apple should let people know there plans one way or the other. I myself are one of the many people who are waiting to buy our first Mac.

Really? Could he be right? If so, I definitely won't wait until late May, June that's for sure...I want one now, but I can still manage waiting a bit longer.

Eidorian

Mar 26, 2007, 02:18 PM

Something to remember with the iMacs is that they are basically laptops in a desktop-ish enclosure. So they utilise laptop hardware which is slower than desktop hardware.

They use the laptop variant of the Core 2 Duo. And laptop memory as well (SO-DIMM), even though it is 667MHz DDR2. Not to forget the graphics chip.

The only non-laptop component is the hard drive, as far as I know.And the Merom is the exact same as the Conroe short of the thermal output. Check the benchmarks out between Merom and Woodcrest. If you're sticking with single threaded applications you see nearly equivalent performance. How is a SO-DIMM different then a full sized DIMM other then form factor? The 945G chipset is also used for desktops as well.

Let's ignore the obvious cost increase for components designed for lower heat output.

matticus008

Mar 26, 2007, 03:37 PM

They use the laptop variant of the Core 2 Duo. And laptop memory as well (SO-DIMM), even though it is 667MHz DDR2. Not to forget the graphics chip.

The only non-laptop component is the hard drive, as far as I know.
As Eidorian correctly pointed out, there is no difference in the components you speak of. The graphics chip, like the CPU, uses the same core as any desktop card of the same kind, and SO-DIMMs are merely a packaging for standard DRAM chips. Show us the performance penalty of the iMac over the desktop versions of the same hardware.

gregorsamsa

Mar 26, 2007, 06:52 PM

As Eidorian correctly pointed out, there is no difference in the components you speak of. The graphics chip, like the CPU, uses the same core as any desktop card of the same kind, and SO-DIMMs are merely a packaging for standard DRAM chips. Show us the performance penalty of the iMac over the desktop versions of the same hardware.

That may well be the case, but the iMac's X1600 128VRAM graphics are now looking pretty poor for a desktop with a non-upgradable, closed-off architecture. Even some brand-name PC laptops selling at prices similar to the iMac have better graphics these days.

This doesn't make the iMac a poor computer, & Apple's monopoly with OS X virtually ensures that all Macs will always be viable, regardless of the deficiencies in some of their specs...but those graphics seriously need updating now.

Edit: ie. Apple's monopoly of hardware with OS X.

Eidorian

Mar 26, 2007, 07:08 PM

That may well be the case, but the iMac's X1600 128VRAM graphics are now looking pretty poor for a desktop with a non-upgradable, closed-off architecture. Even some brand-name PC laptops selling at prices similar to the iMac have better graphics these days.

This doesn't make the iMac a poor computer, & Apple's monopoly with OS X virtually ensures that all Macs will always be viable, regardless of the deficiencies in some of their specs...but those graphics seriously need updating now.

Edit: ie. Apple's monopoly of hardware with OS X.Name a non-gaming laptop with a substantially better video card then on derived from X1300/X1600 equivalent series. The upgrade to 256 MB is there and the 7600GT is also available for the 24" model.

gregorsamsa

Mar 26, 2007, 08:08 PM

Name a non-gaming laptop with a substantially better video card then on derived from X1300/X1600 equivalent series. The upgrade to 256 MB is there and the 7600GT is also available for the 24" model.

How about the Acer Aspire 5683, C2D, with NVIDIA GeForce Go7600 256 VRAM, currently selling at ebuyer for £857, which is only £58 more than the 17" iMac. This is a PC laptop I'm talking about.

BTW, I'm not trying to diss iMacs here, & I still think that they're good all-round computers. What I'm saying is that for a desktop computer their graphics leave something, if not much, to be desired.

air23cary

Mar 26, 2007, 08:32 PM

any word on whether the next gen imacs will have blu-ray or hd dvd?

17MBPC2D

Mar 26, 2007, 10:43 PM

/drool

I want this at any cost....

Eidorian

Mar 26, 2007, 10:47 PM

How about the Acer Aspire 5683, C2D, with NVIDIA GeForce Go7600 256 VRAM, currently selling at ebuyer for £857, which is only £58 more than the 17" iMac. This is a PC laptop I'm talking about.

BTW, I'm not trying to diss iMacs here, & I still think that they're good all-round computers. What I'm saying is that for a desktop computer their graphics leave something, if not much, to be desired.Quite a big difference in price here in the US for that laptop. Can you find something like that stateside?

Note: Something SUBSTANTIALLY better then the X1600/7600.

oldwatery

Mar 26, 2007, 11:05 PM

/drool

I want this at any cost....

Make that 2...oh pleeeeeeeeeeze!

This is what Apple is all about....or should be.
Amazing!

BenRoethig

Mar 27, 2007, 05:48 AM

Name a non-gaming laptop with a substantially better video card then on derived from X1300/X1600 equivalent series. The upgrade to 256 MB is there and the 7600GT is also available for the 24" model.

Laptops, no. However, when talking about desktops, which is the slot the iMac has been positioned, you can literally get a desktop with similar specs as the 20" iMac with a Geforce 7950GT for the same price. The iMac's integrated nature and tasteful design are worth a lot to more than a few people. On the same token the lower mid range graphics and lack of expansion can also be a deal breaker (as can be the Mac Pro's workstation price) to a lot of people.

gregorsamsa

Mar 27, 2007, 06:27 AM

Quite a big difference in price here in the US for that laptop. Can you find something like that stateside?

Note: Something SUBSTANTIALLY better then the X1600/7600.

Thanks & obviously my example doesn't hold up on the US side. Your post, however, inadvertently touches upon one of the common reasons why Americans & Britons sometimes misunderstand each other when discussing these issues.

You guys currently buy your 17" iMacs from the Apple Store for $1,199; I think that's a truly excellent deal. Hell, at those prices I'm not sure I could even hold out for the expected iMac updates! A conversion into UK £'s is £610. The same iMac from the UK Apple Store costs Britons £799. If I was buying at your prices I'd pay £189 less, ie. $371 less...a significant difference. The difference is even greater on more expensive Macs.

From a Mac-buying perspective, I certainly wish I was over there (the US) rather than over here! - This kind of thinking probably makes me out to be a right cheapskate, but being a student I have my excuses. (LOL).

MacAddict1978

Mar 27, 2007, 01:12 PM

While the imac was updated in sept, it wasn't a major update. A little slimmer. It definitley is due for some drastic plastic surgery....

I have never moved on from my g4 lamp because I love its design so much better. The chin on the current gen is kind of awkward to say the very least.

I say get rid of the chin, even if it means sacrificing the built in speakers!
I am betting the next design will see the demise of included speakers unless they go back to external ones like the lamp had.

I can't speak for everyone, but I think most people interested in decent sound use a third party set of speakers anyway. For me the clear lamp speakers were ditched for creature speakers.

