iMac Rumor...

[MacRumors]

Appleinsider (http://www.appleinsider.com) made a brief return... with a new iMac rumors -- only to pull it without explanation. Details are provided at MacGeneration (http://www.macgeneration.com) (translation (http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macgeneration.com%2Fmgnews%2Fdepeche.php%3FaIdDepeche%3D3364&langpair=fr%7Cen&hl=en&prev=%2Flanguage_tools)):

an article which announces the nearest arrival of iMac with flat-faced screen. Equipped with a flat-faced screen 15 inches able to post a resolution of 1024*768, the general public computer would include G3 flirtant the Gigahertz and GeForce2 MX with 32 Mo of read-write memory.

[Edited by Macrumors on 11-30-2001 at 03:46 PM]

[Doraemon]

Where is that article on AppleInsider?

[KnightRyder]

It will be nice....if it is true........

[spikey]

Oh ********** hell not another one.
Is it just me that gets bored of hearing the same story???

[kimble]

Well clearly the part about having a SuperDrive is false if the new machines are based on G3's. iDVD relies very heavily on the G4 AltiVec to do it's encoding. Encoding a DVD would take 4-5x actual length to encode on a G3!

[SPG]

My french is how you say? not so good? But I think that the comment about the superdrive was speculation added by the site, not the source.
This rumor has been coming up so many times now that it makes you wonder what's REALLY happening at Apple. Was this thing built for MWNY and not released? Is it finally going to be released at MWSF or is it just what everybody thinks Apple will make and now the prediction is becoming the rumor becoming the belief.

[jefhatfield]

you are almost mac god now!

it was like only yesterday that you became senior member

[SPG]

Sniff, sniff, thank you. I'd like to thank the academy, and of course I'd really like to thank the end of the production rush and the downtime that has allowed me to become such a prolific poster of my bad jokes, wild speculation, and generally over valued two cents.
__________________
I hope I never become a "Mac God".

[evanmarx]

the imac is perfect ...

we just bought a new showwhite imac (700Mhz) and its gorgeous. it runs macosx 10.1 perfectly fine. and the form factor of the imac still one of the best industrial designs in the last five years. why change the form now, if it's not something totally radical? i mean totally radical!

if the lcd secreen is "just" XGA 1024x768, forget it ... why bother ... put in a g4, put in a superdrive in the top end (why else would apple have made idvd2, if not t put it into a consumer machine?) ... bette graphics and so on ... ame price ... yes

[Macmaniac]

Although a flat screen iMac sounds tempting, apple should be more daring with the iMac. The iMac needs to go with bigger screens. I love the iMac in fact I'm getting a 700mhz snow this weekend, but apple should go all out and give iMac a 17in screen, and in true mac fashion (The Surprise) *gasp* MAYBE a 19in screen for the iMac(Gettin a little carried away)
Still 17in is well within apples abilities. Maybe make the iMac more upgradeable with more room for expansion.
This would help capture more of the gaming market:)
Well we will find out:)

P.S. It was 4 year struggle to get this new iMac (I don't have it yet)

[mymemory]

The iMacs should be destroyed!!!!! they are dangerous machines used by the Taliban to compose vinil remixes of old Men Withou Hats B-sides!!!

[SPG]

The bigger screen CRT does have on small problem...weight. iMac's are fairly portable in their current form factor, so the weight might be considered a minor issue, a slight drawback to the bigger appeal of a bigger monitor. Bigger LCD? no problem.
The current form factor is too old. period. Apple needs a new designa that's fresh and inviting foremost. An iDVd capable high end machine (G4 or hardware mpeg encoder) would be the sh#t though.

