Will the iMac die this year?

[TheMacOS.com]

I was in aim chat room: panther

and someone said that they bet the imac will fizzle out this year... sales are down, and apple will scrap it before years end.

I dont agree with it, but it got me thinking....

could this happen? will apple scrap the imac soon? And move on to something else????

discuss.

[Koodauw]

I don't think it will die. Gotta keep the iMac around. So much money has been put into the name, image etc, it would be foolish to throw all of that away. Plus I thought they were working on the new iMac as we speak. Didn't Steve say it would be as big of a transition as the change from the original iMac to the FP iMac? Some one back me up here. Or shoot me down....

[7on]

I could see them getting rid of the iMac and coming up with something eMac-y and call it the iMac. Basically turning the eMac into the iMac.

[thehuncamunca]

if apple gets a G5 in the iMac at the same prices as the current ones i think iMac sales will really pick up, of course this won't happen until the powermacs become faster so an older 1.6Ghz G5 can be put in the iMac

[fBaran]

I could see them getting rid of the iMac and coming up with something eMac-y and call it the iMac. Basically turning the eMac into the iMac.
But wasn't it an iMac to begin with, then demoted it to eMac, and then came out the the current iMac?

[jamdr]

Apple did put a lot of money into the iMac brand and image. It was suppose to be a cheap, easy-to-use computer for the masses. However, they kind of changed that when they switched over to the iMac G4. What they should have done is released the eMac under the iMac brand, and then called the iMac G4 something else (not the eMac, though). The iMac should also be marketed as what it is--it's no longer a low-end machine, but a mid-range model for people who want a little more power than the eMac, but don't want to spend the money on a PowerMac. They could then justify the higher price and a new G5 processor. It should also not be white plastic, but aluminum, or something in between :eek:

[Opteron]

I doubt the iMac will die, just be remodled, either that or a new consumer desktop will become avaliable.

[aswitcher]

Apple did put a lot of money into the iMac brand and image. It was suppose to be a cheap, easy-to-use computer for the masses. However, they kind of changed that when they switched over to the iMac G4. What they should have done is released the eMac under the iMac brand, and then called the iMac G4 something else (not the eMac, though). The iMac should also be marketed as what it is--it's no longer a low-end machine, but a mid-range model for people who want a little more power than the eMac, but don't want to spend the money on a PowerMac. They could then justify the higher price and a new G5 processor. It should also not be white plastic, but aluminum, or something in between :eek:

Yep G5, possibly optional screen (G5 cube :p ) with a little more flexibility to allow for build options and possibly even PCI slots. 4GB ram ceiling (like the 1.6), good graphics card. Entirely new form factor...thats my wish list

[eRondeau]

I can't believe Apple could possibly be considering killing the iMac so early into its lifecycle. To the masses of the uninitiated the iMac *IS* Apple. It has got far more press coverage, simply by virtue of its cutting-edge industrial design, than a hundred boring PC-clone grey boxes. It may not be showcase technology anymore, but it remains a computer that would immensely satisfy 95% of its buyers.

Speaking personally, it was the iMac that brought me "into the fold" of Apple products after resisting buying a new home computer since the late 80's. I ended up buying a G4 iBook, but it was absolutely the iMac that got me into the Apple store. I have since given my friendly dealer more than $4,500 (Cdn) and yes I still dream of putting an iMac on my desk. (It's a lot like dating a supermodel -- they may be somewhat lacking in overall computational power, but geez they're nice to look at first thing in the morning!)

Sorry guys, but to the vast majority of the computer-buying world, the iMac is still Apple's flagship. And Apple can't afford to give that away.

[mvc]

I would suggest that Apple know that the time of the PC as a standalone home device is now over.

I hope and dream that the next iMac will be something new, something that really justifies the name digital hub, something that is a computer FOR the home, not just a computer IN your home.

Something that is as disruptive a technology as the original Macintosh was.

They would then be the first again in an emerging market that will eventually make today's supposedly refined and hi-tech computers look as awkward, irrelevant, out of place and odd as a reel to reel tape deck looks now.