While I am excited at the prospect of a new imac, I want a real desk top from Apple! The mini is just not worth it's money to me. The Pro is just way too expensive. I'd love something along the lines of the old G4 tower that can be upgraded but at a better consumer price point. With the i-mac, how much of it's retail is actually due to the included display?

I understand Apple simplifying their product lines, but their line up is a little naked.

iBunny

Mar 29, 2007, 02:25 PM

any word on whether the next gen imacs will have blu-ray or hd dvd?

Im not sure which format apple is supporting. But I would pay extra to get a Blu-Ray Burner in my next iMac. Even at the price premium... I hate buying technology and knowing its out of date already.

BenRoethig

Mar 29, 2007, 02:58 PM

Im not sure which format apple is supporting. But I would pay extra to get a Blu-Ray Burner in my next iMac. Even at the price premium... I hate buying technology and knowing its out of date already.

You're going to have to pay a lot extra. The Panasonic UJ-215 is in the only game in town when it comes to slot loading Blu-Ray burners and it weighs in at about a grand. The performance in DVD and CD writing is similar to the UJ845. I wouldn't expect to see this in Macbook Pros though, at least the 15" models. Apple went with a 9.5" superslim designed for a subnotebook to make them just a little bit lighter.

Poseidon

Mar 29, 2007, 04:45 PM

I know that Apple likes to keep things close to the vest, to keep folks interested and generated hype - but I really wish they've give us something substantial.

I'm looking to buy my first Mac in over 10 years and it would be nice to know if I should buy now or hold off for a few months for something "new and improved."

Captain Planet

Mar 29, 2007, 04:47 PM

Well, I've decided to buy now. And so I just did, today. Ordered the 20" 2.16 GHz iMac, with upgraded 2 GB Ram and 256MB video card. Can't wait to get it!:D

craig1410

Apr 3, 2007, 06:29 PM

Hi,
First post on this forum so hi to all... :)

Just wanted to add to the growing voices who would like to know what is happening with the iMac. I have been a PC user for 25 years but I've decided that I want a Mac and I want it now! I've started programming in Ruby on Rails and the Mac seems to be the machine to have for this purpose. This has definitely been a catalyst. My PC hardware needs replaced from the ground up too so now is the ideal time to buy a Mac.

I came within literally minutes of buying an iMac 20" 2.16GHz when I found the various stories about the new iMac which ultimately led me to this site. I really do wish that Apple would give us some sort of hint so that I can decide whether to wait or not. I don't mind waiting until June when hopefully Leopard will be available but I'll be a bit miffed if we get into July or August and I'm still wondering whether to buy a Mac or not. The risk then will be that I might be tempted to just upgrade my PC and stick to Linux which is what I've been running full-time for several years now.

There must be loads of PC users who would like to make the switch to a Mac due to the debacle that is MS Vista so Apple have a gold-clad opportunity to increase market share if they play this right. Come on Steve, give us a clue! :confused:

:)
Craig.

MacPomme

Apr 3, 2007, 06:38 PM

As I've posted a couple of times here at Macrumors, I think that OS X 10.5 is going to include the functionality where you won't need a keyboard or mouse, a la iPhone, of course you can still use them if you want to.

To implement this sort of functionality Macs will need mutli-touch sensitive screens and a makeover to allow the larger screen display models to be tilited / angled and locked in position. For me - this is the "new industrial design".

Oh - and I think if this were to happen - it kind of allows a person to be released from sitting at a chair to use their Mac.

Tilting / angling may also impact the location of cable connectors for power, USB, Firewire, speaker, microphone and ethernet and modem ports.

So quite some revamped form and functionality factors.

Then again, I've been wrong many, many times before. :)

k2k koos

Apr 3, 2007, 06:51 PM

/drool

I want this at any cost....

This does look very cool, but how can you hide it from your boss when surfing adult sites ? :-)

zero2dash

Apr 3, 2007, 11:36 PM

Im not sure which format apple is supporting. But I would pay extra to get a Blu-Ray Burner in my next iMac. Even at the price premium... I hate buying technology and knowing its out of date already.

Apple has pledged BluRay support.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_corporations_supporting_Blu-ray

No support for HD-DVD (as of now).

Chris Bangle

Apr 4, 2007, 03:47 AM

How about having a mouse that has accelerometers and you tilt it it i certain directions for certain commands eg next track or pause or volume up or down. or use hot corners to control itunes.

poppe

Apr 4, 2007, 04:19 AM

Stunning design. I personally think Apple's will be more revolutionary, but this one is simply amazing.

I think your design will actually be really close to what they do. Apple is revolutionary on their designs, but they also don't jump off on to the deep end and completely change things, well that is unless they haven't broken in to the market or drastically need something to start a fire... i.e. iMac, iPod, iPhone...

Since the iMac has its place already I think it'll just be a refinement. Unless 2008 is the time for apple to shine... Oh man... would I have to take out some bigger student loans...

Apple Architect

Apr 4, 2007, 06:04 AM

Do you really think that anyone working in a retail store has any idea what is actually going on in Cupertino ? The rep you were speaking to I am sure will be a on a percentage of what you buy - and if you walk out of the store without a nice shiny Apple computer you have wasted his time.

My own view on the update will be a "evolution" rather than "revolution". Expecting a big change in the screen DPI together with much greater support for HD.

Would like to think that a screenless device would arrive between the mini and the pro - but I think it would just cannibalise the Pro market while not pulling enough people from the mini.

Given Apple has just pinned its flag to the :apple: TV mast are they still looking to move the mac from the study/den/office into the front room ?

Went to the new Apple store in Manchester last weekend, the rep there told me there that Apple have no plans what so ever in bringing a new Imac out. I think it is about time that Apple should let people know there plans one way or the other. I myself are one of the many people who are waiting to buy our first Mac.

BenRoethig

Apr 4, 2007, 06:10 AM

Would like to think that a screenless device would arrive between the mini and the pro - but I think it would just cannibalise the Pro market while not pulling enough people from the mini.

There's more than just the current Mac crowd. There enough potential switchers who don't want an AIO, the Mini is too anemic, and do not follow Apple religiously as put down three grand on a workstation just to get a desktop.

liv4Mac

Apr 4, 2007, 07:45 AM

This does look very cool, but how can you hide it from your boss when surfing adult sites ? :-)You will discover that your boss surf adult sites aswell.:D

can't wait to see what the apple store is updating they've been down for more than an hour now

bill4588

Apr 4, 2007, 07:51 AM

I wonder if the next iMac (or every new mac) will make better use of the isight camera so that you can move the cursor with your eyes (and maybe click by double-blinking?). yes, this is a technology that has been made, but never put into practical use. I saw it way back in the days of TechTV. Just a thought.

gregorsamsa

Apr 4, 2007, 08:18 AM

My own view on the update will be a "evolution" rather than "revolution". Expecting a big change in the screen DPI together with much greater support for HD.

