I would be first in line for a headless iMac if it looked like this... [Archive]

Dont Hurt Me

Dec 14, 2003, 01:12 PM

Thank god that is way to ugly for Apple and me. Look at the products they make. they are beautiful. If a mac looked like that i would not even be in line. this looks better to me but i would still like color and plastic and coolness.

etoiles

Dec 14, 2003, 02:04 PM

reminds me of the old Apple Performas (http://www.macintoshos.com/macintosh.museum/performas/picture.6400.200.html) ... in a more retro 50's toaster kind of way. I prefer the 'clean scandinavian design' attitude of their current line.

Gymnut

Dec 14, 2003, 02:30 PM

It looks like a mailbox.

jamdr

Dec 14, 2003, 02:51 PM

That is the ugliest thing I have ever seen. I'm not trying make fun of it...that's just a fact.

Sun Baked

Dec 14, 2003, 03:20 PM

Looks like a slightly updated Performa 6400, half-height of course.

Mord

Dec 14, 2003, 03:47 PM

If I ever bought a g5 cube I would if possible just put it inside my cubes case you just cant touch the style with aluminium, glossy black mabey but not aluminium

x86isslow

Dec 14, 2003, 04:32 PM

just based on how the legs are situated, it reminded me of the LC III.

http://www.theapplemuseum.com/images/products/lc_3.jpg

iGav

Dec 14, 2003, 04:40 PM

looks like an IKEA footstool to me... :eek: :p :p :p

If Apple were to make a headless Mac, I'd like it to be a totally new form factor, maybe ultra thin (like a PowerBook base) or something else, not a Cube shape, the Cube went down like a shagged elevator...

To revisit it, then why wouldn't it bomb in exactly the same way??? Unless Apple make it incredibly cheap... and lets face facts, Apple doesn't do cheap, and such a box would suffer the same... "too expensive", "not expandable enough", "not fast enough" etc etc etc comments that welcomed the original Cube on it's release.

Personally I thought the Cube was a triumph of design, and engineering.... and was a great machine, but hardly anyone bought it...

morgan-e

Dec 14, 2003, 06:17 PM

If Apple were to make a headless Mac, I'd like it to be a totally new form factor, maybe ultra thin (like a PowerBook base)

like this??

http://www.hushtechnologies.com/default.asp?pageID=2&Lang=ENG

http://www.hushtechnologies.com/images/MiniITXSilverBlankSideShot.gif
http://www.hushtechnologies.com/images/MiniITXBothFront.gif

Gyroscope

Dec 14, 2003, 06:57 PM

I don't like it either. You have no taste boy :D. This thing is uglier than Michael Jackson.

ChrisH3677

Dec 14, 2003, 07:55 PM

hmmmm. What are apple good at? Making computers that blend in with their environment.

The next iMac will probably have a base you don't even know is their.

It will have a cordless mouse, keyboard and screen

or

the "base" will be part of the screen - eg like laptops or tablet laptops. They have very thin form factor.

The base will be designed to be either totally hidden or at least look like an existing device (eg blend with your DVD or video player). Morgan-e's second design would suit that.

It may just look like a Cinema display though slightly thicker and with a all but invisible slot for the CD.

Maybe it will look a bit like an inside out laptop, standing on it's sides to form an upside down V

Three things that can be guaranteed are that it will:
1) reduce desktop clutter even more
2) be aesthetically pleasing.
3) be portable (just as original Macs and all iMacs)

Hmmm - that last one makes me think... iMacs and original Macs were portable coz they were all in one. If that philsopohy continues, Morgan-e's designs won't be close.

Morgan-e - can you knock up something based on the Cinema/Studio display for us?

PS Maybe at MWSF Apple will make wireless kbd and mouse become standard with iMac flat panels.

iGav

Dec 15, 2003, 08:49 AM

Originally posted by morgan-e
If Apple were to make a headless Mac, I'd like it to be a totally new form factor, maybe ultra thin (like a PowerBook base)

like this??

http://www.hushtechnologies.com/default.asp?pageID=2&Lang=ENG

http://www.hushtechnologies.com/images/MiniITXSilverBlankSideShot.gif
http://www.hushtechnologies.com/images/MiniITXBothFront.gif

no, thinner, much thinner.... cleaner and more mininmal.

jayscheuerle

Dec 15, 2003, 09:28 AM

I like the way the "hush" box has the heatsink on the outside, eliminating the need for a fan on the inside. Very cool... (heh, heh...)...

But even that starts at $650 minimum and gets you up to $950 with the most basic of upgrades...

The original white blob rendering was waaay too huge. Maybe at 1/3 the size...

ibookin'

Dec 15, 2003, 09:50 AM

The Hush box reminds me of a CD player. A good CD player. :D

Anyway I saw both of those on SFFTech. I kind of like the first one in that it looks a lot better than most small form factor PCs out there *cough*shuttlexpc*cough* but I don't like it nearly as much as Apples designs.