If they can be first to realise a truly user-friendly life-enhancing home multimedia device (that happens to be a computer), they will once again be insanely great.

I have no idea what this will actually look like or how it might work - that's the whole idea of innovation. If I could imagine it now, someone would have prototyped it ten years ago. ;)

[Savage Henry]

They'll keep it for another year or two in it's form because it's a strong visual brand. There is still nothing in the market like it.

Sure, the technology needs a boost. When they zap up the graphics card and bring on 65nm G5, then it will be the flagship line again.

The fact that the last 'upgrade' was just a bigger screen tells me that the next one will be more significant. And it has to be this year.

G5 1.6ghz anyone??

[Opteron]

G5 1.6ghz anyone??

1.6 is too slow, 1.8 or 2.0GHz base.
Note you can now build an Athlon-64 3200+ (2.0GHz,) with R9600XT, SATA 120HDD for under $2000AUD. With all the usual trimming (FW, USB2, Optical/coaxal audio, DVD Burner, 2 optical....)

[aswitcher]

1.6 is too slow, 1.8 or 2.0GHz base.
Note you can now build an Athlon-64 3200+ (2.0GHz,) with R9600XT, SATA 120HDD for under $2000AUD. With all the usual trimming (FW, USB2, Optical/coaxal audio, DVD Burner, 2 optical....)

I agree. If a new form factor (as it should) comes out then I would like to see chip speeds at the same level as the PMs, or there abouts. 2.0GHz single G5 should be about right after we see upgrades to the PM line that will probably leave 2.0 or 2.2/2.3 at the bottom. That should be at least the upper end of the new iMac line to punch up the competative power.

That coupled with 4 RAM slots, a real bus and a decent graphics card would allow for a kick ass mid range machine that Apple lacks in a small/meduim form factor.

A 150 Gig HDD is another must in these days of DV and multimedia stations.

[Savage Henry]

I agree. If a new form factor (as it should) comes out then I would like to see chip speeds at the same level as the PMs, or there abouts. 2.0GHz single G5 should be about right after we see upgrades to the PM line that will probably leave 2.0 or 2.2/2.3 at the bottom. That should be at least the upper end of the new iMac line to punch up the competative power.

That coupled with 4 RAM slots, a real bus and a decent graphics card would allow for a kick ass mid range machine that Apple lacks in a small/meduim form factor.

A 150 Gig HDD is another must in these days of DV and multimedia stations.

So how much would you think Apple will charge us for all that??? I don't think it will be in the current iMac price range.

I agree that the iMac needs a serious top to toe overhaul of the insides, but my slower suggestion of 1.6ghz was attempting to be a more realistic introduction into the G5 range that the iMac would probably get.

Your spec is absolutely spot for a good performance-competitive mid-range computer. But I think Apple will adopt the upgrapde with a Walking before Running approach.

I truly hope I'm wrong and you are right.

[imac_japan]

I just want a cheap but good (not 6 months old hardware) emac that I can use for at least 3 years !! I said "emac" cause the new imacs have to be the worse made computer around - if you have children, use the mac with other people, Live in Japan (my house is the size of one bedroom) or/and want to move house.

Steve got it wrong - the new imacs are crap !!! I would rather have a cube !!

[Le Big Mac]

They'll keep it for another year or two in it's form because it's a strong visual brand. There is still nothing in the market like it.

Sure, the technology needs a boost. When they zap up the graphics card and bring on 65nm G5, then it will be the flagship line again.

The fact that the last 'upgrade' was just a bigger screen tells me that the next one will be more significant. And it has to be this year.

G5 1.6ghz anyone??

That seems to me to be the most sensible strategy. Isn't the main complaint with the imac the amount of computer you get for the money? Well that's solved with a processor upgrade, and maybe some tweaks to the design. Or maybe slightly greater expandability. (Although what more do you need, other than extra memory and perhaps a larger HD, unless you're already in the pro. PM world?)