Would like to think that a screenless device would arrive between the mini and the pro - but I think it would just cannibalise the Pro market while not pulling enough people from the mini.

I agree, "evolution", because there simply no longer appears to be the scope to do that much that's revolutionary with the iMac's design, whilst still maintaining a consumer price. I mean, how many people really want touch screen technology as standard on the entire iMac range, with an increase in price to boot?

But I disagree that a Mac mid-tower would "cannibalise the Pro market". Even in PC land, the best PC manufacturers are now offering AIO PCs & mini PCs in addition to their more popular desktop lines. They think the AIOs & minis may appeal to quite different markets. Also, some PC users are buying laptops as space-saving desktop replacements, partly because they're cheaper than AIOs (certainly in PC land).

The iMacs are great computers; but any gamer considering a switch to Mac, when presented with the current iMac range (particularly the iMac's graphics), will almost certainly go out & buy a PC instead. Who could blame them?

BTW, I'm speaking as one who'll probably always have at least one Mac laptop in my home & who'd certainly buy a Mac mid-tower/screenless device.

zero2dash

Apr 4, 2007, 09:36 AM

The iMacs are great computers; but any gamer considering a switch to Mac, when presented with the current iMac range (particularly the iMac's graphics), will almost certainly go out & buy a PC instead.

Incorrect.

I'm planning on buying a Mac this year once Leopard comes out. And I also plan on an iMac (but am sorta flip flopping between a 24" iMac or a refurb PowerBook and using an external display at home). And I'm also a gamer.

If I want to play games, that's what I have an Wii60 for (Xbox 360 + Wii combo). IMHO PC gaming is not a worthwhile cause anymore, not for me at least. Custom building a computer with 360 or Ps3 specs would cost at least double what the console costs, plus you're left using Windows.

Most switchers on the fence are not going to buy a Mac and expect a gaming experience that rivals a Windows machine; they'll either keep their PC along for gaming or they'll keep their gaming consoles.

AlexisV

Apr 4, 2007, 10:14 AM

Custom building a computer with 360 or Ps3 specs would cost at least double what the console costs

I'm not sure about that, if you leave aside any HDDVD/Blu Ray drives. :)

zero2dash

Apr 4, 2007, 10:55 AM

I'm not sure about that, if you leave aside any HDDVD/Blu Ray drives. :)

Ps3 (http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20060219-6216.html)
The above chart is alarming: that US$800 total (which doesn't include actually assembling the PS3)
Cell estimated at $230, GPU at $70 on their chart.

360 (http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20051123-5621.html)
The ATI-made graphics processing unit alone is estimated to cost US$141 (including the RAM) while the IBM Xenon CPU accounts for another US$106.

Cheaper than I imagined to manufacture, but those wouldn't be costs available to you or me building 1 system. ;) Retail would probably be 2-2.5x those figures, so I'd say it's safe to assume that cpu + gpu costs for any builder would run $500+ not including optical drives, storage, memory, case etc. :)

gregorsamsa

Apr 4, 2007, 11:34 AM

Incorrect.

I'm planning on buying a Mac this year once Leopard comes out. And I also plan on an iMac (but am sorta flip flopping between a 24" iMac or a refurb PowerBook and using an external display at home). And I'm also a gamer.

If I want to play games, that's what I have an Wii60 for (Xbox 360 + Wii combo). IMHO PC gaming is not a worthwhile cause anymore, not for me at least. Custom building a computer with 360 or Ps3 specs would cost at least double what the console costs, plus you're left using Windows.

Most switchers on the fence are not going to buy a Mac and expect a gaming experience that rivals a Windows machine; they'll either keep their PC along for gaming or they'll keep their gaming consoles.

Well, come the day that I can play computer-specific games like Medieval 2: Total War on an Xbox 360, & I'll agree with you. But for now, if I'm spending some serious money on a non-pro desktop computer, the least I expect is to be able to play those type of games at the highest settings.

Perhaps if a new iMac design incorporated greater upgradability, particularly the graphics, then I'd be bowled over. But as things stand, though I'll buy more Mac laptops in future, I consider the current iMacs (excluding the 24") to be lacking in the graphical capability I'd expect from a desktop computer at those prices. - I can but remain only vaguely hopeful that a new iMac (or some other surprise announcement from Apple) may offer me a solution by the time of Leopard's release.

matticus008

Apr 4, 2007, 02:10 PM

But for now, if I'm spending some serious money on a non-pro desktop computer, the least I expect is to be able to play those type of games at the highest settings.
And if I'm spending "serious money" on a new computer, I expect it to have two HD tuners to act as a DVR server. My neighbor expects the computer to come with lots of pro audio hardware. My office IT manager wants it stuffed full of eSATA expansion cards to run the stack of swapping backup drives next to it. My mother wants the computer to be the size of a remote control and silent.

Everyone expects different things, and that's why there are lots of computer options. If you're putting together something for gaming, for pro audio, for video editing, for maximum storage, for media center use, or for stylish display, you've got different priorities. One computer can't provide all of them out of the box. Fortunately, there are large numbers of companies out there providing options for everyone. You just have to create priorities. If you want a quiet, low power system, you can't have 4TB of storage or a monster video card. If you want a top of the line gaming rig for a lower price than a Mac Pro, you can't have OS X. If you want an HDTV DVR at the same price, you have to settle for lower overall specs (since two HD tuners alone will set you back about $700 retail).
But as things stand, though I'll buy more Mac laptops in future, I consider the current iMacs (excluding the 24") to be lacking in the graphical capability I'd expect from a desktop computer at those prices.
If you define "desktop computer" as an empty box with expansion cards, the iMac isn't a desktop computer. If you define it as "only those battery-free computers with high-end graphics," you're cutting out well over two-thirds of the desktops on the market. Given a set of common values shared by all non-portable computers, the iMac fits right in. An iMac certainly matches the performance of any other "desktop computer" for daily use. A better video card just isn't necessary. It'd be nice, and lots of people would get one, but that isn't enough.

zero2dash

Apr 4, 2007, 03:51 PM

Well, come the day that I can play computer-specific games like Medieval 2: Total War on an Xbox 360, & I'll agree with you. But for now, if I'm spending some serious money on a non-pro desktop computer, the least I expect is to be able to play those type of games at the highest settings.

Then what you're looking for is a Dell XPS or an Alienware and those are both in Mac Pro price ranges, which is geared more for gaming.

iMac is more run-of-the-mill computer pricing, if a tad on the higher side including a better monitor.

You're expecting a Dodge Viper engine in a Dodge Neon chassis at a Dodge Neon price and that ain't gonna happen. Besides, as other people have said...you can upgrade the graphics chipset in the 24" iMac so if you require more power, yes - you have to pay for it. What's so appaling about that? I don't expect to get a GeForce card in a $400 Dell Dimension (which comes with Intel GMA). :confused:

Again, you're comparing apples to oranges (no pun intended). No computer Apple makes is geared for serious gaming, and the closest thing is a Mac Pro, which is in a similar price range as an XPS or Alienware (and technically, the Mac Pro will blow the doors off of those computers).

