New iMac Specs--Realistically Speaking

[MacHead34]

Given what we know about the state of computer technology, how much better could the fabled "to be released any day now" iMacs be compared to the top of the line iMac currently available? Is it reasonable to hope that any new iMac is going to be substantially better than 3.06 GHz, 24 inch, 4GB RAM maximum, Nvidia graphics, etc, etc?

I've been waiting for the "new" iMacs to appear for quite a while now, and frankly, I'm getting sick of waiting. I've already decided I want nothing less than the top of the line iMac in its current configuration. By waiting for the new line up to appear, am I just fooling myself into thinking that they will be substantially better than what is available now?

My hobbies are digital photography with Adobe LightWorks/Photoshop, and HD movies using FCE, and I also dabble with music creation using Reason. I'm reasonably sure the current top of the line iMac will be able to deal with all of that.

[Hellhammer]

I can see these specs realistic:

20" model

C2D 2.66GHz, 6MB L2
2GB DDR3 memory (upgradeable for 6 or 8GB)
nvidia 9400M + 9600M

Price 1099€

24" low-end

C2D extreme 3.06GHz, 6MB L2
2GB DDR3 memory standard, 6 or 8Gb as a BTO
nvidia 9400M + 9600M, 9800M as a BTO

Price 1599€

24" high-end

C2D extreme QX9300 2.53Ghz, 12MB L2 OR C2Q 2.66GHz/2.83Ghz, 12MB L2
4GB DDR3 as a standard, 6 or 8GB as a BTO
nvidia 9400M + 9800M

Price 1949€

Maybe later the updated entry level iMac (as in MBs)

20"

C2D 2.26GHz, 6MB L2
2GB DDR2 as a standard 4GB max
nvidia 9400M or ATI Radeon HD 2600 PRO

Price 949€ (999$)

Just my own thinking

[Flying Dutchman]

I can see these specs realistic:

20" model

C2D 2.66GHz, 6MB L2
2GB DDR3 memory (upgradeable for 6 or 8GB)
nvidia 9400M + 9600M

Price 1099€

24" low-end

C2D extreme 3.06GHz, 6MB L2
2GB DDR3 memory standard, 6 or 8Gb as a BTO
nvidia 9400M + 9600M, 9800M as a BTO

Price 1599€

24" high-end

C2D extreme QX9300 2.53Ghz, 12MB L2 OR C2Q 2.66GHz/2.83Ghz, 12MB L2
4GB DDR3 as a standard, 6 or 8GB as a BTO
nvidia 9400M + 9800M

Price 1949€

Maybe later the updated entry level iMac (as in MBs)

20"

C2D 2.26GHz, 6MB L2
2GB DDR2 as a standard 4GB max
nvidia 9400M or ATI Radeon HD 2600 PRO

Price 949€ (999$)

Just my own thinking

Not to shabby as a guestimate. However I think there a couple of things that might be a bit unrealistic. Low end at 2.26 GHz seems a bit odd, maybe 2.4. Also I do think the top end model will have quad core but possibly as a BTO (this might even only be possible on the 24" caus of the heat and such). And the ATi cards are gone. Not just in the low end. Nowhere.

Also the whole combo cards thing would only be that useful if useable at the same time. In the MB's it's mainly there for power savings, but in the iMac, that isn't that much of a problem. Using Hybrid SLi would be totally awesome, and if I'm not mistaken, this will be possible with Snow Leopard.

[NRose8989]

Not to shabby as a guestimate. However I think there a couple of things that might be a bit unrealistic. Low end at 2.26 GHz seems a bit odd, maybe 2.4. Also I do think the top end model will have quad core but possibly as a BTO (this might even only be possible on the 24" caus of the heat and such). And the ATi cards are gone. Not just in the low end. Nowhere.

Also the whole combo cards thing would only be that useful if useable at the same time. In the MB's it's mainly there for power savings, but in the iMac, that isn't that much of a problem. Using Hybrid SLi would be totally awesome, and if I'm not mistaken, this will be possible with Snow Leopard.

Ya I never really got why people assume that the 9400/9600 combo will be in the next iMac. It really doesn't make sense considering the current 8800 is a better card anyways.

[kabunaru]

And the ATi cards are gone. Not just in the low end. Nowhere.

Why are ATI cards gone?

[Tallest Skil]

We have a thread on the iMac already, you know. :)

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=646721

Tell him that he needs to update more.

[Flying Dutchman]

We have a thread on the iMac already, you know. :)

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=646721

Tell him that he needs to update more.

"He" does so when presented with new information :). Really I do, and I will. But until now nothing new has presented itself.