I love my year old iMac. Would I like to be able to have USB 2.0? Yes. Would I like to be able to upgrade it a bit? Yes. But overall, I'm quite happy with it.

I was setting up my wife's and my computers a couple of nights ago (moving the room around). She has a PC. Ugh. For her, I had at least 5 power cables to plug in, all getting tangled, plus cables for the keyboard, mouse, network, printer, monitor. Painful. Meanwhile, for the iMac, I was done in about three minutes. Power? Check. Network? Check. Printer? Check. Uhh, that's it.

All apple needs to do is alter the value proposition and give it some more power, perhaps update the design just because that's what people expect, and it should sell well for a couple more years.

[javabear90]

I just want a cheap but good (not 6 months old hardware) emac that I can use for at least 3 years !! I said "emac" cause the new imacs have to be the worse made computer around - if you have children, use the mac with other people, Live in Japan (my house is the size of one bedroom) or/and want to move house.

Steve got it wrong - the new imacs are crap !!! I would rather have a cube !!

The imacs are not crap!! however for your purposes the emac would be better becuase it is much more durable.

A farrari might be delecate however it's extremely well made. However an old humvee might be like a rock how ever not that well made. This is a similar situation

[512ke]

I agree that the iMac low powered and needs a spankin G5 under the hood to rev up sales. However, in terms of current performance, the iMac is not that much slower than a $2,600 1.25 powerbook _and_ it has a much faster hard drive. It ain't the speed of the iMac that's the problem. It's the price. The iMac is too freaking expensive compared to a PC. Joe Schmo computer user doesn't doesn't want to plunk down that much money for a computer...no matter how useful, stylish and sexy it may be. We got the iPod mini. Now we need the iMac mini. Mini price.

[TheMacOS.com]

I agree... the imac is very pricey. Apple needs a imac priced well under $1,000....

i'd like to know what it costs apple to make one imac... and what the markup is.... what their profit is on one unit.

[Le Big Mac]

We got the iPod mini. Now we need the iMac mini. Mini price.

Isn't that an eMac? Other than the design, they already have that. If you want the cool floating screen, you have to pay extra. Just like you do after you realize that $499 Gateway has no memory, a tiny hardrive, and a crap monitor.

[1macker1]

I'm the main voice aganist apple's high prices, but to get a imac well under $1000 isn't going to happen. I think we might see the 15" iMac at $899 or something close to that.
I agree... the imac is very pricey. Apple needs a imac priced well under $1,000....

i'd like to know what it costs apple to make one imac... and what the markup is.... what their profit is on one unit.

[aswitcher]

So how much would you think Apple will charge us for all that??? I don't think it will be in the current iMac price range.

I agree that the iMac needs a serious top to toe overhaul of the insides, but my slower suggestion of 1.6ghz was attempting to be a more realistic introduction into the G5 range that the iMac would probably get.

Your spec is absolutely spot for a good performance-competitive mid-range computer. But I think Apple will adopt the upgrapde with a Walking before Running approach.

I truly hope I'm wrong and you are right.

Would there be a great difference in chip manufacturing cost between a 1.6 and a 2.0?

[x86isslow]

Would there be a great difference in chip manufacturing cost between a 1.6 and a 2.0?
the problem is, Apple rarely cares if 1.6 and 2.0 cost the same. In the name of separation, they actually underclocked the G4 chips in the eMac line (there is a thread that is dedicated to re-clocking the eMac).

Hopefully, Apple will eventually learn to differentiate lines by form-factor and not features. eMac BTO with 2Ghz G5+ATI 9800?

[Macophile]

I could be completely wrong here, but I've always assumed that a good part of the reason for the relatively high cost of the LCD iMac was the LCD itself. When the transition was made from G3 CRT to G4 LCD, display costs had been dropping fairly steadily for a while and it was assumed that they were due to drop dramatically in the near future. They've continued to come down, but rather than a dramatic drop, it's been more of an unhurried amble. The early iMacs were expensive, as expected (and didn't the prices actually go UP at one point when Apple couldn't get displays in the quantities it required?), but the assumption at the time was that the displays would get cheaper and, as they did, so would the iMacs. Whoops.