___________________
MM, What the hell are you smoking?

[mymemory]

I'm a bit psico rush because:
About a month ago we decided (in my country) to make a manifestation and a walk to our "White House" to ask the president to leave. That is gonna happend (the walk) next friday.
Now, we just found out that the presidet gave 700 rifles to the governor (part of his political party) obviusly to start a civil war.
Our president want to stablish a dictatorship. So, he wants a masacre to happend to stablish a martial law, if that happend all garanties are put on hold, that means the gouverment can break in to your house without a permit, can close tv stations, can put people in jail, etc. as they wish.
Monday the 10th we are gonna have a national strike where evry single bussiness, may be even tv stations are not gonna work for one day, no plublic services, not hospitals, schools, etc. All because this president declared 40 new laws based on the Cuban constitution that allows him have contro on the private property.

So, he declared the 40 laws without consulting, the chamber of commerce goes to strike, we plan our walk, and the gouverment want something to happend to declare martial law and be able to put every body in jail and take over the entire country at once. So, we have to go to strike but without causing any trouble, because we have to show to the rest of the country that the president have a minority.

What is having me so upset is that the US wants to start attaking Irak when the real problem is down here. Our president is financing evry single comunist group in the world with the money we produce from the oil we sell to the US.

Next week is gonna be something. I'm building the web site of the organization by the way. And I am security too, so I do not really want to be in that walk under those circunstances. Let see want happend.

Sorry for my miss speling

[Spedly]

This rumor sounds reasonable. A single G3 processor option clocked at 1 gHz with a 15" monitor (LCD or otherwise) capable of 17" CRT resolution would be similar to the iBook product array. GEForce2 graphics top to bottom with a choice of CD, CR-RW, and combo drive makes sense, but I doubt a DVD-R capability. I suspect hard drives would vary from 20 to 60 gB.

The biggest surprise of this would be a new form factor IMO.

[aaronvegh]

the other company that introd the superdrive was Compaq, in its consumer-focused Presario line. Albeit at the top of the line. Albeit not with its ease of use! ;-) But to provide that capability in the iMac, there must be a G4. Why not axe the G3 anyway? The thing's been around for years and years...time to put it to bed. Especially with the G5 on the horizon.

Cheers,
Aaron.

PS. First post! ha ha. Sorry.

[spikey]

The imac does need a new shape.
Whatever shape it is going to be they will need a good designer to create it, it would be nice if jonathan ive's team did it again.

The imac needs to be become smaller and more compact, but also have something to set it apart from the ibook.

[pkradd]

Mr. Ive and his staff of designers are responsible for all Apple product designs the past 4 years and will continue to do that. That's their job!

[Foocha]

I think Apple's product design team have lost their way recently. Ever since the cube they've been re-defining the word bland. Silver/Grey/White and rectangular are the order of the day. What a change from the colourful and curvacious lines of old. It's odd that OS X almost looks like it was design to go with the old hardware rather than the new machines.

iPod is the worst example of Apple's new bland-chic. It's so plain white and bland it looks almost medical - more like a stethascope than a consumer device. (Don't get me wrong, I think it's a great product - I love mine and will never be parted with it - it just looks dull).

The only recent product design from Apple that I would rate highly is the Titanium PowerBook G4, which is a thing of beauty.

Now might be a good time to bring some fresh talent into the product design team at Cupertino.

[spikey]

I meant it would be nice if they made a revolutionary, or atleast very good design like they did with the original imac.
god damn i have to spell things out.

[Edited by spikey on 12-01-2001 at 04:32 PM]

[spikey]

Its not the talent thats at fault, if someone tells them to follow that design Genre then they will have to follow it.
Which leaves them with not enough to do to the product to make it look good.
I think the departure from the colours was good, people were starting to think macs were just coloured computers and werent anything special.

the quicksilvers were just a botch job and hopefully will be replaced soon. I think they were just made to fill time.
Usually in design, when someone alters a design a bit instead of a more drmamtic change it means it is about to be replaced or altered once again.
The iPod still looks better than anything else on the market.
Ibook looks nice, but is dull.
Tibook is a masterpeice of design. The elegance of it is extremely hard to create in a machine like that. Trust me.



[Edited by spikey on 12-01-2001 at 04:34 PM]

[Foocha]

I agree - PowerBook G4 is the finest looking portable ever. Period.