Jarcrew

Apr 4, 2007, 05:58 PM

If you want a gaming machine, why the hell are you looking at Macs anyway? Macs have never been all that good for gaming. This is why I have a Mac and a Wii. I'm not expecting my Mac to provide the goods in that area, which is why my table is absolutely littered with consoles; yeah, I could emulate my N64/Mega Drive on my Mac, but I don't want to, I've got the real thing sitting right there.

freddiecable

Apr 6, 2007, 04:46 AM

BenRoethig

Apr 6, 2007, 06:15 AM

not directly about iMac:

http://www.macrumors.com/2007/04/06/apple-using-exclusive-3ghz-xeon-from-intel/

but interesting statement:

"We are indeed shipping a 3.0GHz Xeon version [and] expect to see faster gigahertz speeds for our high-end [Core 2] Extreme PCs very soon, too."

Looks like iMac CPUs are going to be update'd very soon...together with new design?

Not so much. They're talking about the workstation xeon and the desktop version of the Core 2 Duo. The iMac uses the mobile platform, where quad cores aren't even on the roadmap they're so far away. You'll probably see new iMacs (and Macbooks) on the Santa Rosa platform using slightly updated socket P Core 2 Duos late spring.

iBunny

Apr 6, 2007, 06:37 AM

If you want a gaming machine, why the hell are you looking at Macs anyway?

Because now you can run windows. This should end this disscussion.

I will run OSX for everything I do, except play games. If I want to play some games or whatever, time to boot into windows instead....

I think we need higher end hardware... espically in the video card market.

poppe

Apr 6, 2007, 08:17 AM

Then what you're looking for is a Dell XPS or an Alienware and those are both in Mac Pro price ranges, which is geared more for gaming.

iMac is more run-of-the-mill computer pricing, if a tad on the higher side including a better monitor.

You're expecting a Dodge Viper engine in a Dodge Neon chassis at a Dodge Neon price and that ain't gonna happen. Besides, as other people have said...you can upgrade the graphics chipset in the 24" iMac so if you require more power, yes - you have to pay for it. What's so appaling about that? I don't expect to get a GeForce card in a $400 Dell Dimension (which comes with Intel GMA). :confused:

Again, you're comparing apples to oranges (no pun intended). No computer Apple makes is geared for serious gaming, and the closest thing is a Mac Pro, which is in a similar price range as an XPS or Alienware (and technically, the Mac Pro will blow the doors off of those computers).

No offense at all, but the car comparison here does not fit. It would work better to say a metro, or a stock honda civic, or something with a hundred horse, but to say a neon is a little vague since for about 27 grand you can get a neon dropping 370 horse plus a bunch of upgrades to the shocks and junk. Now I know that isn't viper, I know that it is front wheel drive, and I know that it still isn't going to be ferrari fast, but it will be pretty damn fast. So to compare it to a neon is a little sketchy since a neon can be upgraded (from the manufacturer) to a pretty fast beast ( I don't like ricers so don't start spewing ricing battles; just stating the facts.) unlike the imac. the iMac can be upgraded but not to a damn fast gaming rig.

Looking for a modern muscle car alternative to the new Ford Mustang GT and Pontiac GTO? You'll need power numbers like 355 horsepower, 365 lb-ft of torque, and a price under $30,000 to compete.

But what about a turbocharged front-wheel-drive Dodge Neon weighing less than 3000 pounds with the ability to push well over 20 pounds of boost? Is this a modern muscle car? It definitely is. It's even scary to drive at times, like some of the most bitchin' muscle cars of the 1960s.

I know you just said neon but it still doesn't fit.

Honestly I'd say an iMac is more so a S2000 or a Mustang (v6) or something like that (though those two don't go together well). I say this because the iMac is great and has some power to give you, but really it only can go so far and that is not that far. Like the s2000 there is just no torque, or like the mustang there is just no horsepower and the car is heavy as crap.

Anyways. Isn't about time to rest the car analogies with the G5 powerbook stories? Anyone vote for that?

RRK

Apr 6, 2007, 08:31 AM

BanjoBanker

Apr 6, 2007, 11:51 AM

I need a desktop machine to work with photos. I have been eyeing a 24" iMac, but now I am going to continue usnig my BlackMac C2D untill the upgrade comes out.

BenRoethig

Apr 6, 2007, 12:16 PM

@BenRoethig
Dont forget this design had a g5 in it. If they drop the 17" then I would think low power desktop cpus are well within the range of possibility (though I think they will wait for 45nm).

The regular G5 models were thicker, heavier, noisy, and unreliable. The iMac is better off using the mobile platform even if it makes it a bit underpowered. Let the iMac do what it does back and return to making a real desktop.

LoganT

Apr 6, 2007, 02:07 PM

Connecticut

Apr 6, 2007, 08:09 PM

:) :) :) :) :D :D :D :D :D

they need to hurry up - i was gonna buy one last week until i was told they were due for an update so im being patient and waiting...i NEED THIS IN MY LIFE!!!! NOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW

Vidd

Apr 6, 2007, 08:22 PM

Anyways. Isn't about time to rest the car analogies with the G5 powerbook stories? Anyone vote for that?

YES. I had forgotten about the car analogies but the Powerbook G5 stories are still driving me mad.

"APPLE STORE IS DOWN!"
"It'll be that Powerbook G5 I've been waiting for."

"Rumour: Product releases this tuesday?"
"It's about time! I've been waiting too long for that Powerbook G5!"

Apple's nearly into its third sort of revision with its Intel laptops (CD, C2D, Santa Rosa), the Powerbook jokes aren't funny.

EDIT:
Also, if laptop parts make it run quiter without overheating, I'm all for that.
As long as the screen's a good size, the hard drive has a good capacity and the graphics card can handle everything but hardcore gaming, who cares about the "mobile" CPU?

poppe

Apr 6, 2007, 09:36 PM

@BenRoethig
Dont forget this design had a g5 in it. If they drop the 17" then I would think low power desktop cpus are well within the range of possibility (though I think they will wait for 45nm).

@poppe
Comparing the iMac to a mustang is very strange. Your description here sounds just like a maxed out 24" iMac to me.

"...for about 27 grand you can get a neon dropping 370 horse plus a bunch of upgrades to the shocks and junk. Now I know that isn't viper, I know that it is front wheel drive, and I know that it still isn't going to be ferrari fast, but it will be pretty damn fast."

Ferrari fast would be a macpro.

