15inch LCD and 15inch iMac Discontinued?

[arn]

Not to take away from IBM's new PowerPC news (http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2002/10/20021013180917.shtml)... it appears that changes are coming soon for other parts of Apple's line.

Apple's 15" LCD iMac is close to be discontinued with removal of the unit from dealers' lists as well as inventories approaching zero across the country. Digitimes reported (http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2002/08/20020822171217.shtml) back in August that 15" LCD iMacs would be discontinued in October, and they appear to be correct. In May, they also reported that 19inch iMacs (http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2002/05/20020531185518.shtml) were on the way, however current sources don't correspond with this prediction.

Apple's 15" LCD also appears to be approaching EOL status, and updates have been expected (http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2002/09/20020929234735.shtml). Apple currently has Display Rebates (http://www.apple.com/promo/powercouple/) until December 31, 2002.

[MacManiac1224]

Finally! They haven't updated the iMac since Jan 2002, it is time for an upgrade Apple! What specs, I can only guess, my predictions:

iMac 17 across the board (I don't think we are going to see any 19 inch displays yet)
800-900mhz low end

most likely 1ghz high end,
new graphics card, higher speed cdrw drives, and bigger hard drives. I am not sure about the memory, but I think 128mb is going to stay on the low end, and high end will have 512mb.

What do you guys think?

[rice_web]

I'm betting on 900-1100MHz, with a possible bus speed change. This might be a little much, but I doubt we'll see only 100MHz seperating the two products, and I doubt that we'll still have an 800MHz iMac available.

Although, I do believe that we'll see the last of the iMac 15" (if slowly).

One possibility is that we'll see 15" iMacs phased out with the 15" iMac being placed at the low-end with an 800MHz processor, and removed when supplies run out.

[Flyers486]

Apple can't upgrade the iMac any higher than 1ghz...it just wouldn't make sense. However an all 17inch lineup does not make sense either...but an upgrade is in order...superdrives across the line (important in my mind)...Oh by the way are the current 17inchs sold out too?...anyway my predictions

15-inch low end (until Mac World San Fran where 19inch is introduced)
800 mhz processor
100mhz systembus
Superdrive
60 Gb Hard Disc
Gf2MX
1399$

17inch middle
800 mhz processor
100 mhz bus
Superdrive
80 GB Hard Drive
Gf4mx
1799$

17inch high end
933 mhz processor (or 1ghz possibly)
133 sysbus
Superdrive
100GB Hard Drive
Built in BlueTooth
Ati Radeon 9000
2099$ (to 1999$ by December 1st)

Updates made at same time as Powerbooks and new bluetooth device

Its just to crazy for the 19inch already (thats a big deal update)...Superdrive eMac same price as 15inch iMac

[arn]

Originally posted by Flyers486
Apple can't upgrade the iMac any higher than 1ghz...it just wouldn't make sense. However an all 17inch lineup does not make sense either...but an upgrade is in order...superdrives across the line (important in my mind)...Oh by the way are the current 17inchs sold out too?...anyway my predictions


17inch models still around.

15inch models unavailable at this time.

arn

[IJ Reilly]

Given that the 15" iMacs appear to be history (as in, completely gone, not just relegated to the low-end), we have to assume that Apple will be able to sell the 17" version for nearly the same price as corresponding 15" model. It would not make sense for them to raise prices on the iMac to accommodate the larger display. With the cost of flat panels declining, they might be able to pull this off.

[gozman]

I just checked the Apple Store for Education Institutions(K-12) and there are no listings of the 15" LCD Studio display ANYWHERE! (all listing have been removed) I believe that is pretty concrete evidence that they are EOL.

who know's what tomorrow will bring......

[arn]

Originally posted by IJ Reilly
Given that the 15" iMacs appear to be history (as in, completely gone, not just relegated to the low-end), we have to assume that Apple will be able to sell the 17" version for nearly the same price as corresponding 15" model. It would not make sense for them to raise prices on the iMac to accommodate the larger display. With the cost of flat panels declining, they might be able to pull this off.

The only caveat is that they could introduce new 15" models with new product numbers.

All that can be assumed is the current 15" product line is going to be discontinued.

arn

[Postal]

I agree on the all-17" possibility, given the various sources seeming to point to the same thing. I also suspect that they'll move to a 133 MHz bus, as the PowerMacs will be beyond that within a month or two of MWSF.