Maybe it is time for an updated Cube, as the XPCs and their like seem to be doing quite well. Yet another instance where Apple was ahead of the times to their own disadvantage.

morgan-e

Dec 15, 2003, 02:07 PM

I don't like it either. You have no taste boy . This thing is uglier than Michael Jackson.

tell that to soldam and hush ;-)

i think another cube would be nice. however it would have to have distinct advantages over the rest of the Powermac line, as well as adhere to the niche market that they are filling rather than just being a small G5. For instance, the XPC, the biostar ideq, et al are doing really well as gaming machines. by providing more upgrade potential than a notebook and portability they fit that market well. those systems as well as others, in particular NEX systems, the HP compaq d350 series, and the MEGA entertainment cube(*) are being used as consoles for high-end entertainment centers, as well as as home PCs.

i do not want to start a Macs and gaming argument so i will leave that where it is, but including beefed up graphics cards, and some awesome A/V software and peripherals with a new Cube would help apple get back in the market they (sort of) created.

(*)http://buy-a-bookpc.com/images/MEGA%20-%201.gif

blue&whiteman

Dec 15, 2003, 03:36 PM

the issue to me is not whether these things are ugly or not its that they are not practical at all. why does compact size matter at all for a desktop system? the small size would mean slower more compact hardware inside, cooling issues etc.

all this just for something that you think looks neat? gimme a break.

function is always far more important than form.

ChrisH3677

Dec 15, 2003, 04:25 PM

that said b&wman, but Apple are the masters at combining the two

morgan-e

Dec 15, 2003, 04:36 PM

the issue to me is not whether these things are ugly or not its that they are not practical at all. why does compact size matter at all for a desktop system? the small size would mean slower more compact hardware inside, cooling issues etc.

That is a valid issue, but about three years too late. The Mini PCs of today (well, some of them) no longer have heat issues. the Shuttle XPC does not even use a heat-sink or CPU fan. It has a `tube` that channels heat straight from the processor out of the casing which translates to better heat diffusion and less noise. The aforementioned Hush system essentially IS a large heatsink itself that diffuses CPU heat automatically without the use of a secondary device at all. Your average mini PC no longer uses compact hardware either, the Shuttle XPC (merely using it as an example again, as the market leader.) can be loaded with an Athlon 64 processor, serial ATA drives, AGP, 2 PCI slots, firewire 800, USB 2.0, standard sized floppy and optical drives. so to say that they suffer a performance disparity is also inaccurate.

blue&whiteman

Dec 15, 2003, 04:42 PM

but I still do not understand why you need something so small for a desktop system? whats the point of conserving space when most towers just get put under a desk anyway? thats where mine is.

Makosuke

Dec 15, 2003, 04:43 PM

It's good to see that other companies are finally starting to get the idea with attractive design, even if they're relatively unknown, and frankly in the case of the first one a bit ugly (really does look like a squat, white, 6400/6500 propped up in the front).

I'm expecting something more elegant out of Apple, but we'll see. Might even be something entirely different--nobody saw the half-sphere iMac coming, nor the candy colors before that.

It is really amusing how by the time the rest of the world has caught up to where Apple was in design, they've moved on already. They single-handedly made color in and rounded edges happen in consumer electronics and other electric goods with the iMac. Then they redefined that with the G4 iMac and it's elegant functionality, which other companies still haven't managed to emulate other than smooth white boxes like the one at the top of the thread. Now they're going hardcore indsutrial, which is less of a stretch relative to "past art" but still makes a bold statement.

Who knows what's next.

QCassidy352

Dec 15, 2003, 04:46 PM

that aluminum cube don't hurt me posted is the only one that I like so far. that would be very nice.

ChrisH3677

Dec 15, 2003, 07:22 PM

b&Wman, this thread started as about iMacs. Since iMac seems to be the unit that Apple want to reduce desktop usage, I think that's why we keep talking about that issue. If you want a big grunty beast, yes, you get one, and you put it under your desk. But there is a significant market for computers following the iMac philosophy.

edit: this isn't meant to sound abrupt, arrogant or rude but does read that way. sorry! :)

Golem

Dec 15, 2003, 08:19 PM

Originally posted by blue&whiteman
but I still do not understand why you need something so small for a desktop system? whats the point of conserving space when most towers just get put under a desk anyway? thats where mine is.

Because that is where my G4 was (under the desk) but the G5 is too large and so sits on top taking a fair amount of desk space.

iEric

Dec 15, 2003, 10:30 PM

Wow thats pretty nice and going witht he white theme too..but why is it so damn big? Yikes

Les Kern

Dec 15, 2003, 11:41 PM

1962
THE JETSONS
A TOASTER

Actually it looks like something I bought in 1978, the two back legs broke off, but I kept it around a bit.

sahnert

Dec 15, 2003, 11:58 PM

yes it's been said twice before, but the only thing i think of when I see that is Apple brand Toaster.

revenuee

Dec 16, 2003, 12:41 AM

Sure a desktop system needs to be concerned with space

a tower is dead space, dead space costs money. One may not be a big deal. but what about 10 or 20 of them

that adds up to have quite a significant footprint .... let say 2 G5's take up 1 square foot, thats 10 square feet for just the computers - and here in the Toronto Area with prices per Square foot lease rates reaching the 100$ mark, thats 1000$ for just the computers alone.