I am confused. I wasn't saying a Neon SRT-4 was ferrari fast.... I was saying that it wasn't Ferrari. I used a v6 mustang to compare it to the iMac because the v6 mustang is pretty whimpy and not very fast. But it is fun to drive with and can be fun to take it on the track none the less. It's just not going to perform like a ariel atom, porsche, Ferrari, blah blah blah blah blah. And you can only do so much to the mustang (from the factory) to make it perform better. In fact barely anything. That is why the iMac-car analogy fits better when saying the iMac is more something like a v6 mustang.

vendettabass

Apr 9, 2007, 11:50 AM

I need a desktop machine to work with photos. I have been eyeing a 24" iMac, but now I am going to continue usnig my BlackMac C2D untill the upgrade comes out.

same here, althought I'm waiting until Oct 08 so hopefully by then I'll have a nice quad core iMac with more graphics options!

BluRay burner by late 08' ? sure hope so!

freddiecable

Apr 9, 2007, 01:30 PM

yeah - quad core 2 duo in the 24" iMac would be a blast! But probably they will run to hot.

http://www.intel.com/products/desktop/processors/index.htm?iid=prod_desk+sc_processor

same here, althought I'm waiting until Oct 08 so hopefully by then I'll have a nice quad core iMac with more graphics options!

BluRay burner by late 08' ? sure hope so!

iplaydrums8

Apr 9, 2007, 05:02 PM

I'd like to see some new MB and MBP designs pleeeeaaaaaase. :)

Sped

Apr 9, 2007, 10:56 PM

I think this thread jumped the shark when we started discussing the Dodge Neon.

mashinhead

Apr 10, 2007, 12:07 AM

I'd like to see some new MB and MBP designs pleeeeaaaaaase. :)

Mb aren't going to get redesigned, they're the newest. MBP might end up looking more like mb's but that's it. As in magnetic latch and user replaceable hd. but when they put out the MBP, even apple said they didn't know how to make it better.

BlackDan

Apr 10, 2007, 05:00 AM

psychofreak

Apr 10, 2007, 05:16 AM

Why would Apple go back to the lamp-design? Ok, almost everyone loved it, but they want sleeker, thinner, better NOT bulkier, heavier...

IF the design changes, it won't be much. Less chin, as has been posted here already, maybe a bit thinner... maybe aluminum or a black version... time will tell.
The screen could be really thin, and the manoeuvrability of it would be great for optional-touch...imagine using a keyboard and mouse, then just pulling the screen towards you for touch sensitivity...

RRK

Apr 10, 2007, 07:38 AM

I am confused...

Sorry, I just think that comparing any Apply product to any Ford Mustang made since 1980 is disturbing. However back to your point, I still think that the way you described the neon is the way I would describe the iMac line. You can get an anemic one for $999 or you can get a sports model for $1999+. The maxed out version is very fast, however it is not (ferrari fast) the fastest computer out there . Apple's answer to Ferrari fast would be the Mac pro.

Also, doesn't it seem logical that an iMac redesign would follow the same scheme as their other recent designs/redesigns? That would be the MacBook, the Airport, the Apple TV and the iPhone, right? Mostly they added black plastic, shiny screens and aluminum. Do you see them fitting everything into a new design scheme?

imageforce

Apr 10, 2007, 09:04 AM

i bought one like 3 or 4 months ago and i love it...

but they have to find a new cooling solution in order to make it able to hold better graphic cards and cpus...

that is the only thing that sucks... i`d like a 8800 gtx in my iMac `cause i like to play 3d games. but you can`t i guess because they are way too hot with around 70-80 degrees celsius.

but few things i`d like to see in future iMacs:

1) the ability to use it as a monitor for other devices like a mac pro or even a pc!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2) black design
3) 360° stand
4) even more inputs on the back (firewire 800, s-ata, s-video, hdmi)
5) monitor off button :)

Cybergypsy

Apr 10, 2007, 09:10 AM

Why would Apple go back to the lamp-design? Ok, almost everyone loved it, but they want sleeker, thinner, better NOT bulkier, heavier...

IF the design changes, it won't be much. Less chin, as has been posted here already, maybe a bit thinner... maybe aluminum or a black version... time will tell.

yep agreed!!! that was art the current model is just fughly.......

Irish1978

Apr 10, 2007, 09:57 AM

I would like to see a black version of whatever Apple does! They should leave the aluminium for the pro hardware IMO, but thats just me.

freddiecable

Apr 10, 2007, 11:48 AM

your needs sound more like advanced user needs. not that your needs aren't relevant - but apple probably probes the market enough to see that users like yourslef are welcome to buy a macpro. imac is more "one size fits many" and if you wanna customize with high end stuff...go macpro.

to add to your list - I'd be very happy if the increased the possibility to add more ram without using 2GB modules - which are very expensive.

i bought one like 3 or 4 months ago and i love it...

but they have to find a new cooling solution in order to make it able to hold better graphic cards and cpus...

that is the only thing that sucks... i`d like a 8800 gtx in my iMac `cause i like to play 3d games. but you can`t i guess because they are way too hot with around 70-80 degrees celsius.

but few things i`d like to see in future iMacs:

1) the ability to use it as a monitor for other devices like a mac pro or even a pc!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2) black design
3) 360° stand
4) even more inputs on the back (firewire 800, s-ata, s-video, hdmi)
5) monitor off button :)

BlackDan

Apr 10, 2007, 12:35 PM

The screen could be really thin, and the manoeuvrability of it would be great for optional-touch...imagine using a keyboard and mouse, then just pulling the screen towards you for touch sensitivity...

Not to mention that the lamp-design cost them a fortune to ship as the box it came in was HUGE compared to what the new iMac comes in... It'll never happen

badcrumble

Apr 10, 2007, 12:37 PM

this is what I think it will look like:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/158/428415015_b5de62f9f1_o.jpghttp://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=428415015&size=o

Yeah, I think this is probably closest to how it'll look (color-wise and with the chrome trim, though that'll be thinner and I don't expect it to have speakers on the front of the machine like that). Make those slight changes and it'd make for a seriously elegant design, consistent with the look of the iPhone, and it looks a hell of a lot nicer than that fugly translucent futuristic screen design that people keep posting.

nurfen

Apr 10, 2007, 01:14 PM

Yeah, I think this is probably closest to how it'll look (color-wise and with the chrome trim, though that'll be thinner and I don't expect it to have speakers on the front of the machine like that). Make those slight changes and it'd make for a seriously elegant design, consistent with the look of the iPhone, and it looks a hell of a lot nicer than that fugly translucent futuristic screen design that people keep posting.

Chrome? No............ NO!

Too 1980 :D

badcrumble

Apr 10, 2007, 02:10 PM

Chrome? No............ NO!

Too 1980 :D

It looks fine on the PS3 and the iPhone :cool:

Dimwhit

Apr 10, 2007, 02:35 PM

I actually don't care what it looks like (because I'm sure I'll be fine whatever it is)...I just want them to release it already!!! I'm sitting here with money in my bank account, ready to buy a 24" iMac, but I'll be damned if I'm going to plunk down more than $2k on a computer only to have a new version come out in a couple months (or weeks). The wait is killing me.