[imac_japan]

The imacs are not crap!! however for your purposes the emac would be better becuase it is much more durable.

I mean the NEW imacs......they are crap !! People want real computers not things that look like flowers...

Apple needs to get market share !! Build it STEVE....build a cheap Imac for the masses - around $500 would be good.

People will say "look an Apple for $500" - the point is that people will buy it for their children, parents, etc then they will look and buy a more expensive one for themselves

[Dont Hurt Me]

I think we all can agree that Imac has lots of issues and apple needs a computer made for consumers and priced for consumers. Im not sure they interested in what we want.

[mklos]

I was in aim chat room: panther

and someone said that they bet the imac will fizzle out this year... sales are down, and apple will scrap it before years end.

I dont agree with it, but it got me thinking....

could this happen? will apple scrap the imac soon? And move on to something else????

discuss.

I don't think the iMac will die. Apple needs the iMac. I said this in another resonse... I think Apple should remarket the iMac as a high-end consumer level desktop machine. That being said it should have a G5 in it, and be headless. Apple really, really needs to make a headless consumer end desktop. People want choices, expandability, etc... This is especially true if you want to get more switchers. PC users are used to have choices and expandability. They look at the eMac/iMac and see no expandability so they think its crap. We all know its not and that you'll probably never use those PCI slots, but it still has to be there in order to get people to switch.

I think the new iMac should have the following specs: (2 models)

High-End iMac G5:

1.8 GHz G5
900 MHz FSB
120 GB SATA Drive (2 HD Bays)
512 MB PC2700 DDR RAM (Exp to 4 GB) (2 Banks of 2)
4x SuperDrive (1 Optical Bay)
4x AGP Graphics
ATI Radeon 9600 Pro Graphics Card (64 MB DDR VRAM) (opt. ATI 9800)
10/100 Ethernet
56k Modem
(3) FireWire 400 Ports (1 on front)
(5) USB 2.0 Ports (1 on front)
(2) Headphones Port (1 on front)
(1) Microphone Port
AirPort Extreme Ready (Card needed)
Optional Built-in Bluetooth

$1599 w/o Display Give a $200 discount on any Apple Display you choose

Low-End iMac G5

1.6 GHz G5
800 MHz FSB
80 GB SATA Drive (2 HD Bays)
256 MB PC2700 DDR RAM (Exp to 4 GB) (2 Banks of 2)
32x Combo Drive (1 Optical Bay)
4x AGP Graphics
NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200 Ultra (64 MB DDR VRAM) (opt. ATI 9600 or 9800)
10/100 Ethernet
56k Modem
(3) FireWire 400 Ports (1 on front)
(5) USB 2.0 Ports (1 on front)
(2) Headphones Port (1 on front)
(1) Microphone Port
AirPort Extreme Ready (Card needed)
Optional Built-in Bluetooth

$1299 w/o Display Give a $100 discount on any Apple Display you choose

Apple has to make this iMac that you can buy the tower and the display for under $2000. I think they learned that with the G4 Cube. The specs above are what I expect Apple to do with the next generation iMac G5.

[stoid]

I think that the 'i' prefix is spent. Totally and completely. I think that when Apple throws out a new Jon Ive beauty, it'll sport a catchy new name of some sort that will set the technology trend for the next 5 years, just like the iMac did in '98.

[flyfish29]

I would suggest that Apple know that the time of the PC as a standalone home device is now over.

I hope and dream that the next iMac will be something new, something that really justifies the name digital hub, something that is a computer FOR the home, not just a computer IN your home.