[MacAztec]

I think it would be great if Apple could debut a new iMac this January. I believe it wont happen, but it would be awesome. I also think this MWSF will have a new cube. The times are ready, and so am I. The cube was probly the best computer ever built, but it was ahead of its time. I believe the new things will be the Cube, and a G5. This would put apple back on top.

[spikey]

Im looking forward to a new G5 tower. The signs say it will happen.
Apple have the oppurtunity to play around with shapes with a new design whilst following a minimalist approach,The size of the minitower allows them to play around with shapes and design without making the design too messy.

i think this could create something quite elegant, and as always very innovative.

[spikey]

If the imac will be announced with a new shape then it would be likely that it would have an LCD.
An LCD would incorporate into their "design strategy" more than a CRT would.

[MacAztec]

I am with you spikey. A new G4 cube would be for the people who like the elegance of a G4. It also has the power. A new G5 would be awesome. For all those heavy video editors.

[Alexz]

I don´t like the cube because you can´t add memery or something which is the one big drawback for the iMac. I don´t look at a iMac and thinks "Here is the ultimate portable computer" weight shouldn´t be a problem. LCD sounds nice but it would get very expensive to buy. 17tums screeen is probably not to think because if apple is continuing to advertise iMacs as small goodlooking computer why add a 17tums screen that would make it look chubby.

[sjestus]

What if Apple put the G5 in the iMac and not the Tower. That would blow everyone away. It would be another reason for Apple to make people say; "Why the heck did they do that?"

[ThlayliTheFierce]

Apple's 17in display looks anything but chubby. Could they put that screen into an iMac and make it look good? I think they could do it. Hell, I think they have done it, but SJ doesn't want to release it because it costs too much and the market isn't all that hot right now.

I disagree about the iPod looking like a stethescope. I think their new designs are stylish and elegant. Most importantly they look different than every other computer out there. And yes, the TiBook belongs in an art gallery.

My two cents

[ThlayliTheFierce]

If Apple did that, I would say that SJ had lost his mind.

[AmbitiousLemon]

I just dont think the time is right for a lcd imac. The prices are low, yes, but still now low enough. The imac has already seen a couple price jumps and i think these have been mostly what has hurt its sales recently. a new customer comes in and see pcs systems for $600 or an imac for $900 and the decision is made. The imac originally sold well because it brought in new mac customers.

I think there will be new imacs in january but im expecting a small tweak to the enclosure (a new color or whatever) and a serious speed increase of at least 1Ghz (but they need the g4s or g5s to be faster because of the mhz myth).

the lcd imac seems like one of those rumors that will float around for years, much like the backlit keyboard on the laptops, it would be beautiful but there are too many problems with it (heat with the laptops price with the imacs).

[MacAztec]

Originally posted by ThlayliTheFierce
Apple's 17in display looks anything but chubby. Could they put that screen into an iMac and make it look good? I think they could do it. Hell, I think they have done it, but SJ doesn't want to release it because it costs too much and the market isn't all that hot right now.

I disagree about the iPod looking like a stethescope. I think their new designs are stylish and elegant. Most importantly they look different than every other computer out there. And yes, the TiBook belongs in an art gallery.

My two cents

Well, I think you are wrong. A 17in display is sleek, and small. Think about it. A big bulky monitor, or a flat screen? THats what i thought. The imac with an LCD and the box would be smaller than the one today. As for somebody said about putting memory in a cube, that is easy. Unless you are stupid, it is too easy to be true

[ThlayliTheFierce]

Oops I guess I didn't quite understand Alexz's post. Maybe the language barrier thing. I thought he meant Apple couldn't put a 17" LCD into an iMac and make it look good. Yeah, 17" CRT would suck. And what the heck is a tum? As in 17tums?