Sure you say - "you need the computers in-order to make money" -- but what if you could save some of that space with a smaller computer and add another employee, in that space , in turn that employee means more work can be done, increased productivity, take more clients, earn more money.

iChan

Dec 16, 2003, 12:57 AM

my idea of a perfect desktop mac is a 15-inch Powerbook, 23-inch cinema display, blutooth keyboard and mouse, a powermate, a DVI-ADC adapter and an iCurve.

I'd leave my the PB on the iCurve with it's screen closed, use the powermate to wake it from sleep, and there you go...

the only thing stopping me from doing this is the lack of a G5 PB... I Need one of those!!!

manitoubalck

Dec 16, 2003, 02:00 AM

My Headless mac.
ATX or BTX(new standard) motherboard cost between $150-400AUD (various features)
Processors avaliable OEM

Therefore I can choose my case(losts of expandablity,) Graphics card, RAM, CD/DVD drive, Removable storage(ZIP drive,) cooling solution, monitor, KB & mouse, etc...

Just an Idea would it be possible to mount an LCD monitor in the door of a tower case, the side that the mobo is not mounted on of couse? The tower would then sit side on on your desk.

ChrisH3677

Dec 16, 2003, 06:25 AM

Here's the sort of thing I was suggesting earlier. EXCUSE the crappy photo editing - it's a hack of a Studio display and an iBook. I'm also not suggesting the ports would be there - it's just to convey that that part is the base unit.

dieselg4

Dec 16, 2003, 07:33 AM

Originally posted by ChrisH3677
Here's the sort of thing I was suggesting earlier. EXCUSE the crappy photo editing - it's a hack of a Studio display and an iBook. I'm also not suggesting the ports would be there - it's just to convey that that part is the base unit.

You're right, its an inelegant photoshop job, but still an interesting idea.

Downside though, is that if they can't get a g5 into a PB, they won't get it in there either, and its a little less fexible than the current head - on - neck approach.

Between the metal cube and the white toaster thing, make it a little more square in plan, and i'd split for the toaster, with a big shiny silver apple on the front of course. I'm not sold on the feet though. The silver cube looks a little TOO clunky with all the elements of the tower (feet, perf. metal, etc) the same size on a much smaller volume body. It jsut doesn't fly proportionally.

And as for desktops being big or small, apple apprantly deosn't care TOO much about that, since they made the G5 bigger but less expandable inside. Maybe the next g5 will be 28" high so it can support a desk surface. Get 2, link them together and throw some tempered glass on it. Double duty use - now there's a form-folows-function.

Chappers

Dec 16, 2003, 08:03 AM

Looks like a mailbox to me too. And a damn ugly mailbox, the type you'd want to shoot as you drove past it.

Mr. Anderson

Dec 16, 2003, 08:33 AM

Looks like a toaster.....without the slots for toast. I'm not all that excited about it...its kind of blah.

D

dieselg4

Dec 16, 2003, 09:58 AM

Originally posted by Mr. Anderson
Looks like a toaster.....without the slots for toast. I'm not all that excited about it...its kind of blah.

D
but put a blue-egg shaped handle on the top and it could be the michael graves edition iMac, available only at Target.

benixau

Dec 16, 2003, 11:55 AM

The next iMac will LOOK like its headless.

But then wehn you power it on a holographic screen will appear from the middile of the top of the dome using, of course, the genie effect.

Now THAT would be cool and something aple would do

Counterfit

Dec 16, 2003, 12:12 PM

Originally posted by ChrisH3677
PS Maybe at MWSF Apple will make wireless kbd and mouse become standard with iMac flat panels. You'd still need the corded keyboard and mouse to set them up together, unless they did it at the factory. But then it would take much longer to ship.

Les Kern

Dec 16, 2003, 12:51 PM

I think this is an early prototype. Note the 6 cooling vents. MUST be in reality a G6 or 7, huh?

neut

Dec 16, 2003, 01:20 PM

Originally posted by morgan-e
<snip>

so how does the bread fit into that small slot???

peace.

Les Kern

Dec 16, 2003, 02:08 PM

Originally posted by neut
so how does the bread fit into that small slot???

No, no, they are cooling vents. I saw the spec sheet and the new G7 give off 1.4 million BTU's of pure thermal energy per day, or enough to heat your neighborhood 5 times over. Not shown is the power brick, which takes up two of my bedrooms and has a dedicated 440v power coupling in the basement. My daughter likes sleeping on the couch anyway.