Something that is as disruptive a technology as the original Macintosh was.
;)

I see a device that is a flatscreen that is removable and has the ability to wirelessly talk with the computer base (cube or whatever form factor they want) You could also write on the screen like a tablet to enter data, surf, etc from anyplace in the house, but it is very lightweight and gives many of us the benefit of a laptop to carry it from room to room, but not he weight, etc of a laptop. One could easily take the screen to another room to show someone something they found on the web without having to unhook anything as the screen would dock with the base computer. It might even have small devices that would allow you to hook it up to a stereo, TV, etc to digitally connect the house together. Another thing that would be cool is to be able to make this screen go from horizontal to vertical by simply twisting the lcd screen for those long web pages or portrait pictures you want to view or edit. There was a monitor a while back for professional designers that could do this...really cool!

For example...you make a slide show on the computer at the desk, you take it the living room TV and can edit that slide show (movie, or whatever) looking at the larger TV screen which is recieving the signal from the base computer which is receiving the signal from your removable screen tablet.

Just trying to think outside the box a bit.

[lucasraggers]

So if Apple replaces the current look of the iMac, what will they be replacing? What's the problem with the current models? Too little room to pack all the hardware?
I'd say keep the model as it is, maybe a bit bigger.

[aftk2]

Live in Japan (my house is the size of one bedroom) or/and want to move house.

Steve got it wrong - the new imacs are crap !!! I would rather have a cube !!

So, you'd rather buy a computer that requires a separate monitor, than an all-in-one? And you cite space reasons?

There was a post earlier in this thread that mentions the iMac/eMac relationship. I happen to agree. I think Apple wanted to do something radical to the iMac, and underestimated the amount of people who still wanted a simple, rugged, cheap, integrated, CRT Mac. The iMac G4 really should have been a separate, completely new product (lampMac? macShade, maybe?)

[stoid]

With a new design change, I hope they put the power button back where you can find it. I don't know how many times I've overheard someone saying, "These stupid Macs! How the hell do you turn them on?!?" Regarding the FP iMacs we have in the media production building.

[Dub]

The trouble with the iMac is that two of the three models are more expensive than the cheapest G5 tower. For the same money you could either have a g5 and get a good quality 19" crt to go with it or go for an iMac. Sure the iMac is really nice, but anyone who is serious is going to want a computer they can upgrade. It's a big investment to have tied up in a 17 or 20" lcd you can't replace or take with you to another computer.

I say bring back the cube! Yay! Small and stylish but you can change your screen and upgrade it a little. Best of both worlds.

[mklos]

With a new design change, I hope they put the power button back where you can find it. I don't know how many times I've overheard someone saying, "These stupid Macs! How the hell do you turn them on?!?" Regarding the FP iMacs we have in the media production building.

Another thing I wish they'd do is put a Power Button back on the damn keyboard. I have a flat panel iMac too and I shouldn't have to reach all the way in the back of the machine to turn it on. If they put the power button on the keyboard then they can have the option to leave the power button in the back of a machine.

[craigdawg]

Hmm...I feel like my iMac has given me the least "mileage" of any computer I've owned. I been able to get about 3 years of use out of the two Macs (Classic & 6100/66) and two PCs I've owned in the past. Yet after less than 2 years, I feel like I'm ready for a new machine. Dang GarageBand! And that's a good thing for Apple.

The iMac should continue to exist if only as a way for Apple to introduce folks (I'm not really a switcher, more like a switch-backerer) to the OS and their superior industrial design. The iMac has to be cheaper and less powerful than the flagship but still have enough soul to keep people stoked (sorry) on the brand.

My next Mac will most likely be a (higher margin) PowerBook. Until then I'll try to squeeze a few more months out of my iMac.

[mklos]

Hmm...I feel like my iMac has given me the least "mileage" of any computer I've owned. I been able to get about 3 years of use out of the two Macs (Classic & 6100/66) and two PCs I've owned in the past. Yet after less than 2 years, I feel like I'm ready for a new machine. Dang GarageBand! And that's a good thing for Apple.

The iMac should continue to exist if only as a way for Apple to introduce folks (I'm not really a switcher, more like a switch-backerer) to the OS and their superior industrial design. The iMac has to be cheaper and less powerful than the flagship but still have enough soul to keep people stoked (sorry) on the brand.