Here's what I'd realistically expect to see, assuming this holds true:

CD-RW

- 867 MHz G4
- 133 MHz system bus
- 256 MB of PC133 memory
- GF4 MX video
- 17" widescreen display
- 60 GB hard drive
- $1299

Combo

- 867 MHz G4
- 133 MHz system bus
- 256 MB of PC133 memory
- GF4 MX video
- 17" widescreen display
- 60 GB hard drive
- Apple Pro Speakers
- $1499

Superdrive

- 1 GHz G4
- 133 MHz system bus
- 512 MB of PC133 memory
- GF4 MX video
- 17" widescreen display
- 80 GB hard drive
- Apple Pro Speakers
- $1799 (maybe $1699)


If the 19" iMac is true, it would be in a similar setup as the Superdrive model mentioned above, but possibly with better video (maybe a Radeon 9000 Pro?) and, more likely, a 120 GB hard drive. It would have the same going price as the current 17" iMac ($1999).

If you're more pragmatic, drop every screen size down a notch (so we're back to 15/15/15/17 again, just with better specs).

[applemacdude]

120gb hd:p


funny:

[applemacdude]

just for fun ok one more:p :rolleyes:

[scem0]

Originally posted by Postal
I agree on the all-17" possibility, given the various sources seeming to point to the same thing. I also suspect that they'll move to a 133 MHz bus, as the PowerMacs will be beyond that within a month or two of MWSF.

Here's what I'd realistically expect to see, assuming this holds true:

CD-RW

- 867 MHz G4
- 133 MHz system bus
- 256 MB of PC133 memory
- GF4 MX video
- 17" widescreen display
- 60 GB hard drive
- $1299

Combo

- 867 MHz G4
- 133 MHz system bus
- 256 MB of PC133 memory
- GF4 MX video
- 17" widescreen display
- 60 GB hard drive
- Apple Pro Speakers
- $1499

Superdrive

- 1 GHz G4
- 133 MHz system bus
- 512 MB of PC133 memory
- GF4 MX video
- 17" widescreen display
- 80 GB hard drive
- Apple Pro Speakers
- $1799 (maybe $1699)


If the 19" iMac is true, it would be in a similar setup as the Superdrive model mentioned above, but possibly with better video (maybe a Radeon 9000 Pro?) and, more likely, a 120 GB hard drive. It would have the same going price as the current 17" iMac ($1999).

If you're more pragmatic, drop every screen size down a notch (so we're back to 15/15/15/17 again, just with better specs).

These stats seem the most reasonable out of anyone here. But I think that the prices will be $100-$200 more expensive then her put.

[railthinner]

I'm guessing all will become widescreen. Hence, we'll see a 15"widescreen at the low end of the imac line. hopefully the new flat panels come out soon for us power mac owners. That's where we need to see the 19" widescreen.

[kaneda]

19' inch imac will be very expensive....probably $2,400 for 19' imac...I don't think regular consumer will spend that much money for crappy PowerPc processor..

[gotohamish]

Originally posted by kaneda
...I don't think regular consumer will spend that much money for crappy PowerPc processor..

I really don't think we need comments like that. Why are you here if you think the PPC is "crappy"? All the recent hype about the new IBM chip is getting out of hand. It's still the same old story:

- If you need a new computer NOW, get one.

- If you can hang on, hang on then.

- If you contantly want the technology not released for another 9 months, then you'll never get any. Tomorrow never comes etc.

Look at all the cool stuff the G4 has done, is doing, and might do in the future, it's pretty impressive in my world - and like all things in the Apple world, things do get better and better.

And, on the iMac topic, a 15" widescreen would be nice, and so would 19", it's not like they're gonna get smaller! Before the 17" came out, I wanted one but couldn't step down from the screen on my PBG4.

[Shrek]

Originally posted by kaneda
19' inch imac will be very expensive....probably $2,400 for 19' imac...I don't think regular consumer will spend that much money for crappy PowerPc processor..

Fact is, many high end desktop PCs sell for around $2,999 and don't even have 19" LCD widescreen monitors, so $2,400 would be a good deal. ;)

[IJ Reilly]

Originally posted by arn
The only caveat is that they could introduce new 15" models with new product numbers.

All that can be assumed is the current 15" product line is going to be discontinued.
Of course that's another possible scenario. I'm piecing together the current rumor with the rumor of a month or so ago that 15" iMac production had ceased, and coming to the hopeful conclusion that the entire iMac line is going 17-inch. Either way, we should know soon.

[CTYankee]

Originally posted by gozman
I just checked the Apple Store for Education Institutions(K-12) and there are no listings of the 15" LCD Studio display ANYWHERE! (all listing have been removed) I believe that is pretty concrete evidence that they are EOL.

who know's what tomorrow will bring......

The regular apple store is the same way. No 15" LCDs to be found. Not in the display section or as an option with the powermacs (nor the rebate offer). Just 17,22, and 23" displays.