[Edited by ThlayliTheFierce on 12-02-2001 at 04:18 AM]

[AmbitiousLemon]

you guys are getting really crazy with this 17" lcd. first off a 15" lcd would still be an improvement since the current imac just has a 15" crt and a 15" lcd has more viewing area than a 15" crt. So if we ever do get a lcd imac apple wouldnt have to go crazy and throw some huge lcd display into it to increase viewing area, theyd drop the 15" in brag about the lcd compact size AND increased (viewing area). Or they could even put a 13" lcd in there and keep the viewing area the same. but as i said before lcds are still way too expensive (although a 13" mightt be close). the current imacs are already too expensive (hence slumping sales) what apple needs to do is bring prices down to sell more imacs not knock the imac into cube price territory by putting a lcd in it.

[Edited by AmbitiousLemon on 12-02-2001 at 05:53 AM]

[spikey]

It is not going to be a 13" LCD because it wouldnt stand out from the iBook enough.
It wouldnt be a 17" CRT because its too bulky and doesnt fit into their design strategy.

It could be a 15" LCD, the imac is the only product of theirs which doesnt fit the design strategy. They need an LCD in an imac for them to design the imac in the style they want.
It could also be a shortneck CRT, but this would be hard to design around.

15"LCD looks possible.

[edenwaith]

Back in July when the rumors were flying madly about that the flat-screen iMac might make its debut, I began looking at the iMac I was using and thought how the design was beginning to look a little old. It is still tons different from about any other computer out there, but still, it is becoming stale. Even look at how the iBook was redesigned to resemble more of a notebook rather than a clamshell.

I do believe that flat-panelled iMacs will eventually see the light of day, but I'm not going to hold my breath too hard and see if they finally make their show at the beginning of next year. If they do, then Apple has done well in not leaking out too many (if any secrets) about it and what it will look like. But then again, maybe there will only be prototypes available, and the actual machine won't be released for another month or two after the Macworld in January.

One of the biggest problems I've read about concerning a flat-panel iMac is the cost. If the actual LCD screen can be produced cheaply enough, then perhaps the iMac can remain a viable customer option. Or perhaps they'll have two different divisions, the CRT low end and the LCD high end iMacs.

One thing I've been very curious about, is why the consumer computers don't have G4 chips yet. Are the G4 that much more expensive? I even considered that perhaps they give off too much heat, preventing them from going into laptops, but the Ti Powerbook has disproved that theory. If the professional line of computers does jump up to G5 chips, then I hope that the iMac at least gets the hand-me-down G4 chips to give them a little more performance boost. But if Apple does add LCDs in all of the iMacs (and perhaps G4 chips), this might raise even the lower bounds, and provide a bit of difficulty in selling even their low-end machines. Apple has been great at innovation, but often they try and slap a high price tag for that innovation, which can hurt them. Or there are other things they've done (removing the 3.5" floppy drive) which was a little too premature for the current computing world. IMO, Apple should have provided some writable drive in the iMac until it could replace it with another option (i.e. CD burners). But at least all of their models come equipped with CD burners (if you want one).

One person mentioned that they think that the Cube is going to be re-released. I'd definitely be happy about that, and I was highly considering getting a Cube, but I read about too many hardware problems (CDs ejecting and random power-offs), so I didn't want to bother with it, and got a G4 tower instead. Also, the tower has greater room for expandibility, which I've made some use of by adding a second hard drive.

[MacAztec]

Originally posted by edenwaith
One person mentioned that they think that the Cube is going to be re-released. I'd definitely be happy about that, and I was highly considering getting a Cube, but I read about too many hardware problems (CDs ejecting and random power-offs), so I didn't want to bother with it, and got a G4 tower instead. Also, the tower has greater room for expandibility, which I've made some use of by adding a second hard drive.

That was me. I do believe that apple has probly fixed those problems and a new cube will be realeased. Wouldnt that be great? I would buy a new cube in a heartbeat.

LCD's are not that expensive. I think apple will be making a whole new division of computers, and dump the CRT. THe time has come...

[phayd]

First, the iMac should be taken out back and shot. It was a great form factor and price/performance for 2 yrs ago. I know of several people that cannot justify Macs because of the iMac.