My next Mac will most likely be a (higher margin) PowerBook. Until then I'll try to squeeze a few more months out of my iMac.

What iMac do you have? My 1 GHz G4 iMac is great. GarageBand works pretty good on it, especially after the 1.0.1 update!

[miloblithe]

I could be completely wrong here, but I've always assumed that a good part of the reason for the relatively high cost of the LCD iMac was the LCD itself. When the transition was made from G3 CRT to G4 LCD, display costs had been dropping fairly steadily for a while and it was assumed that they were due to drop dramatically in the near future. They've continued to come down, but rather than a dramatic drop, it's been more of an unhurried amble. The early iMacs were expensive, as expected (and didn't the prices actually go UP at one point when Apple couldn't get displays in the quantities it required?), but the assumption at the time was that the displays would get cheaper and, as they did, so would the iMacs. Whoops.

That's absolutely my understanding as well. I agree with the above points that the iMac name, at least, is something Apple needs to keep.

I think that if the Powermac line goes all dual, the iMacs could be G5s with fairly high clockspeeds, less expandability, and so on and remain roughly in their current price range. Realistically, they aren't going to make any new iMac less impressive (in any way) than the old iMac. So I don't think a sub $1000 iMac is possible bacause they aren't going to go backwards to CRTs and Apple is not going to make them headless, as much as we all want them to.

For the low end, once the iMacs and Powerbooks go to G5, the eMac can get a nice big G4 jump.

All this by mid summer?

[Dont Hurt Me]

Appleinsider has just posted that Emac and Imac have gone to EOL status meaning end of life. This is for distributers, clearing the channels for those new models. Now what has Apple done to the Emac and what has it done to Imac or has it gotten rid of both for a new model?? I dont see them releasing these until powermac gets its next revision which could be next week. so we are a month or two away from a new IMAC?

[aswitcher]

Appleinsider has just posted that Emac and Imac have gone to EOL status meaning end of life. This is for distributers, clearing the channels for those new models. Now what has Apple done to the Emac and what has it done to Imac or has it gotten rid of both for a new model?? I dont see them releasing these until powermac gets its next revision which could be next week. so we are a month or two away from a new IMAC?

Everything is too old and too underpowered. I would say they will get it out now as soon as it is ready...

[aswitcher]

I don't think the iMac will die. Apple needs the iMac. I said this in another resonse... I think Apple should remarket the iMac as a high-end consumer level desktop machine. That being said it should have a G5 in it, and be headless. Apple really, really needs to make a headless consumer end desktop. People want choices, expandability, etc... This is especially true if you want to get more switchers. PC users are used to have choices and expandability. They look at the eMac/iMac and see no expandability so they think its crap. We all know its not and that you'll probably never use those PCI slots, but it still has to be there in order to get people to switch.

Yep. agree entirely. Bring back a G5 cube...



I think the new iMac should have the following specs: (2 models)

High-End iMac G5:

1.8 GHz G5
900 MHz FSB
120 GB SATA Drive (2 HD Bays)
512 MB PC2700 DDR RAM (Exp to 4 GB) (2 Banks of 2)
4x SuperDrive (1 Optical Bay)
4x AGP Graphics
ATI Radeon 9600 Pro Graphics Card (64 MB DDR VRAM) (opt. ATI 9800)
10/100 Ethernet
56k Modem
(3) FireWire 400 Ports (1 on front)
(5) USB 2.0 Ports (1 on front)
(2) Headphones Port (1 on front)
(1) Microphone Port
AirPort Extreme Ready (Card needed)
Optional Built-in Bluetooth

SNIP
$1299 w/o Display Give a $100 discount on any Apple Display you choose

Apple has to make this iMac that you can buy the tower and the display for under $2000. I think they learned that with the G4 Cube. The specs above are what I expect Apple to do with the next generation iMac G5.

I want this, with screen spanning! Apple need to stop artficially hampering their i line with this limitation.

Bluetooth should be standard I think.

Should the microphone also be on the front...?