[Escher]

Originally posted by CTYankee
The regular apple store is the same way. No 15" LCDs to be found. Not in the display section or as an option with the powermacs (nor the rebate offer). Just 17,22, and 23" displays.

But the 15" LCD iMacs are still everywhere. I seriously doubt that Apple will discontinue the 15" LCD iMacs. Why on earth would Apple discontinue the 15" LCD iMac and rob the budget consumer of the pleasure of using an LCD? That makes no sense whatsoever!

Escher

[scem0]

Originally posted by Shrek


Fact is, many high end desktop PCs sell for around $2,999 and don't even have 19" LCD widescreen monitors, so $2,400 would be a good deal. ;)

LOL no it wouldn't. I could get a PC with a 19 inch LCD monitor with equivalent speed for a lot cheaper. There will always be a better deal in the PC world, when comparing it to the mac world. PCs are cheaper, but if you have the money get a mac.

[scem0]

Originally posted by Escher


But the 15" LCD iMacs are still everywhere. I seriously doubt that Apple will discontinue the 15" LCD iMacs. Why on earth would Apple discontinue the 15" LCD iMac and rob the budget consumer of the pleasure of using an LCD? That makes no sense whatsoever!

Escher

People aren't saying that there won't be anymore low priced LCD macs. They are just saying that apple is going to release a better iMac soon enough.

[pimentoLoaf]

The only people I've seen with 15" iMacs of late are Apple Stores -- they are being used as cash registers. :cool:

[robbyd]

apple should make a more affordable widescreen LCD. hopefully that is what is going to happen...

[solvs]

Anyone who is expecting Apple to update a product now, and then again at MWSF is dreaming. Especially the iMac. How long has this current version been around? Jan. is only a few months away, and I doubt the new IBM chip will be ready by then either.

Hopefully we'll be looking at a 1 GHz with a 133 FSB at the top end, no DDR, better VC, bigger HD, new SuperDrives, etc.

The current display promo ends Dec. 31st. Widescreen across the line, lowered prices.

Hope I'm wrong, and it's better, but I'm trying not to get my hopes up. Again.

[veedubdrew]

Originally posted by solvs
Anyone who is expecting Apple to update a product now, and then again at MWSF is dreaming. Especially the iMac. How long has this current version been around? Jan. is only a few months away, and I doubt the new IBM chip will be ready by then either.

Hopefully we'll be looking at a 1 GHz with a 133 FSB at the top end, no DDR, better VC, bigger HD, new SuperDrives, etc.

The current display promo ends Dec. 31st. Widescreen across the line, lowered prices.

Hope I'm wrong, and it's better, but I'm trying not to get my hopes up. Again.

Hey folks, this is my first post here, so I hope it comes out okay! I am returning, after six LONG years dealing with Windows, back to the Mac community this Wednesday. I have decided on a 17" iMac for my new machine and am ordering it on the 16th with my Apple government discount.

I'm kinda fanatical about not buying something right before it gets redesigned, so I've been scouring the net looking for signs of the iMac's next upgrade.

Last night I stumbled on a mac museum website (http://www.theapplemuseum.com/index.php?id=tam&page=history&subpage=2000) and was looking for signs that something might be coming this week in October for the iMac. On that link there is the timeline of the PowerBook G4 launch. The PowerBook G4, according to this site, was launched at MacWorldSF 2001 in January, then left alone until October 16th, when it got an upgrade, very much like the current situation with the iMac

To my eyes, it seems that this week in October is very likely to bring an iMac speed bump after a year of virtually nothing, much like what happened with the PowerBook G4. Any thoughts on this?

I'm very anxious to order my Mac and get out of this Windows nightmare, and the more I use OSX at the Apple store, the more I'm in love with it. Anyhow, based on the TiBook timeline, I'm going to cross my fingers and toes and hope that I wake up tomorrow morning to a revised iMac! If it isn't revised, I'll probably just buy the stupid thing anyway, I'm just really excited to have a Mac again. It'll be good to be back.

-Drew

[IJ Reilly]

I'd hang on for a few more days, if I were you -- unless of course you want the 17" with the Superdrive. If these new iMac are going to arrive, around now is the right timing. If they don't pop up in the next week or so, they'll be too late for the Christmas season, and Apple may elect to hold them until MW-SF. Given what I've heard, I'd bet on the next week or so -- unless thousands of the new models are currently sitting on container ships sitting at anchor off of the Port of Los Angeles.

[achmafooma]

Hey, my first post :-)

Anybody considered the possibility that the eMac will fill Apple's low-end space and the iMac will become more of a mid-range computer?

After all, it's got more under the hood than the eMac plus a major style advantage, but it's certainly no PowerMac.