Though one thing I'd like to see (might have been mentioned before, but this thread is WAY too long to check) is to have the machine detachable from the stand. That would open the door to all sorts of wall mounts, swivel mounts, etc.

Whistleway

Apr 10, 2007, 02:46 PM

Or maybe it will look like this:

http://forum.macosx.nl/album_pic.php?pic_id=17930

A combination of multi-touch and desktop ;)

Just move the power brick and superdrive to the bottom stand. And add a battery to the monitor. We are all set to go. Lightweight laptop + powerful desktop all in one. A true one computer dream :)

Peace

Apr 10, 2007, 03:02 PM

The new iMac will look like a white ACD with a chrome strip around the sides.

Soundburst

Apr 10, 2007, 03:04 PM

That looks good, just out of curiosity do the current iMacs have a powerbrick.

psychofreak

Apr 10, 2007, 03:07 PM

That looks good, just out of curiosity do the current iMacs have a powerbrick.

No

Irish1978

Apr 10, 2007, 03:12 PM

BlackDan

Apr 11, 2007, 02:50 AM

Just move the power brick and superdrive to the bottom stand. And add a battery to the monitor. We are all set to go. Lightweight laptop + powerful desktop all in one. A true one computer dream :)

Not for me thanks, if I buy a desktop, I want it to be a desktop, not a pseudo-portable. Anyway, with display sizes of up to 24" the battery would probably last only about 10minutes :p

Evangelion

Apr 11, 2007, 03:41 AM

If you want a gaming machine, why the hell are you looking at Macs anyway? Macs have never been all that good for gaming. This is why I have a Mac and a Wii.

Can I play

- Combat Mission 1, 2, and 3
- Il-2 Sturmovik
- Half-Life 2
- Europa Universalis 3
- Civilization IV
- etc.

On a Wii? No I can not. I always get annoyed when someone says "why play games on a computer, when you can just get a console?". Maybe because the consoles do not have the games that interest me? Maybe because consoles suck for the type of games I like to play?

this coming from someone who owns a Wii.

imageforce

Apr 11, 2007, 04:34 AM

got myself a 24" iMac with "only" the 256MB 7300 GT GPU

well i can play rollercoaster tycoon 3 + addons perfectly well ;-)

AND

stalker on highest quality settings but 16xAA and dynamic lighting of course.
it looks great and runs smoothly while rendered to 1900x1200 px!!!

I guess with a 17" iMac you could even put 16xAA and dynamic lighting on.

anyways... i am waiting for crysis and then i`ll buy the new iMac

i`m not much of a gamer and i think most apple users aren`t but i was quite happy, that i could play some games with it.

"Dude!, Photoshop isn`t a game!"

gregorsamsa

Apr 11, 2007, 05:15 AM

Can I play

- Combat Mission 1, 2, and 3
- Il-2 Sturmovik
- Half-Life 2
- Europa Universalis 3
- Civilization IV
- etc.

On a Wii? No I can not. I always get annoyed when someone says "why play games on a computer, when you can just get a console?". Maybe because the consoles do not have the games that interest me? Maybe because consoles suck for the type of games I like to play?

this coming from someone who owns a Wii.

This is so very simple to understand...& still some appear not to. Add on Boot Camp & Macs can be the perfect computer for all purposes, including gaming.

I also have a PS2 but, frankly-speaking, compared to some Mac/PC-specific titles, I find most PS2 games lacking depth & quite boring in next to no time.

Evangelion

Apr 11, 2007, 06:44 AM

This is so very simple to understand...& still some appear not to. Add on Boot Camp & Macs can be the perfect computer for all purposes, including gaming.

Of course, and that's what I plan on doing. But the original comment was about getting a console for gaming instead. And those people fail to understand that while you can play games on a PC and you can play games on a console, the two are not necessarily alternatives to each other. To them, gaming is gaming, and there's no difference in console-games and computer-games. But in reality the difference between the two is substantial.

gregorsamsa

Apr 11, 2007, 07:54 AM

But the original comment was about getting a console for gaming instead. And those people fail to understand that while you can play games on a PC and you can play games on a console, the two are not necessarily alternatives to each other. To them, gaming is gaming, and there's no difference in console-games and computer-games. But in reality the difference between the two is substantial.

I wholly agree with you're saying here. Indeed, a part of my comment was also indirectly alluding to those who fail to understand that "the difference between the two is substantial". As long as we get computer games of the high calibre of AOE, Civilization, Total War games, etc., IMO gaming on Macs & PCs will never die.

I use my PPC Mac for most things, but only occasionally for gaming. I'm now really looking forward to either new or updated iMacs coming out, & I'm certainly considering getting one to take care of most of my gaming requirements as well as the serious side of computing. It's also why I'm hoping for a better video card than the current X1600 on 17"/20" iMacs.

BenRoethig

Apr 11, 2007, 08:15 AM

This is so very simple to understand...& still some appear not to. Add on Boot Camp & Macs can be the perfect computer for all purposes, including gaming.

I'm sorry, but that statement shows a complete lack of understanding of anything and anyone outside the Mac community. It's the perfect computer for you and your needs. That does not hold up for everyone as others have different needs. To users with more traditional tastes or who want expansion Apple has major gaps in both price and capability.

gregorsamsa

Apr 11, 2007, 09:13 AM

I'm sorry, but that statement shows a complete lack of understanding of anything and anyone outside the Mac community. It's the perfect computer for you and your needs. That does not hold up for everyone as others have different needs. To users with more traditional tastes or who want expansion Apple has major gaps in both price and capability.

I said that "Macs can be the perfect computer". How does that show "a complete lack of understanding of anything and anyone outside the Mac community"? I'm not talking about absolutes that fit everyone's needs.

Besides, this is a Mac forum. I'm not posting here for the interests of those outside the Mac community. There are enough PC forums for that.

But I agree with you about "major gaps" in the Mac range. I've been harping on about a mid-tower, upgradable Mac for a while now. Given the choice of buying an iMac or such a Mac mid-tower, I'd buy the mid-tower.

freddiecable

Apr 11, 2007, 12:40 PM

It feels as if the thread is not focused on "striking new industrial design". Let's get back on track.