First, it needs a G4. With MOSX, the OS uses altivec. Every machine needs to utilize this. With the G5 coming out, Apple can move the processors down the line, so to speak. A 766 MHz G4 should do the trick for the low end.

Second, it needs to utilize an external monitor. Apple already has a fairly proprietary monitor port (ADC), if they include this as the _only_ monitor port, they will sell a monitor to every consumer too.

Third, it needs to be at a stellar price point. If we figure in a $899 monitor, the low end needs to be at ~$400. This makes a computer for $1299, and more if you want a bigger screen.

$10 - 256 MB RAM (if that expensive)
$50 - 30 GB HD
$50 - Cube case (guess)
$150- Processor, Motherboard, and Graphics chipset (guess)
$25 - RW-CDR

Note that I used a cube enclosure, which has already been designed. A $400 price point leaves Apple a lot of profit, and also note I dropped the price of the monitor $100.

Also note that I dropped the <$1000 price point. With a flat screen, this would be extremely tough, and IMHO, it would be much better for Apple to target the $1200 - $1500, which is where the iMac fails. For a sub $1000 option, they can keep the iMac.

[phayd]

Originally posted by AmbitiousLemon
a new customer comes in and see pcs systems for $600 or an imac for $900 and the decision is made.

That isn't the problem with the iMac. The problem is that it doesn't perform like a $900 machine. The iMac is a bad choice for someone buying a computer today. If you want a bigger monitor, you can't get the consumer Mac. If you want a processor with SIMD capabilities (like every Pentium,) you have to get the professional tower.

Apple is so afraid that professionals won't spend $2000 for a better machine, that they cripple the consumer machine to a point that it is no longer cost-effective.

Let the G4 be the consumer processor. Let the G5 be the Pro model. People who need a computer with the biggest cajones will still buy pro. Everyone else will buy the consumer model, instead of a Dell.

[jefhatfield]

the all in one was a more unique idea in 1998 but there are still enough people who need a simple system

the G4s and possible upcoming G5 towers with external monitors cover that market and the imac all in one can still continue to cover those who want simplicity in that respect

the imac does come with a monitor out port so one can use that option if they want a larger image

maybe the g3 has had it and maybe the crt is out, too...but an all in one design should be viable at least for the near future (however, the pc world with the e-machines all in one and the gateway all in one didn't fare that well so maybe the all in one idea has come to an end)

january should give us some answers

[AmbitiousLemon]

phayd i completely disagree. i was just talking about the average consumer who walks into the computer store with no expectation. this is how most consumers are. they dont know about simd and they arent thinking about huge monitors. they usually buy whatever the employees steer them towards as long as its priced right. jef's got the right attitude. the imac has lost its uniqueness but there probably is still a market for people wanting to just grab a computer plug it in and go. jef's right on target with the g4/5 targeting the kinda of computer savy market phayd is describing. i mean can u imagine ma and pa jones walking into the computer store and looking at disgust at a g3 imac without simd capabilities? no! of course not.

and what is this about imacs dont performing like $900 machines? im certaining not saying that. you take any imac out there and it will out perform any equally priced dell system you set next to it. the problem with the imac is that it has steadily increased in cost every year it has been out, and yes its gotten better but obviously thats not too important to consumers because its not selling. i would love to see g4 lcd imacs, and i even think apple could pull it off for under $1000 if theyw anted to, but that wont sell imacs. bump up the speed, yes, but you have to drop the price back down the the $600 price range that made the imac the best selling computer ever.

[GPTurismo]

LCD's are cheap. Look at Gateway and Dell, they both are giving LCD's with machines that cost under 1000. So don't tell me they are to expensive.

[edenwaith]

Originally posted by AmbitiousLemon
a new customer comes in and see pcs systems for $600 or an imac for $900 and the decision is made.

An old teacher of mine and I were discussing this issue several years ago, but the prices were more expensive. Let's say Average Joe Blow decides he wants to buy a computer. He goes into a computer store, with nothing too much more in mind than he wants a computer for word processesing, e-mail, and browsing the web. He takes a look at the selection. There is the $2000 PC, running Windows 3.1 or 95. Then there is the Mac, which runs better, and is more reliable, but it costs $3000.