As it stands now, there's no huge difference between the eMac and the low-end iMacs (enclosure-aside), so getting rid of some of the low-end iMacs would probably keep the two from cannibalizing one another's sales.

Not to mention I'm sure the eMac is cheaper to produce, which means bigger margins on sales. The higher end iMacs make bigger margins as well, so more profit all around and less internal Apple vs. Apple competition.

Just my first MacRumors $0.02.


~ Scott Bradford
~ achmafooma

[robbyd]

remember when steve said "in 2003 no macs are going to beable to boot into OS 9"? well it wouldnt make sense at all to release a new mac a few months before macs will only boot into os x. if they are trying to tighten the bag on OS 9 i think this would be the best way, and it makes the most sense. i dunno if that made sense because i just typed it and i didnt even re-read it and i dont even really care.

[medea]

I'd say a new 15" widescreen would be a good choice, I doubt they would suddenly drop the price of the 17" one down to what the 15" was and they definitely need to keep the lower price iMac's.
although they have sold more models with the superdrive than any of the other models......

[IJ Reilly]

Originally posted by robbyd
remember when steve said "in 2003 no macs are going to beable to boot into OS 9"? well it wouldnt make sense at all to release a new mac a few months before macs will only boot into os x.

The lack of bootability into OS9 will probably be accompanied by some significant change in the hardware architecture.

Clearly Apple intends on offering a 17" display in something other than the top-end iMac model. It doesn't make any sense for them to keep the product line configured the way it is now.

[Rower_CPU]

Why does everyone say the iMac has not been updated since Jan 2002? Uh, hello...17" iMac released in July...Granted it's not a CPU upgrade, but the fact remains that that was the last time the line was updated.

Also, keep in mind that Apple has publicly stated that they will no longer announce hardware only at Expo Keynotes...giving them the option to announce product updates whenever they choose to.

[MacHack]

The new iMacs will indeed be 17" across the line with 19" models coming shortly after (probably January).
Apple has been working on a new video card that will work with its iTV app. Basically turning your Mac into a TiVo on steroids. I didn't expect it to be ready yet, but it looks like it may be released with the updated iMacs.
Also, bottom two models do not include Superdrive.

[gotohamish]

Originally posted by MacHack
The new iMacs will indeed be 17" across the line with 19" models coming shortly after (probably January).
Apple has been working on a new video card that will work with its iTV app. Basically turning your Mac into a TiVo on steroids. I didn't expect it to be ready yet, but it looks like it may be released with the updated iMacs.
Also, bottom two models do not include Superdrive.

Well, if you know so much, why are we only hearing about it now, in this off hand tone?

[eric_n_dfw]

In case you missed it, Gateway just anounced all of their machines come standard with LCD monitors.

Link: Gateway makes flat panels standard with its PCs - at CBS MarketWatch (http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story.asp?siteid=yhoo&guid=%7BC81FE475%2D7923%2D4948%2DBF54%2DACD41F0F19B9%7D&)
...Gateway's new 300S computer comes with a 15-inch monitor, a 1.8 gigahertz Intel Celeron processor, a 40-gigabyte hard drive, 128 megabytes of RAM and will cost $699. The new 300X computer has a 15-inch monitor, a 1.8 gigahertz Intel Pentium 4 processor, a 60-gigabyte hard drive, 256 megabytes of RAM and a $999 price tag. ...
Now, GTW is in bad shape but $699 for those spec's is going to sound mighty tempting to a lot of customers who might otherwise buy a $799 CRT iMac.

:-/

[barkmonster]

The regular apple store is the same way. No 15" LCDs to be found. Not in the display section or as an option with the powermacs (nor the rebate offer). Just 17,22, and 23" displays.

I just looked on the UK apple store, no more 15" anywhere.

It now means that with the £150 rebate still being in effect, an entry level G4 powermac with the modem removed and the smallest apple branded LCD they offer now costs an obscene £2000.32 including V.A.T.

boo hoo and all that :mad:

[Bradcoe]

A 15" iMac wont disappear because it lets apple sell a low cost iMac. They wouldn't sell any 17" for the price of the curren 15", and raising the low-end iMac's price would just kill sales. Apple needs a low cost, good looking, stripped computer just so people who buy $700 pc's (cause they have no money) can buy an apple and then stick w/apple forever. Once you go apple you dont go back. I'm sure apple will eventually get rid of the 15" iMac, but not until the 17" LCD costs about the same. I don't care if apple has 5 different iMacs. They need at least one dirt cheap, popular computer. The eMac doesn't cut it cause no one knows about it and its no where NEAR as sexy as the iMac, regardless of its low-cost-ness