On another note - do you remember last MacWorld when SJ launched the iPhone. No talk about Macs nor Leopard. Thus I believe we can expect something special...they've had far more time developing new stuff than they usually do. I think this "silence" is before the "storm" ;)

johnee

Apr 11, 2007, 12:44 PM

Humhum

Apr 11, 2007, 11:05 PM

Bring it on, I'm ready to get rid of this loud fan humming iMac G5 here!:mad:
Here too - I'm on my 3rd logic board but this iMac G5 rev.A 17" is still so loud that I actually don't like using it at all, sometimes wearing noise-blocking headphones even though I don't like music while working; I prefer the utter silence of my iBook. But that has only a 12" screen :( , and no separate keyboard. I can't even use the iMac with iListen - too much noise.:mad:

And this would be my prime fear with any new Mac: will it be silent? :confused: If it isn't, you're stuck if you have a loud model. But to purchase a tower and separate screen just to avoid noise...
Whatever the shape or colour, please give me a literally cool model which is, as the ads promised, whisper-quiet. My iBook is, after all, exemplary.

freddiecable

Apr 12, 2007, 12:39 AM

Regarding noise vs CPU-power I believe apple is well aware of peoples need of having a quiet computer rather than a rendering-dream (noisy) - at least when it comes to iMacs. That's why I believe we won't have a Quadra-CPU in the next iMac - since the next generation will probably be even thinner than the current one.

Jarcrew

Apr 12, 2007, 02:02 AM

The thing is, none of Apple's lines mix at the lines of price - for instance, £400-500 will get you a Mac Mini, £700-1300 will get you an iMac, anything above that is Mac Pro territory. Unless they intend to slip a configuration in the narrow margin between the Mac Mini, this is why I can't see the midrange tower for now. I agree that the Mac Mini should be more powerful but I can't see a headless iMac simply because there's no room in the desktop lineup.

GimmeSlack12

Apr 12, 2007, 02:05 AM

jouster

Apr 13, 2007, 12:00 AM

It feels as if the thread is not focused on "striking new industrial design"

Maybe after 19 pages there's not much left to say....

minosk

Apr 13, 2007, 07:09 AM

only one thing matters guys:

WHEN WHEN WHEN WHEN will apple let the public know....

BenRoethig

Apr 13, 2007, 07:44 AM

only one thing matters guys:

WHEN WHEN WHEN WHEN will apple let the public know....

When it shows up on the Apple main page.

minosk

Apr 13, 2007, 09:22 AM

hehe true, but that doesnt really answer my question...i gues we all have to wait in agony and despair

Vidd

Apr 13, 2007, 09:29 AM

How long has the current iMac design been active now?
Yes, they've made it thinner and added the iSight but it seems pretty long for an Apple computer.

A new design could at least encourage more sales between now and Leopard that may have been lost otherwise.

minosk

Apr 13, 2007, 09:45 AM

my thoughts exactly...if leopard is out in october then this is a good opportunity for apple to boost their sales until then...if they wait until october for a product line upgrade aswell it may be too overwhelming for consumers to choose and move towards the new line...and more expensive

mattportner

Apr 13, 2007, 01:26 PM

Am i the only person here that thinks the G4 was a way better design than current? :confused:

Chris Bangle

Apr 13, 2007, 03:34 PM

Am i the only person here that thinks the G4 was a way better design than current? :confused:

imac g4 = awesome,best design ever, coolest computer ever.

imac g5= pretty good

I agree with you. I miss my G4, my brother stole it and left me with a g5

Dimwhit

Apr 13, 2007, 06:33 PM

Am i the only person here that thinks the G4 was a way better design than current? :confused:

I tend to prefer the current design over the G4. But I'm also not thrilled with the white. So I'm hoping for a new design soon. I'm getting antsy to buy an iMac.

Vidd

Apr 13, 2007, 06:42 PM

I really like the G4 design and if the new design strays away from the G5 style, I'd like to see a slight return, akin to the 2G Nano.

AceWilfong

Apr 13, 2007, 11:08 PM

Bring it on, I'm ready to get rid of this loud fan humming iMac G5 here!:mad:
I used to joke that my 350 iMac was so quiet, that I could barely hear it...in every room in the house. My iMac 24 is barely audible from a foot away.

Cloudsurfer

Apr 14, 2007, 03:08 AM

I didn't like the G4 very much. It sure stood out, but I'd go for the more compact G5 design every day. I have an Intel Core 2 iMac now and I love it to death.

lemonjenny

Apr 16, 2007, 12:58 PM

Great timing! In the next two months, I will be in the market for a new iMac (the old G4 iMac will find a new home in my daughter's room :) ) In all honesty, I'm not that crazy about the current design. I really think the "chin" is aesthetically awkward.

I couldn't agree more. I've been so happy with my little G4 imac (even though it's not as fast as it's newer model), and I absolutely love the G4 design. I was a little disappointed with the G5 design - the Chin especially.

I look forward to seeing what they come up with! I'm in the market for either a new iMac or maybe a MBP soon - The new design of an iMac would really be the major selling point for me personally.

KurtangleTN

Apr 16, 2007, 02:10 PM

Heres hoping it's both good looking and can fit real desktop parts in, and options for much better graphics cards.. hopefully in the 512mb range.

Edit- And some front USB!

BenRoethig

Apr 16, 2007, 03:25 PM

Heres hoping it's both good looking and can fit real desktop parts in, and options for much better graphics cards.. hopefully in the 512mb range.

Edit- And some front USB!

Those two requirements are pretty much mutually exclusive. If you want a good looking AIO, you have to give up features and Power. A dedicated AIO and a dedicated desktop both designed to be the best in its market would be a much better solution than a (excuse my language) half-a$$ed attempt to do both in one machine.

freddiecable

Apr 16, 2007, 03:37 PM

USB on the front on an iMac!? You don't know very much about Mac's do you? No offense :)

driver.joe

Apr 16, 2007, 04:28 PM

mikefly

Apr 16, 2007, 05:38 PM

I've made up my mind that if I don't get BOTH by October I'm done!

Hmm.. good call -- if apple doesn't deliver what you're waiting for (and why exactly are you waiting?) you'll stick with the crap you know.

In fact, if god doesn't deliver the messiah and 18 million dollars, I'm joining the scientologists.

Mike

gogojuice

Apr 16, 2007, 05:41 PM

He had already delivered that...

It's called Tom Cruise :eek:

mikefly

Apr 16, 2007, 05:47 PM

It's called Tom Cruise

I want a refund. The box is still unopen.

seashellz

Apr 16, 2007, 06:43 PM

https://www.new iMac?.jpg

you mean this?

matticus008

Apr 16, 2007, 07:04 PM

I'm telling you I'm new to this and it's crap!!! First the delay of the new OSX now all this talk of new imacs I'm going crazy. if leopard comes out and no new mac I'm I still suppose to wait? I've made up my mind that if I don't get BOTH by October I'm done! I will not change over to Apple because at least with PC you can see the Crap coming.
You'd be driven equally insane on a Dell enthusiast forum or a homebrew newsgroup. There's nothing making you pay any more attention to speculation about upcoming Macs than you did with whatever PC you bought.

If you're the type who doesn't enjoy riding the "news waves" then I'd suggest buying computers the way you always have--poke around and do some research when you're ready to buy and don't pay any attention to anything more than a month away or that hasn't been formally announced. Buy what you need when you need it and don't worry about the rabid geeks.