Now what is the Average Joe going to do? Average Joe can hear about the ease and joy of using a Mac, but his pocketbook has something else to say about the price. Unfortunately, the PC wins because of the cheaper hardware.

That was the situation several years ago. Same situation often applies today, but the price gap isn't quite so drastic, and I think Apple has made some great strides in improving it's image. How many people do you know who profess about how great their Dell or Gateway computer is? I don't know any.

Also, another problem with new computer consumers is, they are just naive. It's similar to a person buying their first car or house, they just don't know and understand all of the loopholes and rules involved. As far as computer go, many people are pretty much in the dark when making their first computer purchase.

Maybe, just maybe, in the next generation of computer owners, they will be much wiser, and won't just go for anything that a salesman pushes in front of them, but perhaps they will begin to look and shop around, trying to find the best solution, instead of the easiest (and temporary) solution.

[akuma]

I think the problem is that most consumers (people like my grandma) have absolutely no idea what an apple computer is. My grandma thinks that Macintosh is a program for Windows! I've tried to set her straight numerous times, but since she won't come visit me (she's got a bad hip and doesn't like to travel) I can't show her what an apple computer is or how it works.

She went against my referral to get an imac back when she got an ibm box, just because of the salespeople steered her away from macintoshes with lies (you can't get emails from friends, you won't be able to look at webapages, unless they were made on a macintosh, etc., etc.)

Somehow Apple needs to get its image (ease of use, adapability) into more consumers heads.

I can turn on the tv and within 20 minutes I'll see an ad for gateway, dell, compaq-hp, or some other wintel "thing." Last time I saw an apple ad was the iPod one, and that was last week!

[edenwaith]

Originally posted by akuma
I think the problem is that most consumers (people like my grandma) have absolutely no idea what an apple computer is. My grandma thinks that Macintosh is a program for Windows!



Hey, I used to think 'Windows' meant the little windows on a Mac. I led a lovely secluded life in high school where Windows 3.1 nor Windows 95 ever was seen. I had only seen Windows 3.1 briefly, and I could only remark about how ugly it was (especially in comparison to Mac OS...even OS 6 looked tons better...on a black & white 9" Classic monitor!)

[akuma]

Originally posted by edenwaith
[QUOTE]
Hey, I used to think 'Windows' meant the little windows on a Mac. I led a lovely secluded life in high school where Windows 3.1 nor Windows 95 ever was seen. I had only seen Windows 3.1 briefly, and I could only remark about how ugly it was (especially in comparison to Mac OS...even OS 6 looked tons better...on a black & white 9" Classic monitor!)

I wish I would've went to your high school! :)

[AmbitiousLemon]

i think most people are like akuma's grandmaother there. they might know enough to ask about a mac when they are in the store but when the store clerk tells them all of the beautiful little myths that peecee users have about macs the customer quickly knods their head and follows the clerk away from the pretty machines.

i like what edenwraith said about prices though, and i think thats a very good way to look at things. the gap is closing, and this bodes well for apple.

as for lcds being cheap because dell and gateway have sub $1000 lcd machines, that doesnt fly with me. i think we all know the quality of apple lcds puts them in a price range way about any lcd gateway will sell packaged with a computer. apple's low end is at $400. that more than half the price at which the imac should be selling. i guess we are expecting prices to drop one more step in january, maybe placing apple's 15" (which they wont sell anymore) below $400 where the 17" will be selling. i cant imagine these mixed pricing strategies im hearing from everyone. the g4/g5 powermacs coexisting the crt/lcd imacs coexisting. maybe im missing the boat here but i think if we see a g5 and if we see a lcdimac there wont be any g4s (unless its in an imac) and we wont see any crt imacs. all or nothing with apple.

so can we come up with a pricing scheme with a lcd imac that places it under $800? (although i still think apple has to sell its imacs more around $600 but that wont happen anytime soon).