The only thing you get on the PC side that you don't have here are roadmaps, which are never entirely accurate anyway. Actual model revisions and product redesigns are covered far less.

Kabeyun

Apr 17, 2007, 08:00 AM

http://www.kromekat.nildram.co.uk/imac.html

If it looks like this, I'll be wanting royalties Steve! ;)

Adam

Simply beautiful, and very forward-thinking. I'd buy it in a heartbeat. Well done.

-K

driver.joe

Apr 17, 2007, 08:10 AM

Simply beautiful, and very forward-thinking. I'd buy it in a heartbeat. Well done.

-K

http://www.kromekat.nildram.co.uk/imac.html

WOW, Yes if it looks anything like that I'll be happy with the wait! I know I've been ranting but I want my first Mac to be the latest. Never had one anxious.

Stir

Apr 17, 2007, 08:57 AM

I do not think the transparent model that Adam posted will happen maybe in the far future but nothing like the back sided design of that computer, Newer high end graphics card wouldn't fit and be cooled properly in that small space if anything you might be able to throw some old CPU chip sets and integrated audio and integrated video then it would just be a major downfall from the current iMacs. Also the price on that would be enormous.

Cybergypsy

Apr 17, 2007, 09:05 AM

I will not look like that, it has been posted a zllion times....thinking it willlook like the new sony desktop

RRK

Apr 17, 2007, 09:33 AM

....thinking it willlook like the new sony desktop

To me that sounds like saying the next iMac after the bondi blue one would look like an emachine or one of those other imac clones back then. What we got was the G4 iMac. Copying someone that copied you?

hugo21

Apr 17, 2007, 02:33 PM

they are all so cool in their own way even the vintage ones... check out this bit of nostalgia for all you :apple: lovers!!!
i love my g4 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMai5X-OCjY)

KurtangleTN

Apr 17, 2007, 05:34 PM

Those two requirements are pretty much mutually exclusive. If you want a good looking AIO, you have to give up features and Power. A dedicated AIO and a dedicated desktop both designed to be the best in its market would be a much better solution than a (excuse my language) half-a$$ed attempt to do both in one machine.

I'd agree actually, that makes a ton of sense, I'd much rather have a desktop Mac thats consumer level (like your sig btw). But i'm not so sure that some of the best designers and engineers in the world can't put together a desktop part system with a nice AIO shell. It's a tough challenge though.

Freddbiecable- None taken, No I don't. I just got an old iBook G3 about 2 weeks ago. Am I wrong in saying that? I look at the design and I only see USB in the back, yes I can easily turn it right, but it just seems easier to have at least one in the front for flash drives. If I am wrong though please correct me.

freddiecable

Apr 19, 2007, 01:07 PM

I agree with you - but an USB-port on the front of the existing iMac would spoil the appearance and apple would never do that. Today they are somewhat accessible on the back. The MacPro has FW and USB2 on the front - but that's a totally different machine. My MBP has all ports on the sides and while being more usable I often curse having tons of cords spreading around the desk. I would prefer having them on the back or even better having a dock...

Freddbiecable- None taken, No I don't. I just got an old iBook G3 about 2 weeks ago. Am I wrong in saying that? I look at the design and I only see USB in the back, yes I can easily turn it right, but it just seems easier to have at least one in the front for flash drives. If I am wrong though please correct me.

c.joe.go

Apr 19, 2007, 01:16 PM

with this talk about usb on the front, which i think is unlikely, i start to wonder if apple will include any memory card slots on the machine. i would shocked if they did, but know that many people enjoy having computers they can throw their cards into without using up another input.

when i see the :apple: tv and airport base station, i tend to think that the next imac will look more unified. it looks now like an oddly mounted plastic block on an acd stand. with this, and the rumors of a thinner look, i place my money on a base that incorporates more of the cpu, so as to trim down the display.

jmho

kontheur

Apr 19, 2007, 01:18 PM

I would prefer having them on the back or even better having a dock...

Speaking of a dock:

http://forum.macosx.nl/album_pic.php?pic_id=17930

Sorry for the re-post ;)

ClimbingTheLog

Apr 19, 2007, 01:40 PM

The rebates got extended to the end of this month:

http://www.macconnection.com/B2C/Shop/Rebate/RebateDetail?Sku=7022296

and with Santa Rosa on 5/9, that seems coincidental at least. But the rebates were originally until the beginning of April, and that would have been too early for Santa Rosa, right? Or did Intel delay?

rainydays

Apr 19, 2007, 01:43 PM

I agree with you - but an USB-port on the front of the existing iMac would spoil the appearance and apple would never do that.

And if you switch usb-cables often you can just get a hub. I use one of these (http://se.kensington.com/html/10823.html) cause it doesn't make a cable mess on the desk. Doesn't come in white though :)

c.joe.go

Apr 19, 2007, 01:53 PM

rebate extended........ hmmm...... when i look at the constellation of rumors i see it more and more likely that mid may updates are in the works.

micbarto

Apr 27, 2007, 06:13 AM

Hi everybody,

I'm about to buy an imac and that will my first mac ever. Do you think this new release is something for next month or later, something linked to the release of leopard in october? Because why people think they can sell it next month even if mac hasn't said anything about it. Like the iphone, it's been a long time they are talking about it and it's still not released... So do you think it's really possible and i should hang on a bit ???

Many thanks for your replies, hope my english is not to bad as i'm not english. :)

iamiuru

Apr 27, 2007, 10:48 AM

wazgilbert

Apr 30, 2007, 04:17 AM

Check out the buyer's guide:
http://buyersguide.macrumors.com/

Could save you from being very upset.

But in the usual way, the great upset at being made to wait for the iPhone to come first, causing Leopard to be 6 damn months away, means that we're yet again waiting for just in case the wwdc throws us a frickin' bone with some new hardware.

Given that I'm wanting top gfx performance without having a huge box, so no macpro for me, but I expect that a 24" with the bigger gfx card will be th e kiddie. But I refuse to spend £1500-odd into anyone's pockets with an update supposedly imminent.

@RSE!

Part of my frustration is that i'm going to be a mac debutant and don't want to live with my wintel heap anymore, likewise I shan't be spending anymore money on it to keep it running.

[/rant]

Elvis the Cat

Apr 30, 2007, 07:34 AM

So I sold my 'old' G5 PowerMac the other week in anticipation of an imminent new iMac (still had some selling power in it - £750, thanks very much).

In past weeks I had been perusing the UK store iMac refurb section in case it was revealed that we're all waiting for Leopard before an iMac upate. Most configurations were available.

Looked again today and they're all gone. And the US refurb site is only selling iMac AppleCare.

I guess pulling new iMac sales would be a bit of a dead giveaway, but stopping refurbs......is this a pattern seen ahead of previous updates?

More likely I'm just getting over excited I imagine, but a boy can dream...